Tigers show Dogs half a win isn’t better than nothing
Malcolm Mitchell contemplates what might have been after dropping a sure touchdown pass. (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
Is there such a thing as half a moral victory?
If so, you could probably chalk up Georgia’s first-half showing in the SEC title game as something along those lines.
Of course, the cold, hard truth is that moral victories are just losses in which you can find something to make it hurt just a little less. And that’s where UGA fans are left after running into the Honey Badger and Co.
Yes, the Dogs were soundly beaten by LSU in the Georgia Dome in what turned into a very ugly rout in the second half. But that doesn’t change the fact that the Georgia defense played a remarkable first half, holding the No. 1 team in the country to a mere dozen yards of offense and absolutely no first downs.
I can’t remember ever seeing that before in a game against a major opponent.
Unfortunately, while Georgia came out initially with an aggressive game plan that included a flawlessly executed onside kick at one point, the rest of the offensive execution left much to be desired, thanks to several dropped passes (including two sure touchdowns) and continued special teams miscues. And playcaller Mike Bobo suddenly reverted to a conservative approach that took all the wind out of Georgia’s sails.
In the second quarter, neither team could move the ball, as Georgia continued to stuff LSU’s running game but the Tigers defense adjusted to the fact that the Dogs had no running game and they could turn loose and just go after the quarterback.
So instead of leading LSU 21-0 at halftime as they should have, the Dogs had a mere 10-7 advantage.
And then the wheels came off.
I had the feeling it wasn’t going to be a good half for Georgia when Bobo opened it up trying in vain to run little Carlton Thomas up the middle twice, putting his quarterback in just the sort of third-and-long situation you don’t want to face against the ferocious Tiger defense. Aaron Murray’s resulting fumble as he scrambled gave LSU a short field — and one of their patented scoring spurts was off and running.
At that point, you pretty much knew it was over.
Murray had a pretty lousy night, completing just 16 of 40 passes with two interceptions on top of that fumble, but some of the blame for that should go to Bobo, who put his QB in bad situations. Admittedly, though, Bobo was hampered by not having a running game.
You had a gimpy Isaiah Crowell, the anti-Lattimore, who was ineffective running the ball, averaging just 1.5 yards per carry, but who managed to draw a penalty running his mouth. Then there was Thomas, who wasn’t well used by Bobo before leaving the game with an injury. And Ken Malcome, who had some tough runs late in the game when it was already decided and who probably should have been the starter, as he was against Georgia Tech. A curious decision on the part of Bobo and Mark Richt.
No wonder a testy Richt didn’t want to talk about the tailbacks this week. LSU had four pretty interchangeable backs and Georgia couldn’t come up with one consistent threat, which is the difference between pretty good and great.
Keith Marshall, come on down!
Still, Georgia fans shouldn’t get so down in the dumps over our Dogs being throttled by what may well turn out to be one of college football’s greatest teams ever that we lose sight of the 10 wins in a row that secured UGA the SEC East title and a trip to a January bowl game.
Richt’s program isn’t yet back in the SEC elite with LSU and Alabama, at least not for a full 60 minutes.
But Saturday’s first half showed the Dogs aren’t all that far away.
Feel free to share your own views of the game against LSU and what Georgia needs to pull even with Les Miles’ program.
Got a question for the Junkyard Blawg? Send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
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498 comments Add your comment
reality gator
December 4th, 2011
12:53 am
GODawgs
Ok, if you had a choice
a. 3 Nat in 10 years like Florida
b. have your worst season since 1992
c. be a puppy and not won a nat since 1980
I think I know which one you will take””’
Army Dawg
December 4th, 2011
12:53 am
He has to jump to our blog…because their’s is shut down until next season……..
Army Dawg
December 4th, 2011
12:56 am
For reality gator…why did Urban Meyer leave FLA…any thoughts on his 40 million at OSU? seriously…was deployed when he was let go, and never really followed-up, and then saw him on ESPN…???
reality gator
December 4th, 2011
12:58 am
Army Dawg
Some body has to give you losers a realty check: At least we both had something in common we both did not beat anyone with a wining record and we had a 1st year coach ha, ha
Army Dawg
December 4th, 2011
1:01 am
Hey gator, are you talking about your coach, musclecramp?
reality gator
December 4th, 2011
1:01 am
Army Dawg
Urban has 2 NAT in 6 years at Fl and Saint Richt has how many in 11 years?
He does not owe Fla anything”’
DawgVoiceofReason
December 4th, 2011
1:03 am
The onside kick call by Coach Richt was perfect and was executed perfectly, with a tremendous play by Alex Ogletree. We ended up not being able to take advantage of it due to one of the many drops by our receivers. Murray had a bad game that was magnified by those drops. Also, our pass protection eventually failed, putting pressure on Murray, who just didn’t play that well. As others have noted, we didn’t get any production from our running game. That also put pressure on our passing game and Coach Bobo’s play calling and played right into LSU’s hands. That being said, I don’t understand our use of the running backs we did use and Coach Bobo’s dramatic switch to a conservative approach in the second half. The Honey Badger killed us with his punt returns and ball hawking. I really don’t understand why we punted to him the second time. Bottom line, though, was that there was almost no way we were going to win without a running game of some kind. Why was Ken Malcome not in there from the beginning?! The Defense was truly incredible in the first half and gave us our best shot to win, given the other circumstances.
Army Dawg
December 4th, 2011
1:04 am
and you should not forget the greatest impact QB to the NFL you blessed all of us with….Hahaha
Erk Russell's Dog
December 4th, 2011
1:04 am
Reality Gator
Your first year coach is a ex Bulldog,and Urban has a Christmas present to give to the NCAA now that he is a loyal Buckeye.
reality gator
December 4th, 2011
1:10 am
Erk Russell’s Dog
If he loses to UGA next year he will be a former coach at Fla, we dont keep people around who does not play for NAT, thats why we have 3 in 10 years.
DawgVoiceofReason
December 4th, 2011
1:10 am
LSU has an awesome team and was not going to lose tonight. They took advantage of their scoring opportunities, most of which they created for themselves on defense and special teams.
It should be an incredible rematch with Alabama in the National Championship game.
Army Dawg
December 4th, 2011
1:14 am
Alright, see you fellow DAWG fans later…it could been better….but we all know the season could have been a lot worse. Awesome defense against FLA, AUB, GT, and LSU!!! We have a young offensive team. 2012 begins with our bowl game. Great coaching effort by Richt & Grantham. Keys for 2012: Offensive Line, Running Backs, Pass Blocking,& Special Teams! We are on the road early against South Carolina, again later on against Alabama (or Missouri) & Auburn.
GO DAWGS!
Thank for the moments and memories of greatness, LARRY! You will be missed!
daddo
December 4th, 2011
1:16 am
Army Dawg: read about Namath turning his back on Bear Bryant. Bryant grabbed his face mask, almost yanking his head off, and got real close and said, “Boy, don’t you ever turn your back on me again.” After that, every time Bryant called Namath’s name Namath would sprint to Bryant and say, “Yes sir.” Other players watch.
Erk Russell's Dog
December 4th, 2011
1:16 am
Reality Gator ,
If Florida fires the old Dawg Muschamp I have another dawg to replace him with. Mike Bobo should be ready to step up by 2013.Or maybe the ole ball coach’s son Stevie Jr.can come back to the fold and lead the gators to glory.
Dawg48
December 4th, 2011
1:17 am
Boo malcome deserves the start at the bowl game, he has ran hard when getting playing time.
I have not really formed an opinion on Crowell yet.
We all made him our savior at the begging of the years and put the whole season on the kid.
But we went toe to toe with the best team in the country the first half and did great.
Momentum and depth ( running backs) was our downfall in the second.
Erk Russell's Dog
December 4th, 2011
1:19 am
Reality Gator
A better choice would be little Derek Dooley, then you would have an ex-dawg and an ex -vol .a hybrid if you will. He should be ready to move on after next season too.
Army Dawg
December 4th, 2011
1:19 am
…yea daddo, maybe Tim Brando needs to do a live shot on his new show from Sanford Stadium when IC is running up & down the bleachers every day for the next 9 months….and maybe his ankle would get stronger in the process
Dawg48
December 4th, 2011
1:21 am
Daddo
Lol coaches can’t do that any more….
I will say this and it’s relevant at most schools , players have more power than the coaches now….
dbc
December 4th, 2011
1:22 am
It’s not as if Bobo hasn’t done this before. Sadly, that’s his M.O. Just when things are working, he “adjusts” himself and his players right out of a game. CMR has my support, but Bobo has no business calling plays. Crowell is a bust at this point. I don’t think all of a sudden he’s going to “figure it out.” When your team leaders have to continually storm your room to get you to do the right thing, at some point, there’s only so much anyone can do. Let him transfer to Conf. USA — he doesn’t like contact. He’s a bust and will continue that way. I’d love to see what Erk Russel would say to him (or do to him, but hey that’s taboo in this idiotic PC world we live in.) Now that mental pic makes me smile.
DawgVoiceofReason
December 4th, 2011
1:25 am
I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone else refer to the national championship as a “NAT”. I’m sure if you went to Florida you at least know that 2008-1996 = 12, not 10.
DawgVoiceofReason
December 4th, 2011
1:34 am
Certainly Crowell has not lived up to expectations, despite the running ability that he has shown. His demeanor on the sideline has been questioned by many, but more significant is his penchant for getting injured and the numerous indications that he is not all about winning for and with his team. I think it is inaccurate to call him a bust, but his future as a running back at UGA is definitely up in the air.
I really would like to see him get his act together and be a success at Georgia.
Erk Russell's Dog
December 4th, 2011
1:39 am
Time for a Reality check for the Dawgs. I had that old feeling that most of have had the last few years when Tracy spoke to CMR after halftime. He acted like he was satisfied to be up only 10-7,And after the first two running plays to start the second half my feeling was confirmed CMR was satisfied and let off the gas.And the lack of confidence was transferred to his players . They were playing not to lose and the rout was on.
I guess CMR did enough to get off the hot seat and get an extension on his contract,and he will be in Athens until he decides to leave under his own terms.So be satisfied with an occasional Eastern division title and maybe a SEC title if Saban retires and Miles moves on to the NFL.But I do not see UGA competing for a National Title,too lofty a goal for CMR at this point in his career.
DawgVoiceofReason
December 4th, 2011
1:46 am
The refs completely blew the call on the first Honey Badger punt return (not to mention the fact that the replay refs failed miserably and the ref who watched TM give up the ball before he crossed the goal line!). There were at least two obvious and blatant clips that I saw live (and confirmed on replay) that the refs missed on the play. That should NOT have been a touchdown. We got robbed on that. There were also at least two personal fouls that should have been called on LSU that were not.
Finally, how can any event that cost millions and makes many millions of dollars not provide a working clock and a backup that does not require going to ref’s watch on the field (that he didn’t know how to work)??? This happens way too many times.
Erk Russell's Dog
December 4th, 2011
1:57 am
dbc
Erskine Russell would not have any trouble with a player like Crowell.He had the ability to get more out of his players than even they thought they could give. The “Bald Eagle” inspired his players to excel and play way above their physical abilities.Something I think this staff is lacking and it shows in the way our so called 5star athletes continue to under perform each year.
Bad Dawg
December 4th, 2011
2:24 am
Quit your belly aching dawg fans. Plain and simple UGA got beat by a better team. I hope the one’s who were predicting a UGA win don’t feel too bad. It is ok to have faith in your team but you also must be realistic. Flat Tire knows what he is talking about. UGA has still not beaten a quality opponent in six years. This was a good measuring stick though, to see how far this team has a go to at least be in the hunt for the BCS title game. 32 points off the best team in the country and I think they had like 270 yards of total offense. Do not make excuses for the officiating, Bobo’s play calling, or any of the players. Take the loss like men or women and evaluate this season, you will see that the ten wins were nothing special. The disrespect for UGA’s football program continues and it still has a long 31 years. LSU 42 UGA 10 but still Go Dawgs!
DAWGMAN
December 4th, 2011
2:49 am
Good column, Bill. Thanks
10 in a row against weak sisters. We lose the ones folks know we will lose. No mysteries to Georgia Football. But it’s been wait until next year for quite a while. By the first week in October ‘12, it will be wait until ‘13. At Georgia, the Richt crew does appear to accept the business plan of mediocrity. I feel sorry for most of these young men. They deserve better leadership, coaching, and conditioning. Dream Team flavored Kool-Aid anyone? We will never get to the top of the mountain with CMR. Contract extension? Why in the world would we want to do that? Watch your dvd of the 2d half of today’s game before you go on and on about ten straight. I’m not getting any younger, folks. Now Erk and Larry can console one another until sanity and a good case of give a damnitus takes hold at the President’s Office. Good grief.
Whopper Dawg
December 4th, 2011
2:59 am
If we have sunk so low that a 42 – 10 shellacking is considered a moral victory, than we are truly lost.
Me again
December 4th, 2011
3:58 am
Bunch of whining losers on the blogs……go dawgs
Rationale
December 4th, 2011
4:36 am
The sad thing about the offensive play calling is that now, we do not even have the hope of Bobo’s offensive play calling had improved to the point that someone would come and take him off our hands and offer him a head coaching job. His 2nd half play calling was embarrassing from the first play.
On the touchdown by Mathieu I told my grandson, before the punt, to watch the LSU player that was about to receive the ball and you will see why he is probably the best all around college athlete this hear. Why did they punt the ball near him? It should have been punted to the far side of the field with the intention of it going out of bounds. With the way the defense was playing at that time of the game, they would have held, no matter where LSU’s offense started.
douglas
December 4th, 2011
6:05 am
The other question is…why wasn’t Figgins and Ogletree playing FB and blocking? This makes no sense to me…if you have these two big guys, why not use them to block for the QB if the smaller backs are not working. Bobo is in over his head.
T-Town Dawg
December 4th, 2011
6:09 am
Keep Richt and Grantham. Fire Bobo. Send Crowell back to Columbus. Recruit replacement.
bubba4dawgs
December 4th, 2011
6:21 am
Bobo, I still can’t understand your conservative play calling!! You give the ball to Crowell four times on a gimpy leg when you need a first down just as much as another drink of water and he comes up with the expected results, minus yardage!! Is that in your playbook?? You had the best arm on the field and wasn’t using it! Talk about turnovers, that was practically begging to kick the ball back to LSU!! When you’re ahead by only 3 points, it sure as heck isn’t time to be conservative!! It isn’t like it’s the fourth quarter and the clock is running out!! You must have a brain freeze at times!! My goodness, Crowell runs his mouth much better than he runs the ball! He came to the DAWGS with an attitude and I see he still has it! I bet Coach Richt rolls over in his sleep at night wondering why he took him! He sure as heck didn’t think he was going to have this much trouble out of him! It’s time to start building a stable of running backs! Emulate Alabama and LSU and get back to the school UGA is noted for, running back University! It will more than balance the passing attack which you have. Just make sure they are big guys and not panty wastes like Crowell! He needs to go back to Columbus and start over starting with some serious counseling! GO DAWGS!!!
TheAlpha&Omega Dawg
December 4th, 2011
6:23 am
I would like to say that I`m very proud of our defense. Coach Granthem has done an fantastic job. I think that it is a shame that CMR and Bobo put the offense in a position to fail. LSU did not know what hit them in the first and part of the second quater. I`m a fan of CMR but he seems to not get it. Bobo did not drop any footballs during the game but he sure made it easy for LSU to get rolling and he took the mojo right out of our offense with his play calling . I was sitting at home with my wife and I was calling the plays before the snap. She was amazed that I knew what was going to be called. If I knew the plays then you know LSU knew as well. I`m not a person who wants a person fired but maybe a reposition is needed.
Mike G
December 4th, 2011
6:31 am
Georgia did not get beat as bad as South Carolina did last year by Auburn. Georgia is young and will get better. Now whether they, or any other team in the East, will get better than the best of the West, is another thing altogether.
TheAlpha&Omega Dawg
December 4th, 2011
6:37 am
Defense, special teams, and a little offense wins NT`s. I would not have a player turn his back on me when I`m talking to him. Start Ken Boo Malcome. He is a tough 226lb inside runner. Why the heck did we keep kicking to the Honey Badger. This Big East and ACC style of play will not get it done.
nobody
December 4th, 2011
6:53 am
Sean Williams hits as hard as any LSU D-back…our others… good against the pass…but not hitters
nobody
December 4th, 2011
7:05 am
no need to criticize IC…he is only 18 and seems immature,…if his attitude IS suspect, passing in school may resolve everything…as for the game, our players continue to be self-destructive, i.e., commit penalties, when things are not going good
Bali
December 4th, 2011
7:06 am
So we got half-a-win? That’s like diggin half-a-hole. Since Richt refuses to get rid of bobo, maybe Mcgarity will grow a pair and do us all a favor. Richt needs an OC who doesn’t have conservative in his vocabulary. I would rather have them run figgins between the tackles 3 times than trot out that beastly 130lb Carlton how-are-u-an-sec-tailback Thomas……geez.
legionaire
December 4th, 2011
7:08 am
Why run into the teeth of a #1 team with no rb’s? Bobo should have kept it to the floor with what was working in the 1st half. There were dropped passes but you keep going to the well and D backfields get tired and confused. CMR must address special teams, why not put Kevin Butler on the payroll? Great season and maybe next year we can get a big RB.
RGP
December 4th, 2011
7:22 am
Spot on Junkyard. Dropped passes, no running game,conservative play calling(2nd half), and 3 turnovers, spells ugly loss.
tech hater
December 4th, 2011
7:28 am
Face it boys, we were beaten by a better team. No moral victory. No excuses.
Northern sympathizer
December 4th, 2011
7:34 am
Bill king for offensive coordinator! Your “journalistic expertise” should transition easily into expert play caller sufficient to best John chavis-HACK.
SEC Fan
December 4th, 2011
7:35 am
All Georgia fans know that the problem with Georgia football is Mark Richt, whether they will admit it or not. A guy who earns $3 million a year and who has been head coach at the same place going on twelve years should never let a program degenerate to irrelevancy like Richt has done at UGA. The SECCG was yet another nationally televised disgrace. Like it or not, football at UGA is never going to be competitive with the best programs until Richt is gone. The only way for UGA to become a team that can compete on the same level with the LSU’s and Alabama’s of the world is for Richt to be fired and replaced with a head coach who has brains enough to get the job done and backbone enough to do it. Until then, it will always be “wait till next year” for UGA fans. Is that what you want?
Told ya so Dawg
December 4th, 2011
7:36 am
Been sayin it all year…. Bobo needs to go… he isnt a high caliber offensive guru….Murray is average… He contributed greatly to our loss with turnovers.. like he did against scouth Carolina and Boise.. He is poo poo.. Bobo the retard bozo, aka ” shortbus captain” needs to go.. Post a ad in Monster.com… ” UGA now taking apps for Tailbacks and Offfensive Cordinator” Crowell just like we heard out of Carver.. Ur a sore loser and over rated..
Only the Facts
December 4th, 2011
7:41 am
UGA is at the high point of where they are going under Richt. Lack of depth in back field, O-line, D- line and all of the freshman receivers are a result of the head man. He has been there for 10 years. Crowell was billed as the all savior, another recruiting mistake. UGA has a choice in front of it….Keep Richt and stay in the middle of the pack in the SEC or make a change and see progression.
6 Straight National Championships yet UGA has not even sniffed one. Look at who has, each with coaches / programs with less time than Richt and his staff. UGA’s record this year is a result of beating a terrible bottom half of the league as well as the usual cup cakes New Mexico and Coastal Carolina. As a fan base, we got all excited about beating UF this year. How bad are they? And we almost lost that one? Do we even have a signature win this year?
I thought it was interesting to see Murray tweeting about the defense and it’s comparisons to LSU’s. Difference was obvious that LSU’s numbers were against some of the best teams in the country. Grantham’s were against teams that won 25% of their games.
Tough descions are to be made, but that is why the Athletic Director makes the big bucks. UGA, with a state full of talent, needs to make a change.
JE
December 4th, 2011
7:48 am
Ok!!!Snatch Crowell’s face mask and get his attention…That will work today???…Use up all your tricks in the first quarter???? That will work??? Use a receiver to attempt an option pass when you have a back up DB who was a QB savior in hs to run the option…Kicking to thier punt returner….not playing the healthiest back??? working on the running game the last several weeks in the last half and not working on what we did best…Trying to run out the clock with a three point lead????……Einstein said “Doing the same thing over and over and and expecting different results is the definition of insanity!!!” We would have been better off to begin the second half with a “Quick Kick”…Maybe at least we would have gotten a good roll and from the surprise and covered it backing them up at least on their side of the field….Bobo or Richt whoever, needs to consider some alternative offense…Everyone knows we run the ball up the middle to create the play action pass…Duh!!!!! We expected LSU to go for that and they were 12-0??? Get Real…..What are they thinking???? You cannot pull out all your stops or goes in the first quarter and expect to hold a team the whole game….Especially not LSU!!!!! Getting pumped up at the beginning of a game like this sometimes has the worst deflation that is never regained as in the two missed td’s…They knew they had dodged a bullet and had the whole game to make up for it….. We kind of played like we had not been there before!!! Well, I guess we have not, at least recently…We did not know how to handle it. Oh yes, Adjusting…We just adjusted ourselves out of the game…They adjusted to our play callings or lack of adjustment and hit us right between the eyes….As far as recruiting…. How did we not recruit this kid from Buford that is at GA Southern, ran for 152 vs. Ala. and 252 in their playoff game yesterday…He is huge, fast, and had a great hs career and was not the best rb at Buford last year….Oh I forgot Crowell was told he may start in the fall last year….No wonder he has the attitude of ownership…He had no competition. Seemed like everyone did not want Samuel to play…Well, given the same opportunity to run up the middle as Thomas has had I believe he would have done much better and may not have gotten hurt if he had had more opportunities before he got hurt trying to score vs UF…My suggestion,,,,,For goodness sake Evaluate what is going on and see what others are doing to be successful….Well LSU looked as simple as any team I have seen this year…. Look at simple and get the athletes and give them experience and see what happens…Oops I left out the coaching…Well, If Martinez had to go…It is time for Bobo to go….
Fred
December 4th, 2011
7:49 am
Good season Dawgs. 10-3 is the best you can hope for. Next year it will be tough in the East. UF will be back.
Chuck65
December 4th, 2011
7:49 am
Just now calculated some simple statistics on UGA football this season. UGA’s end of season ranking by Sagarin was 18. The SEC teams UGA lost to averaged a ranking of 8. The SEC teams UGA beat averaged a ranking of 55. All teams UGA beat averaged a ranking of 75. So there you have it. Draw your own conclusions.
Jborodawg
December 4th, 2011
8:00 am
Bobo didn’t call the perfect game but, you can’t win in the SEC without a running game. Can’t have a running game without RBs. Crowell and Thomas both seemed to be hitting brick walls; not to mention Murray being pressured or sacked the whole second half. Either LSU stiffened or the O line lost focus. After all, we were going up against the #1 D in the country; they made adjustments. Can’t put it all on Bobo.
Bobo didn’t throw 2 INTs. Bobo didn’t allow a punt return for a TD and another to give LSU good field position. Bobo didn’t drop 5 passes, 2 of which should have been TDs. I’m still reluctant to hate on Crowell…if he tried to play on a gimpy ankle. We’re not on the team and we have no idea what’s going on with him. Sure, he doesn’t appear to have the maturity of a Lattimore. Who does?
Overall, a pretty good season. We made it to the title game and played the #1 team in the country. And we should get a decent bowl game.
So, we lick our wounds and get ready for the next game. Gooooo Dawgs!
Neutral
December 4th, 2011
8:01 am
To those CMR haters……Texas, Oklahoma, Va. Tech and Houston all lost this weekend by similar margins to far weaker opponents than LSU. Only Ok State is arguable, but still not as good as LSU. I doubt they will fire their coaches and I’m proud of the effort by UGa…..especially in light of all their mistakes. Great season Dawgs!!!