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
jbeggs
November 29th, 2009
1:18 pm
Since we beat South Carolina earlier this year – does that make us automatic ACC champs?
Duke
November 29th, 2009
1:21 pm
jbeggs…would we really want to be champions of such a sorry conference?
Coffee Bluff DAWG
November 29th, 2009
1:29 pm
It’s UGA vs USC in the ACC Championship game. The bugs and Clemson cannot make the trip due to numerous injuries.
Sanford Drive
November 29th, 2009
1:31 pm
I thought Willie Martinez was supposed to resign today. So much for that.
takedowndawg
November 29th, 2009
1:34 pm
Techies, you were dominated in the trenches on both sides of the ball(especially OL)but the defensive line also held their own pretty well. or else your backs would have scored everytime they touched the ball. The middle 4 to 3 holes were jammed last night. Kudos to Weston and Owens and Atkins.
1eyedJack
November 29th, 2009
1:35 pm
This just in!!!!…..Caleb King just scored again….Paul Johnson is after all, human…..Tech once again irrelevant…..Washaun Ealey, another first down…..Tech player down, time out…..Caleb King, untouched, TOUCHDOWN!!!
jaglaw
November 29th, 2009
1:36 pm
NEWS FLASH……… The ACC has just applied for “bail out” money form the feds. Looks like they are blaming their scheduling against superior SEC teams as part of the complaint.
jaglaw
November 29th, 2009
1:38 pm
If it werent for the great strip clubs in Tampa, the only fans attending the ACC Champ. Game would be the players’ families. Thank God for Mons Venus.
74 Dawg
November 29th, 2009
1:39 pm
From my 5:26 pm post yesterday: “To win this game Ga has to physically pound Tech.” Am I good or what? This win will shut up the Techies for a couple weeks. Now let’s all rush over to the Tech blog and act like idiots. So not.
jaglaw
November 29th, 2009
1:41 pm
King and Ealey lost 10 lbs each during the game. Who says running isnt the best exercise?
cantondawg
November 29th, 2009
1:49 pm
Tampagator,
I have no doubt that Florida will be good next year. I’m sure that all of the players that you guys get are very talented. I think the big question will be how you guys replace Tebow’s and Spikes leadership. TT was probrably the greatest leader ever in college football and i saw him put UF on his back and carry them in crucial situations. JB will be a good passing quarterback but you guys will miss TT on all those 3rd and 3’s that Tebow always made to continue the drives. You just don’t lose a player like him without feeling it. Trust us we know, after Herschel left we would always say the next rb would be like HERSCHEL and it’s been 27 years since he left and we haven’t found one like him yet.
CHAINGANGDAWG
November 29th, 2009
1:54 pm
HEY SAINT SIMONS YOU NEED TO BE REMINDED THAT THE ACC STANDS FOR ALMOST COMPETITIVE CONFERENCE !! ((( (GO DAWGS 30-24)) ) HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
Kevin
November 29th, 2009
1:55 pm
from a big Georgia Tech fan— I have to say congrats to UGA for a well-executed game plan. The running game for the dawgs was unbelievable. With that said, Im still proud of these jackets. It looked like after Nesbitt went down the hill became too steep, but they fought with a chance to pull it out in the end. This rivalry is getting better lately. The dawgs earned it, but I can’t wait to see y’all between the hedges next year.
augustadawg
November 29th, 2009
1:56 pm
new pocket protector for UGA game – $ 1.99
polyester GT shirt – $ 29.99
ticket to game bought from local crackhead near the stadium $ 40.00
watching the worst UGA team in 15 years dismantle the best GT team ib 15 years – priceless
8 out of 9 – THWGT
1eyedJack
November 29th, 2009
2:01 pm
30-24!!!!
What a BEATDOWN!!!!
Washaun, first down!
Caleb King, touchdown!!!
Paul Johnson’s neck EXPLODES!!!!
Glad it still Hurts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TXDawg42
November 29th, 2009
2:02 pm
Where have all the “Nerds” gone? I am still waiting for the 60pts that were going to be hung on our heads. Ha! Great gane for the Dawgs, better luck next time, just remember we own the bugs!
TXDawg42
November 29th, 2009
2:03 pm
game*
jack bull
November 29th, 2009
2:03 pm
guess we got out coached last nite….fire em!!!! fire em all!!!! willie’s got to go, along with richt and bobo… paul johnson is the best coach in the state….
i say, GO DAWGS… keep everyone,,continuity will triumph thru the face of tough times…
jack bull
November 29th, 2009
2:05 pm
funny, good things can happen when you don’t turn the ball over 3-4 times…
coaching lost one game this year, UT…
Ulysses Everett McGill
November 29th, 2009
2:06 pm
Well, I guess hard times flush the chump. Everybody’s lookin’ for answers…
Glenn
November 29th, 2009
2:07 pm
I am glad for the win over tech, we were fortunate of the drop pass late in the game that sealed it. Facts are even with the great running of the two backs, it was the only thing that saved us. It wasn’t our defense that won the game, time of possession for us made the difference and in the words of Larry M. old lady luck was on our side last night. Willie needs to go.
cantondawg
November 29th, 2009
2:08 pm
I am g@y
EricADawgFan
November 29th, 2009
2:12 pm
I must say that as much anger I had for the Dawgs, (because I am a true fan) last night was very impressive. They cut down on the turnovers, and penalties. I think Richt did a good job in taking those who commit turnovers and penalties out of the game and bench them. I don’t think that I could ever remember two current Running Backs having over 100 rushing yards in a single game. For those who don’t know, please take a note of it. True Freshman Washaun Ealey, and Caleb King both rushed over 150 yards. Heck, I believe that Washaun Ealey had more than 140 yards rushing in the first half. This is the Dawgs I know. They should have been doing this all season. They would have had a better record and sitting better for more suitable Bowl game to played on January 1, 2010. Nevetheless; I look forward to next season, as they should do a great job for the 2010-2011 season.
Tech Tony
November 29th, 2009
2:13 pm
I’ll say it again….congratulations Georgia on your win. You earned it.
I’m classy. I can say when a better team beats mine. Next year, when we win again, and we will, remember this.
Blind Seer
November 29th, 2009
2:20 pm
You will find a fortune, though it will not be the one you seek. But first… first you must travel a long and difficult road, a road fraught with peril. Mm-hmm. You shall see thangs, wonderful to tell. ……………….. And, oh, so many startlements. I cannot tell you how long this road shall be, but fear not the obstacles in your path, for fate has vouchsafed your reward. Though the road may wind, yea, your hearts grow weary, still shall ye follow them, even unto your salvation.
Cmill
November 29th, 2009
2:26 pm
Saint Simons!!!!
hahahahahahahahahahahahaha
takedowndawg
November 29th, 2009
2:34 pm
Jack Bull, sorry, consistent penalities by a team over a year’s time are always the coaches faults. Consistent terrible coverage on kickoffs are always a coach’s fault. M starting point for our opponents on kick off 34 yard line. That is awful. Didn’t see any improvement last night either on an otherwise glorious evening. One tackle made inside the 20 yd line. Consistnet turnovers over a year’s time are a coaching problem. Giving up pass receptions at will to our opponents also are coaching problems. ( Good job though by Rashad Jones last night on Tech’s last drive.) He can be awesome. Like the rest of our team this year, inconsistent. Enjoyed those long sustained drives. Like UGA of old. Go DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mr. Thomas Anthony "The taxman Cometh" Jones, SR (Waf-SS, ret.)
November 29th, 2009
2:35 pm
All the foolish and idiotic fans who said that Richt, Bobo, and Martinez,and their assistants could not coach were proven wrong in this game. UGA’s record speaks for itself. They beat Georgia Tech the probable winner of the ACC Championship game. They beat USC which beat Clemson the other ACC contender. They beat Auburn. They really beat LSU and only lost because all dumb referees should be exterminiated and the NCAA Celebration rule is stupid and racist. And the SEC itself admitted the stupid idiotic crazy refs blew the stupid call. They should never have played OSU which is in the Big Twelve where the game is more wide open (think Texas Tech and Baylor with their stud quarteback Mr. Griffin in 2010.) And thery beat Arkansas and their stud quarterback, Mallert and the much hated Bobby Liar Petrino. Thus they reallu only lost to Tebow who will be sitting on the bench in 2010 for a NFL team and Lane Kiffin who knows that Assistant coaches should be loved and respected (Look at the UT assistant coaches’ salaries). All the stupid and idiotic fans who dared criticism Mr Richt and his staff needs to know that if Richt wass still QB coach at FSU, the score of the Florida vs. FSU game would be a lot differnet. We are very proud of the job that Mr. Richt has done at UGA in 2009.
Lastly in Georgia we have an abundance of football players with excellant talent. They will come to play for UGA if the school should loyalty to Richt and his staff!!!!! They will go to Auburn, UT, Florida, Clemson, USC, and Tech if you backstab the man and his staff!!!It is as simple as that.
Brantley turned into an RB
November 29th, 2009
2:37 pm
Get a clue, Brantley, if he doesn’t transfer, will be turned into an RB just like Tebow was. Tebow has no college experience at TE or LB, so he probably won’t get drafted, unless Meyers gets an NFL job, whihc he just might do. Florida runs a high s chool offense. They don’t like QB’s OR WR’s there, they like RB’s, regardless of whether you’re a QB or WR.
Who cares about Florida?
November 29th, 2009
2:41 pm
No Tebow. No Spikes. Meyers is going to Notre Dame or the NFL, they’re losing 23 guys, 9 on defense alone. Florida will be lucky to get 6 wins in 2010.
Georgia will CRUSH Florida like the toads they are in 2010.
Florida is the most overrated tema in the country. Their wins against god teams have not been impressive. Their stats are built up by playing people like Troy, Fla Intl’, and Charleston Southern?
Meyers is a wimp for even scheduling those teams. Nobody wants to play for a coach who is scared to lose.
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
2:43 pm
Yeah, Florida’s overrated. Going unbeaten is so easy.
Georgia will roll in 2010!
November 29th, 2009
2:44 pm
All the Naysayers were proven wrong. Richt can coach. Georgia can beat anybody with Ealey and King. Add in Green, Brown, Charles, Wooten, Murray, it’s going to be a roll.
Any one who predicted Georgia will lose should be ignored on this blog.
Alabama will Beat Florida!
November 29th, 2009
2:47 pm
Alabama is a team that matches up pretty well. If Ingram is healthy, control possession, run the ball. Force Tebow to throw, because he ain’t no QB and he ain’t got no Percy to resuce him this year.
Florida is Overrated
November 29th, 2009
2:53 pm
They struggled against TENN, LSU, MISS ST, and SC. Their only dominant wins were against cream puffs.
Cox outthrew Tebow in TD’s and yardage.
The NFL won’t even draft Tebow–nobody wants his “qb” skills.
Very ovverated.
Florida has some weaknesses no one has really exploited.
Dawg since 1965
November 29th, 2009
2:55 pm
Now the ACCCG = buy 1 tic get 3 free, with 4 cokes and 4 hotdogs
30k tickets still available, will someone please buy some tickets!!
Tech sucks
November 29th, 2009
2:56 pm
The Joke by Coke… validated again.
Go play in your worthless ACC championship game while speaking Farsi nerds.
Herschel Talker
November 29th, 2009
3:00 pm
MB – when are you going to comment about Paul Johnson’s inexplicable calls to pass the ball?
Coffee Bluff DAWG
November 29th, 2009
3:00 pm
Kevin,
Thanks for the MAN UP compliment to the Dogs last night. GT has had a very good year. It’s great to have 2 good teams going at it every year.
Mark Bradley
November 29th, 2009
3:01 pm
I already did. Check the top of the Falcons live chat.
Florida is Overrated
November 29th, 2009
3:05 pm
Florida has some GLARING weaknesses, no one has really exploited.
Alabama WILL exploit these weaknesses and build them into a gameplan.
1) Giveaway fumbles recovery % (#114)
2) Takeaway fumble recovery (#119)
3) TO Margin (Albama much better than Florida)
4) QB sacks per game
5) Red Zone scorging %
6) Giveaways
7) Passing game
BC
November 29th, 2009
3:22 pm
Just wait until you see that running attack on the regular in the next two years with Aaron Murray running the offense. Hahahahaha…Dawgs are back
Houdawg
November 29th, 2009
3:24 pm
Oh …… by the way …..
TECH SUCKS !
Bill
November 29th, 2009
3:37 pm
What an idiot coach. We could not stop them from running it down our throat. So what does he do? 4 straight passes. Ha, ha, idiot.
Billy
November 29th, 2009
3:39 pm
I thought Coach Johnson was the Coach of the Year. All I have heard about was how smart he was. Well, what happened? Tech is back where they belong.
south ga sec fan
November 29th, 2009
3:41 pm
Fired Willie fired willie fired willie
Dawg Tired
November 29th, 2009
3:53 pm
Well, fellow Dawgs, the fact remains we are a mediocre team. For better or worse, we are not a member of the ACC or the Big 11 where such a mediocre team would be good enough to play for a conference championship. No, we are in the SEC East where mediocre teams get their lunch handed to them quiet often. Changes are needed and the first must be to get a good DC.
Of course, we could apply for membership in the ACC or the Big 11, but history shows that teams that do that actually get worse (see FSU and Miami).
Urban Meyer to Notre Dame?
November 29th, 2009
3:58 pm
You guys think it’s true? Or is the NFL more likely. CBS Sports is saying one thing, and USA Today another.
FORT MYERS DAWG
November 29th, 2009
4:00 pm
Way to go, Dawgs!
TechCrybaby
November 29th, 2009
4:04 pm
What’d I tell you? Joe Martinez is brilliant! But all joking aside, it was a rare, but horrible fascination to see Georgia load the box when on defense, and neutralize the Dwyer threat. Then, on offense, to see their bigger guys up front whip the smaller Tech line, and open up the whole middle for Ealey and King.
SWATS
November 29th, 2009
4:20 pm
It’s being proven that the SEC is better than the ACC.