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
(STILL) 2-10 against ranked teams
October 29th, 2011
11:55 pm
Richt’s such a great guy, a saint, and all
You’d think that a guy making $3.5 mill a year might be able to cough up $50-75K to hire a full time special teams coach
I mean, how much money does a guy need??
flagboy?
October 29th, 2011
11:55 pm
What a joke seeing people on here saying “we beat a down Fla team” or “Fla gave the game away”. . how many years have we been giving the game away down there with turnovers and such?
We beat Florida. I don’t care HOW we won. I wouldn’t have cared if they were up by 6 points and were taking a knee and fumbled, then we scoop and score. A win is a win. A win against florida recently is even more than that.
Happy for the coaches, happy for the players, happy for us, the fans. If you can’t be happy for any of them, sit in your house and cut off the computer. Idiots.
ole dawg
October 29th, 2011
11:57 pm
STILL.. I will then assume there is no guarantee that CMR will not win one and take solice in the fact that UOF program is in much worse shape than UGA based on your logic.
UGA2002
October 29th, 2011
11:57 pm
@athensdawg
there you go again, top 5 recruiting classes the last 5 years? Maybe by the AJC but not the national media.
and 2007???? WE LOST TWICE AND DIDN’T EVEN WIN OUR DIVISION, THAT WAS A PR RECRUITING PLOY BY CMR. CFB laughed at our demands and LSU went on and won the national championship.
BOBBY
October 29th, 2011
11:58 pm
EVERYBODY ON HERE IS SO FREAKIN NEGATIVE. LOOK UGA DID’NT PLAY THE PERFECT GAME AND MADE ALOT OF MISTAKES BUT YOU KNOW THEY WON AND THAT IS ALL THAT MATTERS THEY FINALLY BEAT FLORIDA AND THAT’S WHAT EVERYBODY ON HERE HAD BEEN COMPLANING ABOUT UGA NOT BEATING FLORIDA.
UGA2002
October 29th, 2011
11:59 pm
@flagboy, when UGA wins more than 4 in 22 years then you can say we gave a few away.
November 10, 1990 Florida
38–7
Jacksonville, FL
November 9, 1991 Florida
45–13
Jacksonville, FL
October 31, 1992 Florida
26–24
Jacksonville, FL
October 30, 1993 Florida
33–26
Jacksonville, FL
October 29, 1994 Florida
52–14
Gainesville, FL
October 28, 1995 Florida
52–17
Athens, GA
November 2, 1996 Florida
47–7
Jacksonville, FL
November 1, 1997 Georgia
37–17
Jacksonville, FL
October 31, 1998 Florida
38–7
Jacksonville, FL
October 30, 1999 Florida
30–14
Jacksonville, FL
October 28, 2000 Florida
34–23
Jacksonville, FL
October 27, 2001 Florida
24–10
Jacksonville, FL
November 2, 2002 Florida
20–13
Jacksonville, FL
November 1, 2003 Florida
16–13
Jacksonville, FL
October 30, 2004 Georgia
31–24
Jacksonville, FL
October 29, 2005 Florida
14–10
Jacksonville, FL
October 28, 2006 Florida
21–14
Jacksonville, FL
October 27, 2007 Georgia
42–30
Jacksonville, FL
November 1, 2008 Florida
49–10
Jacksonville, FL
October 31, 2009 Florida
41–17
Jacksonville, FL
October 30, 2010 Florida
34–31OT
Jacksonville, FL
Dawg Whisperer
October 29th, 2011
11:59 pm
It seems that many that demean coach Richt commonly refer to him as a Christian as though they have somehow slandered him. Saint this and that. Go ahead and critique his coaching aptitude but referring to him as a Saint by any name is sweet music to his ears.
flagboy?
October 29th, 2011
11:59 pm
Bobby, not everyone on here claiming to be a Dawg is really a UGA fan.
Vince
October 30th, 2011
12:00 am
Wow, we beat Vanderbilt, and Florida, two 4-4 teams. UGA rocks against 4-4 teams, just teams like Boise & SC we can’t beat.
LOOK OUT NEW MEXICO STATE, YOU GOIN DOWN!!!!!!
(STILL) 2-10 against ranked teams
October 30th, 2011
12:00 am
ole dawg……best predictor of future performance??? Yup, you guessed it…..past performance.
Also, have you heard of trends??? Just refer to my “nickname”….
doodah doodah
October 30th, 2011
12:00 am
Best of all- not only did Florida lose to Ga and lose their 4th in a row; but this is indeed the worst Gator team I have seen in a decade or more. Even worse than last year and that really says a lot. Also they have a coach that was pitiful today with the decisions that he made. Leave Brantley in the whole game? Are you kidding me? A running QB in the 4th might have won that game. What a really bright future you poor gators are looking at. Georgia moving up ; gators moving down. Neither Weiss not Muschamp will last longer than 3 years. Your team really sucks gators. Deal with it.
Athensdawg
October 30th, 2011
12:02 am
Fortunate that those “so called ” fans who call themselves Bulldawgs,dont make the decesions. Adams and McGarity will not depart ways. Adams could careless what you think, so be negative all you all want..
flagboy?
October 30th, 2011
12:02 am
UGA2002, your post means absolutely nothing. I think we all know what the numbers are. I said we had been giving the game away with turnovers and such. . . all you did was prove my point.
(STILL) 2-10 against ranked teams
October 30th, 2011
12:02 am
UGA2002….yup, I remembered ‘07 when Richt went on ESPN Sports Center and tried to convince the nation that we should be in the NC game when we couldn’t even win our division…..I couldn’t believe what I was hearing….
Jimmy
October 30th, 2011
12:03 am
You negative freaks all said UGA would lose to UF.
Guess what…you were wrong.
All you can do is whine about how terrible the team is…for pete’s sake.
You people are pathetic.
jerry
October 30th, 2011
12:03 am
Richt is making a neurotic, existential mess of his supporters. Right up to the final gun, they don’t know if it’s time to get drunk and celebrate or hang themselves.
Phil
October 30th, 2011
12:04 am
Any win over Florida is huge, I will take it. Richard Samuel was the hero in my book.
BUT, I am very concerned about our special teams. We are absolutely horrendous in all phases. We have got to get better on special teams to keep this run going.
real dawgfan
October 30th, 2011
12:05 am
No kidding, jimmy. these people suck.
Jimmy
October 30th, 2011
12:07 am
You know…negative people will find some reason to criticize.
Now the refrain is “can’t beat ranked teams”.
You people are so ridiculous.
If UGA beats ranked teams you will just complain about how badly they should have beaten them.
Sad.
SE GA Fan
October 30th, 2011
12:07 am
Boy, after reading two of those early weird comments, I am happy I can remind myself that football is actually just a game.
jerry
October 30th, 2011
12:07 am
@UGA2002…………….damn, that’s embarrassing.
tdog
October 30th, 2011
12:09 am
We won, but it looked like a couple of bottom tier teams out there. Muuuray and the defense were average and Brantley played a horrible game. When all you can do is try to pass, expect to lose. Georgia got lucky with one interference call, and Florida did not. Those two calls sealed the game.
stendek
October 30th, 2011
12:09 am
I use the title Saint because Mark Wretch would probably make a wonderful reverand, priest, missionary, rabbi or nun. A major college football coach head coach he is not! Has not been for several seasons. A bargain at one tenth the price. Not!
Athensdawg
October 30th, 2011
12:11 am
Your right these “so called fans” are pathetic with negativity and crying about a win. There is no need to try to convince people on this board, because all these negative “so called UGA fans” think they are all qualified football coaches, however they are only qualified to be a computer or couch coach.
ole dawg
October 30th, 2011
12:11 am
Then we are good STILL. CMR’s past performance shows that he is the best HC in the history of UGA football and his trend of winning the last 6 games looks pretty good. Can’t really be his fault that those teams weren’t ranked. Let me let you in on a little secret; talk with other UGA coaches in other sports and you will find out what Mr. McGarity already knows. Look at the “trend” of Richt coaching under D. Evans and his record prior to D. Evans. That mess is just starting to get cleaned up. Richt aint going anywhere. Celebrate the wins even if you think they are ugly. In 1980 many of those wins were ugly but we will never give them back.
flagboy?
October 30th, 2011
12:11 am
hahahahah. It’s nice when opposing fans have to fake being disgruntled UGA fans to get a point across.
SE GA Fan
October 30th, 2011
12:13 am
After reading Stendeck, I know it is time to permanently put down my typing hands. What a weirdo and totally amateur football analyst. I am off these stupid blogs forever.
Athensdawg
October 30th, 2011
12:14 am
Its funny that all these want to be coaches who think they know best for UGA football who sit on the computer to attempt their coaching skills from their couch.
lawzoo
October 30th, 2011
12:16 am
Big deal. A VERY mediocre game between the #2 and #3 teams in the SEC East. YAWN !
The only exciting part of the game was …which penalty can we call against uf next?
flagboy?
October 30th, 2011
12:16 am
What’s funny is seeing all the fans of other teams having pretend to be UGA fans to get a point across.
And Kiffen just lost as well.
(STILL) 2-10 against ranked teams
October 30th, 2011
12:16 am
Ole Dawg…..really?? I mean seriously?? It was all Damon Evans fault??
as my Jewish friends would say…..Oy Vay!!!
aarh
October 30th, 2011
12:16 am
Oh yeah- What do you mean they haven’t won anything in 100 yrs.? The won the SEC in ‘05, & if you’re talking about national titles, then they won it in 80. I know that was a long time ago, but it’s not 100 yrs.
aarh
October 30th, 2011
12:18 am
Oh yeah- You’re statement was they haven’t won anything, but winning the SEC a couple of times can’t be described as not winning anything.
flagboy?
October 30th, 2011
12:18 am
aww lawzoo. Someone needs to tell the uf coaches how to get a play in quicker.
Dawg Whisperer
October 30th, 2011
12:22 am
I think we can all agree that the dawgs won despite inept, not so special teams and erractic QB play but to win regardless means that the rest of the team more than made up for these inadequacies. The defense, in particular, and the o-line did well also. Richard Samuel deserves a game ball for tough and tenacious running.
aarh
October 30th, 2011
12:23 am
tdog- The offense was inconsistent, & the special teams were horrible I’ll admit, but one thing you can’t complain about is the defense. There were put in bad situations several times, & still shut FL down. FL would’ve scored even less if it wasn’t for the special teams. The defense played well & was a big reason why UGA won the game.
Dawg enuff
October 30th, 2011
12:24 am
Buzz 2011 , We may not have taken down a ranked team in the top 25, but first of all we ARE a top 25 team, and if Ga.Tech is a top 25 team by the end of the year,say on Nov. 11th,then we will beat a top 25 team,Ga.Tech!
Sid
October 30th, 2011
12:25 am
It’s nice when Orlando has the weekend off. Go Dawgs!
flagboy?
October 30th, 2011
12:26 am
Just great to beat the gators. Especially after going down early in the game, to not fold up like we have in the past.
St. Clarkston
October 30th, 2011
12:27 am
Now let’s really exorcise those demons by winning two in a row.
ole dawg
October 30th, 2011
12:28 am
Uh STILL… he was the Athletic Director and in charge of the football program. When 4 other HC’s in other sports at UGA tell me that DE had the football program (among other things) screwed up, I tend to believe them. They want the football program to succeed because it funds their sports. They still belive CMR is the man for the job and they unanimously say “give Mcgarity time to clean this mess up.” And as my Methodist friends say, “Know your sh**.”
Vince
October 30th, 2011
12:29 am
May have been the worst Florida team in 20 years, and we won by 4. Hilarious.
Dr. Dave
October 30th, 2011
12:31 am
We won despite poor special teams play and not having our best WR, Mitchell, out there. We won despite Aaron Murray missing a couple of wide open receivers for TD’s. The UGA defense is really stout. What everyone forgets is that some our our best players are freshman!
dawgster
October 30th, 2011
12:31 am
@Athensdawg…agree with you 100%…and as far as “UGA2002, you make sick not only for your absurd comments but the fact you use the handle you do and try to say you are a dawg fan…Well as a former dawg and UGA alum. just let me say you make me sick with your negative comments…Please support another team or better yet why not strap on the helmet yourself and give it a go…you seem to have all the answers….For other so called dawg fans;..we beat the gators, no we are not a powerhouse, anyone with any football knowledge knows that but these kids have heart and are giving it their all in spite of some injuries in key positions and we are very young…Yes we have some problems, especially with our special team, but the bottom line is we are 6-2 and still in it for the SEC East, everyone can’t say that, especially the gators….Lets enjoy the victory and continue to work on our mistakes….go dawgs, I am very proud of this team and the coaches for a fantastic effort, regardless of how good the gators are or are not this season….
Gator4Life
October 30th, 2011
12:31 am
Congrats to the Georgia for beating a team that is with a first year coach. Oh yeah by the way to all of you UGA fans. The Florida team you beat tonight youll see again for the next three years. Out of 72 players only 18 are seniors or juniors. So Georgia enjoy your one win in the series.
flagboy?
October 30th, 2011
12:33 am
Vince, i’m sure fla is laughing about it right now.
LakeDawg
October 30th, 2011
12:36 am
The analyzing can wait for another day. WE JUST BEAT THE STINKIN’ GATORS! HELL YEAH!
Vince
October 30th, 2011
12:36 am
I wouldn’t say the defense is stout, that was a 4-4 team. Against the 2 good team UGA has played, they gave up 40+ points a game. UF’s ffense struggles against everybody.
Send'em Uhauls
October 30th, 2011
12:37 am
Mark Richt will blow it against Auburn. Book it!
LakeDawg
October 30th, 2011
12:38 am
This ones for you TampaGator.