Notebook: CB/KR Brandon Boykin delivers postgame message to team
After Georgia’s 35-21 loss to Boise State was in the books and the Bulldogs had slogged their way back to their locker room in the depths of the Georgia Dome, senior cornerback Brandon Boykin stood up in the center of the room and yelled for his teammates’ attention.
“Before Coach Richt talked, I just told them we have a whole season left to play,” said Boykin, one of four captains for the game. “I told them, ‘this was a hyped game and everybody wanted us to do what we’re supposed to do, but it didn’t happen. We can’t get our heads down because we’ve got a whole season to go.’ Everybody’s positive now and we’re going to be ready for this next ballgame.
Boykin certainly did all he could. The cornerback from Fayetteville, in addition to playing the whole game on defense and finished with six tackles, a pass breakup and a tackle for loss, also ended up with 190 all purpose yards.
Eighty yards came on the first and only offensive play of Boykin’s career, a touchdown on a counter play after lining up in the backfield.
“That’s something we worked on,” Boykin said. “I was just fortunate for it to open up like it did with the blocking and everything. But the bottom line is it means nothing because we didn’t win the game. But if coach Richt or Coach Bobo wants me to play offense any time I’m all for it.”
Samuel gets starting nod over Crowell
Junior Richard Samuel said he was surprised to get the start at tailback over freshman Isaiah Crowell at tailback.
“I was surprised because I felt like he got more reps than me the last two weeks,” said Samuel, who was sidelined a quadriceps injury toward the end of preseason camp. “We run an equal rotation at the position but, yeah, I was a little bit surprised.”
Samuel, who played his first two seasons on offense, was moved from linebacker late this summer after attrition robbed Georgia of its top two rushers from last season, Washaun Ealey and Caleb King. Samuel opened the game with a two-yard run. He finished with 12 yards on seven carries.
Crowell had impressed his coaches and teammates while getting the majority of work with the No. 1 offense during the preseason. He came in the game on Georgia’s second possession and lost a yard on his first carry.
“Aaron [Murray] tripped me a little bit,” he said with a slight chuckle.
But overall Crowell fared a little better, finishing with 60 yards on 15 carries. So he could get the nod against South Carolina.
“It was tough to find holes,” he said. “Boise did a good job running to the ball.”
Injuries take toll
Starting inside linebacker Alec Ogletree left early in the first quarter with an injury to his right foot. Early indications are Ogletree is doubtful for next week. The majority of Ogletree’s snaps were filled by walk-on Jeremy Sulek and junior Michael Gilliard.
Also late in the first half, Boykin and the other starting inside linebacker, Christian Robinson, went down with injuries. Both players returned in the second half. Robinson said he got a “couple of hip-pointers.”
“Between Christian Robinson and Ogletree, we couldn’t really afford to lose one of those two guys,” Richt said. “The drop off was going to be pretty steep, with true freshmen and a walk-on in there. They’re good kids and they’re busting their tails, but it was a position we felt we really couldn’t afford that type of an injury.”
Richt did not know the extent of Ogletree’s injury. His right foot was in a walking boot after the game.
Starting left guard Kenarious Gates left the game with a “lower left leg” injury in the second quarter. That was also an area the Bulldogs could ill-afford an injury. Gates was expected to be Georgia’s fill-in if a tackle went out with an injury. Sophomore Dallas Lee, who previously hasn’t played in a game, replaced Gates.
“Gates leaving was not good for Georgia and not good for Gates,” Richt said. “But Dallas [Lee] was a guy we felt comfortable could go in there and play guard. I’ll have to watch the film to see how he did.”
First-timers
Seven true freshmen made their debut for Georgia in the first half: wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell — who started — cornerback Nick Marshall, safety Corey Moore, cornerback Damian Swann, cornerback Chris Sanders, inside linebacker Amarlo Herrera and Crowell.
Several other players played in their first games. Junior college transfer nose guard John Jenkins, redshirt freshman defensive backs Mark Deas and Connor Norman, linebacker Kosta Vavlas, wide receiver Michael Bennett and wide receiver Michael Erdman. Also sophomore linebacker Jarvis Jones started following a redshirt season in 2010 after transferring from USC.
The Bulldogs had five first-time starters. On offense, WR Marlon Brown, OG Chris Burnette and Mitchell lined up during the first play of the game. Mitchell was not in the game on the first snap, but the original first down play was called back after a false start penalty. CB Jordan Love lined up for Georgia its first down on defense.
Rambo, Thomas don’t play
Free safety Bacarri Rambo and tailback Carlton Thomas both were held out due to suspensions for unspecified violations of team rules. Both will be back for South Carolina.
Richt had confirmed Thomas’ suspension but didn’t say anything about Rambo until after Saturday’s game.
“He is eligible to play next week,” Richt said. “He was suspended for the first game for the usual team rules violation. Carlton Thomas will play next week, too.”
Rambo started all 13 games at free safety last season. Thomas was Georgia’s leading returning rusher, but was not expected to start this season
Bobo back in press box
Mike Bobo was calling plays from the pressbox again on Saturday. It was part of a ploy by Georgia to play a hurry-up offense and make call from above.
The Bulldogs’ offensive coordinator had been calling plays from the sidelines since October of 2009, when he moved down to the field midway through the season “to get a better feel of things” and talk face-to-face with quarterback Joe Cox after a few poor offensive efforts in a row.
Now in his fourth season as Georgia’s offensive coordinator and 11th as quarterbacks , Bobo started out coaching from the press box in 2007 and 2008.
Rocking in the ATL
Georgia-Boise State wasn’t the only game in town this weekend. In fact, there were all kinds of events taking place in Atlanta, including a Braves game, Dragon*Con, the Black Gay Pride Parade and NASCAR racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Also, the Sports Radio 680 The Fan was organized a concert in Centenniel Olympic Park for the rock band O.A.R. Needless to say, downtown Atlanta was jam-packed and jamming on Saturday.
All of which made Chick-fil-A Bowl president Gary Stokan very happy. He hadn’t taken an official census, but he was pretty certain all the major downtown hotels were booked Friday and Saturday night.
“There are 12,000 rooms downtown and I can’t imagine there’s one of them that has availability,” Stokan said on the Georgia Dome field before the game. “Imagine what it’s going to be like next year when we have two games.”
Next year the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game will hold a doubleheader on this weekend, with games between Auburn-Clemson and Tennessee-N.C. State. And yes, Dragon*Con.
What the Big Dawg ate
Georgia’s new head nutritionist Jenn Ketterly traveled with the team and planned all the Bulldogs’ meals in advance of and after Saturday’s game, down to what kind of oil in which to cook the food.
UGA stayed at the Omni Hotel downtown and Ketterly dictated every meal the Bulldogs ate while there. She said Saturday’s pregame meal was chicken, steak, green beans, roasted potatoes, macaroni and cheese and a full fruit bar.
Scene and heard
Tight end Orson Charles was rocking a newly-acquired mohawk haircut. Perhaps in honor of UGA’s “spread the red” promotion for the game, it was dyed red. . . . UGA legend Herschel Walker and former Boise State star defensive end Ryan Winterswyk delivered the official game ball in pregame ceremony. They were actually driven to midfield in a car. . . . Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal announced that it was time for the kickoff. . . . Georgia won the toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff. . . . Former Bulldogs fullback Shaun Chapas (Dallas Cowboys) and tailback Caleb King (Minnesota Vikings) were cut by their respective teams on Saturday. . . . Before Saturday, Georgia was 7-8 in domes, including 4-3 at the Georgia Dome. Two of those wins clinched SEC championships.
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272 comments Add your comment
Dawg_gone
September 4th, 2011
9:17 am
Hire Hem Edwards!!
Homepage | MrSEC.com
September 4th, 2011
9:18 am
[...] Brandon Boykin delivers postgame message to [...]
Boise
September 4th, 2011
9:34 am
Thank you for the hospitality shown to Boise fans. We have deep respect for UGA and the SEC. I will admit Georgia has better athletes and talent. That said, Boise State recruits and signs the “right” kids that fit their program. Your D coordinator has SPEED in the D-Backs and stayed in zone. Anyone and everyone knows that Kellen Moore will pick apart zone all day long with time. Best of luck to each of you and to UGA…
GATA
September 4th, 2011
9:36 am
This one ain’t on Bobo (offense woes were largely poor execution: overthrown passes, dropped balls, missed blocks), this loss is because of Grantham’s inability to make adjustments as the game unfolded. Did he make any changes or instruct players to do things to scheme against what BSU did play after play? Moore made it look so easy, like he could run that offense blindfolded. How can the defense not have any pressure on the qb, and yet receivers are wide open? Happened the entire game and I saw nothing on adjustments on D. Is TG just over his head??
On the flip side, Boise is coached to precision and yes they are tough (in case Blackledge didn’t make that clear enough) but they play SMART. The know exactly what to do all the time and do it. And guess what, it works! No question UGA had more talent on that field, but just were out-coached, pre-game and during the game and we all see the result.
Richt could probably stay and be successful if he learns from BSU and get smart coaches who can prepare the players mentally and make real-time adjustments during the game.
virginia dog
September 4th, 2011
9:38 am
Gentlemen … UGA football has no proper coaching. We must make a change. We need to fire Richt after the USC game. unfortunately Richt has such a sorry staff there is not one assistant that can function as a intrum head coach.
we must not let Richt stay. we can not be fooled into letting him beat Ole Miss, Coastal Carolina, Kentucky etc and to tell the fans things are better. Richt has drug UGA down. UGA football is like great bird dog that just can’t hunt. There is a rotten core at UGA and Richt must go.
Troll Power Ratings
September 4th, 2011
9:40 am
How apropos that the “Black Gay Pride Parade” was held this weekend. I’m sure a lot of the Boise fans took that in.
Troll Power Ratings
September 4th, 2011
9:41 am
I’m referring to the one held downtown – not the one in the Dome.
RedPantsDawg
September 4th, 2011
9:41 am
Never fear, Richt says Carlton Thomas will play next week.
TVDawg83
September 4th, 2011
9:53 am
Bobo is the worst college OC in the history of the world. No wonder UGA’s defense got hammered; they lived on the field. Bobo must not believe in change or improvement. Few crossing routes. Throws to the boundary. Odd play calls at crucial times. Richt is fired soon and it will be due to poor hires. This is Richt’s offense but it is not the same one used to win the SEC twice. We look less like FSU and more like Towns County on offense. At least this is the last year we have no hope. Our new AD will hire a coach who will hire solid assistants and not hire based on religion.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
September 4th, 2011
9:54 am
Brandon, check your Twitter account, I think Spurrier just sent you a Tweet…..
ole dawg
September 4th, 2011
9:56 am
same ole same ole, talent on the team and NO coaches to coach.
8 months to prepare and is this all there is????
can we suspend the coaches for not following team rules,like non-coaching???
South Carolina 35 GA pups 14,
week 4 or 5 GA has new coach, told you so.
GT fan
September 4th, 2011
10:00 am
Someone pointed out that Boise had 25 fifth year seniors. This a a result of not having a bunch of 4 and 5 star recruits whose only dream is to get to the pros in my opinion. Sometimes the “best players” are not the best players for a program if you know what I mean.
HardTruth Soldier
September 4th, 2011
10:00 am
I’ve stomached all I can from this pathetic offense of Bobo’s. This kid is clearly not an offensive coordinator, and why would you continue at of all places GEORGIA, run this spread option offense period! We are, and always have been a line it up and run it down your throat type of team.(Check the Herschelera, and every other back that made it to the NFL out of UGA. Crowell can play, but not in this offense, Samuels can run, but not in this offense, Bobo can’t coach, Murray clearly looks for Charles to much(for the record Charles is a stud) and holds the ball to long. Can this team run block? Pass block? Well that one got answered last night (with 5 sacks against us) do anything right? It took a freshmen (Malcolm Mitchell) to do something at receiver, although Marlon Brown did appear to look like he’s finally coming around, but this Mitchell kid has a spark about him. Coach Grantham, you coached in the NFL? or was that the CFL. We stopped nothing, looked less than nothing, and played like nothing. This is UGA, not Tech, and we look like the North Avenue crew. Now lets be realistic, Boise is a great(yes great) team and well coached, but if I start going position by position of the four and five star players Georgia has, and Boise doesn’t, it makes one wonder. I guess they don’t have five stars around there hearts, because Boise clearly looked better.Next week is getting old, right now is getting obvious(as in we need to perform) for Mark Richt’s future’ Coach Richt I’ve got a suggestion, Take back the play calling, move Bobo back to QB coach and save both your jobs and future. Come outta that spread crap, line up and play in the I-Formation and kill opponents with play action. You’ve got one week and believe me “the ole ball coach” gonna let you know he’s coming.
Big Dawg
September 4th, 2011
10:03 am
Seen enough. Same old @#$# from last year after 8 months to get ready. Didn’t have to win, but did need to show up. Chris Petersen, Dan Mullen, Gus Malzahn, Kirby Smart are just a few of the names that deserve a chance to right this mess. This is the big leagues and it’s time to take action.
chickenman
September 4th, 2011
10:07 am
NO real fans would be this negative. So just go cheer for tech you bums. Listen the fact is like Aaron Murray said IT DOESNT MATTER until next week. We looked fine until we lost tree. then the qb began dinking and dunking all game with no pass rush. This was going to be the toughest game we played all year and we got beat. SIMPLE. Get over it and hope that the coaching staff will play the talent next week (dreamteam) and not play seniors because they are seniors… i thought every young kid played awsome last night and that is positive… my concern is the line … THE LINE SUCKS. THEY WERE WHIPPPED. Something has to change here but im sure it will by next week or 0-2 becomes a death sentence.
freeman
September 4th, 2011
10:07 am
BLITZ–If you cant stop the passes in the field —-go after the QB. What the heck were the coaches thinking? Moore sucks under pressure!!
Big Dawg
September 4th, 2011
10:10 am
ONLY real fans would be calling for change. @chickenman, you can go follow CMR when he takes over the Mars Hill program next year. It’s fans like you that keep making excuses and looking forward to next week that have delayed the inevitable – he’s in way over his head and this will be his last year.
Vince's Dooley
September 4th, 2011
10:11 am
“Dream Team” looked really good. Dreaming is what UGA fans do best though. National championship? Dream. Winning the SEC? Dream. Winning the SEC East? Dream. Top Ten ranking? Dream.
Didn’t hear much barking last night either…..
steve
September 4th, 2011
10:15 am
Please put Samuel back in the linebacker position. He is not, I repeat NOT a Div 1 college running back. I said that 2 years ago, and I say it again. He’s a great player, just needs to play a position he’s good at. Crowell looks like the real deal at running back. He has vision and very quick to the holes. Like everyone else, I’m very disgusted at the effort last night. Don’t know what to say, except that Boise is a very good, well-coached team, unlike Georgia.
bubba4dawgs
September 4th, 2011
10:15 am
Plain and simple truth: We got beaten by a sound more experienced front line, offense and defense. Many of these guys are fifth year seniors…..played together for a long time. The DAWGS have to be proud of hanging even as close as they did. The game surely showed the glaring weakness of the O-line. The secondary isn’t far behind them either. I dread Alshon Jeffries coming to town, he’ll eat them alive! Oh well, it’s a long season. Coach Richt said it best: “We have a lot of work to do!”. I hope the films are churning in Athens and some bodies are running today! GO DAWGS!!
Dawgie Poo
September 4th, 2011
10:17 am
Just like a Prima donna…..”Aaron Murray tripped me” way to throw your QB under the bus Crowell. Did you really expect Boise to come to ATL and be worried about what the “Dream Team” did in their high school careers? Come on man…..GROW UP!
deaddog
September 4th, 2011
10:18 am
Did the mascot croak last night?
Don
September 4th, 2011
10:21 am
Can we all finally stop drinking from the # 10 washtub of Richtade, please. The reason no coach of any ilk wanted to come to UGA the past few seasons is they know that Richt just doesn’t have it. Let him go back to Florida and teach Sunday School with Bowden. Obviously, that’s the only thing he learned from him. Come on folks, the only way to make McGarity and Mike (tool) Adams listen is to hit them in the pocket books. Withhold your contributions, or at least threaten to. That’s when they will get it.
RGR
September 4th, 2011
10:24 am
Why do dog fans think any good coach would want to come to a third rate program? You haven’t won anything in a long, long, long time!
KBP
September 4th, 2011
10:35 am
Why is Samuel the starting tailback? Why are we running the spread? Why didn’t we just line up in the I and run right at them and use play-action?
ole dawg
September 4th, 2011
10:43 am
RGR we have some GA high school coaches that may come to UGA—NOT
tell me again why we run Crowell in the middle
tell me again why we do not run short pass routes for 5/6 yards
tell me again why we have 350LB line that can not run
oh, i forgot we have 4 and 5 stars
RNB
September 4th, 2011
10:46 am
We will have Dan Mllen or Chris Petterson next year to get this program back on track.
Tiger dawg
September 4th, 2011
10:47 am
What a sad display of football!.Bobo is a clueless clown, the conditioning is weak…really call a timeout because the other team is running your butt off the field, the defense put no pressure and had no answer, how about rush the punter to his right (he right footed) and force the issue instead of letting him punt when he wanted to. Mark Richt, who I have stood behind all of the time, has lost his will and passion for the game. I feel sorry for the players who are solid players aimlessly looking for leadership!!
Bobby Bulldog
September 4th, 2011
10:47 am
If you look at the conduct of Richt’s players over the past three years, he is a worse preacher than coach. My only comment–Richt turning the hiring of all offensive coaches over to Bobo was a smart move –especially the selection of his beer bellied close friend Friend as OL coach. Even the announcers couldn’t stand watching UGA get blown out in the trenches.
tdawg in Stockbridge
September 4th, 2011
10:48 am
Tide Roll is right, until they develop an offensive line, it’s gonna be the same story every year. They have two gaurds starting as OT’s. I could see Crowell’s talent, but with that OL you want see him reach his potential.
DAWG with two bags over his head
September 4th, 2011
10:49 am
Don, I advocated for withholding funds from the Athletic Department and even e-mail Howdy Doody saying I wouldn’t be sending any more of my money as long as CMR was there. Guess what, contributions were up for the year. Unbelieveable. Why would Adams and H.D. be motivated to make a change when they can get more money even if the coach goes 6-7? This Richt lovefest is going to do nothing but keep us in the SEC East cellar. About 4 seasons past a time for a change. Don’t even get me started about the ineptness at OC.
Tired dawg
September 4th, 2011
10:50 am
Mark Richt is a GREAT man and a GOOD coach. Unfortunately Georgia needs a GOOD man and a GREAT coach! It’s easy to Sunday morning quarterback but it’s impossible to overlook that the coaching staff didn’t make adjustments and give the team even a chance to win. No use of speed. Little play action. Same tired running plays against Boise strength. When the horse is dead it’s time to dismount.
DawgLifer
September 4th, 2011
10:51 am
Where was bruce Figgins and the I Formation? I was for one shocked at the things that I saw. Since when did Georgia become a Spread Offense? And when you have nice corners such as Brandon Boykin and Branden Smith why play zone defense the whole ENTIRE game? Would’nt you play man to man across the board? Beats me. I know the game against South Carolina on Saturday will be one of great implications, But this loss here will take at least until Friday to get over. Bad coaching Georgia. I still and will be forever a Dawg.
tdawg in Stockbridge
September 4th, 2011
10:53 am
Richt could have saved his job a few years ago when a proven SEC defensive coordinator was available by the name of John Chavis. As usual, he sat on his but and let LSU hire him. The current coordinator, CTG does not make in game adjustments.
georgia bulldogs fan in nwfla
September 4th, 2011
10:57 am
i am tired of talk,talk from players , coaches , this year will be 7-5 at best ,,,georgia is in for a long
year , look at mistakes , they are not coached nor do coaches have a plan,,,,PERIOD…GET THE UHAULS COMING TO ATHENS ,,,,FOR ALL COACHES ,,A BIG ONE FOR BOBO,RICHT , AND
SEND THAT DEFENSIVE COACH BACK TO DALLAS TO SMU BECAUSE COWBOYS WILL NOT TAKE HIS ASS.
david
September 4th, 2011
11:02 am
I am officially starting the Fire Mark Richt Now and take Bobo with you chant with football like what we saw last night it will be a very long season.
Stinger
September 4th, 2011
11:10 am
This certainly was no surprise to me. I fully expected the dawgs to be over confident and get blown out as usualy. Everyone wants to blame Coach BOO BOO; however the players have to execute. I didn’t see any execution. These 4 and 5 star recruits look like walkons, 1 star, and 2 star players.
coach not
September 4th, 2011
11:15 am
Looks like Boise figured out your high-school offense and you guys had to resort to a gimmick to score a TD.
Dogs were thinking Garcia would have a bad game two weeks in a row…last night, he was the hero! If dogs do not pay attention to the message from your
fine spokesman about holding their heads up, they could go Oh-no and 2.
yawn
September 4th, 2011
11:21 am
It’s funny how many runningbacks at Georgia are called Jasper Sanks and busts… ever stop to think that it’s the coaches and blocking? Now poor Crowell will be the next kid called a bust when he was put into a game plan that makes it impossible for tailbacks to meet any kind of success. Did any of you see that Washaun had some 50 yard touchdown run in his first game? Or that Caleb King scored two touchdowns in his first quarter of NFL play? Georgia has talent, but the coaching staff strangles it…. The players are frustrated enough without getting hammered by “fans”. I feel sad for every player on that team.
Patsy
September 4th, 2011
11:25 am
Tell me again why you started with a ranked team…
Where is BuLL?
GT81
September 4th, 2011
11:32 am
maybe we won’t have to hear about all of the top 5 recruiting classes at uga now that it’s clear that coaches can win games with 2 star recruits like boise, BTW they’ve had ONE 5 star recruit in 4 years of winning football
Artdawg
September 4th, 2011
11:32 am
Hey “red&black”,
Regarding your comment…….
“I hope no one uses the term “kids” when referring to these players. After all there are 18, 19, 20 year olds in Iraq and Afganistan that are referred to as men”
Do you really think playing college football equates in maturity and manliness with serving in uniform
in REAL combat? ….. NOT!!!
Celtdawg
September 4th, 2011
11:33 am
New year and same ole S##T from the dogs. Penalties, people out of position and not knowing what to do, crappy tackling, specials teams still suck, but yeah we don’t need a full time special teams coach. Sick of seeing helmets come off because players have women hairstyles. O-line looked like they did pilates in the off season instead of lifting weights. Do we have any football players on our team? Y’all got beat by a bunch of white boys. Don’t know whether to cry, laugh at this point, or just not care anymore. Athens, Ga a drinking town with a football problem. We had those shirts during the Goff era, and looks like we need to start wearing tem again.
Artdawg
September 4th, 2011
11:34 am
Excellent point GT81. Great coaches win championships by getting the maximum plus out of average talent. Poor coaches lose seasons by wasting exceptional talent.
Dawgie Poo
September 4th, 2011
11:34 am
Keep telling yourself we have the ‘players” How do we know? Besides Boykin they haven’t done squat at this level. That my friends are the facts!
P-Cola Dog
September 4th, 2011
11:49 am
poorly conditioned, poorly coached, poor game plan. Taking my flag down, spending my money elsewhere and gonna be on my boat on Saturdays the rest of the fall. I will say it again. If the last time you go full speed is Monday prior to Saturday then you forget how to execute at full speed on gameday and when you do you run out of gas after about the third or fourth rep. I will peak at the scores on Sunday when I come ashore.
Time for changes
September 4th, 2011
11:53 am
http://thegeorgiasportsreport.blogspot.com/2011/09/changes-i-would-make-in-athens.html
DougsMugs
September 4th, 2011
11:55 am
@Herschel Talker,
I was hoping the best for Richt this year, but the difference between a well coached team and just a bunch of athletes was on display last night. I am sad to say that it looks to be time for Richt to move on. I hope we have better luck than Tennessee.
Ace
September 4th, 2011
11:55 am
Look like the UCF loss was no fluke, the SEC make kick UGA out to make room for a team that does not bring the conference down.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
September 4th, 2011
11:58 am
P-Cola ,
Dont let the door hit you where the good lord split ya.