UGA beats Ole Miss, and it’s back to Auburn for the clincher
Tavarres King takes it to the house -- and the waiting Redcoat Band. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
Athens — Back to Auburn, another SEC East title on the line. Back to Auburn, where Mark Richt’s Bulldogs clinched the SEC East and knocked the lid off Georgia football in 2002. Back to Auburn, and then back to the SEC championship game.
“We wish we hadn’t lost to South Carolina, but they took it to us,” said Alec Ogletree, the splendid linebacker. “But we came out every week still playing like we were going to get to the (Georgia) Dome. And now we control our own destiny.”
Back to Auburn for the clincher, back after a difficult beginning to this post-Florida letdown game. Back, not incidentally, off the strength of a play not unlike 70x Takeoff, the play that spawned the David Greene-to-Michael Johnson that won at Auburn 10 years ago.
Inside the final 30 seconds of this first half, the clock ticking after consecutive sacks, Georgia trying not to burn its final timeout, Ole Miss trying to hold a 10-7 lead. Aaron Murray took the snap, pumped one way and looked another, just as Greene had done that cold day at Jordan-Hare, only this pass was complicated by an onrushing Rebel. Murray had to dodge to his right, and when he did he found Tavarres King running free down the right sideline, waving at his quarterback to throw the darn ball already.
And then the ball was in the air and soon in King’s hands. And then King was in the end zone and his team had taking a lasting lead and he was handing that football to some of the members of the assembled Redcoat Band.
“I tried to flick them the ball,” King said. “I thought they would like to see what it felt like to hold it.”
From there it was easy, these gifted Bulldogs winning 37-10 after spotting the visitors a 10-point lead. Usually it takes a while for Georgia to get going, but when it does it’s a sight to behold.
“We might not win by a lot,” said the freshman Todd Gurley, who gained 117 yards rushing. “But we get the win.”
They head now to Auburn, and the Tigers haven’t won a conference game this year. This victory wasn’t 10 minutes old before Richt was trying to turn his team’s gaze westward, telling the Bulldogs: “Get your minds right right now; get your jaw set. In seven days, we’ve got a chance to finish.”
This hasn’t been the easiest of seasons, but to look at Georgia’s record is to see a team in the position it figured to occupy. The rise of Florida complicated matters, but Georgia took care of the Gators, and now only one of Auburn’s worst-ever teams stands between the Bulldogs and another chance to win the SEC, something this program hasn’t managed since D.J. Shockley and Co. upset LSU in December 2005.
Maybe you’re recalling what happened last December, when Georgia led No. 1 LSU by 10 points only to lose by 32. Maybe you think this year’s title game will be a similar wipeout. But maybe you were among those who believed these Bulldogs would have no chance in Jacksonville. A team this talented will always, always have a chance.
Some will carp about this first half. Go ahead. Indeed, there was a moment late in the first quarter when Ole Miss had outgained the home side 100 yards to 16. But here was the yardage count after 60 minutes: Georgia 533, Ole Miss 234. That’s domination on a day when everyone knew the Bulldogs would be looking back to the Jacksonville and ahead to Auburn. Once they got their minds right and jaws set, however, it was set and match.
And that has become the Georgia Way. Said Todd Grantham, the defensive coordinator: “Even when we weren’t playing as well early in the season, we got better as the game went along.”
We can say the same of the season. Georgia is better than it was in September, loads better than on that dark night in Columbia and that strange evening in Lexington. This isn’t a perfect team, but when it’s in trouble it will fight long enough for Grantham and the offensive coordinator Mike Bobo to think of something. And when they do …
We move again to the first half, the Bulldogs down 10-0, facing third-and-1 at their 34. To fail to convert is to risk falling into a serious hole. The safe play would be to run it. Bobo had Murray fake a handoff and hide the ball and sling it long to the ridiculously open Marlon Brown for the touchdown that got Georgia going. “That call,” Richt said, “takes a little bit of nerve.”
The Bulldogs held their nerve this day, same as they’d done against Florida, and now they’re one game from the Dome. And back to Auburn they go, back to finish another lap of another drill.
Further reading: On Aaron Murray, the TO binge and those scoring Ogletrees.
By Mark Bradley
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270 comments Add your comment
megamicro
November 3rd, 2012
10:48 pm
Dawgnole, that 28 point loss to a two loss team will haunt the dawgs.
DawgNole
November 3rd, 2012
10:50 pm
7-19 Against End of Season Ranked Teams Since ‘05
November 3rd, 2012
10:48 pm
This season will end like last, unfortunately this Dawg team will get their clocks cleaned by Alabama.
Been there, done that…..
_____________________
Another lie. The Dawgs didn’t get their clocks cleaned by Alabama last season. Dumbazz.
DawgNole
November 3rd, 2012
10:51 pm
megamicro
November 3rd, 2012
10:48 pm
Dawgnole, that 28 point loss to a two loss team will haunt the dawgs.
________________
Not if we beat No. 1 AND No. 2. Granted, a BIG IF.
megamicro
November 3rd, 2012
10:52 pm
Dawgnole, he meant in the title game, not Bama. But if they had played Bama, the same results would have occured. Finesse football won’t work against tough teams.
megamicro
November 3rd, 2012
10:54 pm
No matter how hard Les tries to give this game away, LSU’s players keep on surviving…
megamicro
November 3rd, 2012
10:56 pm
ZachMett might be growing up tonite.
Left Coast Dawg
November 3rd, 2012
10:56 pm
That Copeland kid fom LSU was running reminiscent of Iron Head Heyward! Geez!
WillieB
November 3rd, 2012
10:58 pm
I’m imagining that a lot of you posers would have been yelling for Phil fulmer to b fired a few years back too. How’d that work out for tenn? I’d much rather b where we r than where they are. Just keep that in mind.
A man of honor
November 3rd, 2012
10:59 pm
Whoever wins this game in Baton Rouge will certainly have earned it. Gonna be some sore kids tomorrow morning.
Left Coast Dawg
November 3rd, 2012
11:03 pm
LSU is showing some real heart!
A man of honor
November 3rd, 2012
11:03 pm
How about Mr. Mettenberger! What a second half by LSU. Bet Tiger Stadium is shaking!
Dawg Whisperer
November 3rd, 2012
11:04 pm
Geaux Tigers!!! Beat Bammer!!
Dawg Whisperer
November 3rd, 2012
11:05 pm
Purpleoutanyone?
DawgNole
November 3rd, 2012
11:05 pm
megamicro
November 3rd, 2012
10:52 pm
Dawgnole, he meant in the title game, not Bama. But if they had played Bama, the same results would have occured. Finesse football won’t work against tough teams.
_____________________
Not sure where you’re coming from, mega. I meant in the title game also. IF UGA beats No. 1 and No. 2, I don’t believe the loss to SC will haunt them at all. Again, that’s a big IF. And it wouldn’t hurt if any of the 4 unbeatens lose. Looks like Bama is the only one of those in trouble at this writing.
DawgNole
November 3rd, 2012
11:06 pm
Of course, if Bama loses, then we have no chance of beating No. 1. Go LSU!
DILLIGAF
November 3rd, 2012
11:07 pm
Mett looks like the QB that he was hyped to be.
LSU will win this game tonight. Bama’s dream will die tonight at Death Valley.
GATA!
UGA85′
A man of honor
November 3rd, 2012
11:10 pm
How about the job John Chavis is doing as LSU’s DC? Does Tennesse even have him on their list to replace Dooley? I think if UT had lost today, DD would have been fired tomorrow.
Dawg Whisperer
November 3rd, 2012
11:10 pm
How sweet it is!!! Rammerjammerjackhammerbammer…. Roll Tigers Roll!!
A man of honor
November 3rd, 2012
11:14 pm
Zach is putting on a show. Big-time arm.
Russa
November 3rd, 2012
11:16 pm
Bama loses to LSU, LSU lost to Florida … Georgia beat Florida
A man of honor
November 3rd, 2012
11:24 pm
That Jalen Mills kid is a true freshman. The tiger d is smothering Bama.
7-19 Against End of Season Ranked Teams Since '05
November 3rd, 2012
11:27 pm
@Dawgnole…….do you really think that our inept O-line could handle either Alabama or LSU D-line???
whose the dumbazz here???
7-19 Against End of Season Ranked Teams Since '05
November 3rd, 2012
11:28 pm
sorry, meant “who’s”
atlfalconsfan0125
November 3rd, 2012
11:33 pm
So if Alabama loses, things get real tricky in the SEC?
A man of honor
November 3rd, 2012
11:34 pm
What a throw and catch. A star is born tonite in Baton Rouge.
Draggin Fly
November 3rd, 2012
11:36 pm
If Bama loses, it means an SEC team in the nat. championship game is pretty unlikely.
A man of honor
November 3rd, 2012
11:36 pm
The SEC’s problem is that K-State and Oregon will not lose a game this season. Bama loss means the title won’t return to the SEC.
DawgNole
November 3rd, 2012
11:37 pm
7-19 Against End of Season Ranked Teams Since ‘05
November 3rd, 2012
11:27 pm
@Dawgnole…….do you really think that our inept O-line could handle either Alabama or LSU D-line???
_____________________
Did you really think we could beat fla? Dumbazz?
whose the dumbazz here???
DawgNole
November 3rd, 2012
11:38 pm
A man of honor
November 3rd, 2012
11:36 pm
The SEC’s problem is that K-State and Oregon will not lose a game this season. Bama loss means the title won’t return to the SEC.
____________________
At least you get it. Not many others on here do.
A man of honor
November 3rd, 2012
11:40 pm
About to get interesting here…
atlfalconsfan0125
November 3rd, 2012
11:42 pm
Uh-oh. Will LSU hold on?
DawgNole
November 3rd, 2012
11:44 pm
Bammer did it, guys. Be happy. It’s our only chance to win the NC!
UPDATED: UGA now one win away from SEC title game with 37-10 victory over Ole Miss | UGA sports blog
November 3rd, 2012
11:45 pm
[...] Bradley column: UGA beats Ole Miss, and ite’s back to Auburn for the clincher [...]
DawgNole
November 3rd, 2012
11:46 pm
The irony is we both have to beat………………Aubawrn, who has ZERO SEC wins this year!
Just a fan
November 3rd, 2012
11:46 pm
Looks like bama made the come back
atlfalconsfan0125
November 3rd, 2012
11:48 pm
UGA still has no chance at the NC game. Even if they Beat Bama, Bama will still go on.
Dawg Whisperer
November 3rd, 2012
11:49 pm
Boooooooooooooo!
atlfalconsfan0125
November 3rd, 2012
11:49 pm
Why is he crying?
Russa
November 3rd, 2012
11:50 pm
Ole Les found a way to lose that one
Tampa Gator
November 3rd, 2012
11:50 pm
Well…..the SEC won tonight…..but I feel bad for LSU. They outplayed Bama for most of the night.
Tampa Gator
November 3rd, 2012
11:51 pm
Oh well.
Tampa Gator
November 3rd, 2012
11:51 pm
The SEC won tonight….but you got to feel badly for LSU since they outplayed Bama for most of the night.
Dawg Whisperer
November 3rd, 2012
11:52 pm
More obnoxious Bammer fan comments. Worst fans in the history of mankind!
Flo- Ri- Duh
November 3rd, 2012
11:54 pm
Seven minutes to go and LSU leads Bummer by 3 and LSU has the ball … Geaux Tigers!!!!!!! Good game Dawgs but concerned about Marlon Brown’s injury. Already lost Michael Bennett – can’t afford to lose Brown. Six minutes to go and 1st down for LSU. No turnovers and run that clock! Lot’s of recruits at UGA game and they should be happy with what they saw from UGA. Montravius Adams, Nkemdiche and many others at the game. Mettenbubba is carving Bummer up with mid range passes and 4 minutes left. 2nd down and 3 minutes to go for LSU. 1st down and 3 minutes to go. Mettenbubba is throwing like a 1st round draft choice. Who would have guessed that LSU could pass on Bummer like this? 2 1/2 minutes to go and Bummer calls time out to stop the clock. They have one time out left. LSU has 2nd and 7 at the Bummer 33 yard line and Bummer takes their final time out! The Mad Hatter at work – can he pull it off? 3rd and 10 – do they pass? Run up the middle for 4 and 4th down. 1 1/2 minutes left – will LSU go for it or try a long field goal? They already missed one. 45 yard try coming up – Wide left by two feet. Bummer gets the ball on their their 28 YARD LINE – complete two passes to LSU 42. Another completion – appear to have gone to a prevent defense but why? LSU has two 3rd team safeties in the game due to injuries. Screen pass to Yelden – touchdown! Crap!!!!!!! Should not have gone to prevent defense. 51 seconds left and Bummer to kick to LSU. No time outs left for LSU. Excellent pass blocking on that drive. Kick run back to the 20 yard line and 45 seconds remain. 13 seconds remain and Mettenbubba is sacked. Game over. Bummer shows they are mortal but McCarron, after a poor 2nd half, comes through on the final drive with the aid of the OL. Will it be Bummer/LSU for the SEC? Bummer escapes by the skin of their teeth but they get the “W” and remain #1 for now. Oregon scraped by S.C. and Kansas State won and Notre Dame got lucky and beat a 4 loss Pitt in 3 over times. As I said Bummer hasn’t played a real top 15 team until tonight and they were outplayed on the field. Saban admitted that in his interview. Congrats to Bummer – go Dawgs!
Tampa Gator
November 3rd, 2012
11:54 pm
LSU played a great game…..but Bama showed their championship character in the end.
Mobile Dawg
November 3rd, 2012
11:55 pm
Don’t be so trite, hell of a game, the best game this year.. Dawgs have a bar to set their sites on.
Big Crimson 75
November 3rd, 2012
11:55 pm
God bless em!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Heart won that game, boys.
See y’all in Atlanta.
I’m looking forward to it.
It’s time for a Bama-Uga SEC CG.
Mobile Dawg
November 3rd, 2012
11:56 pm
Best scenario for the SEC also.
atlfalconsfan0125
November 3rd, 2012
11:56 pm
The Dawgs can not go to the NC game. If Bama is undefeated in the Atlanta game, they will go on to the NC game if they win, however if they lose, there will be no SEC team in the NC game, because other teams will be undefeated.
DawgNole
November 3rd, 2012
11:56 pm
atlfalconsfan0125
November 3rd, 2012
11:48 pm
UGA still has no chance at the NC game. Even if they Beat Bama, Bama will still go on.
_____________________
Are you stupid? The ONLY chance UGA has at the NC is to beat Bama in the SECCG. Educate yourself before you post any more ignorant remarks. Fool.