It was “a one-play game,” and Georgia couldn’t make it
Charles Scott breaks tackles, breaking UGA hearts as well. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
ATHENS – So much happened Saturday that it was hard to sort sense from nonsensical, let alone winners from losers. LSU left at least 20 points on the field and won. Georgia played inspired defense for 57 minutes and lost. But after all the noise and passion and largess and, yes, excess, one sentence spoken by Joe Cox resonated: “It was a one-play game.”
LSU made the play. Georgia did not. LSU is unbeaten. Georgia has been beaten twice. LSU is a Top 10 program. Georgia, sad to say, is not.
From Jeff Owens, the defensive tackle: “What I take from this is that it’s a loss. No matter how pretty or how ugly, a W’s a W. That’s what you play for.”
Georgia did things Saturday we weren’t sure it could do. It sacked a quarterback. (Six times!) It found a back who could hit a hole. (Washaun Ealey, a freshman.) It stood in against a heavyweight opponent and trailed after 15, 30 and 45 minutes but led after 59. And still it lost.
It didn’t lose because its best player didn’t make another great play. He did. A.J. Green stole a ball in the end zone from Chris Hawkins with 69 seconds left to put Georgia ahead. The lead lasted 23 seconds. It didn’t help that Green was flagged for excessive celebration, which forced the Bulldogs to kick off from the 15. (According to the officials, Green “made a gesture to the crowd calling attention to himself.” Whatever.)
But credit LSU. Trindon Holliday returned the kickoff 40 yards, and another Georgia penalty — illegal procedure while kicking off — gave LSU the ball at the Georgia 38. Meaning: The Tigers were almost in field-goal range without taking a snap. Two snaps later, Charles Scott was in the end zone. Owens, Marcus Dowtin and Rennie Curran, the best tackler in the SEC, had shots at Scott and whiffed.
There’s your one play. LSU hit a home run. Georgia took three swings and sat back down.
“We got there,” Curran said. “We didn’t do a good job wrapping up. … We definitely missed an opportunity to achieve greatness and make history.”
The men of Willie Martinez limited LSU to 132 yards over the final two quarters, but they also yielded two touchdowns in the final three minutes. There wasn’t much that separated these teams, but at the highest level of football there isn’t. Big games come down to one play. You make it or you find your games aren’t as big down the road.
And let’s not dwell overmuch on Georgia’s celebration. LSU was flagged for one, too. Thing was, the Tigers tackled Brandon Boykin at the Georgia 33 with 42 seconds remaining, as opposed to letting him return the ball past midfield. Another tiny but telling difference.
“I don’t know what happened [on the celebration penalty],” Cox said, “but it must have been really bad for them to throw a flag after you score the go-ahead touchdown against the No. 4 team in the country with 1:09 to play.”
Said Mark Richt, speaking of LSU’s adjudged excessive celebration: “I thought they were well within their celebratory rights.”
Here Richt gave a little laugh. Earlier he’d likened this game to the 2002 epic that cold day at Auburn. Georgia trailed 14-3 at the half and could have been down by 24, but Jon Stinchcomb recovered a fumble in the end zone, and Michael Johnson outjumped a defender in the end zone on fourth-and-14. And then — we forget this now — the defense made one final stop to seal the SEC East title.
There was a time under Richt when Georgia made the one play, the winning play. That time was not Saturday. That time, it seems, has passed.
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1,022 comments Add your comment
defactodawg
October 3rd, 2009
9:07 pm
The game turned on the celebration call but it never should have come to that.Kickoff coverage is pathetic, the team is unsound, undisciplined and that comes from coaching. There must be change on the staff or CMR can take them all with him after he’s run out of town.
gatorhator
October 3rd, 2009
9:11 pm
ok can we now see what murray or mettenburger can do…seen enough of CHUCKy lets prep em for next year.
Nickie
October 3rd, 2009
9:11 pm
Enter your comments hereGeaux, Tigers!!!!
joecoxsux
October 3rd, 2009
9:12 pm
woof woof woof woof woof. hahahahhahahhaha
Geaux Tigers!!! L-S-U!!!
JohnnyT
October 3rd, 2009
9:12 pm
The SEC should be ashamed. Both celebration penalties were ridiculous. Suspend the crew!
AC in Boulder
October 3rd, 2009
9:12 pm
that was the single worst call i’ve ever seen, It’s hard to rally after an absurd, game changing call like that.
Dawg1
October 3rd, 2009
9:12 pm
How can you say “that time has passed” when we made the winning play (or stop) the last 3 weeks?? I’m not happy about the loss either, especially when we had the lead with 1:09 to play but there’s no need for any sweeping generalizations about a team that pulled out a W the last 3 weeks and fell just short today. Not to mention the fact that we have 7 games left on our schedule and plenty more opportunities to make “the one play, the winning play.” Play tight ballgames 4 weeks in a row and go 3-1 in that stretch, losing only to the #4 team in the country?? I’ll take it.
Mary Wanna
October 3rd, 2009
9:13 pm
UGA and LSU should be ranked right next to each other at #15 & 16. UGA is still in the SEC east race, and all three units are capable of stepping up. Can the coaches? Doubt it, but you never know!
Bad Mojo for UF on Halloween.
Mark Bradley
October 3rd, 2009
9:14 pm
Come to me, Timmy, I will give you rest and love and also I hate Georgia and am a big fat impotent pathetic Florida/LSU fluffing concern trollsacksuck.
matt
October 3rd, 2009
9:14 pm
Two average teams. Lots of mistakes by both. Not the refs fault that the offense stuck up the joint in the first half. Defense played better but that was because the genius Les Miles was on the other sideline.
The Truth
October 3rd, 2009
9:14 pm
It was a great game and I hate to see it decided by the officials but give LSU credit and for once can we not bash WM the D played well enough to win… the offense looked horrible in the first half and the best player in college football AJ GREEN almost stole a W for the Dawgs ,,, great game but hate to see a bad call ruin the finish….
Here we go again
October 3rd, 2009
9:16 pm
I’m a tech fan… but the excessive celebration penalties were bogus.
BUT I think the refs could have also easily called intentional grounding in the end zone on cox earlier in the game, but didn’t. so there you go.
AC in Boulder
October 3rd, 2009
9:18 pm
At least we are Georgia grads and fans. it’s better to wake up as a Dawg than a scumbag, trailertrash, inbred, uneducated LSU Pedophile. In other words, we win in life just like always…
UGAguy
October 3rd, 2009
9:18 pm
Outcoached again, but a helluva game on a beautiful afternoon. That excessive celebration call was baffling and it changed everything. The guys on TV kept running replays, trying to find a reason for it, and couldn’t. But a little tackling practice might help in a 4th quarter with a slim lead.
JDW
October 3rd, 2009
9:18 pm
I can’t say we should have won…we had our chances and as you say we did not make the one play. Still you should not diminish the impact of the celebration call. The play of the game should not be made by the line judge. The call impacted the game in a huge way. Even with our poor coverage of the kickoff the whole scheme changes if we have them at thier 48 vs our 37. They were already in field goal range and that dictated our coverage and defensive scheme. We had no room for error and it showed. At the end of the day we sit 3-2 but wouldn’t you like to finish those games without the calls against Rashad Jones and AJ?
Mark Bradley
October 3rd, 2009
9:18 pm
I’m a pathetic loser and should be sacked after the next round of AJC firings.
The SEC Referees For Tonight's Game
October 3rd, 2009
9:18 pm
Calm down bulldog fans, we COULD have called AJ Green for pushing off against every defender. Perhaps we will, then you will have a 3 win season.
dogcrap
October 3rd, 2009
9:19 pm
It’s really quite simple. ugag sucks!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
George
October 3rd, 2009
9:19 pm
Im curious why Les Miles gets all the breaks (calls, votes, etc..) and Richt doesnt. Has Jesus lost his pull?
JDW
October 3rd, 2009
9:20 pm
PS you guys quit yakking about intentional grounding…Chapas number 49 and an eligible reciever was within 2 yards of that ball.
Ginger
October 3rd, 2009
9:20 pm
We had our chances… overthrew Green on probable TD in beginning and missed field goal, but players are human…Every Dog has his day….hopefully, corrections can be made…thought we did play much better defense today and had a lot of heart. Adjustment on offense..Cox has to be more accurate, play Ealey more–must have a running game…play Evans more on offense…need more consistent threats..potential is there…I chose to have hope rather than gloom and doom & despair
Mary Wanna
October 3rd, 2009
9:21 pm
stendec: Sending all Richt critics to Hell for (I assume) eternity is a little harsh on the fan base.
modawg
October 3rd, 2009
9:22 pm
Here’s another example of the refs deciding the outcome of a game. The call against AJ was uncalled for and even the announcers on CBS said so. The refs that make stupid calls should be suspended.
Gator Hater
October 3rd, 2009
9:23 pm
Granted, the dawgs didn’t play an inspired first half. There were alot of plays in the game that could have changed the outcome (Cox overthrows AJ in the first half, missed field goal, etc). With all the missed chances, we still drove the ball down field with the game on the line and scored the go ahead TD. The shame is an official can take a small gesture in an emotional situation and call such a costly penalty.
It did affect the outcome of the game!!! and anyone who says it didn’t is just plan ignorant…..but life goes on.
North Avenue Trade School Addict
October 3rd, 2009
9:23 pm
Aww…the poor wittle doggies. A.J. “Push-Off” Green, Reshad “Cheap-Shot” Jones and Joe “I Could Care Less” Cox didn’t get a chance to strut their wittle hip hop dance moves during the 4th quarter today.
Cry me an e-coli infested Chattanooga river.
Your leader, Saint Mark, was asked about being the most penalized – answer: “No big deal”.
Your leader, Saint Mark, was asked about dancing in the 4th quarter –
answer: “No big deal”.
Makes a Tech fan feel nice and warm inside. Here’s a toast to Saint Mark!
kevin
October 3rd, 2009
9:23 pm
Mark Bradley jinxed them dawgs
Jerry
October 3rd, 2009
9:24 pm
They got what they wanted unbeaten lsu versus unbeaten florida lets see what happens when tebow scores a touchdown and motions towards the crowd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
matt
October 3rd, 2009
9:24 pm
Modawg,
Whether it was a bad call or not, the Dawgs made tons of mistakes. Only losers blame the refs.
GeezusDawg
October 3rd, 2009
9:25 pm
A bad celebration call in the 1st or 2nd quarter does not impact the game because you have chances to overcome a bad call (2 or 3 more quarters). A bad celebration call with 1:30 (+/-) left in the 4th is inexcusable and inexplicably impacts the outcome of the game. Hats off to the D – GREAT game. No turnovers until the end (when the game was essentially over) – great job as well. Welcome to the big time Washaun!!!!
NXS
October 3rd, 2009
9:25 pm
Defense played very well considering they were on the field the entire second half… but the last three minutes were nothing to brag about. Booboo’s play calling was typically weak and uninspiring. And when we finally find a back that can run the ball, we pull him and give it to King. Go figure. The celebration penalty was a game changer and a pretty bogus call. Too bad the NCAA says kids can’t enjoy themselves when they make a great play. Of course, also too bad our team can’t act like they’ve been in the endzone before. I was hoping it wouldn’t be, but I’m afraid it’s going to be very long season….
jim
October 3rd, 2009
9:26 pm
Mark,
the gist of your article seems a bit out of line. Surely you actually pay attention to the ups & downs of college football from year to year? You write that “that time has passed” as if UGA is on a downward trend? it wasn’t 20 months ago that UGA was playing in a BCS bowl. you’d have to say that the future looks bright & this is NOT a program that is regressing? So UGA does NOT pull a rabbit out of the hat & “the time has passed”? What exactly does that mean?
and standec.. I can copy/paste, too!
stendec, go beat your blow-up doll & move on with life. I laugh at all of you who cry & moan about CMR…Assistants, I’ll give you some wiggle room on that. But go look at the top 25 rankings. There are probably only about 3 or 4 teams in the top 25 who are also not whining about their coaching staff to some degree. Same coaching staff here that finished #2 in 2007. There are probably some stupid fans calling for Pete Carrol to be fired, too. Geesh.
Mark Bradley
October 3rd, 2009
9:27 pm
Folks, the game wasn’t decided by a penalty with 1:09 to go. Nothing prevented Georgia from tackling Trindon Holliday, did it? Nothing stopped Georgia from tackling Charles Scott and blocking a field goal, did it?
I’m sorry I’m not giving you all what you want on this, but … actually, I’m not sorry. No matter what happens, you have to play the next play. And Georgia allowed a long kickoff return and a long touchdown run and a 2-point conversion and then failed to get a decent return after LSU’s matching penalty.
dawgdip
October 3rd, 2009
9:27 pm
Not only was the penalty bogus, but it was the wrong penalty. Shouldn’t it have been excessive celebration–a stupid penalty in college football anyway–instead of unsportsmanlike conduct? And where was the back-up quarterback when Cox struggled in the first half?
Buckhead Bulldog
October 3rd, 2009
9:27 pm
The last second heroics finally caught up with the Dogs today. Bad call at the end, but good teams never put themselves into those type of situations to begin with…and that goes for LSU, as well. I was not impressed with UGA in the first half, and I was not impressed with LSU in the second. Both teams have a lot of work to do if they want to have success with the remainder of their schedules. Ugly game all the way around…officials included!
boots
October 3rd, 2009
9:28 pm
Officials should not decide the outcome of a game. Period.
getalife
October 3rd, 2009
9:28 pm
Les thought he found the key to winning watching the Ga. Tech option on film.
Then he blew two forth downs and walked off the field at half time with time on the clock.
Both coaches suked but the talent on offense and defense belonged to LSU.
Scott and the receivers wanted this one but must play better against Florida.
Florida is a great team without Tebow but let the flags fly when Tebow makes a play.
cleveland jacket
October 3rd, 2009
9:28 pm
Enter your comments here face it Dawg fans you have a very average team this year, but I’m sure ANOTHER great recuiting year will solve all your problems. see ya in November
Mary Wanna
October 3rd, 2009
9:31 pm
Hey North Ave Addict, you livin’ in a van down by the Chattanooga River?
Georgia Raised
October 3rd, 2009
9:33 pm
What a tough loss!!! I’m surprised so many people blame the refs on the loss – did you see what happened on the return?!?!? I mean really, LSU got the same (terrible call) flag on the previous TD… anyway, at least the D was pretty good throughout the game but just couldn’t close it out. We should have won this one for sure, but we didn’t deserve it – if we had played all 4 Quarters, it would have been an easy win.
Lowcountry Dawg
October 3rd, 2009
9:34 pm
Cox should have been pulled early…or at least give one of our young Freshman QBs a shot…Early was impressive…why doesn’t he play more?
Defense played very well…until the last 90 seconds. We had Scott stopped, we just didn’t wrap him up and make the play.
The question now is this: How will UGA handle the loss? So far, from listening to the quotes by Rennie and JC, they understand. THAT comes from the head guy, Mark Richt. Also, I like how Richt made no big deal concerning the Unsportmanlike Conduct penalities…he understood the team did not play well.
We’ll lick our wounds, get ready to go to Rocky Top and show big “yellow-orange” who we are…
GO DAWGS!!!
Frank Lane
October 3rd, 2009
9:36 pm
On the intentional grounding non-call in the end zone. Look at the film again. The pass landed within two yards of an eligible receiver, number 49. That pass was closer to Chapas many of Cox’s other passes were to open receivers in the first half.
I though the whole game was poorly officiated. On LSU’s first drive an incomplete pass was ruled complete. I have it in slow motion. The LSU player’s one foot came down on the chalk, clear as can be. He was not in bounds. Would have stopped LSU’s first scoring drive. The excessive celebration penalties were absurd both directions. There was no bragging and no taunting, just exuberousness. I am an Georgia fan, but you cannot play a good team and have no offense for an entire half. We did not deserve to win, despite the comeback.
Mary Wanna
October 3rd, 2009
9:36 pm
HEY MARK BRADLEY: I know you’re reading this, so, as resident expert, please give us an answer: The newer rules on celebrations probhibit what exactly?
Appreciate your shots from the hip.
Steve-o
October 3rd, 2009
9:37 pm
All 3 “excessive celebration” penalties in the game were bogus–they affected Georgia far more than LSU. It’s like my mom used to say–if you want to win, you have to be prepared to beat the other team AND the referees. Today, Georgia could beat neither.
GeezusDawg
October 3rd, 2009
9:37 pm
Then, MB, SHOW me the excessive celebration. The fact that there was a “give back” call to Charles Scott illustrates how ridiculous college football has become. The facts is, Division 1-A football (as it should be called) is a multi-billion dollar business and when a business reaches that kind of profitability, there is typically oversight and regulation. I’m not saying there was a Huey P. Long influence, just that when BILLIONS of dollars (as a sport) are on the line, real-time arbitration from a neutral party should be an option on “questionable” calls. Hell, I would love to “self-regulate” myself.
George
October 3rd, 2009
9:37 pm
You want the real story/facts, listen to Kevin Butler. He tells it like it is. We are a B + program. Always have been. Period. 3 glory years (1 NC) with the greatest to ever play the game. Besides that, we are above average, never great.
Maybe next year, we’ve waited 29 years, whats one more?
Joe
October 3rd, 2009
9:37 pm
Hey Mark, if UGA is going to quit playing football, why don’t you follow in the old fart’s footsteps, Bisher, and start writing about Gtu everyday?
See how many web hits you get writing about that 2nd tier program.
Look, UGA is not going away. They are loaded to the gills with young talent, and Mark Richt will bring in new assistants or be fired.
UGA was the better team today, has the best player in the country and deserved to win.
They will win the rest of their games, and will pants Gtu and their high school offense.
Mark, if you want to go the way of Terrence Moore, please start writing platitudes about Gtu and start ignoring UGA. You would be doing all of us a favor by going the way of Moore.
I remember a time when super talented writers penned the daily papers. Now, there are just two-bit, yellow journalists, jealous of the talent of the many bloggers who bring real, insightful articles every day.
Gator Hater
October 3rd, 2009
9:37 pm
To all those who keep saying Georgia is going downhill….the fact is we lost 3 players to the NFL first two rounds. Two of them left early. Joe never got playing time and we still don’t have a running back.
If we can keep AJ around, and we mature as a team, we will be really good the next 3+ years. I also hope we can improve on our kick coverages, they are just pathetic..
Jeff
October 3rd, 2009
9:38 pm
dawdip, Vince Dooley pushed this rule into being. I’ve never like the rule. It’s bad for football. But, if you want someone to blame, blame Dooley for pushing so hard for the rule.
GeoffDawg
October 3rd, 2009
9:38 pm
I’m sick that the refs so often these days take the game out of the hands of the players and impose their own sense of morality on the outcome. They are not the examples of impartial integrity that anyone should emulate. Also, while LSU got a matching penalty, Georgia still had to go the length of the field to score a touchdown while LSU got the ball practically in field goal range from the get go. You move that ball fifteen yards back and Georgia doesn’t crowd the line of scrimmage and LSU probably doesn’t bust a TD run. Calling that penalty on LSU may have been the refs trying to look even handed but at that point, the damage was done. It would’ve taken a miracle finish for the Dawgs to come back from that hole.
North Avenue Trade School Addict
October 3rd, 2009
9:39 pm
Yeah Mary, I drove my chevy to the levy, but the levy ain’t dry
GatornDc
October 3rd, 2009
9:39 pm
UGA Fans – Honestly, that call on Green was a phantom call (at least call on charles scott could be justified). however, UGA’s offense was..non-existent for 3.5 qtrs..their defense took away 3 TD’s from LSU. If not for your defense, this would have been a 14 pt game.
UGA loses next 3 games in a row for sure.
jim
October 3rd, 2009
9:40 pm
Mark,
You are correct that the penalty was not the deciding factor. However, it was A deciding factor. Outside of an LSU fan, I can;t see how anyone would think that the 15 yards was a BS call (the subsequent call on LSU’s TD was BS, too). The refs inserted themselves into the game in a way that they should not have. Those 15 yards changed the entire complexion of the last minute of the game. UGA may have still lost regardless, but to simply brush off the call as inconsequential almost makes it look like you didn’t watch the game. Even Lou Holtz & Mark May are on record as it being a horrible call!!! That’s like Satan admitting that Jesus got a raw deal.
Bat Masterson
October 3rd, 2009
9:41 pm
I’m not sure I would say nothing stopped the Dogs from tackling Scott, Mark. On Scott’s run there were two offensive players tackling Ga defenders as they tried to make the play. They might have scored anyway, but………………………
1958dawg
October 3rd, 2009
9:42 pm
Mark, even the 3 bozos on ESPN, Lou Holtz, Mark May, and the other guy are ALL saying that the penalty call against AJ Green cost Ga the game. Granted, we played absolutely horrid the first half, as did LSU, but, we took the game with 1:09 left. The ensuing penalty caused the domino effect at the end. Since the game came down to the last couple of minutes, no matter what happened in the previous 58 minutes, we Took the game. Then, it was taken from us. Kudos to LSU for doing what it had to to win, but, they were given a HUGE gift. Oh..and FIRE Martinez!
IslandDawg
October 3rd, 2009
9:43 pm
If there is ANYONE who does not think or admit that ONE ridiculously subjective and erroneous “excxessive” celebration penalty did not completely change the end of the game is both blind and ignorant! Of course it did; and by the same token there is always the play(s) here or the penalty(s) there that can, in the big picture of the game, add to or detract from the flow of the game and therefore contribute to the success, or lack thereof, of one team or the other. BUT, such a game changing and arbitrary and (ultimatley proven to be) BAD decision that indisputably changed the outcome of the game in its FINAL seconds is inexcusbale!!! When both teams, the men and women and fans that support them are cheated from their hard earned and sweat laden physical and mental efforts is absolutely dispicable!! AND ANY GUTLESS REPORTER,(ESPECIALLY FROM THE AJC – you guys are an embarrassment!!), THAT DOES NOT STEP UP AND SCREAM FOUL IS EQUALLY AS COMPLICIT AS THE REFEREES!! They (the Refs) are there to enforce the rules, NOT arbirarly interpret them in such a riduiculous manner at such a precipitous moment!…Oh, and that make-up call against LSU? While much more deserved it was way too little to late…nice try Z-holes!
bill jones
October 3rd, 2009
9:43 pm
http://www.ncaapublications.com/%28X%281%29A%28fNwwmyV7ygEkAAAAOTAxNTg4NDUtYTgyZC00MjdjLWIzYjctODczYjA0ZWU4NjVh2WwGZ6-mdrTsGgtiBkWqghPbO401%29S%280h0uofr4yxlkxh2hanvzbp45%29%29/ProductsDetailView.aspx?sku=FR08&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
Crazy long link to the NCAA rule book PDF download. It explains the celebration rules and specifically mentions “drawing attention to oneself.”
hunkerdown
October 3rd, 2009
9:44 pm
Mark
You seem to stand alone. ESPN is calling the excessive celebration absurd. They stated “it changed the compexity of the game by the officials”. Sorry but your wrong on this, huge mistake by the officials. Let them play the game.
True Disciple of Saint Mark
October 3rd, 2009
9:44 pm
Gosh Joe, I throw a flag for 15yds for your language against our host Mr. Bradley.
W.W.S.M.D. “What Would Saint Mark Do?”
GaCracker
October 3rd, 2009
9:44 pm
Willie, your guys tackle so inconsistently. Bobo, your play calling in the first half STANK! Cox should have been replaces, just as our Samuel and King were ar RB. Why the double standard? The idea is to WIN. If you don’t try replacements, how do you know who are the best players. We do this at virtually every position but QB – stop it!
crabapplejoe
October 3rd, 2009
9:45 pm
Joe Cox throws a perfect TD ball with 1:09 left and A.J. Green makes a good catch. That should have been the ballgame and the play shown on most highlight films on ESPN. But, instead of Green tossing the ball to an official and going to Georgia’s sideline he celebrates in the endzone and gestures to the crowd. Not too smart. Notre Dame lost to Michigan in an almost identical situation two weeks ago. They were both bad “celebration” calls…but if you are a player you have to contain your emotions in that situation. If the coaches didn’t coach Green that then its on them….but I doubt that’s the situation. Its on A.J.
Mark Bradley
October 3rd, 2009
9:45 pm
I’m not wrong on this. I’m sorry, but I’m entitled to my opinion. And I have covered a few football games in my time.
Agree
October 3rd, 2009
9:45 pm
I agree with mark. It was the bad coverage on the short kickoff that killed us. Not the fact that it was a short kickoff. The short kickoff we received didn’t help us at the end because they executed. We didn’t. The call STUNK but don’t assume we would’ve won if the celebration call hadn’t happened. The way we tackled on that last series they couldve gone 80 yards. Special teams is huge in close games. You can’t win them with missed fieldgoals and bad kickoff coverage.
Krogunner
October 3rd, 2009
9:46 pm
Poor coaching is what it comes down to. LSU is not that good. Watch what a real team doe to them next week on their home field.
Rich
October 3rd, 2009
9:46 pm
Stop the crying. The game was not lost on any penalty. UGA had 45 seconds to scode and they threw an interception. If you can play be the rules, stop trying to play the game.
Mark Bradley
October 3rd, 2009
9:46 pm
It’s simple: Tackle Trindon Holliday on the other side of midfield and Georgia probably wins. Georgia didn’t do it. Tackle Charles Scott at the line and you’ve got a chance to block a field goal. Didn’t happen.
bill jones
October 3rd, 2009
9:46 pm
This link might work better. Just click on Football, and you should find a PDF download of a 270 page rule book.
http://www.ncaa.org/wps/ncaa?key=/ncaa/NCAA/Media%20and%20Events/NCAA%20Publications/Playing%20Rules/
coachgb
October 3rd, 2009
9:47 pm
Enter your comments hereOk Bradley, you got what you wanted. You fired up the ignorant. Wille’s defense stopped the #4 team all day. Bobo’s offense scored when it had to and if it had happened to Tech you would be all over yourself with the bogus excessive celebration penalty. Yelp, the kickoff team was the final nail in the coffin, but those 15 yards would have set up a completly different senerio. Nice job of baiting the bloggers, or are you really that anto red and black?
Rich
October 3rd, 2009
9:47 pm
Didn’t Vince Dooley push to get that rule in the rule book?
Disappointed Dawg
October 3rd, 2009
9:47 pm
I thought the team played pretty well today. The defense played with some passion today and they look to be coming around. Joe had a tough first half, but, I thought he showed us something when he bounced back and had us in position to win the game. Too bad about the ridiculous call, but, we had the opportunity to cover the kick just like LSU. They made the play and we didn’t, bottom line.
Mark Bradley
October 3rd, 2009
9:50 pm
I should be fired, just like half of AJC’s staff!
Lilburn Dawg
October 3rd, 2009
9:50 pm
Well today confirmed for me that Samuel and Caleb King cannot be counted upon as running backs. Am I the only one that notices that 90% of the time that Caleb manages to get back to the line of scrimmage and that’s all?? It’s amazing how often this happens. And except for one long run in a past game, Samuel doesn’t have anything either. And I was hoping that Joe Cox would be a good enough QB to win games but it’s obvious that he doesn’t have what it takes either. Ealey looks like he might be a good running back so maybe he’ll get in more games after today. But someone needs to step in as QB. The defense played a lot better but it was against another team with not much offense so I don’t know how to rate them yet. Our lack of a top rate coaching staff is obvious but I’ll let others speak to that. At least we can brag on our punting game! Too bad we don’t get points for that.
But the image that sticks most in my mind today was when we scored and the camera zoomed in on CMR’s face and there was not the least bit of emotion expressed…..not happiness, not joy, not pleasure, not relief, not anything. Even the announcer made a remark about it. We could be a much better team but we are just lacking something…..and I think the main ingredient of what we’re missing comes from the coaching we have or don’t have.
Joe
October 3rd, 2009
9:50 pm
Mark, you have NO OPINION. You only write to draw web hits.
I know it is a pathetic reality for someone who fancies themself a “journalist,” but face it-you are a glorified blogger.
You suck the hind teet from which you went to journalism school to strike down. You are a yellow writer who has prostituted himself to the masses.
Please, please, never again claim that you have an “opinion.” You clearly lost that right years ago.
GeezusDawg
October 3rd, 2009
9:53 pm
Bradley you are wrong. I’ve “covered” a few games in my years too; I’ve also played a couple. The call was inexplicably a game changer based on the time remaining and the score. For those that think that UGA “should have done more – earlier” they did what they needed too, the refs flipped it. I guess UGA “should’ve” scored 55,000 and held LSU to -678 too, right? … morons.
SouthGA
October 3rd, 2009
9:54 pm
Enter your comments here
Mark, you did not even mention the single most important moment in the game. Granted GA. did not look good, they haven’t all year. But the penalty on Green at the end of the game was to say the least, pitiful
Mark Bradley
October 3rd, 2009
9:54 pm
Fire me next, AJC!
Geoffdawg
October 3rd, 2009
9:55 pm
So you’re saying that a 15 yard celebration penalty guaratees that field position for uga? How about raising your expectations and asking special teams to limit the damage like lsu did when they had the penalty on kickoff? It was players, not refs, that allowed that. NOT refs. The bad call made it challenging but good teams overcome challenges. Had uga’s kickoff coverage not given up those yards and had the defense wrapped up tackles the last series you wouldve won.
PaulDawg
October 3rd, 2009
9:55 pm
Mark-
No one cares if you are sorry or not. I have another job 50 or 60 hours a week and I still know more about the game than you do.
It is indisputable that the penalty on Green affected the outcome of this game. Heck, even Lou Holtz and Mark May both just said so on ESPN. Holtz hates UGA more than you, and he and May have actually coached and played the game (unlike you).
Do you think that having such a momentum-changing unfair call doesn’t affect the psyche of a bunch of young men?
This is a weaker UGA team than we are used to, but if you eliminate the stupid penalty against Jones at OSU and the bogus call today on Green, we might be undefeated right now, despite that. Add the obvious TD that Green made in the back of the endzone against ASU and you have to wonder if Richt pi$$ed in some referee’s corn flakes.
Atticus
October 3rd, 2009
9:55 pm
This game was lost in the first half. LSU was running a Pop Warner offense and scored 6 points. Bobo should be embarrassed at that play calling on those first 5 series. It was pathetic. He is on WAY over his head. It’s not that complicated really but it has become comical to watch that offense as it is managed. Nice reverse…..
Cox played fine, not great, Ealey looks 100 times better than King and Samuel, AJ is one of the best WRs ever in college football…yes, that good. Defense got afetr it when they realized LSU’s offense sucked.
Those two teams have the worst offensive play calling in the SEC.
Still a Ga Dawg
October 3rd, 2009
9:56 pm
Mark Bradley, you are the worst knee-jerk reactionist I have ever seen. That rediculous call was an absolute game changer and the LSU “make-up” call was not an even justifier because of the game situation. I still believe and trust in Coach Richt and the fact that we are upset about the position we are in this year is a tribute to what he has accomplished at Georgia. Let’s all not jump overboard because of a last second, offical aided loss to a top 5 ranked team. Go Dawgs!
Mark Bradley
October 3rd, 2009
9:56 pm
Hey, AJC! All I do is concern troll all day! Fire my useless ass!
tim
October 3rd, 2009
9:57 pm
BULLDOGS = bad coaching, bad special teams, undisciplined players, and excuse making fans..you assholes suck..really you suck
NXS
October 3rd, 2009
9:58 pm
Mark, methinks you doth protest too much! Admit it, you’re wrong on this one. As has been pointed out above, even the ESPN crew and Granny Holtz said the call was horrible and a game changer. Granny Holtz Mark, saying something in favor of UGA! You know it had to be pretty bad. Oh yea, I think he’s “covered” a few football games as well. Man up dude and people here might show you some respect.
WYDOG
October 3rd, 2009
9:59 pm
Hello, did you guys not see the horrible tackling, predictable defensive alignments, 1990s Florida State play calling and as usual undisciplined play. I have watched this same team make the same mistakes for the last three years and have seen enough. Please watch an Alabama or Flordia game to see what coaching of similar talent can do. I really hate to say this but it’s time for CMR to move on. We are headed for SEC mediocre.
jim
October 3rd, 2009
9:59 pm
Mark,
the officials did not decide to outcome of the game. They DID decide the scenario under which the outcome was decided.
I’m not going to call you names, a hack, etc., because I do respect a lot of what you write. but I do think you are (partially) wrong about this.
Funny how college football officials can’t take a page from basketball officials at the end of the game. When the game is on the line, back out of the way unless a player commits a violation that gains an advantage over another.
hunkerdown
October 3rd, 2009
9:59 pm
Just letting you know that Holtz and Mays on ESPN were livid with the call. I not only watched a few games in my day but played as well Mark.
tim
October 3rd, 2009
9:59 pm
bulldogs are pitiful excuse making losers..UF will drop 50 on your no tackling ass
bill jones
October 3rd, 2009
10:00 pm
Just to be safe, maybe the Dawggies should act like they’ve been there before, ala Barry Sanders. The celebration begins AFTER you WIN the game, not with time left on the clock.
Mark Bradley
October 3rd, 2009
10:00 pm
I should be working for the MDJ!
rico43
October 3rd, 2009
10:00 pm
Atticus has clearly been blessed not to watch Tennessee set offensive football back into the 1930s.
Steve
October 3rd, 2009
10:01 pm
I’M DONE…I’m going to burn all of my UGA gear. I’m sick of this. Finally, dumb penalties and mistakes caught up with the Dawgs. After watching today’s game, one thing is for certain: Coach Richt has lost control of his team and I don’t think he’s going to get them back. I also think that changes will have to be made on special teams (LSU got the ball almost in field goal range after the penalty), the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. This is a snowball that’s about to avalanche over the next couple of weeks. If UGA is content with 8-4, and 9-3 seasons, keep Coach Richt. If you want National Championships, get a head coach that TEACHES DISCIPLINE AND SOUND SPECIAL TEAMS..CALLING KIRBY SMART. Until then….I’M DONE.
Top Dawg
October 3rd, 2009
10:01 pm
Boys, it’s going to be an awfully long football season.
Atticus
October 3rd, 2009
10:02 pm
Geezus…..look in the mirror, moron.
Did you watch our offense and the play calling. LSU sucks, we should have jumped up on that team but instead, like EVERY game, we play to keep it close and not try to jump up on a team and it bites us at the end. Broken record. Bobo is pathetic.
Coaching is HUGE in colledge football, just ask Stanford, Washington and Auburn.
ramblingdog
October 3rd, 2009
10:02 pm
Mississippi State Bulldogs suck as well. Northside Warner Robins could beat these guys. That makes LSU way overrated and should have lost today but where does that leave the penalty laden, no defense playing Dawgs? Without AJ Green, UGA could be 0-5
Mark Bradley
October 3rd, 2009
10:03 pm
Hire me, Otis Brumby!
Barbara Dooley
October 3rd, 2009
10:03 pm
Herschel and I missed the game. Herschel was “scoring” again. Who won?
Gator Hater
October 3rd, 2009
10:04 pm
Mark
Yep, that’s your opinion….but you are wrong on this one..
Atticus
October 3rd, 2009
10:04 pm
Rico, I agree, TN IS horrible but I bet they will socre on us next week and we’ll make excuses.
They don’t have the talent we do. Joe is an adequate QB, and AJ is one of the best EVER, we have an experienced and deep OL, some incredible speed.
Look at the differenc in Auburn’s offense in one year. Coaching.
Jerry
October 3rd, 2009
10:05 pm
Mark… Does Logan Grey or one of the freshamn get every third series the rest of the way to get ready for next season??
ramblingdog
October 3rd, 2009
10:05 pm
Did you hear Richt’s quote about penalties: he didn’t think they were a big deal. That tells me one thing, there is no discipline. That is why last year’s hype was such a bust and why this year is going that same way. No more Junkyard Dawgs, just trash.
PaulDawg
October 3rd, 2009
10:05 pm
By the way, Bradley, I have to agree with others that you are a hack, nothing but a blogger. Your paper is sucking cash and you can’t sell a paper. I never buy one unless I need a hard copy of the crossword puzzle.
If you had played the game or coached the game we would care about your opinion, so we don’t. I read this crap because I love UGA football but I sure wish there was better than this to read. Fortunately the Athens Banner Herald has a little bit of insight- I can’t remember you ever noting anything that wasn’t obvious. No knowledge to add, no insight. And from what I remember, there wasn’t a school on campus except maybe consumer sciences (aka Home Ec) that knew LESS about sports than the journalism school.
I hope you have some savings or a domestic partner with a good job for when you disappear with the rest of this pitiful newspaper. A city the size of Atlanta deserves better.