Dogs’ defense comes through again to clinch SEC East
Losing Isaiah Crowell made life difficult for Mike Bobo Saturday. (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
You can make a pretty convincing case that Georgia won the 2011 SEC East Championship in large part because of the terrific turnaround in its defense this season.
Certainly, on a day when the Dogs’ offense was again missing its top two running backs, its offensive line regressed and its quarterback at times looked like he was throwing with his eyes closed, the defense was definitely the difference in clinching the division title against Kentucky.
Time after time Saturday against Big Blue Georgia’s sputtering offense put the ball game in the defense’s hands, and that proved to be the difference, as Todd Grantham’s troops held the Wildcats to just 165 yards of offense, almost completely shutting them down in the scoreless third quarter. The Cats didn’t get a second-half first down until late in the fourth quarter.
Georgia may not have gotten many style points, at least offensively, in a game where most of their scoring came on field goals, but at the end of the day it was enough, and the Dogs are on their way to the conference championship game for the fourth time in the Mark Richt era.
Now, admittedly, Mike Bobo was dealt a pretty lousy hand when Isaiah Crowell went out for the game with a banged up ankle. With chief backup Carlton Thomas also unavailable, third-stringer Brandon Harton (with an assist from fourth-stringer Ken Malcome) had to step into the fray, and he discovered quickly that even a mediocre SEC defense like Kentucky’s is a whole lot more challenging than New Mexico State. Both Harton and Malcome coughed up the ball to derail Georgia drives.
Unfortunately, it didn’t help matters that when Crowell went to the locker room in the first half Bobo’s playbook also appeared to have gone missing, resulting in one of the more predictable (and least successful) halves the UGA offensive coordinator has had in a while. The low point came at the end of the first quarter and start of the second when three straight runs by Harton were stuffed thanks to the OL letting themselves be dominated.
But the defense persevered (in spite of at least one ridiculously blown call by the officials), and eventually, Bobo started getting a little more creative in getting Harton to the outside (hello, toss sweep!) and the tiny back finally got his 100-yard game as a Bulldog.
And Aaron Murray, who was wildly off-target at times and had a middling day overall throwing the ball, did make a really nice play when he stepped up into the pocket before finding Marlon Brown open in the back of the end zone to open the fourth quarter with Georgia’s lone touchdown.
Still, it was the shutting down of the Kentucky offense in the second half and the turnovers forced by Dog defenders that won the day for Georgia.
They’re not all going to be pretty in a nine-game winning streak, but when a team that started out 0-2 earns its way to the Dec. 3 game at the Georgia Dome, that doesn’t matter a whole lot.
This has turned into a surprisingly good season for the Dogs. They have three games left in which they have the chance to make it a great season that might be talked about for the ages.
One step at a time, though. The SEC can wait a week. First, Georgia needs to focus on the Jackets.
Feel free to share your views on Georgia’s win over Kentucky for the SEC East title.
Go Dogs!
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440 comments Add your comment
Hairy one
November 19th, 2011
6:35 pm
You didn’t read it correctly. Tech’s D is ranked higher than Ky’s, not ours. Our D is superb. However, Tech’s O should be a lot better than Kys. Point is…our O needs to improve a whole bunch.
Hairy one
November 19th, 2011
6:35 pm
That was for Phillip.
Phillip
November 19th, 2011
6:38 pm
No way Georgia Tech beats UGA next week unless Georgia comes into the game with a feeling as if they don’t have to win that game. In reality they don’t for title implications…but you still wanna beat your In-State rival. Georgia Tech gave up 31 points to Duke. That defense is porous. Their offense will be shut down as well. Todd Grantham will have his boys ready to punch you in the mouth….last season was his first season going against Tech’s offense…well he knows what to expect now. He’ll have us ready on defense and I hope Murray and the gang can get our offense going. We probably won’t need that many points.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 19th, 2011
6:38 pm
Isn’t Clem&Sons missing their WR and RB? I know they are really missing one of their Big Play makers.
Phillip
November 19th, 2011
6:42 pm
Still@thebar…it doesn’t matter. Aren’t you a Tech fan? I think Tech is overrated. Tech won’t beat UGA because Tech hasn’t seen a defense as big as Georgia’s. Georgia’s front 3 weighs over 900 pounds combined. John Jenkins will eat your center up. Our linebackers will flow to your running backs or your QB, whoever has the ball. Next week shouldn’t be that hard.
Hairy one…yeah I read that wrong, my bad. Yes our offense has to play better vs. Tech. I don’t think Tech’s offense will do that much damage to our defense but I wanna blow them out. Make it 10 out of 11.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 19th, 2011
6:43 pm
#1LSU and #2HOUSTON the only UNBEATEN teams. Like the Dawgs LOVE to say………….You can only play Who is on your schedule.
Bobdog
November 19th, 2011
6:43 pm
We are going to have to figure out how to win with a bad O line. They are huge, but painfully slow. Glenn and Anderson are really guards forced to play tackle due to attrition. They aren’t fast enough or athletic enough. I’m worried about LSU, but believe our defense will keep us in the game.
UGA Alumnus
November 19th, 2011
6:46 pm
Go Dawgs!
michael
November 19th, 2011
6:47 pm
I thought Bobo had turn over a new leaf with his play calling, but after todays performance it looks like he still has learned nothing from his previous mistakes. He continues to run up the middle on 2nd and ten, therefore putting Murray and his playmakers in precarious situations.
tell me again
November 19th, 2011
6:50 pm
Why do you people dump on Murray? Don’t you think it kind of kills the play fake when you have no running game to scare the defense with? He did fine today considering thr playbook was half shut by the RB injuries. What’s the bottom line? SEC East Champions, baby!
59bulldawg
November 19th, 2011
6:50 pm
OK! You say Thomas violated team rules but was not suspended. So why didn’t he play today? Did I misunderstand? And why is he still on the team? He’s let his teammates down three times now this season. We NEEDED HIM today and he was nowhere to be found.
Hairy one
November 19th, 2011
6:51 pm
Bobdog, I could not agree more. I thought the same thing in the BSU game. They need to occasionally do rollouts; with Murray’s wheels, that gets him away from the pressure and gives the routes time to develop. Screens in different spots would help. Quick halfback flares would be nice, too. Anything that negates poor line blocking. LSU’s D is unlike anything we have seen.
Hairy one
November 19th, 2011
6:52 pm
I do think our D can play.
tell me again
November 19th, 2011
6:52 pm
Crowell is having a rough year with the injuries – anybody will tell you that the SEC is RB hell – it’s a meat grinder and he’s a true freshman – a different universe than high school – just think about the reality check the kid is going through – he needs a year to grow up and get stronger. I hope we have a RB next week – we need a power running game to make the offense click. GO DAWGS!
Phillip
November 19th, 2011
6:54 pm
Georgia will face Houston in the Sugar Bowl. Meanwhile, we need Richard Samuel back and healthy for the SEC Championship. He can wear a defense out.
Bring on Bama or LSU!
Eaassyy
November 19th, 2011
6:55 pm
Boo Malcome might not suck as bad as I thought. There’s gotta be another reason he hasn’t seen significant playing time before today…
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 19th, 2011
6:55 pm
Tell me again?……………………what about Lattimore
stendek
November 19th, 2011
6:56 pm
Happy day Bill! Hi Mark. First I wish to congratulate the Dawgs and Russ on reaching the SEC championship showdown. Nine wins in a row are nine wins regardless of who the opponents were. That being said. If the Dawgs play like this at the Georgia Dome they may as well RSVP out right now. For most of the game it was difficult to determine which team was competing for a playoff berth and which one was primping for next season. My wife asked me what was wrong with the Dawg offense to which I replied they must have been hungover from partying the night before. It was the only thing I could think of which made sense. Aaron Murray was awful. That tiny runner was okay but the fumbles were not. The Dawg FG kicker resurrected back into one of the best in the game. Thankfully since Mark Richt is a big believer in FGs. Terrible playcaller Mike Bobo was on a roll for several games but fell back into a rut with inexplicable inept play calls which left those at Sanford Stadium in a justifiable booing mood. I could not be prouder of the Dawg defense. I could tell after the Wildcats put up their 10th point that the proud Dawgs were determined to close the door at that point. They did. The biggest takeaway of the contest took place right before intermission when a fumble recovery allowed the Dawgs to go into the lockerrom with a 12-10 lead at instead of in a 10-9 hole. Those four FGs were important. The lone Dawg TD ensured the margin was more than a single score. The Dawg offense was not mentally prepared to play against a totally inferior opponent. That is on Richt and Bobo. I have nothing but praise for the defensive coach. The Dawgs are a Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde act this season. I only hope Dr Jekyll shows up in Atlanta. No matter who the opponent is!
Phillip
November 19th, 2011
6:56 pm
Imagine if LSU slips up vs. Ole Miss tonight. If Arkansas can beat LSU next Friday, that’ll put Alabama in the SEC title game. But, But, WHAT IF…LSU loses to Arkansas, & Alabama falls to Auburn? That would put Arkansas in the SEC title game. Lots of football left guys.
SEC title game Matchup….
Georgia vs. ___________________
Mr. SEC
November 19th, 2011
6:57 pm
Better give Grantham a raise! Bobo went brain dead again when he discovered no Crowell or Thomas. McGlarity, please get us a TRUE OF, make Bobo a QB coach if you do not want to fire him, he chokes!
Eaassyy
November 19th, 2011
6:57 pm
minus the fumble on our own 30 of course
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 19th, 2011
6:57 pm
Phillip…………..Houston? Sounds like the same as Hawaii. Maybe the dawgs can turn that game into another Preseason #1 ranking too.
Phillip
November 19th, 2011
6:58 pm
Boo Malcome actually impressed me today minus his fumble. He hit the holes hard and ran with authority. He’s a thick back, a solid 6′0 215-220. He’s solid. He can tote the rock as well. We’ll need every back we have vs. LSU or whoever we play in the title game. Crowell is of course the main one, but he can’t seem to stay in the game.
Phillip
November 19th, 2011
6:59 pm
I actually think Arkansas would give Georgia fits. Their offense vs. our defense would be a great game. LSU and Alabama have no offense what so ever.
Phillip
November 19th, 2011
7:02 pm
I think we should be a top 10 team in the BCS standings tomorrow night. A lot of teams lost that were in the top 10 and one of them lost badly (Clemson). Okie State lost, Clemson got blown out, etc. We should slide right into the top 10 tomorrow night. We’re already number 14. Don’t worry though, after we’re done with this season, we’ll be top 5.
SavDawg
November 19th, 2011
7:04 pm
Jack BS, you are an idiot. I swear, you people make me sick.
1st place DAWG
November 19th, 2011
7:05 pm
I get it, our offense was pretty bad today. Thats why there are 3 phases to a team offense, defense, and special teams. Our offense did suck today but that doesn’t mean they’ll suck next week or in 2 weeks. Let be more supportive. Thank God we only sucked enough to still go to the dome in 2 weeks. Im glad we have a team good enough to win games in which we don’t play well. Now lets take over Atl the next 2 weeks. Happy Thanksgiving Dawg Fans im out!
Phillip
November 19th, 2011
7:05 pm
@ Still@thebar….yes I said Houston. Case Keenum is the all-time passer in CFB history. That would make for a great matchup. However, I wouldn’t want to play them because I think it would be too much like Hawaii. Hawaii got thrashed by us, and so would Houston because Houston’s O-line couldn’t block Jarvis Jones or anybody else in our front 7.
Well, going to go watch the LSU vs. Ole Miss game to view how our (potential) opponent looks.
Nite Dawg fans, & Haters….sounds good doesn’t it?
SEC Title Game; GEORGIA vs. ___________
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 19th, 2011
7:09 pm
Well that is the END of the Ole Miss game. Took all of 28 seconds.
Idiot Dawg
November 19th, 2011
7:11 pm
Dawgs O did not look pretty today. Too many fumbles (ball must be heavy). Sorry, I don’t see us being in the top ten. SECCG could be entertaining or a total disaster. It will be LSU. If the O is still slipping (no running game) we will be like the leftover mincemeat pie and LSU will be the champs.
SatillaDawg
November 19th, 2011
7:13 pm
Nice analysis Stendek.
I didn’t like Harton’s loose grip on the rock, either, but you have to give it to the kid. He gained over 100 yards and often appeared to hit the hole better than Crowell. He almost busted it wide open a couple of times….something Crowell hasn’t done all year.
Hats off to Harton and the 2011 SEC East Champs, the mighty Georgia Bulldogs!
marc
November 19th, 2011
7:14 pm
Well said first place dawg. It amazes me how much some of the people like to focus on the negative when so much positive has come out of this season.
Crowell
November 19th, 2011
7:19 pm
Did somebody say POSITIVE? Dude Coach didn’t tell me I was gonna have to pee in the cup.
Crowell
November 19th, 2011
7:20 pm
I poop things bigger than Harton!
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 19th, 2011
7:22 pm
Its real simple
Granthams coaching = Consistancy every game
Mike Boneheads coaching = inconsistancy with a touch of conservatism
Crowell
November 19th, 2011
7:23 pm
I am Pretty. I saw the missing RB formation just for me. I brought the cute bulldog puppy to my Selection Media Event. My hair is Fab U Las.
DawgByte
November 19th, 2011
7:30 pm
If Crowell goes down and we’re forced to use a 5′ 2″ running back, why not use Brandon Smith more on offense. Bobo came up with a good game plan for NMS when we were down to our midget backfield, so why not quickly adapt back to that plan? Well I’ll tell you why… Mike Bobo can’t think on his feet. In the 4th Qtr. he went back into this insane run, run, run mode with Kentucky only a TD and an onside kick away from winning.
Memo to Bobo: Play to win son, not play to hand on to a game.
Memo to Richt: Stop putting the Governor on the offensive throttle. Put some bloody points on the board and show you’ve got a pair!
Dawg48
November 19th, 2011
7:30 pm
When LSU and bama have bad offense’s but a great D they are still labeled as a great team……
UGA has a bad day on offense and a great day on D we just squeeze by……
Coach Dooley
November 19th, 2011
7:30 pm
I know Herschel Walker.
Herschel Walker is a friend of mine.
And you, Mr. Crowell, are no Herschel Walker.
Numberwang1
November 19th, 2011
7:32 pm
UGA = 2011 SEC East Champions
Congratulations!
Now get back to business and beat the heck out of Georgia Tech.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 19th, 2011
7:39 pm
Was Bobo working the concession stand this game?
Bill
November 19th, 2011
7:39 pm
Memo to DawgByte : You are a fool. UGA is winning.
Crowell
November 19th, 2011
7:39 pm
I’llz make the Dawg Nation forget who Herschel Walker was. I gave the bench hell today like it was a Little League bench. I shat all over it. That bench didn’t have no game for me today.
Seriously
November 19th, 2011
7:41 pm
The dogs won the East due to the lack of LSU, Alabama or Arkansas on their schedule. The defense has not played a top offense yet. I, and the nation will believe if they can beat LSU. Their ‘best’ games were losses. Safe to say they would have two or three additional losses if they played the ‘big’ boys of the SEC. Seriously over rated….
Bill
November 19th, 2011
7:42 pm
Flat Tire on I-95 and Barney Frank are now friends…
Bill
November 19th, 2011
7:44 pm
Dawg48, you have a brain!!!!! You do not fit in here…
Crowell
November 19th, 2011
7:45 pm
I’mz friendz witd Scoobie Doo and Shagy. You know know why wez always lookn for some Scoobie Snacks.
Spike 80DF
November 19th, 2011
7:48 pm
@seriously…wow, ground breaking stuff. no one has said that BS on these blogs before….
martyb74
November 19th, 2011
7:49 pm
These fair-weather fans on here make me sick! We won guys! Take the W! Yes we struggled but we really didn’t count on crowell going down and of course Carlton Thomas wasn’t there. It’s crazy because one week Richt is a piece of crap and the next week he is the best thing since sliced bread. Constructive criticism is ok, but support your team and shut the hell up!
Dawg48
November 19th, 2011
7:50 pm
Thanks bill!