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
kreedham
December 1st, 2012
11:13 pm
To heck with the rules and regulations…since UGA can’t play for the national championship just let us play SC again. Score will be about the same this time but Georgia will have the big number.
Or florida…I’d like to embarrass them again!
Of course nobody can be embarrassed like Nebraska. Losing 63-17 and the 3rd quarter isn’t even over.
UgaDawg96
December 1st, 2012
11:13 pm
Wow, GA Smegma was closer in their game than thought. But still lost.
CGD..
December 1st, 2012
11:14 pm
“2-15 since 2008 against Nationally Ranked teams= paper tiger, Always go with the other guy”
KBP
December 1st, 2012
11:14 pm
Yes we gave up 350 yards on the ground AND the game still came down to 1st and goal at the 8 with 15 seconds. Their NFL O-line outplayed our NFL D-line. Our defensive talent is legit just as theirs is. They won, congrats Bama and beat ND.
Gators fans: Really? Until you beat us again your words are just noise. You had a chance to beat us this year and you choked. You did not score a touchdown against us this year. Think about that. You did not score a touchdown. If you are so great why didn’t you win? Oh yeah, the turnovers. Well, why turn the ball over?
Tech fans: Please.
Eric C.
December 1st, 2012
11:15 pm
I’m sorry, but there was nothing wrong with CMR’s coaching today. The Dawgs played their hearts out and I commend Mark Richt for a great game. I’ve been critical of him before, but not this time…he had his team one play away from winning it all (assuming a victory over ND). You are a fool if you blame Richt for this defeat.
Flat Tire On Hwy 441 in Athens
December 1st, 2012
11:15 pm
Im also glad to hear UGA has earned respect
Yes we certainly have earned respect
Everyone in the nation knows we cant win the big game
Boy thats the kind of respect that really makes you proud
bawbie
December 1st, 2012
11:15 pm
FIRE THESE CLOWNS!!!!
miket
December 1st, 2012
11:17 pm
Three things you can count on.Death,taxes and ricky bobby blowing another big game.
CGD..
December 1st, 2012
11:18 pm
The Land of Excuses: Welcome to Athens GA..
Atlanta not far behind..
Up next the Falcons meltdown…Stay tuned…
playmeortrademe
December 1st, 2012
11:18 pm
There’s a saying or a line from something to this effect: “the only people who don’t worry about money are the ones that have it.”
All the “good effort” people are those that don’t have a real attachment to UGA (Mark Bradley) or have actually experienced the 1980 championship and therefore “have the money”.
I’ve never seen UGA win a national title in my lifetime. I have seen four of UGA’s biggest rivals, and two other SEC schools, win a national title, some multiple titles since I can remember watching football. I want a title, I don’t care if UGA wins 10 games all the time or wins the East multiple times or even beats Florida 7 years in a row. The national title, getting that payoff, is the only thing that matters to me as a UGA supporter.
32 years and counting.....
December 1st, 2012
11:18 pm
glad it hurts!! now crawl back into those trailers and get ready for a great recruiting class and talking about next year
Fools Gold
December 1st, 2012
11:18 pm
Mark Richt is in over his head bottom line…
sad dog
December 1st, 2012
11:18 pm
Don’t blame the kid who caught the tipped ball at the end.
Buzz 2011
December 1st, 2012
11:19 pm
Greatness.. Define it Bradley? What is greatness to you?
The Dogs only beat teams at their level. The ” great” teams beat them
every tim e..
David
December 1st, 2012
11:20 pm
Great game to both teams. Bottom line is, you can’t allow 350 rushing yards to anyone and win. Good luck to Bama in the BCS championship game, and good luck to Ga in the Music City, Sun, or where ever you end up. Good luck to Florida in the Sugar Bowl..
CGD..
December 1st, 2012
11:20 pm
Georgia lost in the trenches..
The Falcons will do the same..
John Price
December 1st, 2012
11:21 pm
From a Bama fan to the UGA nation: Great game. Your boys played their guts out. Richt is a class act and we respect your team, program, coaches and tradition. Its a shame one of those teams had to lose. Roll Tide and Go Dawgs…
Buzz 2011
December 1st, 2012
11:21 pm
Bradley, there are no gallant runners up!! Winners and losers. Winners and losers.
Galling loss, galling loss..
Fools Gold
December 1st, 2012
11:22 pm
RICHT got pissed at the presser… Truth hurts huh Mark????? Cant win the Big Games….
PMC
December 1st, 2012
11:22 pm
CMR awesome press conference. Eviscerated Chuck Oliver
CGD..
December 1st, 2012
11:22 pm
Now that John Price is a “Class Act!”
stendek
December 1st, 2012
11:23 pm
I just watched that piece of commode residue CMR in press conference. I wish someone would just kick his miserable backside for him. What a crock of crap loser! Worthless oxygen waste scumbag.
Cuz
December 1st, 2012
11:23 pm
Dang Mark. That bout made me cry.
One of your best. It said everything. You left nothing on the laptop.
Fools Gold
December 1st, 2012
11:23 pm
Mark Richt goT up and walked out LOL
CGD..
December 1st, 2012
11:24 pm
2-15, no he cant win the money games..Always go with the other guy….Easy choice…
Vegas is laughing
Scott
December 1st, 2012
11:24 pm
Come on Bradley and DAWGS!!! IF FLORIDA would not have fumbled then you wouldn’t have been in this game…………… You LOST as usual under Mr Nice GUY…………. This was your year the schedule was stacked in your favor.
B.. Thenet
December 1st, 2012
11:24 pm
A poor coaching decision cost UGA at least two shots in the end zone at the end.
It really was a close football game, I would not call it a classic. Both QBs were not sharp today.
Cuz
December 1st, 2012
11:26 pm
Bradley, there are no gallant runners up!! Winners and losers. Winners and losers.
Galling loss, galling loss..
You should know, how it feels. Can you say 10 of 11. Sure you can.
Football Guy
December 1st, 2012
11:27 pm
Hahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahaha
………………………………………….
………………
Chip Stewart
December 1st, 2012
11:28 pm
You nailed it Mark. Great column Thank you.
Fools Gold
December 1st, 2012
11:28 pm
Maybe Richt or Howdy Doody will reevaluate this program and make some changes. Moral victories aint gonna cut iT!
winning effort NOT
December 1st, 2012
11:30 pm
national champions my arse,……hahahahahahaha
that is what you get when you play nobody during regular season..you trade in the Boise States and Oklahomas for Sisters of the Buffaloes..
stendek
December 1st, 2012
11:30 pm
Hey Eric C. I DO BLAME MARK WRETCH! Mike Dodo and that idiot QB too! Have a problem with that chump? From a diehard Dawg fan of 50 plus years and counting…
SEC Watch
December 1st, 2012
11:32 pm
Thuga didn’t belong in Atlanta. They’re a second tier team behind Ole Miss &Miss State. Didn’t play anyone except USC(e) and what was the result there. Western Div is where the SEC’s pride lives.
It’s time for thuga’s off season of getting arrested and busting probation.
Chain Gang U from Athens. Go back to your trailers.
winning effort NOT
December 1st, 2012
11:32 pm
the only biggest losers tonight is you AJC sportswriters….
stendek
December 1st, 2012
11:33 pm
I am damn proud of Yellow Jackets! Took Florida State to very end. Well done stingers…Did not go braindead at end. Just ran out of time. Only allowed top offense 21 points!
Charleston Jacket
December 1st, 2012
11:33 pm
How sweet it is. Sooooo Close – but in the end yet you lose. Great game – Great ending.
Roll Tide
THWG
Jtea
December 1st, 2012
11:33 pm
Well said. Proud to be a Georgia Bulldog!
winning effort NOT
December 1st, 2012
11:34 pm
the only bigger loser than UGA are you AJC sportswriters bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Emperor Has No Clothes
December 1st, 2012
11:36 pm
Today Coach Mark Richt definitively PROVED why he is owned by every other coach in the SEC…Especially Saban.
Richt LOST this game for the Dogs. Sugarcoat and you’re lying to yourself. Murray knew what to do in that situation — GROUND THE BALL — and RICHT was either clueless or delirious.
Problem is Richt doesn’t have the balls to come out and take the blame for telling Murray to NOT spike the ball and stop the clock. Every other coach in the history of football would spike the ball, stop the clock and run 2 or 3 plays to get in the end zone.
Poor Mark Richt…..A loser once again. But he’ll deny it was his missed call until the end of time…..
Tim
December 1st, 2012
11:36 pm
Gotta get rid of Richt and Murray. Neither can win the big game.
UCLA Man
December 1st, 2012
11:38 pm
Great Game ! Thought Georgia was going to pull it out ! Bama was to tough running the ball.
Georgia for sure deserves the Sugar at worst the Cotton !
stendek
December 1st, 2012
11:40 pm
Truth hurts CMR! Once a loser always a loser. Another choke on big stage by UGA QB. Overrated non talent! Get motivator at Dawg helm. So tired of this stale BS!
Jerry
December 1st, 2012
11:40 pm
Chance of a lifetime squandered. It will take another 30 to 40 years to get that close again. You got to make it happen when you get that close. Many bulldog hearts are broken tonight and many will go to their grave wondering what might have been.
nbrdrdnk
December 1st, 2012
11:41 pm
Somebody’s gotta lose; but daaang, that one was tough. Classic? Maybe in Alabama. Painful? You betcha. Those last 25 seconds will live in infamy.
ShowMeYurTD's
December 1st, 2012
11:41 pm
Richt melt down with press, truth does hurt…..2013 top 5 CMR excuses…. 5. Young defense 4. My rogaine endorsement didn’t come through 3. We played our tails off, best 5-7 team I’ve coached. 2. Could of, would of should of …..1. Wait ’til next year!
Really Mark?
December 1st, 2012
11:42 pm
They didn’t win, but they didn’t really lose? Come on Mark you’re better than that. A defense with 9 draft picks gave up 350 rushing yards. Stop it with the fluff articles! The mutts run defense was pathetic, and thats why they really lost.
stendek
December 1st, 2012
11:43 pm
Moderate this Mark…Saint Mark and Aaron Cox (yes, Cox) are both proven losers against caliber opponents. ALWAYS HAVE BEEN AND ALWAYS WILL BE! Moderate that truth buddy boy. Dawg follower since 1950s!
It's Elementary Mr. Jones
December 1st, 2012
11:44 pm
Gotta love J Jones being interviewed by Ch 46 after the game….Looks up at the scoreboard:
Alabama 32
Georgia 28
and he said they only came up 3 points short.
Another UGA Mathlete……The University must be so proud.
Ken Stallings
December 1st, 2012
11:44 pm
Whomever that jerk of a reporter was who had the unmittigated gall to actually ask Mark Richt at the post game press conference about some asserted “trend,” should have his name and credentials publicly identified to everyone so he can earn the rebuke he deserves!
Reporters with that low level of class is why journalism is generally held in such low esteem by so many!
Congratulations to you, Mark, for showing the honor the game earned!