If nobody kept score, UGA did well. Someone did, and it lost
His teams used to win these games. What happened? (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
Athens – It was there for Georgia, the second-biggest game of Mark Richt’s stewardship, same as the biggest game this coach has worked had been there that cold day at Auburn nine years ago. His Bulldogs needed one drive to win. On Nov. 16, 2002, the prize had been Georgia’s first SEC East title. On this warm and frenzied Saturday, the prize was ….
A sliver of job security? Yes. A hushing, even if only a temporary one, of a roiled Bulldog Nation? Sure. A leg up on another SEC East title? Absolutely.
One drive to win. At Auburn, it had come down to fourth-and-14, to 70-X-Takeoff, to David Greene throwing and Michael Johnson leaping over Horace Willis. That was the victory that made us believe Richt’s Bulldogs could win any game, degree of difficulty be hanged.
But that was then, and this, sorry to say, is now. And now we can say of the same coach — the same but different — that his team can manage to lose almost any game, the excellence of its effort notwithstanding.
With one drive to win, Georgia couldn’t even make one play. This on a day when it would outgain South Carolina and amass 23 first downs to the Gamecocks’ 15. This on a day when the Bulldogs seemed the more gifted team. One drive to win, and here’s what happened.
Nobody blocked Jadeveon Clowney, the No. 1 recruit of 2011. Clowney burst up the middle, grabbed Aaron Murray and shook the ball loose and watched as Melvin Ingram gathered it up for the touchdown that made this a 10-point game with 3:12 remaining.
More would happen — Georgia would score a quick touchdown and Richt would botch the calling of his next-to-last timeout and the Gamecocks would run out the clock — but that sack-and-fumble-and-touchdown was the moment. These Bulldogs and their coach had the chance to grab a game they weren’t expected to win, and they wasted it.
There might well be better days — great days, even — ahead for these Bulldogs and their coach, but what we saw Saturday was what we’d seen all last season. Given the chance to Step Up, Georgia takes a seat. It hasn’t lost the capacity to make inspired plays, but it no longer makes winning plays.
So much had gone right. The defense had played far better than it had in the deflating loss to Boise State. Murray had steadied himself. The offensive line had blocked, finally, and Isaiah Crowell had rushed for 118 yards in his second collegiate game. If nobody had bothered to keep score, you’d have scored this a Bulldog victory. That said …
This is big-time football, and a score is kept. And Georgia lost.
We can look at this game and say, as Richt said afterward, that this is “going to be a fine football team.” But there was a time when Georgia didn’t need to traffic in moral victories. There was a time when Georgia went out and won these games.
A strange sequence in an exceedingly strange first half was telling. Richt ordered an onside kick after Georgia had taken a 13-7 lead, and it worked — almost. Bacarri Rambo, who recovered the ball, had been a hair offside. Undaunted, the Bulldogs forced Carolina to punt — almost. The Evil Genius in the trademark visor called for a fake punt, and Ingram took it the distance. Steve Spurrier’s Gamecocks were back in front.
As Ingram was fleeing up the sideline, Richt flung his play cards and his headset 10 yards onto the field. All week he’d had to parry the question of whether this was a must-win, but here he gave us the answer. The famous stoic was throwing things in exasperation.
“Georgia outplayed us,” Spurrier said, “but we won the game. Sometimes it happens like that.”
Sometimes it does, but it no longer happens that way for Georgia. This has a program that has the requisite talent and resources but has lost half of its past 30 games. There’s still an opportunity for these Bulldogs to make hay of this season, but at this moment it’s hard to see beyond 0-2.
As for Richt: The end is not yet at hand for this coach, but we’ve reached the point where every loss nudges him a bit closer toward the door. He now presides over a program that could and should win big. It has, alas, forgotten how.
By Mark Bradley
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,658 comments Add your comment
Bill Lewis
September 10th, 2011
9:51 pm
What about me?
Alabama Jack
September 10th, 2011
9:51 pm
2-0 > 0-2
JB
September 10th, 2011
9:51 pm
The two time outs before the fake punt and TD was pure Spurrier. Our staff was asleep to not see that coming.
moonbeam
September 10th, 2011
9:51 pm
Mettenberger just led LSU on his first drive…wow, that dude has an arm, think he was 5 for 5 on the drive, led them to td…the future in BR looks bright…
Nick Saban
September 10th, 2011
9:51 pm
Why don’t you guys join the Southern Conference.
I've been working o the RR
September 10th, 2011
9:51 pm
Wow ……, we are in complete control of LAST PLACE in THE SEC! At least we are first in something…….!
CMR is a nice guy, and nice guys finish last….., put your ego aside and retire. Time to go and let us start to grow into something that resembles UGA Football….
1-10 Against ranked teams (formerly BeerDawg)
September 10th, 2011
9:51 pm
KBP…..we might win 1 out of the next 11 games against ranked teams…..
this is a results oriented world we live in….particularly for people who get paid multi-million dollars…..Richt (for as much as I like him) ain’t gettin’ it done…….those are the facts!
Barley Corn
September 10th, 2011
9:51 pm
Richt needs to go home (Florida), lip-lock his stupid wife, pimp crumby fords, lie in a tanning bed, read his fairy-tale bible. ANYTHING but continue to inflict losses upon my alma mater. Don’t go away mad. Just GO.
Eric C.
September 10th, 2011
9:52 pm
Dawgs were headed for a win until Crowell fumbled…the play of the game indeed.
The Ugly Monkey on CMR's Back!
September 10th, 2011
9:52 pm
You know after today one has to feel for CMR. One has to also be disgusted with CMR. On the otherhand one has to be mad at CMR. You know he worked as hard this past week as he has in over 3 years to get a win. CMR also made this bed that UGA is in. Finally CMR surrounded himself with assistants who have just not got the job done.
That all being said. The O-2 Start is on CMR and CMR only. He gets paid the big bucks and when you go 0-2 the losses are on your back not any player, or assistant coach.
Buford King
September 10th, 2011
9:52 pm
Unbeleivable Game – Georgia could have won this game by 10 to 14 points – but this program just can’t get out of the way from themselves ………. Coaching.
After going 6-7 last year
15 & 15 last 30 games
Pathetic record against ranked teams the last 3 years – bring back Jim Donnan.
I just have no faith in the program – and it should have NEVER fallen to this level.
Time for change.
James
September 10th, 2011
9:52 pm
I got UGA finishing 8-5 or 9-4, I had them losing the first two, as we were the underdogs, and also losses to MSU and Florida. We should win the other 8, and the Bowl game. Even if we trip up and lose 1 more to Tenn, that’s 8-5, a 30% improvement in wins. Or 9-4 would be a 50% improvement.
russ
September 10th, 2011
9:52 pm
I am not a UGA fan, but it is clear to an unbiased observer that UGA is not being well coached. If you think they are then the recruiting is bad. You don’t get it both ways. Time to clean the coaching house and start over.
Suwaneedawg
September 10th, 2011
9:53 pm
Bradley you are a writer which means you suck at math. The timeouts called had no bearing on the outcome of the game! 28 points on turnovers did, and yes I’m counting the fake punt as a turnover.
Bummer
September 10th, 2011
9:53 pm
Time to do yardwork, go fishing, or just about anything else more productive on Saturday afternoons than watch Georgia…
Albert said it best — Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
stendek
September 10th, 2011
9:54 pm
I only wish I could rake in over $3 million per year no matter how poor or unsatifactory my job performance. Take the moolah and run Saint Mark! As long as 10 percent is earmarked for donation plate. Amen.
He Hate Gator
September 10th, 2011
9:54 pm
Another year not playing in the SEC Championship game…..can’t get to the BCS Championship game if you can’t ever get to your league’s championship……
GAtor fans love Richt!
September 10th, 2011
9:54 pm
Keep richt—give him a new contract and a big raise! Mark richt for uga coach!!! Richt is the man!!!
HA HA
September 10th, 2011
9:54 pm
“We just had some bad lucks today and a few bad calls by refs.”
Spoken like a TRUE mutt fan.
Bucky
September 10th, 2011
9:55 pm
Man you toothless rednecks kill me. You can never quite seem to admit that your Dawgs are weak. You actually do have a remarkable stand up guy as your coach, but you have the dumbest redneck fans in the SEC. I hate Florida, but you guys have the dumbest fan base. I am sure there is a PhD or two aqmong you, but on the whole you guys come off as a remarkable group of collective idiots.
Gamecock in MA
September 10th, 2011
9:55 pm
helluva game once again between UGA and USC. Almost always a great battle… happy to escape with a W – were it not for poor ball protection from Murray and Crowell – this one is a blowout. But for once my chickens are getting these breaks that seemed to have escaped us for so long. I still think that the schedule favors UGA to be vying for the SEC East title at the end of the season, but happy for SC to hold the tiebreaker.
good luck on the rest of the year, there is a ton of talent at UGA…
Big Cock
September 10th, 2011
9:55 pm
Watched the game with a bunch of UGA fans. I have not enjoyed a game this much in a long time. UGA played pretty well, but my Cocks are clearly the better team; when our 270 pound DL juked your best player on the way to a long TD on a fake punt I popped the cork on a nice bottle of champagne. I knew the dogs were done!
HA HA
September 10th, 2011
9:56 pm
“Georgia could have won this game by 10 to 14 points –”
Yep, another true mutt fan. LOL! And…if a frog had wings…
Bob from Cobb
September 10th, 2011
9:56 pm
Murray can’t hold on to the ball. Is it Mike Bobo or BOZO? And NO DEFENSE for the past two years! That whirring noise you hear is Erk Russell rolling over in his grave!
MB showing his true colors
September 10th, 2011
9:56 pm
Does anybody remember the one man crusade Bradley went on against Hewitt last year? Why the different spin on Richt?
I've been working o the RR
September 10th, 2011
9:56 pm
Oh and when you retire CMR…., take Chuck Dowdle with you please……, I thought he retired(?)
Bowl Game Question
September 10th, 2011
9:56 pm
anyone have some info on the motel 6 in memphis close to the liberty bowl? I need to make reservations since it may fill up. Do they have hot water?
NCAA12 COACH FOR HIRE
September 10th, 2011
9:56 pm
I just finished 13-0 with UGA on NCAA 12 do you think the boosters would hire me. All that talent and I coached my team to an undefeated season.
DamntheButcher
September 10th, 2011
9:56 pm
Please Fire Mark Richt
1-10 Against ranked teams (formerly BeerDawg)
September 10th, 2011
9:57 pm
whoever we get as Richt’s replacement…..hopefully he’ll learn from LSU and ‘Bama and heavily recruit big, fast, athletic LINEMAN…..despite all the glamour of skill players that get all the college prep hype…..the game is won in the trenches
I've been working o the RR
September 10th, 2011
9:57 pm
ya have to bring your own
gaga
September 10th, 2011
9:57 pm
Georgia should have won.
Played better.
S.C. got a season’s worth of breaks in one game.
God speaks
September 10th, 2011
9:57 pm
I’ve never seen more fluke TDs by 1 team in 1 game all my life. God is intervening. He is telling CMR that his days at UGA and / or football are over. Time to move on – missions or another campus. I am a big fan of his and will miss him.
sandiego
September 10th, 2011
9:57 pm
if most of you clowns call yourself true Dawg Fans, you are embarrasing. Great game. Obviously we made mistakes but we fought hard and I look forward to watching them compete for the rest of the year. 9-3 says they turn it around and Bobo shocked me with some good mix up. Just no answer for Lattimore. Hats off- the kid’s a beast.
Coach B
September 10th, 2011
9:58 pm
Georgia needs better fans, not a new coach. The Georgia fan base disgusts me. How could coaching have prevented untimely fumbles and a crucial interception throw? They outplayed South Carolina yet lost because key players made costly mistakes.
No better example of the ignorant, fair-weather “Bulldog Nation” was more evident than the camera shot of 10,000 fans headed for the parking lot with 3 minutes to play down 10 points. Deep down, Mark Richt is probably just as ready to turn the page as you idiots are.
The Ugly Monkey on CMR's Back!
September 10th, 2011
9:58 pm
We may feel bad for CMR. But no one is feeling bad for all those merciless bloggers who posted all the crap about being 2-0, beating Boise St, slapping USC around, and winning the SEC east.
To all of you, once again you have proven that you need to get out of the state of Georgia, visit another schools campus and watch a game tha does not involve your UGA bulldawgs. You as we like to say are kool aid drinking, believe anything at UGA is better than anywhere else, UGA players are far superior than anyone elses and what did it get you? 2 losses and making UGA the laughing stock of the league.
So to Altamaha (spelling -2 points) Dawg, ryan, South Georgia Dawg, EC Dawg, and others, enjoy your 0-2 start and maybe you can give away your tickets to charity.
HA HA
September 10th, 2011
9:58 pm
Eric C.
September 10th, 2011
9:52 pm
“Dawgs were headed for a win until Crowell fumbled”
LOL! more dawg fan talk…RFLMAO!!!!
stendek
September 10th, 2011
9:58 pm
Perhaps UGA needs to withdraw from SEC. Dawgs have become embarrassment to proud conference. Go independent. Schedule one decent opponent per season ala Ohio State. Win that one game to always be in contention for national honors. Sounds like a winner to me!
DamntheButcher
September 10th, 2011
9:58 pm
Chuck Dowdel is Mark Richt’s personal ass kisser. His Back up is Jeff Dantzler. However, JD likes more than just kissing ass.
John Galt
September 10th, 2011
9:58 pm
UGA has forgotten how to win, but they have not gorgottem how to strut and crow.
Did anyone see Will Muschamp leaving the field at half-time? He said “we need to worry about playing football and shut our mouths. This stuff makes me sick.”
I’d like some of that in Athens. Celebrate when you’ve one the game, and not before.
BobbyDodd
September 10th, 2011
9:59 pm
UGA SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
reality check
September 10th, 2011
9:59 pm
We ALL knew going in the first 2 games were the toughest on the schedule and YES we all wanted to win them. Unlike last week. The DAWGS were fighting and giving there all. SC simply capatilized on mistakes. Take any one of them back and we win.
I hope this is not another “if only” year. I don’t think so. We have learned alot in 2 weeks and I think we need to stick with them and stick this out. Last years VT all over again. 10-2!
Go DAWGS!
Too bad for Richt
September 10th, 2011
9:59 pm
Too bad Boise isn’t an SEC team, they would be the favorite to win the East.
Delusional
September 10th, 2011
9:59 pm
UGA is a perennial national power.
UGA is always the team to beat in the SEC East.
Recruiting guarantees success.
Coaching doesn’t matter.
Nice guys finish first.
Big Wally
September 10th, 2011
9:59 pm
Ga = Not ready for Prime time players.
Scooter
September 10th, 2011
9:59 pm
I’m really not a MR basher…but to the James’ of the world…so what if this team wins some games in the remainder of a relatively easy SEC schedule and goes to a mediocre bowl? Do you really think next year they will magically improve to win a national championship? How many years are you willing to “wait til next year”?
At this point I could give a crap if MR is a nice guy and you’d like your daughter to marry him..I’d like to see UGA compete for a NC before I’m too old to enjoy it…if having a nice guy as coach is more important to you than winning…I’m not sure why you follow sports…
BIG MIKE DAWG
September 10th, 2011
10:00 pm
can i just say again… BOBO UR A IDIOT!!!!! MURRAY U LETTING BOBO RUB OFF ON YA.. HERE ADVICE TO CMR.. PUT BOBO IN A F150 AND SLAP THE TAILGAIT AND SAY SEE YA!!! WELL MAYBE HE COULD USE A SHORT BUS INSTEAD… THIS WILL SAVE UR JOB FRIEND.. I HINK BOBO STOLE THE “PLAY BOOK FOR IDIOTS” OF THE MOVIE ” WATER BOY”"” HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH…… ISN’T IT FUNNY TO HERE BOBO SAY” WE LAID DOWN ON THE COCKS” IN THE 4TH AGAIN.. HAHAHAAA ONE MORE TIME BOBO U SUCK
cs
September 10th, 2011
10:00 pm
fire richt and everybody over and under him! the announcers may as well have left the booth, went down to the sidelines, threw cromwell and murray over a chair, pulled down their silver britches, and kissed their arses. dream team this and dream team that. losers is what i saw again! enough is enough!
richtreignisCOMPLETELYover
September 10th, 2011
10:00 pm
UGA= We do less with more better than anyone in the nation.
J. Clowney
September 10th, 2011
10:00 pm
As I told the Bulldog Nation over the summer, UGA starts 0-2. Any questions now, goobers?