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
bitter QB
January 4th, 2012
5:16 pm
same Ole same Ole stuff from you trolls————————-until dr adams—richt—- are fired
———————————–same ole, same ole——lie after lie, butt all the sheep
=====================love lies——all the sheep like winning national championships in the summer.
——————–hire boise st coach
bhaaaaa—bhaaaa——————-
GulfShoresDawg
January 4th, 2012
5:22 pm
Did everybody see Orson Charles open all Day like I did!!!! Damn! And I mean Damn!
MacKid
January 4th, 2012
5:30 pm
UGA always finds new ways to make fans hate them…
Crowell the baby.
Walsh the choker.
Murray the “let em back in with a big play pick 6″ QB
Richt the worst conservative playcalling game manager of all time
Bobo the most vanilla OC in college football
Yuck. This team is hard to root for.
b
January 4th, 2012
5:45 pm
McLovin Romo Murray is not the answer.
bob
January 4th, 2012
6:09 pm
CUUDA WUDDA SHUDDA!
SuperB
January 4th, 2012
6:40 pm
Can Murray win the big games– or just set the record for Pick Sixes? Also, what the hell was Richt thinking in the first overtime? Put in Thomas for the firs time, had AM take a loss, then missed the FG? What a freakin’ idiot.
tell me again
January 4th, 2012
7:07 pm
After some consideration this is what I see for next year: A very young offensive line – the kiss of death in the SEC – regardless of talent level.
Aaron Murray as starter by default: Big mistake – open the competition in the spring. I love Murray on many levels but in two years he has yet to win a big game or bring us back and rally a win. Time to open the QB spot back up and see if we can do better.
Special teams: we lose everything – a total unknown and even with great talent we have nobody – NOBODY – who seems to be able to coach special teams at UGA.
Defense: We’re going to be OK here.
Strength and conditioning: I think year two under Tershinbnski will begin to reap major results.
Skill players: We’re loaded – unfortunately, we have noone who knows how to use them which brings us to the next point…
Offensive Coordinator: Sorry Coach Bobo – you were given an opportunity you did not deserve when you were named OC at an SEC school with almost no experience – a move by CMR to no doubt reward you for your hard work and effective contributions as a QB coach and recruiter – but a bad move by Coach Richt – just a dumb move really. With the money and prestige UGA has we could have roped any one of a dozen brilliant OC’s to run our offense – sad to say, you’ve had your shot and shown everyone that at best, you are an average and inconsistent playcaller at the SEC level. Time to man up and realize you are holding the program back and step aside.
And finally Coach Richt: Love the man and he’s not a bad coach either – but, he has to realize that his offense is so predictable that even if he executes it perfectly (which has not happened much lately) the other defensive coaches in the SEC (and elsewhere) KNOW what you have in your playbook. He needs to revamp that playbook and put some Boise State excitement in there.
One last thing: We need to get rid of the “Play not to lose” mentality that has entrenched itself at UGA. You go to a bowl game to air it out and leave it all on the field – not to worry about if you go for it on 4th and 2 you might not make it or you go for it by running into the teeth of a strong defense. Please…………I’d rather lose with all guns blazing than by watching us squirm into conservative mode for the millionth time and watch the other team win because they are willing to take the risks you need to take in order to win.
Next year – I see 4 losses ——— all Dawgs who disagree need to ask themselves – WHAT IS GOING TO CHANGE TO MAKE NEXT YEAR DIFFERENT? I don’t see much changing – sad to say. We seem stuck in the “9 or 10 wins is good enough” mode. Love the Dawgs but I am sick of the lukewarm seasons. May I be proven wrong.
UGA Alum
January 4th, 2012
7:16 pm
I want CMR to lead my son’s Boy Scout Troop, but not coach my football team. Unless you like a program that can beat up on Coastal Carolina 140-13 and pad AM’s stats with 23 TDs thrown in a single game; well then, in that case, CMR can coach the football team, and we can keep AM.
Refs Hose Ga
January 4th, 2012
9:18 pm
I’m tired of UGA getting hosed by the refs every game. without all those bad calls, Ga beats mich state! mcgarity needs to file a protest!
NOBODYYOUKNOW
January 4th, 2012
9:48 pm
Lets look back fans. The dogs lost to 2 teams they were picked to lose to. (DAMN GOOD TEAMS). They BEAT everyone else on the schedule. And true they didn’t play any POWERHOUSE. They won the SEC EAST. They have had a great recruiting year. They lost to a very good Mich. State team. IN OVERTIME. And yes I thought they were going to blow Mich. St. out at half time. But it did’nt happen. I’m no “fair weather” “win every game every time” FAN. I like UGA and CMR. GIVE YOUR NEGATIVITY A REST!
Stinger
January 4th, 2012
10:09 pm
Another year without a Championship. Thirty One years and counting.
Wayne
January 4th, 2012
10:13 pm
The dogs did not win against a single tough opponent the whole year. They played against 4 top teams and lost all 4 and beat the also rans. That does not make a season. This was in all honesty a huge huge disappointing season. All the coaches need to go. Each and every one of them because this has been the same crap for a number of years when we’ve had some very very good players but extremely poor coaching. I challenge richt and co to be honest with themselves and the fans and resign.
tired of hearing it
January 4th, 2012
10:29 pm
Tired of hearing about the coulda, woulda, shoulda’s. Time to quit making excuses and walk the walk.
Larry Bird
January 4th, 2012
10:31 pm
Nice blocked field goal in overtime.
Chris
January 4th, 2012
10:45 pm
Where’s all these but kissing fans that wanted to know where the haters were when we won 10 straight? Are you people that stupid to think that all the coaching problems we have just went away with the weak azz schedule we had this year. That schedule was the worst thing that could happen to Georgia because it saved Mark Richts job. This man SHOULD have been fired last year, and every year from here on out is just another year of underachieving and wishing for better.
I get so sick and tired of fans complaining about those of us who want Richt fired. WE WANT WHAT IS BEST FOR GEORGIA!!!! Those of you who support this fool are what is wrong with this program. Until Richt is gone, this team will continue to be mediocre.
UGA Alum
January 4th, 2012
11:19 pm
Good comment Chris. This is not a popularity contest, or about whose feelings are going to get hurt; this is about getting a great program in Athens for the fans and the alumni, as Richt & Bobo can’t do it. I would let him (Richt) babysit my children, or lead a bible study, but he’s NOT the man for a great SEC football team like Georgia. We have a great tradition, history, etc., but it has been ruined over the past 20 years. Sorry to Richt and to others who love him. However, I still think the problem goes higher then him (and I’m not talking about God), but in the Administration and leadership of the school. Don’t they see the difference in the quality of football at other schools and with the UGA program? All they have to do is turn on the tv this week and watch some of the great bowl games and teams: LSU, Bama, Oregon St., WVU, VT, Michigan, and even Clemson.
Columbus
January 4th, 2012
11:22 pm
Nah, I want to keep being negative…
BS Patrol
January 4th, 2012
11:32 pm
A frog COULD have wings.
Frustrated dawg
January 5th, 2012
12:01 am
Whoever said grantham saved richt’s butt this year was right!
Of course, an easier schedule this year helped too.
Georgia continues to slowly bleed out.
Let’s go back to the first game. Boise state ran a clinic on us! Let me ask you something. How many times has Boise been in the top ten in recruiting? Never. How is it possible that they beat us so soundly? Coaching!!! We have the talent! Look back at the auburn game to see what our potential is. We will never reach it with bobo. Conservative!!! Why did we lose the lsu game? Bobo! Take a look at how aggressive we were on offense in the first half and then look at the 2nd. Totally abandoned the pass until we had no choice. I could go on and on. Special teams. Wtf? I’m glad we beat Florida this year but that is about the only thing I’m proud of. We are Georgia Bulldogs and we deserve better!
Jokes
January 5th, 2012
12:26 am
A She She was just embarrassed again this bowl season!
Wake up and More are Fed-Up
January 5th, 2012
2:14 am
I-A Wins 2011 Season FBS :
(01) 13-0 LSU
(02) 13-1 Houston
(03) 12-1 Oklahoma State
(04) 12-1 Boise State
(05) 12-2 Southern Miss
(06) 12-2 Oregon
(07) 11-1 Alabama
(08) 11-2 South Carolina
(09) 11-2 Stanford
(10) 11-2 Michigan
(11) 11-2 TCU
(12) 11-3 Michigan State
(13) 11-3 Virginia Tech
(14) 11-3 Wisconsin
(15) 10-2 Arkansas
(16) 10-2 Arkansas State
(17) 10-2 Kansas State
(18) 10-2 Southern California
(19) 10-3 Baylor
(20) 10-3 Northern Illinois
(21) 10-3 Clemson
(22) 10-3 Cincinnati
(23) 10-3 BYU
(24) 10-3 Oklahoma
(25) 10-3 West Virginia
(26) 10-4 Ohio
(26) 10-4 Georgia – CLEARLY NOT TOP 25
SINCE WHEN IS THIS “GOOD” MARK RICHT ?
Buzz2011
January 5th, 2012
6:18 am
Pulled out a couple more wins? They pulled out at least three or four they should have lost!! Dream Team.. A lot of dreaming……….
Danthedawgfan
January 5th, 2012
6:47 am
Murray’s stats are better than David Green’s at this point in his college career. Ya’ll dumbarses knocking him are just that, dumbarses!
DanthedawgfanWake up and More are Fed-Up is an idiot
January 5th, 2012
6:48 am
My God!
Danthedawgfan
January 5th, 2012
6:50 am
Hey Buzz2011! What was the score of the UGA/Tech game this year. Until your dumbarse team can beat Georgia more than once in a ten year period you need to STFU!
tape worm
January 5th, 2012
7:09 am
SEC / National Championships
LSU – Won two, playing for a third
Florida – Won two
Alabama – Won one, playing for a second
Auburn – Won one
All the above were accomplished during Mark Richt’s era.
Georgia ranks 2nd Nationally in recruiting over the past ten years.
Richt is starting his 12th year at Georgia, all the above programs were successful in less than half the time.
Would you give Richt a contract extension?
tape worm
January 5th, 2012
7:20 am
Danthedawgfan – If you are happy beating Tech every year then thats great, some of us dawg fans want more, a lot more. We want a Championship program. We want to raise the bar. Play for a title next year, we have the talent, or get the heck out!
Fan of the Game
January 5th, 2012
8:06 am
It is time to quit talking about people being excited and do something about it. Most all fans are excited about their team. Start producing, bottom line if you are that talented.
Saban Never Sleeps
January 5th, 2012
8:12 am
“we could have pulled out a couple more wins”….what is the punch line?
Wake up and More are Fed-Up
January 5th, 2012
8:30 am
Danthedawgfan January 5th, 2012 6:47 am
“Murray’s stats are better than David Green’s at this point in his college career. Ya’ll dumbarses knocking him are just that, dumbarses!”
_____________________________________________
David Greene finished his college career as the winningest quarterback in NCAA Division I history with 42 wins in four years, eclipsing the record previously held by Peyton Manning, as Most 1-A FBS Wins by Starting Quarterback (later broken by Colt McCoy Texas 2009.) at
42-10 good enough for 5th place by schools 2001-2004 behind only Oklahoma, Boise State, Miami of Florida and Texas.
Aaron Murray 16-11 good enough for # 43 in the nation, this year for example 25 teams had BETTER 10-Win Seasons than Aaron Murray, leaving him OUTSIDE not in the top 25 in just naming teams with 10-Win Seasons. Last season, of course, Aaron Murray put up 7 losses, requiring me to go all the way back to 1953 to find an UGA Bulldogs’ team with more losses.
AARON MURRAY BETTER THAN DAVID GREENE ?
HOGWASH.
If Aaron Murray won every game the remainder of his career, he wouldn’t be better than David Greene.
42-10 David Greene as Starting QB at UGA
16-11 Aaron Murray as Starting QB at UGA
Dogs Smell
January 5th, 2012
8:41 am
How about the additional games you could have lost. Easiest schedule in the SEC , every ranked team you played you lost to. Why do you Homers think Uga is so entitled?
waiting for the Tide and LSU
January 5th, 2012
8:49 am
After watching most of the bowl games. i truly do not believe that the Dawgs are a top 25 team. There are so many teams, WVU, Houston, Cinn, Oregon etc that would destroy them. For the Dawgs to climb higher, they must adapt to the offenses run by the aforementioned teams. Their entire offensive scheme is so antiquated as to be pitiful. They may well run the table next year if they get by USC, but wont be in the top 5 of the BCS ratings due to the pancake schedule. I really do like Mark, but if the AD extends his contract, expect more of the same as he wins 8,9,10 games a year against a stacked schedule..
Statick
January 5th, 2012
10:23 am
Like I said before, Murray and Bobo are a bad match. Bobo gets to stoic and conservative with his playcalling and Murray cracks under blitz pressure and makes bad decisions from it. The real question is when is Richt going to realize it? I hope he doesn’t wait too late to fire another coordinator like he did with Martinez.
icedawg
January 5th, 2012
10:32 am
The players gave it their all. Murray played well enough for the team to be in position to win. You’ve got to make a field goal, come’on man! A field goal could have won the game! Having said that the most glaring weakness on this team was run blocking. We would have won the game going away had we been able to run the ball. We would have won a few more had we been able to run the ball. The poor running backs had no place to run and consequently got smashed and stayed injured. The defense was definitely improved this year with Jenkins in the middle and a good DB. There is the nucleus of a decent team. If the OL can improve it could be a very good team.
2010 BCS Champs
January 5th, 2012
10:52 am
” ‘We could have pulled out a couple more wins’”
More delusional talk from players from a school that hasn’t won since 1980.
ole yeller
January 5th, 2012
12:55 pm
I have the jury still out on Murrary. Too many mistakes in big games. “QB” errors cost the dawgs Two wins. Murrary has got to learn to eat the foorball or throw it away. PLEASE stop throwing away wins.
Dawg plan
January 5th, 2012
1:38 pm
richt won enough to keep his job for 3-4 more years—that’s all he cares about.
mambo
January 6th, 2012
3:24 pm
I’ve heard the Bobo has to go before, but now I believe it. The running and passing schemes were poor. The offense quit at halftime. But at least Blair Walsh ruined his draft chances and won’t inflict himself on any other teams.
ckgator
January 8th, 2012
11:29 am
“Greatness” called. He wants you off his porch.
AIGHT MATTY ICE
January 8th, 2012
2:08 pm
I WILL BE GLAD WHEN ERIN MURRAY IS GONE