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
Beast from the East
December 2nd, 2012
4:11 pm
Saban will retire in a couple of years from Bama. He will not go anywhere else. Realized his mistake in Miami after leaving LSU…much like Spurrier.
Fact Check Time
December 2nd, 2012
4:11 pm
Flo- Ri- Duh
December 2nd, 2012
3:38 pm
Phil – I had two years in college before injuries ……. not all high school but never mind. Congrats also on your career playing with dolls.
It was very very hard for Flo to duh to wear a football helmet over his permanent rubber helmet.
He is proven Window Licker!
kingdaddy
December 2nd, 2012
4:12 pm
We lost, let the chips fall where they fall. When its all said and done and ALABAMA drills ND, we know we were 10 seconds, 5 yards, and 4 points from beating the best in the country. According to idiots on the blogs, if you don’t finish #1, you suc. That just exposes those idiots as haters of all of the programs (120+), that didn’t finish #1. You morons can’t diminish what these Dawgs have accomplished by your constant whineing…”Whaaaaaaaaa, we didn’t finish #1, fire Richt, whaawhaaawhaaaaaaaaaaa…”…What immature children we raise today,, who think nothing matters but a win. These same posers have never won anything at all and in the lng-run, have failed at life itself…
MR is a hypocrite
December 2nd, 2012
4:12 pm
It seems to me that both Tech and Gerogia both had chances to go to a BCS game. Tech lost their game because of a physical error (interception) and UGA lost a 21-10 lead and the game because of stupidity (failure to spike). So UGA is really not any better off than Tech.
Tampa Gator
December 2nd, 2012
4:12 pm
dawgs25…..
The tie breaker is what sends a team to the title game. But both Georgia and Florida will get trophies that say…….”co-SEC East” champs in 2012. That is the truth.
Tampa Gator
December 2nd, 2012
4:15 pm
Beast…..
I think you are incorrect……Saban will take another shot in the NFL. After this year…..what else can he accomplish at Bama. He can only go down from here. If he leaves, he leaves as a coaching legand…..and will probably be held in higher esteem than the Bear….if that is possible.
kingdaddy
December 2nd, 2012
4:16 pm
Uga is going bowling because they deserve to. GT isn’t, because they are a bad team…
Beast from the East
December 2nd, 2012
4:16 pm
Don’t see Saban going anywhere. Time will tell.
Tampa Gator
December 2nd, 2012
4:17 pm
Again…..I hope Georgia gets the Cotton Bowl and is matched up with Oklahoma. People will watch that game…..and it might be the only bowl…..other than the NC game…..that most people will watch….and what does that tell you about the current bowl system…..
Fact Check Time
December 2nd, 2012
4:18 pm
Grantham is going to get interviewed by South Florida for their HC job.
Everyone else is making up stuff so I decided to make up something too!
Tampa Gator
December 2nd, 2012
4:19 pm
kingdaddy…..
It has been made clear to everyone that Johnson’s offense can only be successful against teams with weak defenses. Tech needs to make a head coaching change if they are ever to be taken seriously as a champion contender in any league….including the very weak ACC.
ShowMeYurTD's
December 2nd, 2012
4:19 pm
Skip Holtz fired….maybe Mark R will apply at S Florida. Fingers Crossed
drsoul
December 2nd, 2012
4:20 pm
Saban will not leave….what more to accomplish???? with only 9 seniors leaving and coming off a season no one really envisioned, possibly even being overachievers this year… he can break a lot of records down the road… he is finished with the NFL…too many spoiled brat millionaires to deal with and very far removed from the college game… he has it made at BAMA and I doubt the wife would even hear about going back to NFL… and, he knows all of this …
Tampa Gator
December 2nd, 2012
4:22 pm
Dawg fans…..
I understand how you feel today……..I felt that way in 2009…..when I knew the better team did not win the SEC title game…..but my head coach got outcoached. But that is what Saban does to all college coaches…..and Kelly will soon experience that.
Richard
December 2nd, 2012
4:22 pm
I don’t think it is fair to ride Bobo for a single thing at end of game. That is just second guessing and sour grapes. He did a good job and almost got to the NCG. It seems clear to me that either of the SEC squads could beat Notre Dame – so, he was 5 yards away from a trophy. It was a real TN Titans moment. The RAMs were a great team, but the Titans are also etched into history for the closest SB ever played.
However, when it comes to Bobo … color me against. I have always thought that Bobo’s offensive schemes are two dimensional affairs that do not have any horizontal spread or ball control passing plays. It has been that way since his first year. All of his passing plays are vertical and all of his running plays try to go downhill. He needs to add some pass plays that can be used to control the clock and field as well as some running plays meant to wear down DL.
Tampa Gator
December 2nd, 2012
4:24 pm
drsoul…..
Remember……..Saban has the biggest EGO in the ENTIRE WORLD. HE LOVES HIMSELF MORE than he loves his wife…….just saying
abominable snowman dawg
December 2nd, 2012
4:31 pm
Georgia would be going to a BCS game if they had WON!…you ugatards are something else…give each other a hug and shut up!
Blackoutanyone?
December 2nd, 2012
4:32 pm
TamponGator… The better team didn’t win the SEC title in 2009? Bama 32 UF 13. Even for someone with your limited understanding of college football… that is a stupid statement. You should look into a class to get a rudimentary understanding of this game before you embarrass yourself any further.
Danny Ford
December 2nd, 2012
4:32 pm
Coming in third is like kissing your sister!
Big Crimson 75
December 2nd, 2012
4:33 pm
RGIII is good, Luck is on a different level.
Blackoutanyone?
December 2nd, 2012
4:37 pm
Gator fans on a roll today. Gator was bragging in another AJC blog about being the CO-SEC EAST Champion based on the SEC’s official web site. Lol that is some funny shite right there!
Big Crimson 75
December 2nd, 2012
4:39 pm
Isn’t the Cotton Bowl better/prestigious than the Cap One or Outback??
Which pays more?
I know the #3 SEC team is suppose to be slotted to the cap one bowl.
Personally, I’d rather go to JerryWorld.
kingdaddy
December 2nd, 2012
4:39 pm
Blackout,
Thanks bro. It was a very good game from beginning to end. Would have loved the win, but I am glad that you guys are going to the dance. Got to go carve a roast. Later…
Tampa Gator
December 2nd, 2012
4:42 pm
Blackoutanyone?
December 2nd, 2012
4:32 pm
“The better team didn’t win the SEC title in 2009? Bama 32 UF 13.”
Read again…..that is what I said…..and you are talking down at me for lacking comprehension skills. I went to Florida. You went to Bama. Enough said.
old dawg
December 2nd, 2012
4:43 pm
where’s the outrage for the uncalled cheap shot ( which violates at least 3 rules as a personal foul) that was a flagrant attempt to hurt a defenseless player?
That was cheap, probably illegal and hopefully not coached as an acceptable part of the game plan?
The referee has one job during the play. WATCH AND PROTECT THE QB there was another set of officials legs in direct line of sight in the video This was a hard fought example of great football but
action by Ala and the ncaa are required to take punishing action toward the criminal action ( if off the field)of someone who has total disregard for the rules. there was a day when he would not have walked off that field 6 ft 6 would have been 5′4″when some other interested parties got through.. probably why the chop block was invented…that ref doesn’t need to officiate anymore if he didn’t see
that foul….if you want to set a better standard for play then clean it up. SUSPEND HIM FOR THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME Haven’t seen anything that flagrant or intentional since Chick Granning of TECH got caught by Darwin Holt of Ala in early 60’s. Bear knew what to do and handled it.
Blackoutanyone?
December 2nd, 2012
4:44 pm
King… As you know I have posted my fair share of shots at UGA and Richt in particular. But that program proved a lot to me last night. Violent hard fought game that either team could’ve won. I truly believe you deserve the Sugar over a UF team you beat. But it is what it is.
Jacket 97
December 2nd, 2012
4:46 pm
Face it.
The Tide is a better team.
UGA just got beat.
Tampa Gator
December 2nd, 2012
4:46 pm
Big Crimson….
I think….if you are in the top 15 in the BCS……you can opt out of the Capital One Bowl….for a bowl like the Cotton if it is offered. I know that would have been the case with Bama if they had lost to Georgia. But….a lot depends on if the Cotton Bowl thinks more fans will show up for such a game. They knew Bama fans would. Not so sure about the disappointed Georgia fans. But I think they would show for a Oklahoma vs. Georgia match…..but not a Georgia vs. Texas match. How about a Georgia vs. A&M match????? That would be a great match up of two SEC teams and would draw a huge fan base from both schools. But that would make too much sense for a system that does nothing based on sense.
Nard
December 2nd, 2012
4:49 pm
UGA IS OVERRATED!!!!!
GATOR 98
December 2nd, 2012
4:49 pm
Looks like GT and UGA will not be going to a BSC Bowl.
falcon fred
December 2nd, 2012
4:49 pm
Wouldn’t be surprised if Saban ended up at Texas after he wins his fourth this year…no coach has ever won titles with three different programs (Fritz Crisler /Michigan and Princeton, and Dan Devine/ND and part of the title with Mizzou) He can’t catch the Bear with # of titles, but could easily win a fifth one quickly at Texas. And Texas has BIG $$$$.
BiggDawgK
December 2nd, 2012
4:50 pm
I I couldn’t bear to watch the post game after the emotional slugfest that was the SEC Championship. I didn’t read the comments here because I know it will be packed with comments from the most pathetic hate filled losers who have never and will never do anything significant in ther lonely wretched lifes. If you posted here just to eke out some sad pleasure from a Georgia loss then I seriously question how you manage to get out of bed every day knowing your life is so miserable.
I read the CMR went off on some classless reporter after the game. Out of curiousity, does anyone know who the reporter was or what network he was with?
Tampa Gator
December 2nd, 2012
4:51 pm
………and Blackout….
Take a look at that 2009 Florida roster and then look at how many are playing and starting in the NFL right now…..not only did they have the best talent in college football that year….they might have had some of the best talent on one team in the history of modern day college football. But I know that would be hard for you to comprehend……being a Bama fan et al. That score was a result of things happening on the coaching staff at Florida at the time. Gonzalez leaving suddenly due to somehting Meyer did. Meyer not focused on the game because of his sudden challenges with his wife…..the best DE in the country suspended for the game….and more. But….Bama won the game. I am not deminishing that. But Florida had more talent that year….but your team was better focused and better coached that year. But again….that might be difficult for you to understand.
tolivr
December 2nd, 2012
4:52 pm
All Alabama fans have the greatest respect for Richt and the Bulldog team he coaches. We know we were very fortunate to win as that game could have gone either way. And we know something about losing big games: in 1994, 1996, 1999, 2005, and 2010 Alabama lost close games that cost us shots at an SEC or national title. It happens. To those who criticize Richt, remember there are about 115 of 120 FBS schools who would love to have him. It is shameful to question this team and this coach after such an epic game where both teams gave 100 percent. Roll Tide and Go You Silver Britches!
Tampa Gator
December 2nd, 2012
4:52 pm
Time for a beach walk…..been fun…….check you later.
Coward of Bulldawg County
December 2nd, 2012
4:53 pm
Chuck Oliver was the reporter…you can watch the interview at foxsports dot com…Oliver didn’t say anything that wasn’t true, he just got too close to the truth…
Tampa Gator
December 2nd, 2012
4:55 pm
Let us pray that Saban never ends up at Texas…..he would recruit every big name talent all over the country to come there…..and he would win forever there…..Saban coaching in that conference. Much easier for him….and he does not need much because he does it when it is very hard.
Tampa Gator
December 2nd, 2012
4:55 pm
Now…..I am gone.
rangerscdawg
December 2nd, 2012
4:58 pm
Mark, I thought you comments were absolutely right on ! As a long time Dawg fan I hated losing as bad as anyone, but this team played their hearts out all the way to the end. For those critizing this team and the coaches I have this comment ” It is better to remain silent and be thought an IDIOT than to speak and remove all doubts.” GO DAWGS
Blackoutanyone?
December 2nd, 2012
4:59 pm
TamponGator… You obviously haven’t gotten over 2009. That’s a lot of butt hurt. Great UF talent? Tearbow is having a great career uh? About to be passed by former Bama QB Greg McElroy in NY. Did you really just say greatest talent of all time? Bwaaaaa haaaaa haaaa Ok… enjoy that co-division championship. Bama will be in south Florida showing all your instate talent what a real program looks like.
Bowls
December 2nd, 2012
5:03 pm
Bowl Team Team Date Matchup
BCS National Championship (Miami) Notre Dame Alabama 1/7/2013 BCS 1 vs. BCS 2
Fiesta (Glendale, AZ) Kansas State Oregon 1/3/2013 Big 12 1 vs. At-large 1
Sugar (New Orleans) Florida Louisville 1/2/2013 SEC 1 vs. At-large 2
Orange (Miami) Florida State NIU 1/1/2013 ACC 1 vs. At-large 3
Rose (Pasadena) Stanford Wisconsin 1/1/2013 Pac-12 1 vs. Big Ten 1
GoDaddy (Mobile, AL) Toledo Arkansas State 1/6/2013 MAC 2 vs. Sun Belt 2
BBVA Compass (B’ham) Ole Miss Pitt 1/5/2013 SEC 8/9 vs. Big East 5/C-USA
Cotton (Arlington) Oklahoma LSU 1/4/2013 Big 12 2 vs. SEC
Heart of Dallas Purdue Iowa State 1/1/2013 Big Ten 7 vs. Big 12
Outback (Tampa) Michigan South Carolina 1/1/2013 Big Ten 3 vs. SEC
Gator (Jacksonville) Northwestern Mississippi State 1/1/2013 Big Ten 4/5 vs. SEC 6
Capital One (Orlando) Nebraska Georgia 1/1/2013 Big Ten 2 vs. SEC 2
Sun (El Paso) USC Georgia Tech 12/31/2012 ACC 4 vs. Pac-12 4
Music City (Nashville) Vanderbilt N.C. State 12/31/2012 ACC 6 vs. SEC 7
Liberty (Memphis) Tulsa Baylor* 12/31/2012 C-USA 1 vs. Big East/SEC 8/9
Chick-fil-A (Atlanta) Clemson Texas A&M 12/31/2012 ACC 2 vs. SEC 5
Pinstripe (New York) West Virginia Syracuse 12/29/2012 Big 12 7 vs. Big East 4
Kraft (San Francisco) Arizona State Navy 12/29/2012 Pac-12 6 vs. Navy/ACC 9
Buffalo Wild Wings (PHX) Oklahoma State Michigan State 12/29/2012 Big 12 4 vs. Big Ten 4/5
Armed Forces (Ft. Worth) Air Force Rice 12/29/2012 MWC 3 vs. C-USA 2
Alamo (San Antonio) Texas Oklahoma State 12/29/2012 Big 12 3 vs. Pac-12 2
Russell Athletic (Orlando) Rutgers Virginia Tech 12/28/2012 Big East 2 vs. ACC 3
Meineke (Houston) TCU Minnesota 12/28/2012 Big 12 6 vs. Big Ten 6
Independence (Shreve.) Louisiana Tech* ULM* 12/28/2012 SEC 10 vs. ACC 7
Military (D.C.) Ohio* San Jose State* 12/27/2012 ACC 8/MAC 4 vs. Army/C-USA 5
Holiday (San Diego) UCLA Texas Tech 12/27/2012 Pac-12 3 vs. Big 12 5
Belk (Charlotte) Cincinnati Duke 12/27/2012 Big East 3 vs. ACC 5
Little Caesars (Detroit) Kent State MTSU* 12/26/2012 MAC 1 vs. Big Ten 8
Hawaii (Honolulu) Fresno State SMU 12/24/2012 MWC 4 vs. C-USA
New Orleans ULL ECU 12/22/2012 Sun Belt 1 vs. C-USA 4
Las Vegas Boise State Washington 12/22/2012 MWC 1 vs. Pac-12 5
Beef O’Brady’s (St. Pete.) Bowling Green* UCF 12/21/2012 Big East 6 vs. C-USA 3
Poinsettia (San Diego) San Diego State BYU 12/20/2012 MWC 2 vs. BYU
New Mexico (ABQ) Nevada Arizona 12/15/2012 MWC 5 vs. Pac-12 7
Idaho Potato (Boise) Ball State Utah State 12/15/2012 MAC 3 vs. WAC 1
Put in Timeout by Ken Sugiura,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 2nd, 2012
5:05 pm
5 yards?
Don’t you mean a few more REFEREE favorable calls to give UGa some more undeserved points.
Realist
December 2nd, 2012
5:11 pm
A 3rd qrtr two point conversion. Biggest play by far.
Alphare
December 2nd, 2012
5:11 pm
BAMA usually plays a clean game. But not yesterday. UGA scored on a fake punt and a blocked kick. You usually don’t see that with Saban’s team. Those look like mental errors on the players’ part, or coaches’ if they ever remind their players in those situations.
But credit to UGA, they take every advantage they possible can, except the last 15 seconds. If this UGA team all comes back next year, it can be scary.
Wally B
December 2nd, 2012
5:15 pm
Jan Kemp would have been proud.
So Close
December 2nd, 2012
5:17 pm
…and Yet So Far Away!!!! A Loss is a Loss!!! Stop your puppy whining!!!
busyinAL
December 2nd, 2012
5:21 pm
As a loyal Alabama fan, I thought this was one of the best games I ever watched. To be sitting on the edge of my seat, heart pounding, palms sweating, was a testament to the extreme intensity of this game. I have the utmost respect for the dawgs and think they are a great team. I agree they did not give up, and I don’t agree Coach Richt made bad calls. I think ‘bama was just better in the run and that allowed them to control the clock. I will always remember this game. Keep fightin dawgs and RTR!
Coward of Bulldawg County
December 2nd, 2012
5:24 pm
Can’t see LSU in Cotton Bowl since they open the season next year at Jerry’s World vs TCU (Georgia should try venturing out sometimes)…probably prefer CFA Bowl (fans get in day before, get out next day…Atlanta has nothing to offer tailgaters)…if you aren’t playing for the title, who cares where you go.
ShowMeYurTD's
December 2nd, 2012
5:26 pm
Ga vs. Nebraska……UGA might squeak it out! GO DAWGS!
ScottA
December 2nd, 2012
5:28 pm
Amazing effort by the Dawgs, unfortunately in this business you are what your record in big games says you are. I did love Coach R. calling out at wussing reporter question I need him to go more Bobby Knight during the media sessions on questions like that.