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
ron_mexico
September 12th, 2009
11:53 pm
are tech fans really talking about the refs giving a game to georgia after their game thursday night? that’s funny!
BugKiller
September 12th, 2009
11:53 pm
Mark Bradley…
… wasn’t it YOU who praised Paul Johnson for NOT accepting or being grateful for a win when the team performed as POORLY as our team did tonight?
We had a lot of individual bright spots.
But the fact remains: Willie Martinez needs to go.
Joe Cox isn’t going to be here next year and can’t help this team to anything substantial this year, so every game he starts is a WASTE.
PETE CARROLL GETS IT.
That’s why Pete Carroll started his MOST TALENTED QB, and is willing to let him take his lumps.
Oh, what’s that? Matt Barkley just led a 95 yard TD drive at the end of the game to beat Ohio State???
Hmmm.
Pete Carroll gets it. Why doesn’t Mark Richt?
ReptilesRule
September 12th, 2009
11:54 pm
Great game to watch and I thought UGA rebounded nicely from last weeks game. ATTN: IF YOU ARE A GATOR FAN COMING DOWN FOR TENNESSEE MAKE SURE YOU WEAR ALL BLUE AND BE PREPARED TO MAKE THIS THE LOUDEST SWAMP GAMEDAY EVER!!!
Cuz
September 12th, 2009
11:55 pm
Well Mark how can you hope to compete with Dogs of Barnhart.
azdawg
September 12th, 2009
11:55 pm
It’s alway good to to win and Joe Cox did enough w/the help of a great KO return and Smiths TD and good ole number 8 cAME THRU TOO w/help from our FG kicker. Yet, to blow a 15 pt lead in the 3d and 4th qtrs and allow SC to march up and down the field like it did time after time is terrible and all the blame is on the DC. NCS holds SC to 7 points and Martinez allows Garcia to go pass crazy w/his defensive strategy. You cannot continue to win like this. It will not work against better SEC teams and leaves your D drained. Yes they came thru but darn it should not have been that close. You allow teams to march up and down the field like he does and score 3 FG’s in a row and it just puts more pressure on an Offense to answer which we did not do. It came down to red zone D and a last ditch effort to pull this out. It could have easily gone the other way. Martinez doesn’t like to blitz because he doesn’t know how. He said it would leave the D vulnerable to the pass. Geez, what the heck did Garcia do all night underneath!!!!!! I give up w/this guy. Its not fun watching these games when you know he leaves so much to chance w/his strategy. The Lord help us with M running the D. Sorry Mr. Bradley. I don’t share your enthusiasm.
Dawgfanhere
September 12th, 2009
11:55 pm
It wasn’t pretty, but it is still a win. Just like Tech against Clemson, a notch in the win column always beats a notch in the loss column; sometims we ALL have to take what we can get. It is nice to send two teams back to SC without a win in our state.
LuckyDawg
September 12th, 2009
11:56 pm
we got so lucky tonight. if garcia would have looked to his left and got the RB on the flats, we would have lost. my goodness, i’m not going to watch the arkansas game
Paddy Garcia
September 12th, 2009
11:56 pm
If Garcia had tucked and run on fourth down, the Dogs are 0-2.
But the Dogs eek a 4 point victory over a team that barely survived NC State and now are world beaters again. At least until they play their next ranked team.
senoiadawgs
September 12th, 2009
11:56 pm
I think it’s hilarious that any UGA fan would want to Cox on the field. Just win baby, sure winning is fine but my comments would have been the same whether Garcia’s pass would have been completed or not.
Mark Bradley
September 12th, 2009
11:56 pm
Winning does beat losing. I’ll second that emotion. Me and Smokey Robinson.
bulldawginmemphis
September 12th, 2009
11:57 pm
it is now official…florida is the best high school team in the nation…they have cancelled the traditional fsu game and will play o’keefe high school!!! overrated gators forever
dan
September 12th, 2009
11:57 pm
I think the thing I was most impressed with was how the team won today instead of the final score. This team got hit in the mouth early and could have folded early and late in the game. Last year’s team would have withered under such adversity, but this team didn’t. They made mistakes and overcame them. Even though this team has it’s fair share of seniors, this is still a VERY green team. Every win and every loss will be a learning experience. But I promise that if the Dawgs continue to fight like they did tonight, they’ll win more games than they’ll lose.
BugKiller
September 12th, 2009
11:57 pm
PETE CARROLL GETS IT!!!
TRUE FRESHMAN MATT BARKLEY WINS ON THE ROAD AT OHIO STATE.
- In other news -
MARK RICHT SAYS JOE COX IS AWESOME AND EVEN THOUGH HE CAN’T HELP THIS TEAM TO MORE THAN AN 8-4 RECORD AND WON’T BE BACK NEXT YEAR, RICHT DOESN’T SEE THE NEED TO GET A QB PREPARED FOR A YEAR WHERE THERE WILL BE NO TEBOW IN FLORIDA!!!
Because, you know, that’s makes LOGICAL sense, right?
Whew 2 Scarolina TD'S called back
September 12th, 2009
11:58 pm
Maybe the ref’s and God does like UGA.
Cuz
September 12th, 2009
11:58 pm
Winning does not suk, that is for sure.
Cautiously Optimistic
September 12th, 2009
11:58 pm
The defense wasn’t that bad when you consider how long they were on the field and the position the offense and the kick off fumble put them in.
Old Man Fan
September 12th, 2009
11:58 pm
That was a great game tonight. First it looked like S Car. was gonna blow the dogs out, then the dogs were gonna come back and blow out the cocks. Then S.Car. almost pulled it out. But could not get it done. Gators are gonna eat the mutts alive.And Auburn, Tenn. will be close games.The Tech game will go down to the final seconds. But we gotta admit fans, the dogs never quit. Its not over till the seconds run out in the 4th quarter.
BugKiller
September 12th, 2009
11:59 pm
Mark, weren’t you the same guy who praised Paul Johnson for not accepting a win when his team performs poorly?
Why shouldn’t we expect our coach to be different?
Covington Logic
September 13th, 2009
12:00 am
It’s not always best to start a freshman from the first game. Sometimes the best way to keep a team is to give the popular fifth-year senior the chance everyone believed he deserves. That doesn’t mean he starts every game. But don’t so quickly compare California apples with Georgia peaches. And no need to conclude this team can’t win important games. That jury is not in.
bulldoggy
September 13th, 2009
12:00 am
SUBURBAN CRYER JUST ANNOUNCED FLORIDA WILL PLAY ALL HIGH SCHOOLS NEXT YEAR…usc went to ohio state and florida played charleston southern jr high and troy high,,,give me a break
Georgia is overrated
September 13th, 2009
12:00 am
never will win national crown with mark richt.
kj
September 13th, 2009
12:00 am
Seriously DAWG Nation? We got the W. doesn’t matter how we got it but at the end of the game our score was higher than SC’s. Trust in CMR to make the necessary adjustments and come ready to roll in AR( not AK, although I loved hanging in the flats) next week. Go Dawgs!
Cuz
September 13th, 2009
12:02 am
Killer, are you saying that Florida will not have a team next year. Hallelujah and pass the bong.
Go Deep
September 13th, 2009
12:03 am
You just gotta love it when the ole’ ball coach gets beat. I am so sick of Spurrier…Please retire the Cocks are not gonna “turnaround”.
brewdawg
September 13th, 2009
12:04 am
As an optimist, I say we are 1-0 in the SEC. Meaning Richt’s seasonal goal is still attainable (SEC East). Do I think that it’s realistic? NO. But the bottom line is we are technically on the right track to compete for that. To borrow from my pal Mark Bradley: Does that make any sense?
Cuz
September 13th, 2009
12:04 am
Mark how was the Lobster salad? Was it better than 3:00 AM Krystals?
Mark Bradley
September 13th, 2009
12:05 am
I’m not sure Georgia played all that poorly. It did score 41 points.
Mark Bradley
September 13th, 2009
12:05 am
Lobster salad is an menu item I would recommend highly to the folks at Krystal. Mr. Wayne Pahl has the recipe.
45ACP
September 13th, 2009
12:06 am
BugKiller, the Dawgs won. Why all the negative comments and hate for UGA?
Why????
September 13th, 2009
12:06 am
Why is it that some posters feel the need to type out a virtual novel? Have you nothing better to do? UGA won the game against a good SC team. It’s over. Get a grip. Goodness!!!!
dan
September 13th, 2009
12:06 am
BugKiller,
USC looked like crap in that game! The running game with Joel McKnight totally bailed Barkley out on. Yeah USC won, but you act like their win was that much more impressive than UGA’s and it wasn’t. USC has got a lot of work to do as well.
Joe Cox
September 13th, 2009
12:07 am
In your face you bunch of crybabies. Aaron Murray or Logan Gray couldn’t carry my jockstrap. I will lead this team. I am the starter. Deal with it wussies.
southgadawg88
September 13th, 2009
12:07 am
Joe gives it the best he has..but seriously is it enough..also I think the RAM will be even better if King has some game.Willie had a bad night…now I truly see why these games are always close…..Spurrier vs Martinez………Smith needs a bigger package as the season goes on….Gray must not be impressing the coaches in practice inspite of what we think….puzzled with Garners rotation it seems like Weston and Tyson get’s more snaps than Atkins and Owen’s and I’m still trying to see why…..We seem determined to pass the ball this year….Cox plays like a freshman not a senior…the longer the season goes the less sense it makes to start him…
UGA does not represent me
September 13th, 2009
12:07 am
Just like thursday………..100 yark kick return does not count, blocked x pt does not count, special teams does not count, SC got robbed by the officals, Mark Richt cant coach blah ,blah, blah,. I get it… UGA is back, were going to kill Tech, LSU, UF, AU, BCS bound baby. Cox for heisman…..etc, etc, etc. I sure hope UGA doen not play Houston in a bowl
Bama Stan
September 13th, 2009
12:07 am
12 NATIONAL TITLES – 21 SEC TITLES!!!
Congrats on a hard fought win – definately showed some heart.
Really thought that Spurrier & Company was going to win when they got the ball and methodically drove down the field – Red Zone Defense was good for UGA tonight – but overall – yuo guys got some problems there with your scheme and recognition – not a smart defense.
UGA was mentally tough tonight – a good sign for you guys.
Will be an interesting year – as UGA,SC,TN,AUB,LSU,KY,ARK and maybe Vandy in the parody pack – kind of like the ACC.
STATE of Georgia 2 – State of SC – 0!!!
ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!!!!!!!!
Mr. Real
September 13th, 2009
12:08 am
I was proud to see Cox do better tonight. Yes, he threw the late interception but keep in mind that he really didn’t have much game experience going into the Oklahoma State game and showed significant strides with only a week of game experience. Hopefully, the more he plays the better he gets and the offense will exceed our expectations this year.
As far as the defense, I have to admit… It is sad to be a UGA fan and KNOW before the game starts that your team will have to score 40 points to win a game regardless of your opponent. It has almost became an every other week thing for Martinez and his defense to give up 30+. No lead is safe. This has become the norm with Martinez as DC and not many Dawg fans, myself included, accept that nor will we get used to it.
Next week I feel that the defense will hold Arkansas under 30. Not by much but under 30. I just hope the offense shows up again.
Go Deep
September 13th, 2009
12:09 am
You gotta love it when the ole’ ball coach gets beat. I am so sick of hearing about Spurrier…Please retire
Paddy Garcia
September 13th, 2009
12:10 am
“A good SC team.”
Okay, dude.
BugKiller
September 13th, 2009
12:10 am
Dan,
It’s NOT about this year. Pete Carroll gets that.
He COULD be starting the less talented Mitch Mustain (like we’re starting Cox). But why?
Is Joe Cox going to be here next year? Is he going to be able to win a SEC Championship this year?
What’s that you say, he isn’t and he can’t?
SO THEN WHY IS HE STARTING???
Instead of PREPARING Gray or Murray to play next year, a YEAR WITH NO TEBOW, when Georgia may actually have a CHANCE to win the SEC (providing we fire Martinez), Mark Richt is sticking with his less talented 5th year senior who leaves after the year.
HOW DOES THAT MAKE SENSE???
unweaned lil pup
September 13th, 2009
12:11 am
Mark … I agree… but don’t jump in quite so quick after the final whistle with intangible analysis. To run some stats is fine, but to start publishing articles about heart 2 hours after the game seems like you are trying to meet a deadline. But … I gonna read u anyway.
Cuz
September 13th, 2009
12:11 am
Bring on Houston!! yeah baby!!!!
UGA Grad
September 13th, 2009
12:12 am
I have been patient with the fire Willie Martinez folks. Sorry WM, time to go pal…Too much talent for those results…Hey Willie, “open over the middle”…”open over the middle”…”open over the middle”…”open over the middle”…”open over the middle”…”open over the middle”…”open over the middle”…”open over the middle”…ADJUST…
KJ
September 13th, 2009
12:13 am
When is Willie Martinez going to get sent away. Hos defensive schemes couldn’t cover a toilet seat!
senoiadawgs
September 13th, 2009
12:13 am
Did we watch the same game? Cox improved from last week? How so? He fumbled one more time this week. Is that improvement for hopefully getting a new QB in the game that must be what you mean. He does a have a mean handoff to Samuel. Can really throw a nice pass in the flat. Decent at 2 yard passes. Fair at 5 yard passes, beyond that good for pick six. Beyond 10, every ball but one to Charles was underthrown and would have been picked by a decent corner.
dawgstephen
September 13th, 2009
12:14 am
WILLIES DFENSE DID NOT GIVE UP A TOUCHDOWN IN THE FINAL THREE QUARTERS!!WILLIES DFENSE DID NOT GIVE UP A TOUCHDOWN IN THE FINAL THREE QUARTERS!!WILLIES DFENSE DID NOT GIVE UP A TOUCHDOWN IN THE FINAL THREE QUARTERS!!WILLIES DFENSE DID NOT GIVE UP A TOUCHDOWN IN THE FINAL THREE QUARTERS!!WILLIES DFENSE DID NOT GIVE UP A TOUCHDOWN IN THE FINAL THREE QUARTERS!!WILLIES DFENSE DID NOT GIVE UP A TOUCHDOWN IN THE FINAL THREE QUARTERS!!WILLIES DFENSE DID NOT GIVE UP A TOUCHDOWN IN THE FINAL THREE QUARTERS!!WILLIES DFENSE DID NOT GIVE UP A TOUCHDOWN IN THE FINAL THREE QUARTERS!!
dawgstephen
September 13th, 2009
12:14 am
WILLIES DFENSE DID NOT GIVE UP A TOUCHDOWN IN THE FINAL THREE QUARTERS!!WILLIES DFENSE DID NOT GIVE UP A TOUCHDOWN IN THE FINAL THREE QUARTERS!!WILLIES DFENSE DID NOT GIVE UP A TOUCHDOWN IN THE FINAL THREE QUARTERS!!
dawgstephen
September 13th, 2009
12:14 am
WILLIES DFENSE DID NOT GIVE UP A TOUCHDOWN IN THE FINAL THREE QUARTERS!!
Mark Bradley
September 13th, 2009
12:14 am
Let me just point out that a game that ends at 10:55 p.m. — and for which I have an 11:15 deadline — doesn’t leave a lot of time for navel-gazing. Got to grip it and rip it, as per John Daly.
senoiadawgs
September 13th, 2009
12:15 am
Does anyone thing Petrino may trying throwing the ball between 5-15 yards down the middle next week? I bet he thinks UGA will stop that every time. Also our corners have this really cool technique of not playing the ball but instead throwing their hands in the face of the receivers.
Dog Town Bulldog
September 13th, 2009
12:15 am
Bug Killer, I’m glad Mark didn’t have you around back in ‘05 when you were no doubt a ‘lifelong fan’ of Florida, Auburn or whatever bandwagon you were on then. Not saying Shockey’s team and this team have much in common, not saying we’re going to win the east, but I am saying Joe gives us the best chance to win THIS YEAR. Did you happen to see his stats? Yes, he threw a poor interception, I seem to remember Stafford doing that time and again all three years. It’s part of the game. My larger concern is why did we again not see Brown or Wooten? And why do our db’s look like they don’t have a clue what is coming when they’ve been watching film all week? Finally, Bug, I get your point about grooming for next year, but not at the expense of this year.