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
phil
December 2nd, 2012
7:52 pm
junkyarddawg
December 2nd, 2012
7:44 pm
What a game. Proud to be a DAWG. No question the play choice and the not to spike was right call. That was the final play but not necessarily the play that caused the outcome. Down 21-10, Bama scores and Satan decides to go for 2 instead of kick the EP. We were unable to stop the 2 point play, a run up the gut. And that ladies and gentlemen was the play that decided the game. Had Satan kicked or if we had stopped the 2 point play. When we catch the ball with 15 sec remaining we SPIKE the ball and kick a FG to tie or win. Now on to Orlando to BEAT the CornBoys! Then, look out Clemson! GO DAWGS
********
why not yet another doof satisfied with losing…..participation trophies for all!
Alice
December 2nd, 2012
7:54 pm
I hate to waste the two bucks, phil; but you are a JACKA$$.
phil
December 2nd, 2012
7:54 pm
Not wallowing at all.
Just refusing to join the losers satisfied with failure.
You are all pathetic and share in why we lose games like this, always.
phil
December 2nd, 2012
7:55 pm
Alice, i may be a jack rabbit, but you like losing….
I’ll just be a jack rabbit.
You can have your participation trophy and be happy with pathetic stupidity.
Rooty Tooty
December 2nd, 2012
8:00 pm
I told u so. Hehehehehehehehehe
LHarding Dawg
December 2nd, 2012
8:01 pm
I wonder how many Georgia games Phil as attended this year. My guess would be none, no donation support, no tickets bought, absolutely no support at all for the program. Just another faceless “sidewalk fan” who gets off by being as azzhole.
Flat Tire On Hwy 441 in Athens
December 2nd, 2012
8:01 pm
phil
Thats basically most of the UGA fanbase unable to live in reality
They have refused to accept that this is 2012; if you visit their homes the calendar still says 1980; they drive pre 1980 cars and wear late 70’s clothing
They refuse to believe Herschel Walker graduated 30 yrs ago
Mr.Smith & Mr.Wesson partners of Top Dawg.
December 2nd, 2012
8:02 pm
Good effort by the Dogs. We finally went to war with Bama and came up short. I wish Murray would have clocked the ball with 13 seconds left then UGa could have reset and got two shots at the endzone. Oh well, can’t blame Conley his WR instinct wasn’t going to let him not catch a deflected pass. It just wasn’t meant to be. Coach Richt, I’ve been one of your harshest critics over the past two years, but you are to be commended for a tremendous effort by the Dogs. I am glad you are coaching Georgia. Our future appears to be bright.
Flat Tire On Hwy 441 in Athens
December 2nd, 2012
8:11 pm
LHarding Dawg
I buy season tickets and basically spent 600 to see yesterdays game on 4 tickets parking gas and food
My problem is this if the board and athletic department is satisfied with 10 win seasons beating no one and losing to ranked teams while going to a mediocre bowl thats fine by me
But stop stealing and demanding the fans to pay an enormous donation to be allowed to purchase season tickets and reduced the pay of this coaching staff; its a slap in the face that they are a top 10 salaried coaching staff that cant get it done and yet the University demands fans pay high dollar to sit in the stands
Silly Bloggers
December 2nd, 2012
8:27 pm
Mark, I’ll doubt you’ll get this 1,500 comments later, but thank you for this article. I have needed 24 hours of no ESPN, AJC, football, talk radio, etc. after that game. I don’t always agree with you, but you always write with class. It must be alarming to have to read some of the comments on here. I just don’t get how so many people can be so incredibly hateful…UGA fans and all others included.
I don’t like Florida, but I respect Tebow even though I don’t traffic in his beliefs.. I can’t stand Spurrier, but I respect him as a coach. I think Paul Johnson is not right for Tech, but I pull for them in big games. That game epitomized heart and effort. Best game I have seen since USC and Texas.
Thanks again Mark. Keep fighting the good fight and Go Dawgs!
Rick James
December 2nd, 2012
8:27 pm
Every day I’m more amazed at how obsessed Georgia Teach fans are with Georgia football..
Rick James
December 2nd, 2012
8:28 pm
~Tech~
Tampa Gator
December 2nd, 2012
8:28 pm
Blackout….you really wan to do this……
Florida players who are still playing or played in the NFL…..
Janoris Jenkins – starter for the Rams
Jeff Demps – kick returner for the Patriots
Chris Rainey – starting RB for the Steelers
Joe Haden – starting CB for the Browns
Deonte Thompson – Kick returner for the Ravens
Jaye Howard – Backup player (not sure the team off the top of my head)
Carlos Dunlap – starting DE for the Bengals
Wil Hill – starting NB….forgot the name of the team
RIley Cooper – starting WR for the Eagles
Tim Tebow – stuck in never never land in New York City
Chas Henry – Punter for the Eagles or the Ravens, I forget which one right now
Major Wright – starting safety for the Bears
Ahmed Black – starting nickel back for the Bucs
Jermaine Cunningham – DE for the Patriots
Brandon Spikes – Starting MLB for the Patriots
Mike Pouncey – starting center for the Dolphins
Maukice Pouncey – starting center for the Steelers
Maurice Hurt – backup OG….forget the name of his team (I believe it is the Saints)
Aaron Hermandez – Starting TE for the Patriots
David Nelson – Starting WR for the Bills
Juistin Trattou – has played for several teams
That was one hell of a 2009 team…..almost as good as the 2008 team….which might have been one of the greatest college football teams in history.
bring back Hershey
December 2nd, 2012
8:29 pm
Another choking performance by the puppy dogs.bring back Heshey woof woof losers
Elementary My Dear Watson
December 2nd, 2012
8:30 pm
Hell yea….Stendek for President
BamaGirl
December 2nd, 2012
8:48 pm
I agree wholeheartedly with this article. Thanks, Bulldogs, for giving us a good, hard, exciting fight.
Signed,
Lifelong, Hard-core Bama Fan
what's really G
December 2nd, 2012
8:49 pm
That was one hell of a game, no matter how you slice it. Mistakes were made on both sides of the ball, either team could have won. That was the national title game and you couldn’t have scripted a better game (except for the end, of course). I have been a harsh Richt critic in the past (even more so, Bobo) but I thought they called a pretty good game. The defense got gapped out by a strong Alabama line up front and the refs wouldn’t give Georgia a break. Hitting people helmet to helmet is against the rules the last time I checked. If that were an NFL game and someone hit Tom Brady like that they’d probably sentence him to castration + $150,000 fine.
It’s tough to be a Georgia fan, coach, or player. Everyone is against the program. The media hates us. Alabama is the golden boy of college football and the media loves Goliath. You have to beat the refs when you put on a Georgia uniform and the boys in red came awful close. Nobody even gave Georgia a chance in this ballgame, they played very well.
Yo, flat tire… stop buying season tickets and stop donating if the program doesn’t spend your money the way you’d prefer it to. I’m an alum as well and they already got enough of my money during my undergrad. I believe we should get rid of Michael Adams and go back to the block G (because I’m sick of being accused of being a Packer fan). All you whiny fans need to understand there are politics involved. Some of you might try reading a book, it’s good for you. There’s a good one called: ‘Behind the Hedges’ by Rich Whitt. If you’re all so frustrated with the football program, do what most people do and hop on somebody else’s bandwagon. I’m tired of watching them lose too but integrity is paramount, win or lose. Once a dawg, always a dawg. It’s still sweet.
junkyarddawg
December 2nd, 2012
8:50 pm
On the rare occassion I post a comment, as soon I have I wonder why I did becasue of people like Phil. Phil, you are an idiot and have no original thought. I looked back through today’s post and all I see from you is your response to others’ post. Phil I hate to break it to you but none of us care about your opionion of what we have to say. Phil, don’t waste anymore of your time responding to this because there will be no reponse from me. Never proud of a loss but, still proud of the dawgs because I am a DAWG and always will be.
phil
December 2nd, 2012
9:02 pm
LHarding Dawg
December 2nd, 2012
8:01 pm
I wonder how many Georgia games Phil as attended this year. My guess would be none, no donation support, no tickets bought, absolutely no support at all for the program. Just another faceless “sidewalk fan” who gets off by being as azzhole.
********
Guess again, toothless wonder…..
Gavin from Mobile
December 2nd, 2012
9:03 pm
Normally I laugh at fans when they say their team played well in a loss, but not this time. Before the SEC Championship Game, I wasn’t so sure Georgia would keep it within 14, because of Mark Richt’s failure to prepare them last year. In fact I was telling my friends this game would be an easy win for the Tide. However, I don’t doubt the dogs for a second anymore. That team is awesome and we could have very easily lost. Believe me, I’m happy the Tide won, I’ve been on cloud 9 since last night… but Georgia has nothing to be ashamed of. As Mark Bradley said, they nearly beat the best team in the country. Gurley and Murray are legit. Ogletree is a dirty player though. Richt coached a great game and Georgia fans should be proud of such a great effort. To those of you will scream for your quarterback and Richt’s heads, you can’t fix stupid. Be careful what you wish for, because you might trade in a good coach for Chizik or Dooley.
junkyarddawg
December 2nd, 2012
9:03 pm
CBS coverage was a joke! Lundquist & Danielson were “rooting” for Bama the entire game. That’s the last time the sound will be on the TV when DAWGS are playing and those two are announcing.
Gavin from Mobile
December 2nd, 2012
9:05 pm
Georgia is a heck of a team, I never expected the game to be this close. Coach Richt coached a good game and Georgia fans should be proud for the game they play. From a die-hard Alabama fan.
Gavin from Mobile
December 2nd, 2012
9:06 pm
Oh and Auburn sucks. Just wanted to point that one out! No bowl for the barners!
Flat Tire On Hwy 441 in Athens
December 2nd, 2012
9:07 pm
what’s really G
Im glad you woke up today feeling great about where everyone outside this kool-aid fanbase realizes where this program is
and thats the inability to win big games or beat top 20 opponents
integrity is paramont you claim……… well so is perception;
I can tell you the percecption of our program; the perception is undisciplined on the field; constant off the field issues; and an inability to win big games or beat top 20 opponents in years
beating the refs you say…… thats great example of being a whinny fan excuses excuses excuses
Try reading a book on How to play football since you like to read so much
Samuel V. Wilson, Jr.
December 2nd, 2012
9:08 pm
As an Alabama undergrad (’69) and a George graduate student (”78), I was obviously conflicted. I was simply proud of the quality of the game that both played. I was watching with an 89-year lady who is a good neighbor (I don’t have television, so she invited me over to watch hers); at one point she turned to me and said with genuine conviction: “I have never seen college football played with such force!” Come to think of it, I had not either. Truly, truly, this was a national championship game in its own justifiable light. And one other thing, maybe they don’t get any better than Nick Saban, but Mark Richt is a class act, always has been. Those screaming for his head right now better think ahead: who are you going to get better? The college coaching carousel in this country is a disgrace fed by the myopia of win at all costs that has afflicted too much of our fandom and alums.
Gavin from Mobile
December 2nd, 2012
9:09 pm
Some Georgia fans are delusional morons if they want their coach fired for losing to the best team in the country with the players we have on our team right now. My Tide are going to win the national championship, but you are furious for losing to us? As my daddy told me growing up, you can’t fix stupid, so don’t even try.
phil
December 2nd, 2012
9:10 pm
Mr.Smith & Mr.Wesson partners of Top Dawg.
December 2nd, 2012
8:02 pm
Good effort by the Dogs. We finally went to war with Bama and came up short. I wish Murray would have clocked the ball with 13 seconds left then UGa could have reset and got two shots at the endzone. Oh well, can’t blame Conley his WR instinct wasn’t going to let him not catch a deflected pass. It just wasn’t meant to be. Coach Richt, I’ve been one of your harshest critics over the past two years, but you are to be commended for a tremendous effort by the Dogs. I am glad you are coaching Georgia. Our future appears to be bright.
*******
commended for failure?
Bull.
Jerry Seinfeld
December 2nd, 2012
9:11 pm
Gavin is a class act. Please beat Notre Dame.
Here’s my favorite quote about the morons on here. “Opinions are like ___. Everyone has one and some of them are full of crap.”
ErrolFlynn
December 2nd, 2012
9:13 pm
I wish I could meet Phil also so I could beat the %#*$*#& out of him
phil
December 2nd, 2012
9:14 pm
Flat Tire On Hwy 441 in Athens
December 2nd, 2012
8:11 pm
LHarding Dawg
I buy season tickets and basically spent 600 to see yesterdays game on 4 tickets parking gas and food
My problem is this if the board and athletic department is satisfied with 10 win seasons beating no one and losing to ranked teams while going to a mediocre bowl thats fine by me
But stop stealing and demanding the fans to pay an enormous donation to be allowed to purchase season tickets and reduced the pay of this coaching staff; its a slap in the face that they are a top 10 salaried coaching staff that cant get it done and yet the University demands fans pay high dollar to sit in the stands
********
yep. It’s why i cancelled out a few yrs back. Thieves.
Gavin from Mobile
December 2nd, 2012
9:17 pm
Phil is probably a redneck who think he’s right about everything. Or like many Auburn fans, a little baby who whines about everything to make himself feel better about a loss. You lost to a champion, deal with it.
phil
December 2nd, 2012
9:21 pm
junkyarddawg
December 2nd, 2012
8:50 pm
On the rare occassion I post a comment, as soon I have I wonder why I did becasue of people like Phil. Phil, you are an idiot and have no original thought. I looked back through today’s post and all I see from you is your response to others’ post. Phil I hate to break it to you but none of us care about your opionion of what we have to say. Phil, don’t waste anymore of your time responding to this because there will be no reponse from me. Never proud of a loss but, still proud of the dawgs because I am a DAWG and always will be.
**********
pitiful response.
Gavin from Mobile
December 2nd, 2012
9:23 pm
Phil is a sore loser.
what's really G
December 2nd, 2012
9:24 pm
flat tire…. stop giving your money away to a program which you obviously perceive to be inadequate. and start donating it somewhere ELSE. i’m ashamed to be associated with ruthless, spineless “fans” like yourself. there should be a higher standard in our fan base, that would translate to the standard of the program. you strike me as the type who wouldn’t care about off the field issues if the football team won more football games. games. let’s keep this in perspective. football is a…..wait for it…..game. Go DAWGS!
phil
December 2nd, 2012
9:24 pm
Gavin, you’re classless.
phil
December 2nd, 2012
9:25 pm
No, Gavin, our coach is an idiot.
Like you.
phil
December 2nd, 2012
9:26 pm
Yes, a game we lose way too often….
phil
December 2nd, 2012
9:28 pm
ErrolFlynn
December 2nd, 2012
9:13 pm
I wish I could meet Phil also so I could beat the %#*$*#& out of him
********
typical redneck bama/gator/frauburn type…..
Flat Tire On Hwy 441 in Athens
December 2nd, 2012
9:29 pm
Gavin from Mobile
Having beaten only 1 top 20 team in 4 yrs with the amount of talent UGA has is a joke plain and simple
There is no excuse
Flat Tire On Hwy 441 in Athens
December 2nd, 2012
9:39 pm
what’s really G
G writes “let’s keep this in perspective. football is a…..wait for it…..game”
and so it is
so since its a game then this over paid coaching staff should make around $200,000 a year instead of the amount they are currently paid and have the University take the leftover money and use it for charity
its just a game
Whats really a shame is a so called fan like you that loves mediocrity and being a national joke
Oh and I do care about off field issues; Im tired of sitting with opposing fans making comments about UGA being a bunch of jail bird thugs; Im also tired of watching the news and seeing countless arrests and then having to hear about from people at work
phil
December 2nd, 2012
9:44 pm
Amen, Flat Tire…..
And now, good night.
My work here is finished. We blew it.
phil
December 2nd, 2012
9:45 pm
My work here is finished….
LHarding Dawg
December 2nd, 2012
9:51 pm
We don’t need or want people like Flat Tire at Georgia. As far as Phil, he just needs to suck himself to death.
Coffee Bluff DAWG
December 2nd, 2012
9:53 pm
phil,
Call Coach Richt and interview to be an assistant. You can give advice to him on all your FB knowledge.
Of course it’s a non-paid position since you are worthless.
Flat Tire On Hwy 441 in Athens
December 2nd, 2012
9:56 pm
Yea we have plenty of LHarding Dawgs at UGA
Thats why we’ve had one big time win (2005 LSU) since the 84 Cotton Bowl and thats why we continue to lose in big games; against ranked opponents
Cant wait to relieve more 1980 and Herschel Walker boy thats about run its course and is why this program has had a Flat Tire for decades
Flat Tire On Hwy 441 in Athens
December 2nd, 2012
9:57 pm
re-live
what's really G
December 2nd, 2012
10:04 pm
i honestly think the coaches should make far less than that, flat tire.
mediocrity is 6-6. a joke is going to the acc championship, losing and then the hyundai sun bowl against USC. mediocrity? really?
i’m so sorry people hurt your feelings at work, flat tire. what a difficult life you have. can you imagine eating, sleeping, breathing, and playing football your entire life only to have people like you mock your efforts on some worthless blog in order to feel better about themselves?
Georgia is far from mediocre, they are in the upper eschelon of the college football world and have been for very many years. Georgia has a fine program and a winning record almost every year. You don’t think Oklahoma fans are frustrated? What about Oregon fans? I want UGA to win a NC as much as anyone else but calling the program a joke and mediocre is as close to blasphemy as you can get concerning my alma mater. I will always be proud to be a Dawg fan. It means more to me than it must to you. How about beating Tech the past 4 years running or beating Florida the past two years? Let’s talk a little bit more about perspective.
Flat Tire On Hwy 441 in Athens
December 2nd, 2012
10:06 pm
Bama fans demand their team plays to win championships
UGA fans demand the team win 9-10 ball games against no one and beat Georgia Tech High School
Until we take on the same goals Bama has losses will continue in big games
Not saying we will win it all but being respectable and a program that no one will take lightly as we saw when Dooley and Russel were on the sideline
But hey the season is over lets all put on our 34 jersey on pop in the VHS tape of 1980 grab some refreshing kool-aid and get ready to be pre-season National Champions for 2013
Concerned
December 2nd, 2012
10:08 pm
Go Dawgs!
Thank you for giving your all, and wow did you play awesome. I am very proud of you as are all Dawg Fans.
As for Georgia Tech,
The Gator
December 2nd, 2012
10:10 pm
Dearest Dawg fans,
I did not want the Dawgs to win last night. I was bitter that you had an unusually soft schedule this year and that you caught the Gators with a banged up offensive line. In short, I felt Georgia was not worthy.
Last night, Georgia was worthy.
Before the game, I thought two factors would give Bama the victory: better coaching and an exceptional offensive line. Saban and Smart probably coached their worst game in four seasons, but the Tide’s offensive line performed even better than advertised. I don’t know if any team in college football history has ever given up over 300 yards rushing and won the game. So to be as close as you were at the end was darn near miraculous. Without the coaching decisions Mark Richt made last night, the game would not have been as close as it was because you would not have gotten two of your scores (fourth down fake punt leading to a TD and blocked field goal TD). As for second-guessing the decisions in the last 10 seconds; without a great play by Bama to tip Murray’s pass, Georgia gets to run another play and, in all probability, the way things were going, scores.
So feel terrible, be miserable thinking about what could have been (as we Gators still are), but lose the scapegoating. Your team played magnificently last night. The other team was just a little bit better. And maybe just a little bit luckier.