Five yards short: In bitter defeat, a winning Georgia effort
The final moments of a fabulous game: Chris Conley catches the ball. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
There are people who say that only championships matter, that finishing second is the same as finishing last. To those people, we say this: Go away now. Go away while we honor — and yes, that’s the proper word — as gallant a runner-up as we’ll ever see. Go away and let us speak of the Georgia Bulldogs.
They’d waited 30 years for a game this big, and they came as close as you could come to winning it without actually winning. Three times they took a lead over the mighty Alabama, and even after what should have been a crushing Tide touchdown with 3:15 remaining, even after what seemed a clinching Bama interception inside the final minute … even then, these Bulldogs found themselves with first-and-goal and time flying.
That they fell five yards short, that a tipped Aaron Murray pass for Malcolm Mitchell was caught by a falling Chris Conley and the final five seconds ticked away, cannot take away from the effort spent and the excellence displayed. The Bulldogs arrived as a underdog, but they carried the fight to the reigning national champion and they left five yards shy of the most thrilling victory — apologies to Lindsay Scott — Georgia football has ever known.
This was easily the best of the 21 SEC Championship Games, and it was one of the finest displays of collegiate football ever witnessed. “Alabama’s a great football team,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said, “and we were pretty good, too.”
Has a losing team ever had more championship-caliber men and moments? From Sanders Commings intercepting an AJ McCarron pass in the end zone to the same Commings catching a pass from tight end Arthur Lynch to convert a galvanizing fake punt; from Cornelius Washington blocking a field goal and Alec Ogletree taking the carom the distance; from the freshman back Todd Gurley pounding the midsection of the nation’s best defense to Murray taking his team downfield in the final minute … has there ever, in the long and distinguished history of Georgia football, been a prouder loss?
Alas, the Bulldogs needed 85 yards, and they could manage only 80. Are five yards sufficient reason to characterize them as losers, to suggest that this four-point loss is living proof that Richt and/or Murray can’t win the Big One? No and no, and if you’re of such a mind didn’t you hear me when I said, “Go away”?
Contrary to popular belief, not every winning effort translates to winning. Alabama was just a bit better (and much stronger up front), but the Bulldogs spurned every opportunity — and there were many — to throw up their collective hands and say, “We’ve given it a go, but this isn’t our day.” And that fighting spirit nearly turned this into the Dogs’ day after all.
“They played well, we played well, the clock ran out,” Richt said. “What are you going to say?”
It was the game for which Georgia had waited since Herschel Walker left Athens in the spring of 1983, the game Richt had waited 12 seasons to coach. It was a game to win one championship and go play for another, and there can be no dishonor in the way the day played out. Quibble with the ending if you will — should Georgia have spiked the ball before Murray’s last throw? Probably not, for Bama was clearly rattled — but you cannot fault the Bulldogs’ skill or heart or pride.
If you claim to be a Georgia fan, you cannot be disappointed with the performance — only the result. How many teams could have stood in against Alabama after the Tide ground out 350 rushing yards? Alabama is the nation’s best program and has the nation’s best coach, and with 10 seconds left there was no assurance that regal Bama would leave the Georgia Dome as the winner.
“I shook every man’s hand,” Richt said, speaking of his crestfallen Bulldogs, “and if someone had his head in his hands I rubbed his head and told him I loved him.”
If you love anything about competitive sports, anything at all, you had to love this game. “That was a great football game by both teams, and they could have won today the same as us,” said Nick Saban, the hard-driving Alabama coach. “It came down to the last play.”
That the final play on this frenzied day was made by Georgia’s opponent in no way diminishes Georgia. If anything, the Bulldogs stand ennobled after falling to Alabama in a way that they hadn’t after any victory of the past half-dozen years. They didn’t win, but they didn’t really lose. “The clock just ran out,” Richt said, and there was no better recap of these stirring events than that.
Alabama played great. Georgia played great. And then the clock ran out.
Further reading: Bama’s backs, Saban’s gaffe and a classic SEC title game.
By Mark Bradley
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1,506 comments Add your comment
Fi Slamma Bama
December 2nd, 2012
12:39 am
TD… There is a little school in Nashville called Vanderbilt that you may want to acquaint yourself with. Your football teams are similar.
I don’t know who President Adams is, but if all that is true, then why do you guys have so many players get arrested all the time? Why are you always the most penalized team in the league? Why do you have so many thugs in your program?
stendek
December 2nd, 2012
12:41 am
Is UGA a Top 10 team right now? Not in my estimation! Maybe after a win in Leftover Bowl they can crack final poll. At 10th spot. Maybe. Some finish huh Dawg Nation?
Erk Russell's Dog
December 2nd, 2012
12:41 am
Fl slamma bammer
The Lsu fans said the same thing,and everyone knows the only good thing coming out of Alabama is I-85. And Texas will build ole nick a lake anywhere he wants to put a house. As far as academics go neither Georgia or Alabama are turning out Rhode Scholars,any player who can spell his name or make his mark(X) can gain enrollment in any fine educational establishment in the SEC. well maybe not Vanderbilt,at least not yet.
BigJim
December 2nd, 2012
12:41 am
Stendek…I agree 100%, sir! Year after year after year of the same. The 3-16 record against ranked teams, since 2009 is a fact. Simply a fact. Richt struggles mightily against ranked teams. And I do agree this might have been the closest chance we’ll get. I am 44 and graduated from UGA in 1993. I don’t understand why many fans accept this. Mark Richt is a great guy. I get that–and concur. But 3-16 against ranked teams, since 2009, is NOT a good record…for a coach paid $3 Million plus per season!
Fi Slamma Bama
December 2nd, 2012
12:41 am
And didn’t you guys have some deal a while back where your Athletic Department set up a class called the Fundamentals of Basketball so that athletes could get a cush class?
RJ
December 2nd, 2012
12:42 am
I was very impressed with UGA’s performance. That said, I’ve been around for a while and have never seen an SEC fan base who has a more elevated opinion of *what they think their program is* vs. *what their program actually is*. A mentality of entitlement. You should appreciate the fact that you took Bama to the wire, because, well, you aren’t Bama. Never have been, and never will be. And this comes from an SEC football fan who was rooting for you to be the 5th different national champ from the SEC in the run of what will hopefully be 7 consecutive. But I got over that when your team failed to show up in Columbia the first Saturday in October.
Dawgfan
December 2nd, 2012
12:42 am
The six 3 and outs that UGA had during the game killed the defense. They were exhausted. AL had the ball 70% more than UGA (38 min to 22 min) and only had one series where they went 3 and out. Run out the last 2 minutes of the 1st half and dont throw that INT! Bobo didn’t do anything to help out Grantham’s gassed crew and in the second half they just had nothing in the tank. UGA O line was good overall. Gurley ran well and should have been given the ball more to get more 1st downs. Murray had time and actually created some of his own trouble by leaving a perfectly good pocket too early. I just think Murray’s and Bobo’s instincts are destructive under pressure and in the end we couldn’t get it done. Helluva game and effort by the Dawgs. You did the Nation proud.
Athens Dawg
December 2nd, 2012
12:43 am
Bama alums and fans were very humble and quiet coming out of the dome for a team that just won the SEC…..very classy (unlike some of the tools we have here).
gosh
December 2nd, 2012
12:43 am
good grief
uga chokes
nuff said
azdawg
December 2nd, 2012
12:43 am
AM did not cost GA this game, nor did his OL and RB’s. The defense gives up 350 rushing yds and 3 rushing TDs and couldn’t fine a way to stop it???????????? Over and over again the AL RB’s ran thru and around whats supposed to be the strength of this team!! CTG is to blame as well. He finally stacked the def line in AL’s last posession and got AL 3 and out. Why didn’t he ^&U%$&U do that sooner instead of running the same def which AL was more then will to oblige by running right up the middle for 3 TD’s!! These so called pro talent def linemen looked gassed and there was no sign of conditioning on that side of the ball. The D lost this game and CTG shares the blame.
CMR should spend a scholly on another FG kicker. This guy we got stinks! He makes that missed FG, his only try, and its a different game. Instead of having to get a TD to win at the end they could have won by 2 points on a FG. The whole ending would have been different. But instead the dawgs need a TD and blew it by not spiking the ball w/10-15 secs left on the clock. Thats bad coaching.
So don’t bad mouth AM or the offense. They had one or two bad series but scored 21 points on a good defense and looked good doing it! If the defense makes just one stop and out during one of AL’s 3 running TD drives its a different story. But they couldn’t. They looked awful and someone please tell me why the flip were they not going for the legs of these AL RB’s??? Its the only way to stop these guys.
Our best chance to win a shot at the NC was this year and this game. Next year this team will be depleated on D and maybe lose AM to the draft. I don’t agree w/Mark Bradley. CMR cannot win the big one. Proof is just look on the other side of the field and you’ll see why AL is so darned good, Saban, gets his guys in shape and ready to play. CMR does not. Period!!
THANK YOU Mr Chuck Oliver!!!!!
December 2nd, 2012
12:44 am
Chuck Oliver only asked the SAME QUESTION hundreds of you DAWG Fans complain about year after year on these blogs and on the call-in shows….Why can’t Richt/Bobo/_________(insert QB name) ever WIN THE BIG GAMES?
Why you go soft now?
Don’t any of you have the balls to stand up and THANK Chuck Oliver for speaking up for so many of you? Richt or Bobo (whoever told Murray to run the play and not spike the ball) LOST THE GAME by that single stupid coaching error that will go down in the ANALS of college football history as the biggest TURD ever laid on a national stage……
When Gary Danielson is saying “they should clock the ball here” and the QB is motioning to the sidelines for a spike the ball play but your Head Coach is too stupid to understand the situation and the clock expires with all of the “what could’ve beens” that fans and players are left with…..Well, quite simply:
YOU DESERVE TO LOSE
Richt BLEW IT ONCE AGAIN and Chuck Oliver called him out on it FOR YOU DAWG FANS…Now you want Oliver’s head. Typical Dawg Fans…..Too dumb to even figure out your own COACH lost this game for you….And a potential National Championship…….Roll Tide!
stendek
December 2nd, 2012
12:44 am
Hey Mark. Your Christmas check from Georgia Athletic Department is in the mail. Merry Christmas pal. With love Saint Mark. PS – Thanks again for soft questions. Plus impartial reporting. Wink wink Moral victory good for another extension. Need all my millions buddy.
A RTR Hit-N-Run from ATL
December 2nd, 2012
12:46 am
Well, someone asked me if I’d be here after the game. I am.
I have to eat a lot of crow. I said win by 4 TDs, I meant 4 points.
Our defense has issues in the passing game, not happy about that. Our running game is out of control good with 350 yards rushing and 500 yards in total, but very very very mad at our secondary. That was pathetic giving up 280 yards. Pathetic.
Good game. Murray played out of his mind good. AJ was great except for that freaking int in the endzone. !@$?!@$.
Saban has a lot to yell at his guys about. A LOT. If he doesn’t, he’s losing his edge.
Good night.
ROLL TIDE ROLL.
cmc
December 2nd, 2012
12:46 am
Tough way to lose but galliant effort…should have spiked the ball at the eight without question, not sure where the call for that falls on – COACHING has got to have kids ready for those situations especially in big games like this…other than that and our defense sucking air in the third quarter..cant complain….hope we get a decent bowl
Fi Slamma Bama
December 2nd, 2012
12:49 am
Big Jim and TD head for the hills when somebody posts them up with facts. Just like the UGA football team, Big Jim and TD fold when it counts.
Erk Russell's Dog
December 2nd, 2012
12:49 am
stendek
Who cares about top ten rankings? ,Unless you’re number one you are a loser, the Dogs had their one chance in the last 20 years to finish on top ,and the defense peed the bed and got blown up by the Tide’s O Line. It may be another 20 years before the Dogs are back in this position again.
A RTR Hit-N-Run from ATL
December 2nd, 2012
12:50 am
I’m here. Second try posting.
I was a bit off in the final score, I did say we’d win by… 4. TDs. But hey who is counting?
Saban has a lot, a lot, a lot, to yell at his secondary about. If he doesn’t, he’s losing his edge. That was pathetic giving up 280 yards. That was awful. AWFUL.
The OL and the RBs were fantastic, 350 yards. But still @#%#%$!@# at the defense.
Ricky Bobby's Dad
December 2nd, 2012
12:53 am
Hey Bradley… If you ain’t first, you’re last!
tmc
December 2nd, 2012
12:54 am
I missed this Chuck Oliver question thing.
Can some explain in full detail please? (where, what was question, response…) thx
stendek
December 2nd, 2012
12:55 am
FLASH: SEC Also Ran UGA will play ACC Also Ran Tech in Leftover Bowl in Hahira. Tickets now available!
Ricky Bobby's Dad
December 2nd, 2012
12:55 am
If you ain’t first, you’re last.
Dave
December 2nd, 2012
12:56 am
Fi Slamma….I am a Bama fan and you are the reason people hate us. Win with some class if you have any. If you were on Saban’s team and had that attitude, you’d be cut. You exude everything that the team doesn’t want. You don’t have to be an obnoxious As* when you win a game you are favored to win. UGA played a great game tonight and lost on the last play but could of easily won. People can say a soft schedule, etc. but they gave us everything they had and damn near pulled it off if they had another five seconds. You shouldn’t be a cocky as* in that kind of win. Do me a favor, shut your hole and go to bed before you embarrass the Tide Nation even more
KBP
December 2nd, 2012
12:57 am
For all of the Dawg fans that won’t accept the so-called mediocrity of the Mark Richt era, exactly what can you do about it?
ShowMeYurTD's
December 2nd, 2012
12:58 am
No class by CMR at press conference. In life when you suck, people will call you out. Welcome to the real world CMR
stendek
December 2nd, 2012
12:59 am
Keep UGA defensive coach and…well, the rest are completely expendable! Ashamed to be Dawg fan right now.
Fi Slamma Bama
December 2nd, 2012
12:59 am
UGA is a second rate program. You will never have what we have. Have fun at your cruddy bowl UGA fans.
stendek
December 2nd, 2012
1:01 am
Reporter is far kinder than I would have been! Once a loser…
Fi Slamma Bama
December 2nd, 2012
1:02 am
Good night loser Dawgs. I like what Ricky Bobby’s Dad said — if you ain’t first, you’re last!
Erk Russell's Dog
December 2nd, 2012
1:02 am
stendek
Just heard the Dogs are heading to the Depends Cotton Bowl,and their opponent may be ol johnny football and the Aggies . Seems A&M don’t want to play Texas in the Cotton and the Dogs may get the call.
Post-Game Mark Richt Excuses
December 2nd, 2012
1:03 am
“It takes time to spike the ball.”
“Just one of those games.”
You can’t make this stuff up…….
Dave
December 2nd, 2012
1:03 am
fi Slamma – you are the reason people think Bama fans are the worst in college football. I am a huge Bama fan but unlike you, I have class and don’t act like a jerk and run my mouth in a game we we favored to win. Do the Tide nation all a favor and shut your hole and go to bed. You make us look bad and are the exact opposite of Saban. By the way, his Lake Burton house is for sale but I guess as a real fan you already knew that. Maybe you could put your double wide on the market and buy it.
KBP
December 2nd, 2012
1:04 am
Richt asked Chuck Oliver if that was his question? Oliver had a chance to man up and he did not. Chuck has raised that question on his radio show and he should have owned it. Amazing what happens to one’s courage when one has to look another in the eye.
stendek
December 2nd, 2012
1:05 am
Soon Dawg fans will wonder how Vandy and Kentucky became so competitive. Dawgs on fast track to becoming SEC dregs. Sad state indeed. Comes with settling for failure!
Maxwell
December 2nd, 2012
1:06 am
Anyone who wants to run down the effort put forth by Georgia isn’t a real Bulldog fan and needs to go find another team to pull for. Losing hurts, but placing blame doesn’t do anyone any good. In a classic such as this one, someone must lose the game. Unfotunately, we came out on the short end. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that we played our hearts out. Disappointed, but pround of the effort.
Piedmont Southern
December 2nd, 2012
1:06 am
tmc
December 2nd, 2012
12:54 am
I missed this Chuck Oliver question thing.
Can some explain in full detail please? (where, what was question, response…) thx
_____
He said he had heard people saying MR and Georgia’s quarterback could not win the big games and asked for a response. MR didn’t answer.
Wonder why people don’t think the Florida game was a big game.
Came down to the final fifteen seconds. Georgia makes the play they win and that question does not come up.
Don’t see that Bama had a better overall team. Just a better line and running game. Georgia had better passing and better special teams. Looked pretty even here.
Fi Slamma Bama
December 2nd, 2012
1:06 am
Shut up, Dave!
Ken Stallings
December 2nd, 2012
1:07 am
Olivers asked (to paraphrase): There are people who say you and Murray come up short on the big stage …
To which, Richt replied, “Do you say that?”
Oliver replied that he does not say it but that many others do, and Richt then said he doesn’t care then but would answer the question if Oliver would take ownership of the question.
Richt then returned shortly after the press conference was concluded and said that if anyone seriously did not think his team played well then “they are crazy!”
Good for him!
BTW: this is what I emailed to Oliver:
“So happy that I was able to find out that it was you who showed the extremely low class to ask Georgia coach Mark Richt such an outrageous question at the SEC Championship game post-game press conference. Your actions were exposed to a nation courtesy ESPN, and everyone who are experts on college football are rightly calling you out for it!
I’m no expert on college football, but add me to those calling you out! Anyone who watched that game, and has one ounce of integrity and moral principle, can only walk away admiring the tenacity and immortal quality of the game itself. Both Alabama and Georgia sold out in that game. The refrain is leaving everything on the field. Both teams did! It was an instant classic SEC game and I’m not even an SEC fan! The game itself shall remain among the finest college football games played in history. We all were rewarded to have been able to watch it.
People like you, who have the unmitigated gall to ask such an amoral question, are the reason why journalists are held in such low regard by most. Shame on you! Just pure shame on you!
Ken Stallings”
Post-Game Mark Richt Excuses
December 2nd, 2012
1:09 am
Here’s the question Chuck Oliver asked…..
http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2012/12/why_didnt_bulldogs_spike_the_b.html
stendek
December 2nd, 2012
1:09 am
Depends huh? Sort of figures! Guess 11-3 in cards. From one floor below penthouse to sub cellar for my once beloved Dawgs. Bow wow…
Dave
December 2nd, 2012
1:10 am
Fi Slamma – truth hurts my friend. If Saban read your comments he’d say we don’t want anything like that here at the University of Alabama. I guess I hit the nail on the head when I identified you live in a double wide.
dt4c
December 2nd, 2012
1:11 am
Honestly, Mark, the finest and most honest column you’ve ever written.
Erk Russell's Dog
December 2nd, 2012
1:11 am
stendek
Come on now ,keep the defensive coach, How many yards of total offense did Bama have 500? No Adjustments just go jaw face to the camera and look tough when the camera is on his mug. Great coaching super talenton Defense future NFL players ,and his D still gets run off the field. Punch his bus ticket out on the first greyhound out of Athens.
BigJim
December 2nd, 2012
1:11 am
Sad fact here: Maark Richt is 3-16 against ranked teams, since 2009! That is NOT quality football! And telling me to suck it up and be proud of that record–not gonna happen. And if you are proud to beat the Arkansas States and the Idaho States and the Florida Atlantics, while losing to the ranked teams…I can’t help you.
Sargent Carter
December 2nd, 2012
1:13 am
The game was great and illustrated why the SEC is best of the best. If one had a playoff between Alabama, Florida, LSU, Georgia, South Caorolina and Texas A@M, it would be for the National Championship. The coolest thing I witnessed about Richt is how he stood up for his team in the after game interview with the reporter who asked about Murray and Richt’s inability to win the big game. It is the only time I have ever seen where Richt publicly was almost challenging the guy to a fight. I thought he was right(Richt) in doing so and showed something we(us fans) had never seen. Georgia has a great future under him… still think he’s knocking on Greatness’ door…put it to the sound of knockin’ on heavens door…I think he’s got it Richt
stendek
December 2nd, 2012
1:13 am
It is loser5s like you Ken Stallings that allows losers like Mark Richt to be in charge of my beloved Dawgs! Losing breeds losers. CLOSE DOES NOT COUNT PAL! No one remembers who finished second. The truth is that no one gives a damn! Do not glorify failure. No true Dawg fan does!
Fi Slamma Bama
December 2nd, 2012
1:13 am
Dave… Your wife is an Auburn fan and she is probably frying up some Snickers bars right now. I don’t live in a double wide, I live in a sweet house in Rome. I know Nick well… And he plays it right on TV, but he knows down deep that CMR is a born loser.
USMC DAWG
December 2nd, 2012
1:15 am
@KBP
LOL! Great Point. Chuck is a dooooosh, not for the point he was TRYING to make, but because he doesn’t have the balls to man up and ask the question. LOL!
ShowMeYurTD's
December 2nd, 2012
1:17 am
Very sad fact…#3 going into this game and we don’t have a field goal kicker….criminal act by CMR choosing that kicker who is not up to sec play. He’ll never be the same
Erk Russell's Dog
December 2nd, 2012
1:19 am
Chuckie Oliver just does not want to lose his press box privileges at Sanford stadium so he backed off when CMR asked him to own his comments.
stendek
December 2nd, 2012
1:19 am
Go back to Gomer Pyle Sarge Carter! You are as dumb as that Mayberry Marine. I wish reporter would have kicked Richt a**! Was truth. Losers like you evidently cannot handle it! Aaron Murray stunk in Florida game but defense won it. UGA QB choked big time against Carolina and Bama! Amen.