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
Dawg48
November 19th, 2011
9:49 pm
Ugarick
He was suspended for breaking team rules
Crowell
November 19th, 2011
9:53 pm
he was 2 finger cigarette smok’n witd me.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 19th, 2011
9:54 pm
Flat tire
Who is the stupid one moron
Big Mike makes the comment of we will beat LSU
I countered his point that we will probably lose because our O-line couldnt block KY’s D-line today and LSU is 2 deep on their D-line all being NFL prospects
Now does that make a little sense for you Troll Moron
Tell your toothless sister to type your address so I will know where to tell Hooked on Phonics to send there product for you since you cant read or think
GT is a 4th rate high school team
November 19th, 2011
9:54 pm
Hey even LSU did not get a touchdown against BAMA, nor did BAMA against LSU. Those are both ugly win and ugly loss. LOL
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 19th, 2011
9:57 pm
Dawg48
Read the arrogant comment Bozo made after the game
http://www.macon.com/2011/11/19/1792650/from-the-locker-room-we-aint-apologizing.html
Crowell
November 19th, 2011
9:57 pm
@GT is a 4th Ugly win/loss? Yea, like kissing your sister when she looks like Bayonce.
Dawg48
November 19th, 2011
9:58 pm
Clemson 2 loss team
If Oregon gets beat 2 loss team
Oklahoma getting beat possibly 2 loss team
Oklahoma beats okie st 2 loss team
Just saying
Dawg48
November 19th, 2011
10:01 pm
Bobo put it on grant hems shoulders it seems like
Dawgs ride D to SEC title game; offense shaky – FOXSports.com | sitestudywordpressdiamondbookmark
November 19th, 2011
10:01 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
Crowell
November 19th, 2011
10:02 pm
- Contrary to what was reported before the game, junior tailback Carlton Thomas was in fact suspended for the game.
“Carlton did not play because he violated a team rule,” Richt said at the start of his postgame news conference. “And that’s all I’m gonna say about that.”
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 19th, 2011
10:04 pm
Dawg48
What I would like to ask Bozo is this
If its a bottom line business what happened in the Boise St game?
and
Are you here to call a game to win or hope Gratham wins it for you
Sorry Dawg48
But Mike Arrogant Bonehead has to go
Dawg48
November 19th, 2011
10:07 pm
Save that one altamahadawg! LOL
I can see your argument and that douse have me thinking.
Just think flat if we went into the auburn game with that conservative mentality on offense what would the score have been if we went for the throat?
IlliniDawg
November 19th, 2011
10:11 pm
Herschel played more than half of the Sugar Bowl with a separated shoulder, and when asked how he did it, he famously replied, “well the ball, it ain’t too heavy”. At this point I can’t even imagine Crowell doing anything even remotely like this. The guy is either as fragile as a case of fine china or is just a p***y – one or the other. Keith Marshall, we need you! And in the meantime, get well fast Richard Samuel, cuz Isaiah sure as hell ain’t gonna last one quarter against Les Miles’ boyz.
Dawg48
November 19th, 2011
10:12 pm
Flat
Not to change the subject
Who do you think ends up at north Carolina?
And do you think any big name coach would want the ohiost or Penn st job right now?
IlliniDawg
November 19th, 2011
10:12 pm
Oh, and Carlton Thomas either cannot read the team rules or is a moron, because he clearly does not understand them and the consequences of any violations.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 19th, 2011
10:16 pm
Dawg48
Thats been my grief with Bonehead he doesnt utilize the talent he has
This well known by those who know the game. He never makes adjustments and as I argued the other day with Altmaha and Tampa Dawg this is why he isnt mentioned for any coaching postions.
And his arrogance is why he will not change and why UGA will not go to the next level
again
What have you seen from Gratham regardless of the teams we have played “CONSISTANCY”
What have you seen from Bonehead “INCONSISTANCY” all year long
IlliniDawg
November 19th, 2011
10:16 pm
@WnE: your comment at 8:01 was hilarious! I can just see it now – UGA the first to include a bong as part of the trainer’s table game kit.
Dawg48
November 19th, 2011
10:19 pm
Flat
Being the devils advocate here
Do you think bama ( saban ) runs a conservative offense and a strong deffese?
7576DAWG
November 19th, 2011
10:25 pm
It was obvious that Georgia didn’t get much contact practice time in this past week.
.The rain on Tuesday or Wednesday really hurt us having the scout team copy Kentucky and get our guy’s ready. Also it really hurt’s when your #1 Tailback get’s hurt on the 3rd running play and your 2nd string running back get suspended for some more dumb s###. When I saw who was going to be our running back’s today I said I sure hope we can overcome 2 to 4 fumbles. These little guy’s can not get pounded on by SEC defenses without fumbling the ball.
Dooley lived with just enough offense , a shut down defense and a accurate field goal kicker and that exactly what won our game today. Great job Grantham, we are lucky to have you on our sideline.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 19th, 2011
10:26 pm
Dawg 48
Any big name coach even considering the Penn St job has to have his head examined. That place is going to be a recruiting disaster for at least 5 yrs
UNC; I really have no idea. If I was Malzone I would take it and get away from middle of nowhere Auburn AL. Plus you can win at least 9 games a year at UNC and those fans will be happy
Ohio St Urban Creyer keeps coming up who knows; he was just questioned about it again and denied it on ESPN so you know how that goes
Crowell
November 19th, 2011
10:26 pm
Dawg48 Saban be hav’n 2 deep talent better dan me dat be y iz at Uga. I getz tired jes think’n bout carring Richardson’s jockstrap.
IlliniDawg
November 19th, 2011
10:28 pm
@Crowell: no need for the over-the-top racial overtones. But I totally agree with you that Crowell is hugely over-rated.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 19th, 2011
10:34 pm
Dawg48
Saban studies your defense and exploits your defense and runs that exploitation until you stop him
Heck just go back and look what he did to Willie Martinez
Anyway does Saban run up the middle on 3 and 10? when your behind against a KY level team?
I doubt it
Mike Bonehead runs the same plays and hopes teams cant stop him. I can tell you as Bill King has written many articles about Bobo goes away from successful plays that get him down the field time after time
PerroGrande
November 19th, 2011
10:35 pm
Dear trolls. Crowell is a great back. He got rolled by a 300 pounder. Crowell (on here) is a racist techie.
Dawg48
November 19th, 2011
10:38 pm
Flat
I will say I’m glad you showed me that article it does have me thinking about things
IlliniDawg
November 19th, 2011
10:41 pm
@BigDawg – aka “PerroGrande”: agree that “@Crowell”’s comments are inappropriate. But I am far from convinced of the “greatness” of one Isaiah Crowell. Herschel was far tougher and able to fight through pain an injuires. All the great UGA backs had similar duability: Lars Tate, Robert Edwards, Terrel Davis, etc. Hell, Marcus Lattimore has been tough as nails over his first couple years, playing through all kinds of sprains and stuff, until he actually had a complete tear of his ACL.I just don’t see Crowell being that durable. Not at all.
Crowell
November 19th, 2011
10:43 pm
PerroGrande mayBez I a pizzed dawg that wantz better dan dis trash we be have’n du last fue yrs. I be happy Coach mark send dim boyz pack’n
Tman
November 19th, 2011
10:43 pm
Some bloggers said “Hope Ole Miss slips up on LSU” “LSU has no offense”
LSU just put up 52 on Ole Miss. How many did UGA put up on Ole Miss?
Dawg48
November 19th, 2011
10:45 pm
It’s not fair to compare crowell to Herschel! Their has not been a back since in NCAA like him……
funny...
November 19th, 2011
10:46 pm
I love watching this defense play. Wow
QueerDawg
November 19th, 2011
10:48 pm
Here we go again guys!!!! Fun time in the ATL. Who wants to join me for some FUNNNN pregame activities in midtown? We have some super fun games picked out. Football related them of course for you manly men. I like my men manly, a little bite to them. A little fisting action never hurt anyone either.
Go dawgs!!!
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 19th, 2011
10:49 pm
Dawg48
Im just glad to have an article this time instead of going on what Ive seen for years
Honestly
I really think you now realize what a coach with a brain can do with UGA’s talent by watching what Grantham has done
And now your thinking about all the (would of, could of, should have) games that Mike Bonehead and Slick Willie has cost this program and thats why I have been hard on Richt because Richt is the CEO and someone that supposedly at this level should know football ought to know its not working with Bozo
And no; I did Not Say Fire Mark Richt Now
Just want to be clear before Im accused again for saying it
RAID
November 19th, 2011
10:49 pm
Crowell is an athlete who, in high school, was gaining two hundred yards in the first half and has had to adjust to a brand new type of athletisism, being the SEC….The ball game he is playing today is a huge adjustment from Carver columbus High!……..although he still needs to grow up, he has the tallent, and has shown it to be a great one………I truly believe that he will pay off in the end…….He wants himself to be great the same as we all want to see him be just that!….After watching Burnette roll up on his ankle today I thought it was an unfortunate, legitimate injury…..Watch him run people and tell me he is’nt giving it 100 percent!…..He knows himself he has all the tallent in the world and I promise, In knowing him that he won’t blow this oppurtunity to make the Bulldog faithful proud……Back off people!
Dawg48
November 19th, 2011
10:51 pm
It’s cool flat I see your opinions now we got ot cleared up! LOL
IlliniDawg
November 19th, 2011
10:56 pm
@RAID: fair enough, the “adjustment thing” and all. But that means some folks are far better at making such adjustments than others, and Crowell is not in the upper echelon of this group. Trent Richardson made the adjustment rather well. So did Marcus Lattimore. And Tim Tebow. Etc. Also, he needs to make “adjustments” in other areas of his life. Can’t take hits off the bong like you did back at Carver High.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 19th, 2011
10:56 pm
Dawg48
Here is another point
Have you ever noticed that Murray throws better when he is on the move
Do you think if Spurrier knew that would he have him standing in the pocket most of the time?
Eric C.
November 19th, 2011
10:58 pm
What is the latest on Samuel? Any chance he’ll play in the SECCG?
Fan of the Game
November 19th, 2011
11:01 pm
We need to recruit character at running back and that is the bottom line. And don’t even use Crowell’s name and Herschel’s in the same sentence.
Go_Bravos
November 19th, 2011
11:03 pm
beanster: “Murray haters : Please point out one instance of bad play on his part today. I just don’t see what you see, apparently. The INT really wasn’t his fault. Any others?”
You have got to be joking right? Murray was terrible today, overthrowing as usual, not hitting open receivers. The INT was a terrible throw, you can try and blame it on Mitchell but Murray threw a horrible ball on that play period.
RAID
November 19th, 2011
11:08 pm
@Illinidawg….Agreed 100%!…he does need to adjust elsewhere!…..But admittedly so, conditioning has been a huge part of this process as well….Get used to playing 15 mins a game in high school and then adjusting to the grind of the SEC,,,,,…..He will be just fine……Just hope that ankle isnt as bad as we think but even he says he will be good to go next Sat………Hope he knows more than the docs!…….As far as growing up goes, we’ve all had to do that at some time or the other in life….Well, at least I can admit to it even if no one else will!…….Its called being young and stupid from time to time!
Phillip2
November 19th, 2011
11:12 pm
Phillip….you’re an idiot
RAID
November 19th, 2011
11:27 pm
Anybody watching USC oregon?…….Wonder what a Chip Kelly coached team would do in the SEC?…..Anyways, it’d be fun to watch!
RAID
November 19th, 2011
11:34 pm
Strange things are happening in the top 10 dawg fans……Don’t read too much into todays game with KY!……….
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 19th, 2011
11:39 pm
So LSU plays HOUSTON for the Title.
So today proved Writers are stupid. Computers still do Garbage In Garbage Out. Coaches don’t fill out their ballots the SID does.
Eric C.
November 19th, 2011
11:42 pm
Wow, the FBS landscape is a mess right now with all of the upsets…if Ark pulls one off against LSU and OU beats OSU and Stanford loses another game, and UGA beats UA or LSU, it could be like 2007 all over again with the potential for a 2 loss team to reach the NC game. Don’t think it can’t happen because 2007 proves that it can. Dang, wish there was a playoff system. Any odds on a BSU vs UGA rematch for the NC? jk
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 19th, 2011
11:45 pm
UGA is not even close to worthy of a shot at a MNC.
Dr. Morpheus
November 19th, 2011
11:48 pm
We did it!
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 19th, 2011
11:50 pm
Did WHAT?
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 19th, 2011
11:50 pm
Not beat every team in the East and play the weakest teams in the West?
Yup you did sh.t for sure.
QueerDawg
November 19th, 2011
11:52 pm
Bend over and I will show you! Jay-Kay. I would love to make it down to the big easy to play someone. Easy times in the big easy. Oh wow oh wow. Come on dawgs. Win out!