How three points and one man changed football in Georgia
Paul Johnson exulted as UGA fell and the tides turned. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
Three points on a rainy day when 87 were scored. Three points that halted a seven-year run of losing for one side and induced an abject reversal for the other. Three points that changed the state of college football in a state that lives for college football.
Georgia Tech beat Georgia 45-42 on Nov. 29, 2008, and never has one skinny victory assumed such heft. Tech is now the champion of the ACC Coastal Division and has been ensconced among the nation’s top 10 teams for a month. Georgia has had its worst season under Mark Richt and could be bound for Shreveport. You can argue that a different result 12 months ago wouldn’t have affected anything that has occurred in 2009, but you’d be wrong.
We stopped seeing Tech as hopeless during the first seven minutes of that famous third quarter. The Jackets went from 28-12 behind to 35-28 ahead in the time it took you to say, “There goes Dwyer!” And when it ended, Tech having won for the first time since George O’Leary was coaching against Jim Donnan, this much was clear: Mark Richt wasn’t coaching against Chan Gailey anymore.
Gailey tried six times against Richt, lost six times. In 2006 he even had the better team. Didn’t matter. There was something about Gailey that made you believe he could go 0-for-100 against the Bulldogs. Paul Johnson needed only one swing. Paul Johnson, as we now know, is different.
The Tech booster (and former co-captain under Bobby Dodd) Taz Anderson tells the story: Not long after Johnson was hired, he and Anderson were playing golf. The format was alternate shot. Johnson stood over the second shot on a par-5 hole. Anderson said, “Might want to lay up, Coach.” Johnson said, “Oh, I don’t know.” And knocked the darn thing on the green.
Just as faint heart never won fair maiden (really old saying), a timid Tech wasn’t going to unhorse Georgia. Tech stopped being timid the day Johnson strode — PJ doesn’t so much walk as he strides — through the door. Here’s a man secure enough to use an offense that supposedly ran its course decades ago, secure enough to run an actual play on any fourth-and-you-name-it. Johnson doesn’t care what you think of him. He’s so secure in himself and his methods that he needs no endorsement.
Nor, to hear him tell it, does he necessarily need to beat Georgia. “I’m not making it out to be the Super Bowl the way you guys are,” he said at his media briefing Tuesday. “I’m not going to let one game define our season.”
And then: “I don’t want to leave the impression that it’s not important. It is important. But I’m going to get Georgia Tech to the point where our program is bigger than one game.”
It helped that PJ won that one game on his first try. (”Been there, done that,” he said Tuesday.) Richt was no longer the scourge of the heated series but the guy who’d lost to the guy with the high school offense. Willie Martinez was the coordinator who couldn’t stop an offense that completed one pass (that on the game’s first snap). Georgia was no longer mighty, Tech no longer meek.
Had Georgia won on Nov. 29, 2008 — the 2009 Georgia media guide, perhaps inadvertently, lists the score of the game as 42-42 — the Bulldogs would have rounded off a disappointing season by at least reasserting their in-state dominance. Instead they laid themselves open to question, and in the succeeding Richt has seemed to have no answers. The guy who works at North and Techwood has hijacked every answer.
And now PJ and his program move from strength to strength, while Richt is under heavy pressure to change something, anything. Johnson’s team could play in the Orange Bowl. Richt’s just lost at home to Kentucky. Johnson’s team is the rising power, Richt’s the fading light. Three points did all that. Three points and one cocksure coach.
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577 comments Add your comment
Warren
November 24th, 2009
3:13 pm
Q: What’s the difference between a GT coed and a household trash can?
A: The trash can gets taken out at least once per week!
pd try aerobics
November 24th, 2009
3:14 pm
I wonder if Paula Deen ever thought about working out at a gym or at least leaning over and touching her toes before its too late. A stick of butter in everything she cooks and it is just a matter of time. The last thing I watched her eat was bacon, eggs and sausage in a glazed donut sandwich (( am not making this up)..somethings to give, could be her heart if that continues
See ya WADE!
November 24th, 2009
3:19 pm
Bring your graphing calculator to the game Saturday so I can borrow it ok?!!
Wade_Marquette
November 24th, 2009
3:19 pm
I like how most the UGA fans never attended UGA or even any school. Just a bunch of drunks that go to games and start fights. haha GO JACKETS!
DawgNick
November 24th, 2009
3:19 pm
Great article, Mark! As a Dog fan, it is extremely sad for me to say that, but I can’t argue with a word in there. PJ has Richt by the balls, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. When PJ’s recruiting catches up, it is only going to get uglier.
Wade_Marquette
November 24th, 2009
3:21 pm
i would so bet my car title on this game if i had some idiot UGA fan that would do the same.
Ph.D. of Pigskinology
November 24th, 2009
3:21 pm
SUPER DAWG…you requested a breakdown of the NFL First Round Draftees by conference?
2006-2009 NFL Drafts broken down by conference is are as follows:
1) ACC – 30
2) SEC – 29
oops, like the lawyers always say, never ask a question for which you do not know the answer!
UGA Graduate
November 24th, 2009
3:23 pm
LOL. No, I cannot refute anything you said. Just like if you said “I have been intimate with a female on previous occassions” I would have no way of refuting that, eventhough I don’t believe its true. Tech 75, I am a billionaire and own 5 houses, a private jet, and I date super models. You cannot refute this. Therefore it is true. Wow. This is easy.
Dynamite argument genius. I guess they don’t teach logic at Georgia Tech, eh? What a worthless degree.
to Wade
November 24th, 2009
3:23 pm
Hey man what’s up?! I’m at Tech too and your posts seem pretty cool! Wanna meet up in a chat room or play World of Warcraft together?? Let me know man, cool!
Jeff
November 24th, 2009
3:24 pm
Mark…7 years ago UGA took GT down in Athens 51-7. It was at that point that CMR gained a hold over Gailey and this series. If CPJ lays one on the dawgs on Saturday the same could happen for Tech. I am a UGA grad, and I don’t like the way this one shapes up for UGA. I see some big plays available for Tech in the passing game. Willie hasn’t stopped any option attacks all year. GT’s option attack is probably the best in the country. It really comes down to Cox taking advantage of Tech’s pass defense, and Willie’s ability to get out of his comfort zone and call an aggressive game. So, UGA’s hopes rest on their two lowest performers, and GT’s chances rest on their top performers. Not good for UGA!
PETA
November 24th, 2009
3:24 pm
Our lawyers would just LOVE to come talk
with you misguided in-breds about your mascot.
We’ll be seeing you EVERY Saturday in Athens next year.
Should be great TV.
Wade_Marquette
November 24th, 2009
3:24 pm
To wade. ill play some MW2 on xbox live though!
UGA dropout
November 24th, 2009
3:26 pm
NERRRRRRRDDDDDDSSSSSSS!!!!!!!
Wade_Marquette
November 24th, 2009
3:27 pm
I cant wait to see the robotic uga dawg. the batteries would prolly die on that too at the game
to Wade
November 24th, 2009
3:27 pm
What group are you playing in online? Give me the specs I’ll join and we can play online together!!!
Wade_Marquette
November 24th, 2009
3:28 pm
meet me at the Varsity. I will be in a 93 isuzu rodeo. white
Warren
November 24th, 2009
3:30 pm
Wade, I’ll bite on that offer. I have a Corvette Z06 – what do you have to wager?
to Wade
November 24th, 2009
3:30 pm
You wanna come play in my dorm room with me? I have a Xbox! Bring your controller ok?
willie martinez
November 24th, 2009
3:31 pm
there once was a group called PETA
who thought UGA dog was mistreata
it was a mistake
Seiler told ‘em to take
off a cliff a big leapa
Warren
November 24th, 2009
3:31 pm
Ooops! Never mind. I don’t care for the rice burners.
Ph.D. of Pigskinology
November 24th, 2009
3:32 pm
Georgia should refer the PETA clowns to Hootie Johnson at Augusta National Golf Club…he can explain things to them like he did the NOW ladies! HeeHee…
Wade_Marquette
November 24th, 2009
3:33 pm
what year zo6 i have a 2002 red zo6 for sale right now.
Wade_Marquette
November 24th, 2009
3:34 pm
id wager that or my 07 titan truck on this
to Wade
November 24th, 2009
3:34 pm
I have D&D too if you like that better? What time do you want to meat me at the Varsity??
Wade_Marquette
November 24th, 2009
3:35 pm
id rather watch twilight
Ph.D. of Pigskinology
November 24th, 2009
3:35 pm
Willie Martinez…funny stuff…
If you added the word “great” between “a” and “big”, the meter would be better…
…great post…
LHardingDawg
November 24th, 2009
3:37 pm
My sernario is #1. Georgia upsets Tech #2. Clemson beats Tech out right #3. Tech loses their bowl game. Paul may not be as great a coach then. Tech ends out at 10/4 and Georgia ends 8/5. Not a big difference.
willie martinez
November 24th, 2009
3:39 pm
Thanks PHD. i really should get an editor. best, willie
to Wade
November 24th, 2009
3:39 pm
Cmon man! I know you would like to play D&D with me. I’ll let you be the Elf with magic armor ok?
Warren
November 24th, 2009
3:40 pm
There once was a coach named PJ
Who thought he could whip UGA.
As Mark Bradley has typed
The game is much hyped
So we’ll just have to see on game day!
CFB Fan
November 24th, 2009
3:42 pm
Let PJ and the Jackets beat us at least 5 years straight, go to BCS bowls at least 4 of 5 years, win a couple of ACC Championships and then we can start to have this conversation.
This is VERY premature!!!!
They beat us by a field goal last year and have the 59th ranked toughness of schedule in the NCAA this year, while UGA’s is #5 in toughness of schedule.
It’s like comparing apples to GRAPES!!!!
Tech75
November 24th, 2009
3:43 pm
UGA Graduate – use your head. You continue to make statements that embarrass yourself.
To quote another poster – “Stop while you’re behind…”
You couldn’t win a battle of wits with a gumball machine.
Warren
November 24th, 2009
3:46 pm
Tech75 you sound like a typical engineer. Is it electrical or mechanical? I’d bet the latter. Anyway, you’re wealthy aren’t you? Yeah, the nation is just packed with wealthy engineers.
willie martinez
November 24th, 2009
3:50 pm
Warren, that’s good enough for me to accuse you of plagarism.
best, willie
Ph.D. of Pigskinology
November 24th, 2009
3:51 pm
Wade / Warren…
…we got us a Corvette club here! I have a upgraded/restored 1994 C4 (red)…not gonna bet it on the outcome of this football game, though!
PT
November 24th, 2009
3:52 pm
MARK, THATS YOUR WORST EVER. ARE YOU NOW SLEEPING WITH TERRENCE MOORE
Pop Tarts National Champions '90
November 24th, 2009
3:55 pm
I liked the columns earlier this season after the loss to Miami – you remember, when Paul Johnson and his high school offense were over matched and he wasn’t going to last long in Div. I. A few consecutive wins and he’s the greatest coach to ever walk the earth. Enjoy it while you can, Paul Johnson, because it will only last until the next loss.
We saw the same treatment for Mark Richt. He went from the savior of a program to completely incompetent in less than a season. Jim Mora walked the same path (though his descent from the pedistal of greatness was probably well earned). Bobby Cox, one of the greatest managers of all time with the statistics to back it up, is now unfit to manage a game of freeze tag.
The biggest question for today: Who will be first to fall from favor in the local media – Paul Johnson or Mike Smith?
The Real YellowJacket
November 24th, 2009
3:55 pm
45-42
Warren
November 24th, 2009
3:57 pm
Willie, guilty as charged. Please tell me I will be allowed to bail out of the tank in time for the game!
willie martinez
November 24th, 2009
3:58 pm
coach dodd was his name
football was his game
on carpet not sod
he thought it quite odd
cause 2010 pj’s at notre dame
fanfromathens
November 24th, 2009
3:58 pm
Give me a break.
We’ve been down this road before, it’s really not that dramatic.
In due time, UGA will start beating GT with regularity again. And then Bradley and Schultz will be blogging about how Paul Johnson is really not that good of a coach after all and his program is in decline.
Larry
November 24th, 2009
3:59 pm
Mark Bradley and Obama have 1 thing in common – they don’t understand the word “change”.
willie martinez
November 24th, 2009
4:00 pm
Warren,
no problem. the team’s visa card is on file with the uga police.
willie martinez
November 24th, 2009
4:01 pm
and the athens police, clarke county police, sheriff’s department, etc.
sure makes things easier when one of the guys gets stopped on a scooter.
AMG
November 24th, 2009
4:02 pm
from UGA VII ghost….bite me tech
Emorydawg
November 24th, 2009
4:03 pm
Tech75…I showed your blog to my wife who happens to be a graduate of Emory and happens to have five Tech and four UGA graduates that work for her…she stated that the Tech graduates are always looking at the clock to see when its time to go home and always seem to have frowns on their faces( they look contipated).While the Georgia graduates are always willing to stay late to finish a project and are always in a good mood. The four UGA grads also do more work than the Five Tech grads.Let’s see…who would most people rather hang with or have working for them? Constipated people who are lazy or happy people who work hard.You Tech fans are delusional…How many times a day do you pat yourself on the back,look in the mirror and tell yourself how great you are.What a pompous moron you are. Once again you’ve proven whats been stated on this blog before. Tech fans have an incredible inferiority complex towards Georgia.
Warren
November 24th, 2009
4:04 pm
Ha!! I’m sure it must be. Hey, did you hear about the young lady in Athens who made a frantic 9-1-1 call to report a crime she had just witnessed? The 9-1-1 response was: “Ma’am, all of our officers are presently very busy so please just write down the jersey number and we’ll get back with you.”
Ramblinwreck83
November 24th, 2009
4:08 pm
CFB Fan
I believe the toughness of schedule (SoS) you refer to was calculated at the beginning of the year. A lot of opponants that Tech has faced have been a lot better than expected at the start of the year. Also, what’s this 4 of 5 BCS bowls. UGA didn’t do that, but you expect Tech to, so they can compare with UGA. By the way, I guess Kentucky must be one of those really tough teams you speack of on UGA’s schedule. You make me laugh at your bogus comments. Just remember, Tech doesn’t have Chan Gailey or Reggie Ball to help out the MUTTS anymore. THWG!!!!!
willie martinez
November 24th, 2009
4:10 pm
Warren, pretty good.
CFB Fan
November 24th, 2009
4:11 pm
Warren,
The percentage of graduation for athletes is higher at UGA than at GT.
True Fact…
I know your next thing is going to be…
“It’s harder at Tech”.
Not so!
I know alot of people who went/ go to Tech.
Addionally, UGA is the only institution in the nation with two Rhodes Scholars.
Go Dawgs!