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
UGA2002
October 30th, 2011
9:13 am
Way down the headlines in CFB on SI.com is: No. 22 UGA Gets Rare Win Over UF.
Emphasis on rare.
On AJC, well, it’s alll GT. We get the biggest win in years for this program and it is trumped by GT smashing a hot #5 Clemson to pieces and that could’ve been up by 28 had Clemson not been allowed to play off sides.
UGA has arrived!!!
Tampa Gator
October 30th, 2011
9:13 am
Lake Dawg….
Enjoy your meal for the coming year. You earned it.
ARdawg
October 30th, 2011
9:13 am
Tampa Gator
Jeeze dude, try to stay classy. Reasons/excuses for losing is tit for tat and equals whining. It’s a football game, not the end of the world
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 30th, 2011
9:14 am
Mark Bradley fix the filter on here please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tampa Gator
October 30th, 2011
9:14 am
Didn’t get to see the Tech win over Clemson…….but I am not seeing a lot of Tech haters on hear this morning. That win had to make some Dawgs a little nervous. RIght?
B'dawg
October 30th, 2011
9:15 am
I remember Trey Burton had a hell of a game last year. Where the hell was he last night. On the sidelines crying like the rest of the team. WE WON. Its over. Get a life.Move on.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 30th, 2011
9:15 am
Tampa Gator
Im not beating my chest like the other delusional retards on here are
UGA2002
October 30th, 2011
9:16 am
Still looking for the “Alabama gets rare win against rival…” “Auburn gets rare win against rival…” “LSU gets rare win against rival…”
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 30th, 2011
9:17 am
Mark Bradley fix the filter on here please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
B'dawg
October 30th, 2011
9:17 am
Trey Burton had a heck of a game last year. Where was he last night? On the sidelines crying with the rest of the team. Its over. We won. Move on. Next!
B'dawg
October 30th, 2011
9:18 am
Now your blocking my posts Mark. What the ..
Tampa Gator
October 30th, 2011
9:19 am
ARDawg…..
My world is my wonderful wife, my intelligent and successful grown children, and my ever-expanding grandchildren (Sunday through Friday)…….and college football is my passion on Saturdays and before brunch on Sundays. And my wife allows me that passion….and one of the reasons I love her so.
Reality
October 30th, 2011
9:19 am
Tampa Gator, I’ve seen Brantley play when he’s healthy and he still sucks. The kid can’t move to save his life, bum ankle or not. Your team is terrible this year.
Evansdawg
October 30th, 2011
9:19 am
If Muschamp has the same kind of year next year, you gators will run him out of Gainesville! Of course we have more stability right now in coaching. Recruits can’t be sure that Muschamp and company will be their coaches for a long forseeable future. As UGA’s very young team matures, they will continue to improve and continue to win games. Right now, the wheels are off the Gator train.
…and “reasons” = excuses. Using your logic, Tampa, our best wideout was out of the game. I guess had he not been out, we would have won by 20 points or more….just as you say had Brantley been healthy the Gators would have won. I guess thats a “reason” (excuse) that we didn’t beat you any worse.
PTC DAWG
October 30th, 2011
9:20 am
hard to believe all the negative comments after a WIN vs Florida. Wow, what miserable lives some must lead.
Reality
October 30th, 2011
9:20 am
Its amazing that you don’t have a better option than Brantley.
The haters are pissed
October 30th, 2011
9:20 am
Reading these Blogs. It shows in the immaturely level of college football fans these days. Tech, GA, Fla fans it doesn’t matter.
Larry Munson jr
October 30th, 2011
9:21 am
Comparing Georgia to Bama is like comparing a rowboat to the USS Arizonia
Lowcountry Bulldawg
October 30th, 2011
9:21 am
It was a great victory, but UGA certainly cannot be satisfied with how the offense looked along with the “Special” teams. The “Special” teams is actually embarassing to watch at this point. AM has some work to do on his own part, but a victory over Floriduh is a great thing to wake up to on a Sunday.
JARVIS JONES
October 30th, 2011
9:21 am
ALL YOU GATOR FANS YOU HAVE LOST FOUR IN A ROLL AND YOUR COACH IS A EX DAWG
AND WEISS TOOK NOTRE DAME DOWN SO YOU WILL NEVER SEE THE EAST CHAMPIONSHIP AGAIN , WE OWN YOU SO GO BEAT FSU AND WE WILL SEE YOU ON TV IN
MEMPHIS ……..ALL DAWGS CELEBRATE AND ALL GATORS KISS MY AS@#$%^&*()_
The haters are pissed
October 30th, 2011
9:22 am
Really a Florida hitching his wagon to the Ga Tech? LOL
Tampa Gator
October 30th, 2011
9:22 am
I agree with the post about Georgia’s WR corp………that is going to be a strength for you in the coming years. Florida needs to go out and recruit some over 6′ WR that can go up and get the ball like your receivers did in the endzone on 4th down yesterday. They won the game for you.
SEC East Conference
October 30th, 2011
9:23 am
That was one of the most pathetic games I can remember watching in a long time. Two QB’s that are suppose to be top rival picks when they came into college looked more like popwarner at best. However post that UGA’s going to take LSU apart if they get to the conference title must of never watched LSU. We’re lucky the Dawgs didn’t have to play LSU or Alabama in the regular season and get a taste of what Florida did when they played them. The entire SEC East is no match for the SEC West or any other Conference at this time. At one time the SEC East was Elite but now we’re not even average.
jerry
October 30th, 2011
9:23 am
Two things UGA could try to improve the passing and the punt game , if it is legal, is to have Butler at QB and actually punt the ball toward the receiver on passing downs and to have Murray throw the ball as far as he can on punting downs.
JARVIS JONES
October 30th, 2011
9:23 am
RICHARD SAMUEL 1V IS YOUR DADDY RAN THRU YOU LIKE THE GIRLS YOU ARE….
Tampa Gator
October 30th, 2011
9:26 am
Jarvis…..
True classy post….from a non classy Dawg fan. Give Weiss a healthy and talented QB, with a power RB, an OL that can run block, and a couple of WRs that can go up and get the ball…..and Weiss will do just fine. Unfortnately, he does not have any of those things right now. He and Mushcamp are out recruiting them…..you can believe that. I remember, as well, that Bama lost of La-Monroe in Saban’s first year there. Then what?
Joey
October 30th, 2011
9:26 am
UF has Spread athletes, RBs in particular, and needs Power I athletes. Will UF give Muschamp the length of his contract (5 years) to get those players, Tampa Gator?
Dawg 1
October 30th, 2011
9:28 am
Yellow Fuzz…
Your quite funny. I’m sure your wife appreciates that air of ’superiority’ that you have about you. Do not kid yourself my friend. I have had my car keyed ‘twice’ at Tech sporting events. Nothing special about the two SUV’S I had. A simple UGA plate on it. Nothing else. Sorry, but you have your fair share of idiots as well and then the group who honestly believe they are just ‘better people’ because they went to Georgia Tech. The arrogance is laughable.
We quietly go to games, cheer for our side and congratulate those around us, should the other team wins. Most of the fans/alumni that get on these blogs are decent and will grant you that UGA has more idiotic post than Tech – but in % of fans – it’s likely to be pretty close.
Congrats on the big win verses Clemson. We’ll see you in a few weeks – hopefully my car will come out of it w/o a Tech fan defacing it this year.
The haters are pissed
October 30th, 2011
9:30 am
Reading these blogs really show the immaturity level of many college football fans. That includes the Florida fans posting here, Ga Tech fans posting here, and even UGA fans. Get a life people.
Ga Tech fans – yes big win. I was at your game. Question – Where were all your fans? 40% of the stadium was Clemson fans. Doesn’t mean shite for the upcoming UGA game.
Florida fans – get over it you LOST. Your big mouth coach needs to shut up!
GA fans – It was a big win. Team showed toughness and overcame some crazy stuff. Either get behind your team or root for Alabama.
The lack of class on this blog is really apparent.
Richt is still a bum. He has defrauded UGA.
October 30th, 2011
9:32 am
Richt got lucky that he defeated a third-rate Florida team; although they’re rebuilding, they almost beat him. Richt still does not have head-coaching abilities. I wouldn’t let him coach my five year old. He has no integrity; he has fooled UGA into thinking he has head-coaching abilities, but he does not. And UGA was stupid enough to buy it. If Richt was honorable, he would resign and refund all that money, with interest, he has conned UGA out of.
Senor Coughee
October 30th, 2011
9:33 am
Based on their play in the first half, this is not a win to be proud of. Our special teams stank, and we were nearly beaten by a one-legged QB.
Tampa Gator
October 30th, 2011
9:34 am
Joey…..
He has already recruited them……..Matt Jones and Mike Davis. They join the Gators next year. He has also recruiting two of the top OL in the country and is in the running for many of the top players in the country…..including two ot the top 5 WRs in the country. He has already recieved commits from the two top TEs in the country as well…..and they already have Jordan Reed who is going to develop into maybe the top TE in the country in time. The Gator D is strong….and very young. They just need one more top LB and a really good DE to become a great D. Florida will be back….and very soon…..and Muschamp will learn a lot from this year….and become a much better head coach. No doubt.
Gatormeat
October 30th, 2011
9:34 am
Even a blind squirrel finds a nut now and then
ARdawg
October 30th, 2011
9:34 am
Tampa Gator
I’m sure your wife is a lovely woman. You are generally a classy poster and I can understand your disappointment but, you really show get over it. Your reason are nothing more than excuses. This one hurt or that one hurt yadda yadda yadda. Florida had 11 guys out there on every play. If they couldn’t play and your coach had them out there well, then you have a coaching problem. Georgia was the better team if your guys were 100%. If you want to rationalize in your mind thats why you lost fine but, don’t expect the rest of us to buy into it
Senor Coughee
October 30th, 2011
9:35 am
hahaha…the YellowFuzz troll is back? Reminds me of a Braves fan. Only comes around when they win.
The haters are pissed
October 30th, 2011
9:35 am
@ Dawg 1
I was at the Tech game last night and they were running off the mouth about UGA. I actually heard a Clemson fan saying UGA would beat them down. Tech fan said they would beat UGA down. It really was sad.
DP
October 30th, 2011
9:35 am
Tampa Dawg, Florida has had top 5 recruiting classes for the last 5-6 years and you think they need to recruit more talent? Can’t all the highly rated recruits on the current roster be coached up?
Gladys
October 30th, 2011
9:37 am
Improvement for UGA but nothing more. Still a mid-tier football program with National title expectations.
Gatormeat
October 30th, 2011
9:38 am
georgia has not beaten Florida twice in a row since the late 80’s. It won’t happen next year either
ARdawg
October 30th, 2011
9:39 am
Gatormeat
Ya think? On what basis do you make such a statement?
just saying.....
October 30th, 2011
9:39 am
Bwahahahaha! I love all these haters and fair weather Georgia fans. You guys won’t bring me down today! This was a series changing win! Just look at what we return next year compared to Florida. Grantham has us looking like the Dawgs of old. Whether SC loses or not, we’re going into next year with huge momentum. I hate to tell all you Tech fans, no matter how you looked against a Clemson team who by the way had an awful defense, we are going to stomp you in your own house in November!!!! Your passing game sucks and our D line is going to devour your running game!
Tampa Gator
October 30th, 2011
9:40 am
SEC East Conference…….
The rosters of Georgia, Florida, SC, and Tennessee are very young….and very talented. I fully expect the SEC East will be back on par with the West next year. Other than LSU and Bama….the West is nothing to brag about either. Vandy, in fact, almost (should have) beat the 3rd best team in the West yesterday. LSU and Bama are in a class by themselves. The rest of the SEC….like the rest of the NCAA…..is looking up at them right now. Enjoy while you can…..the East is coming back….real soon…..like next year. Georgia is going to be very good next year. So is SC. Florida and Tennessee have a lot of very young talent. Vandy is getting better. Kentucky is horrible…and will most likely stay horrible.
GEAUXTIGER
October 30th, 2011
9:41 am
WHAT A WIN FOR GEORGIA
LSU stopped planning for BAMA to get ready for these POWERFUL DAWGS in the SEC game..and Grantham’s new towel defense
DMAN
October 30th, 2011
9:42 am
32 yards in second half and tampa wants to talk smack,had one long pass
play,two long returns,thats it!Ya’ll would have never run on us PERIOD,
quit with all the excuses!Why dont you blame Muschump,pittiful coaching!
Tampa Gator
October 30th, 2011
9:42 am
ARDawg….
Maybe because Georgia only beat a very wounded and transitional team by 4 ponts yesterday. That might be a clue.
BullDogMike
October 30th, 2011
9:44 am
A few observations here. First, why in blazes can Coach Richt not just say our special teams are scary , and actually do something about it. They are a laughing stock around the SEC. WHat good does it do for the defense to play so great, and then go to sidelines and watch a punt returned for six? And we have another kicker on the roster,and on scholarship. Brandon Bogatay is the guy. CMR went out to California to bring him back from JUCO and to do what? Put his tail out there and let him kick the field goals. What’s the worst thing that can happen ? Heck, if he misses or Walsh misses it is the same result. I don’t understand this way of thinking . I wish somebody would explain it to me..
ARdawg
October 30th, 2011
9:44 am
Tampa Gator
I think next year we are going to see the rise of Georgia, Florida and Tennessee. All three extremely young and loaded with talent. The East has been down now for the second year, the ebb and flow normally doesn’t last any longer than than
Paddy
October 30th, 2011
9:44 am
Miss Bee……..stick to cooking, washing and cleaning. Football is not your forte..
Excuses count
October 30th, 2011
9:44 am
Yellow Fuzz is a zit faced nerd that now believes tek has a chance against UGA because they beat a Clemson team with no defense…. rude awakening coming
The haters are pissed
October 30th, 2011
9:46 am
@ Gatormeat
LOL. Sour Grapes