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
HAHAHA!
December 4th, 2011
9:57 am
AFDawg
December 4th, 2011
9:53 am
All of the posers and haters coming on these blogs taking cheap shots at the Dawgs are pathetic — talk about jealousy
Jealous of what??? An over rated, over hyped, didn’t beat anybody, bunch of losers?
STINGER
December 4th, 2011
9:59 am
You leg humpers quit crying. You got outplayed. Outcoached. Outclassed. Simple as that.
icedawg
December 4th, 2011
10:00 am
All in all it the season was something of which the players/coaches could be proud. They didn’t give up when the going was tough. The weaknesses are apparent. Running back. Running back and running back. Special teams play. Need more depth everywhere. Offensive play calling.
john
December 4th, 2011
10:00 am
AFDawg-One isn’t a hater just because he is not an apologist for UGA. Georgia’s had a winning season but has only beaten two FCS teams with winning records, and both of those two teams lost multiple games. That’s hardly championship caliber play.
Tech Guy
December 4th, 2011
10:00 am
LSU is lucky we softened up the dawgs for them
Smokin with Isaiah
December 4th, 2011
10:00 am
Did yall hear how great I am? Now, where’s my weed?
Kelly
December 4th, 2011
10:01 am
I’m proud of the Dawgs. Didn’t give ‘em much of a shot coming into this game and when a team resorts to trickery early on, it signifies admitted holes in match ups and game planning. They were operating at a deficit. Go Dawg! See ya’ here in central Florida soon.
Dawg
December 4th, 2011
10:03 am
It’s funny to me that all you yahoos were blasting CMB and the Dawgs for running so much spread early on this year. “We need to be in the I formation and run the ball….keep it simple”. Now, with a 10-0 lead, they TRY to establish a running game and all yall can do is bi&*h. It’s one way or the other people. But, the biggest problem with most of you is that you really don’t understand football.
Why was Murray so successful on the first few drives? Because he had time in the pocket when LSU was only rushing 3 or 4 and dropping 8 or 7 into coverage….heck, any QBs gonna have time then. But, when they started bringing more pressure we struggled which shows our real problem…..the offensive line. NO, IT’S NOT COACHING EITHER. Our OL is just not very good. Don’t forget folks, we couldn’t run the ball vs. Tech either. If we want to be a really good offensive football team it will start with having an elite OL.
HAHAHA!
December 4th, 2011
10:03 am
After all that gloating over your “big” win against the little techmites, how ya feeling today? You guys suck.
michael
December 4th, 2011
10:04 am
LSU mauls Georgia? What a joke. I want everyone to look at the box score of this game to get the truth to what really happened. The return yards by the Honey Badger is what beat the Dawgs. When a team only converts one of eight third down attemps the whole game, I would not call them the #1 team in the country by any means. Just fire Bobo and the Dawgs will be just fine!
Dawg
December 4th, 2011
10:05 am
Don’t be sore losers folks……LSU is a GREAT football team. We have a good team, but they are just better!!
too funny!
December 4th, 2011
10:05 am
Nice running game, GA. LOL!
CreekWolf Post of the Day
December 4th, 2011
10:05 am
Where are you with all your positive words of encouragement Oh Thomas Brown?
Seriously- if ANYONE of you on this blog think we are going to win another SCE champoinship (much less a NC), with Richt as HC and BO as OC with Miles and Saban entrenched in their respective positions, I’ve got a REALLY nice house over in the Smyrna/Vinings area I’d love to sell you at 2006 pricing.
Probelm is:
(!) McGarity is new, and coupled with Adams complacency he WILL NOT make a change for fear of failure in making the wrong decision.
(2) There is ZERO realistic HC suitable replacement choice anyway. You know it, and I know it.
(3) Bunches and bunches of kids (and their parents) want to play under Richt because he is a good Christian man. And as for BoBo, he is given much of the recruiting credit for the south Georgia contingent who was part of last years dream team. SO while he may not be a great OC, he is firnly entrenched in the UGA program as a good recruiter, and QB coach.
So at the end of the day I’ll be selling the Smynra house at 2012 prices, and still sitting on a BEAUTIFUL creek in Athens watching CMR and BOBO lead us to 10 win seasons….. so long as Grantham remains here, that is.
Stay Thirsty, My Friends
December 4th, 2011
10:07 am
Crowell has absolutely got to go. Nothing personal, but I think he may have a weak bone disease and certainly has a disease of the mouth.
too funny!
December 4th, 2011
10:07 am
michael
December 4th, 2011
10:04 am
LSU mauls Georgia? What a joke.
In a GA fans mind, 42 unanswered points is a “squeaker”. Hilarious!
Knowshon5dollafootlong
December 4th, 2011
10:07 am
Hey, Stinger. Just one week ago your miserable team was outplayed, outcoached, and outclassed. This week you sat home and watched other teams play because the insects didn’t have the mettle to make it to their championship game.
suck it!
Mike Bobo 17 INT
December 4th, 2011
10:09 am
Nothing new here….played a top-ranked team, got throttled. If UGA had played a tougher schedule, then CMR would have been fired this year, but he lucked out again and will get a contract extension, not like he really needs the money….
Teflon Richt.
Vagasrickky
December 4th, 2011
10:12 am
1. Murray just chokes in a big games, with exception of Auburn game. South Carolina game, multiple turnovers, SEC Chasmpionship, multiple turnovers. The guy is so inaccurate, the receivers didn’t knwo the ball was coming to them, and when it did come, it was so off track, they couldn’t rescue Murray’s ineptness.
2. Punt strategy–you just go into the game deciding to NEVER give HoneyBadger a touch on a kick punt return. That was terrible coaching strategy, that’s on Mark Richt.
keith_marshall2UGA
December 4th, 2011
10:12 am
dawgs cant run the rock and cameout desperate looking for anything to try to gain any momentum. defense heldup early, but isnt deep enough to stay fresh late against a team w/ 4tailbacks rotating! murray cant always try to win the game either. lsu has 3lockdown corners, and a pass rush that doesnt slowdown or get tired late…. the positive, i see dawgs having the depth especially at o-line and wr next yr to go against any defense/secondary. the rungame, and special teams can only get better, and this junkyard defense will be deep enough to go 4qtrs w/ any team in the sec returning all but 2-3 in 2012! go win a bowl game, and start preparing for the a ncg run!
Irony Escapes Me
December 4th, 2011
10:13 am
@Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
I watched the entire game, but I didn’t wear my Red&Black shades. Offensive Coordinators tend to try something different once the opposing team’s defense shuts down “what’s working”.
Without any injuries (impossible fantasy in the SEC), Georgia’s first string players can compete with anyone for 15 to 30 minutes. Quality depth at every position was the only trick that LSU needed to win yesterday’s game. It’s worked for them all year long. It works pretty well for Alabama as well.
You guys want a cheap, quick-fix gimmick to lift UGA to a NC. Sorry… That rarely happens. The most reliable path to a championship involves a steadfast commitment to excellence and lots of hard work. UGA football has no work ethic. That is a reflection of the football program’s leadership. Mark Richt, however, is a really nice guy.
ARdawg
December 4th, 2011
10:14 am
Certainly not the showing I was hoping for, well half of it anyway. I am not surprised the Techies and few Gator fans are hanging around the blogs like flies to scyhit hoping to make UGA fans feel bad. You don’t understand that you just aren’t permitted that power.
Congrats to LSU on a solid win, the best team in the country. They had no doubt they were going to win and we had no doubt in the (second half) we were going to lose.
Richt seems to be the only coach in the country that can coach a team down in the halftime locker room. What is going on with the uber conservative 3rd quarter playcalling? Completely deflating and transparent
It’s not Murray. Murray was hitting them in the numbers. The 1st half play calling was brilliant and the defense was sharp. That all ended at the 2nd half kick off almost on que. I am disappointed we had no fight in the 2nd half but, I ain’t taking nothing away from these Dawgs. Tough luck guys. Regroup for the bowl game and go get’em next year
B Boykin
December 4th, 2011
10:17 am
How did you guys like my impersonation of a “speed bump”?
Border dweller
December 4th, 2011
10:18 am
Kaleb King, Washaun Ealy, Richard Samuel, UGA’s tailback situation has been iffy ever since the summer. But I’m not sure if Hampton, Worley, and Henderson would’a been enough yesterday.LSU’s a great team.
SSIgator
December 4th, 2011
10:19 am
Halftime in the UGA locker room:
Mark Richt: Hello, Dr. Adams? Listen, I told you I was a great coach and you can see that now, right? By the way, have you got my contract extension worked up yet? Come by the locker room before the second half starts so I can sign it.
Crowell: Man, this is too much stress. I need to light up in the bathroom and mellow out before the second half starts.
After the game:
Mark Richt: Darn, here it is in chapter one of my “Cutting Edge Football” book. A football game consists of 60 minutes. I wonder how I missed that one. Hey, honey, did Dr. Adams come by the locker room? Honey? Honey??
Crowell: Wow, that weed was really good. And powerful too. I could lick all of those sissies from LSU if the ref hadn’t gotten in the way. Oh, well. Hey, who took my Doritos and my Twinkies?
gasux
December 4th, 2011
10:20 am
ARdawg
December 4th, 2011
10:14 am
I am not surprised the Techies and few Gator fans are hanging around the blogs like flies to scyhit hoping to make UGA fans feel bad. You don’t understand that you just aren’t permitted that power.
Then why write a paragraph about it? HAHAHAHA!!!
melanie
December 4th, 2011
10:21 am
Face it UGA, you got whipped all over the field by a much better team. You were out played, out coached & did not know what to do with yourselves. If you as a team played bigger teams like LSU, Alabama, Arkansas & actually won, then I would be the first to say you are the better team. Face it Dog nation, you are a middle of the road team; sure you beat Tenn. but they have no team, Florida, but they suck as bad as you do, Auburn barley has a team & so on. LSU deserves to go to the Sugar Bowl. I say keep the coaching staff you have, they have done an excellent job and the boys you have on the team too. What other college team gets away with boys who have broken the law so many times & have a rap sheet longer than the state. Let’s just see how many more of your great team gets arrested for DUI, driving with no license, fighting in a bar, drug use, and the list goes on. What a great example to young boys wanting to be like you…so sad.
Raleigh
December 4th, 2011
10:23 am
The coaches put us in position to be ahead 28-0 at the half. I don’t see that as being outcoached. The players have to make the plays, and they didn’t last night. Go dawgs
DawgNation
December 4th, 2011
10:25 am
melanie if LSU goes to the Suger Bowl then who will play Alabama in the BCS National Championship game?
gasux
December 4th, 2011
10:26 am
Raleigh
December 4th, 2011
10:23 am
The coaches put us in position to be ahead 28-0 at the half.
You weren’t. HAHAHA!
ARdawg
December 4th, 2011
10:26 am
*does not feed trolls*
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 4th, 2011
10:28 am
Irony Escapes Me
“The most reliable path to a championship involves a steadfast commitment to excellence and lots of hard work. UGA football has no work ethic. That is a reflection of the football program’s leadership. Mark Richt, however, is a really nice guy”
I totally agree
ARdawg
December 4th, 2011
10:30 am
It’s GREAT to be a Georgia Bulldog
DawgNation
December 4th, 2011
10:30 am
Amen ARdawg!
Mike Bobo 17 INT
December 4th, 2011
10:32 am
No Techie fan here, just a tried and true Red and Black UGA fan…..I am just more professional and seasoned in terms of my observations.
dd
December 4th, 2011
10:33 am
I love my DAWGS, but it’s gonna take a lot more than Keith Marshall.
dwh
December 4th, 2011
10:35 am
Hey Melanie, who’s your team?
DawgNation
December 4th, 2011
10:35 am
dd,
He’s a start. They can work from there.
Nice
December 4th, 2011
10:35 am
(((((((((((((((((((((42-10))))))))))))))))))
Dawg48
December 4th, 2011
10:37 am
Malcome deserves the start for the bowl game.
A Murray
December 4th, 2011
10:37 am
It’s true, I’m not really that good. I haven’t beaten anyone. Just hype.
SSIgator
December 4th, 2011
10:42 am
Well, I guess AltamahaDawg, DawginLex and the rest of the KoolAid Club are whipping up a fresh batch so they can try to rationalize what happened. Maybe they will return after they have formulated a good script.
DawgNation
December 4th, 2011
10:43 am
Dawg48,
I bet when CMR reviews the film and gets to the IC turning his back on him Malcome will get his chance with Samuel in rotation.
Ray
December 4th, 2011
10:43 am
I think I’m like everyone else seen enough of Mark Richt for a lifetime you’ve been here 11 years or so and counting yet we watch as LSU three times now Alabama(might be twice), Florida(twice), and Auburn just pass us by it’s even worse when the use to be cellar SEC teams about to pass us in relevance(Mississippi St.)
I’m sorry for any one that’s a UGA football fan like me we can give ourselves moral victories all day and night, but it doesn’t change the fact that we lost 42-10. All it really means was LSU was asleep at the wheel and someone finally woke them up after halftime. Plus you play the whole game not half of it.
It’s like watching a fight where someone barely wins the first round, but then the opponent just goes all in the next round that’s what I saw yesterday.
Ga Tiger
December 4th, 2011
10:44 am
Weaux!! 42-10
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
I Crowell
December 4th, 2011
10:44 am
In case you haven’t noticed, it’s all about ME. Whaddaya mean “team”?
Dawg48
December 4th, 2011
10:46 am
Dawgnation
It will probably be good for IC to fall down the depth chart…….
If we pick up KM @ TG we can go from the running game being a weakness to a strength.
Ga Tiger
December 4th, 2011
10:47 am
UGA. Crow before the game. Eat crow after the game.
dwh
December 4th, 2011
10:48 am
He may not make it to spring practice. Dawg48
In the land of punks and thugs...
December 4th, 2011
10:49 am
Caleb…Washaun….Isaiah….
DawgNation
December 4th, 2011
10:50 am
I am really interested in knowing from everyone that wants CMR fired, just who would be available that has the qualification you are looking for? If you want change then give a viable option.