A soggy salute to the Georgia Bulldogs, SEC East champs
Branden Smith returns a first-half interception Saturday. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
Athens — On the dark night Georgia lost to South Carolina to slide to 0-2, the Bulldogs’ offensive coordinator went looking for spirits to lift. To his surprise, Mike Bobo found that spirits were unbowed.
“I’d tell them, ‘If we hang together and keep working, we’ve got a chance to be very good,’” Bobo said Saturday. “And every one of them said, ‘Coach, we’ve got a chance to be great.’”
As he spoke, Bobo sat in a chair in a locker room, the floor of which had been covered in plastic and doused with water. A nondescript game had ended with the Georgia Bulldogs champions of the SEC East for the first time since the distant year 2005.
“We grabbed water bottles and threw them around the room,” said wide receiver Marlon Brown, scorer of Georgia’s only touchdown this day, and even the 51-year-old head coach got in the soggy swing of things. Seeking to slide across the wet surface, Mark Richt made it only halfway.
“I thought it was going to be fun,” Richt said of his maneuver. “I can’t say it was fun.”
For Richt, the day’s overriding emotion seemed more relief than exultation. He arrived from Florida State in 2001, won the SEC in 2002 and took his Bulldogs to the SEC championship game three times in four years. Then, having set the bar high, Richt went five years without a return to the title game, and when this season began there was no assurance this coach would have this job come 2012. And then the 2011 Bulldogs started 0-2.
“When we lost to South Carolina [the second of the two losses], a lot of things go through your mind as a coach,” Richt said. “Sometimes you’ve got to make something up — you don’t want to lose your team. But [that night] I could stand there with a straight face; it was very easy to believe in them. And I said, ‘If we don’t spit the bit … if we keep grinding, we can do it.’ ”
On Saturday, his Bulldogs finished this latest drill. Yes, they were aided by a schedule that eased after the back-to-back whammy of Boise State and South Carolina, but it isn’t as if Georgia backed into anything. It has won nine consecutive games, beating Tennessee and Florida and Auburn en route, and it finished 7-1 in SEC play. (Let’s note that South Carolina took the East with a 5-3 record last season.)
Richt: “It’s hard to win nine in a row. We’ve done something special.”
The details of a forgettable Victory No. 9 — Georgia trailed Kentucky, which had lost by 30 points to Vanderbilt last week, after 29 minutes and led only 12-10 after three quarters — will soon be forgotten. The ramifications will linger long. Said cornerback Brandon Boykin: “I’ll definitely remember this game for clinching a championship on Senior Day. Everyone had so much riding on this game.”
Richt again: “I told the players this [East title] was the most meaningful to me. I don’t know if that’s true or not, but it felt like it today.”
Here he laughed, but there was no comedic content in the job Richt and his staff did to keep this team buoyant after a start that might have sunk another bunch. “It wasn’t just 0-2,” Richt said, “but 0-2 coming off 6-7 [of last season] and with everything swirling around. We did a really good job handling all the noise.”
Said linebacker Jarvis Jones, the sudden star of a ravenous defense that held Kentucky to 13 yards and one first down after halftime: “It’s not how you drive; it’s how you arrive. We kept fighting, and look at us now.”
Said cornerback Branden Smith: “All [the 0-2 start] did was bring us together as one family.”
Said Brown: “We kept grinding.”
Even after 11 games and nine victories, it’s hard to know just how good Georgia is. The Auburn victory was the only time the Bulldogs thrashed an SEC opponent, and for long stretches Saturday they flailed against the worst Kentucky team of the new millennium. But they won. Since the night of Sept. 10, they’ve done nothing except win.
Said Richt: “I don’t know if we’re a great team, but we’re SEC East champs.”
In the grand scheme, that’s all that matters. Georgia headed back to the big game in the big city, back where it once belonged. Full credit to this team and this coach for taking it there.
By Mark Bradley
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710 comments Add your comment
Rematch
November 20th, 2011
7:37 am
Maybe Georgia will get a rematch with UCF?
dawginduluth
November 20th, 2011
7:40 am
Ugly win. Hope it’s not enough to keep Richt around for another year.
UGA = 2011 SEC East Champions - The Recycle Bin
November 20th, 2011
7:43 am
[...] UGA overcame a 0-2 start to finish the drill and capture the SEC East crown. On Saturday, his Bulldogs finished this latest drill. Yes, they were aided by a schedule that [...]
Buzz2011
November 20th, 2011
7:45 am
Welcome to Bobby Dodd .. Bring lot’s and lot’s of field goals. Let’s celebrate the east…
tenn.DAWG
November 20th, 2011
7:45 am
To reel off 9 wins in a row and a championship of any kind is a feat, after 0-2 start.Now just keep your eyes on the prize and GATA !!!
dawgdip
November 20th, 2011
7:49 am
A 300 lbs. lineman falls on Crowell’s ankle and you people say he has to tough it up. Give the kid a break. Carlton Thomas needs to look where Ealy and King are right now and get his act together. Go Dogs Beat Tech. By the way the Dogs will show up for the SECCG and don’t be surprised at what happens.
gtfanfrom1951
November 20th, 2011
7:58 am
Come on Mark UGA has the weakest schedule in the SEC. Georgie only played one SEc team with a winning record. UGA would be like Miss State in the SEC west.
gtfanfrom1951
November 20th, 2011
8:00 am
Go to Sugar and play OSU again with same results!!!!!!!!!
dmr
November 20th, 2011
8:04 am
Mark,
I would love to see you write an article about Coach Richt and our running backs. Not what they have or have not accomplished, but this:
Carlton Thomas SUSPENDED AGAIN! Mark Richt is at a crossroads in my opinion again. I was crucified last year in an opinion piece I wrote regarding Richt’s handling of Washaun Ealey and his pitiful one game suspension for violating, and in fact, outright lying to his coaches. Richt was too soft in my opinion in dealing with that situation.
Well, for the third time this year, Carlton Thomas was suspended from a game. Crowell was hurt, AGAIN! Injuries are one thing. Unreliability is something else altogether.
Richt finds himself here again and Georgia is trying to win the SEC with inconsistency and unreliability on a personal level at the running back position. It is time for Richt to clear out those he cannot depend on and recruit guys for the position who don’t act like knuckleheads.
AGREE OR DISAGREE?
Rematch
November 20th, 2011
8:08 am
If Boise State loses two more games, then maybe we’ll get a rematch with them?
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 20th, 2011
8:09 am
Can we post a ad in the AJC for a new offensive coordinator PLEASE
BobDawg
November 20th, 2011
8:09 am
BUCKEYE! Where you been, Bro?? Thanks for the props…. DawginLex and I drank alot of Makers yesterday and all is good… Can’t have the “style” points everygame but we took care of business with our 3rd, 4th, 5th string backs which limited our offense and playcalling… Hopefully Tech gets ranked this week so we can shove the schedule crap back in folks faces…. On to the Dome!!!!
BobDawg
November 20th, 2011
8:12 am
GATOR NATION… thanks also for the props… you folks sure have gotten “nice” all of a sudden??!!! Humble pie is always good for a “Nation” every once in a while so you can appreciate the good times…It is cyclical, isn’t it????
Old Dawg
November 20th, 2011
8:17 am
The Dogs have a freshman RB who was really a great HS player. He walked on at UGA and could help if they would give him a chance. I saw him play twice in GHSA playoffs and he got it done. Not the biggest, not the fastest, but he doesn’t fumble and he runs for positive yards. Let the long hairs sit and put in Kyle K coach. Just give him a darn chance to show what he can do.
TampaGator
November 20th, 2011
8:17 am
Tiger Droppings……
Florida is indeed down this year. But, if you think Florida is forever down, you are a complete foot from Tigerland. There is a lot of very young talent in Gainesville (49 out of 72 scholarship players are freshmen and sophs)…..and much more is on the way. And from watching him play and exhibit all th innate QB skills and athleticism that Brantley lacks, I believe the future is very bright for the Gators with Jacoby Brissett at QB. And Driskell is just a freshman too. But time will tell. Muschamp has had a tough year, but I think he will get Florida back real soon…..much, much sooner than it took Georgia to get back in the SEC East driver’s seat.
And Droppings……if you look at Georgia honestly……they look like a top 5 team for next year.
BobDawg
November 20th, 2011
8:18 am
This was supposed to be a boring weekend of games and Okie State and Oregon go down the tubes.. Shows if you don’t show up each week you can get “stung”… I really didn’t say that did I?????
TampaGator
November 20th, 2011
8:20 am
OldDawg…..
Were you raised in the 50’s………sounds like it. “long hairs”?????????
TampaGator
November 20th, 2011
8:23 am
BobDawg…..
One year does not make a cylce of events……for Georgia or for Florida.
BobDawg
November 20th, 2011
8:24 am
so is TIGER DROPPINGS LSU, a Barner or a Clemson Tigger??? yawn…..If it is LSU, I would take us lightly also and hope they do…. We have nothing to lose, just like Ky did yesterday…
BobDawg
November 20th, 2011
8:25 am
TAMPAGATOR… you will be back, no doubt…. but I’m surprised with your recruiting year in and year out that you did fall this far.
Elementary my Dear Watson
November 20th, 2011
8:27 am
Step 1 delivered. Both Okla and Oregon lost. Step 2 – Ark beats LSU. Step 3 – Aub beats Bama. Step 4 – Okla beats Okla St. Step 5 – UGA beats either LSU/Ark in ATL. UGA leaps over Stanford/Boise State/Virg Tech/Ark in BCS standings. UGA goes to BCS vs winner of PAC 12 championship game ( Stanford/Oregon? ). Or a rematch with LSU. Step 6 – LSU/Bama/Ark/Virg Tech/Boise St all lose their bowl games. UGA pummels opponent in BCS champ game. What’s my name?…….Elementary My Dear Watson.
The Mathematician
November 20th, 2011
8:28 am
Congrats Dawgs! You’ve kicked over nine tin cans in a row. What’s next…lobbying for a spot in the BCS NCG?
gacoastalguy
November 20th, 2011
8:28 am
I sure hope the Dawgs are recruiting a running back for next year.
BobDawg
November 20th, 2011
8:29 am
WATSON…. tooo funny but they way this season is going… who knows??? So if Arky is 3rd as the Mother Ship is suggesting, is the LSU/Arky game the game of the Century??? It should be alot more scoring than was in the Bummma game….
Old Dawg
November 20th, 2011
8:30 am
You bet! Played with a crewcut too thanks to my Dad. And, I think that hair hanging out of a helmet is UGLY just like “pants on the ground”. Tell me that crap on Crowells head is anything buy UGLY! It surely doesn’t make him a better player. So, WHAT?? Maybe its just his femine side. Heck, he might be faster if cut that stuff and got a little more aerodynamic!
dap01
November 20th, 2011
8:34 am
I love those 3 and ten calls with our little running backs trying to run up the middle.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 20th, 2011
8:36 am
We finally got a real D-Coordinator in place
All we are missing is an O-Coordinator
If we can do that we will be great
BobDawg
November 20th, 2011
8:36 am
some of you haven’t played football before…When you are down to your Scout team backs…the playbook is limited….
BobDawg
November 20th, 2011
8:37 am
What did we have 6-7 turnovers yesterday… Even the genius Weiss couldn’t handle that as an OC… He is a genius isn’t he??? I mean, the Pistol, really ?????
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 20th, 2011
8:44 am
BobDawg
Im sick and tired of Bozo’s conservative playcalling
He should have scored more with a fan from the stadium at running back
That was a sorry Defense who has only beat one SEC team Ole Sorry Miss
please
November 20th, 2011
8:50 am
Florida is down for the count. Waiting to watch recruits decommit. Please keep that chump Mushmouth!! He da man. lol!
sick fan
November 20th, 2011
8:51 am
when you can’t run the ball you need your qb to step up and that didn’t happen today
Reality
November 20th, 2011
9:05 am
Elementary my Dear Watson you are funny. UGA does not win another game. 9-5 not bad though.
David Granger
November 20th, 2011
9:09 am
Typical Mark Richt coached team. Was not ready to play hard from the kickoff, and took forever to get going. Beat a team that…with the difference between the talent on both teams…we should have blown off the field.
Thank goodness for our schedule this season. We have only really played well in two games this season…and one of those was a loss to SC.
loser
November 20th, 2011
9:10 am
richt is going bald, bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
ATLdog
November 20th, 2011
9:11 am
It’s great that we’re in the SEC championship, but let’s keep this in perspective. We had a very easy schedule this year. We just struggled against a horrible Kentucky team and we did not play Alabama, LSU, or Arkansas, i.e. the best teams in the conference. Florida and Auburn were way down this year. We only played two good teams this year and lost to both of them (Boise and S Carolina). Its been a great year but we were very fortunate.
loser
November 20th, 2011
9:12 am
did richt call any of his players a dumb @ss this week?
Three Ring Circus
November 20th, 2011
9:19 am
Will UGA wear their Nike clown costumes in the Dome again?
Hangtime Memories
November 20th, 2011
9:20 am
I’m old enough to remember when UGA had intelligent athletes, not the illiterate goons and morons that Richt recruits.
Elementary my Dear Watson
November 20th, 2011
9:31 am
@ Reality. I’m serious, it could happen. Why not? UGA 13-2 and Nat Champs. Elementary My Dear Watson is my name, UGA peaking at the right time is the game.
techismybee-otch
November 20th, 2011
9:39 am
There are some really idiotic comments on here by some folks complaining about the Dawgs schedule…you play the schedule you have, period…just like mighty LSU and their wins against their SEC schedule….those teams have a combined 16-34 record….(they haven’t played Arky yet)….if they win that one, the combined record would be 22-36….but no one is complaining…or how they beat the mighty Missy State team who has ONE win in a conference game…19-6…UGA beat them 24-10…UGA beat Auburn worse than LSU did too…the point is, shut up and celebrate that UGA is the SECE champ, and WILL get a chance to show what they can do…with their wins against a combined 18-41 SEC record…it is what it is…and don’t count out Arky pulling off the upset against LSU.
Big Earl
November 20th, 2011
9:46 am
I truly wish I didn’t believe this, but I am more convinced than ever that Bobo is not and will never be an offensive coordinator that can take Georgia to level of the Bama’s and LSU’s. If I see one more 3rd and 10 from midfield where the call is to run a 5′7″ 170lb. walkon right up the middle when you’ve got arguably the best QB in the SEC and all of your receiver healthy, I may blow a gasket!!! At the very least I’ll need a new TV. I suggest giving him the title of “Asst. Head Coach/QB Coach”, keep his salary the same forever so he can raise his 27 kids and CMR won’t feel guilty, AND FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT’S DECENT HIRE A REAL OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR!!! Bottom line, does anyone really believe that Bobo is the BEST Offensive Coordinator we could have running our offense at Georgia? We can do so much better.
davereaux
November 20th, 2011
9:48 am
Watson, you DIDN’T just type UGA as National Champs. This is not an audition site for the Comedy Club. You DO know that, don’t you?
TampaGator
November 20th, 2011
9:48 am
Bob Dawg….
Bama runs the pistol offense in their pro syle system as well. Weis put in the pistol because Brantley couldn’t turn and hand off the ball to his backs either from the I-formation or from the shotgun in the Georgia game after he re-twisted it during that geme. In the pistol, Brantley can hand the ball off without turning on his ankle, and it has made the Gators better on offense with Brantley’s type of injury. If Weis had instituted it in the Georgia game, maybe the offense would have performed better throughout that game. So……Weis seems to be very innovative as an OC…….
davereaux
November 20th, 2011
9:49 am
Regardless of WHO the Dawgs play in the Dome, LSU, Bama or Arky, you’re still going home with your tail between your legs. All jacked up.
UGA punched its ticket
November 20th, 2011
9:50 am
To more underachieving and mediocrity with Richt. LSU will hang over 40 on these clowns.
LHarding Dawg
November 20th, 2011
9:51 am
Big Earl – Do you mean a real offensive coordinator like maybe, Charlie Weis. I think I’ll just keep Mike for now.
9 point beatdown
November 20th, 2011
9:51 am
WOW over lowly Kentucky…. Im impressed.
No Sugar in the Sky
November 20th, 2011
9:54 am
LSU 48 Dawgs 12
Big Earl
November 20th, 2011
9:59 am
@LHarding Dawg….or should I say LOSER!!! I’m sure you were upset when Martinez was fired, but look at our D now! You can be OK with the totally unimaginative and horribly prepared Georgia offenses we’ve witnessed under Bobo if you want, but I think we deserve much better at Georgia. Our DEFENSE has won EVERY game for us this year, and you would have to be blind to not realize that. And I never said a word about Weiss, he can thank Brady for the bulk of his career.