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
DawgNole
September 23rd, 2012
11:39 am
Tampa Gator
September 23rd, 2012
8:36 am
Georgia’s domination of Vandy was impressive…even if it was a Vandy team that looked like the Vandy teams from the past. Georgia looked very good on both sides of the ball and executed very well. #1 team in the East right now…..but both South Carolina and Florida will be much more of a challenge for the Dawgs in the future.
___________________
Accurate assessment.
Left Coast Dawg
September 23rd, 2012
11:42 am
I love Old Man Football
ep101
September 23rd, 2012
11:43 am
With this focus, we can beat anyone. However – that focus tends to be lacking. If we put a couple of games like this together then we start to look like an Alabama – a team that has talent and utter focus. Minor quibble, seemed like they picked on Brandon Smith a couple of times. I think we’re going to have to do something to help him with Tennessee’s receivers.
Joshua
September 23rd, 2012
11:51 am
Frankly, Alabama doesn’t even scare me at this point. UGA looks pretty close to unbeatable.
Eternal Optimist
September 23rd, 2012
11:58 am
Get ready Bama! Dec 1st the Sawgs will unseat you as national champs. Gurley and Marshall are the new Herschel and Knowshon! Murray or Jones for Heisman! This is the year of the Dawgs! Be afraid! Be very afraid!
Fair n Balanced
September 23rd, 2012
11:59 am
I actually thought we would piddle around til about the mid of the 4th qtr and then get serious and win by 10. This was a complete game…the kind we have hoped for and haven’t seen for a long while. This was a confidence builder for both fans n players. Now we have a trap game. Hunker down Dogs! GATA!
Covers Dixie like the Dew
September 23rd, 2012
11:59 am
utter domination is pretty good.
Eternal Optimist
September 23rd, 2012
12:00 pm
Don’t forget we finally get Ogletree and Rambo back next week! The best is yet to come! We win national title this year like we should have in 2002!
BILLY JACK
September 23rd, 2012
12:07 pm
Looks like a Georgia seccg looming vs Alabama-Georgia looks like it is improving every week-Alabama will probably hold on to no 1 ranking with Georgia 2 or 3 by dec-Oregon will probably split with USC -LSU losing to Alabama by a touchdown in nov-FSU losing 1 game Va Tech or Florida.
Left Coast Dawg
September 23rd, 2012
12:11 pm
Dawgs hang on to #5 and LSU slips to #3 with Oregon moving up in the new poll standings.
Left Coast Dawg
September 23rd, 2012
12:12 pm
SEC 4 of top 6
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 23rd, 2012
12:15 pm
Why are people surprised
I said before the season with our schedule; anything less than 11-1 is an utter failure by this coaching staff period
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 23rd, 2012
12:16 pm
Play calling was great last night but Ive had a front row seat to this movie one too many times; play really well one game, then a game or two later we look like we cant beat a top 40 team, Just go back to last year against Auburn, total domination and then look like garbage the last 2 games of the year
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 23rd, 2012
12:17 pm
Play calling was great last night but Ive had a front row seat to this movie one too many times; play really well one game, then a game or two later we look like we cant beat a ranked team, Just go back to last year against Auburn, total domination and then look like garbage the last 2 games of the year
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 23rd, 2012
12:18 pm
Just go back to last year against Auburn, total domination and then look like garbage the last 2 games of the year
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 23rd, 2012
12:21 pm
The game plan was good last night
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 23rd, 2012
12:22 pm
The scheme was good last night hopefully this continues
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 23rd, 2012
12:23 pm
I hope what I saw last night continues
FALKON FAN
September 23rd, 2012
12:24 pm
When i look at this D there are several things that I see we need to work on before we even start thing about any typeof championship. Branden Smith and M Mitchell are really not that good at corner. I mean they make some plays, but everytime a reciever gets open, its usually on B Smith or M Mitchell! Also, I am tired of seeing BIG J Jenkins get pushed back on running plays! He is suppose to be cloging the hole! He gets pushed around tooooo much to be so Big! Now when Alec and Rambo coms back next week, m aybe that can improve the corner back struggles, J Jones helps out with the pass rush but Alabama will run right at Georgia and play action pass to their recievers and tight ends!
7576DAWG
September 23rd, 2012
12:26 pm
Left Coast
and with Florida at #11, 5 out of the top 11 from the SEC.
GTBob
September 23rd, 2012
12:28 pm
GT Bob- We didn’t tell you anything. Every sporstcaster on tv and radio did
Its sportscasters jobs to build up other teams to create hype for the game and promote the conference. Its your job to know when they are fluffing things. Sorry, but Vandy is awful. They couldn’t beat a below average Northwestern team and they lost by a million to UGA. I am pretty sure they could go 1-10 at this point and UGA fans will still claim that as an amazing victory.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 23rd, 2012
12:30 pm
Hopefully we continue playing like we did last night and like we have in the 2nd the 1st 3 games
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 23rd, 2012
12:30 pm
Bradley
Fix your blog
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 23rd, 2012
12:32 pm
Bradley
Fix your blog you cant post
GTBob
September 23rd, 2012
12:33 pm
Left Coast
and with Florida at #11, 5 out of the top 11 from the SEC.
Without a single victory over a currently ranked team. Gotta love those early season cupcake schedules huh?
Son of Sammy Davis Jr, Jr
September 23rd, 2012
12:33 pm
Spurrier is coming……………….
Go Jackets
September 23rd, 2012
12:33 pm
Grats on the win dawggies. Heres to hopin u guys go 11-1 and stomp Coach Oversign in the Dome!
help me here
September 23rd, 2012
12:34 pm
I see the score is a mere 5 pts difference, but I hear the press exclaim…”utter domination” did I miss something or is this the same sick press thats trying to tell me Al horford career at 11.9pts 9rbs is an All NBA player?
Looks by the score that Georgia out lasted a lowly Vanderbilt team, and Al Horford is slightly better than a scrub.
Will some body clear that up please?
7576DAWG
September 23rd, 2012
12:34 pm
I hate to mention some of the negatives after such a complete team win but our kicking game needs to have a coach address the problems before we get into the really hard games like South Carolina or Florida and those mistakes really hurt us . Mitchell trying to catch the ball over his shoulder and then fumbling. Missing another extra point attempt and hitting the goal post with another extra point try.
These Freshmen kickers are doing great but at times they are not smooth and I question just how much supervision they are getting from the coaches.
GTBob
September 23rd, 2012
12:40 pm
Dawgs hang on to #5 and LSU slips to #3 with Oregon moving up in the new poll standings.
Here is some nice logic for you. LSU played Auburn and barely escaped with a victory. FSU played Clemson and pummeled them in the second half on their way to a very good win. Clemson has already proven to be better then Auburn. Somehow LSU is ranked above FSU.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 23rd, 2012
12:51 pm
GT Bob
Is a contract extension in the works for Coach Turkey Neck
I sure hope so; I enjoy watching Tech go deeper in that cesspool of Duke level football
Its something that would make Bobby Dodd proud
Cats hav fleas 2
September 23rd, 2012
12:54 pm
There is more to being a “different” Vandy that just saying it. Looked like same old Vandy to me…and Franklin’s just a loud mouth.
GTBob
September 23rd, 2012
12:59 pm
Is a contract extension in the works for Coach Turkey Neck
Nah, even I am starting to turn on him. The Miami loss was easily the worst loss of his career here and should be a major red flag for any Tech fan.
Glen
September 23rd, 2012
1:05 pm
We have the best backs in America ,Gurly reminds me of Hershall the way he can break tackles.Jarvis is a Stud.Glad to hear Tree and Rambo should be back Go Dawgs
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 23rd, 2012
1:05 pm
GT Bob
Last year should have been your turning point
You’re not winning with that stupid offense; yea Tech will win some games with it because they will catch people off guard but thats about it
reckingball
September 23rd, 2012
1:08 pm
I have not seen such udder domination, since the last time I visited my uncle’s dairy farm.
DawgNole
September 23rd, 2012
1:11 pm
Eternal Optimist
September 23rd, 2012
11:58 am
Get ready Bama! Dec 1st the Sawgs will unseat you as national champs. Gurley and Marshall are the new Herschel and Knowshon! Murray or Jones for Heisman! . . . Be afraid! Be very afraid!
_______________________
Love them Sawgs. Yeah, with a name like that, we should have no trouble with Bama.
DawgNole
September 23rd, 2012
1:18 pm
Gamecockrock
September 23rd, 2012
8:37 am
Connor Shaw was hurt against Vandy. Threw 20 straight completions yesterday. SC has beaten UGA two straight with GARCIA. GARCIA!!!! See you in two weeks, mutts.
___________________
We’ll be there. The question is, will YOU be HERE after your g’chickens fail yet again against UGA. Would you like for me to post SC’s alltime record against the Dawgs? It likely would sober you up and give you a much more realistic perspective with respect to those two wins you’re bragging about.
DawgNole
September 23rd, 2012
1:25 pm
Gamecoxxrock
September 23rd, 2012
8:37 am
Connor Shaw was hurt against Vandy. Threw 20 straight completions yesterday. SC has beaten UGA two straight with GARCIA. GARCIA!!!! See you in two weeks, mutts.
___________________
We’ll be there. The question is, will YOU be HERE after your g’chickens fail yet again against UGA. Would you like for me to post SC’s alltime record against the Dawgs? It likely would sober you up and give you a much more realistic perspective with respect to those two wins you’re bragging about.
GTBob
September 23rd, 2012
1:25 pm
You’re not winning with that stupid offense; yea Tech will win some games with it because they will catch people off guard but thats about it
We scored 36 points and had over 400 yards yesterday. Im not really worried about the offense. I am worried about our incredibly terrible defense and poor coaching during critical times of the game. UGA should beat us by 50 points this year.
doug dawg
September 23rd, 2012
1:27 pm
just to inject a little humor and some nostalgia here. ’snachin’ defeat from the jaws of victory. in the 50’s there was a sunday morning, i think, show on tv with a panel. bisher, outlar, dodd, mehre, and butts, and maybe others. the first time i heard that phrase was from the lips of mehre. the panel reviewed the weekend games and projected to the next week. it was a class act, folks. just look at the panel members. there was perspective, humor, and no one went after anyone else’s school or program. even though most uga folks hated mehre because he left uga to go to ole miss. dodd was, as always, an elegant and class guy. it was a show i looked forward to. now, can you just imagine the sequel??????
7576DAWG
September 23rd, 2012
1:37 pm
I posted this on the other blog but to me it is important.
I don’t know which coach is responsible for the kickers but whoever it is they need to address the problems and give the kickers the needed guidance and discipline they need before the South Carolina and Florida games. Barber nearly had 3 or 4 kickers blocked yesterday and would have if Vanderbilt’s team was about one step faster , which we will see in the SC and Florida games. Barber needs to speed up his kicks and Morgan missed another extra point , maybe because of the holder and he hit the goal post with another kick. Since the kickers are having the same problems every week there is a problem that needs to be addressed before it hurts us in a close game.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 23rd, 2012
1:38 pm
GT Bob
Maybe not you do realize Richt and Bobo have to run the concession stand at least during two ball games each year that results in a loss
Hopefully they choose not to run the concession stand during the Tech and FL game
Eternal Optimist
September 23rd, 2012
1:44 pm
Dawgs are unbeatable this year! Bama And S Carolina will have their tails handed to them on a silver platter. Spurrier will be humbled in two weeks.
GTBob
September 23rd, 2012
1:47 pm
Maybe not you do realize Richt and Bobo have to run the concession stand at least during two ball games each year that results in a loss
If Richt and Bobo left to run the concession stand then UGA would more than likely win the National Championship and beat Alabama by 30+ points.
7576DAWG
September 23rd, 2012
1:50 pm
I am very impressed with Murray so far. All those clinic seemed to have helped. He always had the talent , his problem was confidence. If he will play against South Carolina and Florida like he did against Vanderbilt, we will beat both of them and there will be no doubt who the better team is. I haven’t seen the normal panic mode that Murray has demonstrated in the past. If he has matured as a leader so much that he is over that, Georgia will go undefeated going into the SEC Championship game. Our running game has really opened up the passing game and given Bobo the balance attack that he has been waiting on.
air of mendacity
September 23rd, 2012
1:53 pm
real season begins now – the run to the Dome – no slip ups dawgs. It is all set up and will not be easy but it is our best chance in a while. We are about to see if Richt and company are championship caliber coaches or just real good coaches who are decent folks who win a lot of football games.
billydawg
September 23rd, 2012
2:01 pm
Vandy would be the #3 team in the ACC. No questions asked.
GTBob
September 23rd, 2012
2:06 pm
Vandy would be the #3 team in the ACC. No questions asked.
Vandy might go 7-5 in the ACC. The ACC is bad but not bad enough to make Vandy a good team.
SportsFan31313
September 23rd, 2012
2:21 pm
Don’t be surprise that Dawgs maybe playing for a National Title this year. They are quietly positiong themselves for. I see Georgia winning the East, (undefeated) and playing either Alabama or LSU in the SEC Championship. Georgia really has a good chance at playing for the National Championship this year. I know it may seem far fetch, but it is very possible. Look at where they are positioned. They are ranked right now at No. 5 in the country. If they continue to run the scores up againt these opponents, especially against South Carolina who is sitting at No. 7 in the Country, they will jump over Florida State into the 4th position. Oregon will lose at at least one regular season against either Southern Cal or Stanford. Now here is your possibilities here.
You then could very well have in this order.
1. Alabama or LSU
2. LSU or Alabama
3. Georgia
Do I make a strong case here ?