Richt got one thing right: Dogs’ performance against the Gamecocks was ‘embarrassing’
The Dogs dared Connor Shaw to throw deep on them, and he did just that. (Bob Andres / AJC)
If you had deliberately set out to script a completely nightmarish first quarter for Georgia against South Carolina, where just about everything went wrong for Mark Richt’s Bulldogs, you couldn’t have come up with anything more demoralizing for the Bulldog Nation than what transpired Saturday night in Columbia.
It was a complete failure on the part of Georgia’s defense, offense and special teams right from the get-go, with the first quarter being the worst a Richt team has looked since the infamous “Blackout” loss to Alabama in 2008.
On the first series of the game, Todd Grantham’s defense loaded the box to try and slow Gamecocks running back Marcus Lattimore, who had feasted on the Dawgs the past two years, daring Carolina quarterback Connor Shaw to use his arm and go deep to beat them. Which he proceeded to do on the second offensive play of the game, hitting Damiere Byrd on a 42-yard pass on which Bacarri Rambo went for and missed the interception.
Shortly after that Shaw found Bruce Ellington wide open in the Georgia end zone and the Cocks were up 7-0.
Georgia got a great kickoff return from Malcolm Mitchell, helped by a flag against South Carolina, but hopes that the Dogs could keep up with the Gamecocks fizzled on Georgia’s third offensive play as an Aaron Murray pass was deflected (which would turn out to be a frequent occurrence on this night) and intercepted. That turnover led to the Gamecocks scoring a second touchdown — on another play on which Georgia’s suspect pass coverage again left a receiver uncovered.
Then it was time for the Bulldogs’ special team collapse of the night, with a punt returned all the way by the Gamecocks’ Ace Sanders for a touchdown.
So, with less than 10 minutes having elapsed in the first quarter, South Carolina was already up 21-0.
The second quarter saw Georgia briefly threaten to get back into the contest when the Dawgs put together their one sustained drive of the half, finally lining up first and goal inside the Carolina 10 thanks to a great catch by Mitchell.
First down saw Todd Gurley bull his way to the Carolina 2.
Then Mike Bobo decided he wanted to try and score in the most conservative (and predictable) way possible and called another Gurley run into the line that gained a mere yard.
On third down, Murray tried to force a dangerous pass that fell incomplete. Rather than take 3 points, Georgia rightly decided to go for it on fourth down, but for some reason Murray threw a pass in front of the goal line rather than to one of his receivers in the end zone and ended up short — and with no points to show for an 80-yard, 15-play effort.
The game was essentially over at that point, although the second half saw the Gamecocks add a couple more touchdowns and give up one in garbage time as a determined Boo Malcome ran hard against Carolina’s second-string defense to avert a shutout.
The South Carolina defense had its way with Aaron Murray most of the night. (Bob Andres / AJC)
The main storyline of the evening was this: The Gamecocks’ defensive line dominated the Dogs’ offensive front all night, shutting down the “Gurshall” running attack and constantly harassing Murray, who had one of his shakiest performances in quite some time.
And while Grantham’s defense eventually slowed down the Carolina juggernaut a bit, there was no denying that early on they looked absolutely clueless as Shaw directed the Gamecocks’ offense just about perfectly.
So, once again, a Richt team that had soared into the Top 5 by beating lesser nonconference and midlevel SEC opponents came a cropper when it faced a good team.
It was a performance so flat and lifeless that ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit termed it “shocking.”
Actually, not so shocking for anyone who’s watched Richt teams in recent years repeatedly show up looking unprepared and unmotivated whenever they face a Top 10 opponent.
As the Georgia head coach himself put it after the game, it was bad enough that the Dogs lost, but “the way we lost hurts and is embarrassing as well.”
The emphasis there should be on embarrassing.
Feel free to share your own views on Georgia’s complete failure in Columbia.
Got something you want to discuss concerning UGA athletics? Or maybe a question you want the Junkyard Blawg to tackle? Send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
Find me on Facebook.
Follow me on Twitter.
— Bill King, Junkyard Blawg
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
420 comments Add your comment
Raider beater
October 7th, 2012
1:00 am
Breaking news. UGA just scheduled Florida Atlantic for all 12 of next seasons games. They are ESPNs preseason number 1. Seams the SEC gave them permission after feeling sorry for them playing and getting destroyed by .500 or better teams.
#1 fan
October 7th, 2012
1:00 am
Don’t lose faith. We OWN this state and the SEC east. Dawgs will run the table and beat Bama in SEC champ game in the DOME. Then on the NC game, which we will win!
(Now where did I place my medication?)
SC Dog fan
October 7th, 2012
1:03 am
I think I have some of that same prescription if you need it.
just sayin'
October 7th, 2012
1:04 am
Speaking of intellect…why do UGA fans have the “dawg pound?’ Isn’t that where dogs are euthanized? (That means put down, for those who have trouble with polysyllabic words)
Mike Litoris
October 7th, 2012
1:05 am
There’s been a steady decline in offensive production against good teams ever since Bobo has taken over play calling. Anybody can score on Non-AQ and FCS teams. More and more fans are getting fed up with these showings in big games. This team looked awful from the start to finish, they looked lost, out of place, and completly unprepared. Lack of hustle is on the team leaders, but being so unprepared is clearly on the coaches.
yardawg
October 7th, 2012
1:07 am
how about last week, when super duper dip towers had an article rambo and tree make a differnce? I guess in the tennesse game? and I posted, is chip eating pot brownies with these grown NFL players or what?
yardawg
October 7th, 2012
1:09 am
im not sure number fan, but, when you find it, can you send it to well a well a well a dawg nation
yardawg
October 7th, 2012
1:13 am
i love my dawgs dont get me wrong, and I cant wait to be in church tomorrow, I just hope mark richt aint in the same one, im might lose my religion
yardawg
October 7th, 2012
1:17 am
I heard David Pollack is coming to live with ………………..he quit ESPN hes speechless
ty webb
October 7th, 2012
1:19 am
my bourbon is still delicious…it could be worse, I could be a tech fan.
yardawg
October 7th, 2012
1:21 am
I wish sack lettenberger was my nickel back
joe jenkins
October 7th, 2012
1:23 am
anybody on here in their right minds knows richt is not the coach of the future…we have top ten recruiting classes every year…and we lose by 4 td’s to a team with a losing tradition……..richt and grantham and bobo should have stayed in columbia…..
Bill
October 7th, 2012
1:28 am
I am embarassed to be a BullDawg. Mark RIcht has to go!
yardawg
October 7th, 2012
1:35 am
the only difference between playing south caroina early and playing them now is we dont have to look at film from last year we can KINDA look at film this year LMAO
joe jenkins
October 7th, 2012
1:36 am
We have been on a down slide ever since we lost wva in the sugar bowl…..why is richt still here…..we lose to the team i hate more than anything in this world by four scores…and to me this is unacceptable richt
ShowmeyurTDs
October 7th, 2012
1:37 am
It’s UGA VIII’s fault….damn brown spots…..coach richt, may I borrow some ambient please?
yardawg
October 7th, 2012
1:44 am
Okay i will try and post this again, and, im the biggest Dawg fan, but, Vince Dooley couldnt hold Mark Richts Bible, and saying that, cmr, COULDNT HOLD JIM DONNANS JOCK STRAP, look alot of money, alot of talent, hire the right person, you never know? just saying? Herschel won our only championship, it wasnt Vince trust me.
Anthony
October 7th, 2012
1:46 am
Coach Ricth and Jimbo Fisher will never win the big games. They are a product of Bobby Bowden who also had trouble winning big games., UGA’s AD must insist CMR make changes in his staff or ask him to resign. Bobo and the entire offensive staff must go. Need a special teams coach too. Need to go back to a 4:3 and put pressure on the freeking QB. If your assistant coaches aren’t getting promoted to coordinators and head coaching positions then they are not doing their job. USC, Alabama, Auburn Flordia and LSU lose their coaches every year. It’s because their good. No body wants ours because their just mediocre. That’s unacceptable. Changes are needed….
I AM MICHAEL ADAMS
October 7th, 2012
1:52 am
I AM MICHAEL ADAMS am I am smiling right now. See I have always hated football. To have football marginalized like it has been over the balance of Richt’s career has helped me to focus on the other UGA.
Blah, blah, blah….Richt makes me happy.
yardawg
October 7th, 2012
1:53 am
Amen Anthony, very nice post
yardawg
October 7th, 2012
1:56 am
I just heard on twitter, that they are asking Mike boo boo to be the next head coach of Savannah st.?
Hairy Dawg
October 7th, 2012
1:59 am
The best part of the broadcast was when Herbstreit was listing all of our defensive players who will likely play in the pros. That brought a contact home with me. The great huckster Jim Donnan had Seymour, Stroud, Grant, Witherspoon, Bell, and Champ on the same team and they still couldn’t shut people down. Does anybody doubt that Jarvis Jones, John Jenkins, Alec Ogletree, Bacarri Rambo, Sanders Commings, Kwame Geathers and several other guys on this team will be at least a little productive in the NFL?
You can’t win big if you can’t coach ‘em up.
I’m tired of seeing this crap.
joe jenkins
October 7th, 2012
2:01 am
Richt doesn’t know how to get a punt returner ready for the season…he doesn’t know how to use aaron murray properly…like letting him run out of the pocket……murray=joe cox…..I can’t wait to see what brice ramsey does with this team….i wish murray was a senior this year….If you just listen to our players in their inteviews you can tell they are just not mean enough…richt will never beat spurrier…saban or les again…
yardawg
October 7th, 2012
2:03 am
very nice post hairy dog thumbs up from me, i like mr richt, hes a great human being, hes just not a head football coach, especially at the college level. maybe ten years ago, when he was an offensive coordinator at FSU, but he and all of them have to go, and i dont care if they win the rest of their games, going to the pool, just doesnt cut it, whats next, lets learn how to plant flowers?
yardawg
October 7th, 2012
2:10 am
I personally, have seen ramsey play, he is a very good player
LakeDawg
October 7th, 2012
2:26 am
“Actually, not so shocking for anyone who’s watched Richt teams in recent years repeatedly show up looking unprepared and unmotivated whenever they face a Top 10 opponent.”
That says it all.
SOUTHGADAWGG88
October 7th, 2012
2:27 am
Our Defense will never hold a good team to 10 or 14 pts.Not with Grantham as the DC.This dude doesn’t have a clue.We started deep in our own territory most of the game on offense,so conservative calls shouldn’t have been such a shock.On defense however,if Jarvis doesn’t have a big game.we have no pass rush.No passh rush equals a secondary that looks lost.This has been the story for 5 years now.Todd Grantham for HC?You have to be friggin kinding me!!!I’m STILL waiting for this guy to show that he is a good DC.
Glory between the Hedges
October 7th, 2012
2:27 am
‘IT MAY BE TIME FOR A NEW COACH THIS IS AWFUL CMR IS A GOOD MAN BUT MAYBE HE IS IN THE WRONG FIELD
Fats O Conner
October 7th, 2012
2:30 am
Dawgs played a bunch of Men in Columbia. That’s all. It was Boys vs Men and the Men won.
Fats O Conner
October 7th, 2012
2:31 am
Carolina is Much better than advertised. Their line man handled us and that is all there is to it. It is one axx beating Get over it you whinning fickle GA fans. We can still have a great year
SOUTHGADAWGG88
October 7th, 2012
2:36 am
UGA gave up 30 or more pts 12 times over CWM last 39 games as DC.They have given up 30 or more 9 times in 32 games under Grantham.This is a problem folks,time to wake up and smell the coffee.
HopefulDawg
October 7th, 2012
2:40 am
I am still proud to be a Georgia Bulldog and am still 100 percent behind one of the highest winning coaches in College Football currently…Mark Richt. Do you know what is so interesting….look around the blogs and you will see the exact same negativity towards Les Miles and Florida State’s coach. I just read one with LSU fans blasting Les Miles. (Yes, the coach everyone hailed last year is being blasted by his own fans) When your team performs poorly everyone blames the coaches and this is not always the main problem. Dawg Fans. Let’s get behind our team and behind our coaches. UGA still has much to play for this year!
DawgVoiceofReason
October 7th, 2012
2:41 am
Despite the devastating (and I do mean devastating) loss tonight, all is not lost for the season. There is still a lot to play for. I understand why many of you have lost confidence. The rest of the season will tell the tale and whether our coaching staff is out of tricks. At least we didn’t lose to Middle Tenn. State or Arkansas.
SOUTHGADAWGG88
October 7th, 2012
2:41 am
Les Miles at least has a defense to lean on.
LakeDawg
October 7th, 2012
2:45 am
HopefulDawg & DawgVoiceofReason
Please go away. That has to be the most delusional, mind numbing tripe I’ve ever read.
SOUTHGADAWGG88
October 7th, 2012
2:46 am
Rodney Garner needs to be the first to go.Our DT’s have underachieved ever since Owens blew out a knee 5 years ago.
Go Dawgies
October 7th, 2012
2:47 am
In the SEC, unfortunately, good guys finish last. Sorry Mark, and Mike. The Dawgs did not look good against anyone other than Vandy, and that was in brief offensive bursts. Also, anyone besides me tired of seeing Rambo the ball hawk get beat for the big reception? If he just broke up passes life would be so much better, he’s not going to catch the eyes of NFL scouts getting toasted.
Dawg2000
October 7th, 2012
3:42 am
While I’m a loyal supporter of CMR, I agree that tonight was an embarrassment. Our coaching staff is partially (ok, mainly) responsible. I’d just like to add that it’s the entire Dawg family, not just the guys on the field and sideline, who should hold themselves accountable for our lack of fight. I’ve not missed a home game in 5 years. I was at the game tonight…deep in enemy territory. I’ve never seen Sanford Stadium with as an electric an atmosphere as Williams-Brice had tonight. I’m tired of seeing empty areas in out student section and fans leaving while there’s still plenty of time on the clock. Our fan base should show more fight as well, and not only when it’s to place blame on a player or coach. Just my 2 cents…from an alum and fan who was there tonight.
jaxdawgfan
October 7th, 2012
5:32 am
I’m embarrassed, frustrated and not listening to any more excuses. Dawg Nation wants, needs and deserves SUBSTANTIAL LONG-overdue change. Since I don’t expect any before December, it is going to be a long season. Expect Florida and even Kentucky to give us more of the same as we experienced in Columbia.
If our AD can’t hear THIS outcry then maybe he needs to go, too.
Sick Ofit
October 7th, 2012
5:38 am
AS LONG AS… Bobois not held accountable for ruining games like he did last night and like he did in the outback bowl, like he did last year and the year before that, this is what you can EXPECT to happen when the dawgs play good teams. BOBO is a weak link in the system AND HAS TO GO!!!!!!!!!!! If GRANTHAM can’t step it up he can gladly go BACK TO DALLAS!!
Minnesota Dawg
October 7th, 2012
6:00 am
Listen to all the fair weather cry babies!!! Just wait until the end of the season and you will come back to the wagon! I agree it was a bad night for the DAWGS yet we are not out yet. If make that first and second drives with out the interception and stuff at the goal line. If Rambo comes up with an interception the we would be talking a different tune today. Georgia would have done the same thing to South Carolina under similiar circumstances. This one hurts a lot because it’s a Spurrier team!
Not so fast.
October 7th, 2012
6:02 am
Richt did a lot for the program, 2 SEC championships when we didnt see the dome in 20 years. but he has done all he can do. We need to take another step and the time is now. There was no reason for this game to be like the 2008 bama game but is was the same. One team came to play, the other looked like they just woke up from a hangover!
Troup Co. Dawg
October 7th, 2012
6:03 am
I will not wear the G until we get a new Head Coach and staff! I will not buy another ticket or waste anymore time or effort supporting this coaching staff. Dawg fans and alum need to step up and Demand a new Head ball coach! This is embarrassing to the players and our state as a whole. There is no way we will ever win another meaningful game under CMR! I’m gone!
Northern Sympathizer
October 7th, 2012
6:12 am
Carolina is a great team and may actually win the national champtionship.
That said, until Mark Richt decides to get tough with his players in practice (as David Pollack implied during the Gameday show), Georgia is not going to be able to beat good teams (UGA has lost roughly the last dozen contests vs ranked opposition). Message to CMR: GET TOUGH ala Dooley, Saban, or someone. This aint badmitton!
EC Dawg
October 7th, 2012
6:21 am
I’m sure I’m like a lot of other Dawg fans – patiently waiting over the last year and half for all this talent and coaching to gel. It hasn’t and it won’t, Richt has got to go. 21 points to SC in 10 minutes, 20 points to Tennessee in 5 minutes, twenty something points to Buffalo (Buffalo!!) in the first half – this isn’t working people.
Frank
October 7th, 2012
6:23 am
Okay, enough is enough. This team wasn’t prepared or motivated. You gotta throw this on Richt. I’m tired of the nice guy on the sideline. Great Recruiter, but put me down for Bama assistant and UGA alum Kirby Smart. The problem is Richt will recruit and win enough to keep his job.
noboby
October 7th, 2012
6:37 am
I have no idea why, but we were simply overwhelmed….totally dominated…in every respect….our OL were boys against men…they tried, but couldn’t do it…..that simple…I don’t know why, but our talent does not measure up…..they are simply not as good as advertised…. our DL does not have one player who could break the starting lineup over SC’s talented linemen….our DBs are inferior…they do not know who to cover, e.g, #36, or they cannot cover, e.g., #18, or they will not hit, i.e., #19, ,,, Shawn Jones should be a LB…at least he will hit….does anyone really want to play for the SEC Championship because SC loses to UF & LSU.?….not me, we are NOT ready for the big time …. why our QB continues to throw to #15 and #17 is beyond me….those two can only be counted upon to drop the ball in big games…they are front runners at best…and lastly, honestly, despite his big numbers, in every game where the opposition’s DL has been superior to our OL, our QB can be counted upon to become a dangerously erratic, totally unreliable, and very predictable underachiever…sad and disappointing as it is, the above history will not change anytime soon….
SEC Observer
October 7th, 2012
6:42 am
Didn’t think it possible, but the Dawgs’ collapse matches that of the Ryder Cup Team, Chipper and the Braves, even Team Obama, all chokes of epic proportion and all occurring in the same week. I feel for CMR. He’s a good man, but there is no national championship in the Big Guy’s plan for him. Amazing how the classless ones like Saban and Spurrier and Miles get the trophies and the honorable one’s like CMR play the teaser stallion.
92 Dawg
October 7th, 2012
7:01 am
Hate to say it, but I’m embarrassed today. As a former Letterman from UGA, I’ve seen the good and thr bad. I’ve bought season tickets for 19 years straight, and have always supported the dogs wim, lose, or draw. Last night I saw kids who played with no heart, coaches who looked “uninspired”, and a generally uninspired effort. As a result, I’ve concluded I can’t continue to pourcant money and support into this program unless changes are made. I’m sick of watching an emotionless coach who can’t motivate kids in big games. I’ll sit home and spend my money on more worthy causes.
Texas Dawg
October 7th, 2012
7:06 am
I’m sick!!!!!
Did anyone else note that SC game offensive game plan was on the money and GA was “again” not even close. ASK A HIGH SCHOOL COACH WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU GET THAT TYPE OF PRESSUrE……..you run draws…qb sneeks…bubble screens….GA GAME PLAN WAS NOT EVEN CLOSE>>>>>>>>>>same thing week in week out
Where are our all americans??????Big time players step up in big time games!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Murry still hasn’t gotten it done when it matters……………..I could care less about his numbers against patseys……………………………..
I’m sick!!!!!!!!