Fighting to the finish, Georgia overrides Florida – and history
A sight seldom seen in Jacksonville: Mark Richt victorious. (AJC photo by Jason Getz)
Jacksonville — At halftime Mark Richt invoked the fresh memory of the St. Louis Cardinals. “Guys that don’t quit have a chance,” he told his Georgia Bulldogs.
Much later, Richt would tell the assembled media: “We didn’t quit.”
Folks can and will argue over the worth of one victory over a Florida team that hasn’t won since September, but no one can question the weight that had fallen on the Bulldogs regarding their strange inability to win this one game. “There was some history and some demons,” Richt said, and the way this game began it was as if those demons would beat Georgia by themselves.
Florida’s first play from scrimmage netted 72 yards. Its first touchdown came on a fourth-and-19 pass 7 1/2 minutes into the game. (Who goes for it on fourth-and-19 so early in any game?) Its second touchdown came on a 99-yard kickoff return by its second-best returner. Everything that had gone wrong for Georgia in this series the past two decades was going wrong all at once, but that, in a weird way, might have been for the best.
Said cornerback Brandon Boykin: “You could say a lot of bad things happened. We had to calm down. But this team is special. After we lost to Boise, I told people, ‘Don’t worry about this team.’ We’ve bounced back.”
Said offensive coordinator Mike Bobo of his team’s 17-3 deficit: “Nobody said, ‘Hey, here we go again.’ ”
Surely a few Bulldogs thought it, but they put aside any nattering negativity to focus on the task at hand. Said Todd Grantham, the defensive coordinator: “That game was a test of our mental toughness. We kept going. We kept playing the next play.”
One play changed this game and maybe the course of Georgia’s season. The same Richt who’d ordered a field goal on fourth-and-goal against Central Florida in the Liberty Bowl last December rediscovered the nerve that had marked him as a young head coach. Ninety seconds before halftime, his team down 14 points, Richt had Aaron Murray throw into the end zone on fourth-and-five. Michael Bennett hauled it down, and from there Georgia believed.
Said Alec Ogletree, the superb linebacker: “Once the offense scored right before halftime, we fed off that.”
The Gators’ offense, overseen by the famous Charlie Weis, would manage 32 yards and one first down in the second half against Grantham’s defenders. With quarterback John Brantley unable to work under center due to an ankle injury, Florida went almost exclusively to the empty backfield, and Grantham, cogitating on the fly, trumped Weis at every turn.
Grantham: “It’s a credit to our players … From halftime on, we were playing a new game plan.”
Midway through the third quarter, Richt did it again. His team down seven points, Richt chose to have Murray throw again — to different receiver down a different sideline — on fourth-and-six, and Tarvarres King outfought Jaylen Watkins for the ball. At last, the game was tied. It would come untied due to a field goal generated by another long kickoff return, but by then Georgia had made its point: This day would not be like other days against the hated Gators.
Richt: “I just thought the best thing to do was to go for it on fourth down. I just felt like we needed a touchdown. I didn’t think threes were going to get it.”
The fourth quarter was all Bulldogs, and they celebrated in a way that far outstripped a four-point victory over a 4-4 opponent. What did this game mean? Said King: “Everything. We’re back.”
Again, that might be overstating. But when a team has failed so often in this venue, any break in the pattern is major news. “Now that it’s over,” Richt said, “I can say, ‘Yeah, it was a big deal.’ It was a big deal for me personally.”
For two years we’ve parsed Georgia results and asked, “What does this mean for Richt’s job status?” After Saturday, we can say this much for sure: Richt’s Bulldogs started 0-2 but have won six in a row; they’ve beaten Florida, which hadn’t happened since 2007, and they’ve kept themselves in position to take the SEC East if South Carolina slips. At this moment, it’s almost impossible to imagine Georgia parting ways with this coach anytime soon.
No, this isn’t the most polished bunch you’ll see. (Richt described his special team as “mostly average to scary.”) But Georgia spotted Florida 14 points and held its nerve in a way the Gators — 14 penalties for 106 yards — could not. In a game where the Bulldogs invariably invent ways to lose, they found a way to win. They might not be the smoothest-running bunch, but these ‘Dogs will hunt — and fight.
By Mark Bradley
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932 comments Add your comment
Tampa Gator
October 30th, 2011
1:17 pm
Anyway……
Since the Florida-Georgia game is over (and so it seems the Gator season other than still wanting to beat FSU to salvage the season)……I will be absent a lot until recruiting season….which I am sure will disappoint many of you (NOT). Again….congrats on your victory….enjoy it and try to not get overwhelmed with a victory over a very limited Florida team on offense this year. I do think Florida will be much stronger on offense next year with the arrival of Matt Jones and Mike Davis at RB….and hopefully one or two of the two big time WRs (Stefon Diggs and/or D’Varis Montgomery). The Gators already have commitments from the TEs and OL they need.
Enjoy and good luck. I hope the Dawgs make it to Atlanta. But I don’t think you will enjoy that visit to the Dome. But LSU or Bama will.
Coffee Bluff DAWG
October 30th, 2011
1:18 pm
Tampa Gator,
UGA wins out but needs help to win East. DAWG Nation will be doing the Gator Chomp for the UF-SC game.
olddawg
October 30th, 2011
1:21 pm
Every week you whiners say the same thing. We won over a bad team! We won over a bad team! We won over a bad team! Yeah, but we won!!!!! Why don’t you whiners become tech or auburn fans? As Mark Richt says “we don’t need your negative energy” Your off the team and go away!
Cheech
October 30th, 2011
1:22 pm
I loved the piece on Richt’s motivational techniques. Richt doing a back flip off the high dive and driving the smoke-filled bus to the Georgia Dome. Really cool stuff for pee wee football. The win over UF cemented two more years of Richt’s “energy vampires” and Christian bowling, Upcoming whippings from Auburn and Tech won’t change that either.
BAMA BAIT
October 30th, 2011
1:28 pm
Let’s be honest bulldog fans it really doesn’t matter who makes it in the east.Because we all know what waits at the dome for you.If you make it you will be totally exsposed for the fraud you are. “ROLL TIDE”
swhite
October 30th, 2011
1:30 pm
Herschel Talker: I’ve been reading your comments for quite some time and have come to the definite conclusion that, to quote Ralph Kramden, “You are an idiot.”
War Dang Dawg
October 30th, 2011
1:31 pm
The “Brantley was hurt” excuse assumes that he is something special when he’s not hurt. If so, someone send me the game tape that bears that out, because I haven’t seen it.
Speaking of injuries, we saw yesterday what Malcom Mitchell means to the Dogs. Without him, there’s no vertical passing game. Florida played pass coverage very tight without that threat. That’s not a knock against the other Georgia receivers, but we need Mitchell to stretch the defense and create some room underneath for Bennett, Charles and the other guys.
Hopefully Mitchell will be 100% for Auburn. If so, I like our chances.
War Dang Dawg
October 30th, 2011
1:35 pm
“UGA wins out but needs help to win East. DAWG Nation will be doing the Gator Chomp for the UF-SC game.”
Not this Dawg, I wouldn’t pull for the Gators if they were playing Tech. My new favorite team is Arkansas, at least when they play USC. That’s a more realistic hope anyway.
Still drunk
October 30th, 2011
1:40 pm
I’ll take any win over the Gators – no matter how sloppily played, poorly coached, lucky, etc.
A few points:
1. Glad to see Richt take a chance by going for it. Yeah, I know Walsh is mental right now, but still a good sign.
2. Carlton Thomas is a damn good high school back. Why does Bobo insist on the up the middle runs with him?
3. We need a coach dedicated strictly to special teams.
4. Tech looks great and Auburn looks pretty damn good.
5. Samuels runs much harder than Crowell – sure, IC is much more talented but less heart.
6. Will we ever use Nick Marshall on offense?
7. How much better could our offense be with a top notch coordinator?
8. The defense really played like Dawgs of old.
The future says: SEC East Champs with a loss to Tech
Really enjoyed yesterday and hope for many more like it.
War Dang Dawg
October 30th, 2011
1:40 pm
Tampa Gator, what did you think of Muschamp going for it on 4th and long with more than 5 minutes left to play, your defense playing well, and a chance to pin Georgia deep?
I thought it was no less than “4th and Dumb”, 2011 version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5V4cqxq_Tic
Herschel Talker
October 30th, 2011
1:41 pm
swhite:
It is so called fans like you that are content with mediocrity year after year that are the true idiots. Go ahead and celebrate and win by 4 points over the worst UF team in 20 years. Go ahead and celebrate a last second win over a third rate Vandy team. But oh, when they play the two good teams on the schedule, Boise and SC, they lose and the true idiots like you make excuses. If you are happy being among the same class as Ole Miss and Kentucky then lets keep Richt for another 10 years.
FIRE MARK RICHT!
HT
Nauti-dawg
October 30th, 2011
1:43 pm
Bobo & Grantham called a good game.
CMR had balls.
Young receivers looked good.
Crowell is a wuss.
Voyager Dawg
October 30th, 2011
1:45 pm
Hate to see supposed Dawg fans talking down a victory in Jacksonville. Coach Richt is number ten in winning percentage for active college football coaches. I can’t think of a coach I would rather have than him (look at his record compared to Vince Dooley’s over the same number of years if you want to get a reality check on how good he really is). He and his coaching staff have taken a very young group of really talented players and ripped off six wins in a row. Vandy showed Arkansas yesterday what can happen on any given Saturday in the SEC. Coach Granthem and the Defense is the real deal. These guys are truly Junkyard Dawgs. Murray has struggled, but the kid is always a warrior. Samuel IV played his heart out. Let’s get a special teams coach and put this together going down the stretch. For all you naysayers, this bandwagon is easy to jump off of and it will leave room for the rest of us. Go Dawgs! Continue to GATA!
THE Dixie Redcoat Band
October 30th, 2011
1:49 pm
We’re not sure how the UGA recruiters missed on Crowell?
Terry
October 30th, 2011
1:56 pm
Herschel Talker, Go pull for another team if you don’t like our coach.
JARVIS JONES
October 30th, 2011
1:56 pm
I TRIED TO GET COACH RICHT TO GIVE IT TO SAMUEL BEFORE TIME ENDED THE GAME
….WISH HE WOULD HAVE CALLED TIME OUT AND RAN IT IN TO MAKE SURE GATOR FANS AND MARK BRADLEY KNOWS ( YOU WERE WRONG THINKING WE WOULD LOSE) YOU TWO ARE THE LOSER AND MARK GO WRITE FOR FLORIDA TIMES UNION AS!@#$%^&*()_
TheAntiMe
October 30th, 2011
1:59 pm
Ohh, I just saw a vampire. And what a pretty vampire she was. I didn’t ask but she appeared to be the blood-drinking kind as opposed to the energy-draining variety. I wonder if Mark Richt is going to dress up as Buffy The Vampire Slayer tonight when go goes trick-or-treating? He probably would have had a hard time getting a Blade costume if he did not get one early in the week.
Happy Halloween everyone!
Terry
October 30th, 2011
2:00 pm
Every week all I’ve heard is your going to lose this week, your going to lose this week, your going to lose this week, why don’t you wait until we lose, then you want look like an idiot.
ugahedges
October 30th, 2011
2:01 pm
GREAT WIN TEAM, AND TO THE GATORS WHOS YOUR DADDY?
Joey
October 30th, 2011
2:05 pm
Terry, where is it written that one has to be a fan of the coach, in order to be a fan of a program? You think all UF fans are kissing Muschamp’s butt right now?
It’s fine if you love Richt. It’s also fine if you don’t.
And hell no, we wouldn’t ever go pull for another team . . .
Joey
October 30th, 2011
2:07 pm
Terry, where is it written that a fan of a football program must be a fan of the coach of that team? Think all UF fans love Muschamp today?
Love Richt if you want to, but be assured every fan doesn’t share your sentiments.
Kool Aid Drinkers Beware
October 30th, 2011
2:09 pm
Voyager Dawg:
You, my friend, enjoy mediocrity, and I do not. You are the reason we will never win a national championship under Mark Richt, and I will take that to the bank.
-When was the last time we had a convincing win?
-When was the last time CMR benched a player due to poor performance?
-When was the last time we altered a coaching strategy on the fly?
-When was the last time we beat a ranked opponent?
-Have you seen a worse special teams?
Yes, we are 6-2 and it feels good to get a win, BUT, we should be getting better, winning with more conviction, improving. Instead, Murray looks worse every game, our special teams look awful, our play calling is bland (always has been), we have zero killer instinct. I’ll stop now.
Good to get a win, but I’m ready for something better. I suppose you are not.
What-we-learned-103011 – ESPN (blog) | Clemson Carolina
October 30th, 2011
2:13 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
Kool Aid
October 30th, 2011
2:19 pm
Lighten up Francis……the implication of your statement is that fans like you lead to better performance and NCs….. with Fans like you who needs tek nerds… hop on another bandwagon dufus
David Granger
October 30th, 2011
2:22 pm
Worst team Florida’s had in several years, they commit 13 penalties, and we beat ‘em by 4. Now we’re really rolling, huh?
And it still took the team almost an entire half to start playing hard. I want Coach Richt gone…I’m tired of the underachieving.
KYDawg
October 30th, 2011
2:26 pm
I don’t care what some of you “rain cloud” buzz killers say, I’m enjoying this win! Go Dawgs!!
Winning is Winning
October 30th, 2011
2:26 pm
David, maybe we can hire Muschamp…….would a 10 and 2 year and a trip to the Dome be considered under acheiving in your book? You must be very successful since you have such high standards…. find something besides football to prop up your ego.
KYDawg
October 30th, 2011
2:27 pm
By the way David Granger why don’t you fire him then.
7576DAWG
October 30th, 2011
2:27 pm
Don’t get me wrong because I certainly am glad we won this game BUT Georgia had the ball 15 minute , an entire quarter, longer than Florida and barely won the game. Something has to be done about our special teams play. The collapse of Walsh this year is the most puzzling thing I have witnessed from a Georgia player ever. Most all American candidates that are not injured do great their senior year. I sure hope Marshall Morgan out of Miami is good because we can only improve next year in kicking field goals.
McGarity please give Grantham a 3 year extension now and pay him whatever he want. He will be on the market after this year.
2012 was always going to be the year that everything came together. Our defense will be the real deal next year, one that can compete against teams like LSU and have the same respect they have against great offensive teams. Murray finally being able to handle the pressure of an SEC Quarterback , a field goat kicker that can make at least 85% of his kicks and another great running back to help Crowell. Make no mistake Crowell is the real deal , he is a great running back but the SEC is so bad ass every team needs at least two great running backs and I hope that need will be filled by this years recruiting class. With what we already have coming in with this year recruiting class all we need to do now is get 2 more great offensive linemen , maybe from the JR. College recruit’s and we will be set for a top 10 in 2012.
evil empire
October 30th, 2011
2:28 pm
winning is winning = loser…kinda ironic…
KYDawg
October 30th, 2011
2:28 pm
“Winning is winning” well said!
Football Bat
October 30th, 2011
2:29 pm
Richt get a “B+” for this win, but let’s not kid ourselves. Coach Valium does not bring out a killer instinct, he puts the team to sleep. No special teams coach? Do they even have a kicking coach? The bulldogs need a new attitude, and CMR ain’t it. Our team wins in spite of its coaching.
Voyager Dawg
October 30th, 2011
2:37 pm
Kool Aid and David G – No time like the present to jump off the wagon. A win is a win whether it’s 4 or 40. Ga/Fla is a rivalry game and you can make excuses for why Florida didn’t play better, the penalties, injuries etc., but that’s what you have to deal with when playing football. Again, look at a year-by-year comparison between Dooley and Richt. You guys would have been calling for Dooley’s head and talking about mediocrity. Support the team, the coaches and the players and good things will happen, they already have and you can’t see it. Go Dawgs!
Chain
October 30th, 2011
2:49 pm
Did I miss a rule change in NCAA football this year. Does a win against a 4-3, unranked Florida team suddenly count for less?
GT
October 30th, 2011
2:49 pm
You did win over a bad team. Why do you give the ACC a hard time and you are living off a milk toast schedule yourself? Someone must have a vested interest in Georgia winning why else would your schedule be so ridiculous compared to every other team in the SEC and you cannot take advantage of it.
Auburn which is another school you should beat will beat you at home. Not as much talent but better coaching.
Chain
October 30th, 2011
2:51 pm
Question? If you win a game 70-3 is it a win? If you win a game 24-20 is it a win. Do wins against ranked opponents count more than wins against unranked teams. Did Tech get two wins for beating Clemson yesterday?
GT
October 30th, 2011
2:52 pm
This is not a Spurrier or Tebow Florida team. In fact this is a Georgia breed coach and the worst team in 20 years in Florida. Chain you need to pay a little closer attention, we tell Richt that all the time.
Chain
October 30th, 2011
2:52 pm
Any UGA fan that isn’t celebrating yesterday’s win against Florida isn’t a real UGA fan. But that’s okay, we’ll let you fake fans keep buying our shirts, jerseys, and fan gear. Keep pumping money into our school.
Kool Aid Drinkers Beware
October 30th, 2011
2:53 pm
Voyager Dawg:
“Support the team, the coaches and the players and good things will happen, they already have and you can’t see it”
I fully support UGA, always will. There’s a difference between blindly following and not questioning something when something isn’t right and supporting. People like you don’t get that, though. If your kid was getting C’s (Richt’s winning % is 73%) in school would you say anything to him, or would you just let it go, and go, and go? I thought so.
You see, that’s the difference between me and you, between great and just OK. I don’t strive for 8-4 or 9-3, or even 10-2. I strive for 12-0. So does Saban, Miles, Urban, Chizik, and Stoops and other great coaches.
If you can’t even make it to the National Championship in 10 years at a program like UGA, then it’s time to move on brother.
Chain
October 30th, 2011
2:55 pm
GT…thanks, I forgot that makes the game not count. Congrats on your teams 14 wins yesterday.
GT
October 30th, 2011
2:58 pm
Richt is not Saban, Miles, Urban, Chizik, and Stoops but he has better talent than any of them. If you have an IQ of 180 and making Cs it is even worse. And if you are making the community look like it is average when it is producing Heisman Trophy winners other places that you turned down recruiting and winning National Championships with your throw away then Houston we have a problem, yes we do.
Chain
October 30th, 2011
3:00 pm
Hahahaha! Some of you GT and UGA fans crack me up. Trying to bring down everyone after wins by both teams. You guys probably beat your wife and kids, make fun of handicapped people, and generally spend your day hating. You can’t bring true fan down though!!!! GOOOO DAWGS!!!! Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah Suck it trolls!
Mad Dog One
October 30th, 2011
3:01 pm
Slow getting here today thought I had to ever game until 2:00AM. Saw some great games the best was UGA over fla. Have been reading on here that fla team sucks he!! i”ve been saying that for 50 years. Where are you beast???? This is the worst special team game I have seen CMR GET A SPECIAL TEAMS COACH da@# even the announcers could see that why can’t you. AM had one of his worst games ever but we still won D played great. So great game DOGS!!!! any win over fla is a good one. As always GO DOGS & GATA
Chain
October 30th, 2011
3:02 pm
GT… put down the crack pipe! Oh and suc4 it! Dawgs won.
St Simons - we're on Island time
October 30th, 2011
3:03 pm
it was a more friendly competitive atmosphere down here this year, rather than violent as in past years. I thank both Will & Mark & both admins for pushing that. It was fun & spirited again like in the old days, not thuggy & violent. Everybody on both sides had a good time down here.
But the $cammers, now that’s another story. We owe them a trip to the woodshed. I want at least 15 penalties and 2 ejections, after we run it up. Been waiting a year for those cheatin punks.
ole dawg
October 30th, 2011
3:03 pm
So Kool AId.. you would have fired Dooley after 10 years before he won his NC?
Chain
October 30th, 2011
3:03 pm
GT… admit it… you hate handicapped people.
Chain
October 30th, 2011
3:04 pm
GT… admit it… you laugh when that ASPCA commercial comes on.
GT
October 30th, 2011
3:05 pm
Hell to us it is 14 wins. It gave us a chance to win the ACC, the game against Va. Tech is for all the marbles thought Duke looked much improved against Va. Tech in Durham yesterday, just like your game against Auburn. Auburn is a real team no paper tiger or gator like Florida was. The press has built that game up, knowing you should win it and look like you had beaten Alabama, which did I mention you don’t play. The AJC is like FOX News and the Republican Party, only their baby is the Georgia Bulldogs. The press has found profit is swimming with the stream not against it.
Chain
October 30th, 2011
3:06 pm
GT… keep on hating… keep on posting… keep on being an idiot… UGA will just keep on winning. Hahahaha. Try being nice every once in a while…it’s awesome… getting off computer now… love you brother.