UGA’s Richt volleys ‘must-win’ questions, players defend their coach
Georgia coach Mark Richt found himself on the defensive for a brief time in Tuesday's press conference. (Photo provided by DawgTime.com)
ATHENS – Just three days after Georgia’s season-opening loss to Boise State, Georgia’s Mark Richt is already getting the type of questions reserved for November of a horrific season.
Twice Richt was asked during his weekly press conference Tuesday if he felt Saturday’s game was critically important to him as the Bulldogs’ head coach.
Phrased a different way by two different reporters three minutes apart, Richt gave the same terse answer.
In the first case, Richt was asked if he viewed the South Carolina game as “pivotal for you and your program.”
“I view it as a very important game,” he said, without further elaboration.
A short time later, a reporter from a South Carolina newspaper asked if Richt felt like it was “a must-win game.”
“Didn’t I just say it was a really important game?” Richt snapped back.
“But is it a must win?,” the reporter repeated.
“I think it’s a really important game,” Richt said, now glaring. “You want to ask me again? Because you can, and I’ll answer it the same way.”
And so the tone was set for this week’s SEC opener against No. 12 South Carolina (1-0) at Sanford Stadium on Saturday.
It could be argued that the game was already markedly more important than the opener against Boise State. But after the Bulldogs (0-1) fell 35-21 to the No. 4-ranked Broncos, the perception is that Richt’s job is on the line against the Gamecocks.
That’s certainly the message that Georgia’s players are getting. And they left little doubt Tuesday as to where they stand on the issue.
“We always try to play for Coach Richt, seeing how much he’s done for us,” said junior defensive end Abry Jones.
Said senior tight end Aron White: “I feel like we’re defending Coach Richt just like he defends us. We’re playing for him just like he’s coaching for us. We’re behind him 100 percent. I have complete confidence that all the players on this team are playing for Coach Richt, regardless of what we might agree with or not agree with. He’s still our coach, we’re still his players and we’re in this together. We have full support for him, We’re pulling for him, we’re playing for him, we’re doing everything we can.”
The fan reaction to the Bulldogs’ loss on social media platforms and blogs has been prolific and vitriolic. Likewise, it has been nearly impossible for players and coaches to avoid the negative feedback.
“I didn’t even check my Twitter account,” tight end Orson Charles said. “We know everybody we have in that team meeting room is all we have. If things are going right everybody’s going to jump on board. If they’re going wrong then that’s when things start breaking down. I just pray that the fans stay behind us. Yeah, we let them down in that first game. But I don’t see us letting them down the rest of the season. We just have to come out there and bounce back from this loss.”
Said White: “We catch a good bit of it, now more than ever. I remember coming in in ‘07 and they were coming off disappointing season and there were a lot of people saying a lot of crazy stuff back then. It just comes along with the territory. You have a bad season, you lose games and people are going to talk. You’ve just got to rise above it. You’ve got to tune it out and realize you’re playing for the guys in that locker room.”
Regardless, the players insist fan sentiment and negativity won’t have an effect on how they play against the Gamecocks. As always, it will come down to blocking, tackling and execution.
“We’re not trying to worry about that,” quarterback Aaron Murray said of the hot-seat talk. “We’re just taking it one game at a time. We just know it’s a big game just for ourselves, to get back rolling in the right direction, to get a win under our belts and to get a big win against a great opponent in an SEC game. It’s a huge game. We definitely don’t want to start 0-2 an you don’t want to start 0-1 in SEC play, especially against a team like South Carolina that’s predicted to win the East. We just want to get the ball rolling and get a big win this weekend.”
– Chip Towers
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813 comments Add your comment
Mobile Dawg
September 6th, 2011
4:24 pm
Thanks LC, and of course the same goes to back to you. Wonder where ole Altamaha is and when we’re going to hear from him again. I’m sure he’s lurking out there somewhere. Come on Alt, the water’s fine.
Nick
September 6th, 2011
4:25 pm
Biggest issue other than lack of blocking was the fact that not once did I see any slants or toss sweeps. Richard Samuel needs to be reserved for blocking solely as my dead grandmother could knock him down when he’s got a ball in his hands. For someone lauded as being as big and strong and fast as him, you’d think he’s pick up a yard or two on thrird or fourth and short, regardless of blocking. But I saw some real sparks from Crowell and feel like bringing back that outside running that made guys like Garrison Hearst famous would elevate his chances of a big run, not to mention open up the middle running game. Malcolm Mitchell is going to be good so expect to see some nice things from him as time goes on.
P-Man
September 6th, 2011
4:25 pm
Just askin-
I didn’t say we were elite at this moment. You asked when Georgia was EVER elite. That’s what I answered.
bigcalidawg
September 6th, 2011
4:26 pm
Couple thoughts………..
I wonder how the game would have turned out if our RT didn’t jump twice in that opening drive?
Seems we had a lot riding on that opening possession.
Kellen Moore is an outstanding QB. If Luck wasn’t playing this year, I would put Moore in the lead for Heisman (let’s see how Griffin fares the rest of the way, too.)
We lost to a really good team, with a great QB.
What troubles me is “0″ sacks. I figured that would be a team strength. What did Geathers and Jenkins do?
I’m also troubled by the number of sacks we gave up.
I don’t think we are as bad as we played, given that we are so, so young on offense. I see this Saturday’s game as pickem, but what in the world are we gonna do about Clowney?
Abnerish
September 6th, 2011
4:27 pm
Everyone needs to get this out of their systems, then show up on Saturday afternoon ready to support the Dawgs! Leave the booing and negativity at home. This team needs home field advantage.
I agree that posting negative comments to player’s twitter and FB accounts is totally lame.
DawginLex
September 6th, 2011
4:27 pm
but what in the world are we gonna do about Clowney?
****************************************************
Max protect with 2 or 3 tight ends and a fullback and a running back and play action the entire game. No shotgun.
Any alumnus out there happy with ...
September 6th, 2011
4:27 pm
I doubt that only 15-25% of the entire UGA Alumni Association are happy with Mark Richt because of his 2009, 2010 and current record. Period. That Liberty Bowl thing is still stuck in our throats. It has not been over looked by the $$$ folks. No sir.
Folks ……………………..UGA has the tools, the resources and facilities, the intangibles and the MONEY to make for a Top 10-15 team year in and out. We should always be in the HUNT for the SEC East.
What we saw last year and Vs Oklahoma State and U of CF in the Liberty and GT in 09 and Vs Boise State and MSU last year just ain’t it. The Florida thing is old too and that will change along with all the rest. Enough is enough OR it will be $$$ enough to the UGA coffers.
WE WILL demand change that WE CAN COUNT ON SOON and Dr. Adams is well aware of that. UGA-AD McGarity works for Dr Adams and it was Dr Adams who walked in one day after a GT loss and fired Jim Donnan after 6 mediocre seasons.
The shoe will drop so suddenly late one evening. Boom !!!
Go Dogs
UGA class of 71 & 73
I'm out of the Tech closet
September 6th, 2011
4:27 pm
Tech guy, please STOP being serious, These dawgs are ripe for the picking! We know they all think the FOOTBALL UNIVERSE starts and stops with UGA. Pretty soon things will be back to normal and they WILL be beating Kty, Vandy and other top tier teams.
Nothing Could Be Finer
September 6th, 2011
4:28 pm
Biggest issue other than lack of blocking was the fact that not once did I see any slants or toss sweeps.
——————————-
Its called sandbagging.
Richt knows that Ga isn’t in the running for a National Championship and would rather beat SC.
Thing is that Spurrier barely opened the playbook vs ECU as well.
dawggone
September 6th, 2011
4:28 pm
Good day Loyal fans..Pray for Richt and the dawgs.
Douglas
September 6th, 2011
4:29 pm
For all of those Richt supporters: did you look at today’s rankings? 6 other SEC schools ranked ahead of UGA and we fell out of the rankings. That is how far the UGA football program has fallen. Pathetic.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
September 6th, 2011
4:29 pm
Yeah he is letting the fly by night bloggers leave before rejoining the ranks as I should have done also. UGA fans thought our jerseys where bad, how about Marylands last night! WOWSER!
South Carolina Dawg
September 6th, 2011
4:29 pm
I detest booing no matter what is taking place. BUT, I do think fans would be more supportive if some of our players didn’t showboat after ANY play. Just once I wish they would make outstanding plays and then let the fans cheer without prompts. Also, I believe many of these guys view college as a pit stop to the NFL and do not really love Georgia as the fans do. Herschel may have “raised the roof” on Saturday, but never, ever did he urge the fans to yell or showboat. You can showboat when you win the SEC East!!
14 Games, 6 W's and 8 losses
September 6th, 2011
4:31 pm
DawginLex
You seem to like trashing people, Garcia and Spurrier in just the last half hour, but I suspect you would be the first one to pony up as much as you could afford to get Spurrier to come to UGA to save this sorry program that Richt has let happen.
And don’t lecture me about displine with anything goes Richt. He merely laughs when Boykin disrespects the head coach of Boise State, right before Peterson kicked Richt a$$
Lil dawg
September 6th, 2011
4:31 pm
Was the Dream team just a false alarm….
Boise Alum
September 6th, 2011
4:31 pm
I am a Boise State Alum, I am also a fan of the SEC, I will also say ” shame on you Georgia fans” I have never bashed Boise State even after the kicker missed the field goal to send us to the Rose Bowl. It’s really sad when these kids go out and play their hearts out and gets beat by a better team. The bottom line is Boise State was just better on that day. Get over it, these kids don’t deserve the twitter threats and all the bashing coming from their own program.
UGA Alumnus
September 6th, 2011
4:32 pm
I think we need to make adjustments. Our offensive line doesn’t seem capable of pass blocking. So lets run quick pass plays that get the ball out of Murray’s hand immediately. And let’s stop running the ball up the middle.
We need to call plays that this offense can execute, not plays that work with a group of players we don’t have.
That said, the Dawgs have my support.
It’s been a frustrating year or so in UGA football, but I’m still a Dawg, and I still support my school and my team.
Let’s go Dawgs!
Keep working hard, and play with all your heart…
Go Dawgs!
UGA Law Dawg
September 6th, 2011
4:32 pm
Got to love fans making predictions after playing no name teams. UGA, LSU both played decent teams. One looked good the other one looked lost. I will hold judgement until each team plays a real team on the road in a hostile environment.
Damn these CATFISH are big down here
September 6th, 2011
4:32 pm
Altimahadawg could not stand it any more. Word is he drove off a boat ramp into, yes, the Altimaha river. He may have floated to the TWO WAY FISH CAMP by now.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
September 6th, 2011
4:33 pm
Finer,
Stop channeling your inner Vince Dooley! You trying to build this UGA team up it seems like. Your killing me over here! It must be killing you not to just start typing LOL over and over.
UGA Alumnus
September 6th, 2011
4:33 pm
@Boise Alum
September 6th, 2011
4:31 pm
I completely agree.
AugDawd
September 6th, 2011
4:33 pm
I support the Mark Richt the person, but Coach Richt should resign.
No one in the last 5 years in the NCAA has gotten less with more.
No one can argue with that.
Maybe Texas, but they have at least been in the national conversation as having a chance.
No national media person, would even agree thay GA is a national program anymore.
All the talent, no chance of titles.
That is a coaching problem.
Nothing Could Be Finer
September 6th, 2011
4:33 pm
Our offensive line doesn’t seem capable of pass blocking. So lets run quick pass plays that get the ball out of Murray’s hand immediately.
———————————–
East Carolina tried that and had some success. Yall still need a running game though.
DawginLex
September 6th, 2011
4:34 pm
Spurrier is 1 year from retiring. Don’t want him in Athens except to come in and lose again.
You think the AJC and the Athens Banner Herald would have allowed Georgia to re-instate Garcia 5 times if he were our QB? No.
Spurrier only kept him because of his ability. Like I said, if he is way down the depth chart, he is at Furman now. No thanks. Richt kicked a kid off the team that could be our QB now.
The 2 don’t exactly compare do they?
UGA Alumnus
September 6th, 2011
4:34 pm
@Lil dawg
September 6th, 2011
4:31 pm
The “Dream Team” are still kids learning the system and learning to play college ball. They are true freshmen. Give them time to develop.
ga gator
September 6th, 2011
4:34 pm
I hope you are correct CHDawg but I will be shocked. Floyd by the way is before the NCAA today to determine whether he is reinstated for Sat. It appears his name came up in the NC investigation and UF declared him ineligable for precautionary reasons before kickoff saturday.
Dbalcer
September 6th, 2011
4:35 pm
I hope the team does stop reading fan comments because there are a lot of hurtful and hateful things being said by “fans”. Fans don’t turn on their team after one loss and say the kind of things that are being said. I support our coach and our players and I will be in Sanford stadium loudly letting them know that. Go DAWGS SIC ‘EM and if you can’t support them give your tickets to someone who will cheer for them. They don’t need to have to play against SC and fans who are against them.
ugh....responds
September 6th, 2011
4:35 pm
You guys sit on your computer and complain about how someone coaches or plays and yet I imagine that none of you have ever played the game and most of you did not even go to UGA. If you actually went to college there you would understand what it means to be a Bulldawg. It sure as hell doesn’t mean a bunch of whining and moaning from some two-bit fan that backdoors his way into season tickets by buying them off of stubhub. Richt’s winning percentage .733….Vince Dooley’s .715. Also, Dooley did not win a unanimous national championship until his 16th season. He has had a 8-10-3 bowl record where Richt’s teams have already won 7 to three losses. Please stop complaining about a coach that has brought us our only SEC championships since 1982. Between those years I don’t exactly remember UGA being a dynasty….
DawginLex
September 6th, 2011
4:36 pm
ga gator
Was Floyd from amsterdam?
Charlie Hayes
September 6th, 2011
4:37 pm
Your calling us “fair weather fans”. We are not upset that we are losing games. We understand that no one is perfect and games will be lost. However, it is who we are losing to and how we are losing the games. UGA should not have lost to BSU. Maybe Richt needs to come sit with me and I can point out the issues and provide the adjustments that need to be made. No need to watch film on Sunday’s to figure out what is wrong. I can see it real-time during the game. Why cant the coaches? I have been a Richt homer for the past eleven years. With the talent that has came into Athens we should have already won another SEC and a National Champ. Instead we keep with the wait and see game and the program is still going backwards. What good did that do for FSU with the wait-and-see for Bobby B? They hired a talented replacement and they are being picked to win it all this year. Sometimes youve just gotta cut a man loose. Its time to rebuild with a new staff that will bring greatness back to the Bulldawg Nation. Richt nor any of his staff members are getting it done, bottom line, period. If you want to play the “these are college kids” lines then convince the NCAA to lower all coaches salaries to $100k so my donations, tickets and expenses are at a fair price to watch this horrible train wreck. With the investments that I have made to UGA, I dont expect to win. I demand it. If that makes me a “fair weather fan” then your wrong. I am still a Georgia Bulldog and bleed red-and-black everyday of my life, but it doesnt mean that we need to continue supporting a coach (or coaches) that need to be replaced as they have lost thier edge. Pull thier wings and find us another fly-boy to take us to the top. Enough said.
Adjustments - ya think??
September 6th, 2011
4:37 pm
UGA alum , “adjustments needed”, now thats putting seven yrs of college to use. I bet you are in GRAD SCHOOL with your POWERS OF DEDUCTION. Please let it be “Sports Management”.
DawginLex
September 6th, 2011
4:39 pm
ugh
I think the difference is that Dooley did things his way. Everyone knew we were going to toss sweep on 1st and 2nd down and throw a play action pass on 3rd down. He refused to change but we at least had a mentality that until you stopped it, we were going to play our game.
When Richt came, he had instant success because of our defense and because of his playcalling. We have lost both.
Until we become something that we can all believe in again, the frustration is going to continue.
ga gator
September 6th, 2011
4:40 pm
From Philly Lex.
how much more?
September 6th, 2011
4:40 pm
Children might be reading this blog, so I won’t write what I’ m thinking.
DawginLex
September 6th, 2011
4:41 pm
ga gator
i know. I was just kidding about the 3 kids from Boise
hey Charlie Hayes.....
September 6th, 2011
4:41 pm
I’m glad we didn’t cut Dooley loose before that 1980 year….the year before his team went 6-5 and two years before that it went 5-6….Seems that he was able to get that edge back.
Madeleine
September 6th, 2011
4:41 pm
I don’t know much about football other than watching my son in high school. But you’ve got to tackle somebody at least once to stop them. And why did they sack Murray almost every play but we couldn’t sack their quarterback once?
Charlie Hayes
September 6th, 2011
4:41 pm
So ugh….responds:
You are okay with watching Florida, Alabama, LSU and Auburn all change coaches and then win National Championships? They all made coaching changes and then prospered!
We are not saying that Richt is a bad guy or bashing him personally. We are saying that we want ROI (Return On Investment). We pay a lot of money each year (and yes I graduated from UGA) and we want a National Championship EVERY YEAR. Is that going to happen, well no. But we need to be in contention of a SEC Championship every year or the coaches didnt do their jobs. No coaches today keep jobs longer than five (5) years due to pressure. The days of Dooley and Bowden are long gone. Maybe you need to look around and then you will understand why we feel this way.
CHDawg
September 6th, 2011
4:43 pm
Kids, time to wash up for supper….
georgedawg
September 6th, 2011
4:44 pm
Betting we lose to South Carolina . Then we improve throghout the season. If you expected us to win these first two games you’re an optomist or a fool. We are young and inexperienced with holes everywhere los, rb, lb.
But we are heading in the right direction. it’s just not going to show up on the scoreboard for a few games.
As a Georgia fan 72′ please support the team and coaches throughout the season regardless of the record. If it turns out that theres not marked improvement in attitude and effort and results by year end, then McGarity will make the right decision. Until then were just hurting the team. The other SEC coaches use the fair weather Georgia fans against us in recruiting. Spurrier says come to South Carolina where the fans love you win or lose.
Think of it you’ve got the AJC – looking for a story. They are already wondering if Izaih is going to be a bust. blogging about it. You’ve got all the transpalnts in Atlanta that like Georgia when there good and criticising them at a moments notice.
If you are a real fan or alumnist – Be a fan win or lose and support our players. For those of you booing our team on national TV, spend your money on the Falcons or Tech – we don’t need or want you.
Charlie Hayes
September 6th, 2011
4:45 pm
Back @ hey Charlie Hayes…..
Dooley only won those games due to Hershel Walker. There has and never will be another athelete like him either. Without Walker, Dooley would have been another Goof or Donnan. Whatever coach UGA would have hired would have won with Walker….It wasnt Dooley son.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
September 6th, 2011
4:45 pm
Charlie Hayes
Well BSU was #5 in the country. Heisman trophy calibur QB. UGA was coming off a 6-7 season. Just because we are in the SEC and we are UGA does not mean we simply show up and win the game. That BSU team was battled tested. Something we did not appreicate well enough. This UGA team is still searching for its identity and its resolve.
AugDawg
September 6th, 2011
4:46 pm
This is the “Richt” Defense:
I’m a good guy,
I used to be a good coach,
I used to have my teams prepared,
I have some history on my side with a few statistics.
Sorry Coach, you have a losing record in conference the last 2 years.
4-4 and 3-5: that’s 7 wins and 9 loses. And this is when Florida has been down.
I can only imagine what Spurrier could have done at GA instead of SC.
UGA Law Dawg
September 6th, 2011
4:47 pm
What “handle” is Mrs. Richt using today to defend her husband?
It ain't rocket science
September 6th, 2011
4:48 pm
“Charlie Hayes” is right. The fans are not the problem. Its the coaches – the buck stops there! Eight months after that bowl game, and look at what they offered the Bulldawg Nation. And by the way, it ain’t rocket science – get in shape, stay out of trouble, learn the plays, practice, and then execute on Saturday. Boise State is a very good team, but our first possession did not involve their offense!
ed
September 6th, 2011
4:49 pm
When Boise players made a good play they jumped up and ran back to the team. When UGA players made a good play they jumped up and down and beat themselves in the chest. We need players with character!
The recruiting situation is just as bad as the coaching.
ga gator
September 6th, 2011
4:51 pm
Two more observations from my seat saturday night in the dome.
1. Boise is good but does not have top 5 talent; only coaching.
2. UGA conditioning: players were dying only 5 minutes after 2nd half started.
Not sure what Charlie Hayes is saying....
September 6th, 2011
4:51 pm
Of course UGA won the National Championship mostly because of Herschel Walker, but I don’t remember Walker throwing that ball from Belue to Scott. It takes more than one person to win. Also, if you are going to discount what Dooley did than why should you complain about what UGA hasn’t done lately? Take away the Dooley years and UGA has a very pedestrian history.
UGA Law Dawg
September 6th, 2011
4:52 pm
Real Question: whose seat is hotter Today? Mark Richt or Houston Nutt?
Gump said it
September 6th, 2011
4:52 pm
Stupid is, as stupid does. And did that kid apologize yet for calling out their coach on Twitter?