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
jason
November 29th, 2009
10:19 am
Anybody still arguing how good and how much potential #9 Jones has. He played a heck of a game. UGA’s defense as a whole was outstanding. In all three fazes. Weston and Owens, and Houston on the DL. Rennie and Dent at LB, and Jones in the secondary. Jones took over that last drive by Tech. Jones was agrressive at getting to the line to help in the run defense, while also being deep to play pass defense. Jones was actually covering WRs in man. Had 7 tkls, 1 int (almost 2). Only mad one bad play. While covering Thomas, he went for the int.; should have played the WR. But all well, one mistake amid all the great plays.
1eyedJack
November 29th, 2009
10:20 am
Cable King just danced through the GT secondary for another touchdown!!
There’s a new sheriff in town, his name is Paul Johnson, and he’s a loser to the DAWGS, just like Chan Gailey.
We stomped a mudhole in GT’s dream season.
Washaun Ealey…..first down!!
Ogre
November 29th, 2009
10:20 am
Nerrrrrrrrrrds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds! Nerds!
jason
November 29th, 2009
10:22 am
Old Dawg, I agrre. Wasn’t m who was bragging about Tech beating the SEC teams like MSU?
I try not to bash on Tech. I am a fan when not playing UGA, but some fans of Tech’s make it hard to do so. I know UGA has their own also. To the Tech fans, I want to say that that was one heck of a game. I knew you guys were going to come back. A team as good as your was not going to lie down. Congrats on a great season, now go whip Clemson’s but and get that BCS bowl.
jason
November 29th, 2009
10:25 am
After watching this game you have to wonder what type of identity UGA will have on offense next year. If CMR was doubting it. After last night CMR has to move Samuel to LB. UGA has a 2-Headed monster at RB. We also have 2 dependable TEs (Charles being a beast). We have some really good complimentery WRs to AJ in King and Wooten. And hopefully, the OL will get even more consistent next year.
Dog4Life
November 29th, 2009
10:25 am
Saint Simons, where are you???? 30-24 Hahahahaha!!!
jesse james
November 29th, 2009
10:27 am
Yea! where are all the Tech fans that were on here last week. I know, the same place they were during the seven year losing streak. 8 out of 9 and haven’t won at Grant Field since 1999. And they come on here and blast our team and coaching staff. If you are going to talk the talk you got to walk the walk.
april glaspie
November 29th, 2009
10:27 am
3rd and ten Tech , end of game, that was an INT. SEC officials not going down without a fight. And how ’bout that ACC championship game? Tech goes down, Clemons embarrassed by South Carolina. Wonderful.
Big L
November 29th, 2009
10:28 am
Gotta go take a Tech and wipe my Florida.
BitDawgBarking
November 29th, 2009
10:28 am
Joseph
November 29th, 2009
9:49 am
if nesbitt doesnt get hurt, GT wins easy, nuff said.
Yeah right! If UGA doesn’t drop 2 TD passes and A.J. Green plays Tech losses by 3 TDs. Just another whining, excuse making, little Tech girl puzzy. You just can’t man up Joseph. Sissy!
TCFATL
November 29th, 2009
10:30 am
Funny how the AJC has effectively buried its GA vs. GT coverage.
Your dying business model shows. All season you trumpeted GT to drive circulation. That just blew up in your face – your Op / Ed section always got it wrong and embraced the wrong viewpoints and political criminals, but now your Sports section has withered and died in the same vain, too.
Also, funny how both ACC “champions” go down on the same evening. The ACC is an utter joke, there are high school teams in Georgia that could beat their best.
GT thinks it is so smart because they know differential equations. GA knows differential equations too. The differential is you are mere children. We kicked sand in your face on your own beach, took your girlfriend, and showed her what a real man is. Take that you worthless NERDS!
Birddog
November 29th, 2009
10:31 am
I have read all year what Tech was going to do to the Dogs. Where are they today?
This shows you how strong the SEC is and how weak the ACC is.
GO DAWGS!
Sugar Hill Dawg
November 29th, 2009
10:31 am
Sweet!!! This one doesn’t reverse all of the negatives from 2009, but it sure helps. With Clemson’s egg in Columbia, it does make one wonder just how good is the ACC. (Apparently, not too good!) How ‘BOUT Them Dawgs! (Here’s a vote for Russ to step up and take care of bidness!)
Bad Dawg
November 29th, 2009
10:32 am
St. Simons Swallows Again, how does it taste biatch?
The Smartest Bulldog
November 29th, 2009
10:32 am
Now let’s see who the smartest bulldog is: http://smartestbulldog.com
Herschel Talker
November 29th, 2009
10:33 am
Its a GREAT DAY to be a Georgia Bulldog! Go Dawgs Sic Em Woof Woof! LMAO Freakin Bumblebees got RAN the Freak over lol! Wait hold on We just took another one to the house! LMAO Triple option??? NOT
McDawg
November 29th, 2009
10:35 am
Gimmicks-here is one-pretend you are running out the clock before the half-wait for the other team to leave the field and then call a time out
Producer
November 29th, 2009
10:36 am
Richt can take a breath. He just saved in job for next year.
UKnowY
November 29th, 2009
10:37 am
To saint simons, pi$$onadawg, m, fuzz, ramble on
30-24, 8 out of the last 9 years and to the acc championship game=can’t beat the sec bowl!!!
jason
November 29th, 2009
10:38 am
april glaspie, That was one heck of a play by #9, but he didn’t get his foot down with possession of the ball. Actually they coud have called pass interference on #9 if they wanted to. Being that it was Jones, I was surprised that it wasn’t called. Refs seem to single #9 out when they want to screw UGA.
NGD
November 29th, 2009
10:38 am
GT doesn’t have winning streaks, they have 1 year shrieks vs the ‘Dogs.
Hurts to eat the crow huh, Tech!?! Ramblin, SS & others run their mouths ad nauseum but OUCH, The University of Georgia Bulldogs OWN ‘Tech & you KNOW it!
St Simons is a beautiful place in our fair state. I live there much of the time. It is also deep rooted Red & Black 100% UGA country without rival or question. My guess is “St Simons” the pest doesn’t live there & already knows what I’m saying & has copped that handle just to jab ‘Dawg people. Try all you want “Saint” but the Golden Isle known as SSI is affectionately & solely Dawg territory.
Now “enjoy” the next year until UGA whips you again, Tech. Your high school offense fooled us for 1 game. Back to the slide rules to figure out another strategy!
30-24 & it was worse than that!
UKnowY
November 29th, 2009
10:38 am
now all the nerd fans can stop worrying about football and get back to playing world of warcraft
77DAWG
November 29th, 2009
10:39 am
Don’t keep him CMR, you can bring this team to the much better promise land. He is not up to the SEC DC standard. It’s costed GA 2-3 big wins EVERY year for the past 4 years. For the inbreded child Saint Simons, at least I don’t have to see that childist post for a year. Thanks God.
Robert Gearhart
November 29th, 2009
10:39 am
If you have any Georgia Tech stuff on your car it qualifies you for Handicapped Parking!!
jason
November 29th, 2009
10:40 am
McDawg actually, CMR should have called a TO there. It was 4 and like 17. Should have forced Tech to punt and try a return for a TD or set up a FG try. There was 40 Sec. left. At worst UGA could just kneel the ball and walk into half time.
Alabama Jack
November 29th, 2009
10:41 am
Okay mutts, for one night you had the better team. I’ll give you full credit for that. But before you get too chippy, remember it took your best game of the season, a hurt GT QB and a dropped pass at the end to beat us by 6. We will be back.
So congratulations, but remember……….
1eyedJack
November 29th, 2009
10:42 am
Saint Simons, M, Yellow Fuzz, where are you? Glad it hurts sooooo bad!!
Bucky Belue hand it to Herschel
November 29th, 2009
10:43 am
Vols & Gator you’re next, payback next year when you get run over by the Bulldogs Bad Azz Express, no Tebow to save you anymore, we will Be back on top next year winning SEC East, I guarantee it!
49DAWG
November 29th, 2009
10:43 am
(2) 6-5 SEC teams (Georgia & South Carolina) beat the elite of the ACC (Georgia Tech & Clemson)!!!! Hope this doesn’t put a damper on their championship game!!!!!!!
EZ Dog
November 29th, 2009
10:45 am
Tampa Gator. seriously dude, nobody ares what you think here. go worship TEBOW. Even though your arrogance suggests it, this just aint about you.
EZ Dog
November 29th, 2009
10:46 am
Tampa Gator. seriously dude, nobody cares what you think here. go worship TEBOW. Even though your arrogance suggests it, this just aint about you.
Statue for CPJ
November 29th, 2009
10:48 am
Good win UGA. Formula for win:
(limited penalties) + (limited turnovers) + (knock Nesbitt out for series) = win
Where was this disciplined UGA team all season? Once again, can we get an interview with Willy?
East Atlanta
November 29th, 2009
10:49 am
ALL THE WAY…FAILURE! Eat it, nerds! This is what what happens when you talk trash for a year…you write checks with your mouth that your a$$ can’t cash! The ACC is a basketball conference, you’re a fifth-tier football program, WE STILL OWN YOU, and you can’t say a damn thing about it because you couldn’t protect your own tiny house last night. Good luck in the ACC Championship game, aka “The Game To Decide The Eventual Representative Of The Sixth-Best BCS Conference, Not Including TCU And Boise State”. LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSERS!
takedowndawg
November 29th, 2009
10:49 am
tampagator, More Diversified?????More Nuaunced, brighter, smarter etc…you get my drift. Generally speaking in most fields that is defined as: weakened. Particularly, in the private sector. Still, gator what are you going to do when it is 3rd down and 3 for FD?????? Tebow will not be there to bail you out!!!! More Diversified. Enough said.
TampaGator
November 29th, 2009
10:49 am
At least your in-state rivalry game is currently competitive.
jason
November 29th, 2009
10:49 am
I want to give a shout out and some props to Quinton Banks for his great play in limited opputunities last night. Banks has battled knee injuries throughout his UGA career and was forced into action when Evans fell to injury ( I know there are people out there who were applauding that injury). Banks mad 2 tackles that I saw. The most important being an assist on the goal line preventing Nesbit from scoring on the 1 yd line. That was key because it forced Tech to burn another minute off the clock hurting their chances even more of a comeback. Congrats Banks, you are a Damn good DAWG.
East Atlanta
November 29th, 2009
10:51 am
ALL THE WAY…FAILURE! Eat it, nerds! This is what what happens when you talk trash for a year…you write checks with your mouth that your a$$ can’t cash! The ACC is a basketball conference, you’re a fifth-tier football program, WE STILL OWN YOU, and you can’t say a damn thing about it because you couldn’t protect your own tiny house last night. Good luck in the ACC Championship game, aka ‘The Game To Decide The Eventual Represntative Of The Sixth-Best BCS Conference, Not Including TCU And Boise State”. LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSERS!
Tuch Feck
November 29th, 2009
10:53 am
Tech is my bee-otch….24-30 has a nice “ring” to it….Thought Paul Johnson was the greatest coach ever? He got out-coached last night….King and Ealey are still running untouched….
george brannen
November 29th, 2009
10:53 am
i guess this will slow down the rush to put Paul Johnson in the college Hall of Fame
TampaGator
November 29th, 2009
10:54 am
takedown…Brantley (obviously, you have not watched him play) is more athletic than Tebow. Not more powerful, but more athletic. He also might be (with the kid from Arkansas) the most gifted passer in the SEC right now. Next year, teams will not just line up to stop Tebow runs. They will have to stop the tailback either on a dive, option, or out of the I-formation (with Brantly keeping and running for 10 yards at times on the option like Smith did at Utah). They will also have to stop the short or long pass with maybe the most precise passer in the SEC in Brantley next year. That is all that needs to be said. You don’t have to believe me. You didn’t believe me last year either when I told you the Gator D would dominate in 2008.
The Grinch
November 29th, 2009
10:56 am
Riiiiiight. Johnson owns Richt. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
General Sherman
November 29th, 2009
10:57 am
RUSS,IS NOW THE OFFICIAL UGA V111!
TampaGator
November 29th, 2009
10:57 am
takedown…..P.S. I beg to differ about the meaning of diversified. Usually the term is brought up in marketing strategy meetings to indicate positioning ones self for improvement and strength. Maybe you should go back and retake your Marketing 101 class at the University of Georgia.
The Grinch
November 29th, 2009
10:58 am
tech, who is having their best season in 9 years, still loses to uga, who is having their WORST season in 9 years.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
Thogwummpy
November 29th, 2009
11:00 am
All that said….our tackling was STILL horrid—and again with dumb, costly personal foul penalty stuff; and heart-stopping fumbles, dropped passes. So, basking in this is nice—but the fact is, this is still a sloppy team that is under-disciplined. If that doesn’t change, the Dawgs are going to be mired in mediocrity for years to come.
Sanford Drive
November 29th, 2009
11:00 am
The best part of this win is not having to hear from Yellow Fuzz anymore.
jason
November 29th, 2009
11:01 am
TampaGator, you guys have had a heck of a season and a nice run in the Tebow era, but if Brabtley is going to be everything you say, you guys will have to find some WRs. You saw what Tebow went through this year with only Hernandez as an option; at least until Cooper started coming on. Question, is Hernandez gone or coming back?
The Grinch
November 29th, 2009
11:01 am
tech fans….”we’ll dominate the state for years to come now that johnson is here”……..BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Maddawg
November 29th, 2009
11:01 am
To the tune of Yech’s fight song….
“I’m glad I’m from Georgia and not from Georgia Yech,
I’m glad I’m a Bulldog and not a Wramblin’ Wreck,
Georgia’s so much better as anyone can tell,
Oh, glory to Ole Georgia
And Tech can go to hell !!!”
Big L
November 29th, 2009
11:01 am
man , that tech I took stinks. Just like the real one.