Richt: ‘I thought that if we ran another play things could get out of hand’
Excerpts from Georgia coach Mark Richt’s postgame news conference:
Opening comments: “Congratulations to Coach Chizik and Auburn. They clinched their opportunity to play in Atlanta in the SEC Championship. I know the feeling, and it’s a great feeling. They’ve done a great job this season and did a great job tonight. They were a better team than us tonight. We certainly had our moments, but they weren’t enough to win. They’re a very good football team and I want to give them credit.”
On Auburn’s on-side kick to open the second half: “We alerted [the players] at the half. The dilemma for our special teams is if they sit at the tee and watch the ball too long when all those guys are flying down the field at 100 miles an hour and they’re supposed to get in position to block, they can’t make the block. Auburn’s kickoff coverage team was one of the bigger differences in the game. And with them getting the on-side kick to start the second half and take the lead . . . we were hoping to get the ball first and put them in a position to be behind. We didn’t get good field position off our kickoff returns, and their kickoff coverage team tonight was the best we’ve played all season.”
On biggest differences in the game: “We just couldn’t stop them. That was the biggest difference. We didn’t continue to score, and that’s all there is to it. Auburn was very efficient in what they were doing on offense. It’s very difficult to stop a quarterback who can run like that. The only way to outnumber a run game like that is to bring both safeties to the line of scrimmage. When you do that, he throws the ball too well. Cam (Newton) is a true dual threat and a tough kid. They have other good players that played well today, but he’s the difference.”
On Auburn playing well despite the week’s distractions: “As a coach and for players, when you go to practice and the meeting room and you’re in your complex, it’s kind of a haven for you. It’s a place where you can focus on the task at hand. When you’re surroundedby guys focused on the same task it’s a good medicine. When there are things swirling around that youcannot control, you have a chance to enjoy playing the game you love.”
On Georgia’s decision to take a knee on the last play of the game: “The reason why I did that was that tempers were flaring and were out of hand. I thought that if we ran another play things could get out of hand. My goal was to take the knee and make sure nothing broke out. When things get that hot and that emotional, I thought it was the wise thing to do.”
(Transcript provided by Auburn.)
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
203 comments Add your comment
Auburn Fan
November 14th, 2010
8:39 am
UGA needs to look at their own program. You guys were playing just as rough all game. It is controlled combat after all. No reason for you to lose if you knew how to control the ball. You don’t. Losing is why you are upset.
UGAVII
November 14th, 2010
8:40 am
I told Richt to pay the old man 200k but no he used the money for tans.
mike
November 14th, 2010
8:41 am
MARK Richt is a good coach an a good man, i would want my son to play for him. UGA is not quite up to par, but they will be back. We need to address late hits, before someone is hurt badly. auburn 86 oregon 85 final score.
Kenny Powers
November 14th, 2010
8:42 am
@ Divided Dad…move to NYC and get a job at the UN…you must be Swiss
Nick Fairley - Dirty Thug
November 14th, 2010
8:43 am
Fairley clearly put his helmet into Murray’s knee. The SEC needs to suspend this cheap dirty thug.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilMaBUWFP64
Dawg75
November 14th, 2010
8:46 am
Mike,
That is the truest statement I have heard yet about Cam Newton. I was there last night to witness his athletic greatness. But all the AU fans were blindly saying what a great kid he is. This was laughable. The jury is still out, but Cam has long way to go to rehabbing his image and becoming “great” in other facets of his life. For all the AU fans talking about UGA thugs on the field, there is a big difference between traffic citations and grand theft, and underage drinking and extortion. I hope that he does redeem himself eventually, but that takes time and enough has not gone by yet. I know the dream of a championship can warp even the sanest of fans, but let’s get some perspective.
Good win for Auburn minus the crap on the field. Great game experience for this DAWG, as usual.
Mike T.
November 14th, 2010
8:48 am
Has anyone mention the punch Cam Newton threw when run out of bounds in the firdt qtr? It was flagrant and not called.
edumacated
November 14th, 2010
8:48 am
Georgia’s team is an embarrassment. They never stood a chance in that game, Auburn only needed to quit beating their selves by the 3rd quarter. Now everyone is on here acting like Georgia is a good team with a bad record again. That is not the case. Auburn came out playing tight because they are undefeated and the pressure was on plus all of the crap surrounding their program the last week. Fellow UGA fans, you need to get real. This is the worst Georgia team in 20 years, and the record is a true reflection of that. No more wait until next year either, because a lot of folks are leaving. Good riddance I say.
Auburn Fan
November 14th, 2010
8:53 am
UGA Class
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgxVVdU3C00&feature=related
Boobie Bowden
November 14th, 2010
8:56 am
You’d think the dawgs would eventually run out of cheese with all that whine. Let the GD referees enforce the rules and all you leg humping nad lickers be happy you didn’t get beat worse.
Frank Lane
November 14th, 2010
9:00 am
I expected to lose. There is some reason that a team gets to the end of the season undefeated, but I was disappointed in the officiating.
ASA
November 14th, 2010
9:01 am
WHY WOULD GEORGIA PAY 200,000 FOR A TIGHT END WHEN WE ALREADY HAD JOE COX TO BAD WE DIDNT GET NEWTON AND NESBITT WHAT A PAIR OF TIGHT ENDS
NashDawg
November 14th, 2010
9:02 am
I was not at the game but what I saw on tv was Fairley plowing into the back of Aaron. Tex that is called dirty playing and it seems the pleasant relationship between Auburn and Georgia has gone for the moment. I am now hoping Alabama beats Auburn senseless. I do not care if Oregon plays TCU or Boise in the national championship game. Roll Tide.
Burroughston Broch
November 14th, 2010
9:05 am
ThUGA fans complaining about how Auburn played rough with them – priceless!
Now ThUGA will buy tougher thugs (sorry – recruits) so they won’t be embarrassed in the future.
Crimedog
November 14th, 2010
9:05 am
It is interesting how Richt has diverted the home-boy critics from his own coaching and leadership failures to #90. Fairley is a rough player who is sometimes over the line. I guess the whining pups forgot about Ellerbe and Asher Allen and a whole bunch of criminal athletes who have characterized Richt’s tenure at Georgia. Richt engineered the fight at the end of the game and then sent the team on the field like he did against UF. The conference should look at that behavior. It is a shame that a classic rivalry has turned into a brawl. Both teams can share the blame for that.
trey
November 14th, 2010
9:07 am
Fairley was blocked into Murray on the last play…any retard could see that.
Well, yellow maggot, looks like you’re the retard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilMaBUWFP64
Flo-Ri-Duh!
November 14th, 2010
9:07 am
Tex- say what you want but Fairley had hit Murray several times late before anyone chop blocked him. He could have and should have gotten at least 5 penalties for late hits. It is up to his coaches and the refs to reign him in. If they won’t do it then the o-line has to protect the QB any way they can. Fairley is a dirty cheap shot artist and I have been watching him all year. He got away with hitting Mallet late several times. I wouldn’t be surprised if the head coach instructed him to knock the QB out of the game.
Dawg75
November 14th, 2010
9:08 am
Edumacated,
85k or so AU fans at the game last night would probably disagree with you. There was a fear in that stadium, and with the fans I talked to, into the 4th quarter. It is great to see AU back on the horse, but have you forgotten recent records…2007 AU(9-4)…UGA(11-2),2008 AU(5-7)…UGA(10-3), 2009 AU(8-5)…UGA(8-5). 2010 is not a great year for UGA by any means, but it will be no worse for us than just 3yrs ago for Auburn. Find out CAM is ineligible and this year could be a lost year for AU. I like real fans with perspective and knowledge.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
November 14th, 2010
9:11 am
Trey – evidebntly you are the retard. Fairly was not hit in to the QB. He went helmet first as fast and as low as he could in to his knees. He also hit him late on at least four other occasions – receiving the flag for only one. He should be suspended from college ball for the rest of the season. This won’t be condoned in the NFL by the refs or the players. He also hit Garcia late several times and knocked him out of the game. Spurrier will remember this. His pay back time is coming.
Scam Newton
November 14th, 2010
9:11 am
Burroughston Broch,
AU is currently the only school known to have bought players in 2010. Was it $180k or $200k?
ltttatct
November 14th, 2010
9:11 am
Divided Dad’ recap is pretty accurate. I was in attendance and have kids at AU but am not AU person. A lot of extra cirricular (sp) activity by both sides all night. I could not see what caused fight at end, but i did see bad behavior on both sides as if broke out. AU just did what they have done all year and wore down the opposing defense whilst the AU defense doesn’t seem to tire.
@spike
November 14th, 2010
9:12 am
Please define “payback” next year….do you mean that the dogs will do the back hitting, QB smashing? Did you dogs notice that youse guys got called for a chop?
ps…the way your QB is playing, Mr LeMay must surely see that he will ride the pine there for a few …IF he actually does come to A-town.
Saint Simons
November 14th, 2010
9:13 am
(((( 49 – 31 ))))
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
ohio dawg
November 14th, 2010
9:14 am
auburn lost a class act when they turned on tubbie……they maybe sec west champs but chizick has brought back a great auburn tradition……cheating = probation….. look at au history there
ohio dawg
November 14th, 2010
9:19 am
go stevie go…. the ole ball coach now has a chance at another sec championship
Top Recruit
November 14th, 2010
9:22 am
Why focus one player who gets to come between the hedges next season.
As has been the case all year our coaches do a poor job of coaching during the game and game preparation. Auburn had 73 snaps to our 52. There is your score and difference of 9 minutes in time of possession. When will football fans understand what the spread does to a defense.
I do not think Grantham has not figured that out all year. We absolutely have no defensive line…NG and ends. Justin Houston is a good outside rusher but where was he in this game. And 83 went inside too many times and allowed Auburn to get outside. Too many defensive players are undisciplined. Where is our D line coach this year. Auburn has a very good veteran offensive line. Newton is huge but Auburn’s success is due to their line.
Richt is right about the the poor play of the receiving team. Their poor play in the 2nd half contributed greatly to the outcome. Georgia had to make Auburn go the distance on offense, but when you start inside your 20 that is not good when you have no running game.
Do you remember at the beginning of the season Richt said he would be surprised if we did not run the ball well. Well Coach where are the rushing numbers this season? There are none. A veteran line that can not get it done. And running backs that for most of the season have not played. How many players did Auburn have suspended during the season and miss games. None.
Bobo calling the wild dawg when you have a 21-7 lead, momentum, facing 2nd and five and runs Smith in there, Auburn sees that play in their sleep, zero gain, 3rd down is an incomplete pass, we punt and Auburn come back with 14 points, 7 with 53 second left in the half. Georgia should have controlled the ball and built the lead. Then Auburn comes out and gets the ball on the 2nd half KO, again our special teams fail [where are you Coach Ball]. There is your ball game.
Probably the poorest officiated game in SEC history, not counting the plays of Fairley. The refs let him and Auburn get out of control in the beginning. Why do you allow a player to hold your QB down and in his face. Hopefully the Dawgs on the field who return next year remembers every bit of this next year in Athens.
BullDogMike
November 14th, 2010
9:25 am
Congratulations to you Auburn. Yes, you won the game. By the way it was about time, what’s it been now 4 years? But you’ve sold your soul to the devil so to speak. You could’nt beat Bama,so you did the only thing you could think to do and recruit/buy the type of athlete you could use to get back into the SEC conversation. Well it looks like you got what you wanted. Hope it works out for you, but I don’t think you will end up liking the outcome. Keep bringing in these players like Fairley etc. and watch decent recruits turn their back on you. Your dreams will come shattering back to earth the day after Thanksgiving..
Jborodawg
November 14th, 2010
9:26 am
Great game by Awbun and the Dogs played hard for 90% of the game. I agree that Fairly should have been called at least once for driving Murray into the ground. But that’s not what won the game for them. We: had no kick return game; had too many penalties; didn’t protect Murray; gave up too many “big plays; 2 reverses for big gains”. That onside kick to start the 2nd half was killer. Awbun just controlled the clock after that; which also affected the Dogs offensive play calling. Don’t blame CMB.
We got beat by perhaps the No.1 team in the country. Even with the lapses on the O line and on D, the Dawgs played with heart.
Now……the hell with Tech!
Kevin
November 14th, 2010
9:31 am
Tex your an idiot…..If you watched the game you would have seen two other times in the game in which he hit Murray very late and drove him into the ground – Which neither was called. He then got called for a 3rd penalty later for driving with his helmet into Murray’s back well after the play was over. The last play he was not “blocked” into Murray. Shame on the Offensive Line for not “taking care” off fairley earlier in the game. Glad Ben finally stood up for his QB but it was well late.
bigdsel
November 14th, 2010
9:33 am
Auburn better enjoy it while it last. with out cam next year they will be sorry. And Auburn better hope that cam isn’t lying. cuz when the NCAA wraps this thing up, they may be like USC Trojans for the next 3-4 years. Reggie Bush ring a bell.
Kevin
November 14th, 2010
9:34 am
Trey get off your mom’s computer.
DawginOH
November 14th, 2010
9:35 am
This is one of the primary reasons I want Richt to stay at Georgia. He opted to take the knee to keep things for getting out of hand because he is a man with class and dignity. On the other hand, Chizik was jumping up and down, encouraging his goons to go out and take cheap shots at a Georgia team who had already lost the game.
And to all the AU fans calling us sore losers, I don’t remember hearing any UGA fans bringing this kind of stuff up after any of our other losses this year, so take off the orange and blue glasses and see that your boy Fairley is a straight up dirty player who was out to injure Aaron Murray. See y’all on the blog when the allegations surface.
I usually always cheer for the SEC to bring home the National Championship, but I want this classless group of thugs to go down in the worst kind of way. Enjoy the wins while they last because they’ll be vacated, Auburn will be put on probation, and there won’t be a bit of sympathy from me or anyone in the Bulldawg Nation.
mansup
November 14th, 2010
9:37 am
UGA people talking about a lack of class??? Hilarious! Once again the UGA rednecks also show that, in addition to being the most fickle in college football, they are also the biggest cry babies.
mike addington
November 14th, 2010
9:39 am
I dont agree that Auburn had the better team. I thought we had the best players but didn’t play up to level of talent. I couldn’t believe that GA made no adjustment and just let Newton continue to run the ball up the middle every other play. I have no idea what has happened to our UGA DAWGS who we love and would like to see play like DAWGS. Coaching? Players? We got the talent,,just not the TEAM
just a fan
November 14th, 2010
9:42 am
By Chris Low
Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley has had a great season, but he got away with several late hits, and borderline dirty hits on Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray on Saturday.
The final one sent Murray limping to the sideline.
It’s the reason Georgia’s players went after Fairley at the end of the game, which came close to triggering a brawl.
Two of Auburn’s defensive linemen — Michael Goggans and Mike Blanc — were ejected in the final minutes for throwing punches.
Even Chris Low thinks Fairley had dirty shots including the last one
Dawg
November 14th, 2010
9:42 am
TEX, let me sit up an appointment with the eye doctor. Your as dumb as a box of rocks.
happy warrior
November 14th, 2010
9:47 am
Ater watching the end of the game, I was sickened by Nick Fairley’s actions. After the 2nd. scuffle, standing in the middle of the field facing the fans while holding his arms, and hands high almost saying look at me. We do not question his ability, nor do we question his heart. But we do question his motives. Weather he’s diving at someones knees, or spearing them in the back. These actions only show one thing………Someone that thinks he has to take short cuts to win.
And winners don’t take short cuts!!!
Snoop Dawg
November 14th, 2010
9:51 am
This game showed that Auburn has absolutely no class. They are definitely the trailer park of the SEC. They virtually bought their one-man team, Cam Newton. This is because our great CEO Mark Richt assessed his talent at College Park High School as “a potential tight end.” Oh well… Then, the coaching staff at Auburn should be in WWF instead of college football. If these turds are supposed to be teaching sportsmanship, fellowship, or how to have class or be respectable they are abject failures. Finally, some of these ghetto punks on the Auburn side need to be arrested and put on a chain gang down in Lower Alabama somewhere. Just disgusting… Finally, the SEC team that refereed that game should be summarily fired because they allowed all that cheap stuff.
I am not saying that Georgia is without its trash such as Rambo and Ealey, and I hesitate to say this, but I would rather have the incompetent Preacha Man Mark Richt and his 5-6 team that that gang of thugs that wear Auburn colors. They are a disgrace to every single person who ever graduated from that cow college.
Tom
November 14th, 2010
9:56 am
The end of the game was stupid. Aaron Murray shouldn’t have been in the game. It was out of hand at that point.
Fairley hit Murray all day and got called once! What do you expect young kids to do? I DON’T BLAME UGA ONE BIT FOR GOING AFTER FAIRLEY. HE DESERVED IT!
I just became the biggest Alabama fan! Roll Tide!
wins-by-a-link
November 14th, 2010
9:59 am
Ga lost because Auburn had the best team, Cam Newton is the best player in college football, No doubt about that, As far as Fairley is concerned I think the officials were to blame for letting the situation get out of control, He should have been ejected when he hit Murray in the back with his helment, Playing aggressive is one thing but trying to injure someone is another thing, I also think the auburn coaching staff were encouraging thier players to play dirty, But at least they didn’t break out the fire hoses and hose down the dog fans.
happy warrior
November 14th, 2010
10:01 am
And Trey….
If he had been blocked into him his helmet would not of hit his knee. Blocking into, and diving into are two very different motions. Just look at his motion, he’s going against the block. His feet went the way he was blocked. His head went where he wanted it to, which is where it hit.
You should not be able to post, if you know nothing about the sport. Or in other words, you know nothing about football.
Rob
November 14th, 2010
10:01 am
THE FBI will expose THE NCAA and SEC COVERUP!
Chizick
November 14th, 2010
10:05 am
I pay all my players, so whats the problerm? Just because cam’s dad asked for $180,000 DON’T GET MAD. HECK I WOULD HAVE WENT ALOT HIGHER THAN THAT. Didn’t you hear the announcers say All I had was Newton and no one else would be drafted. What would you pay for a championship in your second year of coaching at Auburn? Ya’ll should just chill out.
Chizick
November 14th, 2010
10:06 am
Sorry ST Simmons. You got spanked last night was hoping to put brantly and rainey in hospital too.
Bigdog24
November 14th, 2010
10:21 am
Though its been a tough year IM STILL A BULLDOG!!! Check out http://www.jfareal.com there is a bulldog song this guy does an every bulldog fan should hear it.
MaconKnight
November 14th, 2010
10:28 am
congrats to auburn for getting the win.. but fattey is a dirty player and I have no respect for anyone who chooses to disrespect the game nor do I have any respect for the auburn coaching staff who stood by and encouraged this kid to continue to go after our QB when the ball was clearly out of his hands… it’s a total lack of respect for the game… Yes our guys retalliated but it had gotten to that point because the ref’s continued to let this dirty player contiune to take shots at our guy… he should be suspended for the helmet to the back hit alone…
boots
November 14th, 2010
10:33 am
Two things I take away from the game: Auburn players going out of their way to commit personal fouls, even when the game was clearly over (what about the non-call on the “stiff arm” punch by Newton earlier in the game?). Meanwhile the Tiger fans cheer when UGA players get hurt. Second, the willingness of Auburn to ignore the rules and play a player who is certain to be ineligable months from now, and just forfeit all their games regardless. Why not play him anyway? Because it is NOT how the game is played and sends a horrible message to the rest of college sports: we are caught cheating, but we won’t stop until we are made to do so.
Georgia will “win” this game by this time next year. It will just take a NCAA investigation to make it happen, and Auburn is headed for some serious penalties.
Pass out the Midol
November 14th, 2010
10:36 am
UGA is feeling a little crampy and bloated it seems. The lingerie league is looking for a new franchise…please go. If not, stop crying like a bunch of schoolgirls.
Michael
November 14th, 2010
10:39 am
Stick with whomever’s on top and you will always be happy. GO DUCKS!
Fairley is dirty
November 14th, 2010
10:44 am
Auburn has a great offense and Newton is a great player — personal issues aside. Don’t really care about that — the best team won. Newton’s issues with the NCAA will be resolved one way or another.
BUT Nick Fairley is a dirty player and any Auburn fan that can’t see that is classless. He does that in the NFL and he will lose a knee. There is nothing particularly tough about hitting an exposed quarterback late. he did it at least four times and only got called once.