Same old problems plague Dogs in loss to Spartans
Brandon Boykin had a career day against Michigan State — but it wasn't enough. (Associated Press)
Mark Richt’s Bulldogs didn’t have to find any new ways to lose in the Outback Bowl — instead, they simply let lots of familiar problems resurface in suffering another second-half collapse and dropping a three-overtime battle with Michigan State.
Again, the Dogs wasted a superlative first-half defensive effort by giving the opponent a couple of cheap touchdowns thanks to turnovers by an erratic Aaron Murray, whose two interceptions put the Spartans back in the ball game.
Again, Georgia’s almost complete lack of a running game made the Dog’ offense one-dimensional. And was anyone at all surprised when Isaiah Crowell, reduced to a backup role, limped off the field after a handful of runs?
Again, placekicker Blair Walsh, once one of the nation’s premier specialists, proved himself more a liability than a weapon and ended up costing Georgia the game by missing two kicks in OT.
And again, playcaller Mike Bobo seemed incapable of adjusting to the realities of what was happening on the field and stubbornly stuck with what wasn’t working.
With the middle of the Spartan’s defensive line as solid as a brick wall, Bobo continually called for runs up the middle — often with delays that turned into tackles for loss since State was getting into the Georgia backfield so quickly. Early on, Georgia was able to have some running success on the outside, but once MSU adjusted to stop that, the Dogs basically were no threat on the ground.
To top it all off, with the Spartans continually blitzing from the corner, Bobo insisted on calling slow-developing downfield passing plays, an all too familiar scenario made even worse by Murray’s poor decision-making when pressured and Georgia’s tight ends being a nonfactor in the game.
Overall, Georgia relied too much on its big-play capability and never was able to really sustain anything offensively against the talented Spartans defense.
Typical of the day was what happened with a little over 3 and a half minutes left in regulation. Needing a first down or two to kill the clock and ice a victory, the Dogs went ultra-conservative and ultra-predictable — two hallmarks of Bobo’s career as a playcaller — by trying again in vain to run Richard Samuel up the middle.
It surprised no one, and the fact that it didn’t work didn’t surprise anyone, either.
And then the banged-up Georgia defense, which had played well most of the day, looked gassed on the Spartans’ last drive of regulation, getting no pressure on MSU QB Kirk Cousins, who cooly passed his team down the field to send it into overtime.
Just think how ugly things might have gotten had Brandon Boykin not played the game of his life in his farewell performance as a Georgia Bulldog, nailing a Spartan receiver for a safety, scoring on a thrilling 92-yard punt return that saw him reversing direction and weaving his way all over the field, and then moving over to offense to catch a touchdown pass for his third different score of the day.
He’ll be missed big-time.
So two disappointing losses bookended a Georgia season that started out 0-2.
Sure, the 10 wins between those four losses and an SEC East title is a big improvement over last season.
But, looking ahead, even though Georgia returns a lot of talent and will have another favorable schedule next year, if the problems that continually reared their head this season aren’t addressed, it’s going to be tough for Richt’s program to take the next step forward.
Got something on your mind concerning UGA athletics or a question for the Junkyard Blawg? Send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
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1,469 comments Add your comment
The Monger
January 2nd, 2012
10:03 pm
NAILED IT ON THE HEAD WITH THIS ARTICLE. EVERYTHING, FROM BOBO’S TERRIBLE, STALE, AND PREDICTABLE PLAYCALLS. OUR FRESHMAN RB THAT COMES OUT AFTER 3 CARRIES EVERY GAME. MORE BONEHEADED PLAYS AND MULTIPLE TURNOVERS FROM MURRAY IN EVERY BIG GAME. OFFENSIVE LINE GETTING WHIPPED ALL GAME.
It all comes down to Richt who lost all 4 games he played against good teams, and is now 0-9 vs. ranked teams with Aaron “T.O. Machine” Murray. Richt, with his horrid, ultraconservative playcalls, and Murray with his 4-5 turnovers a game against good teams are now 0-9 vs. ranked teams!!! Anyone surprised?? I thought not. Sadly, we pay this man Richt 3 million a year to get outcoached in 60 percent of his games…He was outcoached in all 4 losses, than you add the teams we barely beat with superior talent- Vandy, Tenn, Fla, and Kent. Thats 8 out of 14 games that Richt was outcoached….Pathetic!!! By comparison how many games was Saban or Miles outcoached this year?? One…..Maybe??? Yeah…..We are not even CLOSE from ELITE, with a bottom tier SEC coach and the worst turnover machine in the SEC as our quarterback….SAD….
JD
January 2nd, 2012
10:03 pm
I am as big a fan of Mark Richt as they come, but it’s quite clear that our defense is now in the category of overshadowing our offense like in a major way….Willie was replaced by Todd Grantham. Now it’s time to replace Mike Bobo with someone who can get match the fire power of our defense…on the offensive side of the ball. Otherwise, we’ll be staring at more trips to Tampa in January each year.
Droopy DAWG
January 2nd, 2012
10:04 pm
Face it DAWG fans:
You have a mediocre team and a pathetic coaching staff.
To compete with the Good Schools you need to recruit the best or
you will always be mediocre…
Just the facts.
timbo
January 2nd, 2012
10:05 pm
Somewhere in the UGA athletic offices, someone is storming the hall tonight screaming ‘who the hell put Michigan State on our schedule!’
Chris
January 2nd, 2012
10:07 pm
Looking for a new offensive coordiantor Muschamp? Please, please, please, would you hire your good friend Bobo? As a former Dawg, you would be doing us a tremendous favor!
Ole Yeller Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
10:08 pm
@ M.Richt:”Life begins at the end of your comfort zone” ~Neale Donald Walsh
Heck if we were going to lose…why not let Boykin try the field goal…that would have been more entertaining to me!
He had already performed a “Hat Trick”
BoBo Gota GoGo to play with the big boys!
GT is 4th rate high school team
January 2nd, 2012
10:08 pm
Richt can continue to knock of the National Championship Door, but it will never open from him if Murray continue to throw those interceptions. Same old problem in their 4 losses. For UGA’s sake, Richt should really have a true QB competition.
Happy Warrior
January 2nd, 2012
10:09 pm
This lose is on the shoulders of Bobo. Let’s run to the left just one more time…….. maybe it will work now! Let’s just healthy, and wait for next year.
GT is 4th rate high school team
January 2nd, 2012
10:10 pm
BOBO should go with WALSH.
arnoldripkin
January 2nd, 2012
10:11 pm
Make no mistake, this loss was 100% Mark Richt’s. What other college coach on earth would make such a stupid call?. Trying a 42 yard field goal on 2nd down with plenty of time on the clock. Absolutely unbelievable! What are we waiting for, an 0-12 season from this fool?
Complacent Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
10:14 pm
I have a peace about it…
CaliDawg
January 2nd, 2012
10:16 pm
Murray MUST stop turning over the ball 3-4 times a game. His inability to protect the ball must eliminate a good portion of the playbook.
timbo
January 2nd, 2012
10:18 pm
Stop blaming the coaches, and look at your so-called 5-star recruits. This Bill King tool ran an article a month or so ago that UGA signed the #1 RB in the nation. The day before, a RB from Texas won the Gatorade Player of the Year, and signed with Texas. UGA fans, and now AJC sports writers continue to focus on the coaches, but give a pass on these imaginary 5-star athletes. There comes a time when you just have to admit that maybe UGA just isn’t that good, and these 5-star athletes are really just a pigment of the imagination of the AJC.
Tired of supporting a Loser
January 2nd, 2012
10:21 pm
Just embarrassing!
We need a whole new coaching staff… and a new team.
Border dweller
January 2nd, 2012
10:21 pm
No tailback, no victory.
SatillaDawg
January 2nd, 2012
10:31 pm
Hit the road, Bobo…
Dawgs again find ways to blow a perfectly good lead, and what should have been a solid victory.
Good grief, Charlie Brown.
At least the defense looked good.
And kudos to Brandon. Wow! What a game, young man!
Give that Dawgs a bone!
Dawghater
January 2nd, 2012
10:33 pm
Woof Woof
Cry Cry
SEC East champs – not if UGA played a real schedule like S. Carolina!
icedawg
January 2nd, 2012
10:35 pm
Good analysis. Very disappointing outcome. Boykin was sensational. Bobo should be ashamed.
icedawg
January 2nd, 2012
10:38 pm
The talent in the state of Georgia has been overrated for some time. You cannot put much stock in the rating services.
Coach Ray Goff
January 2nd, 2012
10:39 pm
Go Dwags?
http://i.imgur.com/KFfDc.jpg
What the…
DaveDawg96
January 2nd, 2012
10:40 pm
So is McGarity another contented enabler of mediocrity or is he a winner? The next few days will tell…
GT Grad
January 2nd, 2012
10:40 pm
To all of the decent dawg folks, yall got a great team coming in next year. Cannot say the same about my football program.
To all you trolls that come on the Tech blog, karma just shoved it down your throats.
t-bone
January 2nd, 2012
10:41 pm
It’s always interesting trying to figure out how the Dawgs are going to blow it. With Murray good for 14 points for the other guys and a kicker who will live forever because when it comes time to kick the bucket he won’t even be close, it’s getting rather mundane. Add to that an offensive play caller (Bozo) who refuses to adjust as the game progresses (a middle school player could call a defense against them.) The offensive plays in the first overtime were the most embarassing pile of dog squeeze I have ever witnessed. Does no one remember how great BW has been this year? (That’s sarcasm-although ‘BW’ and ‘has been’ fits perfectly.) I hope Crowell’s boo-boo gets better. Might be a good idea to recruit a few EMT’s for next year. All in all, a predictable outcome from a predictable team.
Class of 93
January 2nd, 2012
10:45 pm
Up by 16 and Bobo/Richt find a way to coach us down to a loss. I have never seen such a collapse. Reminds me of the 1978 Bluebonnet Bowl.
phil
January 2nd, 2012
10:45 pm
We’re doomed to a Richt extension.
I cancelled my tics.
I’ve wasted enough money on this crap.
LakeDawg
January 2nd, 2012
10:45 pm
Same ole, same ole…..I’m too tired to post anything more right now. I’ll just say that UGA has a decent coaching staff in a league of very good to great coaches. That will continue to equal mid pack performances from a program that should be in the top ten every year.
It's about $ not titles.
January 2nd, 2012
10:46 pm
UGA only cares about the $ in your wallet; not championships.
SOUTH GA DIRT ROAD SPORT
January 2nd, 2012
10:46 pm
Terrible loss! Murray just can’t play well in big games! CMR and CMB just can’t coach very well in big game! No running game at all!
dawgenuff
January 2nd, 2012
10:46 pm
Arnoldripkin, why take a chance at a fumble or interception. Make a 42 yard kick…Game over! Why waste any time.Good call, smart call. The only problem to a very makeable field goal…the kicker missed…live with it!
Big D
January 2nd, 2012
10:47 pm
The DAWGS have trouble against good non SEC teams. Four losses in the last three years to Oklahome State, Colorado, Boise State, and now Michigan State. Can’t play Kentucky, Vandy, Mississippi State, and Mississippi every week. Get Dooley to schedule some softies and Richt will look a lot better. Old Vince knew how to win, schedule Wofford, Furman, Troy, etc.
phil
January 2nd, 2012
10:47 pm
It’s about $ not titles.
January 2nd, 2012
10:46 pm
UGA only cares about the $ in your wallet; not championships.
Correct – quit giving it to em.
keith
January 2nd, 2012
10:48 pm
Bobo must go!
The real hairy dawg
January 2nd, 2012
10:48 pm
OLine folks….we need one.
LakeDawg
January 2nd, 2012
10:49 pm
It’s about $ not titles.
January 2nd, 2012
10:46 pm
UGA only cares about the $ in your wallet; not championships.
————————————————————————————————————————————–
No truer words have been spoken.
Dawgfan
January 2nd, 2012
10:49 pm
Ad@sports.uga.edu…… McGarity email address. Everyone email and let him know your tired of it and want a change. All these donations. Second in the country in net profit from football yet we don’t put as much money to football program as LSU, Alabama, Florida or South Carolina. Use some of that money and go pay an offensive coordinator that knows how to use the talent we throw away year in and year out instead of someone who thinks its ok to give the ball back with 1:30 in the game, take a loss by downing the ball on 2nd down n ot to attempt a field goal by a kicker who has struggled, and threw to the first round tight end how many times today? Big ten one bowl win in 2 years thanks to the dawgs… I mean bobo
The real hairy dawg
January 2nd, 2012
10:49 pm
Nothing works when you have two defenders in the backfield every play.
phil
January 2nd, 2012
10:51 pm
dawgenuff
January 2nd, 2012
10:46 pm
Arnoldripkin, why take a chance at a fumble or interception. Make a 42 yard kick…Game over! Why waste any time.Good call, smart call. The only problem to a very makeable field goal…the kicker missed…live with it!
******
Well, genius, i’ll tell you why.
The idiot kicker has missed half of his FGs this season.
The odds of us turning it over in that situation were FAR less.
Understand?
Class of 93
January 2nd, 2012
10:52 pm
Take knee and let Walsh win it?
Lakedawg
January 2nd, 2012
10:52 pm
Not much to say other than the better overall team won the game. Solid defenses both sides.
MSU more veteran and better QB, more DLmen than Dawgs with Jenkins and Tyson hurt, and most of all a kicker who does not choke under the least bit of pressure. Also MSU had a couple durable running backs.
timbo
January 2nd, 2012
10:52 pm
Hey Coach Goff, so I didn’t imagine that, did I? I saw that sign during the game and shrugged it off. But then I thought, it is UGA, and most of the trailer parks were empty.
buck blew
January 2nd, 2012
10:54 pm
Richt is going to take the Tampa Bay head coaching job. He interviewed tonight before he left. Kirby Smart will be the Dawg’s new coach.
Pope UGA XXIII
January 2nd, 2012
10:55 pm
For once, a very objective column from Mr King.
Really don’t need to say much else, ’cause we again have
snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
Makes me want to reach for my checkbook & immediately
send in my Hartman Fund donation of several thousand dollars
to have the chance to buy tix for Buffalo and Florida Atlantic.
As a 40+ year season ticket holder, I can trutyhfully say that
this really SUX !!
DawgDad
January 2nd, 2012
10:57 pm
This loss was on the offense. The main “same old problem” was the offensive line – they just plain got whipped, then gassed. Murray was hurt or shaken up in the second half – he did not look like himself down the stretch and in OT. Agree the playcalling was very suspect – throwing in the towel to opt for a long field goal attempt in OT was just idiotic.
phil
January 2nd, 2012
11:00 pm
Fire everyone!
Good night.
Mike
January 2nd, 2012
11:00 pm
Wow! I can’t believe how upset I am that Georgia lost…NOT! There IS joy in Mudville as mighty Richt has struck out!
Mar_Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
11:00 pm
I am still a DAWG. Win or lose, always will be. Good job guys. Chin up guys. See ya in April at the spring game. Decisions need to be made for sure, but they aren’t mine to make. My job is to support the dawgs, and that I PROUDLY do.
**BTW – All of you who are talking trash about the players on twitter…it’s easy to be brave behind a computer screen. I’d bet you wouldn’t say those things to their faces.
Fair and Balanced
January 2nd, 2012
11:01 pm
Job approval rating for US Congress is 5%. Bobo job approval is somewhere south of that. Make the decision and make a run at the title in 2 years. Won’t happen next year. I’m still not convinced that we have a good OL coach.
DirtyDawg34
January 2nd, 2012
11:03 pm
Bobo must go,his play-calling is a joke and we can sign all of the #1 running backs we want,but untill we get someone to block up front it wont matter,we were manhandled all day by MS D-line.These coaches other than Grantham are playing not to loose.What the heck was the 2nd down play in OT,Murray takes a knee and then we kick on 3rd down and miss the fg.Wowwww!!!!!!!! that was really weak Richt,that really sent a great message to all these recruits.
Abnerish
January 2nd, 2012
11:03 pm
I agree with the comments about Bobo and the play calling. I couldn’t believe we kept calling these counter draws and other slow developing inside runs. Especially when the outside runs worked fairly well. Plus, we consistently left the outside LB or DE unblocked. We couldn’t figure out their scheme. That is concerning, as is this new trend of the defense losing significant effectiveness in the 2nd half.
Vampire Bill
January 2nd, 2012
11:03 pm
Those interceptions did just make me ILL