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.
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498 comments Add your comment
Irony Escapes Me
December 4th, 2011
2:32 pm
@FB
This year was a step forward for Georgia. That said, improvement over last year was easy.
When Mark Richt leaves Georgia (for whatever reason), then Georgia should hire an experienced Head Coach this time – not another assistant.
James K. Polk
December 4th, 2011
2:32 pm
Here’s the deal. We will never win a title with Richt. However, it will not matter to our fans because all they care about is winning ten games in a year. Win ten games and get blown out 42-10 in the only game that matters? Good enough!! Give that man a contract extension! It’s sad, because we are capable of so much more. We should never be beat 42-10 by anybody. Never in the history of sports has one coach done so little with so much talent.
Les Miles
December 4th, 2011
2:34 pm
No way a finesse team can win the sec these days. You thought you had a chance? After Boise State physically man handled you, you really thought you could win. ROFLLMA. Welcome to the big time b!tches
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 4th, 2011
2:34 pm
FB
Perspective; really?
Here’s some perspective Steve Spurier walks into SC and builds a program that beat every SEC East team this year
Richt has yet to accomplish that feat with far superior talent, and resources that SC has never had
Still@theKool-aidBAR
December 4th, 2011
2:35 pm
Richt and Bobo the Paul Hewitt’s of UGA. Give them both Lifetime contracts.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 4th, 2011
2:37 pm
Still@theKool-aidBAR
I guess that means Turkey Neck is the Bill Curry’s of coaching
Cuz
December 4th, 2011
2:38 pm
LSU’s one dimensional offense beat our one dimensional offense.
I think UGA is a good team. Conversely, I think LSU is a great team.
Congratulations to the LSU Tigers. The 2011 SEC Champs.
Old Dog
December 4th, 2011
2:46 pm
FB – “Everybody that wants Richt fired should come up with WHO is gonna win 105 games in 11 seasons”
Why don’t you talk about his won-loss record over the past fie years?
Les Miles
December 4th, 2011
2:51 pm
When have you mutts even sniffed a national championship since 1980? You think youre still relevant in the big time? Bwaahaaahbwaaahhhahhah
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 4th, 2011
2:56 pm
Old Dog
or talk about
His 500 record against top 25 teams and losing record against top 10 teams
Ray
December 4th, 2011
3:01 pm
Why don’t we also give the credit where the real credit is due and that is Todd Grantham.
I’m sorry Aaron Murray is who we thought he was an overrated QB he can’t even sniff Stafford or Greene’s jock strap.
Crowell I don’t know yet he might run his mouth, but if I remember a good chunk of the early games could have had us 7-5 instead of 10-3 without him.
Dawgfan (the original)
December 4th, 2011
3:14 pm
We played well enough to win this game talent wise. Look at the stats….just made to many errors to pull out the win. Wish lsu would have given us the setups we gave them….would be a different story. Call the punt return ball flip and it would have been different. All we need is 2 taibacks with heart and BCS here we come. Go Dawgs!
Irony Escapes Me
December 4th, 2011
3:24 pm
I predict that, by the time their bowl game rolls around, Georgia will have won this game outright. They turned their loss to South Carolina into a victory about halfway into the season.
FB
December 4th, 2011
3:34 pm
Five year record is 45-20. Approx 70% win ratio. Meanwhile please note every BCS champ has come from the SEC in that period. I am not a Richt apologist. Once again, who out there is 1) available, and 2) better?
Rich Rod
December 4th, 2011
3:44 pm
I’m not. It’s already past the hiring season.
Wait till next year!
Ray
December 4th, 2011
3:46 pm
@ FB
Money talks you show any Coach out there the money hey it doesn’t matter that whole who is available and better crap doesn’t hold up.
I said it way back Rich Rod went from West Va to Michigan when he had it going on at West Va.
Jim Harbough from Stanford to the 49ers
Brain Kelly from Cincy to Notre Dame
Nick Saban himself from LSU to Miami
So on and so forth don’t give me that there is no one available.
Kenny Powers
December 4th, 2011
3:49 pm
Can’t believe Murray doesn’t feel safe back there when on a designed play that calls for a 5′ 6″, or a 5′ 7″ running back to block a DE, an unaccounted for DL, or a blitzing LB…yep, Murray sucks…maybe we can hope that Murray graduates early and pulls a Russell Wilson and head to a team where they have real coaches, teammates and real FAN’s…you guy’s are bunch of goobers
Old Dog
December 4th, 2011
3:54 pm
“Once again, who out there is 1) available, and 2) better?”
Fine, don’t fire Richt. But don’t give him an extension so we are locked into his mediocrity! Let him prove his worth over what is left of his contract. Or maybe he will decide just to quit (and not take his $3 million each year – not likely).
You might ask who else would come to Georgia for $3 million a year.
FB
December 4th, 2011
3:54 pm
I did not say nobody is available. I asked who is available and better. Just good SEC coaches are few and far between. Remember when Jim Donnan was a real up and comer?
I am fine if we replace CMR with a better coach. I simply think it is easy for some fans to post ‘get a better coach” without a clue of who can get it done with coaching, recruiting and filling asst coaching holes in the SEC.
Ray
December 4th, 2011
4:06 pm
With the right price you can pull away some coaches from the Big East and ACC or even smaller conferences and there are some that were good that haven’t found another job yet.
As it stands I’d rather have CTG have this job right now at least we know we’d see improvement.
Flo-Ri-Duh
December 4th, 2011
4:10 pm
Right – Malcolme should have started the game… Crowell was injured and never should have played. The special teams for UGA couldn’t block,tackle, kick field goals…PLEASE get a special teams coach.
James
December 4th, 2011
4:35 pm
A- Don’t punt the ball to HoneyBadger, never should have
B- Don’t let Murray QB, 3 turnovers borke our defenses will
C- Can we PLEASE hire a SPECIAL TEAMS COACH THIS YEAR?
D- Find some good running backs like Alabama & LSU do.
ca dawg
December 4th, 2011
4:36 pm
just here to eat crow. i said it would be close, and it wasn’t.
duronimo
December 4th, 2011
4:46 pm
Enter your comments here
collegeballfan
December 4th, 2011
4:46 pm
“…what Georgia needs to pull even with Les Miles’ program.”
OK we are talking opinions here and we all know about opinions.
Georgia needs to develop a running game mentality. I do not believe anyone will compete with Alabama and LSU unless they can run the football. Which means recruiting Running Backs instead of Wide Receivers.
And you cannot run the football unless you have a commitment to the run. Three yards on first down is OK to a running team. But the Georgia staff panics when faced with second and seven.
Georgia has the largest offensive line in the United States but could not run the football in the SEC championship game.
Richt runs the Bobby Bowden passing game, which is great in the ACC. But Georgia does not play in the ACC.
Georgia 34 carries for 78 yards. LSU 35 carries for 207 yards. There is the game.
duronimo
December 4th, 2011
4:50 pm
You got it right Bill. Another 1/2 game played. Well coached teams play better in the second half. Georgia quit. Were they worn down by more “depth”? No. LSU had no drives the first half and then it was halftime. Starting the 3rd quarter they were fresh. Teams take on the character of their coach. Break the rules and decide to phone it in? Richt lets his players know that he still loves them. MIles and Saban are tough people. Their teams reflect that for 60 minutes.
blazer
December 4th, 2011
5:16 pm
`blame game starts again. weed man played didn’t he?
Dawg48
December 4th, 2011
5:20 pm
Flat tire
Nick sabans record vs top 10 teams 6-7
Mark richt vs top 10 teams 8-9
High School Football Fan
December 4th, 2011
5:38 pm
@FB
I will throw out a possible head coach for you, Joey Jones at the University of South Alabama. A standout receiver and kick returner who played for Bear Bryant, in his last three years.
TampaDawg
December 4th, 2011
5:48 pm
James
December 4th, 2011
4:35 pm
A- Don’t punt the ball to HoneyBadger, never should have
B- Don’t let Murray QB, 3 turnovers borke our defenses will
C- Can we PLEASE hire a SPECIAL TEAMS COACH THIS YEAR?
D- Find some good running backs like Alabama & LSU do.
——————————————————–
A. Agreed
B. Way too much blame put on a QB going against a great defense with absolutely no help in the running game.
C. Agreed
D. Pretty sure that is already the intent. In fact, some forget that Bama was the other choice for Crowell. Saban wanted him bad.
Dawg48
December 4th, 2011
5:58 pm
TampaDawg
If we pick up KM and TG
Marshal is around 190-195 now will be a early enrollee going threw strength and conditioning should put on around 15 lbs…
Think about this KM 205lbs
TG 215lbs with 4.4 speed
Samuels 230lbs
Malcome 245lbs
IC around 220lbs
That could be a strong backfield!
Tzu Sung
December 4th, 2011
6:03 pm
Georgia needs a Special Teams Coach!
TampaDawg
December 4th, 2011
6:18 pm
Dawg48, that would be a welcome site. I do put some faith in the question being asked whether IC will even be back next year. I bet it’s still up to him at this point but things could change. I almost can’t see Gurley making the commitment with KM committing and IC still around. I know that’s CMRs goal is to get both and if does, it’s because he is shooting for an LSU type running game with Aaron Murray’s arm to back it up (can you imagine), but it will be a recruiting accomplishment like no other if he gets both.
TampaDawg
December 4th, 2011
6:21 pm
THy crow has been consumed. I thought the game would be much closer .. it wasn’t .. again, congrats LSU now go make sure you finish the deal.
Dawg48
December 4th, 2011
6:23 pm
TampaDawg
From what I have seen and heard that KM and TG want and like the idea of plating together.
IC don’t know yet….
Butif he had some quality depth or him being quality depth and only getting 10-12 carries a game could better suit him.
The kid has talent for sure…..last nights personal foul looked to me more out of a competitive spirit and frustration.
I do think it was a dumb call though both teams played a little chippy all night.
TampaDawg
December 4th, 2011
6:27 pm
Old Dog
December 4th, 2011
2:46 pm
FB – “Everybody that wants Richt fired should come up with WHO is gonna win 105 games in 11 seasons”
Why don’t you talk about his won-loss record over the past fie years?
————————————-
Well, with the bowl game left to play, it’s 45-20 with 12 of those losses coming over the previous 2 years. And please don’t try to convince me that EVERY team doesn’t go through these types of stretches with a long tenured coach. It happens. Take those two years out and it’s 31-8.
Trigger Man
December 4th, 2011
6:50 pm
Let the big cat eat! Seems like the big cat has developed a taste for dawg meat Bet all the little UGA flags on cars are flying at half-mast!
old dog fan
December 4th, 2011
6:56 pm
Well Bill, your article didn’t exactly add up to your title. Because apparently you believe that half a victory is better than nothing and I have to agree. Becuase the other side of it would have meant that Georgia had one more loss and would not have played in the game at all and instead of being 10 and 3 they would have been 9 and 3 and watching SC get eat up by LSU. That would not have been comforting. I am very proud of those dogs and hope that they hold their heads high and get ready for the bowl game and hopefully can end the year with a W. (I am currently living in the Philippines, and even though I knew the outcome of the game before I could watch the replay I loved every minute of watching the red & black with those silver britches, play that 1st half against those tigers.) Now I just have to hope my other team, Army, can put up a decent game against Navy nest week. Go Dawgs!
Jordan
December 4th, 2011
7:01 pm
http://isportsweb.com/2011/12/04/dawgs-downed-in-dome/
Dennis
December 4th, 2011
7:03 pm
UGA was beat like all the other team they played. LSU never panicked or worried. UGA is a middle of the road pack in the SEC and will always be. Instead of Bullbog Nation you should be called the Bi-polar nation. Take your medication.
1969 Graduate
December 4th, 2011
7:14 pm
Other than Crowell, I thought our guys looked like they deserved to be there. I’m proud of them. Still, the dropped passes really hurt, as I’m sure everyone who dropped one knows full well.
Murray played pretty well, given that he was carrying far too much, and had essentially no running game unless his passing game supported it. Besides that, he had, as blocking backs, an assortment which included a guy who either does not know what blocking means, or doesn’t see it as part of his job description. Yes, that would be the “running back” who also likes to run his mouth.
Most of the team should hold their heads up high. They were let down by some of their coaches though.
Greyhound tickets to Columbus are available.
john
December 4th, 2011
7:20 pm
Goff, Donnan and now CMR. The sad truth is that college football has passed UGA by. They will never again see the success they once enjoyed. They are now just the Miss State of the eastern division. I don’t think any coach, or any top 10 class can ever change that. Lord knows they’ve had years of great recruiting classes….still no NC in over 30 years. Well, there always women’s gymnastics.
Archie@Arkham Asylum
December 4th, 2011
7:21 pm
HMMM! Bobo went conservative? I think the logic behind a conservative, run-oriented game is to protect the ball and keep possession of it! I believe that conservative NFL coach of 3-4 decades ago, Chuck Knox ( Rams, Bills, to name two) would see it like this; “If the other team doesn’t have the ball, they can’t score” (Smart!). If this offends anybody, I can always pull out the excuse that I lived in South Georgia for 10 years. All football teams (including Ga. Southern) down there “live and die by the run.” Sometimes, teams do “die by the run,” just ask Georgia Tech!
Dr. Morpheus
December 4th, 2011
7:24 pm
Weighing in late, I haven’t had a chance to read the comments. I’m disappointed that we didn’t hang with LSU in the second half after really outplaying the for two quarters. It was strange to sit in the Dome and see us unravel so quickly after demonstrating that we had the talent and coaching to win. Our execution broke down repeatedly in key situations starting with the first drive. Let the loudmouths make fun of us, I’m still proud of our team. Yesterday just wasn’t our day.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
December 4th, 2011
7:27 pm
The real call of the Dawgs ain’t How Bout Them Dawgs or GATA or any thing like that. The Real UGA catch phrase is WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR…………beautifully stated by this poster…………………………..
GA’s Young
December 4th, 2011
6:15 pm
Ga has a very young team and had a lot of injuries. Next year, they will be a lot better and will win the SEC–take it to the bank. Lemay will be the starting QB next season–he’s the real deal.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH………………..got to love the DAWG fans. now serving Next Years Kool-aid This Holiday Season. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA
I See
December 4th, 2011
7:31 pm
that little aaron murray has perfected the Jeff George lay-down maneuver if the DL gets close to him.
Dawg48
December 4th, 2011
7:34 pm
Poor me a glass I’m thirsty!
Dawg48
December 4th, 2011
7:38 pm
I see
Murry 6′ 210lbs……
LSU DL 6′6″ 330 to 350lbs
Wes
December 4th, 2011
7:40 pm
Georgia PROUD!
Dawg48
December 4th, 2011
7:58 pm
Still
It’s time to close the bar, rest your arms you have a long way to fly to el paso!
Lol
Still on the flight