Q&A: Richt disappointed in pass protection, encouraged by players’ attitudes
Here’s what Georgia coach Mark Richt had to say after Saturday night’s 35-21 loss to Boise State in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at the Georgia Dome.
Q: Opening statement:
A: “Congratulations to Boise State. They just beat us tonight. They were better than we were and my hats off to them. Our players understand understand that and our players understand that we’ve got to get a lot done before we play next week and open Southeastern Confewrence play. We’ve got a lot of work to do. We know that everybody’s 0-0 in league play. Our goal is to win the Eastern Division and that’s not changing. So we have to get ready for that. Boise State did a great job tonight and I congratulate them. Questions? . . .
Oh, I have an announcement. (Bacarri) Rambo is eligible to play next week. He was suspended for the first game for the usual team rules violation. Carlton Thomas will play next week, too.
Q: It looked like y’all were trying to execute a hurry-up offense and send in plays after the from the line of scrimmage after the defense was set. Was that the case and how’d you think the offense played?
A: “We did try to go up-tempo. Tried to run some no –huddle. We tried to spread it out a little more and get some of our guys out in space. We didn’t have an awful lot of success. Historically, Boise State’s defense has been pretty good. It’s not like they’re not one of the top defenses in America. But I think we’ll continue to do that. I don’t think we’re going to stop trying to do that. No matter what you do offensively, whether you go no-huddle or not, you’ve got to execute, you’ve got to get first downs, you’ve got to make plays. Whether we huddled or not I don’t know if that had any bearing on it.”
Q: What are you most disappointed about?
A: “First of all that we lost the game. I think our protection on third down was a little disappointing. The majority of our sacks came on third down. First and second down I thought we protected pretty good. Offensively that was an issue. Defensively we just couldn’t get them off the field once they got going in the second half. Just didn’t get them off the field enough.
Q: Your defense did not record a sack. Why couldn’t you get any pressure on Kellen Moore?
A: “He’s a very good player so he knows where to go with the ball and when to go there. They protected him well, too. He rarely got knocked down. We forced him a couple of times to throw the ball a little sooner than he wanted to, but we didn’t get any sacks. . . . We didn’t get enough pressure on him.”
Q: How would you assess the running game?
A: “It wasn’t real clean. They did a couple of things differently. They did a little more stunting and late movement. But we just didn’t block it clean enough to give them some space to run. The backs had to earn everything they got.”
Q: Your impressions of Boise State?
A: “We went in having an awful lot of respect for them.. We knew they were a very good football team. They were good on both sides of the ball. Very veteran defensive football team. An awful lot of experience on the offensive side of the ball as well. And they get after it. They did a great job.”
Q: What kind of adjustments do you need to make for South Carolina?
A: “We get a little time to think about what kind of adjustments we’ll have to do. We’ll have to do a better job than we did a year ago on quick screens and things of that nature. But we’ve got time to work on all that.”
Q: What’d you think of playing in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game?
A: “It was a big game, a big atmosphere. I thought the crowd was into it. The kids were excited on both sides. Everybody was excited. There was a lot of buzz around the city, a lot of buzz around the Dome and inside the Dome. It’s a great venue and a great game to play.”
Q: How bad are the injuries to Alec Ogletree and Kenarious Gates and how’d it affect your team’s play?
A: “Ogletree was probably, between Christian Robinson and Ogletree, we couldn’t really afford to lose one of those two guys. 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. I have to get with Ron [Courson] to find out exactly what’s going on with Tree. Gates leaving was not good for Georgia and not good for Gates. But Dallas [Lee] was a guy we felt comfortable could go in there and play guard. I’ll have to watch the filmto see how he did.
“As a coach you don’t want anybody to get hurt, but at certain spots you feel like you might could take a hit and be OK. The linebacker position was one we weren’t too thrilled about losing anybody and, of course, we lost Alec.”
Q: Did you think your team was too hyped up?
A: “I thought both teams were a little overly excited early on and made some mistakes. But I thought everybody settled down relatively quick.”
Q: Did you think poor field position cost you?
A: “We were in a bind. We decided to take the ball first and didn’t get much going. Maybe we were too excited or whatever you want to say and then we were a little backed up. But then we had the long touchdown by [Brandon] Boykin and then we were back to normal field position after that. So it didn’t really cost us.”
Q: Why did you not kick the field goal on the fourth-and-one you got stopped?
A: “I decided to go for it. I did that because I felt like we could get one yard. I also felt like more than likely touchdowns wwere going to be needed to win the game. I know we’ve got a great field goal kicker and he could’ve made that one. Maybe in hindsight we should have kicked. If I had known we were going to get stuffed I would have kicked the field goal at that time.”
Q: How big of a momentum changer was it for Boise State to score at the end of the fist half and the beginning of the second?
A: “It was big. They got a two possession lead. But as early as it was in the second half, it wasn’t like everybody was in panic mode or anything like that.”
Q: How did you think Isaiah Crowell and Malcolm Mitchell did in their first games?
A: “I think both of them did well. I think Isaiah, I’ll have to watch the film, but my guess is he got about as much as he could get out of what he had to deal with. Of course Malcolm made a couple of nice plays. He had the reverse and three catches and a touchdown. He’s a good football player. Those guys got a bright future.”
Q: How do you team get your team up off the mat and motivated after putting so much into this first game?
A: “I was encouraged by the reaction of our seniors especailluy in the locker room afterwards. They were encouraging everybody to get to work. Southeastern Conference play hasn’t even started and it’s a long season. We’;ve got to get our minds right. After a game like this, there’s no question we know more about our team than if we had played somebody we might’ve beaten by 40. So hopefully that will translate into us having a better idea of how to play these types of games and help us see where our weaknesses are.”
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627 comments Add your comment
Coffee Bluff DAWG
September 4th, 2011
11:23 am
The contrast between the2005 Boise-UGA game and this game is hard to miss. UGA simply crushed Boise in 2005 and Kellen Moore barely broke a sweat in this game. Did he ever get hit last night?
SC game is key to the season. If we go down 0-2 we’ll struggle to be .500 again.
NJ Dawg
September 4th, 2011
11:25 am
You see, fans making negative comments about their team at least still have the passion for their team. I will always love and root for my Dawgs but I’m starting to teeter dangerously on the worst place you can be as a fan – apathetic. I’m getting to the point where I’ll watch the games if they’re on TV and I’m home but I’m not really making it a point to be home to watch the games anymore and I don’t immediately turn my wife down anymore if she wants to run errands or go out to dinner or something when a Georgia game is on. I can’t even remotely fathom spending a bunch of money on a plane ticket, hotel, game tickets, etc. to actually go see the train wreck my beloved team has become the past 3-4 years in person.
BOBO IS GARBAGE!!!
September 4th, 2011
11:25 am
FIRE BOBO!! HE IS TOO DAMN PREDICTABLE!! WE HAVE TOO MUCH TALENT TO BE LOSING LIKE THAT!!
NJ Dawg
September 4th, 2011
11:28 am
Oh, and when you’re watching the games this year might I recommend a stress reduction technique I started using last year. Either hum or just have in your head the old Benny Hill theme song when you watch the games, it actually makes them kind of entertaining to watch….like watching a good bloopers reel or something.
waytogoricht
September 4th, 2011
11:28 am
Lot of talk about Bobo. Richt has, or course not chosen the best coordinators in the world. But then look at what Richt is as a coach? Any wonder? But this “fifth choice” Grantham, has coached like a fifth choice after-thought desperation move by Richt. Uhmmm, wonder why Smart, Chasin, Foster, et.al., turned Richt down to be the D.C.?
Bigger question is why would, Ray Drew, Isaiah Crowell, John Jenkins, Malcolm Mitchel, et. al. sign with Richt? Anyone ever noticed how UGA recruits are super high school and later great pros, but sleep walk while under Richt and the greats Grantham and Bobo and Martinez (while there)?
I have a lightbulb idea. Duhh, could it be because these coaches know in their own minds they are inept and clueless, but are just hoping these good recruiting classes can win for them anyway?
Fact so many ex-UGA players are good pros proves its not that they were not good recruits.
Which still doesn’t explain why they would sign with Richt and go down with his ship.
Another, depessing thought, what if the UGA search committee does its usual, Goff, Donnan, Richt job of selecting Richt’s successor? Any reason to optimistically believe it will be better? Auburn, LSU, Alabama, Florida search committees could, hint, hint be consulted to see how they did it
Richard Dawson
September 4th, 2011
11:29 am
Keep Bobo and fire Richt! It’s not the playcalling, idiots! And who’s to blame for the 35 BSU put up? Bobo too?
It’s the execution. EXECUTION. Run the exact same plays Bobo called, execute them, and you score 50 points. Easy.
Bobo is Not The Problem
September 4th, 2011
11:30 am
Richt is.
Randall "Pink" Floyd
September 4th, 2011
11:31 am
Only an utter moron can watch that game and determine that a QB change is the remedy. Hilarious.
Monkey Says
September 4th, 2011
11:31 am
The funniest thing we saw last night was: Boise is up 35 to 21 and driving with less than 6 minutes to go and it is 3rd down and 7 or so yards to go. Half or more of the UGA fans have left and the others are sitting on their hands. What did Mark Richt do?
He is waving his big play chart up in the air trying to get the fans to make some noise. That picture is worth the price. Empty stands and Mark Richt is being the Head Cheerleader.
Chuck UGA
September 4th, 2011
11:33 am
Richt, you didn’t get stuffed on the 4th and 1. Your iconic offensive coordinator (who truly belongs on a high school staff) decided to call a handoff play instead of just having the QB sneak it or better yet, a fullback run through the line. One thing is obvious, UGA does NOT have a Fullback on the roster. Shame on you Mark Richt and Rodney Garner! You clearly have not been paying attention to the roster prior to recruiting. Clearly, it’s going to be another long, uninspiring season.
Delbert D.
September 4th, 2011
11:34 am
From the big perspective, Boise St. played up to their preseason assessments, both team and individual. The smaller DL was quicker than Georgia’ OL, they ran some twists and stunts that pretty much nullified the power running game and they cashed in for 6 sacks (at least 3 were coverage sacks, I think.)
I was watching the line play, and a few of them were telling. Boise State’s 5-11 center consistently got under the pads of the NT, which meant they didn’t need to double team him all the time. Two back-to-back plays stood out in that regard: Boise St. had the ball around their 20 on 1st down. The Broncos ran a running play off the left guard. The center stood Geathers up in his tracks and he was on his heels, unable to get any push. The RB went right by him and followed the left guard’s block on the LB for 6 or 7 yards. The next play, Moore dropped back to pass, and immediately the center cut Geathers at the ankles, dropping him flat, right on the line of scrimmage; no push at all in the middle of the field. Moore completed the pass for over 10 yards.
Another play late in the game: Boise St. pulled their guards to the left side, Potter blocked his DE, and that 2-guard escort led the RB to a critical big gain. Georgia’s OL players may have been relatively fast, although that wasn’t displayed during the game. Their quickness was not evident. Boise’s OL was quick, and their trap plays were effective. Their DL was also quick, got off blocks and held the line, taking away the inside running game.
Chuck UGA
September 4th, 2011
11:35 am
Richard Dawson, miss you on Family Feud. After reading your comment, it’s obvious you know little about football.
Say It Aint So
September 4th, 2011
11:35 am
First of all I’ve had enough of Touchdown Jesus and his regime.Having been in this league longer than most of his fellow coaches, UGA should be a lot better than they have been under CMR. Les Myles wins a NC. Myer comes to the SEC and wins a couple of NCs. Saban wins a NC and Chizik comes in and wins a NC. And all CMR is say is gosh darn we should have played a lot better than we did. How long will the Bulldawg Nation put up with this bs. I am so tired of his bs. I can’ watch the Dawgs any more I’m done.
DougsMugs
September 4th, 2011
11:36 am
@Chuck UGA, I was calling for a QB sneak on the 4th and 1 too. Man, what a lousy game. BTW, have you ever seen Bobo call a QB sneak? It is one of the most sure 1 or 2 yard plays in football, and he never, ever calls it.
Joan Rivers
September 4th, 2011
11:38 am
Uniforms are a smash hit!
And away he goes... NOT
September 4th, 2011
11:39 am
Yes, if Richt had any integrity, he would resign in disgrace. But he has zero integrity, and he covets the money too much to give it up. Yes, covet, Richt covets his wealth, and that’s why he continues to recruit the lowlifes he thinks will win for him.
Sleazebag Richt needs to be run out of town on a rail.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
September 4th, 2011
11:41 am
Delbert you are right. For a month UGA fans pointed to how small the OL was for BSU. I was leery of jumping on the argument as football in the trenches is so much about leverage. He who gets lower will generally win the battle. Sound technique and leverage go a long way in determining who wins those battles. Last night was the perfect example. 5′11 center up against 6′6 noseguards and it wasnt even close all night.
Aiken
September 4th, 2011
11:42 am
South Carolina 99, Athens Correctional Institute 0
Bye bye, Dawgs!!! Game over. Toilet Bowl coming up.
Clown Suit
September 4th, 2011
11:42 am
OK, our uniforms are horrible this year. Not only did we play like a bunch of clowns on National TV last night, we wore a clown suit as well. How embarrassing.
Time for changes
September 4th, 2011
11:44 am
http://thegeorgiasportsreport.blogspot.com/2011/09/changes-i-would-make-in-athens.html
Mark Richt Farewell Tour
September 4th, 2011
11:44 am
Another beatdown for UGA next weekend from South Carolina.
LakeDawg
September 4th, 2011
11:45 am
UGA is becoming embarrassing. No toughness, big hair, helmets flying off on every play, pants that don’t reach the knees, and coaches looking clueless on the sideline. The look of a losing program that values modern pop psychology over tried and true values. A change MUST be made…NOW.
LakeDawg
September 4th, 2011
11:47 am
UGA v. Notre Dame in the Has Been Bowl. Get your tickets now!
Bob
September 4th, 2011
11:49 am
Thank goodness we play Coastal Carolina, New Mexico State, and Tech so we can at least go 3-9 in Richt’s last season. Any ideas on whom McGarity has on his short list?
Marcy
September 4th, 2011
11:49 am
It was overwhelmingly obvious which team had the poise, class, and preparedness to win. UGA was an embarrassing humiliation. And with Richt’s coaching, we know it’s not going to get any better.
So where were all the 5-star players last night? What a joke.
Fran Tarkenton was right, in every way. UGA has become a pathetic, irrelevant joke.
Joan Rivers
September 4th, 2011
11:49 am
Ill go easy…but I just cant believe that someone/anyone didnt say do we really want to put the coaches in Red Shoes? My goodness…this just aint Georgia.
WHERE IS THAT IDIOT DAWNINLEX AT?
September 4th, 2011
11:51 am
AT HOME EATING MORE IDIOTS SANDWICHES! ENJOY LOSER!
sandman053
September 4th, 2011
11:52 am
@Joan that game last night makes me miss the red panties jokes.
War Eagle
September 4th, 2011
11:56 am
Bob, see my comment up 14 blogs, the vision is the same…Auburn will be slow this year with only 8 Seniors after Tuberville ‘failure to communicate”. Those “uniforms”were SEC embarrassment to TV audience.
They need to put Boykin bsck at tailback and run him 25-30 times a game and slow down passing game.
yogi1
September 4th, 2011
11:57 am
Please burn those red uniforms and Bobos contract
sykojohnny
September 4th, 2011
11:58 am
Being a good Christian and a really good person are not qualifications for a dead coach in the SEC. The University President should have gone down to the locker room at halftime, fired Richt, and appointed him Team Chaplin.
oledawg
September 4th, 2011
11:59 am
Looks like another long year in Athens, and around the great state of Georgia, but if things go as planned, Richt and his entire staff will go as well. For too long it’s been a program that resembled Florida State or Miami, but never an Alabama, LSU, or Florida.
UGA has far too much to offer kids who want to play and go to school,and I am left wondering how other “powerhouses”,in the SEC manage to keep reloading. They all have in common an SEC mentality.
Richt never has. He’s a good human, but he’s too nice to coach in this conference.
Also, how many top 100 high school athletes were on Boise State’s team? My guess, is none, yet each kid was in focus, and played team ball. They had chemistry. I’m sorry for Richt, but I’m more sorry that I have to watch Georgia turn into “Georida State”. Even Florida State looks like they are playing better as a team.
Bobo is Not The Problem
September 4th, 2011
12:00 pm
@ Chuck UGA — thanks for your insightful analysis on my comments. It’s obvious from yours that you know even less than I.
Bobo is Not The Problem
September 4th, 2011
12:01 pm
By the former Richard Dawson.
Bobo is Not The Problem
September 4th, 2011
12:02 pm
The artist formerly known as Richard Dawson, that is.
Joan Rivers
September 4th, 2011
12:03 pm
Things are definitely better…Im seeing a little more spunk after a loss.
Bob
September 4th, 2011
12:04 pm
If Bobo is not the problem, nor Richt, nor Grantham, nor our five-star scholar athletes, not even our lack of discipline… maybe the problem is us fans for putting up with this cr@p. And, we’re paying these clowns big bucks, too.
yogi1
September 4th, 2011
12:04 pm
Welcome to the Barnum and BOBO Circus. and the Great ringleader Mark Richt. See over fifty clowns in their ugly red uniforms try to imitate real football players and coaches.. COME ONE COME ALL TO SEE THE GREATEST EMBARRASSMENT IN THE WORLD
Chattadawg33
September 4th, 2011
12:05 pm
UGA Alumnus is right, support our dawgs. We got beat by #5 in the nation. We need to put our energy into SC now, not negativity. GO DAWGS!!!!
Frank Johnson
September 4th, 2011
12:08 pm
Georgia ran the ball five straight times to Crowell and I thought the Falcons were the only team to do that with Turner. Same results as last year offensive line stinks? No pressure on their QB? Georgia has much better talent than Boise – coaching plus lack of commitment by players is really lacking-I think the coaches and players need to watch this game in the film room . I cannot imagine how Georgia will look any better against South Carolina and if they dont new coches will be comming to Georgia soon. I am not encouraged by the players attitudes-It is past time for this team to play like they really want to beat the other team. The coaches need to change things up – where are the screen passes? passes over the midddle- get the QB out of the pocket to pass? Good luck to the Dawgs this next week and I hope to see better results.
steaming pile
September 4th, 2011
12:09 pm
boy oh boy, i feel bad today–i will not wait around anymore on saturdays for this crap. hyped all year and look what the team displays–alot of running around , reminds me of a cartoon character running in place–i am so over ga. football
steven A.
September 4th, 2011
12:10 pm
Before last night UGA lost to UCF, division 2 team a few years ago, in their last Bowl appearance.
Joan Rivers
September 4th, 2011
12:12 pm
When Rodriquez left Michigan he gave apparel to Good Will. Will they take CMR fashion flops?
MyPatooti
September 4th, 2011
12:14 pm
This question may have been overlooked. “Coach how do you think the team looked tonight in their new unis?” MR: “Well, we may have lost but we shore did look purty doing it, don’t you think?”
Chan Gailey's Revenge
September 4th, 2011
12:16 pm
Don’t worry Mark, perhaps a hapless NFL team will hire you this fall. It worked for me!
savannadawg
September 4th, 2011
12:18 pm
Can King catch a football?
KeepDreaming
September 4th, 2011
12:18 pm
I too am not completely sold on Murray. I dont think he played well enough for us to win. Do you also notice that (contrary to M. Stafford) he must look to the sideline for the next play call after he checks down opposing defenses? This concerns me. Is he not smart enough to read defensesto do this himself? Stafford was a pro at it when he was at UGA. The kid’s obviously got athletic talent, but does he really have the brains to play QB??????
Chan Gailey's Revenge
September 4th, 2011
12:19 pm
Hey Mark, I’m looking for a wide receivers coach. So…. what do you think about Buffalo?
Kirby
September 4th, 2011
12:19 pm
Oh please let me coach at UGA. I’m just so sick of coaching for Saban and U of AL. I just can’t wait to get the reins of UGA’s Dream Machine. It just gives me the vapors. Can I be there next week ?
Yea, right.
PreSeason National Champ
September 4th, 2011
12:19 pm
2 years ago Danny Wuerfel and Desire Street ministries may have taken Richt off the dawgs hands. Think their flag football team has hired Tommy Bowden so that position is filled. Sigma Chis may need a coach?