Yeah, it was only Vandy. It was also utter domination by UGA
Just for fun, note the number of Commodores on the ground. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
Athens – This was billed as the year of the New Vanderbilt. What happened here Saturday night indicated it might be the year of the Old Georgia.
Old as in the days of Sinkwich and Trippi, of Dooley and Erk, of the Davids Greene and Pollack. Heck, maybe even old as in the days of Herschel Walker, the Goal-Line Stalker.
I know, I know. The opposition was only Vanderbilt, the Harvard of the South and the straggler of the Southeastern Conference. But these Commodores arrived with a new attitude and a serrated edge, or so we were told. They’d come close to beating Georgia a year ago, and coach James Franklin had gotten big mileage from his postgame spat with Bulldogs defensive coordinator Todd Grantham.
Franklin’s message to the world: “We’re nobody’s punching bag anymore.”
New message: “Would somebody please ask that team in red to stop hitting us so hard?”
Of Vandy’s five most recent SEC losses, the most lopsided had come by six points, and that was to Tennessee in overtime. The Commodores had opened this season by playing South Carolina within four points, and that was with no help from the officials, who failed to detect a clear interference penalty on Vandy’s final fling. Gone, apparently, were the days when you could schedule the Harvard of the South for homecoming and feel confident of placating all your alums.
But that was before Franklin brought his team to Sanford Stadium. On this night the concept of the New Vandy seemed as cutting-edge as the marketing campaign behind New Coke. Georgia scored touchdowns on its first four possessions, and not one of those drives was triggered by a turnover. The Bulldogs simply lined up and went to work.
Who looked good? Well, Aaron Murray completed his first 12 passes and Keith Marshall popped a 52-yard touchdown and Todd Gurley ran hard and Tavarres King caught a 22-yard TD and Jarvis Jones wrought his usual havoc and … how about we save space and time and do this instead? How about we list the Bulldogs who didn’t look good?
And we will. Just as soon as I think of one.
In the proud history of Georgia football, there have been better halves. But not many, and not lately, and not any I can recall against SEC opposition. This was power and precision and skill and speed and everything you’d want from a team. This was utter domination. The only way Vandy would have stood a chance was if penalties — the Commodious Doors had nine in the first quarter — were points.
Said King: “That’s the first time I’ve seen us come out that way in my five years here.”
Said Jones: “We came here and executed and had fun doing it. Look at the scoreboard — that speaks for itself.”
Then this: “All our teams — offense, defense, special teams — came to play, and you see how good we can be. If we keep preparing, we can be a dangerous team.”
Georgia gained 303 first-half yards to Vandy’s 136. It wasn’t that the visitors weren’t trying — on the contrary, they demonstrated some of the Franklin attitudinal “edge” — but that trying availed them not one whit. By the end of the second quarter the we’re-not-gonna-take-it Franklin had been reduced to settling for a field goal with his team down 27-nil.
Then again, going for it wasn’t the answer, either. Trailing 34-3 midway through the third quarter, Vanderbilt tried to convert on fourth down. Jordan Rodgers, the younger and lesser brother of Aaron, was sacked by the aforementioned Jones. Might want to block that guy, Mr. Franklin.
It got so bad that even when Vandy appeared to score, it really didn’t. Early in the fourth quarter, Rodgers ran right and sought to stretch the ball over the pylon. The refs on the field gave him six points, which would have brought the Commodores within 48-9. Replay review gave him a lost fumble and a Georgia touchback. Holy mackerel.
The first three Bulldog games, all victories, had offered hints of their potential. This night provided the first sustained look, and it was quite the sight. There are so many gifted players on this roster that the thought occurred: If you were holding a draft of the personnel on these two teams, how many picks would pass before you took a Commodore? Ten? Twenty? Forty?
“Talent-wise, we’ve really had some good teams here,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “The 2002 team was very talented. But when you execute well and you have good chemistry, you look like you have more talent than you do.”
Then this: “Not that we haven’t got talent.”
Yes, stronger tests await. (Although it’s unclear how good Tennessee, next week’s guest, is.) South Carolina in Columbia will be a rough go, and Florida looks solid, too. But who on this schedule looks any better than Georgia? And if the Bulldogs can harness the attention to detail they brought to this game, what’s the chance of them showing up in the Dome unbeaten come December?
I know, I know. This was only Vandy. But this was the Vandy that had been playing every SEC opponent tough, and the Bulldogs went ballistic on it. I’ve seen a few Georgia games in my day; I don’t know that I’ve seen a more impressive one.
By Mark Bradley
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295 comments Add your comment
Jefferson Davis Hogg
September 22nd, 2012
11:52 pm
@ GTBob….as opposed to the team you were highly favored over?…..Who would you bet on in a head to head match up? Vandy or Miami? Don’t base your pick on how you guy’s got beat by 44 freshman. Your coaching lost the game for you today and I had picked you to win big. On a neutral field I take Vandy. Seems to me you should be lobbying to the AD at Tech for some major changes in coaching, fix those problems, then MAYBE you might have something of substance to negatively present to UGA fans to back your comments with, only after you manage to defeat UGA more than once in a decade!. I didn’t see you much on your blog today!. What happened?
Not So Fast
September 22nd, 2012
11:52 pm
GTBob your utter lack of football knowledge is amazing. Tech is the poor little brother in football it always will be. Yes we really don’t know how good UGA is yet. But at least they haven’t choked against inferior teams like Tech. It’s funny how you always spend more time on the UGA blogs then the Tech ones. Maybe it’s because even the Tech fans dislike your antics. As I recall this is a Vandy team that got robbed against South Carolina and hadn’t been blown out by any SEC team in a while. You sir are a poor example of a fan. I actually like Tech as long as they are not playing the Dawgs.
GTBob
September 22nd, 2012
11:53 pm
There are enough championships in the SEC to disprove your theory.
Im pretty sure the SEC did not win many championships playing stellar offense. Maybe the Auburn team. Thats about it.
georgianna bulltiger
September 22nd, 2012
11:54 pm
Enter your comments here
Joe
September 22nd, 2012
11:54 pm
Time to focus on the TN state title next week. Vandy sucks. They are Gtu with a little bit better talent and a slightly less obnoxious coach. Ufk has a dangerous team. Dawgs need to be focused this week.
bubba4dawgs
September 22nd, 2012
11:56 pm
Where is that a**hole who said Tech owns this state? He was last seen puking on Grant Field! He needs to wait until the showdown in November in Athens, that is if he shows up! GO DAWGS!!
slydog
September 22nd, 2012
11:56 pm
My point being, if everyone else’s offenses were so stellar, then why are they not simply outscoring SEC teams?
slydog
September 22nd, 2012
11:57 pm
Like GT and their ‘explosive’ offense and the past 10 games against you know who….lol
georgianna bulltiger
September 22nd, 2012
11:57 pm
GTBob
Nevermind..
I can’t find it in my heart to take my justified opportunity to pile on.God it must suck to be a Tech fan.
But hey, y’all are real smart, right?
Not So Fast
September 22nd, 2012
11:58 pm
GTBob just tries to stir up things because that’s who he is. UGA could win the rest of the games this year and he would still say they are awful. Just shows his football IQ. He is on the UGA blogs more than the Tech blogs (even the Tech fans dislike him). Yes Vandy is Vandy but they haven’t been destroyed like this in a long time. And possibly got robbed against USC.
slydog
September 23rd, 2012
12:00 am
I mean CPJ and GT were so ‘explosive’ today, reeling off zero points in the first quarter, then 36 straight, and finally 0 points in the 4th. So I ‘m asking, was that an example of explosive?
Buzz2011
September 23rd, 2012
12:00 am
Will the Thugas ever face a Div 1 school?
Ove rrated and over ranked.
georgianna bulltiger
September 23rd, 2012
12:01 am
Buzz:
blahblahblahblahblah…
td
September 23rd, 2012
12:01 am
All those spread and run and gun offenses look good on Xbox and TV but it is running the football and playing defense that wins championships.
Arkansas Dawg
September 23rd, 2012
12:02 am
It was a great performance and win, but the most dominating in your memory? Come on, Mark. The 45-16 whooping of a Saban coached LSU in 2004 was just as dominating and more significant. I’m sure if I tried a little harder, I could come up with another dozen more dominating performances during your tenure following the dawgs.
georgianna bulltiger
September 23rd, 2012
12:02 am
To anyone who will listen:
Run your mouth AFTER the game.
Athensdawg
September 23rd, 2012
12:03 am
wake me up when Georgia beats someone with a pulse.
MAX you will all ways be a chihuahua
Buzz2011
September 23rd, 2012
12:03 am
@slydog.. Who did the Dogs beat now? Was it another high school high team? Yes, thats what I thought…
Grantham
September 23rd, 2012
12:03 am
Big win for Noles! After game day story about Fisher’s son’s struggles, I’m a dawg rooting for their coach!
GTBob
September 23rd, 2012
12:08 am
UGA could win the rest of the games this year and he would still say they are awful.
It would be embarrassing if UGA didn’t win the rest of their games this season. The season for them is pretty much the SEC championship game against Bama. None of the other games have much relevance.
Jefferson Davis Hogg
September 23rd, 2012
12:08 am
OK Bob, Then we’ll call it stellar defense that win championships. Something that especially GT, but no other ACC team knows anything about!. What happened to your boys today?. Got beat by 44 freshman. In reading the Tech blogs, you guys are calling for all your coaches heads….Hope to see better, more fulfilling days for you guys but just don’t see it happening. I picked you guys to win big and was hoping you would do just that! If I were you, after your coaching blew your game for you today I would be lobbying for changes in your own back yard and concern yourself less with whats happening with UGA
cdpridg
September 23rd, 2012
12:08 am
Buzz….your team can’t beat Vandy so buzz off moron
cdpridg
September 23rd, 2012
12:10 am
Georgia Tech bob…UGA…..Power team within the nations power conference.
GTBob
September 23rd, 2012
12:10 am
I can’t find it in my heart to take my justified opportunity to pile on.God it must suck to be a Tech fan.
It was a miserable day. Go ahead and pile on. I deserve it.
GTBob
September 23rd, 2012
12:12 am
If I were you, after your coaching blew your game for you today I would be lobbying for changes in your own back yard and concern yourself less with whats happening with UGA
Sorry, im not in a rush to bring in another coach who can’t win at GT after only 5 years.
Not So Fast
September 23rd, 2012
12:12 am
GTBob even GT fans despise his lack of football knowledge. Really sad when you spend more time on another teams blog than your own.
Mr. Dawg
September 23rd, 2012
12:16 am
A couple of things to add to a good summation Mr. Bradley. Vandy was penalized 8 times in the 1st quarter which was a joke. The Bulldogs showed poised. The Bulldogs Special Teams, which were a major negative aspect the past couple of years, have been solid if not great. Vandy was pinned inside the 20 on every kick off they tried to return while the Bulldogs made no noticeable mistakes. These little things that have hurt the Bulldogs in the last couple of years and which prevented their talent from prevailing easily have so far been corrected. Vandy was beaten early in the second quarter and they didn’t have the talent to overcome lost motivation. GO DAWGS! (See you next weekend Barbara. Be sure to wear your brightest Orange).
Jefferson Davis Hogg
September 23rd, 2012
12:17 am
@ GTBob. Point taken. Who would take the job?
GTBob
September 23rd, 2012
12:17 am
GTBob your utter lack of football knowledge is amazing.
I was predicting a massive UGA victory in this game and UGA fans were calling me crazy. My football knowledge is fine.
Not So Fast
September 23rd, 2012
12:19 am
So who would your top 5 be GTBob?
GTBob
September 23rd, 2012
12:19 am
@ GTBob. Point taken. Who would take the job?
Im not sure, but they would average 8 wins at best and would suffer for years because CPJ has recruited for his offense.
Rick James
September 23rd, 2012
12:20 am
@GTBob
Bill Curry retires after this year and I hope it does not happen but if CPJ lost his job I dont think he could get hired at Georgia St.I’m not piling on I just dont think he’s much of a commodity as coaches go.Yet you constantly bash Mike Bobo and I dont understand why.Clean up your own backyard first..I wish Tech could and would give Paul Johnson a lifetime contract..
Dawg Haus
September 23rd, 2012
12:21 am
Any win is a good win. Go Dawgs!
Mr. Dawg
September 23rd, 2012
12:21 am
Post Script Mr. Bradley. You did mention the penalties by Vandy. My point is that the Bulldogs didn’t hurt themselves as they have done the past few years. I’m happy for Mark Richt whom I admire and support as one of the best coaches and leaders of young men in college football.
Jefferson Davis Hogg
September 23rd, 2012
12:22 am
I was predicting a massive GT victory today. Guess my football knowledge is lacking! But I still think that after losses to Clemson, I take that back, you guys will find a way to beat them again but probably drop another one you aren’t supposed to, and a loss to UGA, you will have a good season…
Concerned
September 23rd, 2012
12:23 am
Georgia is for real, and will get better each week. NEXT!
As for Alabama, I said it before. Until we play them, and beat them, they are the KING of the SEC.
Go Dawgs
Mr. Dawg
September 23rd, 2012
12:24 am
I’d like to welcome and thank all of the bloggers who root for other teams and visit and address the Bulldog Nation. As long as you are interested, the Bulldogs are in your grill.
GTBob
September 23rd, 2012
12:25 am
So who would your top 5 be GTBob?
Its nearly impossible to say at this point. The experts said USC was #2. They werent. They said Oklahoma was #6. The werent. They said Arkansas was #8. They may not even be in the top 75. Teams can’t be exposed unless they play a semi-quality team which UGA doesn’t have to worry about.
Whopper Dawg
September 23rd, 2012
12:26 am
Mark, right on point again.
I told my nephew before the game that I wished they would come out and look like the #5 team in the nation. And they did. Long. long time coming. It will be good to shut up the ESPN folks for a change.
Whopper
Rick James
September 23rd, 2012
12:26 am
Rambo and Ogeltree are back next week and the defense will be at full strength..I didnt know Zander Ogeltree was suspended too..
GTBob
September 23rd, 2012
12:27 am
I was predicting a massive GT victory today. Guess my football knowledge is lacking!
If you were predicting that then yes, your football knowledge is severely lacking.
azdawg
September 23rd, 2012
12:29 am
Great win and offense looked real sharp. Does concern some that the D did give up some long passes and got behind receivers. That will kill the dawgs against teams like SC and FL. They both have better D’s then vandy and MO and better offenses. Cannot let that happen and play catch up or trade TD’s w/those teams. Hopefully w/Tree and Rambo back next week they’ll improve on allowing the long balls. Here’s hoping for a clean sweep of the east and back to the dome. GO DAWGS
GTBob
September 23rd, 2012
12:29 am
Bill Curry retires after this year and I hope it does not happen but if CPJ lost his job I dont think he could get hired at Georgia St.
He won national championships in FCS, turned Navy into a winning football program somehow, and had the best first 4 years of any Tech coach in history. Please tell us why he would struggle finding employment.
Jefferson Davis Hogg
September 23rd, 2012
12:34 am
@ GT Bob….Seems like if thats the case, you would be more concerned about your beloved jackets. In all reality, I’ve read the blogs, how long is GT going to hang in there with CPJ? Not being a smart arse, but are they going to put up with his record in bowls, UGA, Miami, Va Tech, for too much longer or are the satisfied in being second tier in a weak conference?
Mr. Dawg
September 23rd, 2012
12:34 am
Ranking college teams has always been nothing more than a conversation starter for the pre-season. To conclude anything before the season is at least 6 games deep is premature.
Not So Fast
September 23rd, 2012
12:34 am
I didn’t ask about the experts I asked about your top five at the moment?
90ChampsColoradoBuffs
September 23rd, 2012
12:35 am
GTBlob is a dolt.
GTBob
September 23rd, 2012
12:37 am
I didn’t ask about the experts I asked about your top five at the moment?
And I told you that I don’t have a top 5 because trying to rank 120 teams after 4 weeks is pointless. There are too many teams that haven’t played anyone yet.
GTBob
September 23rd, 2012
12:38 am
In all reality, I’ve read the blogs, how long is GT going to hang in there with CPJ?
I am guessing 2-3 more years. Personally I don’t care about losing to Miami but the VT and UGA losses will eventually get him fired. Then we will hire someone else and he will last 4-5 years. The cycle will continue.
ncdawg90
September 23rd, 2012
12:40 am
Said King: “That’s the first time I’ve seen us come out that way in my five years here.”
Once in five years, the team showed up to play.
Fire CMR, if all he can muster is one great effort from his team every 5 years. Hillary Clinton will be president the next time we see this again.