The Bulldogs didn’t just outplay Tech – they outcoached it, too
Give that Bulldog a hand, if not a great big kiss. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
This time a year ago, it was possible to wonder if the Georgia Bulldogs would ever again outsmart an opponent. On Saturday they outsmarted Georgia Tech. And there, if anyone still wondered how 0-2 became 10-2, was the answer.
It wasn’t just that these Bulldogs have good players — Georgia always has good players — or that the schedule eased after those first two games. It was that Georgia, which hadn’t played to its gifts since 2007, coalesced around a coach and his staff.
Back to 0-2. “That was when we closed the door,” said tight end Orson Charles, “and we said, ‘We’ve got to stop playing for ourselves.’ We need to play for this guy.”
By “this guy,” Charles meant Mark Richt, who has done in his 11th Georgia season something that’s difficult to do in contemporary college football. Richt has fought off the doubt accrued over three underachieving seasons and hoisted his Bulldogs back to eminence. They have two championships in the bank — the SEC East was clinched last week against Kentucky; the state title was secured Saturday against Tech — and will play for a third next weekend against LSU, the finest team in the land.
“We’ve got the best coaches in the SEC,” said center Ben Jones, and on this day his boast carried some weight. Georgia beat Tech as handily as Tech under Paul Johnson is ever beaten, and the difference wasn’t so much manpower as brainpower. Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo had one of his finest days, and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham capped a stellar second season by keeping Johnson’s prized option-based spread from doing nearly enough.
And let’s be honest: There were those among us, this correspondent among them, who weren’t sure we’d see such a day. Johnson’s first bunch of Jackets went to Athens and beat a Georgia team that had entered the season ranked No. 1 in the nation, and last year Tech amassed 512 yards behind its backup quarterback against a Grantham-coached D. (To be fair, Richt got the better of Johnson in 2009, when Georgia used power football to upset the team that would win the ACC.) But it must be said: When last the Bulldogs beat Tech this bad, Chan Gailey got fired two days later.
The key was that Georgia got ahead early, and it did because Bobo cogitated like a young Steve Spurrier on a caffeine jag. Isaiah Crowell, Georgia’s best tailback, didn’t play, and Richard Samuel, his injured backup, hasn’t worked since the Florida game. Carlton Thomas, the No. 3 man, was coming off his third suspension of the season and didn’t start. And still Bobo conjured up 17 first-half points.
Of Georgia’s first six running plays, only one involved a player listed as a running back. Branden Smith, normally a cornerback, carried twice. Quarterback Aaron Murray carried twice, and the niftiest moment was a double-reverse to receiver Malcolm Mitchell. Said Bobo: “We were trying to mix them up, give them something different … Our base plan for the game was to be balanced, but as the game went on I thought the best way to win was by throwing.”
Murray complied, completing 19 of 29 passes for 252 yards and four touchdowns. Nine different receivers caught those 19 passes. Said Richt: “Mike did a great job … Mike dialed up some beauties.”
As for Grantham: His defense yielded a touchdown at the end of the first half and another near the end of the second, but never did the Tech ground game appear as dangerous as in Georgia games past. Even in the first half, Johnson was forced to call inside handoffs to his A-backs — a play the Jackets seldom use — to approximate an up-the-gut push. “And once we took that away from them,” Grantham said, “we were back to controlling the game.”
Down two touchdowns in the third quarter, Johnson got antsy. His Jackets didn’t look capable of sustaining a series of long drives — they’d managed one seven-minute surge in the first half — and he called for Tevin Washington to throw, which isn’t a Tech strength. The resulting two interceptions killed all hope.
And that, in surprisingly simple fashion, was that. Georgia beat Tech and its coaches trumped Tech’s coaches and, after 10 consecutive victories, the matter of Richt’s job security has been tabled. He has his Bulldogs back where they’re supposed to be: Atop the SEC East, playing for the conference championship, shrugging off Georgia Tech.
“I didn’t celebrate as much after this one as I did last week,” Richt said, and there was no real need. In this state, order has been restored to nature. Why celebrate a given?
By Mark Bradley
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961 comments Add your comment
RedandBlackDawg
November 27th, 2011
11:37 am
Gator Mna(?),
Sour grapes are unbecoming of you. We beat you, we are the SEC East champs and this year, you are the SEC chumps. YOU LOST TO A ACC TEAM. Hope somehow that your coach can do a better job of preparing his players to be competitive next year. I think you will find out that your team is still in need of a OC, but next year will tell.
If you are lucky, your coach might be able to coach up your young recruits and first year starters as much as CMR coached his up this year. You had better hope that he can coach up your QB’s though, or your future will be as bad as it was this year.
GO DAWGS and GATA
HedgesHaven
November 27th, 2011
11:39 am
UGA owns gtu….dude you’re a moron.
Georgia Tech University? Really?
UGA OWNS gtu
November 27th, 2011
11:41 am
Hurts, don’t it, gtu? BWAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA
UGA OWNS gtu.
Always have, always will.
Gator Man
November 27th, 2011
11:41 am
Everybody in the SEC knows UGA did not win the East, SC really won the east, they beat everyone in the east, inc these overrated puppies, but yet these people are celebrating because they won 8 straight games against teams that went 12-42 in the SEC.
LSU by 30, idiots give Richt another 10 years””’
UGA OWNS gtu
November 27th, 2011
11:41 am
Wallow in your pain gtu fans… BWAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA
UGA OWNS gtu.
Always have, always will.
Gator Man
November 27th, 2011
11:43 am
RedandBlackDawg
3 Nat in 15 years and your last one was when?
Bill Stanfill
November 27th, 2011
11:43 am
I’m guessing the line will come out as LSU favored by 10 1/2 over UGA.
SEC took 3 out of 4 against the ACC yesterday. Only hapless Florida lost. The Gators’ offense seems to just get worse and worse.
I was surprised by how easily South Carolina handled Clemson (talk about an over-rated team).
And Vanderbilt really walloped Wake Forest.
It’s surprising, with all the rivalry games, there were no upsets yesterday. There will be little room for UGA and South Carolina to move up in the polls, though both are playing like Top 10 teams.
UGA OWNS gtu
November 27th, 2011
11:44 am
Scoreboard!! LMAO
OWNED!!!! BWAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA
UGA OWNS gtu.
Always have, always will.
Gator Man
November 27th, 2011
11:45 am
Hi, I’m extremely bitter that my hero Urban left my program in shambles, and left me with nothing to look forward to in my pathetic life.
UGA OWNS gtu
November 27th, 2011
11:45 am
SEC EAST CHAMPIONS!!!!! LMAO
GEORGIA STATE CHAMPIONS!!!!! LMAO
UGA OWNS gtu.
Always have, always will.
Steve
November 27th, 2011
11:54 am
I have several questions for Tech fans:
Why was your stadium not full for your biggest game of the year?
I literally did not see one hot woman wearing yellow, why?
How does it feel to lose to UGA every year?
How does it feel to lose 5 bowl games in a row?
How many muggings or rapes took place after the game?
Are you excited about the SUN Bowl?
Coffee Bluff DAWG
November 27th, 2011
11:55 am
Gator Man,
UF is 6-6 and bowl eligible. How ’bout them gators? Looks like nearly all the crazies and haters are gone now.
witness
November 27th, 2011
11:55 am
The keys to a GA win when it plays LSU are the D and the O line. If Murray has time to pass GA will be in this game provided AM is accurate as he was in AU matchup and doesn’t commit any TO’s. LSU has an overwhelming edge on D and it won’t matter who GA’s RB is against LSU’s front four. The dawgs may break a few open but I doubt any consistency in the running game. GA will have to pass to win. If GA’s D can force LSU to pass I believe Jefferson will toss a few int’s but his running out of trouble for big gains could prove GA’s undoing. LSU’s special teams are scary. IMO, they will score at least one TD on punt return or on KO returns. The dawgs still have problems in that area though not as bad as mid season woes. It was a pleasant surprise to see Bobo run a misdirection play to Mitchell and hopefully he’ll draw up some more of those to replace the 2d down up the middle w/a 160 lb RB. That hardly ever worked and forget it against LSU’s front four. Finally, be prepared for ANYTHING and EVERY trick play from the mad hatter HC of LSU. I won’t mention his name as that would give him recognition.
No doubt, GA will have to conjure up the ghosts of the 2005 team which upset LSU for the SEC C. LSU will come to play and if the dawgs can stay w/them TD for TD they will have a chance to win the biggest game in CMR’s career and GA folklore. GO DAWGS, keep it respectable.
Bobby Dodd
November 27th, 2011
11:58 am
Hey, “We own you”: This just in, there’s never been a GTU, never has never will. Get your facts right pizza boy in Vinings.
Now, Tech fans, listen to me, a football coach who went to Tech, been a Tech fan for 50 years, listen to me: get on the wagon to get Al Groh out of Atlanta!!! Force CPJ to hire an offensive coordinator who will employ the shotgun with the Wing T for balance. Get us a DC who will attack like we did under Gailey. We might give up some big plays, but Groh just gives up TD’s to any team worth being in D1.
Now, back to “We own you”: you probably don’t own anything. Never have never will.
wreckmaniac
November 27th, 2011
11:58 am
DawgFan: Yes Saint Richt’s record is great but what would you expect when you always have a top 10 recruiting class ? The question that everyone other than UGA fans always ask is why can’t UGA get to a national championship game ?
What is the goal at UGA ? Was the 1980 national championship the only goal ever aspired for ?
If national championships, not money, was the goal at UGA, the school would become part of the Big East today and get itself into a position where it could actually play for the national championship.
wreckmaniac
November 27th, 2011
11:59 am
UGA owns GTU: Who is it that UGA owns ?
The Grinch
November 27th, 2011
11:59 am
This says it all:
Tech’s 17 points were its fewest in a game against Georgia in the four years that Paul Johnson has been the Jackets’ coach — and its second lowest output in any game this season. The Jackets’ worst offensive showing was in a 24-7 loss at Miami on Oct. 22
Coffee Bluff DAWG
November 27th, 2011
12:01 pm
witness,
Agree that UGA will not be able to run vs LSU. WV rang up 504 yds of offense against LSU earlier in the yr but nearly all in the air.
LSU D and special teams were the difference in the win over WV.
Bobby Dodd
November 27th, 2011
12:03 pm
Hey Witness: I sincerely want UGA to beat LSU, but don’t you think for a minute that Murray is going to have time to throw. LSU will be on him like a cheap suit. So, Bobo had better have a game plan for that. I’d go fast pace like Oregon did. They moved the ball pretty much the whole game. If Ga can keep em off balance with something like that, and the D plays up to their ability, it’ll go down to the end like the SC game did. Good luck Dawgs from a Tech fan!!!!!
wreckmaniac
November 27th, 2011
12:08 pm
Steve: I’ll take those questions.
1. Why was stadium not full ? Several UGA drunks were hungover from Friday night’s drink-off. Many Tech students were in class.
2. Why were no hot women wearing yellow ? Many were wearing yellow panties which you will never see. The girls with cigarette packs rolled up under their T shirt sleeves were all wearing red.
3. How does it feel to lose to UGA every year ? Superior. I just can’t help it.
4. How does it feel to lose 5 straight bowl games ? Bowls are irrelevant unless you are playing for the national championship. Has UGA every played in a bowl game for the national championship ?
5. How many muggings and rapes occurred after the game? Several, all caused by UGA drunks who had just showed up for the game.
6. Are we excited about the Sun Bowl ? See #4.
Any more questions ?
aprilglaspie
November 27th, 2011
12:10 pm
Nice Joey impersonation Tevin Washington.
wreckmaniac
November 27th, 2011
12:11 pm
Why isn’t Boise State playing LSU since they are SEC east champions ??
wreckmaniac
November 27th, 2011
12:12 pm
Once again the system insults Boise State, the real SEC East champion.
Aug Dawg
November 27th, 2011
12:13 pm
WE RUN THIS STATE!! Don’t ever forget it Nerds! 31-17!
wreckmaniac
November 27th, 2011
12:16 pm
All UGA goals have been, once again , achieved which are:
1. Beat Tech
2. Have a top 10 recruiting class
3. Play for the SEC championship
For at least a dozen other teams, winning the national championship is the goal. Why not at UGA ?
aprilglaspie
November 27th, 2011
12:16 pm
Gator Man, Anybody that knows diddly about gootball knows UGA clearly autplayed SC and SC was purely lucky to win the game.
Coffee Bluff DAWG
November 27th, 2011
12:16 pm
wreckmaniac,
If you want to compare teams to the SEC East GT would fall in somewhere between UT and UK this yr.
Except UK has a better D than GT.
Gator Man
November 27th, 2011
12:18 pm
Coffee Bluff DAW
LSU, Tnn, Auburn, Fl, LSU
All champions in the last 15 years and UGA last one was what year? I think Ronald Reagan was in office.
Enjoy your title as fake East champions, ha, ha every ones knows SC are the true Champions of the East, LSU by 30””””
roughrider
November 27th, 2011
12:19 pm
The Tech fans who booed during the Larry Munson tribute showed a complete lack of class.
Coffee Bluff DAWG
November 27th, 2011
12:23 pm
Gator Man,
How did it go last night against FSU? Was FSU ranked? Didn’t think so.
POOPDAWG
November 27th, 2011
12:27 pm
Gatorman , let me guess . Never touched a football except when your cousin Betty was throwing to cousin Floyd and it hit you in the back of your flat head. Your Gators have had a good run but you my friend are a LOSER! You haven’t won anything.
wreckmaniac
November 27th, 2011
12:27 pm
Contracts for both Drad and PJ need to include beating UGA before any extension is allowed. I don’t think these guys get it. PJ and Drad’s salaries should be cut when they lose to UGA. As I have experienced in business, failure to achieve goals are followed by compensation cuts. I could coach the team and lose to UGA. We have a right to expect a win instead of having to stare at Mark Richt’s smirk which he is entitled to wear. I think Richt, just to make it interesting, should coach next years game blindfolded. Bobo should coach the defense and Fatty should coach the offense.
What changes, starting today (Sunday) , will occur to stop these losses to UGA all of which have been unnecessary ? I refuse to believe we don’t have the talent. The point is that we don’t have the will.
Tony
November 27th, 2011
12:28 pm
Your correct Mark, I’m a tech fan but Mark Richt is a far better coach that PJ will ever become / HATE THIS TRIPLE OPTION CRAP HE NEEDS TO GO IF HE DOES’T IMPROVE SOON
Brian
November 27th, 2011
12:29 pm
Just went to Wal-Mart and the Tech shirts just went on sale! Hahaha.
Brian
November 27th, 2011
12:31 pm
Gatorman is still being a sore loser from the loss to us and yet another loss last night. I told you gator fans- you don’t win in the SEC without a quarterback.
Bill W.
November 27th, 2011
12:32 pm
Mark, did you do your home work on the letter “C” this week?
coalesced, conjured, coagitated. Wow I’m impressed, you are making a bunch of good o’l boys head for the dictionary.
Brian
November 27th, 2011
12:33 pm
It’s November 27th and Florida STILL sucks! Haha. What do you think about that Gatorman?
Mark Bradley
November 27th, 2011
12:34 pm
I was aiming for a Gentleman’s C, Bill W.
Brian
November 27th, 2011
12:36 pm
31-17, 24-20, 45-7 over our three most hated rivals. Go Dawgs!
Voice of Reason
November 27th, 2011
12:37 pm
I love the UGA fans saying they “run this state”….so you are taking credit for the 10% unemployment rate, the third worst foreclosure rate in the nation? I don’t think I’d be taking credit for “running” the entire state based on a football game until you realize you’ve bitten off more than you can chew!
OoltewahDawg
November 27th, 2011
12:38 pm
GTBob: “according to my calculations richt is a terrible coach! In fact the percentages say he is teh worst in the sec”
Better check your slide rule little guy. Sounds like someone’s been messing with it.
wreckmaniac
November 27th, 2011
12:38 pm
In fact, just to invoke the great line by Bum Phillips, ” He (Richt) could take his’n and beat your’n (Tech) and then take your’n and beat his’n”. Drad and PJ: Is that what needs to be done to keep me in the stadium for the full game next year ? Hello ?
Voice of Reason
November 27th, 2011
12:39 pm
Oh and while you’re taking credit for “running the state” you must accept responsibility for Georgia ranking 49th in SAT scores in the nation….way to go!
Coffee Bluff DAWG
November 27th, 2011
12:40 pm
wreckmaniac,
Keep your head in the sand if you wish but GT doesn’t have the talent to compete with UGA. We ran our #4 and #5 yesterday because that’s all we needed.
bonairedawg
November 27th, 2011
12:40 pm
Enter your comments here
POOPDAWG
November 27th, 2011
12:40 pm
Congrats to coach Richt. But coach Johnson is a heck of a coach . Maybe Johnson can be stubborn at times but he is a great coach . Mark Bradley could you and Jeff Schultz write 1 article without slamming an athlete or trying to get a coach fired?
Coffee Bluff DAWG
November 27th, 2011
12:43 pm
Gator Man,
Come onto the UGA blogs and brag about UF scoring a TD against FSU last night. Except it was with 4 min left in the game and against the FSU 3rd team D.
Kris G
November 27th, 2011
12:47 pm
@Tobias Funke: “TO ALL RICHT HATERS: How the hell does that CROW taste?” I’m sure for most of the “haters”, Georgia fans who were tired of the slide, it tasted QUITE delicious.
DawgByte
November 27th, 2011
12:54 pm
To All Gator Fans -
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. The Swamp Chompers are sucking on tail pipes and as a Georgia fan I’m relishing in their misery. Will Muschump as an offensive monster on his hand and his name is Charlie Weiss. Florida will never win with that guy at the controls, so here’s hoping the Florida gives Weiss a contract extension.
Muschump looked dazed and confused on the sidelines last night and I’m sure the thought of staying in Austin ran across his mind more than once.
Muschump = Gallen Hall
Welcome to the SEC East dungeon Florida fans… you guys can hang out with the likes of Tenn. and Kentucky.
ROTFLMAO!!!
When I grow up I want to be a B-Backs Coach
November 27th, 2011
12:58 pm
And UGA fans were better than Tech fans and UGA has better facilities than Tech…….in other words, “WE RUN THIS STATE”.