It was an awful loss, but it wasn’t the end of UGA’s ascent
It wasn't the greatest homecoming for Georgia's Aaron Murray, was it? (AP photo)
Tampa — This was a bad loss, OK? This was a really bad loss by a team that had positioned itself to win by two touchdowns until its quarterback began throwing the ball to the wrong team. But in the grand scheme — and by “grand” I mean a distance of Grand Canyon dimensions — losing to Michigan State might be a good thing for the Georgia Bulldogs.
A year and two days ago, Georgia was wondering how how long it would take to rise from 6-7. To the Bulldogs’ credit, they rose to 10-2 and to the SEC East title in the span of 11 months. In its final two games, Georgia proved its transformation from underachiever to champion is not yet complete.
In the SEC championship game, Georgia led LSU 10-0 but lost 42-10. In the Outback Bowl here Monday, the Bulldogs led Michigan State 16-0 and had outgained the Spartans 217 yards to 81 when, four minutes into the third quarter, Aaron Murray scrambled to his right and saw Tavarres King near midfield. Murray thought King would backtrack. Instead King ran deeper. Murray’s pass, directed where King wasn’t, was intercepted. With that, a game Georgia had dominated began to unspool.
Said Mark Richt, Georgia’s coach: “Aaron had plenty of space. He was being pressured, but he wasn’t under duress.”
Had Murray scrambled for a modest gain, had he flung the ball out of bounds, Georgia might well have won this game breezing. The interception gave the Spartans a lift they hadn’t really earned, and therein hangs a lesson.
Said Todd Grantham, Georgia’s defensive coordinator: “Good teams are always going to make plays. You have to learn to put teams away, and there’s a learning curve for that. You’ve got to educate yourself. You’ve got to go through things.”
What Georgia went through the rest of this excruciating day was a crash course in comeuppance. Ahead and in control, the Bulldogs blew that 16-point lead, surged back ahead inside the final seven minutes, saw Michigan State tie it with 19 seconds left in regulation and managed to mess up three overtimes as badly as three overtimes can be messed up. It was as if the Football Fates said, “Yeah, you’re young and you’re talented, but you’re not there yet.”
Bacarri Rambo intercepted a Kirk Cousins pass at the beginning of overtime, and that should have been that. But Richt, choosing to err on the side of extreme caution, opted to have Blair Walsh try a field goal on third down from the 25, which is where you get the ball to start an overtime. Sure enough, Walsh missed. (A low snap contributed.) Two more overtimes would follow, and finally it ended with a Walsh kick being blocked.
Georgia’s offensive yield in the three OTs: Eight plays for minus-4 yards. Indeed, Michigan State — which managed two first downs in the first 35 minutes — would outgain the Bulldogs 391 yards to 339. Georgia couldn’t run a lick, and 20 Murray completions were offset by two interceptions, a lost fumble and four sacks.
The second Murray interception was returned for a touchdown, the fourth time this season a Murray throw yielded six opposing points. Three of those came in losses. As superb as Murray can be, there’s still a bit of the wild point guard in him: He can keep both teams in the game.
Said Mike Bobo, the offensive coordinator: “We’ve just got to do a better job as a team of protecting the football.”
Said Richt: “You’ve got to respect the ball.”
Somehow Georgia contrived to lose on a day when Brandon Boykin, ostensibly a defender, scored three times (tackle for safety, punt return, pass reception). Somehow the champ of the SEC East lost to the champ of the Big Ten Legends Division, and we all know the SEC shouldn’t be losing to the Big Ten in a bowl game. That said …
This ugly loss does not — repeat, does not — invalidate the 10 games Georgia won in 2011. This game is not — repeat, is not — proof that these Bulldogs will never win anything big under Richt. Yeah, it was a wretched ending to a turnaround season, but the turnaround stands.
Said Boykin, a senior who was the game’s MVP: “We made huge strides from 6-7, but great teams finish when they’re supposed to. The LSUs and Alabamas — there’s a reason they’re going to the national championship game. We held LSU to 12 yards in the first half and didn’t finish. We had the lead today and didn’t finish. Once they figure out how to pound a team and not give up anything, Georgia can be special.”
Said Richt: “At the moment, this one hurts. But in time it will heal.”
Some of you might consider those empty words. But we need recall another bowl loss, the Music City defeat by a Boston College team of no special distinction, that capped Richt’s first season. It was easy that day in Nashville to claim that Georgia was still the same old Georgia, but soon it wasn’t. The next year the Bulldogs went 13-1 and won Georgia’s first SEC title in two decades.
By Mark Bradley
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1,128 comments Add your comment
DP
January 2nd, 2012
10:23 pm
Paul in NH and Season Ticket Holder, thanks for citing a game where the kick on 3rd down strategy paid benefits. I didn’t recall that game. I’ve seen far more games won in OT with a play action pass or a run for a TD even when all that was needed to win was a field goal. And I don’t recall that I’ve ever seen a coach settle for a 40+ yard field goal into the wind from second down on with an erratic kicker instead of trying to move the ball closer for a higher percentage kick.
Murray has taken virtually every snap for Georgia for 2 years. If Richt doesn’t trust him to protect the ball in that situation he should replace him.
Snoop Dawg
January 2nd, 2012
10:23 pm
Cross your fingers that at least Bobo will get fired.
kerryb
January 2nd, 2012
10:23 pm
Trollers from other teams, Blah Blah Blah. No one gives a sh** about what you think and what you have to say about UGA. Just go _____ yourselves.
InsureDawg
January 2nd, 2012
10:24 pm
O Line was the major problem with our running game. Herschel wouldn’t get a yard either with 3 defensive linemen meeting him behind the line. Ridiculous.
And what is the deal with all the ankle injuries?!
Good riddance Blair. Please take Bobo with you.
Richt's Tanning Salon
January 2nd, 2012
10:24 pm
With the new additional SEC teams, it is going to get very competitive winning games, think about it!
Smoove Criminal
January 2nd, 2012
10:25 pm
Darth Maul
January 2nd, 2012
10:20 pm
Were going to lose to Missouri. Last time we went out in that area, we got beat down by ok state.
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Getting beat down is putting it lightly and be candid about it. Yeah the final score was 24-10 but if you watched the game at all, it looked like a game where the final should have been 44-10. UGA got bludgened in every aspect of that game and it was nowhere near as close or competitive as that final score indicated.
Dooker
January 2nd, 2012
10:25 pm
Talk about SEC speed all you want, but I’m blinded by Stanford, Okie St,, Oregon, Wisconsin, Missouri, …..
Bobo is Not the Problem
January 2nd, 2012
10:25 pm
We are always one season away.
FIRE MARK RICHT.
AFDawg
January 2nd, 2012
10:26 pm
Unfortnately this one will not be easy to forget. I wish they would invent a machine to erase bad memories such as this one. There really is no excuse for it except that we handed them the game on a silver platter. I really hope that there is a full blown and fair competition for quarterback leading up to next season. I’m really starting to think Mason and the others deserve a true shot at starting QB and might manage the ball and game better than Murray.
volquest
January 2nd, 2012
10:26 pm
If they had played Ark and AL they would have lost two more games,,,, just an average team with poor coaching,,,,
kerryb
January 2nd, 2012
10:26 pm
Trollers from other teams, Blah Blah Blah. No one gives a sh** about what you think and what you have to say about UGA. Just go _____ yourselves!
LakeDawg
January 2nd, 2012
10:26 pm
kerryb
January 2nd, 2012
10:20 pm
Erk Russell’s Dog, If you notice Stanford runs an I-formation pro style offense like we use to. We had no FB this year so we had to use more spread.
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Not true. Figgins would have made a fine fullback. He was our best blocking TE. Its just that Richt loathes a running game. The few times we committed to running the I-formation this year, it was very effective.
GT is a 4th rate High School Team
January 2nd, 2012
10:27 pm
If BOBO has any conscience, he should RESIGN tomorrow. He knows he is BIG FAILURE in big games against just good teams.
Rcgator
January 2nd, 2012
10:27 pm
Great year dawg, glad to see rich will be around a little longer.
pooh p
January 2nd, 2012
10:27 pm
If you guys would’ve boycotted the game like me you’d be a lot happier. Georgia coach and his fancy truck commercials supporting rich corporations and Bu$h and Regan fatcat buddies with there oil martinis watching the rich people steak bowl. Georga wont win until you figure this out.
icedawg
January 2nd, 2012
10:27 pm
Dawg offensive line had difficulty run blocking all year long. Poor RB’s got beaten up.
kerryb
January 2nd, 2012
10:27 pm
volquest
January 2nd, 2012
10:26 pm
If they had played Ark and AL they would have lost two more games,,,, just an average team with poor coaching,,,,
_____________________________________________________________–
Wait a minute. I know your not a Vol fan coming on here trying to poke fun at us???
BulldogBen
January 2nd, 2012
10:29 pm
Most hollow 10 win season ever.
Lost to all 4 teams in the Top 10 we played (if MSU makes it into the Top 10 in the final poll).
Spin that however you want. Ain’t hatin, just factin.
icedawg
January 2nd, 2012
10:30 pm
Once a team figured the DAWGS couldn’t run block they focused upon shutting down the passing game. The better teams were able to do this against them.
UGAKev
January 2nd, 2012
10:30 pm
Hawks looked good against the Heat atleast lol
Now, 3-12 Against Ranked Teams
January 2nd, 2012
10:30 pm
….but, but, but…..we’re on the verge of greatness!!!!
(sigh!)
Erk Russell's Dog
January 2nd, 2012
10:30 pm
kerryb
It all goes back to recruiting ,you mean with 85 scholarships you can’t get one real fullback. No we get the Crowell’s and the other backs who won’t commit to do the little things like be a lead blocker(that won’t get me no NFL contract)that make a strong running game. Richt has too many Tight ends he never throws the damn ball to ,so he tries to make them stop gap fullbacks.UGA has become a finesse team ,which may be fine until you need to make a 4th and 1 or run out the clock in the 4th quarter.
kerryb
January 2nd, 2012
10:30 pm
Lake Dawg, we need a real FB. Not a converted TE. There was no threat of him carrying the ball at all. If you look at the last several years I think we were pretty balanced run and pass. I bet if you look this year we were not. It’s because we tried to run more spread.
Bobby H
January 2nd, 2012
10:31 pm
If Richt and/or Bobo had any class, they’d both resign tomorrow.
pooh p
January 2nd, 2012
10:31 pm
I bet kerryb isnt calling me the moron of the day anymore about the boycott.
Big Brain
January 2nd, 2012
10:31 pm
Dees dawgs be all bark and no bite.
Legends in the own minds
January 2nd, 2012
10:32 pm
Mutts are so over-rated. Try beating a top 25 team and then spew your mouths about how great you are.
tony
January 2nd, 2012
10:32 pm
drummerdawg
January 2nd, 2012
9:10 pm
I see a lot of complaining and “let’s fire the coach”, but no comments on WHO you think would be a good replacement or who would even be available.
___________________________________________________
I like Chrs Petersen but it would be cheaper to make Todd Grantham the interm hc and hire offensive coordintor Matt Canada. Matt is currently oc and coached rbs and qbs. Michael Turner was 1 of those rbs.
LakeDawg
January 2nd, 2012
10:33 pm
Well, I’m calling it a night. I’ve vented my frustration for now. Unfortunately for me, I will be back with eternal hope in my heart that UGA will get over the hump. Even though my head tells me it will be a few years before that happens. Oh well, I’m a glutton for punishment I guess.
Go Dawgs!!!
Jon Heisman
January 2nd, 2012
10:34 pm
With the fixed the scheduling, this team can only lose in the SECCG and the bowl game–both of them outside the control of scheduling. Should be top 10 every year in the near future!
Dawg48
January 2nd, 2012
10:34 pm
GT is a 4th rate High School Team
January 2nd, 2012
10:27 pm
If BOBO has any conscience, he should RESIGN tomorrow. He knows he is BIG FAILURE in big games against just good teams.
You right, did you see BOBO drop those passes, and miss those blocks, and throw those interseceptions and not open up wholes for the running back.
b
January 2nd, 2012
10:35 pm
murray should get most of the blame, He can’t win a big game to save his life.
He is the Tony Romo of college football.
Smoove Criminal
January 2nd, 2012
10:35 pm
@tony
Petersen has turned down better head coaching positions, what makes you think he’d want to come to UGA?
kerryb
January 2nd, 2012
10:35 pm
Erk Russell’s Dog
January 2nd, 2012
10:30 pm
kerryb
It all goes back to recruiting ,you mean with 85 scholarships you can’t get one real fullback. No we get the Crowell’s and the other backs who won’t commit to do the little things like be a lead blocker(that won’t get me no NFL contract)that make a strong running game. Richt has too many Tight ends he never throws the damn ball to ,so he tries to make them stop gap fullbacks.UGA has become a finesse team ,which may be fine until you need to make a 4th and 1 or run out the clock in the 4th quarter.
___________________________________________________________________________
I agree with the fact that I can’t believe we had 2 senior FB’s last year and never got one in the last 2 recruiting classes. That puzzles me. WE need the Crowells but we don’t need them to be lead blockers. Figgins is the first TE I ever heard of UGA making a FB out of. UGA became a spread team this year, which I hate.
Morgan
January 2nd, 2012
10:35 pm
This entire prpgram is nothing but a big JOKE!
RxDawg
January 2nd, 2012
10:36 pm
We play 30 mins of football when 60 is required.
Red Panties
January 2nd, 2012
10:36 pm
Great game MSU ! Signed Damon Evans
kerryb
January 2nd, 2012
10:36 pm
pooh p, Yes, you are still a liberal moron
Now, 3-12 Against Ranked Teams
January 2nd, 2012
10:36 pm
I’m actually OK with Richt staying as head coach……so long as he doesn’t do any of the real coaching. We need a Todd Grantham equivalent for the offense and we should do fine.
For some reason, Richt seems to recruit well…..just don’t let him coach or call plays!!
Richt's Tanning Salon
January 2nd, 2012
10:36 pm
@kerryb
Can’t take the heat of a loss, then come in and get a spray tan. It will make your pale self look better. Do it for yourself and for the team and myself!!!! It’s free big boy!
mttrains
January 2nd, 2012
10:37 pm
You say you’re… you’re in the mighty SEC, and you’re next up in the pecking order for the BCS/SEC championship, you’re just like Alabama and how Alabama’s done it… Georgia, I knew Alabama, Alabama was a friend of mine. And Georgia, you’re no Alabama…
UGA 92
January 2nd, 2012
10:37 pm
A month ago these blogs were full of nothing but praise for CMR. Now, the world is ending because we lost the Outcrap Bowl. Who cares. For those who want UGA to be like Bama or LSU, please, take off the UGA shirt you bought at the bookstore on game day and replace it with a Bama or LSU shirt you bought on-line, because you obviously never attended The University of Georgia. UGA is special, like no other university on earth. True UGA fans know this. Winning football records are nice, but they are only fraction of what makes us the best.
Now, 3-12 Against Ranked Teams
January 2nd, 2012
10:37 pm
Dawg48…..”wholes”…..really?
Keep Shula uh Richt forever
January 2nd, 2012
10:38 pm
Ga is an embarrassment to the SEC, may be y’all black out every game next year
Even the newbies Missouri and TA&M won easily
wheelhouse
January 2nd, 2012
10:38 pm
pooh p
January 2nd, 2012
10:27 pm
If you guys would’ve boycotted the game like me you’d be a lot happier. Georgia coach and his fancy truck commercials supporting rich corporations and Bu$h and Regan fatcat buddies with there oil martinis watching the rich people steak bowl. Georga wont win until you figure this out.
______________________________________
Yeah, you seem alot happier. Something else you may be happy about: You’ve just won the award for The Most Idiotic Post of All Time.
Grimes
January 2nd, 2012
10:40 pm
What’’s funny is ga lost it’s first two and it’s last two against the 4 best teams it played.
Dawghater
January 2nd, 2012
10:41 pm
By August all the UGA bloggers will be crowning them Nat’l Champs. Yet again, UGA won’t have Alabama, LSU or Arkansas on the schedule in 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
kerryb
January 2nd, 2012
10:41 pm
wheelhouse, I told pooh p the same thing the other day. He won the most idiotic post on that day too.
Saban Never Sleeps
January 2nd, 2012
10:42 pm
You uga fans certainly do not disappoint..I wondered how anyone could rationalize mediocrity and now I know.
Erk Russell's Dog
January 2nd, 2012
10:42 pm
mttrains
It’s easy for Alabama ,they are the only professional sports team in the state. Oh I forgot Auburn they are Alabama’s AAA team.