What Mark Richt had to say after loss to Florida

Opening comments:

“It was a very good game. I’m sure the fans [watching] on TV enjoyed it. The television people probably loved it. It was that kind of game. But it certainly didn’t end the way we wanted it to. I want to give Florida credit. They did a good job of getting prepared and doing the things they needed to do to win the game. I want to give our guys credit, too. I thought they fought valiantly. I don’t think anyone can question their effort or question their competitive spirit. It was just one of those games someone had to lose, and unfortunately it was us. I’m proud of the players and the coaches and our fans and the band and everyone else. It was a great effort by their guys and by ours too. And in the end they won. You’ve got to give their punter Chas Henry credit –- a guy who’s been a punter by trade was kind of thrown into the fire as the field-goal guy and was able to make a big kick.

On Aaron Murray’s play in the first half, when he threw two interceptions and lost a fumble:

“I know this game was very meaningful to him. I don’t think he was approaching it any different. I don’t know if once the thing started he had some different feelings inside of him, but I thought the guy really played pretty well. The first pick –- he threw the ball where it was supposed to go. … [Cornerback Janoris Jenkins] took a chance and made the play. But I can’t sit here and say Murray did anything wrong on that play. The second interception –- I thought the ball was probably catchable. And of course he got hit and fumbled, and he’s got to do a better job of hanging on to that ball.…  The point I’m making is … I don’t think he was making mistakes out of immaturity or because he’s a first-year starter or anything like that. Sometimes those things happen, and you have to decide how you’re going to rebound from it. And he rebounded extremely well. The whole team did. I told the team at halftime, ‘This is one of those games where I can promise you if you treat it like it’s 0-0 and start from scratch again and play hard on both sides of the ball, we’ll get back in this thing and win it.’ And we almost did.”

On the interception Murray threw in overtime:

“… On third down you are trying to get in position to score a touchdown because you know a field goal might not be what it takes. When you are in those situations, you just have to play ball, and they got some pressure and the ball got tipped up in the air and got picked.”

On what he said to the team after the game:

“I talked to them about deciding how they are going to react to this thing. There have been some tough losses this season, no doubt, and we have had some very big disappointments. We were going in the right direction and getting a lot of momentum and actually getting back in the SEC Eastern Division race. A victory here could have put us in a position to be in Atlanta [for the SEC championship game].”

On what now:

“Just keep fighting. Keep grinding. Show up to work. Be a grown man and do your job. And enjoy it. We’ll come back home; we’ll get back to work, play Idaho State, play as hard as we can for the Georgia people; and then we’ll hook it up the next week.”

On bowl eligibility as motivation:

“I’m sure that conversation will come up. What do we have to win, two out of three? I’m sure we’ll be fighting hard for that.”

On how to turn around the Florida series:

“Win a game like this, but we didn’t do it. We’ll be back.”

More reaction to the game:

From UGA locker room: ‘My worst nightmare,’ Murray says of OT interception.

From Florida locker room: ‘I almost burst into tears after the game,’ linebacker says.

338 comments Add your comment

TampaGator

October 31st, 2010
10:06 am

I have had my fun on this post. Going out for a well deserved “Gator Fan” breakfast now….proudly wearing my colors.

Promise to be back later on another site to continue my well deserved “immaturity”…..got to enjoy the momment after reading and enjuring all the Georgia fan trash talk and insults all year….by the way…WHATE IS THE “DAWGSTER” this morning? Licking your wounds?

Voice of Reason

October 31st, 2010
10:08 am

1. Jenkins did a good job with AJ overall. AJ had his moments late in the game. People on here don’t realize that on 2 or 3 occasions AJ had him beat deep, Murray just failed to see him on those two plays. That’s what happens when a Safety crowds in on the box. How do you think T. King got his TD. AJ could have easily had 2 TD’s the same way.

2. The CB’s at UF are very good, but I wouldn’t say that they’re great. AJ was manhandling them like little girls in the open field.

3. Murray’s youth and inexperience showed up for this game, Murray was overthrowing and underthrowing. Most importantly is that he was trying to make too many things happen. Sometimes you have take what the D will give you.

4. Give credit to UF’s D, they put together a heck a gameplan to rattle Murray and it worked. Especially their LB’s, they were all over the place.

5. UGA cannot win unless AJ is a big part of the offense, I don’t know why the coaching staff has not realized this. AJ needs to touch the ball at least 15- 20 times per game. You have to get the ball to your playmakers.

Urban Ceyer

October 31st, 2010
10:10 am

I read from a lot of the UGA fans that they want my fellow coach and friend Mark Richt fired. I have known Mark for ten years now, and I can tell you that we really appreciate Mark and his staff down here in Gainesville. No matter how bad our team might be, Mark finds a way to lose to us. This in turn allows us to win championships, return millions in bowl money to our UF, and then snag the best high school athletes in Georgia the next February. If you were to hire a coach of my caliber, then we would probably lose to Georgia more often than win. So please leave him in place along with his staff.

Duluth Gator

October 31st, 2010
10:10 am

Wasn’t that the same sideline as, “run Lindsey run, run Lindsey run? Now thats cheese!!!!!!!!

Thumper

October 31st, 2010
10:14 am

Tampa……enjoy the win(as usual). I don’t blame you for retorting with some of those comments, but you were spot on with that “mature” post. Fortunately, not all of our fan base is this young and ignorant. People are going to see what they want from this game. If you go negative….it’s fire Richt. If you see positive….you saw a very hard fought game. I’ll wager a lot of these folks never played the game and get their analysis from espn. Oh well…..the sun still came up at my house this morning.

Paul Has A Small Johnson

October 31st, 2010
10:17 am

Nut Job I agree

Im tired of the powers that be with the stupidity of how we handle this game

Spurrier made the FL powers that be change the Auburn game before they played us and wanted a week off they did it

We dont

Im also tired of the excuses by the radio commentators on the post game call in show

MCDAVIDASTRO

October 31st, 2010
10:18 am

RICHT NEEDS TO ANNOUNCE HIS RETIREMENT.

Dawg_Mike

October 31st, 2010
10:19 am

Tampa, you woin the damn game. You beat a bad GA team with a terrible FL team, that may or may not get better. Congratulations.

brandy

October 31st, 2010
10:19 am

Meyer > Richt ……..I thought i seen Meyer sweating last nite also.You can run your mouth about Ga.But anit it sad Fl. Has lost 3 straight games.I have never cared about putting comments on this site. but reading yours really made me mad…Fl. mite have beat us AGAIN but Fl cant do crap to bama.We palyed a very close game so why not leave at that.GOO Dawgs

realistic dog fan

October 31st, 2010
10:20 am

Enter your comments here

Gert Boyle

October 31st, 2010
10:21 am

When you go to the Birmingham Bowl can someone stop by Bass Pro-Shops and get me some crankbaits?

SE_GA_Dawg

October 31st, 2010
10:24 am

It is Discipline problem, which in turn should be enforced by the head coach.
1. Dancing on the sideline
2. Individual Celebrating on all scoring plays along with any long yardage gainer.
3. All celebration penaties
4. Defensive play, individual celebrations
5. Fumbles, what happened to recovery first, then run?
Where are our coaches when this is going on?
We are not team oriented.
You cannot use such terms as, we are a young team, and excuse their misstakes.
Its all about coaching, ask Spurrier or Saban.

Just my two cents worth.

Dennis

October 31st, 2010
10:26 am

Is it just me or is A. J. starting to go gansta on us. His first two years his demeanor after making great or ordinary plays were excitable but not over the top “look at me.” He will be a great draft pick without all of the excess. The point is beat UF, or Auburn, or GT and then jump around and poke your chest out. To bow up without a significant win suggest “hey look at me, I’m a great player and not like these losers I’m stuck playing with”.

brandy

October 31st, 2010
10:30 am

A.J Green is a really good player i dont see that in him.Maybe if A. Murray threw to him more last nite we wouldnt be here makin excuses .We could be celebrationing on a win.I see nothing wrong with A.J.

HardyDog

October 31st, 2010
10:33 am

Mark Richt sounded more like a PR man after a tv show, some where along the way Mark and his whole stakk has LOST their competitive desire.

Dennis

October 31st, 2010
10:34 am

Brandy, you just made my point.

I'm done

October 31st, 2010
10:35 am

Been a loyal fan for 35 years, Im done this iwas the last draw. I’m going to buy some acid washed jean shorts, a Florida shirt and start growing my mullett today.

brandy

October 31st, 2010
10:38 am

Well ill never wear thing of Fl. Unless its the shirt that has uga peeing on a Fl. helment….lol

HUMPGATOR

October 31st, 2010
10:39 am

ONCE AGAIN DAWGS ARE GATORBAIT SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. IT’S GREAT TO BE A DAWG HATER!!!!!!!!!!!!. GOOOO GATORS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bucky Beleu hand it to Herschel

October 31st, 2010
10:40 am

Murray has 3 years left, he will beat the Gators at least twice before hes done, 2 of the picks were not his fault, next year when AJ is playing on Sundays Bobo is gonna wish he threw to him more! Go Dawgs

Bruce Mac

October 31st, 2010
10:40 am

Isn’t it amazing that a team’s win that isn’t even connected to you makes people like St. Simon somehow feel like a bigger man? Pitiful.

Gus Malzhan

October 31st, 2010
10:43 am

lulz @ you guys…

dp

October 31st, 2010
10:45 am

Meyer > Richt ….jerk wad Techie…go over to Northside Dr and get mugged and then go hang out with Heisman QB Joke at Swinging Richards!!!!

UGAVII

October 31st, 2010
10:55 am

Just in. UGA VIII has had a stroke and is in intensive care at Clark County Correctional.

UGA was reported saying he wanted to spend his last moments with the team. He didn`t want to live anymore.

Richt was locate in a Tanning Salon in Jacksonville with his friend Willie. He had not comment.

Castle Pines Canine

October 31st, 2010
10:55 am

No excuses, Gators won fair and square. They were the best prepared team, had the wrinkles in the O and D to set UGA off balance, and executed where they had too! I hope I never see a UGA player try to scoop and score again. I’ve never seen them do that until this year. I bet we won’t see it again for a long time. Give both teams credit, UGA played hard, played well enough to win, but did not execute. I’d like to blame BoBo or somebody but that is just a bunch of bull. The record is not as good this year, but except for Miss State, UGA has played with more intensity since 2005. Get off of everyones cases. This team has improved every week. I heard a pro scout talk about AJ on the radio out here in Co. He says that he is the best receiver to come out in the last 5 years. He says he needs to come back to the ball, and to sharpen his route turns.

Nobody needs to be fired on this staff. Let them do the job, and let’s see how we feel about the dogs when the year is done. Remember in 1979 they wanted to run off Dooley, and in 1970 too! UNC wanted to run off Dean Smith, and look what is happening at South Bend. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

Meyer the Liar

October 31st, 2010
10:57 am

Gotcha Again….UGA ain’t nothing but Gator bait….

UGA_85

October 31st, 2010
11:00 am

NutJob – We take the week between Florida and Auburn the most since 1993. GT and UF each have about 3 games where we had the bye in that period. From what I understand, the schools request 3 weeks as byes and the conference selects the date for the school based on those 3 options. I could be wrong. Many years we play Auburn the week after Florida. This is when we scheduled our bye. But, if we can get the week off before Florida, we should to help turn things around.

People are harping on Bobo and Richt forgetting that we scored 31 points on a defense that averages giving up 20. Something only Alabama and LSU could say until yesterday.

I want to win this game as bad as the next guy, but this one was more about player mistakes than coaching on Georgia’s side.

'76 Dawg

October 31st, 2010
11:06 am

Adams has succeeded or received his wish. We are now a so so SEC team, down there with Vandy and Kentucky. If you don’t believe it look at our record over the past two seasons, especially our SEC record. Why didn’t we have more designed plays to A.J.? You get him in one on one coverage odds are he will come up with the ball, if it’s close. I’m still going to support the dawgs, I’m just not happy right now with the direction of the program.

ARdawg

October 31st, 2010
11:08 am

firericht.com is still available

Dawg Tired

October 31st, 2010
11:13 am

The Boys played hard and, for the most part, well. They were well prepared, but the off week clearly gave Florida an advantage. I agree with Castle Pines Canine that this game should be viewed in a positive manner. We played with intensity. we were well prepared. The mistakes are a part of football. We could just as easily have won. Obviously, both teams are not up to normal standards, but both played with a lot of grit. I appreciate the effort of our players yesterday. I thought the coaches did a good job of getting us back in the game after the first half. Murray showed he is a great competitor who will only get better.

The naysayers need to go get on somebody else’s bandwagon. As for me and my family, we love the Dawgs and are looking forward to them getting better. I’m confident they will. I like our coaches. We’ll be fine. I went through a worse season in 1979 and was there for every game in 1980. This team is a whole lot better prepared than our 1979 team was. This team has not been blown out by anyone. This team could actually be undefeated. But that’s football. Sometimes a player actually scoops the ball and scores a defensive TD. At other times he scoops the ball and it gets away form him and the other team recovers it and goes on to score. That’s football. Our guys showed a lot of heart yesterday. All Dawg fans should be proud of their effort, continue to support them, and quit complaining.

Go Dawgs!

jerry

October 31st, 2010
11:14 am

I don’t question the 3rd down pass in ot. I just think it should have been a pass to get a 1st down but that has been going on since Richt came here, going long on 3rd down.

uga_fan39

October 31st, 2010
11:15 am

Hate to say it but we’re still no better defensively. Looked liked a Willie Martinez coached team yesterday. Offensively wasnt that bad, 31 should be enough to beat any team in the country but with our defense maybe 51 should be the offensive goal. Dont think the 3-4 scheme translates well to the college game. Hate to see what Auburn does to us, they actually CAN run the spread well unlike UF this year.. CMR for whatever reasons cannot win against quality opponents even with equal or in most cases better talent. Next year we will be in even worse shape with the loss of Green, Durham, both full backs and half the line. Defense cannot get any worse so it really doesnt matter who we lose there although Houston leaving early will hurt. Lets not act like this is something new with this program, its been going downhill for awhile. Tired of living in the past, Herschel and Dooley was decades ago. Lets actually get with the times and get some quality coaches in here.

PHIL

October 31st, 2010
11:15 am

No one in Texas is calling for Mac Browns job. No one at Tech is calling for PJ’s job. No one EVER calls for Spurrier’s job and to say he has been mediocre at SC is being kind. In my mind that proves that UGA fans are the STUPIDEST people that have ever roamed the planet. Coaching doesn’t cause people to catch or drop balls. It doesn’t cause the ball to bounce this way or that. It’s just a rough period for the football team. No one loves the game more than I, but it’s a dam GAME. There are lots more important things in the scheme of things than a football game.

The AJC is a huge panderer to give you idiots a place to rant and rave in order to drive up the amount of hits on their website. Congratulations to you morons for continuing to help them in their endeavor.

Dawg

October 31st, 2010
11:19 am

What a joke of a game. Florida was only able to muster seven points against Miss State, and when they play us all hell breaks loose. I can tell you this, if the coach of Alabama were to keep losing to Auburn they would run him out of town, and they would find a new coach. The way we are going we will be 4-8. And all of the idiots who are talking about Georgia winning the east must be on drugs, or in fantasy land. All I want for Christmas is a new coach who knows how to win, for example the new coach at Auburn who is in his second season and by the way undefeated.

GatorBait

October 31st, 2010
11:21 am

Dawg Tired

Alot of truth in your post, well said. Personally I would have been happy to shake hands and call it a tie, which is what it really was.

jerry

October 31st, 2010
11:21 am

PHIL

October 31st, 2010
11:15 am

In other words, coaching doesn’t have anything to do with 2 and 8?

Dave from GT

October 31st, 2010
11:23 am

Where have all the dawgs gone? Bg game comin up against Idaho State.

Myabe the dawgs should just forfeit to GT this year. That will cut down on suicides in GA.

Dazed and Confused

October 31st, 2010
11:24 am

There will be no changes in the football program as long as Adams is the puppetmaster. A solid coach will not come to Georgia to have his program micromanaged by a self-serving politician. Richt’s lack of structure will continue to attract entitled individuals who underachieve or roll over when things aren’t going their way. And Richt will continue to be proud of their “effort.”

Dave from GT

October 31st, 2010
11:26 am

Why do you all bring in kids from Florida to play on Georgia’s football team.

Can’t you find just one good QB from GA to lose to UF?

tim morrison

October 31st, 2010
11:26 am

What do you mean Dawg Byte fla. didnt win I sure did see a lot of sad dawgs leaving the game last nite? Fla. will get M R fired just like all the coaches before him and by the way coach dooley left before he got his beat down by spurrier. GO GATORS

GatorGreg

October 31st, 2010
11:27 am

The GATORS have won 18 of the last 21 games….UGAy is O W N E D ! ! ! !

Buh Bye

October 31st, 2010
11:30 am

Buh bye, dawgturds. Don’t let the door hit your butt on the way out. :-)

Gators Galore

October 31st, 2010
11:32 am

It’s nice to have a bitch we can count on to serve us.

gansta gatuh

October 31st, 2010
11:33 am

i got a bitch i like to slap around i call her dawg

Hurt Dawg

October 31st, 2010
11:33 am

Time to clean house………………………no doubt!

Long Time Dawg

October 31st, 2010
11:33 am

Drank too much Old Mil Light yesterday and passed out in the back yard last night. Who ended up winning?

Paul Has A Small Johnson

October 31st, 2010
11:33 am

Phil

Or should I call you an IDIOT

No one is going to call for Mac Browns job because he made staff changes early on after losing to Oklahoma year after year
No one is going to call for Mac Browns job because he has won a national title this decade and played in another one just last season

No one is going to call for Spuriers job because he has slowly taken a program that has done nothing to possibly winning the SEC east

2-8 Phil and Richt is the 6th highest paid college football coach

GET A CLUE IDIOT

BullDawg Bill

October 31st, 2010
11:36 am

Time to recognize that we’re a second-tier program – not on same level as FL. Richt is the best we can get to coach here (75% winning percentage). If we run him off, we’ll get another Goof or Donnan. Stick with what we have. Heck it took us a quarter century to win another SEC title. If we blow out Richt, it might be another couple of decades before it happens again.

tigertail2

October 31st, 2010
11:36 am

boy u sec easters are something. my gaud even miss st beats yall. bama, aub.,the real tigers(lsu) rule. can u imagine if lsu had a real coach what we could do. bama and aub. would want to move to the east.

Is there a realist in the house?

October 31st, 2010
11:37 am

All of the idiots who are talking about Georgia winning the east must be on drugs, or in fantasy land.

Drugs. And booze. And the intoxicating smell of moist red panties. ;-)