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
Willie saves his job
November 29th, 2009
9:23 am
now all you UGA leghumpers want to give Slick Willie oral sex for beating Tech. LOL
td
November 29th, 2009
9:24 am
HH and Fla DAWG, You two can not even enjoy a good win without bringing out some made up negative. You two are not fans this program needs and really need to sell your season tickets, burn your gear and start find another team to start micro managing. You two are worse than any of the tech fans on these blogs because they are at least loyal to their program while all you want to do is run down ours.
This program is ready for a purge. No not the coaches, not the players but the unloyal, no it all, micro managing fans that can not even enjoy a win over tech. Just for your sake I am sending my prayers up for CMR to take NO action and make NO changes to the coaching staff just to run fans like you off.
EZ Dog
November 29th, 2009
9:24 am
Yeah, from what I have been reading Saint Simons, you are pretty limp…
limp..get it…Nesbit had to limp his way through the game, because, did you hear,? The Georgia defense waited for the exact moment to tackle him just so and then all 11 defenders jumped up and down on his leg, while the SEC officials cheered. Can you believe it? BTY 30 – 24. 8-1. ACC consolation contest next week for Clemson and Bees. What a championship that will be…you must be proud!!!
» SEC links: Georgia shocks Tech, Tebow bows out John Clay’s Sidelines
November 29th, 2009
9:26 am
[...] Mark Bradley of the AJC reports that Georgia finds the power to topple Georgia Tech. [...]
InsectInside
November 29th, 2009
9:26 am
No surprises here. The usual, slobbering, simple-minded posts we expect from UGA. 10 pages of posts including about a half a dozen lucid, sensible, coherent, analytical comments.
John
November 29th, 2009
9:26 am
If Erk had been defensive coordinator we would have been 12-0.
PAUL JOHNSON LOL
November 29th, 2009
9:27 am
GT is still the Joke by Coke….
Paul Johnson is sooooo great…..The AJC has push this weak program all year long to make you think they were good LOL. Congrats to the ACC CHAMPS UGA. FYI Tech has won 2 games in the last 10 games.
Just think if AJ Green or Rambo played in this game.
DawgFan24
November 29th, 2009
9:27 am
Dont get on Bradley’s Case, I would say Jeff Shultz is more of a Nerd Lover. And Screw all you Fair weather Bulldawg fans who are now coming out of the woodwork to celebrate this fine victory. We dont need you.
(((30-24))) I’ve Been Saying it ALL YEAR LONG! ITS GREAT TO BE A GA BULLDOG!!!
EZ Dog
November 29th, 2009
9:28 am
good diversion bull dyke….your name is diversion enough..go suck one….
rob
November 29th, 2009
9:30 am
Mark Bradley, you are a sycophant, and even worse, you are a hack. Suck on this Johnson stroker.
DawginLex
November 29th, 2009
9:30 am
Paul Johnson, the new sheriff in town?
Problem is he only has 1 bullet in his gun and he used it last year.
SamInAtlanta
November 29th, 2009
9:30 am
The Georgia coaches coached and the players played. Great game for you guys. We never had the ball long enough to do anything. You deserved to win this one. Hope you get a good bowl. As for us, the ACC title game won’t mean quite as much now, but we still have to go for it and hope we get to the Orange Bowl and win there too. 12 and 2 isn’t so bad.
Bo Doodly
November 29th, 2009
9:31 am
((((( 30 24 ))))) hahahahahahaha …….. Where are the two Pussie Brothers, Yellow Fuzz and Saint Simons? Can’t stand the heat, the pussies.
DawgRock
November 29th, 2009
9:31 am
Russ for Uga VIII!!! Russ for Uga VIII!!!Russ for Uga VIII!!!Russ for Uga VIII!!!Russ for Uga VIII!!!Russ for Uga VIII!!!Russ for Uga VIII!!!Russ for Uga VIII!!!Russ for Uga VIII!!!Russ for Uga VIII!!!
Jim R
November 29th, 2009
9:32 am
Looks as if CMR talked to Coach Dooley. Except for a few defensive plays this could have been a Dooley team. Think about it. McClendon, Hampton, Hearst. Good old UGA rockem sockem football.
BullDawgMike
November 29th, 2009
9:32 am
Well CPJ , since you don’t think too highly of this games importance, maybe you won’t feel so bad when you lose a prize recruit to the dawgs once again. Coach, I know you are in a different conference, but this game is extremly important in many ways. And believe me ,you will find out….
Dave In Tampa
November 29th, 2009
9:32 am
After yesterday I don’t think there is any doubt about the differences between the ACC & SEC. HUGE! 2 middle of the pact SEC teams beat the ACC league Champions. Good grief.
I’d like to recommend that after today Dawgs fans let’s not be as obnoxiuos as m, St. Simons and a couple others by repeating the score everyday. I know a good bit of Tech people that even agreed that was so bad. I mean keep up the bragging rights, but let’s prove that we DO have more class than m, St. Simons and company.
GT good luck next week against Clemson. Make the state proud!
SouthGaDawg
November 29th, 2009
9:32 am
Hey Mark,
How does that crow taste?
Ha ha ha.
Bo Doodly
November 29th, 2009
9:33 am
The top two ACC teams defeated by two UNRANKED SEC teams…..((((( 30 24 ))))) bwahahahahahahaha
Big L
November 29th, 2009
9:33 am
Hey, Nesbitt is a leader. He wanted to go to UGA but would’nt be able to play QB. He even grew up a Dawg fan. He wanted to be a Dawg, settled for a bug.
BigDawg
November 29th, 2009
9:33 am
Congratulations to my beloved Dawgs on a great win. Also I would like to congratulate Tech who got up off the turf and made a game of it. They could have folded but they didn’t which shows character. The Dawgs should have been playing this way all year running the football until the other team stopped them. But as usual a lesson learned a little late hopefully we will see this next year as I expect that we will see the same starting five OL next year and maybe they will get pushed by some of the other OL to gert even better.
Anyway it was a great win and hopefully they will win their bowl game to further salvage something from the season.
Go Dawgs
EZ Dog
November 29th, 2009
9:34 am
Insectinside, thank you for bringing the whole universe back into perspective. What an intelligent being you must be. What planet was that you were from again?
Hey, it sucks to lose…I feel your pain, but just not today. Have a great 2010.
Bo Doodly
November 29th, 2009
9:34 am
Hell NO! I’m gonna remind those two basterds EVERY DAY of the score.
SEC Baby
November 29th, 2009
9:34 am
ACC championship game tickets- buy 1 get 3 free. Tech vs. Clemson WHAT A JOKE!!! GO DAWGS!!!!
Where is St Simons
November 29th, 2009
9:35 am
I had to add:
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
dawgma
November 29th, 2009
9:35 am
Hey MB…where r all those GT posers pretending to be dawg bloggers?
Pathetic little insects on the windshield of SEC football’s roadster.
Bo Doodly
November 29th, 2009
9:36 am
Great Win…but, please, please, please….FREE WILLIE!
Ms. Bulldawg
November 29th, 2009
9:38 am
To quote the late (great) Lewis Grizzard…..”That dog will bite you.”……way to go DAWGS!
Jasper Sanks
November 29th, 2009
9:38 am
Thank you deMARYius !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PI$$ONANERD
November 29th, 2009
9:40 am
GREAT EFFORT NERDS! 364 MORE DAYS OF OWNING YOUR MINDS. BWAHAHA HAHAHAHAH HAHAHAHAHAHA
HT
November 29th, 2009
9:43 am
Don’e be delusional Mark! Our Georgia team IS NOT powerful! In fact, we are going downhill. We are 7-5 and could be 4-8!I say it is time for Richt to go!
jesse james
November 29th, 2009
9:44 am
It was great to be a Georgia Bulldog on Saturday night in Atlanta, Ga. Hell it is great to be a Georgia Bulldog everyday. Hey Tech, your jumbo tron cheerleaders need to learn how to finish the drill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HH
November 29th, 2009
9:45 am
Well, td, let me put it to you this way, Hoss. I’m 61 and been watching UGA football since Tarkenton was the quarterback. I’ve also donated to the Bulldog Club/ Hartman Fund since 1973, the year I graduated from the Medical College of GA. I probably been around a little longer then you and been around the block a time or two more. Twenty years in the Army gives one a perspective most others don’t have. I happen to be a realistic sort, and, one game does not a season make. There are problems that need to be addressed and a win, even one such as this one, need not blind one to that. Richt had better hop on it or folks like you are going to be sadly disappointed. Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving.
DawgRock
November 29th, 2009
9:45 am
No way. We love Coach Richt!
Saint Simons
November 29th, 2009
9:45 am
Doesn’t matter, we are in a Championship game next weekend – where will the pups be? Watching GT on tv!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
Tacusa
November 29th, 2009
9:47 am
Maybe the NCAA will replace the ACC as a BCS conference with the WAC or CUSA
Big L
November 29th, 2009
9:47 am
If the defense had been this consistent all year, whew.
Daniel
November 29th, 2009
9:48 am
Mark Bradley, Jeff Schultz, Tim Tucker, Mr. College Football…How does the crow taste B!tches
Damon Evans
November 29th, 2009
9:48 am
To Coach Richt:
I think you are right about switching to the ACC. It does not look like we can beat the Gators. I just learned that they are going to sign the greatest class in recruiting history. I guess Urban can recruit his own players.
I will let you know what I find out about us going to the ACC in a trade with Clemson to the SEC. We can beat ACC teams, but never will defeat the Gators.
PI$$ONANERD
November 29th, 2009
9:48 am
ENJOY YOUR “CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.” UGA OWNS YOUR MNIND FOR 364 MORE DAYS – REMEMBER THAT??
andrew horne
November 29th, 2009
9:48 am
Now we get to watch Tech and Clemson in a pillow fight in the A (She) (She) Championship game, what a joke! The SEC is the best conference in all of college football. That is why #1 & #2 are from the SEC!
P.S. Saint Simons it is going to be a long year for you! 30-24!!!!!!!!!!
Rich
November 29th, 2009
9:48 am
I thought that Tech did not matter to UGA?
Time
November 29th, 2009
9:49 am
Ahh, been a fun morning rubbing it in to all Johnson lovers (pun intended) that I know. All year long, I’ve had to hear about the greatness of Tech and how UGA was done. Some of these fools even argued that they should be playing for the National title. All along I told these supposedly so smart people that anyone with even a ounce of real football knowledge could see that Tech was not that talented, and their success this year was directly tied to a incredibly weak, barely above HS level ACC. Bobo doesn’t go away from the power running game for large chunks of the second half, and UGA wins that game by 17 or so.
Martinez, who actually called a rare good game last night, still needs to go. Beating up on a weak ACC team hopefully will not save his job. Bobo needs to go back to what he does well, coaching the QB’s. He’s so outmatched as a playcaller it’s not even funny.
Clemson is going to spank the Techies as well. They’re not all that good either, but they do have one of the rarest things in the ACC – a player of SEC caliber. CJ Spiller is going to run wild all over the roaches. Not that it really matters in this supposed “championship” game.
Joseph
November 29th, 2009
9:49 am
if nesbitt doesnt get hurt, GT wins easy, nuff said.
DP Dawg
November 29th, 2009
9:50 am
Suck It Saint Simons!
((((30 24)))) hahahahahahahahaha
HAPPY DAWG
November 29th, 2009
9:50 am
Way to play ole Johnny’s game!! HAHAHA!! Washaun Ealey is the next big thing!!!! GOO DAWGS!!!
Jim R
November 29th, 2009
9:50 am
We also could be 9-3 and going to the Gator bowl HT. Georgia played the way we knew they could play. Let’s display some class here guys. Hope Tech wins every game next year except for UGA.
EZ Dog
November 29th, 2009
9:51 am
Saint Simmons, you have now become irrelevant.
go start a bee worship blog..
PI$$ONANERD
November 29th, 2009
9:51 am
IF ‘IFS AND BUTS’ WERE CANDIES AND NUTS….
GT Boss Man
November 29th, 2009
9:51 am
Carfull what you say dawg fans. We will remimber it wen you come in for a intirview.