Unfortunately for Tech, Dogs once again caught not looking ahead!
Dogs prove it once again at Grant Field. (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
I wonder what excuse Paul Johnson will use this time for the Dogs walking off Historic Grant Field as the victors for the sixth consecutive time.
Maybe he can take a page from all those folks (including the ESPN “GameDay” gang) who predicted Georgia Tech would prevail in Saturday’s annual Governor’s Cup game because Mark Richt’s Dogs would be looking ahead to the SEC championship game against LSU.
Perhaps Tech was caught looking ahead to the Hyundai Sun Bowl, or wherever they’re going to play next.
Or maybe Johnson’s excuse can be simply to acknowledge what the Georgia players proclaimed again after the game: When it comes to football, “We run this state.”
Actually, Johnson’s best excuse would be to point out that while he may have a little-seen offensive scheme that is tough to defend, he just flat-out doesn’t have the same caliber talent that Richt has in Athens, particularly on defense.
Even playing without their two top running backs, which made Georgia nearly as one-dimensional offensively as Tech, the Dogs still moved the ball easily against the Jackets most of the day, with Aaron Murray looking particularly sharp in the first half. It could have been worse, as Murray missed a couple of opportunities in the second half, but for the day he completed 19 of 29 passes for 252 yards and padded his UGA season record with four more touchdowns to four different receivers. Unfortunately, Orson Charles wasn’t one of them, but he still led the Dogs with five catches for 95 yards and was a big playmaker.
And while the Georgia running game managed only 128 yards, fifth-stringer Ken Malcome showed some gritty running and extra effort as Georgia handed it to him repeatedly in the fourth quarter to eat up the clock. He wound up with 43 tough yards on a dozen carries. Murray contributed 35 yards of his own on a day when Georgia dialed up more designed quarterback runs than usual, and even Zander Ogletree got into the act with a 21-yard burst on the only fullback run so far this season.
But it wasn’t just the offense that was masterful against the Jackets. Tech managed to get 243 yards rushing Saturday but never really got its running attack in rhythm against the Dogs’ resilient defense, despite all the cut-blocks. And much of the time Tech’s passing game was pretty inept, with Georgia snagging two interceptions.
Plus, while Blair Walsh missed one long field goal attempt, Georgia’s special teams generally had a fine day, with Drew Butler pinning the Jackets deep on a couple of long punts and Brandon Boykin’s 60-yard kickoff return setting up Georgia’s first score of the third quarter.
Really, from the time Georgia went up 14-3 midway through the second quarter, the Dogs appeared to have the game in hand.
Much was made by various pundits in the week leading up to this game about how “even” the rivalry has become in recent years, but in realtiy that’s certainly not the case if you look at the bottom line: who takes home the Governor’s Cup.
As Richt noted after the game with characteristic understatement, “Ten out of 11 ain’t bad.”
OK, now we can worry about LSU.
Feel free to share your own views on what excuses Johnson can use for his team’s showing and anything else relating to Georgia’s latest win over the Bugs.
Go Dogs!
Got a question for the Junkyard Blawg? Send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
Find me on Facebook.
Follow me on Twitter.
— Bill King, Junkyard Blawg
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
321 comments Add your comment
East Repeat
November 27th, 2011
10:16 am
Dawg1- I have been on here all year. Regulars know me. Talk about stupid- read your own post, “beat Clemson”, don’t you mean SC? I was there, we BEAT Dawgs. Dawgs at this time are 2nd best in East. May change, but right now SC is better than UGA. Lets see who gets the better bowl, how bout that?
ARdawg
November 27th, 2011
10:25 am
East Repeat
You are dreaming. Smile, your team finished 2nd the SEC east. No repeat for you
ARdawg
November 27th, 2011
10:27 am
East Repeat
Your feelings are understandable though. Carolina fans have had so little for so long to feel good about. One would think after that royal reaming you got from AU last year in the SECCG you might be a little apprehensive about wanting to be champ again. Oh well, I guess that’s ignorance for you
TexasDawg
November 27th, 2011
10:32 am
First, congratulations to the Dawgs and CMR; now go put a beatdown on LSU that they will NEVER forget!
I was on the “fire CMR bandwagon.” I did not think he it in him to turn it around. Boy, was I wrong! I also did not and do not think that muschamp and/or mullen are what UGA needed if CMR left. I think this season bore that out!
Thankfully, we still have CMR and an 0-2 start was turned into an SEC East Title with two games to go for greater glory for UGA. Hunker down two more times, men, hunker down!
01HAWK
November 27th, 2011
10:35 am
Typical JAWJA players and fans parading around with a sign about you run this state.
NO CLASS AT ALL……………………………….I am not surprised.
01HAWK
November 27th, 2011
10:37 am
Get on the CMR BANDWAGON……………………………………..31 YEARS AND COUNTING.
When will you ever get to a BCS Championship is what you have to ask yourselves.
HUSCHEL days are gone along with DOOLEY.
STILL WAITING for that BCS Game for JAWJA
ARdawg
November 27th, 2011
10:37 am
TexasDawg
Don’t feel guilty. The hot seat undoubtedly had the desired effect. It was needed and warranted. I was never on the fire band wagon but, was glad the heat was turned up. It shouldn’t go away IMHO, just yet
ARdawg
November 27th, 2011
10:38 am
We run this state!!
East Repeat
November 27th, 2011
10:41 am
Dawgs are East Champs, no doubt about it! but are they better than SC? Nope. SC totally reamed Klimpson (150 yds total offense for Tigers, 420 yds for SC), and that is without the best runing back in country! SC has arrived people, UGA is back, and FL and TN are in the toliet. Please, nobody tell Barbara Dooley I said that! 2012, UGA and TN in Columbia (SC wins) and FL on the road (will be tough). Again like i said last week, Congrats to UGA but SC is still the better team!
SC Bulldog
November 27th, 2011
10:45 am
Why was Murray still in the game with 4:30 left? Why risk injury & why not reward Mason with some field time.
kevin
November 27th, 2011
11:06 am
GT Bob,
Are you really still telling me UGA’s team is no good after they (again) owned your GT team? Have we still not beaten anyone after beating GT? At what point do you just say, “you know what UGA is pretty good”. And, their defense is nothing short of being top 5 in the country.
10 out of 11!
Joey
November 27th, 2011
11:07 am
“NO CLASS AT ALL……………………………….I am not surprised.”
*******************************************
So, 01HAWK, being on NCAA Probation twice in 6 years, displays . . . CLASS?
Congrats, then, on your CLASS . . .
kevin
November 27th, 2011
11:08 am
East Repeat,
UGA had to trip over itself for SC to win against UGA. SC is not the better team and had the win against UGA handed to them. Anyone who saw that game could see that UGA was the more dominant team.
ARdawg
November 27th, 2011
11:12 am
Enter your comments here
maddawg913
November 27th, 2011
11:13 am
East Repeat, even your coach said the better team didn’t win that day!
Joey
November 27th, 2011
11:22 am
East Repeat, thanks for the compliment – SC and UGA are, for now, on top of the East. But how is SC “better?” It took trick plays and 3 UGA turnovers, 2 for scores, for you guys to score 45, and while our offense scored 42 your offense scored 24.
We had very similar seasons, with the exceptions of SC handling KY, who we struggled with, and Auburn, who beat SC, then got man-handled by UGA worse than LSU and Bama did them.
We won the East, despite handing over our game to you on a silver platter.
Congrats on the 10-win (for now) season, and the rout of Clemson. Hope we both have good showings in the bowls.
John Galt
November 27th, 2011
11:24 am
Two observations from yesterday-
* If you watched these four games- the Iron Bowl, LSU-Bama, UGA-Tech and UGA-Auburn- and say UGA has NO chance against LSU, you weren’t paying attention.
* Ed Cunningham is the worst and the most arrogant announcer that I have heard all season. I don’t know his credentials but his only contribution seemed to be to second-guess every move by both coaches.
John Galt
November 27th, 2011
11:27 am
UGA fans can thank God that UF hired Muschamp before we had a chance to do so. He is both a loser betwwn the lines and an embarassment outside them. We are fortunate to have dodged that bullet.
Army11bravo
November 27th, 2011
11:29 am
I am with Alabama National Guard and all I hear is about Alabama and i get mad when they say they will play for NC and they didnt win the SEC. In 2007 they told UGA you dont win your division you shouldn’t play for NC. Fair?? then Bama fans say look who you played and i say we played same schools they did(UT,FL,Vandy,Ole Miss,Miss State,AU) so did they not play a hard schedule? We will play LSU and I do think they are the best in country with who they played so we will see. We give 28 pts to USC and should of won and if we played BSU now we would kill them but we cant get in top 10 ..Ok I am off my soap box and wish me luck in 2012 I will be in Afghan with Alabama 167 INF and UGA and Bama will play and I hope we kill them since they have worse fans in SEC and for the record I was born and raised in Alabama but was not brain washed to be illiterate so I say GO DAWGS!!!!!
Gator Man
November 27th, 2011
11:31 am
Finally these overated puppies get to play 2 games against top 10 teams , Old Miss could have beaten Tech, Gators suck this year, but they can afford two with 3 nat in 15 years, by the way we beat LSU, Ala during the season to win those NAT, unlike UGA 8 straight win against 500 or below teams.
Opening bid LSU by 30””””’
Deano
November 27th, 2011
11:38 am
GATORMAN. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! Thanks , I needed a good laugh
zbulldawg
November 27th, 2011
11:40 am
NOT many TEAMS get a chance to PLAY the No. 1 team in the NATION !!! UGA has EARNED this RIGHT !!! HERE KITTY KITTY !!! WE want SUM Sugar ! GIVE ME SUGAR !!! SICK EM
Defender
November 27th, 2011
11:56 am
No offense to those who did carry the ball, but, with Crowell, Samuel and Thomas out, why did Harton not carry the ball at all against Tech?
Jordan
November 27th, 2011
12:07 pm
http://isportsweb.com/2011/11/27/dawgs-down-jackets-31-17/
ARdawg
November 27th, 2011
12:08 pm
Gator man
Wahhhh Wahhhh Wahhhh
What a fuggin crybaby. Crawl back in your hole your sorry excuse of a Gator fan
LakeDawg
November 27th, 2011
12:11 pm
I hope Johnson gets fired soon. I hate playing GT every year with the possibility of knee injuries lurking behind every chop block.
LakeDawg
November 27th, 2011
12:13 pm
Florida has their own version of Ray Gump. How many 6-7 seasons before y’all dump him? At least 3! Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 27th, 2011
12:19 pm
Lakedawg…………….you do know the difference between a Chop Block and a Cut Block right? Moron
RawDawg
November 27th, 2011
12:20 pm
Les Miles
November 26th, 2011
8:48 pm
Not only am I going to rest my starters, I am not going to wear a headset, pay attention to the game, or wear pants. In fact, I believe I’ll be at the Cheetah until 10 minutes before kickoff. The ATL has the best ti++y bars I’ve ever been to.
But i will wear my hat.
hahahaha I just choked on my cheerios
LakeDawg
November 27th, 2011
12:28 pm
Lakedawg…………….you do know the difference between a Chop Block and a Cut Block right? Moron
————————————————————————————————————————————-
I know the difference. I just wish Johnson knew the difference. If he can’t recruit enough talent to man up and play a real offense, then he needs to go back to 1-AA.
Kelly
November 27th, 2011
12:28 pm
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 27th, 2011
12:38 pm
Lakedawg…………….Richt has brought everything FSU/Miami to UGA but Winning National Championships. All the arrests with no of the benefits.
LakeDawg
November 27th, 2011
12:42 pm
Still@theKool-aidBAR
BOOOOORING…..How many times have you typed that. Don’t you ever get tired of typing the same thing over and over? I guess its easy to entertain small minds.
DIT
November 27th, 2011
12:44 pm
A gator fan on here after the his/her team had the worst offensive display in college football last night. that was totally pathetic.
Hey tek fans, here’s a novel idea, why don’t you jump on the LSU bandwagon because your team is sooooooooooo sorry. Heck, I don’t blame you, I guess if I were in your shoes I’d do the same. Thank the Lord I’m not in your situation.
Go Dawgs!! 31-17! NEVER GETS OLD!
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 27th, 2011
12:47 pm
lakedawg about as many time as you have typed that you are stupid and call a CUT BLOCK(legal) and Chop Block(illegal).
godawgs82
November 27th, 2011
12:48 pm
UGA beat LSU 3 of the last 4 times, and would have been 4 of 4 if not for a bad call against AJ Green (which the refs later admitted).
Very similar to 2005 SEC Championship when LSU ranked 3 and UGA ranked 13. Noone thought UGA had a chance.
KJ
November 27th, 2011
12:56 pm
First, Go Dawgs! Now, Paul Johnson is not a bad coach. The Tech Defense is their problem. Their offense can score, UGA is just a better team. When it comes to LSU, I think UGA matches up well against them. It will come down to how much UGA players want it and the offensive game plan that is put in place. UGA defense is capable of stopping the LSU run, the secondary will have to ready for the occasional deep passes that LSU puts up.
Joey
November 27th, 2011
12:58 pm
So the refs didn’t know the difference between a chop block and cut block? You did get penalized for one, and in the process put one of our D-lineman out of the game.
Dawg48
November 27th, 2011
1:01 pm
That is true Joey.
Tech does do that a lot !
Jborodawg
November 27th, 2011
1:01 pm
@Army11bravo…thanks for your service to our country…best of luck and stay safe during your Afghanistan tour. Born and raised in Ala and a Dawg fan? Strange huh?
We got no love Fri nor Sat evening on ESPN nor any other sports show. Mich-Ohio St got twice as much coverage; as did Org-Org St. I think Bo Jackson was one of the few “pundits” who picked the Dawgs. Most, if not all, the others all said we’d be looking ahead and picked Tech. Worst of all, the game being on ESPN, they didn’t even show it as an “upcoming game today on ESPN/CBS”. We’ve been playing Tech since 1893; yet the game didn’t get the coverage the other “rivalry games” got. Go figure.
Anyhow….
Give That Dawg a Bone – to all the coaches and players. Bobo called a great game, improvising for a big void in the run game.
10 straight, an SEC East title, and beating Tech; not too shabby.
Without a running attack, not much of a chance against LSU. At least we made it to The Title Game. Of course, anything can happen.
Gooooo Dawgs! Sic em…and GATA against LSU!
Joey
November 27th, 2011
1:02 pm
Come on godawgs82, there’s a big difference to ‘05. And the biggest is LSU is undefeated, and has beaten three, Top 3 teams in the process.
We’ve got a chance, if Murray, and his O-line plays lights out, and our D just does its thing.
The Bulldog’s defense is deeper than anybody LSU has played except Bama, and they won’t wear us down, like they did Ark, for example.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 27th, 2011
1:06 pm
JOEY now you just showed you are a moron and don’t know what you are talking about. Watch the CSS replay. it will be on a million times in the next few days.
Tyson isn’t even the player involved in the supposed Chop Block.
Yes Refs make the WRONG call all the time. I guess you have never seen a football game.
I guess Instant Replay isn’t needed because the refs all ways get the calls right.
OoltewahDawg
November 27th, 2011
1:07 pm
I have to say that I don’t expect the Dawgs to beat LSU. The Tigers have a very strong team. But I won’t be surprised if it happens, either. This team has loads of talent, and a whole lot of heart that I haven’t seen in the past several years. They have been playing for their Coach, and for each other.
Happy Warrior
November 27th, 2011
1:10 pm
Can anyone tell me if Samuels will play this week? If both he, and IC play….. I like our chances!
ARdawg
November 27th, 2011
1:25 pm
Joey
The LSU offense will certainly test the UGA defense. Their offense skill positions are 2-3 players deep and all as good as the #1. Not a very proficient offense per se’ but very very solid and continually fresh. They do wear defenses down. The question is, is the Dawg defense deep enough. Bamma’s was, just Bama had a lackluster offense and no kicking game. As good as the Georgia defense has been. it’s not been tested like LSU will test it
Joey
November 27th, 2011
1:34 pm
Nothing like a techie calling names after yet another loss. Everybody knows that Tech chop-blocks. It’s all over the Web after every game – just a coincidence?
Tell you what, you go ahead and defend Coach Chop-Block. Y’all keep him at Tech too.
That, “New Sheriff in Town” has turned into Deputy Barney Fife the past 3 seasons, huh?
Shoot, if y’all keep him for another 3 years, he’ll finally get to coach a Tech team that’s NOT ON MAJOR NCAA PROBATION.
Good luck.
Joey
November 27th, 2011
1:38 pm
“As good as the Georgia defense has been. it’s not been tested like LSU will test it”
********************************
Absolutely ARdawg. LSU ain’t 12-0 for no reason.
I’m not predicting a UGA win – just thinking that Grantham’s D may be the best and deepest LSU will face, other than Bama’s.
And who knows, maybe Murray and co will make enough plays to make it a game.
Here’s hoping!
Go Dawgs!
East Repeat
November 27th, 2011
1:46 pm
Kevin- I was in Athens this year when SC had to have a touchdown (4th qtr) and we drove down (Lattimore w/ big run) and got it. Kick off to UGA and i am thinking, ” Stop UGA, force punt, and drive for TD to ice the game”. Well Clowney and Ingram completed this scenario in one play- strip Murray, take ball, score TD, and ice game. No need for an offense when the “dominant” bulldogs allow it all to happen in one play. Only way UGA moves ahead of SC is an UGA win over LSU and bowl victory while SC loses bowl game. Who do you think willl be in the better bowl, UGA or SC?
DawgVoiceofReason
November 27th, 2011
1:47 pm
Still (drunk) at the bar,
How ’bout them Dawgs!!!!! Here are some numbers for you: 10 out of 11, 31-17 and 0 ACC Championships under Paul Johnson. Your ENTIRE year is ruined because ALL you guys care about is beating Georgia. You have a huge inferiority complex and will be LOSERS no matter whether you ever win the game again or not! And talk about morons, you are the one on the Dawg blog trying to insult Dawg fans after LOSING once again.
Go Dawgs!!!!
DallasDawg
November 27th, 2011
1:51 pm
Very good win yesterday against a pretty good team, defense didn’t give up many big plays, made Tech….in the words of Hank Stram…..”matriculate the ball down the field”, and we stopped them before they could get to the end zone very often. Big kick return to start the 2nd half to take control of the game, and Murray was sharp most of the day, hitting some nice mid range throws, and most importantly…..4 TD passes.
Ok, now it’s LSU in the Dome, for SECGC…..man sized task, noooo question…..biggest key to having a chance…….pressure Jefferson and protect Murray, Aaron absolutely must play a great game, we gotta hit some big plays in the passing game, we won’t be able to run much. Our D can hold them down enough to give us a chance to win, we can’t give up big punt returns because we sure won’t get any. Blair must must must make FGs when we have the chance, we can’t leave any points out there. Remember you heard it here…….UGA 20-17, and the turnaround to a great year is capped when we beat most likely Michigan in the Sugar Bowl.