A mark of LSU greatness: Stink for a half, win by 32 points
Ladies and gents, that's a darn strong football team. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
After the Arkansas game, Lenn Robbins of the New York Post asked LSU coach Les Miles if he believed his team might be the greatest in collegiate football history. Eight days later, the Tigers laid sole claim to another superlative:
Worst first half ever authored by the offense of a team this great.
How bad was it? Well, LSU tied a record that can never be broken — fewest first downs in the first two quarters. And this goose egg wasn’t laid by Podunk State against Almighty A&M. This was the championship game of the nation’s best conference, and this monstrosity had been concocted by a team considered the nation’s finest by such a distance it was believed LSU could lose to Georgia and still play for the BCS title. But would an aggregation that couldn’t manage one crummy first down on such a stage deserve a mulligan?
First-half numbers: LSU had 12 total yards, 123 fewer than Georgia, and had completed two passes, one of them underhanded. It trailed 10-0 after one quarter and was still 10 points down six minutes before half. And was the man beneath the white hat concerned?
“That defense,” said Miles, speaking of his own,” and the way it was defending — when they got 10, I thought that would be it [for Georgia]. Quite frankly, we just needed to get it started offensively.”
To Miles’ other attributes — darn good coach, intriguing wordsmith, eater of grass — we can now add “ace prognosticator.” Georgia didn’t score again. LSU started scoring on Tyrann Mathieu’s punt return and never stopped. And we on the periphery can only stand back and wonder: If the Tigers can go an entire first half without benefit of an offense against a opponent of quality, might this be one of the finest teams ever assembled?
What transpired Saturday night beneath the Georgia Dome was truly breathtaking, and I mean that literally: You could see the air — and the life — sucked from the buoyant Bulldogs. Georgia started bold and fast and smart and, if not for two dropped touchdown passes and a missed field goal, would have had a lead so big even Miles would have blanched. But then the Honey Badger started running back kicks and John Chavis’ defense threw a hammerlock on the Bulldog offense, and midway through the third quarter a game that was nearly a runaway one way had gone the other.
Of Mathieu, the eloquent Miles said: “He really is the ‘Honey Badger.’ He takes what he wants. He takes what he gets his hands on.”
Which pretty much describes the Tigers in toto. Down 14-0 against Arkansas, they won 41-17. Down 10-0 against Georgia, they won 42-10. Nobody doubted that this was the nation’s best team before the past two weekends, but now there’s no doubt.
Miles: “Never are they out of it. Never was there any question that they would get their feet, get their bearings and compete.”
This doesn’t mean that this demonstrably superb team will win the national championship. The Tigers will almost surely have to play Alabama again, and how would you like to have your road to the BCS title blocked by a bunch coached by Nick Saban that you had to move heaven and Earth to beat the first time? We can argue forever the fairness of that, but Les Miles wasn’t really in the mood Saturday.
“It’s a tremendous conference top to bottom,” he said. “[Alabama has] a great team. We’ll look forward to competing against them. But I’m going to enjoy this night first.”
And why not? After a unbeaten regular season that closed with come-from-behind comprehensive routs against Top 15 opposition, why should Miles or the Honey Badger or any Tiger fear man or Saban? Tell the truth: When last did you see a team this powerful, this fast, this unyielding?
“That second half, we basically got it going,” Mile said. Then this: “This is a quality group. It’s a great team.”
By Mark Bradley
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506 comments Add your comment
RNB
December 3rd, 2011
9:57 pm
Still not sold that Richt can win a National Championship. Georgia has too many athletes,great facilities and plenty of money. Why not Georgia?
CMR41
December 3rd, 2011
9:57 pm
Going to a sorry bowl now. Capitol One taking Cocks and Cotton taking Arky.
bcsbuster
December 3rd, 2011
9:58 pm
So much for the “we’re better than bama” crowd. Richt and the bullies are a decent team, but that is about it. Not ready to compete in the SEC West with Bama, LSU and the Hogs.
I hope Richt has done enough to keep his job. He is slightly better than Mike Shula.
Dawg48
December 3rd, 2011
9:59 pm
Malcome deserves the start in the bowl game….
He has shown he wants the playing time, waiting on 2:45pm Tuesday to see if we gat marshal would love to pick up TG also…. running back could go from a weekness to a strength fast.
stendek
December 3rd, 2011
9:59 pm
MEMO: Elevate defensive coordinator to head coach immediately. Fire Mark Richt immediately. Advise all other UGA coaches their services are no longer required. Revoke Isiah Crowell scholarship. Open QB position because Aaron Murray of the game changing giveaway is not the answer. Take some funds out of petty cash for special teams coordinator. That was worse than embarrassing! Will not be sorry to see overrated FG kicker go. What a disappointment. Wish Richt well on his missions overseas! Dawg fans deserve much better. Extension my a##!
NCDawg
December 3rd, 2011
10:00 pm
The Dawgs let them gain the momentum. We left too many plays on the field and then punted to a guy that the whole LSU team looks to save their butts and he did it. We stood toe to toe with them until the second punt return. LSU is like an avalanche. Once you set them off nothing will stop them. They were stunned in the first half. But a young UGA team didn’t make the plays that were there and it came back to bite them.
Hats off to LSU. They are the most dominating college team I’ve ever seen. They play a psyche game and once you flinch they are like their namesakes… they are all over you. The Dawgs should take this as a learning experience. We have the athletes… we just need the attitude. We really needed Samuel healthy. Ken Malcomb ran hard late. I bit of muscle to keep LSU honest and it might have been different.
Always a Dawg win, lose, or draw.
BobDawg
December 3rd, 2011
10:00 pm
I’m truly amazed that LSU did not get gassed on D in that first half…What Depth!!! We thru everything but the kitchen sink at them.. 2 TD passes dropped and maybe some of you are not skewering Bobo… Dude is a fantastic recruiter for us and a heckava QB coach also… With our Pro style offense we will always have great QB;s.. I wonder what the LSU fans were saying about their OC in the first half… They win their games on D and Special Teams and great depth…Give me a break…
GT fan
December 3rd, 2011
10:00 pm
UGA had a good year and now look forward to Bowl game. They will only get better. Coach Richt did a super job. LSU is the Best team in SEC. Good Luck in Bowl game.
ugaclassof2004
December 3rd, 2011
10:00 pm
It doesn’t hurt that the Dawgs lost the game tonight. It doesn’t even hurt that we got blown out. It hurts that a team that brought their C game can still blow us out by 32 points. It hurts that in the last 6 years, 4 different SEC teams have won National titles; and we’re not one of them. And it hurts to know that those results are seemingly OK with the vast majority of our fan-base.
Delbert D.
December 3rd, 2011
10:01 pm
DetroitBraves – Danielson explained it on the air, but Doug Roberson has an article about it on the AJC site. It’s a hybrid of conference champions, poll rankings and bowl games.
BobDawg
December 3rd, 2011
10:02 pm
Thanks, GT FAN.. We done good this year…
sarfdawg
December 3rd, 2011
10:02 pm
Better than what? 10 wins and playing for a championship? Stendek, really?
DawgFan1987
December 3rd, 2011
10:02 pm
Stendek you’re overreacting. I know you’re hurt….. we all are but remove emotions and assess the program from reality and stats. We’ll be ok. RELAX!!!!!
KBP
December 3rd, 2011
10:02 pm
Apart from the two dropped TD passes which would have changed the game, why did Bobo go so conservative in the second quarter and beginning the third quater? What does the coaching staff have against Ken Malcome? He runs hard every time he plays and clearly is better than Carlton Thomas. With our difficulty running the ball why not give him a shot when running the ball matters, like against Tech. I don’t know this kid but if I am him, I transfer.
goodsport
December 3rd, 2011
10:03 pm
The dogs were out classed,facing superior players three and four deep.There is something else wrong with the dogs ,who knows!
george
December 3rd, 2011
10:04 pm
I am a Florida Atlantic fan and want everyone to know it.
Dawg48
December 3rd, 2011
10:04 pm
The second half changed on the fumble and LSU took the momentum and ran with it they started inside their 20 on their first two drives and took the lead at that time Thomas was gone at RB and we were down to harton….
DawgFan1987
December 3rd, 2011
10:04 pm
Thanks for the support GTfan. classy post!
BobDawg
December 3rd, 2011
10:04 pm
NCDAWG… Good Comments and give me some more depth like LSU has we are fine… I would have come out and run the ball also in the 2nd half as their defense should have been gassed after the 1st half…. Unreal depth, they have.
WOW
December 3rd, 2011
10:04 pm
LSU is gooooood. But go figure, 13 point favorite. You knew it was coming, it was shocking how bad they played in the first half but yet they scored 42 unanswered points?
And I did not see any clipping or block in the back on the punt return. yes it looks like he tossed the ball early but you know, the only players around him were LSU. You can’t cry over that play given the fact he was just handing the ball to the ref. Where were the UGA players? It looked on tv like they only had 5 players on the field?
BUT 42 unanswered points most all in the second half? I think LSU bought into its own hype and came out flat and not ready but eventually after UGA had thrown the kitchen sink at them they got beat down.
Interesting game. Do not believe Alabama should be in the national championship given they lost at home. I say VT or Ok St. I mean what happened to “the regular season is the playoff in college…”
And that QB from Baylor… should win the Heisman. I’m sure he’s done more with less than Luck and Richardson.
Back to Reality
December 3rd, 2011
10:05 pm
Fire Ted Roof…..that is all
daddo
December 3rd, 2011
10:05 pm
Daddo knows.
Just the most fair and objective facts.
Daddo told u that u would see the huge gap between West and East.
Daddo told u that u couldn’t run on LSU.
Daddo told u that once the run was cut off Murray would run for his life.
Daddo told you the “real” Murray would show up.
Better than Alabama’s defense. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
Enjoy watching Alabama win another national championship while u sit home eating clay.
Listen to Daddo. Daddo knows.
Rationale
December 3rd, 2011
10:05 pm
As I have said numerous times, Murray cannot hit a man downfield over 30 yards. Yet they kept trying that same dumb play.
WOW
December 3rd, 2011
10:05 pm
By the way, does UGA have a running back going forward? And I mean, any running back? Someone they can say is a running back? I don’t think Crow-well makes it through the off season.
DawgFan1987
December 3rd, 2011
10:06 pm
@george……FAU????…..CHILD PLEASE!!!!
wins-by-a-link
December 3rd, 2011
10:06 pm
Georgia has the worst set of running backs in school history, Crowell needs to go, Has no heart, Does not like to block and cannot take a hit and the 15 yard penalty was really stupid, Leave him in Atlanta, Thats where he belongs.
lorne...hic!
December 3rd, 2011
10:06 pm
‘Down 14-0 against Arkansas, they won 41-7. ‘
.
if that sentence is true-they really are the best team ever
Joe Bob Thibodaux
December 3rd, 2011
10:06 pm
Mark, the LSU defense was on the field a long time. Instead of getting
worn down, it got warmed up.
The Tigers made 2nd half adjustments and prevailed. If Georgia could make the catches it could have been a contest.
It looks like Bama gets a mulligan and the chance to win it all.
Best regards,
JBT
Thuga
December 3rd, 2011
10:06 pm
I am a GT Troll and my team sat home today and looked at UGLY girls.
WOW
December 3rd, 2011
10:07 pm
daddo, how is Alabama going to win on what will really be an LSU home game if Alabama couldn’t win at home against a LSU that swapped QBs midway through?
T-Town Dawg
December 3rd, 2011
10:07 pm
I agree with Flat Tire. Bobo went soft half way through the 2nd qtr. The rest of ther team followed suit. We were flat as a flitter to start the 2nd half. We were winning when we were the agressor, but got blown out after Bobo went soft. Congrats to the Dawgs on a good year. Congrats to the Tigers on a GREAT season.
Buford T. Pusser
December 3rd, 2011
10:07 pm
Ten wins, none against a ranked team. Three losses, all against ranked teams. I have never seen a more complete beatdown as I witnessed tonight. Admit it, UGA won ten games with a favorable schedule and smoke and mirrors. They are not even in the same league as LSU and Alabama. They won the worst SEC Least division in 20 years. UGA is not a contender on the national stage; rather, just a fraud. Quit drinking the kool-aid UGA fans, you are not a national championship contender. One in your history, 30 years ago, get over it.
The Sheriff has spoken.
daddo
December 3rd, 2011
10:07 pm
daddo likes men
BobDawg
December 3rd, 2011
10:07 pm
STENDEK was probably a previous “Vol” fan and wanted the terrible Fulmer and “Chavis” fired and then came over to the Dawgs… Yeah, that Chavis was a lousy coach for the Vols just like our coaches are also…… Geez, Dude…. this team is all frosh and Sophs… We wend from 6-7 to 10-3…. Dude!
irish dawg
December 3rd, 2011
10:07 pm
There are three phases of the game,offense,defense,and special teams. We have only one, defense. Pay Grantham whatever it takes to keep him, get rid of Bobo and hire a special teams coach from outside. Bottom line though Richt is the head coach. We will never get to that next level with him. He just doesn’t get it.
daddo
December 3rd, 2011
10:08 pm
Hey stop that
DawgFan1987
December 3rd, 2011
10:08 pm
@daddo……..do you know bionics too????? who are you bo jackson???? gee whiz. come off it. bama couldn’t take care of business AT HOME against LSU. Should Ok. State win…..they should play LSU. bama had their chance and blew it!
virginia dog
December 3rd, 2011
10:09 pm
It was a good season and i think we are the 3rd best team in the SEC. It is Nice to be in the dome playing for the SEC. After all UGA played the schedule the SEC office gave them to play.
On today’s game a few points. 1) we had a plan and it was working. Why did we stop. 2) Richt must have a special teams coach 3) Why do we continue to recruit 165 lbs running backs. 4) why did we not see more of Boo Malcolm all season, he was the only back that looked ready to play.
My only real problem about losing to a great team … the defense quit on us. Quit in a championship game on national television. Quit with there mama’s and there girl friends watching. Our boys got punched in the nose and they quit. To be honest Boise St did the same thing in a similar second half.
MS. Bully
December 3rd, 2011
10:10 pm
That pansy schedule and playing in the SEC Least. Welcome to the real world of college football, the SEC EAST!!!
RMikel58
December 3rd, 2011
10:10 pm
Georgia had them worried folks. Believe me, No 1st. downs in the 1st half says alot about our defense. The one deciding point was when Murray turned the ball over to LSU at the Georgia 20. That changed the whole entire game.
Each team was waiting for something to happen to gain momentum and sure enough its Murray again! Twinkle toes cant hold onto the ball. I said yesterday that if Georgia had more turnovers they’d lose.
You cannot give a No.#1 team 21 pts. on the board and expect to win the game.
LSU feeds off turnovers and special teams play.
LSU found their mojo but wouldve won anyway. Cant drop passes, be penalized more, be thin at running back and expect to compete with those guys.
Georgia you had it but didnt capitalize on it. You kept letting them back into the game when you shouldve clearly been ahead 24-7.
Great teams find ways to win and so they did.
LSU is not the best team since Nebraska in the 90’s. They deserve to be No.#1 cause theyre undefeated.
Great teams are dominant from start to finish not LSU.
We gave them a scare and now Alabama will give them a heart attack.
WOW
December 3rd, 2011
10:10 pm
Bobo might have gone soft but it didn’t matter. Like someone said, LSU’s defense didn’t need to sit on the sideline to get better but play, once they did it was lights out. I told someone it was GAME when LSU returned the punt. They were just shaking the cob webs off.
Heck, Miles so much as admitted some of the players were looking beyond this game. So with players given it their second rate performance UGA was only up 10-0 and lost 42-10.
MttPF
December 3rd, 2011
10:10 pm
Mutt-tards are deluded into thinking they deserved to even play LSU. A ten-win schedule where you beat no one with even a decent defense and you think your “dream team” is your eventual savior??? Crowell is an over-rated punk. He can’t play at an SEC level — Bobo cannot coach at an SEC level — Richt is just an aenabler for undisciplined
MS. Bully
December 3rd, 2011
10:11 pm
Correction the SEC West!!!
MttPF
December 3rd, 2011
10:12 pm
Correction: an enabler for undisciplined punks.
DawgFan1987
December 3rd, 2011
10:12 pm
@MttPF….you may have validity….but dont’ be cruel. lol We still won those SEC games and deserved to be there. stop hating.
JB
December 3rd, 2011
10:13 pm
WOW……………What happens to the guys on Red playing defense in the first half. What happened……………………….Well, glad you ask. The offense went totally limp and put them in a bind. First two possessions for them in the second half and they start inside their own 20. Ouch.
BobDawg
December 3rd, 2011
10:13 pm
@VA.DOG.. Did you not see LSU subbing all game…They have been cleaning up in Louisiana for years… Give us another year or 2 and we will be fine with the momentum we have now…. We didn’t quit… just worn down…. We have no OLineman to sub in there right now… Our guys have to play every play right now….
WOW
December 3rd, 2011
10:13 pm
I don’t think LSU was worried. They just went through the motions waiting to get going. They remind me of Auburn last year, you could take a lead and they shrugged it off and in the end would come right back and win it all. I mean lasts years SEC championship was close until cam through a hail marry on the last play of the game and that ended 56-17.
I’d say it was more like LSU was confident… and annoyed. And i think, they were looking past UGA. Just a hunch.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 3rd, 2011
10:13 pm
I was really excited to see the no holds bars play calling in the first 20 minutes of this game.
I said to my friend if we keep calling plays like this I cannot except a loss even if its by 17 points
but like usual the same ol same ol came through of we have a lead now lets hang on to it
We will not get to the next level if this keeps continuing BANK ON IT
Sugar Bowl Sam
December 3rd, 2011
10:14 pm
I don’t want to hear a damn word from you georgie fans about beating Georgia Tech. Last week, all we could hear was about how y’all were from the SEC and that we were irrelevant. Well boys, this week, welcome to the SEC! Trash talk LSU about your greatness and you’re ready for the national stage. Here’s the real skinny – the schedule makers got you into today’s game, and winning against Georgia Tech is all you have to brag about. What a bunch of losers!