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
Football Bat
November 19th, 2011
6:33 pm
I’m thrilled we won the east, but would someone please explain what we have to gain by NOT running a play with :01 second left in the half and after intercepting the ball? Seriously, a FREE play with only a 2 point lead? Not even a simple post pattern? Are we so likely to be the victim of a pick six???
Richt appears to want to run for the safety of the locker room more than play on the field. This is the lack of killer instinct that will be our demise in the big game, just like it was against UCF in our 6-3 loss.
TampaGator
November 19th, 2011
6:33 pm
Congrats on the SEC East title, Georgia fans. You did not win it impressingly….but you won it…and that is all that matters.
ddawg
November 19th, 2011
6:33 pm
I would love to see Coach Superiors face right now.
oh brother!
November 19th, 2011
6:34 pm
Man…why do people have to always find soemthing to pick on in a win? We won…who cares why we ran which program when and why? You don’t know more than our coaching staff…give it a rest.
Outer Banks Dawg
November 19th, 2011
6:35 pm
No backup RB… Not good… Is carlton Thomas gonna be eligible for yech? Seccg?? Obviously Crowell is fighting a nagging injury or is a straight punk. Love Harton’s heart, but geez… UK almost broke him in half twice…. Credit UK d line… Talented group… However…fear the schizophrenic offense… Defense and Todd Grantham won this championship… They will shut down the bees too…. Do we have any other RB’s??? We could use one…
SatillaDawg
November 19th, 2011
6:35 pm
Congrats DAWGS on your SEC East Division crown!
Best of luck in Atlanta!
Hey Crowell….Harton called and said he wants your job. And he hits the line faster than you, too. He almost busted a couple of long ones today….something you haven’t done all year.
Go DAWGS! Sic ‘Em! WOOF, WOOF, WOOF!
pj
November 19th, 2011
6:36 pm
The only TD Kentucky scored was off one of our turnovers. This Defense is BY FAR the best since the 2002-03 seasons. Ogletree and Jarvis beat their guy on EVERY play and Geathers/Jenkins just clog the interior running lanes. Then you’ve got Boykin who has become a shut down corner, and Rambo and S. Williams hitting people harder than anyone since Greg Blue was in Athens.
I honestly think Bama would have some serious problems moving the ball against us. LSU… not as confident. Go Dawgs – EAST CHAMPS!!!!
todd grantham
November 19th, 2011
6:38 pm
Mark, when you say “soggy”, does that mean you did a slide across the floor too?
cattle dawg
November 19th, 2011
6:39 pm
How bot that tongue CMR gave his wife after the game. That was the biggest play of the day.
Cuz
November 19th, 2011
6:40 pm
SEC East Champs feels pretty good.
Now on to Minnesota.
todd grantham
November 19th, 2011
6:41 pm
where’s Katherine tonight?
richmondDawg
November 19th, 2011
6:41 pm
I saw the RB from N Carolina, Todd Gurley was at the game….He will announce on Jan 3rd….Things seem to be going well for Keith Marshall as well…The lack of depth and the promise of early playing time might really help us out at RB this recruiting class…Just hope it doesn’t jump up and bite us the next two weeks…
todd grantham
November 19th, 2011
6:46 pm
“The Kiss” will go down in UGA lore.
Sam
November 19th, 2011
6:46 pm
Amazing video of a high school senior from Columbia TN who kicks the ball dead straight 75-80 yards in the air. He was successful on 54 of 54 attempts this season….100%. For some crazy reason, he wants to go to Georgia Tech.
Watch for yourself…it is unreal!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_JKwgwFY3g
Dawg Tired
November 19th, 2011
6:46 pm
What is the status of Crowell (ankle))?
"Off the Mark" Bradley
November 19th, 2011
6:48 pm
Crowell has a long way to go….. not sure he is gonna get there.
Go Dawgs!!
SatillaDawg
November 19th, 2011
6:48 pm
Cuz, hope all is well with your daughter.
Go DAWGS!
GeauxDawgs
November 19th, 2011
6:49 pm
LSU is gonna pummel the mutts!
BuzztheKiller
November 19th, 2011
6:49 pm
Congrats to UGA on saving your season when it could have easily went down the toilet. Now get ready to be upset next week before getting thrashed by LSU.
gofortwo
November 19th, 2011
6:50 pm
Well, at least that coach from South Carolina can say he is undefeated in the SEC East division. How sweet that we are the SEC East Champs which he will think about every time someone mentions he went undefeated.
cattle dawg
November 19th, 2011
6:50 pm
Honestly, the lack of depth at running back is killing me. I guess Smith and Boykin will get some extra reps this week
Chain
November 19th, 2011
6:50 pm
UGA! UGA! UGA! Suck it haters! HAHAHAHAHA!
The Kiss and Choke Sign
November 19th, 2011
6:50 pm
But in the end its the choke in the Dome…..
stendek
November 19th, 2011
6:51 pm
Hi Mark. First I wish to congratulate the Dawgs and Russ on reaching the SEC championship showdown. Nine wins in a row are nine wins regardless of who the opponents were. That being said. If the Dawgs play like this at the Georgia Dome they may as well RSVP out right now. For most of the game it was difficult to determine which team was competing for a playoff berth and which one was primping for next season. My wife asked me what was wrong with the Dawg offense to which I replied they must have been hungover from partying the night before. It was the only thing I could think of which made sense. Aaron Murray was awful. That tiny runner was okay but the fumbles were not. The Dawg FG kicker resurrected back into one of the best in the game. Thankfully since Mark Richt is a big believer in FGs. Terrible playcaller Mike Bobo was on a roll for several games but fell back into a rut with inexplicable inept play calls which left those at Sanford Stadium in a justifiable booing mood. I could not be prouder of the Dawg defense. I could tell after the Wildcats put up their 10th point that the proud Dawgs were determined to close the door at that point. They did. The biggest takeaway of the contest took place right before intermission when a fumble recovery allowed the Dawgs to go into the lockerrom with a 12-10 lead at instead of in a 10-9 hole. Those four FGs were important. The lone Dawg TD ensured the margin was more than a single score. The Dawg offense was not mentally prepared to play against a totally inferior opponent. That is on Richt and Bobo. I have nothing but praise for the defensive coach. The Dawgs are a Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde act this season. I only hope Dr Jekyll shows up in Atlanta. No matter who the opponent is!
Eddiein acworth
November 19th, 2011
6:51 pm
Love all the tech homos coming on these blogs and knocking our schedule. Check your own schedule first losers. We are sec east champs, and will continue our domination of nerdville again next weekend.
Btw I am a uga grad and a tech grad works for me. So you cant use that stupid line either losers.
HBTD!
Outer Banks Dawg
November 19th, 2011
6:52 pm
Greg Blue… DGD, but…. I think Thomas Davis was the hardest hitter ever at Safety for the Dawgs… That dude was a stud! Proud to say, ‘ SEC East Champs!’ Go Dawgs! Nice to be confident leading 12-10 or trailing 10-9 for a change! I don’t see LSU moving the ball that much on us… They will be changing qb’s every series looking for an answer…. Bama is scarier with T. Richardson…. Arkansas may have the best O in SEC…. Mark, if Arky beats LSU and Bama beats Awbern, who is
our opponent gonna be?
Dawg48
November 19th, 2011
6:57 pm
Great to be a dawg!
.
November 19th, 2011
7:01 pm
@TampaGator — I hope the bitterness in your comments taste good…. nice effort against FURMAN
The Nature Boy
November 19th, 2011
7:02 pm
@ Outer…Bama
@Cuz good luck in Minnesota..yall are in my prayers
@ people worried about the dawgs running back situation….ummmmmm so am I…(but I aint worried about next Saturday) WHOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAA
Grande Perro
November 19th, 2011
7:02 pm
The D gave the ball to the O on a silver platter more than once, and we only kicked FGs. The D did really well. The O…
tell me again
November 19th, 2011
7:03 pm
Forget the rankings and records – it’s hate week. GO DAWGS! BEAT TECH!
Bali
November 19th, 2011
7:06 pm
TampaG….didn’t get to see any of the Fla or Ga game….what happened to you guys in the first quarter? I’m sure you weren’t a happy camper til the 4th.
TampaGator
November 19th, 2011
7:08 pm
No bitterness in any of my comments. But I certainly read a lot of “bitterness” being posted at your team by Georgia fans on Bradley’s game blog today. This is the first time I have followed the Georgia blog on game day (unable to go to The Swamp today) and I was amazed at how negative and “bitter” so many of the Georgia fans were during the game…at their coach and their players.
P.S…..That Furman final score was 55-32. But Florida is not very good this year….fortunately for Georgia. Georgia will be very good next year….and Florida will be a whole lot better….as will SC, Vandy, and Tennessee….so the ride to the championship will be a little more challenging next year. But…again…congrats on winning this year.
Poopdawg
November 19th, 2011
7:10 pm
Tampagator, at least you still have your 2nd favorite team with a chance for a championship.
Jalex49
November 19th, 2011
7:10 pm
Congrds to Georgia for winning the East. I hope the running backs can all come back healthy for the SEC Championship. Hopefully, Carlton will be back for GT and maybe Malcome along with Karmpelis can get some carries. I don’t envision Crowell being ready.
Great job Defense and Coach Grantham and his staff. No one can deny they have kept Georgia in games this year. Sure hope Coach G. gets a big contract and stays with the dogs.
Hope the kids in Georgia and around the south will start looking toward Georgia for their football and academic destination. Good luck against GT!
Good year and thanks from this dog fan.
TampaGator
November 19th, 2011
7:13 pm
Yes….it took two quarters for the Gators to wake up today…..to the tune of 55-32. I expect FSU to beat the Gators like a drum next week. Unfortnately (or fotunately), I will miss my first FSU game in THE SWAMP in over 30 years.
But Kentucky clearly showed LSU how to stop Georgia today. With no running back to be feared….you play 7 and 8 deep and shut down the passing game. If Crowell cries “hurt” in the LSU game….it could get really, really UGly. Just saying.
TampaGator
November 19th, 2011
7:15 pm
Poopdawg….
I will be pulling for Georgia vs. LSU (I actually would pull for anyone from the East)…..but not for many of the UGly Georgia “fans” on this blog. But I am being realistic about Georgia’s chances vs. LSU, Bama, or Arkansas…..they are not good.
Barking Dawg
November 19th, 2011
7:16 pm
People talk a lotta trash on here about Crowell but no one will say it to his face…GO DAWGS
Richt is still a bum. He has defrauded UGA.
November 19th, 2011
7:19 pm
He doesn’t deserve as much as he’s being paid. He’s not a first tier coach.
TampaGator
November 19th, 2011
7:19 pm
Bali….
I am laid up this week and was unable to go to Gainesville today…..joining about 5,000 others who did the same. I will also not be able to go to THE SWAMP for FSU….for the first time in over 30 years. I was never concerned today. The Gators just came out flat and unmotivated….against Furman…who could blame them. I wish the SEC would outlaw these type of games. I expect the Gators will be more fired up for the Noles….but I don’t think it will help much. I expect a Noles beat down….but I hope I am wrong.
Saban
November 19th, 2011
7:22 pm
Glad LSU has a cupcake in the SEC championship game. Once we drill LSU another National Championship.
I might send my scout team over to Atlanta so the Jackets will win by 40.
Life is good. I get another national championship and Georgia gets Richt for several more years.
TampaGator
November 19th, 2011
7:22 pm
Barking Dawg…..
Right now, Crowell deserves the negative comments he is getting. He needs to get “some” and stay on the football field to try to help his team win…….like John Brantley. I think Brantley is hurt a lot more than Crowell….and he plays every game on one leg to try to help his team. Just saying.
TampaGator
November 19th, 2011
7:24 pm
But….maybe Georgia will shock the nation….like Iowa State….and win in Atlanta. Good night.
DawgInaTruck
November 19th, 2011
7:25 pm
Tampa, hope ya get better quick dude.
As for today, no complaints and no excuses. Some days you won’t be your best and, for various reasons, you won’t have all your weapons. You can’t whine about it, you simply have to find a way to prevail anyway. That is the mark of a good TEAM.
Was it ugly? Yes, very much, but do you know what they call the team that finds a way to win that game? Division champs baby!
satchelbuzz
November 19th, 2011
7:28 pm
You’re not a great team,..you’re a product of your weak schedule. Mark Bradley has a big ol crush on on you. Your time is coming,
THWG!!!
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 19th, 2011
7:30 pm
Its real simple
Granthams coaching = Consistancy every game
Mike Boneheads coaching = inconsistancy with a touch of conservatism
satchelbuzz
November 19th, 2011
7:32 pm
@ barking dawg,…I’ll say to to his face,…IC is a thug. He’s on borrowed time. Check that,…he’s injured.
THWG!!!
evil empire
November 19th, 2011
7:34 pm
check out the size of the LSU running backs…not a lawn gnome in the bunch…what is cmr’s attraction to size challenged backs…
evil empire
November 19th, 2011
7:35 pm
ron brooks is beating the black bears by himself…and he isn’t a starter…
Jimmy
November 19th, 2011
7:36 pm
I agree IC deserves the criticism he’s getting.
Crowell may indeed be hurt.
But he has shown from the very first game that he has a propensity to take himself out for no apparent reason.
Not only does he do that…he sits on the sidelines seemingly unconcerned about the game.
At halftime, Richt wasn’t certain IC was done for the game.
That tells me he felt the young man could have played.
IC will need to grow up soon if he is to have an impact on the SECCG.