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
virginia dog
January 3rd, 2012
2:51 pm
My grandfather told me one oh sh@t elminates one hundred at a boy’s.
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
January 3rd, 2012
2:52 pm
In this game aren’t we all just temps? Let Coach finish out his contract and see where we are. If he really wants to stay and we want him back we can do a deal then. Let him pick his own assistants or let him go now. Let Poppa Doughnut find anouther job before he maims someone. I may be just a little dog but I know when a football program is messed up.
BurytheBone
January 3rd, 2012
2:53 pm
Here’s a thought move CMR to OC ,CTG to HC AND CMB back to thomasville
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 3rd, 2012
2:53 pm
Everyone on here is an Energy Vampire, that needs a Uniform Change and then go jump up and down in someones backyard for motivation, so that they can become part of the Dream Team!!!!
what of it?
January 3rd, 2012
2:54 pm
Unfortunately Murray, you aren’t ranked on what you could have or even should have done. you’re judged by what you do.
J Bo
January 3rd, 2012
2:55 pm
After this game it is a safe bet that Mason is gone. Not putting him into the game even for a series or two should speak load and clear that the coaching staff don’t think he’s needed. Same goes for Charles, plus when everybody knows murray is going to pass the ball why haven’t we put two fullbacks in to block. Do we still have a tight end???? Don’t recall throwing to one all night. Grantham’s blood pressure had to be off the charts last night!
MariettaDawg
January 3rd, 2012
2:57 pm
A HC who says “ah shucks, we didn’t do as well as we could have, but the guys played hard and we’re looking forward to next year”, instead of “I did a poor job coaching and didn’t put my team in a position to win”.
hats off to ...
January 3rd, 2012
2:58 pm
Brandon Boykin. I can safely say you passed your final exam. Good Luck on Sundays.
Nesbitt for Heisman
January 3rd, 2012
2:58 pm
Trek fans: Scoreboard
Gaytor fans: Scoreboard
Buckeye fan: When the cheating stopped, so did your winning
The title of this article makes me wish that Bobo’s dad had pulled out. He should resign in disgrace.
Alabama | MrSEC.com
January 3rd, 2012
2:59 pm
[...] and now things seem a little bit better in Gainesville.3. Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray says his team “could have pulled out a couple more wins,” including yesterday’s Outback Bowl.4. Several Bulldogs now need to make decisions about the [...]
Waiting for Hudson Mason to start
January 3rd, 2012
2:59 pm
Murray = Energy Vampire.
So, murray sends in paperwork to be evaluated by the NFL, then declares he’s not seriously considering it and looking to be at UGA for the long haul.
Well, this dawg fan would gladly see you leave! Btw, the NFL doesn’t typically draft QBs who throw mult. picks in games and fail to NEVER look off an initial receiver and throw to a secondary option.
gt4ever
January 3rd, 2012
2:59 pm
bruce mac,
Horsecrap! You played NOBODY but Boise, SC, and Mich State…. You lost every game to a descent team… Auburn is the only other team that can even be considered average to good…. I mean, wake up!
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 3rd, 2012
3:01 pm
Does anyone know if there was a post game slip and slide party in the locker like there was after the KY game.
MariettaDawg
January 3rd, 2012
3:01 pm
Sometimes, I thing the “golly gee” personality of the HC rubs off on the players. Notice the fire and intensity was with the ‘D’ this year. CTG instilled his personality on them. CMR is sooooo laid back and cool, his QB and OC adapt the same attitude.
gt4ever
January 3rd, 2012
3:01 pm
sorry, I forgot the drubbing that LSU dealt you…..
Bo in North Carolina
January 3rd, 2012
3:02 pm
7576 your are right and I believe MR’s loyalty to Bobo transends his loyalty to UGA and this is wrong. Why is he unwillling to admit Bobo’s incompetence? I think Ralph Fridgen would make us a great OC if he were willing.
Wake Me Up Before You Bobo
January 3rd, 2012
3:03 pm
The program is on the ascent.
Wake Me Up Before You Bobo
January 3rd, 2012
3:06 pm
It’s official: UGA’s Mark Richt is the World’s Greatest Boss
sportzfan
January 3rd, 2012
3:07 pm
For the last few years you Dawgs have been trying to catch up with the Gators……well you finally have, and if you keep wishing for another coach, you may stay even with the Gators and be looking like Tenn and their new coach. Don’t complain with what you have, you may get just what these other teams have….
smyrnaBob
January 3rd, 2012
3:07 pm
Despite a great turn around, the Defense did collapse in the second half of the last two games. Not sure if was the other team’s adjustments or just lack of depth. But when Richt decided to punt instead of at least trying for 1st down with 2 minutes to go[3rd and 8], we all knew the “D” would fail like the had the whole second half. Seriously, with about a 50% chance of icing the game you decided not to try.
Wake Me Up Before You Bobo
January 3rd, 2012
3:08 pm
Mark Bradley It was an awful loss, but it wasn’t the end of UGA’s ascent
RMikel58
January 3rd, 2012
3:08 pm
CMR if Bobo is so great then you must ask yourself this question with total honesty. Would Alabama and/or LSU hire him as the OC for those 2 teams? Heck maybe other schools like South Carolina and you’d get a resounding NO!
You have at very least……………..caused the Bulldog Nation to suffer and watch the most outrageous calls by an OC in football; history. I can provide you a list but i dont have 5 years to waste.
If you are who you say you are and lead by example, get rid of that OB’s Coach Mike Bobo and like your friend we got rid of 3 years ago as DC then we’d have a chance to improve.
Take a poll and ask these Georgia Fans if you should get rid of Mike Bobo and im sure it’ll be around 70% but you cannot allow anyone to destroy this program to fill an ego at the hands of your fans.
If youre not gonna show an interest in atleast discussing this openly or show some type of leadership then you need to go as well.
We already have too many narcascists in the white house and dont need another.
Murray Rules
January 3rd, 2012
3:08 pm
Hopefully murray comes back one more year for a BCS title run and doesn’t go the NFL. With murray, ICro, marshall and davis, the Dawg O will be loaded!!! Dawgs win the East again—book it!
Reality Check
January 3rd, 2012
3:09 pm
“one of the best quarterback’s in the country” Did Richt happen to elaborate as to which country he was referencing?
blue
January 3rd, 2012
3:10 pm
Dawfan at 1:11; VERY well said…
where orson?
January 3rd, 2012
3:10 pm
orson mad about not getting many touches–what gives?
Waiting for Hudson Mason to start
January 3rd, 2012
3:16 pm
“one of the best quarterback’s in the country”????
he’s not even the best qb on the team. his turnovers are horrible! i’d love to at least see what mason could do against another team’s #1s.
richt could take a couple lessons from les miles. when a qb is not up to par…..you play the next guy to see where it may take you. worked pretty good for miles against alabama and ever since.
Fair n Balanced
January 3rd, 2012
3:16 pm
Ga football is on the rise. The problemis that Ga will need to start the season good and work to great. It’s up to the coaches and players to get to work to be good. This years team was mediocre and benefited from a weak schedule. It wasn’t a “good ” team. Back to the drawing room Dogs!
Ron Burgundy
January 3rd, 2012
3:17 pm
Could have lost to Vandy and Kentucky too. Stay classy Aaron.
Taco Meat
January 3rd, 2012
3:22 pm
We don’t wanna hear about what could’ve happened after the fact. Just get it done! There’s no excuse for two back-to-back collapses to end the season. We have all the talent in the world, but we just don’t seem to have the heart to finish out big games. As much as I hate to say it… maybe next year.
Matthews Dawg
January 3rd, 2012
3:24 pm
Insider…. Petersen turned down about 4 million per year from what i understand to go to UCLA. He likes the blue carpet!
T-Dawg
January 3rd, 2012
3:24 pm
Remember that tornado that blew through Rincon, causing $7,000,000 in improvements? Well, it needs to blow through Butts-Mehr.
Whoever is responsible for the “3 runs up the gut and out” strategery to ice the lead needs to be demoted or fired. Can Bobo be demoted to QB coach with his current salary? Is there a realistic option out there for a new OC? Is Richt immediately responsible? Why Samuel and not Malcome? Granted, the run up the middle worked ONCE (so it was a gutsy call…), but the players were so ill-served by it at the end of the game that it’s just heartbreaking.
Where was Orson Charles? Aron White? Short crossing routes? Was there clear evidence in practice that Walsh had his head screwed on straight? Is it female trouble? Is there a sports media out there that might demand answers to these questions? Do any work for AJC?
Just wondering.
THE Dixie Redcoat Band
January 3rd, 2012
3:27 pm
Did you see the Sparty sideline to start the OT? Going wild and crazy.
Did you see the Dawgs sideline to start the OT? Nothing, pretty sad.
Don’t think for a moment that Buffalo, Auburn, FL, Vandy etc., will roll over and play dead this Fall!
Skitty Fritty
January 3rd, 2012
3:28 pm
I for one will take a 10 and 4 season compared with 6 and 7 last year. It could be worse. UGA could be UT, UF, GT or Auburn. I like UGA’s chances at getting back to Atlanta next year so I am still on the bus for 2012.
Go Dogs!
SawThat1nce
January 3rd, 2012
3:28 pm
How do you know that the players don’t have the fire to finish out big games, when the coaches make decisions like calling for 3 running plays into the teeth of the MSU defense with almost 3 minutes left, instead of going for a 1st down and running out the clock?
Geez..
January 3rd, 2012
3:30 pm
What do some of you expect, CMR going to blast Murray in the Media? Y’all don’t know him too well after 11 years. Rumblings in at UGA is that Bobo is on the cusp of being demoted and CMR taking over OC.
They want Bobo to be the recruiting guy so they will not fire him. Looking at QB coach. Notice, CMR has yet to sign his extention yet…… This will depend on the changes being made on the coaching staff. It’s CMR’s last shot.
SawThat1nce
January 3rd, 2012
3:31 pm
Or in the 1st OT, instead of trying to advance the ball for a TD, or at least get closer for a FG, the coaches decide to try a field goal from the 25 on 3rd down after essentially grounding the ball in the middle of the field on 2nd down.
Skitty Fritty
January 3rd, 2012
3:31 pm
THE Dixie Redcoat Band:
How did it work for Sparty in the 1st OT? Not very well considering they turned the ball over. Come on, talk football and not chearleading!
SawThat1nce
January 3rd, 2012
3:33 pm
T-Dawg @3;24…….When did a tornado run through Rincon? What state?
Geez..
January 3rd, 2012
3:36 pm
There was huge improvement on the defensive side of the ball which we needed to get to 10 wins. Can’t fault the Defense for getting tired in the 2nd half when our offense goes 3 and out for the entire 2nd half. That will tire any defense out.
Open the QB race. Murray is not the answer. he made no adjustments to get better this year. Did the same thing in all 4 losses. Fumble, pix 6, gift INT. Given the opponent anywhere from 7 to 21 gift points.
Not blaming Bobo on his decisions. However, the play caling was horific. It was the same 6 to 8 plays in the entire 2nd half. I agree with the non-factor on our awesome TE’s… What gives with that!
Peterson rumored to be heading out to Penn State to speak with them.
SawThat1nce
January 3rd, 2012
3:37 pm
Murray R@@3:08……..Murray would be stupid to enter the NFL draft this year.
He’ll be back.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
January 3rd, 2012
3:38 pm
Bring in Okie State OC pay him whatever it takes. Insert Lemay as the QB-1. Spread out the SEC defenses. No one thought it could haappen in ‘90 w/ Spurrier b/c of the defenses and look where we are now. UGA doing a piss poor job of trying to be like Bama and LSU. Go get a offensive genius turn him lose on the SEC and see what happens.
Geez..
January 3rd, 2012
3:38 pm
“Not blaming Bobo on his decisions.” ON MURRAY’S PLAYS THAT CAUSED THE TURN OVERS.. Sorry, left that part out. That was all on Murray
Mountain Dawg
January 3rd, 2012
3:38 pm
Georgia has never won a big game with Murray – and never will. Period.
T-Dawg
January 3rd, 2012
3:39 pm
The idea is that a tornado would cause improvements, not damages. It’s a joke, and a jab at the working-class satellite town outside Savannah. I have to confess I didn’t think of it, but read it here first. Being from Savannah, I thought it was really funny. If you’re from Athens, it would be like a tornado going through Winder and improving the place…
Point is there needs to be some housecleaning at Butts-Mehr.
Geez..
January 3rd, 2012
3:39 pm
@Lowcountry Bulldawg
Like that idea! Too bad it won’t happen.
Question, who would be better with the spread, Mason or LeMay?
DawginTX
January 3rd, 2012
3:46 pm
Let’s not pat ourselves on the back for being “poised for greatness.” Yesterday was a reminder of what we should have learned before, and as of now, the team is only ‘pretty good.’ Here are a few of my observations.
1) Defensive Depth / Conditioning: Several times this year, the D looked like the ‘85 Bears in the first half, and then like the ‘94 Dawgs in the 2nd. South Carolina–the D only gave up 17, but 10 were in the 4th quarter, LSU–no first downs in the 1st half, then couldn’t stop ‘em in the 2nd, MSU–see LSU.
2) Offensive Line: Against really good defenses (LSU, MSU), Georgia can’t run the ball at all. Despite not figuring out a way to get Orson Charles involved yesterday, I thought Bobo’s scheme of going a lot of shotfun was much better than against LSU.
3) Special Teams: Kick coverage continues to suck, and when you’re equally matched, field goals are going to decide some games (Outback Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, LSU-Bama part 1).
4) Murray and Turnovers against good Defense: South Carolina, Florida last year, Outback Bowl, LSU.
There is a lot to work on before Georgia can turn the corner. If we fixed all those things, we’d be damn near perfect, but I don’t think we can. But if we improve in a couple of those areas, we will be ready to compete against the best. BUT not until then, so we need to get to work. It’s nice that Murray sees potential, but I hope the team realizes that it’s time to get to work if we are going to turn the corner from ‘pretty good’ to ‘very good.’
Cobb Dawg
January 3rd, 2012
3:46 pm
Dear CMR,
Our patience with mediocrity on the football field is wearing thin. You consistently recruit top 10 players and then seem to coach them to bottom 20 or worse. Why?
SawThat1nce
January 3rd, 2012
3:47 pm
Well, maybe if a tornado did hit Rincon, it would blow some of the trash that has drifted to this “working class town”, from Savannah, back to the mighty metropolis in all of it’s refinement, culture, and glory.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
January 3rd, 2012
3:48 pm
Let me have Lemay. Mason is the flavor of the day. Remember he was not a big time recruit. Lemay was a consensus Top 5 Recruit coming out.
I can’t say enough that in 1990 SEC football was a good running game and strong defense. Look what is winning in the SEC twenty years later?
If you cannot win like LSU or Bama which Richt is proving again and again then we have to switch things up alah UF with the Spurrier hirer.
Now McGarity has to really have a gut check moment and ask himself is a 10-4 season where the only accomplishment was beating a disaster of a UF team and backing into a SEC East Title worth extending Richt?