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
Chris
December 2nd, 2012
8:05 am
Nice effort UGA, but the last I checked they only give trophies for effort in little league. The SEC is big boy football and Alabama just made more plays, including tipping that ball at the line of scrimmage and having the presence of mind to not panic and call a time out ( I thought maybe Saban would call one to give his D a chance to set.)
What would Brady/Belichick do ???
December 2nd, 2012
8:05 am
First and foremost – very proud of the Bulldogs effort. That was “Grown Man” football!!! Probably the greatest SEC Championship game on record. A pure slugfest.
The good. The defense was getting gashed by the powerful Alabama line. They hit us for over 300+ yards and were on the field what seemed like the whole game. They don’t run a gimicky triple-option either. They took it to us DOWN 11 – and dominated the entire 3rd quarter. The 2nd to last drive – however, we turned them away – a great sign of heart, passion and desire by the UGA defense. Murray showed me has can move a team as well as he demonstrated in his “2-minute” drill. The fake punts. The INTs by Robinson and Cummings. The powerful running by Gurley. I could go on and on.
The Bad. Call it what it is. You have to spike the ball and run your three plays. You are not going to catch Alabama napping. I’m sorry. This game had an-NFL feel to it and you have to manage the clock as such. While Richt (and I love they guy, by the way for everything he is ans stands for) backs the decision to run the stout route on that play and NOT spike it – I and much of the Bulldog Nation disagree.
The Aftermath. Alabama will go on to destroy ND in a bore NC Game. The semi-final, the SEC Championship, was the real NC game. Thanks to the current “Robin Hood” structure of college football – Alabama gets a big check and goes to the biggest stage. The Dogs get pillaged so we can see many less talented and qualified teams play in a BCS game – in the name of “fairness”.
The reality is – pinhead media types and the ESPN spin machine drive the bus. UGA NOT will go to the Sugar Bowl – again, in the name of fairness, Florida gets that honor. I team that played the greatest college football game of the year – and lost– will likely get jilted in the Cotton Bowl for Johnny Football and will most likely go to Capital One Bowl to play Michigan. Heck, they may fall as far as the Chick-fil-A Bowl and play Clemson.
All of this after being 4 yards short of a NC game – and one where they’d likely be favored. In the name of fairness – Notre Dame will be a 10 point underdog to the #2 team.
Can we please fast-forward to the playoffs? Football is played on the field by football players – not by pinhead writers, spoiled TV media know-it-alls or computers.
Damn good job, Dogs.
Iluvnutella
December 2nd, 2012
8:08 am
I HATE UGA athletics……I’m a boy from Norht Ave. But, like the brother who feels the sense of competiton from his siblings, outside the state I hope that Ga does well. (I just threw up a bit in my mouth). You guys played one helluva game and almost won. You should have won. I wanted you to win(I just threw up again). Bad clock mngment at the end cost ya, something we on the Flats know lots and lots about.I really thought this was u guys year. I am glad I am not a dog fan becuse I know this one wda hurt me more than any of our losses this year. You wda ROLLED ND, no doubt about it. Grats on a good season. We are one more year away from making the rivalry relevent. Fish-fry will be fired after next year. (monetary limits notwithstanding) Go Jackets!
Honey boy
December 2nd, 2012
8:12 am
PAGING THOMAS BROWN!!!! PAGING THOMAS BROWN!! Where are you now? You gutless chimp!
Throw out some more of your useless stats now!!! C’mon, you chastise everyone who doesn’t agree with you and you’re a no show on judgement day????
Just as we all thought……. Worthless, useless, toothless man!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHHAH
Terrible Article
December 2nd, 2012
8:13 am
Bark,
I got through the first couple paragraphs. Your man-love for everything UGA is disgusting. You are a very, very bad sports writer.
First the Tide
December 2nd, 2012
8:16 am
The Georgia fans are cordially invited to watch the Crimson Tide destroy Notre Dame next month for the BCS championship. I’m sure our Georgia friends will get behind the SEC champion and support them all the way.
A helpful suggestion: I know you’ll want to load up on Alabama shirts, hats, pennants, etc. before the big game. Check out Walmart, they usually have a good selection at the best prices. Go now and beat the rush.
Tide team members and fans appreciate your support!
GATiger
December 2nd, 2012
8:18 am
Great game. Great effort. So close. Blah, blah, blah. “Close” counts for nothing. The Dawgs’ record against ranked teams remains miserable. And some of you think they deserve a BCS bowl? Perhaps over an 11-1 Florida team? Not gonna happen.
Tomás Broun
December 2nd, 2012
8:20 am
Only nine months to go before toe meets leather for the 2013 season.
Kool-Aid, anyone? Anyone… anyone?
Goat of the Week
December 2nd, 2012
8:21 am
Goat of the week award goes to Chris Conley! Catching a pass in the flat with no chance to score, with no timeouts and 5 seconds on the clock! Congrats! The UGA ath. dept. will award a special prize this week in athens at a big ceremony!
Cherokee Dawg
December 2nd, 2012
8:26 am
To Mike Bell, nowI get it.
demhairydwags
December 2nd, 2012
8:29 am
I TOLD YOU that we have to FIRE mark RICHT!! did you see Mr no Emotion at the end of the game he does not EVEN CARE THAT HE RAN US INTO THE GROUND!! SPIKE THE BALL MR NO EMTION! Disgusted with this fool we need a GOOD, SOUTHERN COACH FIRE MARK RICHT FIRE MARK RICHT FIRE MARK RICHT FIRE MARK RICHT FIRE MARK RICHTFIRE MARK RICHT FIRE MARK RICHT
goforit
December 2nd, 2012
8:30 am
Any team that gives up 350 yards rushing to any team in the country, does not deserve a shot at the national title. Had Georgia played Florida, South Carolina, Alabama, Texas A&M, or LSU’S skedule, they would not have even been playing. You have the most unsportmanlike football team in college football, and unfortunately, the non grad fans are the same.
Brown Dog
December 2nd, 2012
8:37 am
Great game. Every once in a while two superb Southern teams put on a performance like this that has the rest of the country shaking their heads. Game of the year. Game of the decade.
Steve
December 2nd, 2012
8:38 am
Same ole UGA battlecry “wait til next year” !
GATiger
December 2nd, 2012
8:41 am
Goat of the week, how can you blame Conley for catching the ball? He’s a receiver. His job is to catch the ball and score. You expect a 19-20 year old kid to ignore his athletic instincts and think “if I catch the ball I’ll probably get tackled short of the goal line and, therefore, we’ll lose the game because there will be only 5 seconds left on the clock and we won’t be able to get to the line and run another play” all of that within an instant of time?
bamaguy
December 2nd, 2012
8:45 am
It was the finest college football game I have even witnessed and I have been attending games since the 60’s. If anyone who attended or watched now has any question that the SEC is the king of college football, then you just weren’t paying attention. Both teams played their hearts out and deserved to win. I can’t believe some of the UGA “fans” on here bashing that team and that effort.
LucyDawg
December 2nd, 2012
8:45 am
Lovely piece.
this just in.....
December 2nd, 2012
8:46 am
spike it!
BWA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!
Atticus
December 2nd, 2012
8:46 am
Great effort by the players. Good gameplan really.
DL couldn’t match up with Bama’s OL and RBs
Horrible clock management at the end. Spike the ball and you have 2 and maybe 3 plays to win it all.
Inexcusable
NYC Dawg
December 2nd, 2012
8:47 am
Great article Mark. You said everything many of us have been thinking, and did so with very fine words.
dwagger
December 2nd, 2012
8:48 am
The clock ran out. Just as it does in every game. That’s not a reason for failure, it’s an excuse.
crimsontider
December 2nd, 2012
8:51 am
Coach Richt should had prefaced his, “we just ran out of time”, comment, to quote (the original who said that many years past) Coach Paul Bryant. For you Georgia fans who may scoff, I was there when he said it.
NYC Dawg
December 2nd, 2012
8:51 am
These Bulldogs showed more class, character, heart – and skill – than at any time in recent memory. I have been a die-hard fan for a long time (Class of 83) and I can’t recall a more epic Georgia game since 1980. The Bulldogs showed they are an elite team that belongs on the national stage.
Rome Observer
December 2nd, 2012
8:52 am
Great story. I fully agree. BUT I’d love to hear your thoughts on how a guy as great as Mark Richt just can’t seem to finish first on the field. Do nice guys really finish last. I just need somebody to explain how life can remain so unfair. I joke that Saban is just ine letter removed from Satan. I’m sure he’s a decent enough feloow. And I know that there are so many more improtant things in life. I mean, look at the tragedy in Kansa City. But still. It just seems that the good guy ought to come out first every now and then and this would have been such a perfect place for it to happen. Then to lose after being so clos. Well, I just don’t have the faith Coach Richt has, I guess. So please, answer me this question: Is a great guy like Coach Richt doomed to never finish first?
Landover
December 2nd, 2012
8:52 am
To all the UGA players: That effort was really inspiring, can never recall such a hard played game, Really proud of your play and to be a Dawg fan.
Atticus
December 2nd, 2012
8:53 am
The Bear didn’t have the clock spike when he coached or he’d been using it I guarantee that…
Karl
December 2nd, 2012
8:53 am
They showed a lot of heart. But what I can’t stand is looking around at all the UGA players in the NFL, winning championships and going on to greatness, and thinking: why couldn’t they do that when they were at Georgia! Is it the coaching? It’s very frustrating.
they are who we thought they were
December 2nd, 2012
8:55 am
congrats to UGA on a strong season. a close loss to the best team in the conference, and a split with the best two teams in the east (though a butt whipping in one and lucky to have 5 turnovers by Fla in the other).
You’re moving from second tier to bottom of top. wait ’til next year!
Big Gator
December 2nd, 2012
8:55 am
Here we go again Mark Bradley giving moral victory to these losers, this was Ala worst team and they still got it done.
Florida will have another title before puppies, 2rd year coach headed to the sugar, puppies brag about beaten Florida 2 years straight never mention 17 out of 21 victory gators prior to that.
Georgia goal every year beat Florida, Tech lose in the SEC championships and never play for a title, Sabon, Meyers, Spurrier owns Richt, the man has been at UGA 15 years and never played for a title any other big school this guy would be fired.
Motocross Survivor
December 2nd, 2012
8:55 am
Everyone seems to ask why Murray didn’t spike. A better question might be why didn’t Conley simply bat down the ball instead of catch it and fall to the ground allowing time to run out..
Dawg Fan
December 2nd, 2012
8:56 am
Very proud of the Dawgs who should have come out on top. Sometimes old Lady Luck just does not fall your way….thank goodness for video review… Refs were horrible again…very biased especially the side judge who apparently had some Bama money in his pockets. Former Dawg David Pollack you should be ashamed of yourself for not EVER backing the Dawgs on ESPN. The most anti Georgia network for what reason only they would know.
old dawg
December 2nd, 2012
8:56 am
there are things that might have worked ..like penetrating into the backfield instead of playing an occupy the line of scrimmage style and certainly I am confused why Murray had to look at the sideline at all to know what to do in the final seconds.. or why if two backs kept them fresh for ala then might we not have opened up our other barrel and shot Marshall at them a little more…but having said that I won’t ever be disappointed with an outcome when the effort across the board was that good….. a blocked field goal—one hell of a GOAL LINE STAND
there are days when the clock runs out and that should apply to the idiot reporters questioning Mark Richt after the game…The most backbone and first emotion I have ever seen from CMR and
well said and POINT MADE.. if you think that’s easy to do… set your note pad down and put on your pads ….It was a classic offering of old time in the mouth, whip your ass football and the biggest difference were the adjustments made at half time and that last finger touch on a ball that was as well thrown as all the rest
If you want to see who had the Gnads or not ..wait till the NCAA deals with the late hit on Murray that in full view of a trailing official in the tv camera sight could not have missed it but failed to call
This game will go a long way in preparing Ala for ND…..but even better I have a new respect for CMR’s willingness to Coach his men and AAron Murray in a BIG GAME hope ya come back to lead them another year
it all came down to that last fluke play which wasn’t a fluke until the ball was out of Murray’s hand and tipped…
I have not ever criticized him publicly and won’t now..I don’t think he Hates (as ERK used to describe it) TECH near enough..but he had them ready and they made plays
truth hurts
December 2nd, 2012
8:56 am
Enter your comments here
Atticus
December 2nd, 2012
8:56 am
Rome coach Richt won’t finish first because he doesn’t pay attention to EVERY detail of the game. He is very good at 95% of the things needed to win especially recruiting good players but you have to be on every detail if you want to beat the best. The schedule was favorable but it won’t be next year and you lose your whole defense so get used to losing again.
dajim92
December 2nd, 2012
8:56 am
Thank you, Mark Bradley. It was beautifully written and I sorely needed to read it. Such pain but we can hold our heads up proudly.
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
December 2nd, 2012
8:59 am
Rambo will always remember this game for when he shaves each morning he will see the cleat marks of one Eddie Lacey on his chest!
Hey Jordan Jenkins…I am not sure you played last night but regardless you should note that Nick Saban is very tall when standing on the stage receiving trophies….just saying
Sc tech fan
December 2nd, 2012
9:00 am
Why are Tech fans on this blog? Dog fans are on ours. Trying to run up the score on Tech after you had the game won, glad you lost you bunch of pathetic losers. Four national championships to your one, lol. Bye
Sc tech fan
December 2nd, 2012
9:00 am
Why are Tech fans on this blog? Dog fans are on ours. Trying to run up the score on Tech after you had the game won, glad you lost you bunch of pathetic losers. Four national championships to your one, lol. Bye
Brandon M.
December 2nd, 2012
9:00 am
It was a great game indeed, but ultimately, UGA went 1-2 in their three “real” games. They got crushed by SC, narrowly beat FL thanks to 6 turnovers, and narrowly lost to Bama in a classic game. UGA didn’t go out of conference and play an Ohio State or Oregon, and they avoided this yr.’s version of the SEC West Big 3 (Bama, LSU, Texas A & M) until they met Bama in the conference championship game. Overall, a “B/B+” mark is what I would give them. But here’s the good news and the beauty of college football: In light of the soon to be implemented playoff system, 2 new “real” games will be added to a champion’s schedule. If we had the playoff this year for example, the seeding would be as follows: (1) ND v. (4) KSU; and (2) Bama v. (3) FL. Clearly, the eventual national champion would need 2 quality wins to win it all. The playoff, coupled with the conference championship games, will ensure that any champion will have at least 3 “real” wins under their belt, plus even the teams that truly avoid big games typically have at least 2 “real” games on their schedule in any event–that’s at least 4 “real” games, and that’s good enough for most people. The bottom line is that the move to conference championship games coupled with the playoff system has strengthened the product–along with pro football, football’s place as the #1 sport has been secured.
truth hurts
December 2nd, 2012
9:01 am
For the recordxrecorded the game and Murray wanted to spike it Richter said no a middle schooled new to spike the ball I don’t care how many yrd’s they rushed for we had 15seconds at the 5yd line. F&#*@ u richt
Shoulda, woulda, coulda
December 2nd, 2012
9:01 am
CMR does less with more than any coach in the country. With the athletes we have we should win the NC regularly.
Tndawg
December 2nd, 2012
9:03 am
Mark, surely enough writers and coaches can get UGA in the Sugar bowl. Florida has no business in that game!
Coastal Dog SSI
December 2nd, 2012
9:03 am
Awesome game; thanks, Dogs, for a great effort. It was a ’slobber knocker’ as one of my buddies said. Great coaching, great individual and team efforts. I’m proud to be a Bulldog. Hope we get a great bowl and have the same effort to prove we can do it every time. You men go out and help finish up the recruiting in a fine style. Then, why don’t we shoot for a championship next year — every year? Any reason why not? Peace. Merry Christmas.
Brandon M.
December 2nd, 2012
9:03 am
Actually, that’s 5 “real” games…I just woke up and I’m shaking off the cobwebs… :>)
Big Gator
December 2nd, 2012
9:05 am
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.
Spoken like a true coach who has never played for a title, UGA leads the conference in moral victories two straight loses in the SEC champion game and Mark Bradley is giving Moral victory,
in the state of Florida Mark Bradley and Mark R. would be looking for work.
This is the same team that never plays LSU, Ala, Ark during the year while the rest of the east plays the best, hey puppies we played Ala and got it done and won a title with it.
Daniel
December 2nd, 2012
9:07 am
Karma can be a bitch huh, georgia? To be less than 5 yards away from paydirt, on a great drive, only to have something stupid happen. Tough one to swallow isn’t it? And to all the people saying this was a CLASSIC battle, what game were you watching? Giving up 350 yards rushing is terrible. It was an exciting game because it did come down to the final play, but classic, come on MAN.
S- the coach
December 2nd, 2012
9:08 am
30 more years of darkness, maybe its time to reassess the importance of football in our everyday lives. letting a group of spoiled teenagers led by an asshole making $5 million a year demand so much attention and emotions that should be directed to issues that really do matter is a stigma our state has to break free from. 67% graduation rate, bottom of the barrel in education within a nation that ranks 17th at best in the world, cooked unethical politicians embarressing us daily……..our priorities are f’d. just read these blog responses this morning. so many sad individuals who put so much into something that doesn’t even matter. sums up the state of georgia beautifully
flagboy?
December 2nd, 2012
9:09 am
Motocross Survivor
December 2nd, 2012
8:55 am
Everyone seems to ask why Murray didn’t spike. A better question might be why didn’t Conley simply bat down the ball instead of catch it and fall to the ground allowing time to run out..
_____________________________
Instinct.
Big Gator
December 2nd, 2012
9:10 am
Tndawg
This is why you guys are losers and has no titles in 32 years, Florida lost to Ala in conference game and someone else went to the sugar, we did not cry about, hey losers, you have 2 loses you can not play in the sugar, win the big game and you dont have to worry.
flagboy?
December 2nd, 2012
9:12 am
4 yards away from playing for the national championship.
Glad to see Richt jumping on that reporter as well. UGA was 4 yards away from playing (and beating) ND.
most teams were at home yesterday. We were playing for it all. Hope that trend continues.