A powerful performance by a suddenly powerful UGA team
Did this guy outcoach Paul Johnson? Yes he did. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
There have been times lately when we’ve wondered, “Who are these guys?” Because they weren’t the Bulldogs we’d come to know and admire. They were undisciplined and undercoached. They were always reacting to an opponent, never forcing the issue. They were a finesse team, and a team devoid of force doesn’t win big in the broad-shouldered SEC.
But on the final night of an underwhelming regular season, Georgia played as if it remembered its breeding. It acted like an SEC team. It ran the ball with fury and blocked like the crack of dawn and played big-boy football. And at halftime we were saying, “Who are these guys?”
Because these weren’t the Bulldogs of recent vintage. These were tougher, stronger, meaner. They had come into the stadium of a team looking to solidify its hold on a rivalry and a state, and they’d been the aggressor from the first. Indeed, they were the aggressor from the coin toss. Georgia won it and, rather than do as every coach does in modern football, Mark Richt didn’t defer his choice. He wanted the ball and he wanted it now.
And when his men got it, they pounded Tech in a way Georgia never pounds anybody anymore. Ten plays, all runs, Caleb King and Washaun Ealey taking turns, the unassuming offensive line blowing massive holes in the Tech line. Ten plays, all runs, and just like that Georgia was ahead in a game it was supposed to lose.
Give Richt credit: All week he had to answer questions — one from me on the Wednesday SEC teleconference — about the need for change in his program, and in this game he did change. He and Mike Bobo eschewed the fancy stuff and just Lombardi’ed the game plan, and it was beautiful in its brutality. Three Tech defenders had to be helped off the field in the first half, and after 30 minutes Georgia had outgained the nation’s No. 7 team by 141 yards and had outscored it by 14 points.
But it was only a year ago in Athens that Georgia had led by 16 points at the half, and within seven minutes that lead was gone. Everyone knew Tech would again come out flying, and sure enough the Jackets scored on their first possession. But Georgia needed only one play to answer, Caleb King taking a handoff and fleeing 75 yards. And from then on Tech was chasing, and in the end the fleet Jackets couldn’t run fast enough.
It came down to one possession. Georgia up six, Tech with a chance to win. The Jackets moved across midfield but unaccountably stopped running the ball. Four consecutive passes, the first three nicely defensed, the fourth simply dropped. (The second and third passes were defended by Reshad Jones, the Georgia safety who’d spent the last year answering questions about his missed tackle of Tech’s Roddy Jones.) And suddenly Georgia was the second-best team in Georgia no longer.
Richt and Bobo and Willie Martinez had outflanked the new genius Paul Johnson and had done it without A.J. Green, their best player. And the guys who did play outfought a Tech team known for its pugnacity.
And now we have issues galore. Does one blissful night off North Avenue override the worst season under Richt? Probably not. But for the Bulldogs and their coach and all his coaches, it had to feel good to reclaim state supremacy and to mar what has been a glorious Tech season. (To say nothing of wrecking the ACC title game.) What happens with Martinez and the other assistants can wait until another day. What happened Saturday night was a slice of deliverance 365 days in the making.
Back to our question: Who were these guys? They were the Georgia Bulldogs, only they weren’t the Georgia Bulldogs that contrived to lose five games this season. These were Bulldogs from a different time, a time when Georgia football was power football. (The Bulldogs rushed for 339 yards, the highest total under Richt.)
And if this is the way Georgia football it to look in 2010 and beyond … well, maybe the future isn’t so grim after all. Maybe the future is big and brawny thing.
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1,342 comments Add your comment
gabriel
November 29th, 2009
4:01 am
Good win. Tech was able to stay close because of the same crap all year,special team foulups, missed tackles, blown coverage on the flat pass at the beginning of the 3rd qt. Martinez still must go.
It's 4 AM...guess what I'm doing?
November 29th, 2009
4:06 am
Watching the replay right now…just had to experience it again!
slimdog
November 29th, 2009
4:30 am
I don’t know if it has already been brought up; but has a decision been made on whether Russ will be the permanent mascot for the Dawgs? I know that he was supposed to be a fill-in for the Tech game but doesn’t this victory open up the question of whether he should fill in permanently?
bugsquacher
November 29th, 2009
4:50 am
1. HEY SAINT SIMONS get used to seeing this score 30-24….. you will see it for the next 364 days. Choke on it!
2. HEY TECH FOOTBALL PLAYERS, you were the number 7 team in the Nation? my A$$…..
3. HEY TECH ALUMI, you talked of a national championship… OMG, I told you to quit drinking the kool-aid
4. HEY ACC, what do you think about your ACC championship game now? Both Tech and Clemson lost to unranked SEC teams…… Gosh, I bet the Orange Bowl cant wait to have either play now…..
5. HEY MARK BRADLEY…. this article doesnt even begin to get you out of the Dawg House, what was your prediction before the game Tech 42 – GA 27. What an idiot….
6. HEY TECH FANS, 30-24, NO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, NO TOP TEN FINISH, ……… SHUT THE HELL UP! WHEN YOU WANT TO PLAY REAL FOOTBALL, MOVE TO THE SEC, UNTIL THEN, SHUT THE HELL UP, YOU TRADE SCHOOL NERDS….. UGA KICKED YOUR #7 RANKING A$$!
GO DAWGS
GO DAWGS
GO DAWGS…..WE OWN THE STATE OF GA!!!!!!
GO DAWGS
GO DAWGS
GO DAWGS
BCDawg
November 29th, 2009
4:59 am
TO HELL WITH TECH!!!
Lane
November 29th, 2009
5:01 am
Remember all of you “Bulldog Faithful”, St. Vince had some horrible years in the 70″s, CMR is without question the best coach we have ever had!!!
Suggestion’s, do what you do best:
Watch a little Glenn Beck
Eat some “Cue”, because , “Cue”, is you
Listen to “Rush”
Stick to your Republican “principles and values”-whatever that means
Oh, Don’t get off the couch, you may break a sweat
slimdog
November 29th, 2009
5:15 am
The Orange Bowl does should not be held at Player Stadium since an ACC Champion will be there. They should play this game at the old Orange Bowl. This will be representative of the caliber of football in the ACC as compared to that of the SEC!
slimdog
November 29th, 2009
5:17 am
Tech tried to buy SEC officials and still lost! I have never seen such a stretch of bad calls in my life. Even on the play after the challenge that Georgia won, it was clear that the Tech QB still did not get in!
tankman
November 29th, 2009
5:18 am
One game does not a season make. But, oh “how sweet it is” when that one game is GT! Nothing else needs to be said. GO DAWGS!!!!
bugsquacher
November 29th, 2009
5:27 am
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bugsquacher
November 29th, 2009
5:28 am
choke on it tech!
bugsquacher
November 29th, 2009
5:29 am
HOW BOUT’ THEM DAWGS!
John, lighten up.
November 29th, 2009
5:37 am
John, if Moreno and Stafford had stayed, if Asher had stayed, if, if, if, we beat Tech, dude. Enjoy it.
HOW BOUT THEM DAWGSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Reality
November 29th, 2009
5:48 am
LMFAO!!! There are more posts on the Tech board by idiot ugay fans than there are posts on this ugag board, total! Just too funny!!!
Cali Dawg
November 29th, 2009
5:48 am
Adios Willie…and by the way – Tech, You’re a joke. Gimmick Offense, no defense and the reason the line was only 7.5 at kick off for such a “powerhouse team” against UGA is because the entire United States of America KNOWS you’re a JOKE and doesn’t believe in YOU. GET IT?!
Reality
November 29th, 2009
5:50 am
Did a ugay player really take some grass from the field? OMG! That is just too funny!!!! Is it supposed to be like when we take the hedges? LOL!
Cali Dawg
November 29th, 2009
5:50 am
Hey Tech, How does Victory’s A$$ taste?
Saint Gina
November 29th, 2009
5:51 am
Dear Saint Gina, m, and Yellow Fuzz – it feels so good for the world to be right now. I love rubbing it in your vagines for another year. Georgia owns your azz. I’m sure you punks won’t be on the message board for another seven or eight years. The sheriff in town is Richt and I’m glad it hurts so bad you NEEEEEERRRRRRDDDDSSSSSS!!!!! Tuck Fech.
'65 DAWG
November 29th, 2009
5:59 am
NOW THAT’S MORE LIKE IT!
winterdawg
November 29th, 2009
6:06 am
Reality is in a lot of pain this morning. He just can’t stand it. GO DAWGS!!!
winterdawg
November 29th, 2009
6:08 am
I said earlier this week that this game was more important for Tech than Georgia. They all just laughed and said Clemson was bigger. Well, both ACC championship teams lost to the SEC anc now that game has minimal national significance. Congrats on the choke by the Coke losers!
Go Russ
November 29th, 2009
6:09 am
I had a Techie tell me he sent off for Rose Bowl tickets(that’s gone), Orange Bowl tickets(Clemson wins and that’s gone). He didn’t register for Chick-fil-a tickets though, should he? How sweet to see 2 middle of the pack SEC teams beat the 2 ACC Championship teams.
Saint Simmons this one was for you…8 out of 9 Go Dawgs.
30-24 HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Felix the Cat
November 29th, 2009
6:09 am
Looks like Techs Defensive Coordinator needs to be fired before Willie.. That was a terrible excuse for a representing team for the ACC title. Saint Simons stick that in your a hole for a year.
Joey
November 29th, 2009
6:13 am
Way to go Dawgs!! Funny how the two teams playing for the ACC championship got beat by a couple of average SEC teams today though.
JDM
November 29th, 2009
6:19 am
Hey st simons climb back in your hole hahahahahaha
JDM
November 29th, 2009
6:20 am
Hey Joey you are so right SEC SEC SEC
Reality
November 29th, 2009
6:22 am
Honestly, who cares about South Carolina? Who cares about ugay? Who cares about SEC?
The REALITY of the situation is that GA Tech can still play in a BCS bowl and ugay cannot. GA Tech has a 10 win season and ugay has no chance. Ugay will play in a minor bowl.
And, that REALITY tears up you sorry low-class “fans”.
Would we have preferred for Tech to beat ugag? Of course. Would we trade a win against you for a possible trip to the Orange Bowl? Get real! That Orange Bowl trophy would look mighty good on campus.
Without a doubt, the “bigger fish” for us is next week against Clemson and then hopefully in the Orange Bowl. You guys can go listen to country music in Nashville or go eat crawdads in Shrevport – and good luck to you. (see, Tech fans are classy compared to ugay fans)
Nate
November 29th, 2009
6:26 am
ACC defenses are weak. MSU and Wake Forest put 30-40 points on the Tech defense. Still defense is UGA’s problem: fire Willie!
AllenWaters
November 29th, 2009
6:27 am
Rap on GT! 8-1 in the past 9 years! LSU whipped U last year and we beat them in LA! Good luck in the ACC against Clempsun. Enjoy SSimons! CU in Athens next year!
winterdawg
November 29th, 2009
6:27 am
Given that we have actually played in BCS bowls this decade, I’ll take beating Tech in their best season in 20 years and our worst season n 20 years. It doesn’t feel as good as winning the SEC title game but it definitely beats any BCS bowl we have played in this decade. GO DAWGS!!!
Steven
November 29th, 2009
6:28 am
Dawgs beat the Jackets on Saturday night and the ol’ ball coach and his Gamecocks beat the Tigers Saturday afternoon. Does that mean UGA and USC play for the ACC championship in Tampa next Saturday. Those two ACC teams that are on top of their conference will use the excuse they are only concerned about their championship game and the loss to the
Dawgs and Gamecocks doesn’t matter. Yea right
Nate
November 29th, 2009
6:33 am
Hey Bradley,
Did Dooley give a Richt a phone call before the game with an old school game plan? Best D is a good running game.
winterdawg
November 29th, 2009
6:38 am
Let’s see who cares about South Carolina? Clemson!
Who cares about UGA? Ummmmm, Tech!
The question is- who DOESN’T care about any ACC team? THE BCS!!!
AllenWaters
November 29th, 2009
6:38 am
Rap on St Simons! Size your rings this year! 8-1 the past 9! I like Coach Johnson because of GSU! Good luck in the acc game with Clempsun! Look forward to next year in Athens because we are going to beat U again! If we would have had Stafford and Moreno we would probably be undefeated and NC.
Joey
November 29th, 2009
6:41 am
I don’t know who is airing the ACC (almost competitive conference) championship game, but that will be a ratings nightmare. Their two best teams couldn’t beat two average teams from the SEC. HAHAHA!! By the way Reality, classy isn’t calling people gay NERD!
Kevin
November 29th, 2009
6:45 am
well we heard how ACC can match vs SEC teams 0-2 here i see..well GT now that clemson seen u lose now they have a wonderful romp in the park in Tampa next sat…by score of 43-14!
Kevin
November 29th, 2009
6:51 am
And at Tampa before a crowd of Varisty workers n chic-fila staff clemson man handles Tech 43-14.In that game Buzz was toss from press box landin on on of the players no harm was done cause Buzz was neuterd before game at Grant field after Ga won…O St Simon u got them rings made sayin ACC chokers ready!@
Indydawg
November 29th, 2009
6:53 am
Best offensive mind ever. Dopes.
Your spoonfest will have to wait a few more weeks Bradley!!!!
Tech = Weak
They call em the Ramblin Wreck for a reason….
Now go ahead and lose the last two games so that your debacle will be complete!
Bye Willie
November 29th, 2009
6:55 am
GOODBYE WILLIE!! One more bowl game and you are officially gone.. Let the party begin, we can actually return to consistant power on the D with martinez gone, not up one game and down 5. The win against Tech was great, but willie was nothing more than a spectator on the sidelines. Willie you suck, hope you find a spot back in miami where you belong.
Bye Willie
November 29th, 2009
6:57 am
Wake ME UP when TECH has to play UGA’s schedule.. then we will see if they are even in the top 50.
whachagot Loren
November 29th, 2009
6:59 am
Larry, I am sitting here in the techie student fan section and you just would not believe this. Sitting here is Bradley, and Schultz, and even ole Barnhardt. Paul Johnson has just left the field and had to use a broom to get through the mass of insects that Georgia has just left on Dodd field, amazing Larry.
So the story is that the writers from ajc are sitting here around a white linen clad table, with napkins tucked in the front of their shirt collars and Paul Johnson, with his Notre Dame coaching direction tucked under his arms, and is serving of all things, CROW! Darnedest thing I have ever seen. I have tried to get answers out of them and they just can’t talk right now.
Schultz has just downed a wing, I think it is, feathers all hanging out of his face, and Bradley, there goes a thigh I think, and Barnhardt, is about to eat a gizzard or something or other.
And Larry, you will never guess who is here – It’s the new mascot, Russ, his head is all bleeding, and I must add, he just is not as pretty as the other UGA’s, what being not solid white, but I must tell you Larry, he has to be the prettiest dang dawg I have ever laid my eyes on.
So there you have it Larry, these fellas sitting here, eating their crow, in the presence of the new UGA – RUSS!!! Oh wait a minute, whats that, the sky is raining bugs again Larry, the place is being fummigated one more time. They have just set off another fummigation and bugs are everywhere, everywhere I tell you!
REM
November 29th, 2009
7:06 am
Hey St. Simons, all is not lost. Next week in Tampa, you get a chance to prove that Georgia’s second best team is better than South Carolina’s second best team. And if you win, you guys can get “championship” rings and have them engraved with “30-24″.
Herschel Talker
November 29th, 2009
7:10 am
Reality @ 6:22 -
Those sound like the words of a loser who is trying to rationalize your loss. We all applaud you, you loser. Try teaching CPJ how to call plays in crunch time or try teaching Demarius Thomas how to catch a ball when it matters.
30-24!!! Just a reminder!!!
Dawgmaster
November 29th, 2009
7:15 am
Yellowflies. ATTENTION – ALL YELLOWFLIES! Please take your rightful place as the 2nd best team in the great state of Georgia!
DAWG80
November 29th, 2009
7:17 am
ACC…….ALL CUPCAKE CONFERENCE, NEED I SAY MORE?
Big G
November 29th, 2009
7:17 am
Conratulations to ga for the embarrassing ass whoopin they put on GT. I left San Francisco two days early to come to watch this beat down? I will say this however, I am damn glad to be a Gerogia Tech fan. Last night just confirms why I loathe everything about your institution. The uga fanbase doesn’t know what winning with dignity or class means. It is like they are taught to be obnoxious and disgusting in victory. I have faith Paul Johnson will remember this defeat and get revenge.
Enjoy the win for 364 days, it’s more fun to win at your house anyway.
DAWG80
November 29th, 2009
7:19 am
Willie a Uhaul will be provided to you soon!
Chan Gailey
November 29th, 2009
7:30 am
It took a miracle game agains the worst game for Tech and even then, everyone in the stadium thought Georgia would lose after the missed field goal. Richt has lost that program and if you don’t realize it now, you will again next year when you suck at 6-6 again. You know you have problems and a terrible coaching staff.
ugabball
November 29th, 2009
7:31 am
Good job RUSS!!! Way to fill in and instill some fight into this team. How about that the 2 best ACC teams fall to 2 middle of the pack SEC teams yesterday.
H2D
November 29th, 2009
7:39 am
Roflmao..i smell another 7 game win streak..poor techies, waking up this morning again feeling like the red headed step child that got beat up last night.