If that was Murray’s farewell game for the Dawgs, he goes out in style
Aaron Murray hoists the MVP award at the Capital One Bowl. (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
If Aaron Murray does decide to leave early for the NFL, his performance in Tuesday’s Capital One Bowl seems to perfectly encapsulate his career at Georgia.
There was the shaky start that saw him throw a couple of interceptions, one resulting in a Nebraska touchdown, and then a record-setting day passing in which the Georgia junior quarterback threw five touchdown passes (and what should have been a sixth) in leading the Bulldogs to a come-from-behind victory.
And all of that against the nation’s top-rated pass defense!
Particularly impressive in his Capital One MVP performance was the 24-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the fourth quarter where Murray, scrambling to his right, managed to find back Keith Marshall down near the corner of the end zone and delivered a superb pass that Marshall did a great job of snatching out of the air. With the PAT, that put Georgia ahead 38-31 on a day that saw the lead change hands four times.
I’d said in my bowl game preview that if the Dogs and Cornhuskers got into a shootout, I thought the advantage would be Georgia’s, and that was based on my confidence in the big-play capability of Murray and Mike Bobo’s explosive offense.
In the end, they lived up to expectations in notching a 12th Bulldog win for only the third time in the school’s football history.
But plenty of others besides Murray deserve credit for Georgia’s hard-fought win over the Cornhuskers.
It took a while for the Dogs to get their run game going, aside from early success with the “Wild Dawg” formation, but ultimately Todd Gurley notched his ninth 100-plus yard game of the season.
Chris Conley scores on an 87-yard pass play against Nebraska. (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
The depth of Georgia’s receiving corps stepped up yet again after Malcolm Mitchell had to leave the game in the first quarter with a concussion. Chris Conley caught a remarkable two passes for 136 yards — both touchdowns — and Tavarres King made three catches for 104 yards and a touchdown. (TK should have had another but couldn’t hang on to well-thrown ball in the end zone late in the game.)
And then there was the beleaguered Georgia defense, which was shorthanded without starting nose guard John Jenkins and started out the game exhibiting the same trouble defending the run that we saw against Alabama. While dual-threat quarterback Taylor Martinez was held in check most of the day, Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead at times looked unstoppable in the first half.
I’ll be honest: I was mighty concerned when Nebraska opened the second half with a 13-play, 75-yard scoring drive that lasted 5:18 to take a 31-23 lead. Toward the end of that drive, the Georgia defenders already were starting to look a bit tired on a warmer-than-expected day in Orlando.
But with Jarvis Jones (who surpassed David Pollack’s single-season sack record in the game) and Alec Ogletree stepping up the pressure on Martinez and Damian Swann snagging the second of a pair of interceptions, Todd Grantham’s defense shut out the Nebraska offense for the final 25 minutes of the game in as gritty a performance as I’ve seen from a Dawgs defense in quite a while.
Most of that defense is not expected back next season, so that second-half turnaround may be something we’ll have to savor for a while.
However, the bulk of the offense that managed to keep Georgia in this game when things weren’t going so well defensively will be back next fall.
I’m definitely among those fans who hope Murray will be among them.
Feel free to share your own views of Georgia’s New Year’s Day bowl win.
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129 comments Add your comment
Ed g
January 1st, 2013
6:45 pm
Hope AM stays. Could be in running for the Heisman
DawgFan
January 1st, 2013
6:53 pm
We can thank Nebraska coaches to some extent for our win. Why in the world they got away from the run late in the 3rd quarter and in the 4th quarter is beyond me. I noticed several drives where they passed on 1st and 2nd down after running the ball right down our throats. They were gouging our D for 5-8 yards a pop with the run. The 3-4 scheme Grantham runs is horrible unless you have 3 studs up front. We were missing Jenkins and Geathers simply could not play every snap. minus Jenkins and Geathers and the Dawgs were way over matched up front. we’re playing linebackers on the D line. No depth whatsoever too. And preliminary indications from how how recruiting is going shows that OL and DL will once again be a problem. Tired of reading recruiting updates about this DB or this LB committing, etc. With Garner being gone my New Year’s wish is that the Dawgs place TOP priority (TOP PRIORITY) on recuiting the line on both sides of the ball. And if they are prioritizing the line as a recruiting priority than we have serious problems. Theus starting as a true freshman is case in point. I’d be hard pressed to see Alabama starting a true freshman (5 star at that) on the O- line. PLEASE get some linemen!!!!
Hairy Dawg
January 1st, 2013
6:53 pm
Whether Murray comes back or not, we will be able to run the ball next season. That will make it a hell of lot easier on whoever the signal-caller is.
Strat Cat Dawg
January 1st, 2013
6:56 pm
Good ending to an outstanding season. We played 4 quarters and showed the desire to go out on a win. Martinez and Burkhead are excellent players and we had to overcome mistakes and adversity. Sure, we’d all like to have been in Miami but you have to play the cards you’re dealt and we showed character in this one. We’re now 1-1 against Nebraska and the prior humiliation is avenged. Go Dawgs!
Macclenny_dawg
January 1st, 2013
6:57 pm
If Murray leaves its next man up!!! How good could Murray be if he actually showed up for a whole game??? He always seems to come out to jacked up to start the games. Oh well Go Dawgs!!!
MT
January 1st, 2013
7:04 pm
UGA has a good core of players returning and I don’t think the defense will be as bad next year as some people think. While they had a lot of NFL-caliber players, I don’t think they always played well as a group. With guys like Jordan Jenkins and Damian Swann returning and a potent offense that should be even better, I hope they’re even better next year!
SEC East: 3 wins, 0 losses! SEC East>SEC West (top to bottom)
That70sdawg
January 1st, 2013
7:06 pm
AM is a DGD, however,I’m ready to see Hutson Mason next year. With Gershall and all the receivers we just need to recruit a kicker (and kicking coach) and stock some more BEEF on the OL! It’s going to be a loooong 9 months until the next game. GO DOGS !!!
jack bull
January 1st, 2013
7:08 pm
A few observations…
-All of our Jr’s leave to go Pro
-CTG needs to throw out the page where we only have 2 down lineman and 2 rush ends. That alignment is guaranteed to give up 7-8 yards a pop..
-How we’re not recruiting another PK is beyond me!
-All we do under Bobo as OC is score 40+ pts a game.
Go DAWGS! Great season
MT
January 1st, 2013
7:10 pm
I agree with you That70sdawg… I’m kinda ready for Hutson Mason, too. Aaron Murray was a great player for UGA, but I’d like to see Mason get his shot. It’s a great spot to be in for him with such a potent running game. What a catch by Marshall today!
Back to Murray, this is weak QB draft class and he’s coming off a great game (against the “#1″ pass defense.) His stock can’t get much higher.
headley lamar
January 1st, 2013
7:12 pm
It’s sad the way the Dawgs had to struggle against a team that let Wisconsin score 70 pts. on them.
Chris Attaway
January 1st, 2013
7:17 pm
Dawgfan is so right about the lines. We need to recruit offensive linemen big time. It was fun being at the game today. Glad to have a win, but if we were better against the run game we would be playing next week. On paper this year’s defense looked great. On the field, not as good. I think (if AM comes back) our offense will be even better and our defense should be better as well. Sure, the big names will be gone (shame about Ogletree not staying) but all of those early enrollees, etc should help our defense be better. Go Dawgs!!
Snoop Dawg
January 1st, 2013
7:18 pm
Let’s get rid of Granthan. If his A;-American Defense can’t stop anyone from running for 350+ yards every game, then why are we paying him in excesss of $750K per game?
This guy is just another scam artist wtith no leadership ability in the mold of Richt and Bobo.
Give me a Dabo Swiney or a Franklin any day who can actually lead a team.
Richt has enough money now; please relieve us of the pain and resign or retire.
WestOfAthens
January 1st, 2013
7:20 pm
Murray WILL return.
You heard it first, here.
HBTD
Snoop Dawg
January 1st, 2013
7:20 pm
Ogletree and Rambo are thugs. They let their team down. I say bulla bulla to them. I hope they are abject failures in life.
Disgusted Dawg
January 1st, 2013
7:20 pm
Our defense makes me want to puke. I remember much better from our defenses when we didn’t have NFL draftMEs on the team.
westtexasdawg
January 1st, 2013
7:21 pm
@headley: Get a life….
A Win is A WIN… Go DAWGS!!
Flat Tire doesnt live in Delusionalville Ga.
January 1st, 2013
7:21 pm
Snoop Dawg
now now to be called one of those “Society of the Miserable”
Snoop Dawg
January 1st, 2013
7:21 pm
Snoop Dawg is putting a curse on Ogletree, Rambo, and Jenkins effective immediately.
Cela
Snoop Dawg
January 1st, 2013
7:23 pm
Westexasdawg. A win is not a win. You are a moron.
westtexasdawg
January 1st, 2013
7:24 pm
@Snoop: Please do not PUT Dawg after your handle. You are a shame and a thug..
@Disgusted: Take a break from the Dawgs games. You will feel much better.
What MORONS….so called FANS…
MT
January 1st, 2013
7:25 pm
C’mon now Snoop Dawg and anyone else down on Richt. How many programs in the country would you trade places with? It’s a very, very short list (maybe only one team.) Richt is a good coach, Bobo has improved greatly, and Grantham is still a good coach. I agree with you in that I don’t particularly like the way some of the players on defense act (with the “look at me” attitude,) but those guys are gone so no need to go on about it.
bigdawg
January 1st, 2013
7:25 pm
I hope Murray stays! I agree he had – and has had – many a boneheaded INT. But, do you REALLY believe HM or CL will be better than a SENIOR Aaron Murray running an offense for the fourth consecutive year?
Snoop Dawg
January 1st, 2013
7:26 pm
It’s all about the Hogs, boys. Herschel couldn’t gain 500 yards without hogs on the line.
Rationale
January 1st, 2013
7:27 pm
Murray should go Pro. He will not improve his draft status by coming back. Mason should be given the opportunity to win the spot. With most if the offense coming back next year it would give Mason the opportunity to grow into the position with quality players that have been on the offense together. That is a lot better picture than Mason coming in in 2 years, and not as strong of an offensive line.
Aaron Murray, thanks for 3 great years. You need to turn Pro this year. This is very little you can do to improve your NFL status by coming back, only bumping up your stats. Bless you young man, and good health for many years.
Snoop Dawg
January 1st, 2013
7:28 pm
westtexas dawg, who voted you HMFIC? You are an idiot.
Snoop Dawg
January 1st, 2013
7:31 pm
Murray should go pro.
The entire defense should go pro.
Grantham should go pro.
Bobo should go pro.
Richt should go pro.
Then we might actually have a college football team, and a pretty good one too if we can recruit in-state talent who loveGeorgia/
1969 Graduate
January 1st, 2013
7:31 pm
I’d like Aaron Murray to play another year for UGA. He’s a quality quarterback, and a student of the game. He’d be better next year, and that’s saying something.
I like how he overcame the Pick Six by throwing a touchdown on his next touch. That showed me something. His head has improved.
I agree that we need to recruit lineman. First. Lineman. Both sides of the ball.
Go, SEC!
Snoop Dawg
January 1st, 2013
7:32 pm
The UGA football team of 2012 sucks.
ATLNative
January 1st, 2013
7:32 pm
Way to finish the drill! Big plays when needed. S Williams brought some wood! Should have had 1 more TD too. Great job Dawgs!
bigdawg
January 1st, 2013
7:32 pm
@rational: Good points, but I don’t want to go 8-4 next year waiting for Matson to “get it.” That’s my only worry.
HNY!
Snoop Dawg
January 1st, 2013
7:33 pm
Mark Richt has been a pox on the UGA house.
Flat Tire doesnt live in Delusionalville Ga.
January 1st, 2013
7:33 pm
Grantham is a good coach how is that?
Cuz
January 1st, 2013
7:39 pm
Good article Bill. It is still great to be a Georgia Bulldawg.
We will be fine whether Murray leaves or comes back.
Dawg_Mike
January 1st, 2013
7:46 pm
Nice to see Chris Conley come up big after his unfortunate catch in the SECCG. Future looks bright for him.
72/76 Double Dawg
January 1st, 2013
7:50 pm
I am incredibly proud of this year’s team. 12 wins! A top 5 finish. Extremely satisfying. Thanks guys, thanks Aaron, thanks Coach Richt and Coach Bobo.
Glory between the hedges
January 1st, 2013
7:53 pm
12 wins and nothing to show for…lets be honest.
72/76 Double Dawg
January 1st, 2013
7:58 pm
We need Aaron back. Otherwise Hutson or Christian will be starting for the first time against SEC defenses with zero experience and several years since they played competitively. Even Mettlinberg had a JC year of experience before LSU this year and he suffered all year (120 yards vs. Clemson). How did USC look with their unproven backup QB (heralded out of HS) vs. Tech? Without Aaron next year, it’s a big dropoff. and by the way,Glory, 12 wins is a lot to show for! A great season.
Return to Glory
January 1st, 2013
7:58 pm
Nice win and good year, love the Dawgs.
The defense this year was hard to figure, either talent was way over-rated or way under coached.
Next year we find out if CTG can coach.Every big game his unit gives up 30 plus.Hope it plays better next near.
Glory between the hedges
January 1st, 2013
8:08 pm
Double…please tell me what it is to show for? Did we hoist an sec championship trophy ? Are we hoisting up the crystal ball? 12 wins is 12 wins. Nothing more nothing less. So im guessing if the Atlanta falcons choke again in the divisional round its still a great season for going 13-3. Our mentality needs to be that if we have a team that should win.the national championship and.doesnt; the season was a failure. Especially when we haven’t sniffed a national title in.32 years.
bambam neloms
January 1st, 2013
8:21 pm
great win for the dawgs we will worry about next year next year go dawgs.
Snoop Dawg
January 1st, 2013
8:22 pm
The symbolic game for Murray was the last 15 seconds of the SEC championship game this year. The guy is a three time loser.
Snoop Dawg
January 1st, 2013
8:25 pm
Let’s all pray that Murray “goes pro.” What a joke.
Let’s pray that Bobo, Grantham, Richt and the entire incompetent coaching staff go pro, too.
Let’s pray that all the blind homers are struck by lightning, too.
bambam neloms
January 1st, 2013
8:25 pm
I think a lot of kids parents send them to uga because of richt
Snoop Dawg
January 1st, 2013
8:26 pm
BAMBAM, YOU ARE NUTS.
Snoop Dawg
January 1st, 2013
8:28 pm
The media has made Mark Richt into the facade that he is today.
If parents want to send their kids to UGA because of Richt, then just blame the AJC.
Snoop Dawg
January 1st, 2013
8:30 pm
Mediocrity is great in the State of Georgia, I guess.
How did Alabama, Florida, and South Carolina develop superior football programs to Georgia’s over the past ten years?
Minnesota Dawg
January 1st, 2013
8:35 pm
Glory between the hedges, you need to come live in Minnesota and see the Gophers play for a while and come back to Georgia and be thankful you have a great team whom you can be proud of. We will have a chance again to go to the big one. Be patient.
Snoop Dawg
January 1st, 2013
8:42 pm
taehehe ruf ruf wahooooooo lolofles
Snoop Moron
January 1st, 2013
8:45 pm
How many SEC Championships has SC won in the last 10 years?
answer: 0
How many SEC East titles has SC won in the last 10 y ears?
answer: 1
Snoop Dawg is an idiot.
Voyager Dawg
January 1st, 2013
8:52 pm
@Snoop Dawg (Troll) – Please go back to the Tech or Gator board or wherever you came from.
Flat Tire doesnt live in Delusionalville Ga.
January 1st, 2013
9:03 pm
Be patient; be patient for what
If championships are what we are being patient on then you might as well give up cause thats not happening
2 or more loss seasons every year is all we are ever going to get with the coaching staff that we have
Thats just facts and the sooner all the Pre Season National Title kool-aid drinkers realize that then maybe we can have legitimate football discussion on here
SenDog
January 1st, 2013
9:40 pm
Eric Murray had a good 4th quarter and the rest of the game he was just…Eric Murray. The team won, despite Eric Murray commiting hopefully his LAST, multiple turnover Bowl game. Murray got 3 turnovers vs. UCF, 3 more vs. Mich St, and 2 more vs. Nebraska. Murray’s a one man wrecking ball, but the defense shut Nebraska down in the 2nd half, and Gurley, Swann, Ogletree, and Jarvis bailed the team out. I would have preferred to see Gurley score 5 td’s, than Murray, move the ball, rest the defense, they get really tired with Murray’s pass first offense, but somehow it worked out. Nebraska’s offense seem to just get tired in the 2nd half, lucky for Georgia.
DawgVoiceofReason
January 1st, 2013
10:24 pm
Some people will never be satisfied. Also the sheer lack of knowledge and understanding is tough for them to overcome, as shown by the critical comments about Aaron Murray. It is best to just ignore their incoherent ramblings.
DawgVoiceofReason
January 1st, 2013
10:30 pm
What is so bad about “Kool-aid”? Do you prefer Gatorade?
Dubious
January 1st, 2013
11:46 pm
Thoughts on how the Dawgs’ first four games will go next season? Could easily have 2, if not 3 , losses before Sept is over. Many tough games thereafter too. Schedule has been favorable the last 2 years but not in 2013.
Big boys up front
January 1st, 2013
11:49 pm
Great article in USA today on Monday about Bama’s O line. You want to dominate games? Dominate the line of scrimmage…both sides. We need to sign 3-5 O linemen and 3-5 D linemen every year. athat gives you a dozen or so to sign D backs, receivers, backs every year, plus the years when you sign more to make up for the ones that go pro.
JD Clowney
January 1st, 2013
11:57 pm
I hope Murray comes back!
The REAL Phil
January 2nd, 2013
12:04 am
you know what is sad?…………………look at the Husker blogs and there are no morons saying anything bad about their team and they lost. Can’t wait to get the same guys back next year, miss the ones who are gone. No Tech, AL, or FL morons on their blog telling them that they suck. No Snoops, no Moists, no GT Bobs, no SS Gators, no nothing but people who support their school and their kids. so many classless morons here. Snoop Dog breathes air that decent people could be breathing. The space he takes up on the planet is wasted.
As to some of the comments on the first page about being ready for Murray to be gone and it’s time for Hutson to have his turn………. Really? Why would you want a QB who isn’t as good as the one you have already? Does that make any sense to you at all??? First SEC QB to pass for over 3,000 yards a year three times. Nobody named Manning ever did it. That’s not to compare Murray to Manning as a pro. But there’s no way to say that either Manning was a better college QB than Murray. So why would you want someone who isn’t as good???? I think we are going to have to score early and often next year and you better have all the weapons you can.
LDawg
January 2nd, 2013
12:19 am
I love Murray, but if he stays, we will have 5 QBs, him, Mason, Welch, LeMay and that kid from Camden Co – Brice Ramsey. Do we really need that many?
pfffft
January 2nd, 2013
12:34 am
Murray reminds me of Tony romo. Great physical skills, good heart, tough enough to take a hit, but poor decision making. It always comes back to haunt him in big games. He should go pro now though. Weak QB class and he had a good last 2 games. UGA will be fine without him. You don’t need a hiesman QB with that running game. Oh yeah, get a coach who instills a little discipline. How good would the dawgs be if half the team wasn’t suspended each year, or if they didn’t lead the league in penalties? They self inflict more damage than any opponent has in years.
Lonnie
January 2nd, 2013
12:51 am
Here is my issue with guys like sen dog. When we do something good it is because the other team messed up and when we do something bad it is because the other team is better! That is pitiful. Aaron Murray just threw for 427 yds and 5 TD’s. You all have praised Bama for getting 350 yds on ground. Give the guy some credit!!!!
UGA89
January 2nd, 2013
2:01 am
The REAL Phil… I don’t know what Nebraska blog you were on but the one I was on today Nebraska fans were criticizing EVERYTHING about their team. In fact, everything negative they were saying about their team is the same complaints that UGA fans have about our team. It was weird. If I didn’t know better I’d have thought I was on a UGA blog. They didn’t even give their team a chance. They also kept referring to us as an “elite” team.
Silver Fox
January 2nd, 2013
5:05 am
There are UGA blogs that are generally positive then there are the AJC blogs where trash talkers congragate. It’s a sad commentary on society where garbage can sit around in there skivvies, hiding behind the anomity of their computer and spout their nonsense. Sad but a fact of modern life.
To call most of you jerks Rednecks would be an insult to good ole boys everywhere.
Destin Dawg
January 2nd, 2013
5:53 am
too many penalties…. WAY too many penalties on defense… late hits… face masks…. that’s where our coaching was weak…. Grantham are you listening ??? Bo Bo’s offense was good… next year should be great !!!! we do need MORE linemen !!!
RalphieP
January 2nd, 2013
6:52 am
Leave early? He has his BA and is working on angraduate degree. That is leaving LATE!
ed f
January 2nd, 2013
7:08 am
Like it or not that’s how the 2012 season ends. I think we needed to be at least that good and it’s a shame we were just short of the whole ball of wax. Well I’m going to enjoy it. 2013 has an ugly start.
Clemson, South Carolina, and week 4 LSU. Will the fans forget the 3rd only 12 Win season and go back to calling for a change. Time will Tell!!!!!!!!!
Whiskey Breath
January 2nd, 2013
7:45 am
You guys aren’t going to start the NC declaration this early are you?
Whiskey Breath
January 2nd, 2013
7:51 am
Snoop Dog rocks. He has his priorities right.
By the way, Ga is losing too many defensive players.
Alabama would not skip a beat, but Ga will.
FallDawg
January 2nd, 2013
8:01 am
I thought it was going to be a typical dawgs bowl game where the offense came out and produced three and outs, turnovers or scored so fast that the defense didn’t get a chance to rest. It was a little bit
of everything. Complain about the D all you want but they came out the second half and took care of business.
RNB
January 2nd, 2013
8:15 am
Georgia will take a step backwards next year due to the tougher schedule and attrition. Still not conviced Mark Richt can ever get Georgia over the hump to win a NC. I am one of those who say we need to make a change to get there.
barneyfife
January 2nd, 2013
8:19 am
Even as a UGA graduate, I must agree with Snoop Dawg. I’ve said it a million times; Mark Richt is NOT a great coach! Great man, yes. But not a great head coach. His blind loyalty to his buddies he’s put in staff positions, hsi abismal clock management, and lack of killer instinct will continue to plague him and prevent him from ever attaining greatness.
Sure, his overall record is good and by all accounts, a “nice guy”, LOOK BENEATH THE SURFACE AT THE REAL NUMBERS! Particularly at those vs. ranked opponents. Mediocrity will continue to reign supreme in Athens. They are laughing all the way to the bank.
sonny
January 2nd, 2013
8:48 am
I just don’t quite get it with Georgia’s defense. When looking at the individual talent there why can they not stop the run and how do they get so discombobulated? Can you reflect to the past, for a moment, and imagine what this defense would have been under the great Erk Russell!! Nothing shy of AWESOME!!!!
Peecee
January 2nd, 2013
8:57 am
Darn it! I’m on a thirty-day 50th. Anniversary and if my wife ever knew I’d have rather been at that game it would be my LAST anniversary. Anyway, from Montevideo, Uruguay, GO DAWGS and I’m hoping Aaron M will be back next year. One final thought: GA should forego a title game so that they could have finished 11-1 and been able to play in the BCS bowl series. Look at who played in those four games and tell me the Dawgs didn’t deserve a BCS Bowl game!
From the open seas…GO DAWGS again!
Joey
January 2nd, 2013
9:09 am
Peecee, if we hadn’t lost to SC, we woulda been in a BCS Bowl, even with a loss to Bama.
Nobody’s fault but Richt and Co.
AltamahaDawg
January 2nd, 2013
9:10 am
2013 is off to a great start for the trolls I see.
Minnesota Dawg
January 2nd, 2013
9:11 am
Considering Georgia was off for practically a month. It’s like playing a new season in bowl games! They found a way to win which is a characteristic of a good team. Georgia will be a top 5 team when the polls come out.
Minnesota Dawg
January 2nd, 2013
9:15 am
Joey, some people are never pleased!!
SC Dog fan
January 2nd, 2013
9:33 am
Thanks for a great season Georgia Bulldogs. It would be great if AM stayed, but staying the senior year hasen’t worked out well for quarterbacks recently: Sam Bradford, Mat Barkley, etc.
Joey
January 2nd, 2013
9:56 am
Great game-planning by Bobo/Richt.
Great halftime adjustments by the DC.
Fabulous game by Aaron Murray, ‘Tree, Conley, and others.
Thank God for Reggie Ball
January 2nd, 2013
11:08 am
D played awful for 2 1/2 quarters but when we NEEDED stops they came through. Murray started bad but when we NEEDED points he put em up. Both very fitting for the way they played all season. If Murray returns we have a shot at 10-2 next year but without him we have a strict ceiling of 9-3. Loved seeing Conley get 2 long TDs to go out well after the Bama debacle that I still refuse to malign him for.
Thank God for Reggie Ball
January 2nd, 2013
11:09 am
Hopefully JSW gets his head by next year because it is clear he has big-time potential.
Dawg Fud
January 2nd, 2013
11:41 am
Warmer than expected in Orlando? Wow.
How hot do we think it is going to be in Clemson on August 31?
A helluva lot warmer with an offense that runs nearly as many plays as Oregon.
Thank God for Reggie Ball
January 2nd, 2013
11:45 am
@Dawg Fud
That’s exactly why we need Murray to have a prayer in DV. A Defense that will be replacing 13 players who started at least 1 game going into DV against a top-10 possibly top-5 offense in America in the season opener. That’s baptism by fire to the extreme.
A person SMART enough to know.....
January 2nd, 2013
11:47 am
Same STYLE as always……Ok not great and still throwing PICK-6’s…………Who ever said Heisman is a fool. Murray has NO SHOT at the Heisman ever.
Old Dawg
January 2nd, 2013
11:47 am
I enjoyed the game. The offense recovered from the early interceptions and the defense made good adjustments in the second half.
Murray’s passing won the game and Gurley’s power running was impressive.
All you haters need to get a life. 12-win season and a ton of talent returning. What’s not to like?
Thank God for Reggie Ball
January 2nd, 2013
12:11 pm
Haters gonna hate but Murray’s still Great
Thank God for Reggie Ball
January 2nd, 2013
12:14 pm
If you people really hate Murray so much, we can bring back Joe Cox or Joe Tereshinski any time you want… your call
AltamahaDawg
January 2nd, 2013
12:19 pm
Congratulation to Coach Richt. Just tied UGA all time record for bowl game victories. 8 in only 12 years.
A person SMART enough to know.....
January 2nd, 2013
12:24 pm
What does that make Murray 4-10 against top 25 teams? That has Heisman Trophy and NFL caliber QB written all over it.
Thank God for Reggie Ball
January 2nd, 2013
1:01 pm
If RGIII can win a Heisman and be a NFL caliber QB with only 1 win over a top 15 team in his Heisman season then I think Murray is more than capable.
AltamahaDawg
January 2nd, 2013
1:08 pm
Would be interesting to SEE what the W/L record of current NFL Qbs was in thier college days VS top 25, top 10.
AltamahaDawg
January 2nd, 2013
1:15 pm
Why don’t you fellows that love to compile such, get that for us? That seems right in your wheelhouse.
JA
January 2nd, 2013
1:25 pm
Murray finished out this year ranked #41 in passing effiency against ranked teams, and #81 in accuracy against ranked teams.
Murray has a 2-11 record against teams that finished in the top 25.
Murray has an 0-2 record in SEC Championships.
Murray has 8 turnovers in 3 Bowl games and a 1-2 Bowl game record.
Yes, he’s going out in style.
Marshdog
January 2nd, 2013
1:32 pm
SNOOP DOG,
Take your sarcasm and lack of appreciation for a great team elsewhere…. maybe Ga Tech? You are an embarrassment to Georgia football fans everywhere.
AltamahaDawg
January 2nd, 2013
1:34 pm
As opposed to be 0-0 in SEC Championships without him.
AltamahaDawg
January 2nd, 2013
1:41 pm
TGfRB…..Hudson Mason is Joe Cox. But I never thought Joe Cox was a bad QB at all. So to me that’s not to be feared.
If Joe Cox had Gurshall behind him, 2009 would have turned out much differently.
AltamahaDawg
January 2nd, 2013
1:42 pm
Sorry, HuTson.
BullDogMike
January 2nd, 2013
2:31 pm
I enjoyed being at the game yesterday in the nice warm sun. But having said that, if I have to see Murray throw one more pick six that gets walked in for a touchdown, my head will explode ! Sorry Bill, but I have seen enough of AM. Can we move on please ?
AltamahaDawg
January 2nd, 2013
2:43 pm
Yea, all both of them he has thrown in his carreer.
bill arp
January 2nd, 2013
3:27 pm
The problem with Murray coming back, other than the obvoius(injury), is when he struggles a little bit against Clemson, SC or LSU, and Richt puts Mason in for a series to two(which he will next year) and he drives us down the field for a couple of scores, there’s going to be the ole ‘QB controversy’.
And that will hurt his draft status. I think Murray knows this, and will leave.
Good luck to him. He’s been a pretty good QB for us. Time to turn the page.
beanster
January 2nd, 2013
3:57 pm
I think Murray moves on for several reasons but mainly because there isn’t much more he can do to improve his stock. His abilities and weaknesses are a known quantity and I would bet even AM himself would say that another year in college wouldn’t change the way he will be perceived by pro scouts. I bet he goes in the 3rd round and gets a very nice paycheck for several years before wrapping up his playing days.
Off subject a little, but I can honestly say that I am glad #36’s eligibility has been used up. He may have ignited the fire that fueled the victory over UF this year, but IMO, his DGD status takes a beating with all of the trash talking he does on the field. I am sure Taylor Martinez is no saint but #36’s mouth reflects poorly on the rest of the team. Why he can’t let his play do the talking, I’ll never know. Also, I hope #26 maybe reads this post and decides to keep his mouth closed out there as well.
All in all, that was a really fun season. Congrats to the team and coaches. It’s great to be a Dawg!!
true UGA fans
January 2nd, 2013
4:08 pm
Old UGA alumnus I am, class of 71. UGA when they won the SEC had a leader, capable QB. This idea of Richt’s to throw the ball all over the lot, DOES NOT TRANSLATE into SEC TITLES.
Yes, Murray has the stats. Here s one: 95 TD passes to about 34 PICS!! How pathetic?
Time for Aaron to move on. He is just NOT a championship QB and his below average big game w/l record shows it clearly.
Skokie Dog
January 2nd, 2013
4:16 pm
Bill, I think I speak for lots of us on the blawg when I say that I felt “immense pride” in the ‘Dogs yesterday. Was that “cutting edge” football, or what? They avoided losing to a team that was above average in the Big Ten, just like Michigan State was in the previous season (and we recall how that game ended). Marshall’s catch on that late touchdown was a thing of beauty, and the defense finally stepped up in the fourth quarter. It’s too bad that that group on defense didn’t play up to their talent level as a team for the entire season rather than doing so occasionally, most notably in the Florida game. That’s all from an “energy vampire” for today. Over and out.
Dirty Dawg
January 2nd, 2013
7:31 pm
I think it’s great that Mr Jones erased David Pollack’s sack record…in fact, as far as I’m concerned we can erase Pollack from the Bulldog books altogether. For some time I’ve believed that he must have been told by the ESPNers that he needed to be even-handed in his ‘reporting’ and to not be a Bulldog ‘homer’…and if he wasn’t told to do so, it’s even worse than I thought. I mean you don’t see Palmer or that Carter guy, or any of the rest of the ex-Gators taking another team’s side…and especially if that other team is Georgia. Pollack’s taking Alabama in the SEC game wasn’t necessary and it showed a willingness to throw the Dogs under the bus, then his handling of the ‘credit-card’ bowl gave me the feeling that he fancies himself as some kind of great sports analyst that has to deny his roots in order to be credible. That may make him feel good for a while, but sooner or later he’s got to come home and we won’t forget.
A person SMART enough to know.....
January 2nd, 2013
7:51 pm
Dirty Dwag you sure are crying alot about Pollack. He has to be fair in his reporting. He isn’t doing Larry Munson’s job.
A person SMART enough to know.....
January 2nd, 2013
7:52 pm
Anybody doing a Live Blog for the Sugar Bowl? It will be funny to hear the dwags complain about Florida.
A person SMART enough to know.....
January 2nd, 2013
8:54 pm
looks like Louisville came to play. 14-0
For The Record
January 2nd, 2013
10:46 pm
Bobby Bowden was the head coach of Florida State from 1976 to 2009. That’s a total of 25 years as the head coach of one of the most prominent college football programs in the country. He had a 89% winning percentage during the 90’s alone. But he won only two (2) national championships during his entire tenure. 1993 and 1999.
All of you guys hollering for CMR to be fired need to get out of your mama’s basement and get a freakin’ life!!! Quit being part of the “NOW” generation and get some patience….While your at it, get a better job than the corner QT and let your parents have some “empty nest” time
DawgVoiceofReason
January 2nd, 2013
11:26 pm
Right on, For the Record. Btw 30-10 UL over UF in the 4th. Too bad for ssigator!
Reality
January 3rd, 2013
12:06 am
The “All Cupcake Conference” defeats mights LSU. The “Big Least” defeats Florida. My oh my! How the mightly have fallen!
AJC WRITERS AND SEC FANS: Learn some humility. Otherwise be ready for all other fans of all other conferences to be as horrible as you are!
Dawg Patrol
January 3rd, 2013
4:32 am
All of us Dawg fans learned humility when we played Central Fla. a couple of years ago.
DawginLex
January 3rd, 2013
8:20 am
where is SSIGator this morning?
MT
January 3rd, 2013
8:49 am
TO THE OTHER POSTER POSTING AS MT, I’VE HAD THIS HANDLE FOR FIVE YEARS,
FIND ANOTHER.
Dirty Dawg
January 3rd, 2013
9:00 am
I’m SEC all the way, but gotta say that Louisville’s win last night was as satisfying – almost – as if it had been UGA whippin them Gators. Herbstreit was right on early when he said that Florida was undesciplined…too bad the game announcers didn’t pick up on it. ..and what was the kid that got thrown out of the game doing still sitting on the bench? Don’t they have the same rules as baseball and basketball that they have to ‘go to the showers’? I got the feeling that the officials would have thrown the entire UF team, including coaches, out. I mean who the hell would put up with a bunch of thugs, along with a coach with a bad attitude? I sure wouldn’t.
MT
January 3rd, 2013
9:00 am
The “All Cupcake Conference” defeats mights LSU. The “Big Least” defeats Florida
Big Ten takes it on the chin, Georgia over Nebraska and again SC OVER Michigan.
GTBob
January 3rd, 2013
10:38 am
The mighty SEC bowl season so far:
Florida: Loses to a Big East team
LSU: Loses to an ACC team
Miss St: Loses to a Big 10 team
UGA: struggles against an average Nebraska Team who was blown out in their previous game.
SC: Needs a late miracle to beat a below average Michigan team.
Vandy: Decent win over an ACC team
How could a conference that is so unbeatable with so many top 10 teams do so poorly in bowl games?
RNB
January 3rd, 2013
10:47 am
GTBob, Anyone that knows football understands that in bowl games the records really don’t mean much. It’s a vacation for most of these kids and a disappointment they are not in the big game. There is also the issue where kids are looking at the NFL and are not going to play all out and get hurt. Do you honestly think Louisville could go to the swamp in October and win?
GTBob
January 3rd, 2013
10:57 am
Do you honestly think Louisville could go to the swamp in October and win?
Yes, I do. Florida almost lost to La Lafayette at the swamp. Louisville dominated every facet of the game last night. The game wasn’t even nearly as close as the final score. They were the better team and were much better coached. To argue that Florida didn’t care to be there is just silly. Its a BCS game on prime time television. They just aren’t as good as Louisville.
NCDAWG
January 3rd, 2013
11:17 am
I think the excuses people make for bowl losses are a load of crap. Any time you step on the field you should be ready to compete. If you’re disappointed that you aren’t in the BIG GAME how does LOSING make that any better. Winning is a whole lot more fun than losing. No, there is no excuse for UF to have mailed it in last night. NONE.
NCDAWG
January 3rd, 2013
11:26 am
Most of UF’s problem is a pedestrian offense. There are going to be times when the other team is just ON and you have to be able to step up and out score them. College football is about emotion as much as anything. A good offense that is ON will do damage to ANY defense… you have to be able to score consistantly and neither LSU or UF can do that. If they have to throw the ball they are up the creek. In college football today you cannot expect to be able to just line up and blow people off the ball every game and never develop an even decent passing attack to compliment it. You will have games where you have to throw it to keep up.
The West next year will come down to Bama and Texas A&M… unless LSU gets some imagination in the offense. It is shameful that UF doesn’t have a decent QB.
AltamahaDawg
January 3rd, 2013
2:40 pm
You know UF has fallen on hard times, when thier biggest fans in the world, the trade schooler, are dis-owning them.
HaHa Florida!
January 3rd, 2013
2:41 pm
I know it was only one spectacular catch, but does anyone else think it’d be a good idea for Marshall to split time at WR? He’s probably the best athlete on the field, and I know we’re stacked at WR. However, in my opinion he doesn’t see the field enough because Gurley is such a beast. The thought of a Mitchell, Bennett, Marshall/Conley WR core kind of makes my panties wet.
AltamahaDawg
January 3rd, 2013
2:57 pm
Why line him up at WR, and announce his intentions, if he can come out of the backfield and make that kind of play? You know, so a LB, and not a DB has to cover him.
Reality
January 3rd, 2013
3:58 pm
So typical of ugag fans….
When the SEC does well in bowl games, it clearly shows the conference dominance.
When the SEC does not do well in bowl games, then it is because the kids take it as a vacation and means nothing regarding the team/conference strength.
What hypocrites!
NCDAWG
January 3rd, 2013
4:17 pm
Reality – painting SEC/UGA fans with such a broad brush is just stupid. Go up a little bit and you will see that I called the excuse making a load of crap. Now does that mean that the SEC teams that lost are not good teams? Not necessarily.
On ESPN radio they were discussing UF mailing it in and in that process they agreed that Muschamp certainly did his part in preparing the team, the players just did not perform. Personally I think that UF needs a decent QB in the worst way. If that offense could have put some points on the board then it might have been a different outcome. But we will never know because their offense was pedestrian at best. As a UGA fan, I hope it stays that way.
Desert Fox
January 4th, 2013
11:55 am
The shining stars of the Neb game for GA was its receivers. Not saying the RB’s didn’t contribute, they did, but GA scored all its points on passes. GA was w/o its three top receivers after MM got hurt early in the game. The remaining backups were sensational and throw in the catch by Marshall for a TD was hilite reel stuff. Justin Scott Wesley showed he’ll fill in nicely w/Kings and #15’s departure. They all caught the ball which kept GA in the game and a tip of the hat to the Offensive line for protecting AM and opening holes for the running game. GA has done well in recruiting receivers that can catch. It wasn’t always that way in CMR’s early days. But since the arrival of AJ Green they have selected well. Was a good win leading into next season. Won’t be easy w/the schedule they have and a rebuilt D but if AM stays this offense will keep GA in any game and opponent they play. GTO DAWGS
WDE
January 4th, 2013
3:08 pm
GTBob agreed it is a very strange Bowl season hell Tech won….and Bob UGA won by 3 TD’s hardly a barn burner Bobbie.And how is Michigan more below average this year compared to every other year? Oh I know they lost to the SEC twice in one year…got it !
DawgVoiceofReason
January 5th, 2013
10:17 pm
“True uga fans”,
For a supposed old timer, you are amazingly ignorant about how truly imressive Murray,s touchdown to interception ratio is. Very few qb’s in ncaa history approach that kind of success, much less other UGA qb’s. And he has had two of the best seasons in our history.
DawgVoiceofReason
January 5th, 2013
10:19 pm
impressive