UGA’s Murray: ‘We could have pulled out a couple more wins’
A Murray moment: Tavarres King snags a touchdown. (AP photo)
A note: This ran in today’s print AJC. I present it to you, our digital patrons, in the interest of full disclosure.
Tampa — Aaron Murray tried to put on a happy face, but it was a struggle. Georgia’s quarterback returned home for the Outback Bowl and will leave not as a conquering hero but as one of the causes of his team’s demise.
“I think the whole Dog Nation is very excited about this team,” Murray said afterward. “I know we’re very excited.”
The blare of a turnaround season was muted by the doings here Monday. Georgia led 16-0 but lost 33-30 in three overtimes, and the crazy game turned in the third quarter on two Murray interceptions. The first led to Michigan State’s first touchdown. The second became the Spartans’ second touchdown, and it marked the fourth time this season a Murray interception had been returned for a score.
On the first interception, Murray scrambled right and spotted Tavarres King open over the middle. He expected King to backtrack. Instead King turned and went deeper. Murray’s pass was intercepted by a diving Darqueze Dennard.
“There was a little miscommunication in the scramble drill,” Murray said.
The second interception, also taken by Dennard, was a product of a quick Murray read and a tipped throw to his left. “It got nicked,” Murray said, “and got a little off-course.”
Dennard’s 38-yard return cut Georgia’s lead to two points. Asked if he felt he’d let the grasping Spartans back in the game, Murray said: “I don’t think so. We were still up 16-14. We still kept playing. Our guys have shown all year they’re not going to fold.”
Michigan State took a 20-19 lead with 8:22 to play, whereupon Murray led Georgia’s best drive of a halting day. He threw four passes, completing three, for 83 yards and ultimately a go-back-ahead touchdown to redeployed defender Brandon Boykin. Then Murray found Malcolm Mitchell for a two-point conversion. Georgia led 27-20 with 6:44 to play.
But it wouldn’t hold. The Bulldogs couldn’t run out the clock, choosing to run up the middle to force the Spartans to use their timeouts, and were undone when Michigan State tied it with 14 seconds remaining in regulation. In overtime, three Georgia possessions lost a total of four yards. Murray threw four passes in the OTs, all incomplete.
Murray’s final numbers: Twenty completions in 32 attempts, 288 yards passing, two touchdowns, two interceptions, one lost fumble, four sacks. Not the worst day ever, but not good enough.
Asked about Murray, coach Mark Richt said: “Aaron’s future is very bright. He’s one of the best quarterbacks in the country in my mind and he’ll be one of the better quarterbacks who’ll be returning. He’s a guy we’ve got an awful lot of faith in. He’s human; he’s going to make mistakes.”
Speaking of 2012, Murray said: “As a team, we’re definitely excited about the future. But we definitely could have pulled out a couple of more wins.”
Someone wondered if this loss, coming as it did 4.6 miles from Plant High, Murray’s alma mater, hurt worse than the others. “It’s the same,” Murray said. “A loss is a loss.”
By Mark Bradley
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990 comments Add your comment
duronimo
January 3rd, 2012
12:54 pm
It looks like Richt has annointed Murray for the coming year with words that are inspired, infallible, inerrant and locked in concrete. We’ll never know how good the other quarterbacks can be unless they transfer. Why does Richt bestow such abnormal loyalty on certain players (and coaches) to the detriment of the team? None of the better SEC coaches would ever do this.
Shonuff
January 3rd, 2012
12:55 pm
Who hired Mike Bobo? Is Mark Richt considered an offensive or defensive head coach?
Send'em U hauls
January 3rd, 2012
12:55 pm
Wake up people this team had an easy schedule. We didnt beat anyone. We embarrassed the SEC yesterday. FIRE MARK RICHT!!!!!!
DAWG with two bags over head
January 3rd, 2012
12:55 pm
Richt says Murray is one of the best in the country, but with the game on the line and after 3 turnovers, he and Bobo were obviously keeping the ball out of Murray’s hands. Look at their actions, not their words, it speaks volumes. Not that Richt and Bobo are going to improve the situation though. Next season will be more of the same crap. Time for a big change, not an extension of what we’ve put up with for 3-4 seasons.
Columbus Dawg
January 3rd, 2012
12:56 pm
Someone asked me this morning why Richt would give up two downs in order to go for a field goal with the most unreliable place kicker UGA has had in years. I thought and thought before trying to give an answer, but for the life of me I just could not produce one. Richt actually made the decision to waste second down with a knee, then kick on third? I have been watching college ball regularly, since the mid 1970’s and I don’t mean just UGA’s games, but time permitting I try to keep up with the game’s trends not just in the SEC, but nationally. I cannot remember EVER seeing anything like that in 35 years. Was Richt trying to give Walsh a chance to redeem all of his shortcomings with one kick because he is a senior in his last game at the expense of the entire Bulldog Nation? Richt proclaimed that “I thought my man would make it”. How in the world can Richt stand there with a straight face and say something like that when everyone who has seen any UGA football this season knows that Walsh is a VERY inconsistant placekicker?
To all who care about, contribute to, or in any way support the University of Georgia’s football program: Everyone needs to make it known to the powers that be in Athens that the state of the program is unacceptable. E-mail McGarity’s public e-mail. Like someone said in another post, he may not read the public e-mails himself, but someone will. I have got to believe that the message would get to McGarity.
GTBob
January 3rd, 2012
12:56 pm
We could have pulled out a couple more wins
Yes Aaron, if UGA had a better QB and a better coach then you might have pulled out a couple of more wins. Unfortunately you have to work with what you have.
steve
January 3rd, 2012
12:56 pm
I think we should go with Hutson Mason next year. Murray lost at least two games this year by himself..The SC game and the bowl game..Time for a change!!!!
DP
January 3rd, 2012
12:57 pm
Herschel Talker and others who want to lay everything at the feet of Mike Bobo, do you really think Bobo was the one who decided to run it into the line 3 times late in the 4th quarter and sit on the ball for a 42 yard field goal into the wind in OT? Any head coach other than a figurehead like Paterno in his later years dictates the strategy to the OC in those type of late game situations. Bobo told Bradley he thought about throwing it on that late 4th quarter possession but it was decided on the sideline (i.e. by Richt) to run the ball and make Michigan State use their timeouts. After all, it’s not like 2 minutes is enough time to move the ball down the field without timeouts in the college game where the clock is stopped on every first down.
steve
January 3rd, 2012
12:57 pm
BOZO needs to gogo as well!!!
Mike
January 3rd, 2012
12:57 pm
@Send’em – Murray is just a Sophomore and many of their offensive playmakers are freshman. Mistakes will happen. The line is veteran, but its also the underachieving leftovers from Stacy Searles. MSU is a team full of senior playmakers. That and Bobo’s typically inept second half gameplan was the difference.
Send'em U hauls
January 3rd, 2012
12:57 pm
Where is altmaha, Low countrydawg and WDE? I wanna hear their lame excuses!
GatorDude
January 3rd, 2012
12:59 pm
Yawn ….
Mike
January 3rd, 2012
12:59 pm
@DP – are you seriously defending Bobo? So what was his excuse for running up the gut the rest of the game? How about no play calls for Orson Charles? Was that all Mark Richt too? lol
too funny
January 3rd, 2012
1:00 pm
I know a lot of UGA fans are upset at Bobo, but what about your defense. You gave up 27 points in the second half. Just like the Boise and the LSU games, once the other team hits a little stride, UGA defense just has no answers and gives up…
UGA defense looked good because they played a bunch of crappy offensive teams. Brantley was terrible and hurt when UGA played. TN, Ole Miss, MIss St, and KY have absolutely no offense at all this year. They played a joke SEC schedule with Florida and TN probably having their worst teams in 20+ years.
Jarvis Jones is an absolute beast, but outside of him, UGA defense isn’t that good…Boise, LSU, South Carolina all proved it. When they needed a BIG stop, UGA defense failed every time in those games…just go back and watch them and tell me if you can dispute that
MissouriDawg
January 3rd, 2012
1:01 pm
Why is Mike “Bozo” Bobo still employed?
Send'em U hauls
January 3rd, 2012
1:01 pm
mike…….. Murray has 27 games under his belt so that excuse that he is only a sophomore doesnt cut it. look at Boyd at Clemson , Shaw at SC and others around the college football world my friend.
DP
January 3rd, 2012
1:01 pm
And then there’s Richt claiming he sat on the ball in OT because he had confidence in Blair Walsh. I recall Richt having so much confidence in Walsh late in the year that he had him alternating place kicks late in the year with a freshman. Is there no accountability for Richt talking out of both sides of his mouth on his confidence in Murray and Walsh? There is certainly not from Mark Bradley. Maybe there’s a reporter somewhere who is not in the tank for Richt and can ask reasonably tough questions like a real journalist.
Shonuff
January 3rd, 2012
1:01 pm
Again, you can keep bringing up Bobo’s name, but this is a team who has a head coach that has an offensive background. This all falls on Richt.
MIchael Richards
January 3rd, 2012
1:01 pm
Everyone is after Bobo. People…..MARK RICHT is BOBO. Same conservative offense, if we lead by ten we take the foot off the accelerator. Until we rid ourselves of him, we can continue to be mediocre and listen to his apologists cover for him because he got us an SEC championship in 2002. We have too much revenue in our athletic department to settle for this.
Dawgs92
January 3rd, 2012
1:02 pm
IMHO, Bobo is the worse OC in football, including little league. Seriously, running up the middle 3 times in a row when you haven’t run the ball on that D ALL GAME. Same nonsense in the LSU game. There is a reason MSU and LSU have top defenses. Same reason UGA did! You can’t run the ball on them. OT was even worse. Give the guys a chance. The drive with Boykin’s TD showed what could happen so why stop doing it? Ok, enough venting on Bobo, the worse OC in football.
OL recruits – Positions are available! Hope Friend can make the jump in the OL that Grantham made in the D in his 2nd year. OL is going to be pretty young next year so that’s going to be asking a lot.
QB – LeMay and Mason should be given a shot at Murray’s job. Doubt it but too many critical mistakes. I know he’s in his 2nd year and I think Stafford made a huge jump his 3rd year so hope the same happens for Murray. Has to or will never make the next step needed with this team.
Hope the freshman kicker and punter are ready to go next fall. Nothing ahead of them so they better be.
Is there ANYONE out there that will take Bobo? Hope McGarity forces Coach Richt’s hand on this one.
oakisland
January 3rd, 2012
1:03 pm
If Mike Bobo was not on the coaching staff and not OC and just an alumni, he would be screaming at the inept play calling we’ve seen for two years now. Please Mr. Bobo, if you truly love UGA an GA football you will resign and let Coach Richt off the hook.
georgedawg
January 3rd, 2012
1:03 pm
Michigan State has a goog team and deserved to win. We had opportunities to win but didn’t produce in a few key instances. Folks are being too hard on the team. We improved but aren’t there yet. I feel it’s rediculous to look at next year and proclaim ourselves SEC champions or contenders for NC. Where does this come from? The media? Fair weather fans? Not from most real Georgia fans!
The disapointing lose yesterday may be something that helps our team and coaches get to where they need to to position ourselves as an upper tier SEC team and perennial top 10 team.
Hopefully, McGarity will require Richt to make some more coaching changes. It may not be fair, because Richt may be directing what Bobo calls, but I think we need a top notch experienced OC that agrees in concept with Richt but that can improve our offense and fully take advantage of our talent and not be so predictable and come up with some plays when we need to make a first down. Yesterday was terrible. Maybe qb coach and recruitibg coordinator. I know Bobo is a great human being he just got promoted ahead of his time and is being outcoached by the great teams we face.
GO DAWGS.
UGA Insider
January 3rd, 2012
1:03 pm
Costly loss for CMR. McGarity is going to get his way and get an accomplished OC now. I personally think now is the time to make a change with the HC as well. The schedule is easy next year and our recruiting class doesn’t look all that great with a month left. If we hire Peterson now he could probably salvage it and manage to keep CTG and CKO. It is a perfect time to move on if you are serious about winning a championship anytime soon. Let’s be serious…If you can’t win with Stafford and Knowshon you can’t win with anyone. It’s time to move on.
JB
January 3rd, 2012
1:04 pm
We beat lesser talented teams with pure athletic prowess. We lose to equal or superior teams because of a lack of coaching and leadership…………….You can write a million blogs…..but that’s what it comes down to. Case closed.
DP
January 3rd, 2012
1:04 pm
Mike, I’m defending Bobo on the hibernation late in the 4th quarter and in OT because he clearly isn’t the one who determines strategy in those situations. That’s on the head coach, Mark Teflon Richt. First it was Martinez, now it is Bobo. Who hired them? Whose job is it to tell Bobo to be less conservative or predictable in his play calling?
Shonuff
January 3rd, 2012
1:05 pm
When I saw that picture of Murray on twitter in skinny jeans, I knew he would blow the game for UGA.
Stinkin' Dawg
January 3rd, 2012
1:05 pm
Did UG-athens beat a ranked football team in 2011?
Bill
January 3rd, 2012
1:05 pm
Could have just as easily lost a couple.Vandy hits that last pass and Florida doesn’t give UGA 2 Red Zone turnovers.
hj
January 3rd, 2012
1:06 pm
joke coach
azdawg
January 3rd, 2012
1:06 pm
Either CMR or Bobo should own up on whose decision was it to “burn clock” w/over 3 mins left in regulation play by sending Samuel up the middle 3 straight plays?? Did Bobo want to pass the ball or did CMR overrule him and decide to run it w/o any imagination?? I’ve read Bobo said it was the HC’s decision. It there any truth to that MB????
Since Vince
January 3rd, 2012
1:07 pm
This Season is OVA!
D man
January 3rd, 2012
1:07 pm
Dawgs looked FLAT… How can you miss that kick in OT? You are suppose to be one of the best in the country… team didn’t have any fight in them…
GATA
January 3rd, 2012
1:07 pm
As devastating as those picks were, how can you blame Murray when almost ALL the offensive production relies on him? He has NO running game to help him out. He has to make the plays and this is what will happen. Grantham has got this D playing well and will build on it – now the O needs a counterpart that will commit to running game, like the 2 teams that will meet in the championship game.
ARdawg
January 3rd, 2012
1:07 pm
I think we should kick FGs on every 3rd down, no matter the field position
DAWG with two bags over head
January 3rd, 2012
1:08 pm
I agree with DP. This mess should go right to the feet of our CEO. Remember, that’s what we have, not a coach. Our CEO is the one the sets the tone and he has on a headset listing to the calls. Ultimately it is his responsibility for the conservative play calling and playing quarterback favorites instead of putting the best player(s) on the field. We don’t need a extension for our CEO. Let him sweat another year. Maybe then he’ll see the light and be able to really concentrate on bringing the offensive out of the FSU 80s.
JB
January 3rd, 2012
1:09 pm
azdawg…………….That’s what was reported in Bradley’s write up after the game. You can read it. Its still online. He told Bradley he wanted to pass and was over ruled from the sideline….. He didn’t use Mark’s name, but duh?
Send'em U hauls
January 3rd, 2012
1:09 pm
hope McGarity demotes Bobo or fires this clown. Give Richt 1 more year.
Dawg back from Malta
January 3rd, 2012
1:09 pm
It’s time for Boo Boo to shew shew…out of town!!
The offensive play calling is terrible!!
Wreckmaniac
January 3rd, 2012
1:10 pm
Instead of being in the top 10 in recruiting every year, UGA needs to be #1. They’re just not recruiting well enough. Need more 5 A’s. Need to get every high school player rated at #1 in their position. Need to get guys who are ready for the NFL right now. Guys who are so good they will always leave after 2 years. Just like Kentucky does it in basketball.
Silver Classic
January 3rd, 2012
1:11 pm
ALERT!!!!! Reference: Aaron Murray must not read this blog if he thinks UGA fans are excited about this team…..Please, please…. don’t allow yourselves to think that the population that posts comments on this blog represents the Bulldog fanbase.
The handful of those who post here or even read this tripe are a but a drop in the bucket in comparison to those who really care about UGA’s football program and are excited about the direction and quality of this team.
I have no objection to your playing your role here, if you want to make yourself look shallow and like a fool its alright with me. Just don’t make the mistake of thinking that anyone of consequence would take you seriously.
ARdawg
January 3rd, 2012
1:11 pm
The problem isn’t Bobo, it’s RichtRicht
THE Dixie Redcoat Band
January 3rd, 2012
1:11 pm
So we assume that AM has filed his NFL papers for an early draft, pretty funny.
JB
January 3rd, 2012
1:11 pm
Bet the ranch NOTHING changes. There isn’t a set in Athens.
dawgfan
January 3rd, 2012
1:11 pm
Richt and Bobo need to take a look around the SEC. Putting the entire offense on the shoulders of your QB is not what is winning games these days. LSU played 2 QBs this year and neither one of them are all that great. McCarron has been solid but unspectacular for Bama. Those two teams are a combined 25-1 because they have a physical offense that pushes the other team back and grinds out tough yards. They aren’t winning games with a couple of 60 yard bombs every game.
I don’t blame Murray for anything. Too much is put on him in this offense. Ever since Bobo took over turnovers have gone through the roof. Look it up if you don’t believe me. During the Greene-Shockley years we were known for a boring offense that protected the football. Now we’re known for big flashy plays and turnovers at critical times. I prefer the Greene-Shockley way of doing things my self. Richt needs to go back to square one and demote Bobo.
Thanks.
Big Al
January 3rd, 2012
1:11 pm
Aaron my boy. Just keep on talking. You seem to be pretty good at that. All the other quarterbacks need to transfer since the job has obviously been given to you.
Dawg Fud
January 3rd, 2012
1:12 pm
The QB job should be open this spring.
Murray’s performances are a mixture of prowess to monumental blunders.
JB
January 3rd, 2012
1:13 pm
Murray would not make it out of training camp with an NFL club. He better get a degree.
SEC Observer
January 3rd, 2012
1:14 pm
@UGA Insider- I don’t see why Peterson would go to Georgia when he turned down Penn St. He would have a better chance of being successful in the Big 1G than the SEC.
It’s kind of late now anyway to be looking for a coach as all 25, except for Penn St, of the openings have been filled.
Who out there that is proven would really come to Georgia? I can’t think of anyone.
bill arp
January 3rd, 2012
1:14 pm
you have to ask yourself, WHY DOES BOBO/RICHT GET SO CONSERVATIVE???.
answer, PLAIN AND SIMPLE, THEY DON’T TRUST THEIR QB… They’re going to tell us they do publicly, just so he(Murray) can hear them say it in public, but when Bobo and Richt go home, they’re both saying to themselves, “We’ve got to get better at QB”…The coaches weren’t like this when we had Greene, Shockley, Stafford..only the last few years of Cox and Murray.
They’re scared to death that he’s going to make a mistake down on our end of the field(like he has so many times in very crucial points in the game),or in OT when the game matters. And I’m also scared to death of what he’s going to do, fumble, pick 6?
Now, with that said, IF they(the coaches) don’t make a change at that position, well, then they(the coaches) need to be changed themselves! PERIOD!
Sorry to be so long on a blog, BTW.
GATA
January 3rd, 2012
1:16 pm
dawgfan you are right on.