In a fight to the finish, Georgia shows it can punch back
Whoosh! Branden Smith scores on an end-around. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
Athens — We learned something about these Bulldogs on Saturday night. We learned that they might not be as gifted or as polished as vintage Georgia teams, but we learned that they still have Bulldog-sized hearts.
Yes, they played better — at least on offense and on special teams — than they had in Stillwater, but the revelation was that they played infinitely harder. They could never quite shake South Carolina, but if not for their resolve they wouldn’t have exited with a careening victory. They’d have left 0-2.
And an 0-2 Georgia team would have touched off a hue and cry unlike any raised since Mark Richt came north from Tallahassee. We know from the week just past that even one loss is enough to set off Bulldog Nation. (”Bench Joe Cox!” “Fire Mike Bobo!” “Hire Jon Gruden!”) A second loss so soon into the 2009 season would brought the even bigger heat. And there were long and scary moments when a second loss seemed a distinct possibility.
They trailed 17-7 early, and if not for a Brandon Boykin kickoff return it would have been worse. Then they squandered 14 points off a 15-point lead by snapping the ball out of the end zone and by throwing the ball to the outrageously talented Acworthian Eric Norwood, who plays for South Carolina, and inside the final minute there was no assurance 0-1 wouldn’t become 0-2.
It was 41-37 with 6:13 left when Carolina took the ball, and within every Bulldog fan’s mind danced something other than sugarplums. Georgia would have to bank on its defense to halt somebody with the game on the line, and we all know what Georgia fans think of their defense and its coordinator. But this time the men of Willie Martinez made their stand.
Inside the Georgia 10-yard-line, inside the final 30 seconds, Carolina throwing for the end zone, and the men of Martinez held up their end. Stephen Garcia’s final two passes fell incomplete, neither of them great throws, but neither were directed toward a receiver left unencumbered. The indomitable Rennie Curran foiled the last throw, and in the end nothing much mattered except the rather astonishing score:
Georgia 41, South Carolina 37.
Loading ...Joe Cox, the quarterback deemed insufficient to requirements by some among his constituency, had a nice enough game except for one regrettable interception. He kept Georgia moving after it fell behind early, and when it was 38-23 Cox seemed to have put the Gamecocks away. But then a bad snap became a safety, and then there came a field goal, and then Norwood’s interception return for a touchdown, and suddenly it was tied.
Except it wasn’t. DeAngelo Tyson, a sophomore defensive end from Statesboro, blocked the automatic PAT, and Georgia still held the skinniest of leads. That’s the kind of play a defensive end doesn’t figure to make, a quick turnaround after the opposing D has just scored, but Tyson threw up his hand and kept the Bulldogs in front by being, not to put too fine a point on it, a bulldog.
And that’s what Georgia fans could and should take from this one. This isn’t a great team by any measure, but it was never going to be. What was troubling about falling to 0-1 was how readily the Bulldogs succumbed to Oklahoma State (which just lost to Houston — yikes). What we needed to see this night wasn’t if Georgia was the nation’s most gifted assemblage — it isn’t — but if it still can play the full-tilt brand of football that made this program famous.
It took a while, both literally and figuratively in a game that lasted four hours, but we have our answer. There’s still fight in these Dawgs. These 1-1 Dawgs.
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539 comments Add your comment
Wise ol Dawg
September 13th, 2009
8:11 pm
Regarding the coaching staff at UGA, my mom always told me “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all”. So, sorry to let you down mom, but this staff sucks.
Cuz
September 13th, 2009
8:21 pm
“With the recruits we have all we need to do is change the staff.”
Anybody thought that maybe the recruits we have is because of the staff? Or is it that National Championship we won in 1980?
WildBill
September 13th, 2009
8:47 pm
Warner Robbins High School has a better qb than what UGA is starting. I only know what I see on tv, but Cox is not, in my opinion a qb of sufficient strength and talent to play Div. 1 football. He will not last the season.
Denver Dog
September 13th, 2009
8:51 pm
Yellow Fizz, you said UGA would lose, you missed that one. You said Ga Tech would stomp Clemson you missed that one. I’d like to see you admit your mistakes, and take it like a man instead of the typical Tech coulda should woulda.
Yellow Fuzz
September 13th, 2009
9:01 pm
45-42
Ginger
September 13th, 2009
9:10 pm
Got to fix the defense…Coach Richt—help Willie M….Consult…Consult with all the defensive minded gurus that you both can….Talk with NFL folks like HC Mike Smith, Brian V. G, Sugar Bear Hamilton, Emmitt Smith and others…ask them for an honest evaluation of what the Dogs are doing wrong…then let’s correct it….We have talent on defense and should be doing better…Consult.
45ACP
September 13th, 2009
9:17 pm
It’s football. nothing more, nothing less.
Win or lose does a game change your life?
45ACP
September 13th, 2009
9:26 pm
You got to like what you saw from the “young dawgs” last night.
Some have not played yet.
They will only get better.
SOS Dawg
September 13th, 2009
9:29 pm
Cuz….. we blew them away when Goff was coach. Its been too long.
Virginia Dog
September 13th, 2009
9:33 pm
Does anyone remember the scores of the UGA/USC game the years we won the SEC under Mark Richt? 2002 the score was 13-7 and 2005 it was 17-15. USC has always played UGa tough and it really doesn’t matter as long as we come out with a W.
SOS Dawg
September 13th, 2009
9:43 pm
Virginia Dog …….. Do you remember 2007 with Staff, Moreno and MoMass and no TD and no invite to the MNC game? That was another pathetic game!
Virginia Dog
September 13th, 2009
9:51 pm
SOS Dawg – My point is that we can’t base our entire season on what happens in the USC game. It has always been close or even a loss as you point out. I prefer this years win with Cox and the rest of the team to 2007’s loss with Stafford, Moreno, MoMass and all the other studs.
DBCOOPER
September 13th, 2009
9:53 pm
I think half the people on this blog need to call Pete Carol and tell him how big of a crush they have on him. I’m sure he will donate some sperm for y’all to have his baby.
UGA struggled at times and looked good at other times. I was concerned about all the open receivers. However, we can go on and get better or this may be as good as it gets. Time will tell.
The Arkansas game will reveal even more. That’s why we play 12 games. I wish we had Charleston and Troy or Western Kentucky to try some things out. But hey we’ll see.
Epiminondas
September 13th, 2009
10:03 pm
If this had been Florida the score would have been something like 56 to 20. Either the Dogs get better…MUCH better…or there’s going to be embarrassment down the line. And plenty of bitterness.
jason
September 13th, 2009
10:06 pm
That embarrassment is coming at the WLOCP, if not sooner say vs. LSU.
SOS Dawg
September 13th, 2009
10:07 pm
My point is we need to annihilate teams like SC and Vandy every once in a while so we can gain respect from the national pundits. We all wonder why we drop in the polls when the dawgs win a game.
jason
September 13th, 2009
10:08 pm
The problem is that the USCe game should not be close. We have more talent and depth. That’s an embarrassmment in isself that that game is always so close. UF would not have won 56-20. They would have won more like 56-10. They actually have a DC in the swamp.
jason
September 13th, 2009
10:09 pm
SOS Dawg, AMEN!!!. And it should be more than once in a while. More like 3-5 games.That would be a start.
wreckmaniac
September 13th, 2009
10:21 pm
Is every year at UGA a “rebuilding” year ? With 10 years of 4 and 5 star recruits, why is that ? What fans anywhere accept the concept of
“rebuilding year” ?
Instead of recruiting 4 and 5 star players why not recruit 4 star coaches ?
wreckmaniac
September 13th, 2009
10:30 pm
I think SC is going on to have a good season and this bare win over them
will look better. When I consider which team will make the most improvement this season, I think it will be SC. Garcia has now established himself which is a first in the entire time that Superior has been at SC. This will mean something.
Denver Dog
September 13th, 2009
10:46 pm
Yellow Fizz you are a little geek and prob you are late for your class over at Devry. I here you are a big hit at the Park
Danny Forde
September 13th, 2009
10:51 pm
Did you younguns see how many points we put up in the 4th quarter. You can tell this guy aint’ no Coach Bryant, cuz he would never have done that. North Texas State, dang it Saban, you call this a schedule? You are a bigger chicken, but a smart big chicken. Hopefully theys not as good as UTAH, you’n knows that other western team we played recently. Shucks, maybe we should get into confrnec USA or ACC or something like that Got any Redman I can chew.
Yellow Fuzz
September 13th, 2009
10:55 pm
26-0 3rd quarter
Chuck Uga
September 13th, 2009
11:07 pm
Just in case you didn;t notice, Mark Richt had a look of disgust ALL NIGHT LONG. He is very scared right now, and should be. The letters are streaming into Damon Evans’ office demanding he speak with Richt about a change in philosophy (replacing staff members one the season is done). Trust me, it will happen. Go read Damon Evans’ statements regarding HIS expectations for this program. UGA will lose to Ark, LSU, Florida, Auburn and either Tech or a bowl game. That is six losses. That will prompt the changes we are looking for.
Chuck Uga
September 13th, 2009
11:09 pm
Got to give Spurrier credit. He NOW has a very good QB. SC will win some big games this year, and certainly will be tied for 2nd in the East (or finish 3rd) at season’s end. Garcia is very good.
PMC
September 13th, 2009
11:11 pm
So when does CMR finally concede that he made the wrong choice at defensive coordinator? Willie has not been really good since he got here.
Pago Flyer
September 13th, 2009
11:33 pm
Just calm down people, this is a rebuilding year.
Perspective
September 14th, 2009
1:18 am
A titanic struggle to beat an unranked, mediocre chickens team. And now the usual smack about how bright the future looks because 2-3 freshman had some decent plays. You dog fans never cease to amaze me. This is a dog team that will struggle in every game this season except Florida which will be a blowout.
As it stands now the ARK, VANDY, UK games could go either way with Georgia being a slight favorite but not a heavy favorite. Auburn, UT, are games that are 50/50 as it stands now and could go either way. LSU and GT are probable losses even if those 2 teams will be only slight favorites. Florida is a beatdown.
All in all dawgs are looking at a probably 7-5 record, possibly 8-4 if they can get the ball to bounce their way an extra time and get some more friendly officiating like in the Carolina game.
Bottom line: Good win for Georgia but the overwhelming problem is that this is a very average team.
Betting FBCC: Atlanta Falcons » Richt: Ita s a sickeninga how close Dogs were
September 14th, 2009
2:07 am
[...] Bulldogs show some bite We learned something about these Bulldogs on Saturday night. We learned that they might not be as gifted or as polished as vintage Georgia teams, but we learned that they still have Bulldog-sized hearts. [...]
PHIL
September 14th, 2009
4:37 am
Any one her who posted even a remotely negative comment about our program ever been offered a job as a coach at D-I level? Ever even been asked to be a water boy? Ever even tried on a helmet in a sporting goods store? That’s what I thought.
UGA SUCKS
September 14th, 2009
5:08 am
HAHHA MUTTS NOT IN THE TOP 20!!
Phil
September 14th, 2009
7:51 am
For all the good Branden Smith can do, he can be equally bad. He does not need to be returning kick offs. He ran 2 out of the end zone last week that hurt us. Now this week he does it again and fumbles on top of that. You would think the coaches would have talked with him about that
after the Okla State game.
jason
September 14th, 2009
8:05 am
Phil, that is called status quo at UGA. CMR talk to players about their mistakes? When has he ever done that? When has anyone on the coaching staff done that? Samething every year. Nothing will change. CMR = status quo. I am beginning to sound like a politician.
DawgNation
September 14th, 2009
8:08 am
PHIL,
Not at Div-1 but at a smaller college. Never the water boy but was asked to take over the DB job. Not only tried one on but wore one in college as well. I don’t need to brag as I already know I am not at the Div-1 level or I would have been there last Saturday but I do know enough to know that fans are the back bone of any program weather or not they every strapped on a helmet or not or went to the school or not. Every fan is entitaled to their views and it is up to all of us to try and be respectful of those opinions good or bad. Yea I know it’s hard at times but correct the mistake if you yourself know what you’re talking about instead of taking the one line shots. Remember that also coach smith.
Bradley's Buzz: An invisible link regarding UGA's Carlton Thomas | Mark Bradley
September 14th, 2009
9:32 am
[...] column after doing a five-hour live chat — I’d have sung the praises of Carlton Thomas in this little submission. But his name isn’t in there, for a rather basic [...]
Dawg 1
September 14th, 2009
9:45 am
Wow…
Have any of you clowns taken in consideration that Cox wasn’t close to 100% at Oklahoma State? Have any of you ever been on turf when the average temp is around 85 degrees? The turf is right at 100 degrees. Your recovering from the flu and your playing in full uniform in 100 degree temps. Did any of you even play football?
Couple that with Oklahoma State declaring this is the biggest game in school history. They played so far above their collective heads it isn’t funny. And then came crashing down the next week.= – which is what happens when 18 through 21 year olds play that far over their heads.
South Carolina has always been more fired up about UGA than UGA verse South Carolina. Spurrier’s contempt for UGA equates to a coach who will hae his team ready for blood everytime you play them. Our players view South Carolina as a win.
Georgia wins 10 this year with Cox as QB, with Tech being one of those wins.
Write it down.
robodawg
September 14th, 2009
10:14 am
BugKiller — interesting point about playing your future QB to prepare for next year. But no way, dude. You field your best team and you play for the best season you can have. You give yourself the best possible chance to beat UT, UF, Auburn and Tech THIS year. And Cox is the guy who gives us that. Even if it’s just going 8-4 instead of 6-6, I’ll take it.
And Pete Carroll is playing Barkley to win THIS year, not taking his lumps so he can win later. After all, he led a 4th quarter drive to beat Ohio St. He’s playing him as a freshman b/c no one else on the roster could have done any better.
Carl Spackler
September 14th, 2009
2:51 pm
Phil’s 1st post…
“Any one her who posted even a remotely negative comment about our program ever been offered a job as a coach at D-I level? Ever even been asked to be a water boy? Ever even tried on a helmet in a sporting goods store? That’s what I thought.”
Phils’s 2nd post…
“For all the good Branden Smith can do, he can be equally bad. He does not need to be returning kick offs. He ran 2 out of the end zone last week that hurt us. Now this week he does it again and fumbles on top of that. You would think the coaches would have talked with him about that
after the Okla State game.”
As Jeff Foxworthy would point out…If you have ever posted a sarcastic remark/attack directed to no one in particular, and everyone in general, concerning your sentiments on fan support, then turn around two posts later and do the exact same thing that you just admonished others for doing….welllllll, Here’s Your Sign!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Old Man Fan
September 14th, 2009
6:45 pm
UGA hung in there and won. It was a great game. Spurrier is not such a genus after all. GO DAWGS!