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
Still@theKool-aidBAR
January 2nd, 2012
11:04 pm
I’M Stills Jacket win or lose but it is nice when We both lose and the Mutts did the same thing the jackets did in the Bowl game.
Really! A CHEERS of Jim Daniel’s best to you.
You have Bobo and we have Groh.
virginia dog
January 2nd, 2012
11:05 pm
Nice work Bill … this is why some big money guys are growing weary of Richt. Bill you know the names. I have even head Richt refered to as a stewart acting as head coach until the right name is avalable.
i personally don’t think he has the stomach for the game. Take Les Miles at LSU. i think in the last 5 years he has had 3 offensive coordinators. To be a big winner in the game of BIG TIME college football you got to be a cold blooded guy with a killers insticts. Not a missonary.
jonkdawg
January 2nd, 2012
11:06 pm
Compare Arron Mueray to Andrew Luck..Arron is no whwre close to nfl level like Andrew Luck, ofcourse Arron needs at least another year to the next level.
Tennessee Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
11:06 pm
Face it Bulldawg Nation, and I am a life-long member, nothing will change until a change is made at the top. Richt has taken this program as high as it will ever go. He’s way to conservative to ever compete at the highest level. We all must accept the fact that Adams and McGarity are satisfied with UGA being a 2nd tier football program. CMR wins just enough to keep his job. It’s hard to fire a coach who wins 10 games. After 50+ years as a Bulldog fan reality has finally set in. My expectations are officially lowered after today’s exhibition of ultra-conservative football. Can’t imagine Saban or Miles coaching that way. Guess that’s why they are playing for a national championship.
robo11
January 2nd, 2012
11:06 pm
Enter your comments here
Murray had 2 years, give Mason a try or bring on Lemay, Murray will never be anything but a loser.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
January 2nd, 2012
11:08 pm
jonkdawg……MURRAY could have 5 more years and he STILL wouldn’t be NFL ready. He would be Zier or Greene if he were lucky.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
January 2nd, 2012
11:09 pm
WOW Okie St is going to win but IT will not be LUCK’s fault.
Luck will be like Peyton in college.
Jimmy
January 2nd, 2012
11:10 pm
The thing that disturbs me is that the offense disappears as it does.
I do think it has to do with a lack of adjustments by Bobo.
When Richt goes conservative with 3:30 minutes in the game,
he sends a signal that he doesn’t trust the team to run the offense.
It was conservative playcalling, more than a lack of execution, that caused this loss.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
January 2nd, 2012
11:10 pm
OUCH on the OSU play.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
January 2nd, 2012
11:12 pm
JIMMY not he O…………..3/4 MURRAY is the problem.
Class of 93
January 2nd, 2012
11:14 pm
Richt proved himself incompetent to coach when he did not tell the defense to lay down after the Aromashado score against Auburn. Not trying to score and handing it to an inconsistant kicker is beyond belief.
Aaron Murray is not all america ? What a hose job. Absolutely the Best QB in the nation, Heisman Trophy, National Championship just wait 'til next year !
January 2nd, 2012
11:15 pm
While there are those who will say that Mark Richt BLEW THE CALL on 3rd down, or that Mike Bobo BLEW THE CALL on 3rd down, to have Aaron Murray run to his right 3 yards and lose 3 yards doing it prior to beating the 1st team who ends the season in the top 25 in years and years for us, only to watch the ball sail 3 yards right
Aaron Murray
___________
4 sacks today
1 reception today of a blocked pass minus 3 yards
Of our 28 fumbles this season Aaron Murray 11
14 Interceptions, all at the very worst moments
Gave the momentum to Michigan State
33 sacks on the season of Aaron Murray – not the OL
99 rushes season Aaron Murray – 1.3 yards per carry
Has not beat a team who finished in the top 25 at 0-9
______________________________________________
It has been an exasperating 2 years with Aaron Murray.
2 more Good Lord.
timbo
January 2nd, 2012
11:15 pm
Why do you dawg fans keep torturing yourselves? Been mediocre for 30+ years. Just accept the fact that you can’t compete with the real college football teams, and move on with your life. Accept the wins against the .500 teams, and be happy. If you just happen to beat a team with a winning record, be happy for that win, but don’t assume you should play for a NC. Lower your expectations and your quality of life will improve. Maybe some Stuart Smalley will help you get through this until August.
“I deserve good things, I am entitled to my share of happiness. I refuse to beat myself up. I am an attractive person. I am fun to be with.”
BIRDAWG44
January 2nd, 2012
11:19 pm
AFTER WATCHING THAT GAME MARK RICHT HAS GOT TO MAKE SOME CHANGES, FIRST ONE HAS GOT BE FIRING BOBO , HIS PLAYES WERE FINE 10 YEARS AGO BUT NOT NOW, SECOND WHAT HAPPEN TO CROWELL TODAY DID HE GET COLD OR WHAT . HE NEED TO BE ON SCOUT TEAM NEXT YEAR , PLEASE LOOK FOR A NEW OFFENSIVE COR. AND SOME NEW RUNNING BACKS
Xenophon
January 2nd, 2012
11:19 pm
We ended up the same way we started…with two losses. And notice that we STILL can’t beat teams that are ranked. We just can’t beat them. We are a second tier program and next year will be similar. We’ll probably win ten games and get the dog food kicked out of us in the SEC championship again. Good thing the gods of scheduling are smiling on us at the moment.
Eric C.
January 2nd, 2012
11:21 pm
The last two defeats are definitely the result of no rushing game. And, wth was that settling for a 42 yd FG? Walsh has been anything but a good bet this year…that play really perplexed me.
I can't believe Aaron Murray BLEW THAT GAME to go to 0-9 vs teams ending top 25
January 2nd, 2012
11:23 pm
I’m not certain that that is an advantage for us, that we have such soft easy schedules nowadays and that The SEC East remains so down as it clearly has been, is, and will be again next season too.
_______________________________________
25 Losses the Last Six (6) Seasons
_______________________________________
AceDawg
January 2nd, 2012
11:23 pm
The shortfalls of Bobo are of course 100% Richt’s fault, as he has stuck with Bobo year after year when UGA could certainly do better. It shouldn’t be hard for UGA to score points with it’s level of recruiting, yet Bobo lessens rather than strengthens the potential of the team. Then again, not only is sticking with Bobo Richt’s fault, but Richt must also still be the guy deciding to play conservative and to go for field goals with a kicker that lost his mojo months ago. If Richt doesn’t want to step down from the UGA program, he needs to send Bobo out the door and hire a new offensive coordinator that can teach the offensive to be more aggressive and more clutch.
The Grinch
January 2nd, 2012
11:24 pm
Aaron Murray is not all america ? What a hose job. Absolutely the Best QB in the nation, Heisman Trophy, National Championship just wait ’til next year !
January 2nd, 2012
11:15 pm
Add to that him having at least one fumble AND pick 6 in 3 of our 4 losses.
I can't believe Aaron Murray BLEW THAT GAME to go to 0-9 vs teams ending top 25
January 2nd, 2012
11:24 pm
THAT play perplexed you Eric ?
jonkdawg
January 2nd, 2012
11:24 pm
Ya Bill evrything u said is right on the money.. the kicker missed the goal to the right.. the team did their jobs for the winning and he didn’t complet’s the job, so much for assache.
dawgenuff
January 2nd, 2012
11:24 pm
The Coastal Caroline game,because of the lesser calibre of competition , the bulldogs had a balanced game ,with Crowell over 100 yards, and Murray throwing 5or 6 touchdowns for the game. With the talent to come on the Offensive line and the much improved talent to come on the running game, couple this with the experience attained by Murray and the receivers,and the additions to the Defense and a new kicker, UGA will be able to respond to all teams like they did to Coastal Carolina!
SOUTH GA DIRT ROAD SCHOLAR
January 2nd, 2012
11:24 pm
Murray had 3 turnovers that killed us! He doesn’t play well in big games! CMR kicking on 3rd down???? We have 10 wins, all against unranked teams! 0 wins against ranked teams! We gave the game away, very disappointing!
t
January 2nd, 2012
11:25 pm
(1) I absolutely love Coach Richt and hope he never leaves (2) It’s not Walsh’s fault for missing all the field goals this year – it’s the coaches fault for continuing to put him out there – we had a pretty good back-up kicker in
Bogotay but they were permanently married to Walsh – come heck or high water (3) The bigger the game the worse Murray plays – I think he is a great person and great for the Georgia program – but maybe as a team chaplain or something like that -you can predict the number of fumbles and picks he is going to have by the importance of the game – that has gone on for two years in a row. Great leader – disaster of a quarterback who can’t manage the game and take care of the ball – defense is gassed by end of game trying to cover up for his continually consistent miscues (4) Difficult to establish a running game when backs are being changed in and out like bad light bulbs (5) has no one else discovered that Bobo’s coaching philosophy is “if it ain’t broke fix it” or better said “If a play absolutely won’t work keep running it till it does” – even if it costs the game I will still get validated.”.
JRW7
January 2nd, 2012
11:29 pm
Yea, we can win 10 games against inferior teams, but CMR and AARON MURRAY can’t seem to win against ranked teams, very disappointing loss today!
NewnanRxDawg
January 2nd, 2012
11:30 pm
Dawg Fans:
There is something that we must grasp if we are to keep our sanity for the foreseeable future.
That is that under McGarity & Richt, mediocrity is acceptable. Being the 4th or 5th best team in the SEC IS good enough. Our expectations as fans are realistic. However, they do not match the expectations of our AD or our HC.
I’m tired of being out-coached. IT WAS OBVIOUS that we had the better team. And I know that it’s b/c or Richt’s regime that we have all of these good players, but who’s to say that someone else couldn’t do a better job of coaching up these players and deliver results on the field?
Our “playing-not-to-lose” approach cost us again. Ever since the collapse in 2008 I think Richt has lost his desire to go all in to win games. We were so talented all over the field that year and yet injuries and a terrible defensive scheme cost us a chance at the MNC that year.
I hope that the “hot seat” is not completely cooled off yet. Richt needs just a little pressure to get anything done it seems. We had to beg and practically go on strike to get rid of W.Martinez. What will it take to get Richt to re-evaluate the Offensive play calling duties -because make no bones about it- Bobo isn’t going anywhere. No one else wants him and Richt “loves” him too much.
The best we can hope for is Richt to have an even more active role in MAKING ADJUSTMENTS as the game progresses instead of calling the game plan at all costs.
I.E. Do we even have tight ends anymore? Is Mitchell really not a deep threat anymore?
I hope we make major adjustments to our scheme because we really have a chance to get a ton of W’s next season.
Go Dawgs!
dawgenuff
January 2nd, 2012
11:31 pm
Jimmy, How can you call the conservative playcalling that lost the game and not the lack of execution, when if the kicker had executed the kick ,then UGA wins the game!
john
January 2nd, 2012
11:33 pm
Richt doesn’t coach to win he coaches as he trying not to lose. His teams never have the killer instinct.
1st overtime, he plays it so conservatively and doesnt even try to run forward to get more yard on 2nd and 3rd down. Michigan State didnt score at all in the first overtime so worst case your going to 2nd ot if you turn the ball over. Why not try and get your kicker closer who has not been consistant all year.
Mark Richt has proven he is one of worst crunch time coaches and has a horrible record in big games.
Im stunned he hasnt been fired.
What did you expect?
January 2nd, 2012
11:34 pm
20 seconds to go in the first half, Richt lets the time runout without making MSU punt. Then, AJ fumbles the ball, throws two interceptions, yet Richt continues to play him. At the end of the game with 3:46 left, Richt runs the ball into the line three times. Shouldn’t he have realized the defense was dog tired after playing with so much intensity for the whole game? How does anyone expect Georgia’s talent to win, when he doesn’t have the foggiest idea of what is happening with his team? Georgia will never rise above third tier level with Mark Richt. He’s a good person, but not a football coach.
big black kracker dawg
January 2nd, 2012
11:34 pm
LIKE I SAID MURRAY IS KILLING US…BOBO IS JUST PLAIN STUPID….MURRAYHAS NEVER BEAT A TEAM RANKED HIGHER THAN US…. CROWELL FINDS WAYS NOT TO PLAY… WE NEED TO SUSPEND HIS SCHOLARSHIP AND GIVE IT TO SOMEONE IS ISNT MADE OUT OF GLASS… AND WHATS SCARY IS OUR BACKUP….WHO TO ME IS A BETTER PASSER THAN MURRAY MAYBE TRANSFERING DUE TO THE STUPIDITYOF BOBO NOT PLAYING HIM.. NOT EVEN WHEN MURRAY LOOKED LIKE POO POO… EVENTHE ANNOUNCER LAUGHED AT CROWELL TODAY… COME ON CMR… MAKE THESE CHANGES….
ShaggyDwag
January 2nd, 2012
11:35 pm
GO Dwags!!
I can't believe Aaron Murray BLEW THAT GAME to go to 0-9 vs teams ending top 25
January 2nd, 2012
11:36 pm
Grinch,
I thought I covered that well, sir.
Of the 28 fumbles (I guaranteed 30 on the season putting the ball up for grabs, something we don’t do well on offense.)
Aaron Murray 11 fumbles
Aaron Murray 14 fumbles
Aaron Murray 1.3 yards a carry
Aaron Murray 99 carries on the season
Aaron Murray 33 sacks
Aaron Murray 0-9 vs teams finishing top 25
Aaron Murray poor footwork
Aaron Murray happy feet
Aaron Murray passes BEHIND his WR
Aaron Murray passes overthrown OVER his WR
Aaron Murray IMMATURE
Aaron Murray LOUSY LEADERSHIP SKILLS
Aaron Murray not good going through progressions
Aaron Murray inaccurate
Aaron Murray small
Aaron Murray once again not better QB head-to-head (That’s 11 to-date, and I predicted this one too. I got this one right on my bowl pool.)
Aaron Murray 11 LOSSES two seasons (I predicted 10.)
Mark Richt Mike Bobo NO ONE ELSE PLAYED QB 2 years now (I predicted that.)
25 LOSSES last 6 years (I predicted that saying 24.)
I’m sorry, but THIS does NOT CUT IT.
HAPLESS game management and directing of the Offense by Aaron Murray, Mike Bobo and Mark Richt.
POOR MOTIVATION by Mark Richt
Run sideways on 3rd Down with 1st top 25 team beat in years and years to miss the 42-yard field goal, right after Blair Walsh set the all-time record for points scored to put Billy Bennett in 2nd place (No, that is not a good fact, given the way we SETTLE for anything other than our Offense scoring a TD.)
big black kracker dawg
January 2nd, 2012
11:37 pm
MURRAY IS POO POO…… FIRE BOBO!!!! RECRUIT THE ONES ON THE TEAM FOR ONE MORE YEAR…..DONT ENCOURAGE THEM TO LEAVE EARLY FOR THE NFL.. THIS ISNT GOOD FOR UGA FOOTBALL…
It don't matter
January 2nd, 2012
11:38 pm
It’s okay UGA, we all know you’re going to divert your own loss by living through the success of the top tier of the SEC like you usually do.
ShaggyDwag
January 2nd, 2012
11:39 pm
I’m still proud to be a Dwag
I can't believe Aaron Murray BLEW THAT GAME to go to 0-9 vs teams ending top 25
January 2nd, 2012
11:41 pm
5th best team in The SEC ?
6th.
timbo
January 2nd, 2012
11:41 pm
Before the LSU game, you folks were praising Richt and Bobo. What happened? Looks like the bandwagon is empty again. Talk about fair weather fans.
Don
January 2nd, 2012
11:43 pm
Let the DMB campaign begin….now. (dump mike bobo)
big black kracker dawg
January 2nd, 2012
11:46 pm
FIRE MURRAY
Buzz Off
January 2nd, 2012
11:46 pm
where was Crowell? Did he have a sore throat or was it an ear ache?
I can't believe Aaron Murray BLEW THAT GAME to go to 0-9 vs teams ending top 25
January 2nd, 2012
11:46 pm
timbo,
I wouldn’t be so smug.
Put your team’s name up there, son.
31-17
Still@theKool-aidBAR
January 2nd, 2012
11:47 pm
Working on an F-14-A Tom Cat. It is a nice monogram replica. Good detail and size.
ShaggyDwag
January 2nd, 2012
11:47 pm
Murray is a d@mN fine Dwag
Ole Yeller Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
11:47 pm
Karma: Nov 1, 2010 Todd Grantham Georgia Defensive Coordinator gives Florida Kicker Chas Henry the Choke Sign…the performance of this act has forever put a curse on all UGA Kicker’s!
UGA FOOTBALL =
January 2nd, 2012
11:48 pm
BOTTOM FEEDERS OF THE SEC!
wins-by-a-link
January 2nd, 2012
11:48 pm
Two more years of Bobo and Murray? Say it ain’t so Mr McGarity
Still@theKool-aidBAR
January 2nd, 2012
11:48 pm
Crowell is as LEGGED as Lt. DAN. Run Forrest run. Crawl Lt. Crowell crawl!
Jimmy
January 2nd, 2012
11:49 pm
dawgenuff:
If we had not been conservative with 3:30 left in the game, we may have gotten a first down and and never had to go to OT.
If we had not gone conservative in the first OT, we may not have needed a long FG to win.
Playing not to lose always increases the odds you will lose.
Play your offense wide open…play the best players…sit the players who are not performing.
CHOKE! THE OFFICAL DRINK OF THE GEORGIA BULLDAWGS!
January 2nd, 2012
11:49 pm
DRINK UP MUTT NATION!
timbo
January 2nd, 2012
11:49 pm
I understand that Richt pulled Crowell when it was 16-0, and had him go find a Souljah Boy cd and some weed for the team. Must be fact ’cause I read it here on the AJC.