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
abominable snowman dawg
December 2nd, 2012
11:33 am
Does CMR force Murray out the door? If Murray stays, what does Hutson Mason do? See Richard Samuel for details…
ShowMeYurTD's
December 2nd, 2012
11:34 am
UGA players are great this yr. Wish Saban or Spurrier were coaching them.
ARdawg
December 2nd, 2012
11:34 am
Nice column Bradley!
Someone was going to lose this game. As it happens that someone was Georgia on that night. No shame in that game. The Bulldogs laid it all out on the field. They came to win and they played to win. If you are a bulldog fan and don’t appreciate the effort the players and the coaches put in that game please, stop being a fan.
Bama was a better team in that game. My hat is off to Bama Nation now, go beat ND and make all of us proud.
I’ve no doubt the two best teams in the country were playing in the SEC championship. Georgia was not the best team on that night.
On the last play for all you loudmouth hotshots who have likely never played the game. Yes a spiked ball might have given us 2 more plays. It might have given us only one more play. Not spiking the ball also sans the tipped pass would’ve caught Bama defenders out of position and a likely TD. One can second guess that choice until the cows come home. Neither could have been successful or both could have.
Tough loss Dawgs but I for one couldn’t be any more proud of your performance even if you had won.
It’s still GREAT to be a GEORGIA BULLDOG!!
DEP1
December 2nd, 2012
11:34 am
Man, the Trolls are out in force…..get a life people…it’s just a damn football game…the sun came up this morning…all is well
Fi Slamma Bama
December 2nd, 2012
11:35 am
Not so much Glory Glory to Ole Georgia!
ARdawg
December 2nd, 2012
11:36 am
Someone was going to lose this game. As it happens that someone was Georgia on that night. No shame in that game. The Bulldogs laid it all out on the field. They came to win and they played to win. If you are a bulldog fan and don’t appreciate the effort the players and the coaches put in that game please, stop being a fan.
Bama was a better team in that game. My hat is off to Bama Nation now, go beat ND and make all of us proud.
I’ve no doubt the two best teams in the country were playing in the SEC championship. Georgia was not the best team on that night.
On the last play for all you loudmouth hotshots who have likely never played the game. Yes a spiked ball might have given us 2 more plays. It might have given us only one more play. Not spiking the ball also sans the tipped pass would’ve caught Bama defenders out of position and a likely TD. One can second guess that choice until the cows come home. Neither could have been successful or both could have.
Tough loss Dawgs but I for one couldn’t be any more proud of your performance even if you had won.
It’s still GREAT to be a GEORGIA BULLDOG!!
SentientDawg
December 2nd, 2012
11:37 am
@GT Fan — your yellow insects play football? You have to be kidding — you call what you do football? WTF is a 6-6 team doing in a conference (that’s a laugher — the ACC calls itself a conference — how cute) championship game? Go back a week and look at the game in Sanford stadium — that was fine display of football, too. And you took your little stingers back to Atlanta to play more high-school games.
College FB realist
December 2nd, 2012
11:38 am
I concur, Elementary.
Bama & UGA had 4 common opponents. Bama surrendered 30 pts, combined, to all four. UGA gave up 44 to Tenn, alone!
Bama lost to A&M b/c of 2 things: 3 TOs to A&M’s zero, and Johnny Football. Aaron Murray is NOT Johnny Football, he can’t avoid sacks & hurried passes like Manziel can.
KME
December 2nd, 2012
11:38 am
To Tucker and the rest of the damn idiots who had something bad to say about Coach Richt and the rest of the Georgia Bulldogs….you guys can shove it way up where the sun doesn’t shine. Georgia put on a valiant effort!! The Dawgs came up 5 yards short of victory. No question about it. Give that game 5 more seconds, Murray could have won the game…no question about it. I have been heart-broken sine last night, but Georgia is just getting better. I hope to believe that they will find a good bowl game, end up in the top 5 in the country. Heading into next year, to be stronger than ever. You idiots, find a cave to crawl in and take your ignorance and stupidity with you!
want some cheese with those whines Dawg fans
December 2nd, 2012
11:38 am
Oh Oh watch ot UGA your scedule calls for you to play a REAL team next year -LSU –start preparing your excuses now you should have a lenghty list ready by the time they crush you next year
abominable snowman dawg
December 2nd, 2012
11:39 am
A proud loss still counts as a loss ARdawg…bet you have dedicated your entire fireplace mantle to your lifelong collection of participation medals and ribbons…if it talks like a loser and plays like a loser, it…well you know the rest…
frank
December 2nd, 2012
11:41 am
That day that they went to the pool at the Ramsey center and wasted a day of practice. Maybe that was the day they were going to practice late game clock situations.
just sayin
ARdawg
December 2nd, 2012
11:41 am
your filters are too tight Bradley. I had some accolades for your fine column today but they won’t post. Tis a pity. I rarely have any for you
Brandon M.
December 2nd, 2012
11:42 am
College FB Realist is right, and UGA fans who actually think that UGA should be slotted #2 or #3 in the BCS standings are dead wrong. A couple of points: (1) UGA played 3 “top tier” games (Bama, UF and SC) and went 1-2. (2) They avoided that 1 out of conference game (e.g., Oregon, OSU, Texas, etc.) that most of the top tier programs play; (3) I am no Gator fan, but look at the UF schedule–aside from the SEC East, UF played Texas A & M and Florida State, not one but 2 killer “outside the SEC East” games. UGA lost the big game in Atlanta, a city in the state of Georgia. They didn’t lose in Tuscaloosa or Birmingham for that matter; (4) When Michigan lost to OSU in 2006 AT OSU, they did not get a “rematch” in the title game–correctly, the SEC champion got that game and beat OSU. Simply put, UGA lost the game that they needed to win in order to grade their season an “A”, and that’s it. When the playoff system is implemented, UGA (and others who avoid 4+ “real games”) will have to play 2 more to win it all.
Fi Slamma Bama
December 2nd, 2012
11:42 am
Well… I am off to the Museum to take in some sights before I head home… Great trip to Atlanta!
Roll Tide!
Maybe when Saban retires Dawg fans!
Y’all have a nice little football program over in Athens… Even if you are in the SEC East.
Daniel
December 2nd, 2012
11:43 am
Dep1: couldn’t have said it better: That beautiful Orange Sun against that Blue sky, gorgeous!
stendek
December 2nd, 2012
11:44 am
I am a true Dawg fan tired of always being an SEC also ran! Lavish praise for a defeat? Spare me. Answer me this oh ye who love close losses brethern. What did the football world EXPECT the Dawgs to do? What DID they do? Uh huh. No curve system for defeats. A loss is still a loss! Be it by four points or 40! Until Dawg fans understand this then nothing will ever change in Athens. THERE HAS TO BE SOME DAMN ACCOUNTABILITY! Cannot send scholar athletes packing so it is time to cut underachieving coaches loose. Except defensive guy. Like his fire! Only coach that seems to give a damn about winning.
Todd's Money
December 2nd, 2012
11:45 am
how much more money will todd grantham be demanding next year? It will be a lot–he wants to be the highest paid asst in the country. Pay up dogs!
abominable snowman dawg
December 2nd, 2012
11:45 am
I really doubt the LSU fans were proud of their loss to Bama…p/o’d more likely…thats the difference between programs that expect to win vs. programs that hope they win…
The Grim Reaper
December 2nd, 2012
11:46 am
“It got tipped,” Murray said. “It was one-on-one. I was trying to throw the ball to one of our best receivers and let him make a play. We make one more play, and it’s probably the greatest comeback in Georgia history.”
“It’s probably the greatest comeback in Georgia history”
Sorry, NOT the greatest comeback in Dawg history, that was Run Lindsay Run, ya’ll sold your souls to me for that and I’ve collected ever since… Nice game though, I enjoyed it, now roll tide and keep the SEC streak alive… The grave’s been covered and flowers planted, RIP Dawg Nation. well, till next year….
ARdawg
December 2nd, 2012
11:47 am
abdominable
You obviously have never experienced championship games in real life much less victory. Football is as they say a game of inches. Both teams can’t win and in championship games both teams can be deserving. Your p!ss poor attitude likely seeps into your real life. Don’t wonder why you are where you are now. The real winners in life not football, know why. Expect to lose in life. It’s your destiny
Jaw Jaw Idiot
December 2nd, 2012
11:49 am
Just wait til next year. If that mean ol Bama player hadn’t cleaned Murry’s clock after he tossed that pick, and didn’t protect himself through the play, because he’s a prima donna, we would have won.
College FB realist
December 2nd, 2012
11:50 am
BCS is a joke.
Bama .9236
UGA .8911
UF .8882
They all have just 1 loss, yet UF’s SOS had LSU, A&M, SC, UGA, and FSU. 4-1 record
Bama: A&M, LSU, Michihag … 2-1
UGA: SC & UF … 1-1
How did Bama & UGA get ahead of UF playing SOS as weak as they did?
The computers are supposed to recognize SOS. The humans are suppose use their common sense & “expertise”.
If UGA is better, and therefore ranked ahead of UF b/c they beat the Gators, then why isn’t A&M ranked ahead of Bama for the exact same reason UGA’s ranked ahead of UF?
abominable snowman dawg
December 2nd, 2012
11:50 am
sounds like ARdawg is a little irritable this morning…GO DAWGS!…hahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!
Athensdawg
December 2nd, 2012
11:51 am
OK all of you idiots out there that want all of the coaches fired, NAME ONE coach that you would hire to take his place. NO Saban will not leave AL to come here. Now name someone else that has his team in the hunt for SEC championships six out of the last twelve years. I know we can hire Ray Goff back after all he is a real GA. man. REALLY, name someone?
CrazyUGA
December 2nd, 2012
11:51 am
People calling for Murray’s and Richt’s head already? You guys are MORONS. You don’t deserve this kind of program. Go back to your trailers.
Elementary My Dear Watson
December 2nd, 2012
11:51 am
@ Stendek. I love your passion but I am bit worried about your health……just as my wife was very worried about mine last night during the frantic final seconds. Lets both take a deep breath now……and relax a bit. Ok, maybe we won’t relax a bit till Tuesday. Now, in a match up of Saban vs Richt, I will take Saban everytime. I like Mark Richt, he is proven to be a good coach. But Saban is a great coach and takes his teams to the promised land.
abominable snowman dawg
December 2nd, 2012
11:53 am
You don’t deserve this kind of program.
++++++++++++++
you got that right..
stendek
December 2nd, 2012
11:54 am
I know one thing for damn sure…when it comes to recruiting field goal kickers Saint Mark Richt is a total failure! Three points lost on a short kick in a four point defeat? Indefensible! Shudder when I think how many times failure by kickers have cost my Dawgs wins under this wretched coaching group! Unacceptable.
Strat Cat Dawg
December 2nd, 2012
11:54 am
The sun came up today and it’s still great to be a Georgia Bulldog. Before moving on, I had to return one more time to read Mark’s classic column on an unforgettable game. I also had to read a few of the comments that reveal so much about the ones who comment and so little about college athletics. The true fans and supporters of the Dawgs know who we are. We’re not listening to the rest of you. Go Dawgs!
Vince's Dooley
December 2nd, 2012
11:55 am
Summing up UGA football – Too many arrests, too many suspensions, too many players running their mouths, too many penalties, too many yards given up, too many losses to ranked teams, too many cupcakes on the schedule, too many delusional fans…..
College FB realist
December 2nd, 2012
11:56 am
Brandon M …….. you left out UF playing LSU also.
UF’s crossover SEC games were @ A&M and vs. LSU. UGA’s were 0-8 Auburn, and 3-5 Ole Miss.
Then, yes, add on FSU, and the Gators total beatdown of the team, SC, that took UGA to the woodshed!
stendek
December 2nd, 2012
11:57 am
Hey Athensdawg. Kirby Smart, Nick Saban, Les Miles or just about anyone except Saint Mark Richt or that loser at Tech! UGA let several good ones slip away to retain loser now in charge. Tired of being SEC afterthought! Always.
Summit Dawg
December 2nd, 2012
11:59 am
Classy journalism Mark…..well said!! Go Dawgs……
Flo- Ri- Duh
December 2nd, 2012
12:01 pm
1) refs ignored blatant offenses against Bama as if they were on the payroll 2) UGA showed they could run on Bama and should have run more – 7 times they went 3 and out without a single run bringing the defense back on the field with no rest 3) Two stupid penalties also extended drives for Bama when UGA had them stopped further wearing down the “D” 3) Saban, like Miles last year, double and triple teamed the NT with their All – American OL and ran up the middle. That said: UGA was right there at the end down to the very last play and could have /should have won the game. Grantham should have gone to a 4 -3 defense to stop the triple team on the NT. You have to adjust. Murray played well and Gurley was the best RB on the field. UGA’s special teams out played Bama’s. Bobo called a good game over all. Bama had a lot more depth yet UGA moved the ball the length of the field to almost pull it out. Murray showed a lot of guts with the cheap shots Bama put on him that weren’t called. Dawgs showed a lot of heart and Bama played well but the refs were the difference in this game.
stendek
December 2nd, 2012
12:02 pm
Hey ARdawg…who in Hell died and made you moral judge of humanity? Saints like you do not need to comment on blogs anyway. Just go walk on some damn water or something. Stupid *&^%$*%!
1 4 GT
December 2nd, 2012
12:04 pm
1 January 1981………………………….and counting! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Benji
December 2nd, 2012
12:05 pm
after one of the best college football games played this year, there are still UGA fans out there crying and moaning about this or that. We could have won and went on to win the National Championship and they still would have found a reason to complain. These same “fans” would fuss at the amount of taxes they had to pay if they had won the $500 some odd million the other night. Some folks you just can’t please.
Great game by both teams. Questionable calls by the officials as well. All in all, it was an awesome game that everyone should be proud of.
abominable snowman dawg
December 2nd, 2012
12:05 pm
Richt is to UGA as John Cooper was to Ohio State…eventually, even with his record, it will become necessary to move on if winning a national championship is your ultimate goal…both of them win, just not the big one…
Snack Shack
December 2nd, 2012
12:06 pm
Tucker….you’re one stupid ass!!
Flo- Ri- Duh
December 2nd, 2012
12:06 pm
Reality check : UGA whipped Florida straight up – you got beat. Live with it and quit whining about the schedule. UGA came within one play of beating the #1 (soon to be) team in the country. UGA played Florida (#2 at the time) South Carolina (#7 at the time) and Bama (#2 at the time…….. quit crying about the schedule. YOU GOT BEAT ON THE FIELD…….. refs did not give UGA the game ….. you got your butts physically whipped and you were out coached. Shut up about the schedule. Florida would have gotten blown out by Bama – you got NO offense. Just say NEXT YEAR.
Elementary My Dear Watson
December 2nd, 2012
12:08 pm
Stay with me here. Todd Grantham makes what $ 900,000 per year? Dawgs give up 350 yards rushing to Bama. 900,000 / 350 = 2,571.00. We paid Grantham $ 2,571.00 per every rushing yard that Bama had yesterday. I am not a math major, did I do this right? Even so, as Munson use to say to start every game, ” Get the picture “.
flatsdawg1
December 2nd, 2012
12:08 pm
The DAWGS were a great team that played a great game. The pass at the end would have been a touchdown or dropped had it not been tipped. We had them on their heels just Alabama made a great play, Richt and staff made the right call and coached an outstanding game, they played a great game Bama and ND will be a good game, maybe not a blowout like everybody thinks, that ND defense is the best against the run and they have plenty of little fast guys on offense. Today the coaches need to be out on the recruiting trail to get the new Dawgs -D, we lose everybody on defense. Damn shame they will play Texas in the Cotton Bowl, can’t wait for the playoff system! Thanks DAWGS for a great season!
DawgGal
December 2nd, 2012
12:09 pm
As Mark Bradley said, Just Go Away you sore losers. Thankfully most of our friends are good sports and see the effort and excellence put in by Georgia in this game. I’m not ashamed of the Dawgs, just some of you posters who would not even know what that kind of effort was all about. I’m so glad you are not my husband or my son. Shame, shame on you!!!
Athensdawg
December 2nd, 2012
12:10 pm
stendek, Really, just how has Smart proven himself as a head coach? Now name a coach that is willing to come to GA. that has proven he is a better coach.
abominable snowman dawg
December 2nd, 2012
12:10 pm
Chuck Oliver for Georgia AD…
me
December 2nd, 2012
12:12 pm
Other than Ogletree, the Dawgs LB’s were exposed. Like most of the year. We couldn’t stop the run. I also wonder where our safeties were on those long runs as well as the last TD. We rushed 4 on that play, which means a 2 deep safety look. But no safety was in the picture. The result was the game winning TD.
stendek
December 2nd, 2012
12:13 pm
I despise UGA QB! Anyone know how I can contact Bama defender that laid cheap shot on loser? Want to thank him. Been wanting to do that all season. Especially following Carolina and Florida debacles! May send one to ref who said he did not see it but was only a few feet away facing assault. UGA QB afterthought who will be forgotten seconds after departure from Athens. Know how much teammates think of UGA QB? Not one came to his defense after cheap shot. Speaks volumes!
me
December 2nd, 2012
12:14 pm
Kirby Smart? hahahah.
How did that great D do in the last 1:05. UGA went 80 yards in < minute with a game on the line. The Bama D wasn't any better than the GA D.
abominable snowman dawg
December 2nd, 2012
12:14 pm
Y’all act like this was a game against the 49′ers in Montana’s heyday…this is easily the weakest of Bama’s 3 NatChamp game teams since Saban’s arrival…and you still lost…good game, bad loss…