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
Vegas Odds
December 4th, 2011
9:22 am
Who didn’t expect this? I put 5k on lsu and wasn’t worried at all cause i saw the same thing last week against a better team. Ga lucked out by not playing a tough sec opponent all year aside from SC and they lost that one. Now they will play some slow crap big 10 team and think they are great again until they play next year against a real sec team, which they are not.
IC Rules
December 4th, 2011
9:22 am
IC not happy with the low quality weed in athens and may transfer to miami where he can get the top quality stuff off the boat!
blord
December 4th, 2011
9:22 am
I’m proud of the dogs too they’re a joke like always. Don’t worry though we’ll win the NC next year just like always. Come on now you puppies get those flags back up.
Hike!!!
December 4th, 2011
9:22 am
You can’t win with tiny RB attempting to block a blitzing safety. Watching Crowell in pass protection was painful. Why didn,t Bobo use Figgins and White and if no blitz, slip them out to catch a pass.
Hell, they could run the ball too…at least they have the size be effective. I hope I never see Ga relying on a middle school size RB ever again. LSU saw they could not block, so Murray got blitzed to death the whole 2rd half….game over.
TrueDawg
December 4th, 2011
9:23 am
Georgia had a good season that ended with a real ugly half. I would like all the Richt bashers to name an available coach that will give you 100 plus wins over the next 11 years. Do you really want Kirby Smart. We don’t buy coaches like Alabama. I bet Florida would trade you Muschamp and Weiss for Richt today. Crowell needs to go but program is going in the right direction. Need to finish a strong recruiting class and hopefully get a commitment from Marshall. Go Dawgs!!!
News: Miguel Cotto stops Antonio Margarito by TKO – Atlanta Journal Constitution | News 25/7! Delivering news in real time
December 4th, 2011
9:24 am
[...] A mark of LSU greatness: Stink for a half, win by 32 points [...]
buck
December 4th, 2011
9:24 am
Lets go get a real running back instead of going after these over rated stars.
Ted
December 4th, 2011
9:26 am
who didn;’t see this coming? a bunch of uga homers. one look at common opponents and the results and you knew it would be a blowout. ark lost at lsu. ark would beat ga. ga is the 5th best team in the sec. and that isn’t saying anything considering how bad the bottom 9 were this year.
Empty Dome Seat
December 4th, 2011
9:26 am
Dear Proud UGA Fan,
I was so happy when I saw you were the one with the ticket. We got so close and familiar with each other, and you kept me warm throughout the game. I forgave you when you spilt your beer, soda, and ketchup and mustard on me. I laughed when you struck the back of the seat in front of us (I don’t like that guy anyway). We shared some good moments.
I do have to ask. Why did you leave when there was still 5 minutes in the game? I got cold and lonely. I have had other fans join me, and they stayed for the entire game, win or lose. You must have been one of those Fairweather Types. You know, one of those who are only proud supporter of the team when they are winning and bad mouth them when they are down. A proud fan stays for the entire game, win or lose. A proud fan would have been there to applaud their teams amazing season.
In the future, if you can’t stay with me for the entire game, please don’t buy the ticket. I rather be with someone who trully loves their team.
Sincerely,
Empty Dome Seat
Hopelessly Devoted
December 4th, 2011
9:26 am
Georgia needs to fire their fan-base and hire one that isn’t quite so delusional.
Not Yet
December 4th, 2011
9:26 am
Flat Tire – Give us this coach you have waiting to lead us to the NC. Give me just 2 good names out there! If you go get a young coach (i.e. Kirby Smart) it will take us backwards before we can even go forward. We won 10 games this year….bout to be 11. So who you got…..genius?
THE Dixie Redcoat Band
December 4th, 2011
9:27 am
We agree, UGA is only 2 or 3 years away from being a good team…yikes.
Empty Dome Seat
December 4th, 2011
9:27 am
Proud UGA Fan,
I was so happy when I saw you were the one with the ticket. We got so close and familiar with each other, and you kept me warm throughout the game. I forgave you when you spilt your drinks, and ketchup and mustard on me. I laughed when you struck the back of the seat in front of us (I don’t like that guy anyway). We shared some good moments.
I do have to ask. Why did you leave when there was still 5 minutes in the game? I got cold and lonely. I have had other fans join me, and they stayed for the entire game, win or lose. You must have been one of those Fairweather Types. You know, one of those who are only proud supporter of the team when they are winning and bad mouth them when they are down. A proud fan stays for the entire game, win or lose. A proud fan would have been there to applaud their teams amazing season.
In the future, if you can’t stay with me for the entire game, please don’t buy the ticket. I rather be with someone who trully loves their team.
Thanks
Empty Dome Seat
North ave. faithful
December 4th, 2011
9:28 am
Nice post dawgfan, finally someone says there proud to be a ga. bulldog, if tech ever finds a coach who wins over 100 games in 11 seasons, and beats uga 10 out of 11 he will be one of the highest paid coaches in the country. Sometimes this obsession with a NC puzzles me.
blord
December 4th, 2011
9:28 am
Is it still the Dream Team without the great IC I mean he was the next Walker if I remember. Well we have 8-9 monthes of hearing how Thuga U will be Nc next year.
villedog
December 4th, 2011
9:29 am
What is coach cmr record against highly ranked teams over the last 5 years. That is how the worth of a coach should be determined. We usually get blown out by highly rated teams, last night was no different.
calvin
December 4th, 2011
9:34 am
Just curious; how can a team that is so arrogant that it can’t
be bothered to compete for the whole first half be considered
so great? Bradley, who said that Tech needed comeuppance just
for being ranked too high, can’t see that LSU might be just a
tad cocky. I’m not even a Georgia fan, but would love to see
LSU taken down after that.
Tim
December 4th, 2011
9:35 am
I here it every year from thuga fans. Next year is our year. It’s getting old
Cmr has reached his ceiling. he recruits thugs and thugs give up easily. Thuga will lose 3-4 next year
Elementary my Dear Watson
December 4th, 2011
9:36 am
I thought we had a fighting chance. A game is 60 minutes, not 30. One dimensional will not get it done vs a great LSU team. We were thin at running backs from day one in the season. Where’s the depth, where’s the recruiting over the past few year’s to get some quality depth and some meat on the bones of running backs? Isaiah ” can’t be counted on ” Crowell was the savior?? He cannot do it alone. Get me some depth please at running back. Samuels a nice little player but truly not a running back. Thomas and the other guy to small and you hoped and prayed either didn’t get their limbs snapped in two the whole season.
DP
December 4th, 2011
9:38 am
Georgia showed in the first half that they have a lot of talent, but then showed that they are physically and mentally soft. After the Mathieu return made it 10-7, Georgia basically quit. Grantham must have sensed it because the sideline reporter on the telecast was talking about him screaming at the defense when they went down 14-10; at that point the defense had only given up a short field touchdown but Grantham must have been able to tell that they were quitting. The offensive line gave Murray plenty of time early but in the second half they couldn’t even slow down the LSU pass rush. The Georgia defensive line was stuffing the run in the first half but got mauled in the second half. LSU didn’t even have to throw the ball, they ran it down Georgia’s throat in the second half. Boykin is afraid to tackle anybody. Rambo stood like a statue as Blue ran right by him on the long TD run. He wanted no part of Blue. I’d love to hear him explain to Grantham what he was thinking when they watch the film. And what is there to say about Crowell, who limped off after every play, picked up a personal foul penalty and then turned his back and walked away when Richt was trying to talk to him after the penalty? He looks to be a cancer in the mold of King and Ealey. I’d like to see Richt suspend him for the bowl game to send the message that he will have to either get his head right and show some work ethic or go somewhere else.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 4th, 2011
9:38 am
True Dawg
Look at what Grantham has done on the defensive side of the ball with our talent
Richt refused to get rid of Willie who showed had no business being a D=coordinator
Richt needs to tell bobo to go back to QB coaching and find another OC but will he do it no
and thats why this program is stuck where it is at and will be until he makes the change
and I could care less about 100 wins.
Richt is
31-27 against top 25 teams
8-12 against top 10 teams
Were at year 6 without beating a good team
Thats not much to brag about
The Real Fan
December 4th, 2011
9:41 am
Arkansas beat Tenn, Vandy and SC from the East. They only lost to ALA and LSU.
Anyone who believes that Arkansas would not take GA or any other team in the East to the woodshed is drinking the koolaid.
I thought that would end around 8:30pm Saturday afternoon.
BurytheBone
December 4th, 2011
9:42 am
Still very proud of the Dawgs. I wont be able to blog today due to the fact i’m in morniing. Good luck to the bengals. We have a bright future but a terrible need for a running back with some moxy. Can’t say it was the coach’s fault. You have to make the plays and we simply failed in that area. AM is tough and gutsy…just not accurate enough to play at this level. His job is up for grabs, its time. The Oline did a good job against a relentless front four. Crowell’s new name should be OHWELL. I tried all year to give him the benefit of the doubt. Several people have said he has no heart. Now i have to agree. Hats off to the defense who kept us in this all year… without TG’s JYD’S. CMR WOULD HAVE LOST HIS JOB.Get you butts out there and hit the recruiting trail.
Charles
December 4th, 2011
9:42 am
Bulldog Nation after the 2 losses to 2 top 10 teams- “FIRE RICHT!”
Bulldog Nation after 10 wins over scrubs and 2 lower top 25 teams (including my Jackets)- “GOOD JOB RICHT!”
Bulldog Nation after piledriving by #1 team- “FIRE RICHT!”
How can the Bulldog nation ever get anywhere if they’re always calling for Richts head after every loss to a quality team? The Tech nation was down after last week, but you didn’t hear us calling for CPJ’s head!
gofortwo
December 4th, 2011
9:43 am
Malcome, you might want to consider a transfer. To start the second half with two runs by light weight
Carlthon Thomas was awful. Remember, they thought enough of you in the Tech game at the end to give you the ball to run out the clock. Even started Crowell who was anything but game ready and also is not a power back. Well, you’re in their Dawg house, so see if you can find another team that wants you.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 4th, 2011
9:45 am
Not Yet
Hey genius did I say fire Richt nope Ive been saying get another OC
MORON
Oh and to answer your comment about sitting and saying who is out there
I guess with that attitude
Texas, USC, Ohio St, FL, AL, LSU, OK, should have kept that attitude of mediocrity and stuck with their coach, but they didnt and found someone that turned their programs back around to elite status
AFDawg
December 4th, 2011
9:45 am
All of the posers and haters coming on these blogs taking cheap shots at the Dawgs are pathetic — talk about jealousy. One key fact in the game everyone has missed was Gilliard going out (and Tyson) already being out. You could see LSU picking on that side after Gilliard left the game. Georgia got hit with the injury bug pretty hard, especially late in the season — that’s why we need to develop more depth with this year’s recruiting class. The good news is, with the exception of Senior Tyson, that Lee, Gilliard, Samuel, Thomas, and Crowell will all be back next year as long as none of them jumps early.
80sDawg
December 4th, 2011
9:45 am
That first half was like watching the movie Maverick. Mel Gibson didn’t win for an hour after learning everyone’s “tells”. Les Miles did not panic. He simply watched and exploited Ga’s weaknesses. something our staff has not been able to do ever.
Hopelessly Devoted
December 4th, 2011
9:46 am
@Not Yet
It’s too late to hire a new coach this year. Had you bit the bullet and fired Coach Richt after last year’s debacle, then you could have hired an experienced HC with a proven record. Rich Rod would have been a good choice. Those few available qualified Head Coaches aren’t available now. They’ve already been hired by someone else.
1962 DAWG
December 4th, 2011
9:48 am
Things we need for 2012 season
RUNNING BACKS
DEFENSIVE STARTERS PLAYING ON SPECIAL TEAMS.
LOSE THE DRAW PLAY FROM THE PLAYBOOK
KICKERS
BEAT S. CAROLINA
Why do you go away from an offensive gameplan that worked in the 1st quarter to protect a 10 point lead? LSU played the same defensive scheme, after Mitchell dropped the TD pass we never threw downfield again untill the 4th quarter for an interception.
!st quarter 5 recievers in the game for an opportunity of 21 points, after the dropped pass, 2 reciever sets with 3 and outs and punts and turnovers.
WHY?? To protect a 10 point lead which we all knew would not stand.
Hope we get this kid at running back from N.C. {Marshall} The ones we have {Crowell and Thomas} are shaping up to be another pair like Ealey and King.
Never have I seen a player for any team at any level that has been given more chances than Crowell. The 15 yard penalty he got in the 4th was inexcusable, after a full season he can’t pass block, can’t remember where to line up, maybe our famous saying of {next season} he’ll mature into a grown-up.
Proud our Dawgs got to this game and won 10 games this season, lots of positives to look forward to, our 36 yards of offense for 2 quarters was more than LSU’s 12 yards for 2 quarters.
Our defense looks like world beaters again next season, with some great talent and even more with the addition of Ray Drew and Sterling Bailey,
Officiating was a joke during the game, the punt return for a td was a close call crossing the endzone line, 3 block in the backs on the same play went unnoticed.
LSU constantly holding our recievers, Chris Connley was held on every play he was involved in. John Chavis knows the percentages on holding recievers, It gets called 1 out of every 25 pass plays, so hold on every play and more than likely your not going to get flagged but twice against a pass happy team. A holding call is alot eaiser to overcome than a TD.
Good luck to LSU against Ok. St. Hopefully, Love to see the Bammers cry and whine about that.
TrueDawg
December 4th, 2011
9:50 am
I agree Elementary. Need to look harder at the character aspects when recruiting. Stop comparing them to other great running backs before they ever get to Athens. Need depth at O line too. Ditto Dawgfan, proud to be a dawg and hope Richt stays at Georiga for a long time. Lets also make sure we keep Grantham.
keep all coaches
December 4th, 2011
9:52 am
give all coaches big bonuses and long term contracts–they are the best ga can get—they will never beat the top teams but winning 9-10 games is pretty good for ga–fans will be happy with that.
News: No. 3 Okla St makes BCS case in 44-10 win over OU – Atlanta Journal Constitution | News 25/7! Delivering news in real time
December 4th, 2011
9:55 am
[...] A mark of LSU greatness: Stink for a half, win by 32 points [...]
as is
December 4th, 2011
9:55 am
UGA better pay grantham a lot more money or he will be looking for a head coaching job at ole miss or texas A&M. He wants at least $1.5 million. time to pay.
Hopelessly Devoted
December 4th, 2011
9:58 am
Right… Keep hoping that you’ll recruit a superstar Freshman next year that will resolve all of your issues with lack of depth. Keep hoping that if Coach Richt figures out which assistant coach to fire this year, then he’ll finally lead Georgia to the Promised Land.
In other words…
Stay Delusional Dawg Fans!
Alabama Jack
December 4th, 2011
9:58 am
Football is a simple game. Throw the ball, drop the ball, then punt the ball.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 4th, 2011
9:59 am
Samuel Thomas and Crowell
Jumping early?????
For what the Arena League
TrueDawg
December 4th, 2011
10:02 am
Flat Tire
I wouldn’t mind seeing Bobo go. Richt defenitely kept Willie way too long. I just think we are close to being a top program again. Changing head coaches now could set us back a couple of years. Richt seems to have learned from the past mistakes and has the passion back.
harold
December 4th, 2011
10:05 am
UGA WON 10 GAMES IN A ROW OVER UNRANKED & HORRIBLE TEAMS. LSU AND BAMA ARE THE CHAMPIONSHIP PROGRAMS WITH THE CHAMPIONSHIP COACHES.
RICHT HAS NOW LOST 16 GAMES IN THE LAST THREE YEARS. HE IS HORRIBLE AGAINST RANKED TEAMS—–1-10.
IT IS CLEAR RICHT CANNOT TAKE UGA WHERE UGA WANTS TO GO. BOBO GOT “DIALED UP” BY JOHN CHAVIS. UGA PISSED LSU OFF THEN UGA WAS COMPLETELY ABUSED. THIS GAME WAS SIMPLY A MASSACURE.
IT IS TIME FOR RICHT TO GO INTO THE MINISTRY.
» SEC: Saturday was a great day to be a Bayou Bengal John Clay's Sidelines
December 4th, 2011
10:06 am
[...] LSU showed mark of its greatness, writes Mark Bradley of AJC. [...]
Reggie
December 4th, 2011
10:08 am
1. How many turnovers from Murray in a big game now? The guy chokes, and Richt just won’t bench him, no matter how many passes he can’t complete, or how many fumbles and interceptions he commits.
2. Why did punt balls to #7? Should have kicked them out of bounds. This was a major coaching error.
3. Missed opportunities–Murray missed wide open guys, he was so inaccurate, they couldn’t catch anything he threw.
bean bag
December 4th, 2011
10:08 am
WANTED:
Championship caliber offensive co.
Championship caliber special teams coach
DAWG
December 4th, 2011
10:09 am
What a joke, in a game of this magnitude you have to have a running game and backs over two hundred pounds who can man up when they get bruised, next you have to hold onto the ball and score. Georgia will be in the same position next and the year after that until you fix all of the above, and finally find a better offensive play caller. I think Mark is a good coach; however you have to man up and tell Bobo the end has come.
BC
December 4th, 2011
10:09 am
Aaron Murray way overrated. He makes bad decisions too many times.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 4th, 2011
10:11 am
TrueDawg
Im not saying change the head coach, its BOBo, here read the comment Bozo makes after the KY game
And you tell me do we want someone with a conservative, lets hang on to win, attitude.
Richt puts himself in this scrutiny by allowing this to continue. Had we have lost last night with the same play calling in the 1st qtr throughout the game I dont think there would be seeing such negativity this morning.
But like Bill King has written many times Bobo does this every single game. And thats why Mike Bobo is not even considered for any other coaching jobs.
http://www.macon.com/2011/11/19/1792650/from-the-locker-room-we-aint-apologizing.html
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 4th, 2011
10:11 am
TrueDawg
Im not saying change the head coach, its BOBo, here read the comment Bozo makes after the KY game
And you tell me do we want someone with a conservative, lets hang on to win, attitude.
http://www.macon.com/2011/11/19/1792650/from-the-locker-room-we-aint-apologizing.html
DocDawg
December 4th, 2011
10:11 am
“Were at year 6 without beating a good team”
And this is why it is time for him to go. LSU came out in the 1st half with an incomprehensible game plan that totally played away from their strengths. They basically spotted us a half, and still ran us out of the building. The litany of problems we always have, from idiotic penalties, out of control players, uninspired playcalling, to weak and gassed players unable to withstand 4th quarter onslaughts are all coaching issues. Richt has run his course.
ARdawg
December 4th, 2011
10:13 am
Certainly not the showing I was hoping for, well half of it anyway. I am not surprised the Techies and few Gator fans are hanging around the blogs like flies to scyhit hoping to make UGA fans feel bad. You don’t understand that you just aren’t permitted that power.
Congrats to LSU on a solid win, the best team in the country. They had no doubt they were going to win and we had no doubt in the (second half) we were going to lose.
Richt seems to be the only coach in the country that can coach a team down in the halftime locker room. What is going on with the uber conservative 3rd quarter playcalling? Completely deflating and transparent
It’s not Murray. Murray was hitting them in the numbers. The 1st half play calling was brilliant and the defense was sharp. That all ended at the 2nd half kick off almost on que. I am disappointed we had no fight in the 2nd half but, I ain’t taking nothing away from these Dawgs. Tough luck guys. Regroup for the bowl game and go get’em next year
Herschel Talker
December 4th, 2011
10:13 am
MB:
There is nothing to be happy about with beating 10 teams with the schedule that UGA did. The worst UF and Tenn teams in 20 years. A bad Auburn and Tech team. If you are happy with mediocrity then you are happy with this past season.
Mark Richt has again shown his incompetence and inability to compete in big games. I am sure the disillusioned administration and fans will want to reward him with another 5 year contract.
If you are happy with being a middle of the pack SEC team along with Vandy and Miss St., then go for it, keep Richt forever. He will never compete for a MNC.
FIRE MARK RICHT!
HT
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 4th, 2011
10:14 am
True Dawg
Richt puts himself in this situation just like with slick Willie,
No one is wanting to hire Mike Bobo for a coaching position, not even for an OC
That should tell all UGA fans something