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
Jim
January 2nd, 2012
8:07 pm
While Bobo may be a big part of UGA’s problem getting rid of him will not fix it. He’s been at UGA now for nine years and we see the same year after year. Doesn’t this really point to Richt? look at Richt’s staff. Bobo is a product of Richt, he spent a year at Jacksonville State and the rest of his experience is under Richt. Our Running back coach has been nowhere else but at UGA. Our O line coach had little game experience and is being molded by CMR in the Georgia Way. All good coaches but not ready for the big time as we all have seen. No matter who UGA hires if they were to replace Bobo do you really think there would be real change. To me Richt wants to hire young coaches that he can bring up in his style. He is not going to go out and hire a proven winner that will take away his control. If Bobo has been doing the same things over and over and not produceing then Richt must be ok with it or either Bobo is doing things according to Richt’s plan. Isn’t it the head coach’s responsibility to correct his assistants to maximize production of the game plan. Besides Richt wears headset’s during the game and should be talking to Bobo about plays to run. You can’t kill the snake unless you cut off the head.
Delusional "Mutt" Fans
January 2nd, 2012
8:07 pm
Relax and take your azz whompings like a man mutt fans!!!!!!!
Gadawg97
January 2nd, 2012
8:07 pm
truedawg, excuses are for losers. With the game on the line the key unit needs to step up and make a play. not allow an 80 yard td drive. Period.
Proud-Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
8:08 pm
Top tier talent + Bottom of the barrel coaching = Underachieving, aka UGA Football
Oh well, Happy New Year everyone
Mickey Roberts
January 2nd, 2012
8:08 pm
PATHETIC! FIRE RICHT NOW!!!
1980 dawg
January 2nd, 2012
8:08 pm
Cannot beat a top twenty team since 2008. Why are we talking about a contract extension. My university is a joke.
All I remember is
January 2nd, 2012
8:08 pm
Georgia beat TWO teams with a winning record,
Auburn and Georgia Tech.
Bobo needs to Go-go.
Reality
January 2nd, 2012
8:09 pm
Defense is improved but UGA is a long way from being a BAMA, LSU, Arky or S Carolina caliber program.
Sparks
January 2nd, 2012
8:09 pm
It looks much like Richt and Bobo play not to lose versus playing to win…attitude is everything.
UGA from columbus ga
January 2nd, 2012
8:10 pm
Heres the reality…Richt has waited too long with Bobo as he did with Martinez. So now we are in a very bad position. So if we fire Bobo now and hire a new Off Coordinator it could also set us back because we may have to learn a new system. So I would consider firing Bobo and having Richt call the plays for a season and hiring a special teams coordinator in the place of Bobo. Richt couldn’t be worse than Bobo. Hell two national championships were won on Mark Richts watch as a offensive coordinator!
Senor Coughee
January 2nd, 2012
8:11 pm
FIRE BLOWBO!
DawginSewer
January 2nd, 2012
8:11 pm
My God Lauren, Richt just floated by on a…………… that is terrible Lauren.
Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
8:11 pm
Prez Adams won’t let the AD spend the money on assistants like Florida, Bama and LSU do.
Simple.
pc
January 2nd, 2012
8:11 pm
1600 lbs of blue gum on the offensive line …. that’s 320lb a piece … what the “f” … if I was Keith Marshall I would have serious second thoughts of coming to a program this inept at the front line
Rich
January 2nd, 2012
8:12 pm
I don’t know how people can defend Bobo after this game. Blame it on the O-line and their lack of protection but it’s the OC that needs to work our strengths and limit our weaknesses. We tried too many long developing plays when we didn’t have the protection to do it. If it doesn’t take Bobo a season to figure this out he never will. Also, why did he try to run Carlton Thomas up the middle as well RIGHT into their All-American DT? This isn’t NCAA Football 2012.
The playcalling in OT was horrendous as well. Why instead of making the WINNING FG as easy as possible for Walsh we run to the outside with Thomas for no gain and then we give up going for the score and try to set up the FG with Murray by making him run to the middle again while LOSING yards. Then we WASTE a down trying to make it more manageable for Walsh and kick on 3rd down. The last play of the last drive was moronic of Bobo as well. It’s 3rd and 15 and he called a long-developing play-action. YOU’RE NOT FOOLING ANYONE.
huffsleeper
January 2nd, 2012
8:12 pm
Why was Richt clowning around with three minutes left in regulation. He should have been thinking about how to get a first down, and not running three straight up the middle and then punting. Same old Richt, playing not to lose instead of playing to win. Yea, go ahead and tell me (again) about all the talent we will have next year to be once again vastly undercoached and undisciplined
dawggoneit
January 2nd, 2012
8:12 pm
What a bunch of crybabies on this blog, especially Bill King. Georgia and Michigan State were dead even, and they won because our guy missed a 40-yard field goal. Get
over it. It was the best game I saw all year.
Dawg48
January 2nd, 2012
8:12 pm
Fire richt!
Fire BOBO!
Fire friend!
Fire granthem!
Fire garner!
Fire Mcgarety!
Did I forget anyone?
Concerned UGa Fan
January 2nd, 2012
8:12 pm
I wish RIcht went back to calling the offensive plays. UGA’s best seasons came when he was the OC and I don’t understand why he stopped. Bobo just does not seem to be up to the task and if was doing a good job, you would hear about him as college head coach or NFL OC candidate.
I fear most that this season was a mirage. They lost their first 2 and final 2 games against ranked teams. I also fear next year and after will be just more 8-9 win seasons under Richt and his teams will always fall short of winning championships.They should not extend him yet.
The priority should be to lock up Grantham then wait to see how another year under Richt goes. If UGA wins the SEC East next year outright (i.e. not needing SC to lose), he will have earned the extension.
Dawg89
January 2nd, 2012
8:12 pm
With all the NFL coaching openings, I wouldn’t be surprised to see CTG leave town. Why would he want to stick around for another season with BOZO? No matter what he does with the D, BoZo and his pee wee league schemes will cost us the game.
I coach rec league ball. I am amazed that the same plays in my pee wee league play book are in the UGA playbook. Anybody recognize 42, 43, 44, 45, and 46? Why don’t they ever run the FB? Heck, we do. It’s called 21 and 22 dive. It’s now wonder other teams have no trouble stopping the UGA running game.
Just like we don’t run the FB, we don’t throw to the TE. Why? So, there are two things opposing teams know they don’t have to prepare for.
BenB
January 2nd, 2012
8:12 pm
Nashville4UGA hit the nail on the head. At the end of regulation UGA played to not lose rather than win. One first down was all they needed and they tried to run a small back up the middle 3 times. That is exactly what MSU wanted you to do. No imagination!!!
Now, 3-12 Against Ranked Teams
January 2nd, 2012
8:13 pm
OK….1-4 against ranked teams THIS year, 3-12 against ranked teams since ‘05, 1-2 in last 3 bowl games….
….and Richt says we’re “knocking on the door of greatness”? Really?
Senor Coughee
January 2nd, 2012
8:13 pm
Bobo got the MVP in the MSU win.
oakisland
January 2nd, 2012
8:14 pm
It is very difficult to be a dawg supporter as long as I have and have to endure this crap of a coaching staff year after year. Bobo certainly lives up to his title as offensive coordinator as he is the most ” offensive” play caller in the history of GA football. Georgia football use to be something to be proud of but I can honestly say ” WE SUCK” and I for one am tired of where our program is headed and slipping into mediocrity. I really think we are stuck with an inept head coach and he has moron as a play caller. Please if we have to keep Richt, make it manatory that Bobo can no longer call plays. Love my dawgs but things have to change or we are doomed to be disappointed every season.
allbarnfan
January 2nd, 2012
8:14 pm
I knew things were going south when I saw Richt yukking it up with an M State d-lineman at about 3:30 in reg. I really think he thought the game was won. Then came the 3 Samuel runs for zero yards…maybe Bobo called those but if Richt had a pair he would have overruled and told the offense to at least try to get a first down to ice it. And then Todd’s defense just disintegrates on their last drive. And then the Walsh debacle….U-G-ly.
monty
January 2nd, 2012
8:15 pm
DIdn’t beat a decent team all year. Sad. But I guess CMR will get his raise.
DAWG with two bags back over head
January 2nd, 2012
8:15 pm
I seriously doubt that eunuch McGarity will force Richt to do anything. I think the tail wags the dawg in Athens. Get ready for many more years of disappointing loses against top 25 teams. Very depressed looking ahead to next season.
The Bill King
January 2nd, 2012
8:15 pm
It’s a good thing I’m just like the rest of you posters…. You know, having no connection to UGA at all, going to the occasional game when I can find Athens on the map. See, your old buddy Bill went to Valdosta State… Yep, just a pathetic UGA fan like the rest of you.
Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
8:15 pm
Something has to change. Bobo either needs to walk or hand the play calling responsibilities back to Richt. Although this season was exponentially better than last season and the one before it, it is still not good enough. UGA has too much talent to dwindle off into non-BCS bowls and play mediocre football. Fans, boosters, and I’m sure even some players realize this. Something needs to give this off season. On a lighter note, it was good to see Malcome get some decent carries in this game. The kid is a stud and can be a huge game changer next fall, IF he doesn’t hang around Crowell too much.
P.S. Why are Bama fans commenting on here? I figured they would be more worried about getting beaten by LSU…AGAIN!
Bobo was terrible...Murray is just an average qb.
January 2nd, 2012
8:16 pm
I’ve said it all year…keep Richt and get rid of Bobo (or at least demote him). He just doesn’t have that edge you need to win in the SEC. It’s clear that he does not trust A. Murray, and I can’t blame him for that. But, if he’s the qb in the game and your running game is non-existent, pass the ball. You all saw the game….same run play up the middle for no gain.
Face it, Murray is just not a great quarterback. He’s serviceable against some teams but he’s hit his peak… I’m still scratching my head trying to figure out how he has so many TD passes when he looks terrible on tape. Dawg Nation needs to start a petition to see Mason play more often just see what he’s got. He can’t be much worse that Murray.
Point Three…would someone please tell Bobo that Samuel is not a running back. He’s a blocking fullback at this point.
Senor Coughee
January 2nd, 2012
8:16 pm
Glad this season’s over. Got really tired of the second half of games being played to run out the clock rather than win the game rather than building on a lead.
Disgusted Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
8:16 pm
In OT 2nd down take a knee? 3rd down kick the FG? With a guy who’s been missing kicks all season long??
Fire Richt and Bobo. This will never end. $500 in the toilet.
Now, 3-12 Against Ranked Teams
January 2nd, 2012
8:17 pm
The best Richt moment today was during the last MSU TD drive….the camera zoomed in on Richt and all he had to say was…GATA….
man, that’s coaching at its finest, worth all of the millions per year.
Save for the Auburn game this year (a very down Auburn team at that)…who did we beat???
Dawg48
January 2nd, 2012
8:17 pm
Oh…..fire the guy that tapes up the ankles and knees cause he can’t do that right!
When was the last time crowell went a whole game?
Fire the guy that fills up the water bottles our guys are not getting enough H2O!
TrueDawg
January 2nd, 2012
8:17 pm
GaDawg97,
I agree with the excuses comment. My intent was not to make a loser excuse but to put the whole offensive effort into perspective. You can only play defense for so long before your body won’t do what your mind wants it to! I am proud of our defense but this game is a team effort. If the offense is off the field to quick then you wear out the defense to quick.
Disgusted Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
8:18 pm
BTW, I was at the game and I could not believe the offensive playcalling at the beginning of the socond half was “run the clock out.” What the funk is wrong with these coaches?
same ol same ol
January 2nd, 2012
8:18 pm
Once again GA played the second half like they were trying NOT TO LOSE instead of playing like they are trying to win. Those 3 runs up the middle with 3 minutes to go, screamed that we didnt trust Murray. If you dont trust a 2nd year QB to win the game for you, then you need to get another QB. So frustrating.
UGA from columbus ga
January 2nd, 2012
8:18 pm
-I fear most that this season was a mirage. They lost their first 2 and final 2 games against ranked teams.
So so so so so true Concerned
UGA Fan
January 2nd, 2012
8:19 pm
Get off Crowell the kid had 900 yards in the SEC, i can tell all yall hater havent played much football a ankle is the hard thing the heel, now when the kids be a 2000 yard back next season yall will feel like some fool. Crowell is still young and he will be the man for years to come. I hate when so called fans that dont no the game better yet played the game talk about some one. Yall loved the kid when he was doing good and carriaged us untill we got on track yall need to be asking for a new O-fence coach BOBO have to go point blank . Please get off Crowell nuts sack and give the kid a chance
BRADLEY
January 2nd, 2012
8:20 pm
UNREAL GEORGIA LOOSES DUMB COACHING GEORGIA PLAYED HARD ALL GAME AND THE COACHING FROM HEAD COACH ON DOWN LOOSES GAME HERE WE GO AGAIN SIGN HIM UP FOR MORE MONEY AND JUST BE AVERAGE 4 LOSSES AGAIN AVERAGE IF WE HAD PLAYED BAMA ARKY AND LSU DURING REGULAR SEASON WE WOULD HAVE HAD 6 LOSSES AND WE ARE GOING TO KEEP THIS COACHING STAFF WELL AND WE STRUGGLED AND SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN BEAT BY A PITIFUL FLORIDA TEAM GEEZ
dawgfan4life
January 2nd, 2012
8:20 pm
great game only one thing we can pretty much agree on is one we need a OC coach and the offensive line needs some improvement. once again the offense didnt show up and they hurt the defense. two thumbs up to Boykins you will greatly will be missed.
Now, 3-12 Against Ranked Teams
January 2nd, 2012
8:20 pm
Breaking news!!! McGarrity fire Richt and the whole staff, save Grantham……..damn!……the dog just woke me up from my post game nap……
Dawgdays
January 2nd, 2012
8:21 pm
Watching this game today probably took a year off my life. I have never seen a coaching staff so many times play not to lose a game rather than play to win a game. How many times have we seen a Georgia team up by 14 or more points and just take their foot off the gas pedal. Would Saban, Miles, or Meyer ever do this? No. How many times have we seen Georgia up and needing a first down to win a game and run three straight plays into the gut of a defense and pray their defense can hold just one more time. I have never seen an Offensive Coord. so unimaginative and unable to make half time adjustments like Bobo. Georgia won 10 games this year against unranked opponents only because of their superior players. Richt finally made the right decision on the defensive side of the ball and the Dogs are a top 10 team in that area because of it. Lets hope he can have the guts to do it one more time and rid this team of Bobo. The talent is in Athens it just need someone to direct it.
monty
January 2nd, 2012
8:21 pm
Has MSU consistently been in the top 15 in recuiting the last 10 years? No! Bama drilled them last year. Florida beat OSU. DiD SC beat Nebraska? What the heck happened to our O-line? They are big and experienced and can”t open a single hole up the gut or protect Murray. We get pretty dang good players and then we underachieve, repeatedly, We’ll have several of our players go pro over the next year or 2 and can’t beat a Michigan State team. Our coaches just do not make adjustments.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 2nd, 2012
8:21 pm
Lets see now
We are knocking on the door of greatness
Energy Vampires
Uniform Changes
Dancing in the endzone
Dream Team
I have more time to coach now thanks to Mcgarity
Whats the next thing we are going here?
GACOACH
January 2nd, 2012
8:21 pm
Bobo is a horrible play caller…get rid of him!!!!
UGA from columbus ga
January 2nd, 2012
8:22 pm
Heres a fact….We are fixing to give a 3-5 year contract extension to a man that lost 4 games. You talk about accepting mediocrity!!!
jasons
January 2nd, 2012
8:23 pm
Amazed that UGA had 10 wins this year…this was an embarrassment to the SEC…losing to a mediocre, typical, slow Big 10 team…one that ALA blew out last year 49-7…
UGA from columbus ga
January 2nd, 2012
8:24 pm
Monty it looked like our O-line ate too much Outback instead of worrying about a ballgame.
All I remember is
January 2nd, 2012
8:24 pm
Three overtimes and another cloud of BOBO.