Mark Richt: Georgia a young team that ‘will get better exponentially’
Here’s some quotes from players and coaches after Georgia’s 45-42 loss to South Carolina Saturday night at Sanford Stadium. . . .
Georgia Head Coach Mark Richt:
“That was an exciting game. The score didn’t turn out the way we wanted. Losing is no fun.”
“South Carolina is a tremendous team, and I think Georgia’s a darn good team if we don’t help the opponent too much.”
“As head coach, I saw an awful lot of great ingredients in this game. I saw a lit fight from our guys, I saw some outstanding plays at crunch time, I saw banged-up guys sucking it up and going. I saw I a lot of resiliency. We can be very good football team, we just had too many giveaways.”
“I thought we kept fighting. We took the lead a couple of times and never gave in. The clock just ran out on us, basically.”
“I wouldn’t say we’re young across the board, but we have enough young people we’re counting on that we’ll get better exponentially.”
“I think the Eastern Division will be decided down the road and I think we’re going to be in the middle of it. I think everybody needs to wait and let it play out.”
“There were so many bad things that happened to us, it would’ve been easy to lay down and die, but we didn’t.”
On play Murray was sacked and fumbled . . .
“We had a slip screen called and their five technique [tackle] went inside and I don’t think Cordy [Glenn] got a hand on him. If you’re gonna get sacked, you get sacked. But Murray had to hold onto the ball there.”
On Isaiah Crowell . . .
“Isaiah is a dynamic player. He got busted in the ribs early in the game and had a hard time breathing. He showed some toughness to be able to finish.”
“We’ve definitely been through some really tough games, games that take a lot of guts, energy and games where you need the majority of things to go right to get the victories. We lost and we understand that. But we’re going to be a good football team. We’re resilient enough to shake it off and make the corrections.”
On throwing his head phones and play cards . . .
“I guess I wanted to show people that I could get mad. I threw them pretty far, too. If I had a visor on I would have slammed it down.”
“We have a tight-knit group. Our guys love each other and believe in each other. We will tweak a couple of things and be in good shape. The future is still very bright. We’ve just got to do things to get results on the scoreboard.”
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier:
“I’ve never won a game like this that I can remember,” Gamecocks head coach Steve Spurrier said. “Georgia outplayed us. Give them credit, they outplayed us, but somehow or another we won the game. Sometimes it happens like that. Somebody was looking out for us tonight.”
QB Aaron Murray
On the interception…
“I think I just threw it a little behind Orson [Charles]. There was pressure, it was a tight window, and you have to put those right on the money, and I didn’t. The defender made a great play on it.”
On the game…
“I think we had great plays on both sides of the ball. We had some great plays on offense, and the defense had some awesome plays. We just gave up too many big plays and those mistakes hurt us. We can be a great football team, we have a ton of talent on both sides of the ball, but those four turnovers hurt us.”
On the miscues . . .
“Every mistake we made was big. It stinks to five points away in a ballgame like that. We gave away 28 points tonight. You can’t do that in any game, much less an SEC game.”
TB Isaiah Crowell:
“I hate to lose, but we have to deal with it. We have to come out this week and be ready to work. There isn’t time to put our heads down.”
On what happened on the fumble . . .
“I made a small pocket and the ball hit my hand. It was my fault. I should’ve made a bigger pocket.”
On being put back on the field after the fumble…
“I learned that they have confidence in me. [The fumble] was my fault. I told them it wouldn’t happen again. It was nice to get back out there so I could try to redeem myself.”
On the outlook for the season . . .
“The window is still open to win the East and that’s what we’re focused on.”
LB Christian Robinson:
On the game…
“They made some great plays, and we didn’t do what we needed to do. It’s disappointing, but we’re going to go back to the film room, look at our mistakes and get better.”
On critics…
“It’s our job to get the job done, and we didn’t do that today. It’s not the coaches, it’s us. We played our hearts out and just didn’t finish. I’m looking forward to getting back out there.”
CB/KR Brandon Boykin
On mood in the locker room after the loss…
“People were disappointed, but no matter what, we all know that we have to come back on Monday ready to work. We know that we’re capable of winning a lot of games, and winning close games. We’re ready to get back out on the field.”
On kickoff returns…
“I told [the team] before the game that I was going to give all I got. The blockers did a great job of opening the holes, and I just got myself through the holes. I was happy I was able to give the offense good field position.”
OLB Jarvis Jones:
If you play this game long enough you’re going to lose a game like this. It’s tough. This is the SEC. You make mistakes and good teams are going to capitalize on it and that’s what they did.”
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546 comments Add your comment
Oh what a relief it is
September 11th, 2011
5:42 pm
When Richt is sacked, it will be such a relief to have that cheating sleazebucket gone from the state.
Dogs Smell
September 11th, 2011
5:47 pm
Just wait , if the Vols win on Saturday and the Homers beat Coastal the bragging will be back on how they will give UF a beat down and how they will be in the Dome come December.What makes you think this when you have already lost 3 games in a row that you claim that you are better than? Blind “Homers”
why
September 11th, 2011
5:49 pm
My only complaint is the team being caught off guard when SC faked the punt. Other than that, GO DAWGS!
Big Old Dawg
September 11th, 2011
6:04 pm
beanster…..you old techturd, how was Dragoncon?
Big Old Dawg
September 11th, 2011
6:06 pm
Oh what a relief it is…..another techturd polesmoker…how’s MidTown Dragonboy!
beanster
September 11th, 2011
6:11 pm
buddy, you have no idea what you are talking about
beanster
September 11th, 2011
6:12 pm
You may want to reread my posts. But slowly. Take your time.
Big Old Dawg
September 11th, 2011
6:19 pm
beanster…sorry about that, read your previous and saw reference to comment on 3 wins, then went back furthr saw it was a Techturd you were responding to GayTech Joe…..
Big Old Dawg
September 11th, 2011
6:21 pm
‘llI have you know I’m a proud UGA grad Claas of ‘96…..that part about reading slow…I needed that ….thanks.
GT GRAD
September 11th, 2011
6:26 pm
SEC fans should be glad that Boise State is not in the SEC East……the remaining 5 teams would be playing for second place each & every year.
This is exactly why the SEC teams (except for the 3-4 elite SEC teams) simply do not play any solid competition outside of the SEC. The only exceptions are GT & FSU because UGA and Florida are scheduled to play these teams each and every year.
Tell the truth now………if UGA had destroyed an easy opponent in the first game (like most seasons at UGA), everyone in the SEC would be saying UGA & SC are both really solid SEC teams that are strong and a force to be reckoned with this season. The truth is that the Boise State game proved UGA is not very good and SC must not be that stellar since they won ugly & close to a subpar UGA team.
It will be VERY interesting if UGA needs a “W” against GT to earn a bowl bid!
Please do not hate me…….I am simply bringing up some intersting talking points.
chief pitchanono
September 11th, 2011
6:36 pm
I was impressed, yeah a win would have been better but at least we saw improvement and something we haven’t seen in a while “heart”!. Richt may be on to something so i’m holding out judgement untill the end of the season. The question is now can he build off what he has achieved in this game. I think he’s probably right about he east being decided late in the season, so if he can keep these guys going in the right direction they may still have something to play for. Go Dawgs!!
Bruce
September 11th, 2011
6:37 pm
No way I want Kirby.
beanster
September 11th, 2011
7:11 pm
GT GRAD — I am not sure what your point is. SEC teams are overrated? UGA isn’t ranked. And you are comparing apples to oranges when you take USC’s performance against UGA compared to UGA’s performance against Boise. As much as UGA would like to believe they were ready to play in Atlanta, a big factor in that game was that we are not rivals. Playing in the SEC week after week creates a “hate factor” that can’t be defined on a quantative scale. That is why the SEC is the toughest conference. Week after week, there are few teams that face as many hated opponents as UGA does, or UF, or USC, or Alabama, or Auburn…. I know that other teams think that idea is a bunch of doo doo but the fact remains, 5 National Championships in a row. The 3-4 elitists are just that. And it’s hard as hell to get there.
Thomas Brown
September 11th, 2011
7:57 pm
UCF Dawg September 11th, 2011 9:13 am
“You got the W, but the whole nation (Dawg and Gamec0ck) know who was the truly better team.”
UCF Dawg, what does anyone say to you after that statement ?
Al
September 11th, 2011
8:01 pm
Bulldogs were the better looking team. It was unforuntate that a couple of breakdowns cost them the game. Stick with Richt!! Team may not lose another game this year.
Thomas Brown
September 11th, 2011
8:12 pm
kybodawg September 11th, 2011 9:26 am
“good to see that most of the haters are silent today dawgs played with heart. you cant beat luck”
3 fumbles and an interception by Aaron Murray is now just luck ? Did you watch the same play the rest of us did where they threw little Aaron Murray down like he was a rag doll ?
Marine Dawg,
Yes we would go 11-3 this season with any coach, and would recruit at least as well as we have been, too. I am unconcerned about the Ray Goff years, and as for Jim Donnan’s 19 losses in his 5 years here, Mark Richt has lost 21 games his last 5 years and is 0-2 this season in addition. We will be just fine with ANY other coach. Yes, the point is that I do feel we would win at this level with any other coach. We could hardly do worse.
beanster
September 11th, 2011
8:33 pm
Thomas Brown (aka BuLLDAWG) — Sometimes I wish you’d just go ahead and give up on the Dawgs. Your negativity does nothing to help our school. If you have some real influence, why don’t you get on the phone. Otherwise, pipe down (that is unless you have something positive to say).
Thomas Brown
September 11th, 2011
8:37 pm
Bama Mike September 11th, 2011 9:38 am
“I am still scratching my head over the on side kick with over two minutes to go.”
The onside kick-off ? What about having 3 time-outs, 2 and a half minutes to go, and letting the clock run on 3rd Down ? If he knows what the blazes he is doing, he calls a time-out, obviously, sets the defense to stop a 1st down, and gets the ball back then. Instead, this offensive brain trust that led us down the field on the opening 3 drives to their goal line and settled for field goals in our pass-happy offense with poor passes by Aaron Murray. At the end there, on that 3rd Down by calling time-out, you run blitz Lattimore knowing he will get it; but, we let him break contain outside, get the 1st Down and end the game.
What good did having that last time-out do then ? No, we are a very poorly coached football team. We play Favorites and are afraid to put the other players in the game, for fear that they would show up the coaching staff who has not been able to determine who to play on offense, defense and especially on special teams. What in the world is going on that we give scholarships to every special team player, when none of them play offense or defense ever ? Get our best players on the field. I know everyone thinks the game of football is so hard. It is, at best, a simple game. You hire the top assistant coaches, not praying buddies, and you put your best players on the field. The in-state talent then comes here. You don’t lose every game vs every top team; and you do not lose to more than 1 team every year who does not even finish in the AP Poll Top 25. SEC Football REQUIRES that you run the football. You don’t just run off 26 scholarship players who averaged 3.58; and try to tell the world you are the # 4 best college football coach in all of America and that losing all 26 of them in the last year alone, is just some “addition by subtraction.” This is not propaganga. It is called fact.
Thomas Brown
September 11th, 2011
8:41 pm
beanster,
I gave up on Mark Richt. Does that make you happy ?
Thomas Brown
September 11th, 2011
8:49 pm
dawg85 September 11th, 2011 9:41 am
“Bizarre game. Carolina got 28 cheap points. You can’t give any team four huge gifts and win. Unfortunately football games are decided by the score at the end. Liked what I saw though. Georgia looked better in every phase of the game except rushing the QB.”
Aaron Murray messed up the hand-off to Isaiah Crowell that led to 7 points, fumbled the football at his feet and got beat up trying to get it back, threw the interception pick 6, and got throw to the turf like a RAG DOLL fumbling the football to put South Carolina ahead by 2 scores at the end of the game.
This is doing better at every phase of the game ?
Compared to what ?
dawg85
beanster
September 11th, 2011
8:49 pm
That is obvious. But when you rip coach Richt, you rip the Dawgs too. They read this crap, trust me. Not all of it, but some. And if you weren’t impressed by the effort they gave, well, I don’t’ know what to tell you. That bunch has heart. They gave it everything they have. We are not perfect. We are doing the best we can with what we have. CMR has done well in the past. He deserves more than the crap you throw at him. He knows his back is against the wall. Let this season play out and then start the bashing. Until then, BE A FAN OF THE GEORGIA BULLDAWGS AND STOP BEING SO G.D. NEGATIVE!!!!!!!!!
beanster
September 11th, 2011
8:53 pm
TB — Be honest, did you play football in high school?
beanster
September 11th, 2011
8:54 pm
Do you know what it means to be part of a team, to face challenges as a team? Do you know how hard that is?
beanster
September 11th, 2011
8:55 pm
If you do, then take your negativity and stick it where the sun don’t shine because, believe me, you are not helping at all.
Thomas Brown
September 11th, 2011
8:59 pm
beanster,
I disagree. I graduated from UGA. Tell me where you are a better Bulldog fan than I and I will tell you you have no idea what you are talking about, a walk-on myself at UGA. I can rip Mark Richt because I am dissatisfied with 21 losses the last 5 years; unimpressed by 3 wins in 13 games vs teams who finished in the AP Poll Top 10 all 11 years; and ashamed of 16 losses to the likes of teams who would not have finished in the AP Poll Top 25 even with their win over us, and 10 of those 16 losses to cruddy teams in 11 years to-date did not even finish in the AP Poll Top 25 even with their win over Mark Richt.
There is no moral victory for you beanster in a game so sloppy to start the game that 3 times we take the ball down the field to start the game and all 3 drives ended on pass-happy Aaron Murray failing to check down and threw instead just horrid passes. One, we had a guy open at the 16-yard line and he threw the football to the 8. Another, the guy was wide open. He stood in the pocked and waited and waited and waited. I kept saying throw the football. When he finally did, the coverage caught up. He should have thrown the football on the cut.
Sounds to me like in your last sentence that you AGREE with me that at the end of the season, he is gone. So, then, what we have is that YOU can say that : FIRE HIM AT THE END OF THE SEASON. But, I cannot.
Shall I do as you SAY ? And, not as you DO ?
“He knows his back is against the wall. Let this season play out and then start the bashing.”
Thomas Brown
September 11th, 2011
9:07 pm
I believe that you are the problem with this football program. I am saying nothing different tonight than I have said every day in this blog the last 6 consecutive seasons, beanster.
“He knows his back is against the wall. Let this season play out and then start the bashing.”
Mark Richt has not fixed any of this. I have continually said that I love the guy, but that his coaching staff is going to cost him his job. Tonight I log on and you can tell him “He knows his back is against the wall. Let this season play out and then start the bashing.” But, tell me repeatedly I cannot that I am the problem with the program I spend $10,000 a year following.
I was at the Georgia Dome, too; were you sir ?
This needs to end; we need to move on. Your opinion ? “He knows his back is against the wall. Let this season play out and then start the bashing.”
Thomas Brown
September 11th, 2011
9:18 pm
DaltonDawg September 11th, 2011 9:41 am
“I saw a team last night could have won the game if this same team hadn’t gotten in its own way! Way too many mistakes to win a close football game like this. The fake punt for a touchdown was the turning point in my opinion. We were poised to stab the dagger in their hearts until then. The Dawgs actually played like they wanted to win; which was totally different from what I saw last week.”
Then, why don’t we ever play our best players on the special teams ? Never in 11 years have we done that. Did you notice who THEY use on THEIR special teams ? That was their Starting DL who took the snap and out-ran our 3rd team players who is all we use on special teams, except of course, Brandon Boykin who pulled his Super Bowl VII Garo Yepremian type pass on special teams with his whiff on the tackle. “The fake punt for a touchdown was the turning point in my opinion.” I, of course, believe that the game was lost after the interception pick 6, on Aaron Murray’s 3rd fumble of the game being thrown down like a RAG DOLL to put South Carolina ahead by 2 scores, when everyone else left the stadium.
Thomas Brown
September 11th, 2011
9:32 pm
the realist September 11th, 2011 9:42 am
“dont be too hasty- 10-2 or 9-3 is still very possible which would be a good building block for next year. You dont want to play Bama this year anyway.next year could be a diffrent story? Bear Bryant had 3 consecutive years of 8-3, 6-5, 6-5-1 . I guess you’d want him fired too ?”
Mark Richt, now you are comparing to Bear Bryant who Won Six (6) National Championships at Alabama in his 24 years; and you don’t want to play Alabama anyway, when that would lead to 11-3 with us having beat no team who ends the season in the Top 10 yet again ?
Bear Bryant, sir, had 19 seasons in which he lost 0, 1 or 2 games at Alabama; another 2 at Texas A and M, and another 1 yet again at Kentucky. The Top college football coach Award is named for him. Instead, what we have is Mark Richt the last 5 years has AVERAGED over 4 LOSSES per season. More than 4 Losses a season average the last 5 years, and is 0-2 this season. That sir, is an irresponsible statement : trying to compare Mark Rictht to Bear Bryant. Good heavens did no one reply to that crudola but I ?
When Mark Richt is Bear Bryant bullfrogs will have wings so that they can fly, instead of having to bump their buns across the rocks.
beanster
September 11th, 2011
9:33 pm
No, sir. I was watching the game here on my couch in Athens.With a newborn, I opted not to buy season tix this year. Since you walked on at UGA, surely you must know someone in the Athletic Dept where your complaints might not fall on deaf ears. Do you really think that McGarity would fire CMR mid season? (uh, no) So that said, why not let the season play out and see what happens. This team is eerily familiar to the ‘01 squad. Remember that? When Dawg fans were used to losing all the time? And then came the hobnail boot and things as we knew them drastically changed.
Are you a parent? If so, I feel sorry for your kid(s). I just can’t see how you think your endless b*tching and complaining will change anything, except for adding to the discouragement that our players feel like our fan base gives them. As I said before, if you know somebody that has some influence, then do something about it. If not, then shut up, watch the games this year, and when it is all said and done, give us your grand assessment on the state of affairs in Athens and how you could do things so much better. My guess is that just like now, no one will want to hear what you have to say.
still a dawg fan
September 11th, 2011
10:26 pm
We are now the Clemson of the SEC–somehow we find a way to loss
todd
September 11th, 2011
10:51 pm
Mark Richt is not a championship head coach. Do we want to win championships? Fire Richt, offer Saban 7million a year and watch what happens when a real coach lands in Athens. Wuss bags never finish first in the SEC. We have a wuss bag for a head coach. Who else would have Bozo calling plays? enough said. and fire that Todd Grantham before the Florida game please. what a great hire that was….. holy moly.
DAWG FAN
September 11th, 2011
11:12 pm
You can not turn your back on coach richt! The majority of there record is from him. All teams go threw hard times and this one of those times. Mark richt is georgia football threw and threw! He is a brilliant coach. They showed much improvement, they have to hunker down now. We have to win out the season now. A real gorgia fan WOULD NOT TURN THERE BACK ON MARK RICHT! HE IS THE MAN FOR THE JOB. Now the play calling is something else, I think Bobo is on the hot seat……..
Rocco
September 11th, 2011
11:28 pm
Hey, Jim Moron. Your name fits you perfectly!! We saw a great team make one too many mistakes. Your Moron mouth will close when the Dawgs win the SEC East this year. And to the Moron with the comment abour Richt’s faith who didn’t have the courage to put “her” name, Richt wouldn’t even stoop to your level, which I believe is somewhere in a very warm place!!!
Charles
September 12th, 2011
12:11 am
I’m a Carolina grad and fan, so I’m happy that Georgia lost. However, UGA football players aren’t whining about the loss or making excuses. They’ve been extremely competitive in both of their losses…to teams ranked higher then them, I might add. There’s no shame in that, no matter how stupid rankings this early in the season are. One SEC loss doesn’t sink anybody’s season.
David
September 12th, 2011
7:19 am
Hey Murray……thanks oncxe again to your gift of 14 points we lose. I am sick and tired of your talk…time to shut up and get the job done. You talk and prepare a great game…bottom line- you have yet to prove it on the field. Again, out of 14 games- you have yet to beat a winning team……Maybe the coach needs to open the QB position up
ugab
September 12th, 2011
8:00 am
I love the way we kicked the ball in the endzone on most of the kickoffs. You can not let a DL score on a fake punt. Our onside kick was close to being a game changer. Over all ga beat their selves again. Murray’s fumble topped it off. Overall I give the dawgs a C. Not a championship callober team. 2 many mistakes. We are young! Until we put together an OL and DL that are seniors and juniors don’t expect any better
Dr. Who
September 12th, 2011
8:45 am
Maybe all those who want Richt gone should apply for the job!
Chuck
September 12th, 2011
9:42 am
Wow – what a game. I thought we had it secured in the third quarter. It really troubles me to see how conservative we play early in the game. SC could do nothing, and yet we did not throw deep passes or capitalize on their ineptitude. We gotta get tough when opportunities arise. Hang it there guys and maybe the season will be OK
Robert
September 12th, 2011
10:55 am
UGA is starting to sound like the Braves did in the late 1990’s
We outplayed them but.
We did some good things but
We had just one bad play
Excuses excuses excuses
RSWDawg
September 12th, 2011
11:00 am
@ Chinny -
You must really follow UGA’s recruiting each year. We recruit better than the teams you mention, yet we’re not suppose to be as good? Why is that….
Robert
September 12th, 2011
11:04 am
Focus on what Spurrier said and you will get down to the bottom line
“They outplayed us”
When a team can outplay the opponent but then still make that one critical mistake that snatches defeat from the jaws of victory – that’s a sign that the leadership needs to change
8-4 would be a miracle
7-5 or 6-6 is more likely
Lose to Tech or have a really bad loss, say to a Kentucky, Vandy, or Miss, and Richt can kiss his job goodbye
wildbill
September 12th, 2011
2:27 pm
One thing is clear, CMR would not recognize an exponential curve if he saw one. He should not use such dribble unless he consulted a math major. In short, an exponential curve increases at a rate not possible in the world of football.
Reality
September 12th, 2011
3:26 pm
Win or GTFO!
Reality
September 12th, 2011
3:30 pm
“Maybe all those who want Richt gone should apply for the job!” -Dr Who
Congratulations! You’ve won the idiotic comment of the day award.
Mike the Plumber
September 12th, 2011
5:39 pm
Okay we a younger team ..we gonna have one helluva year he said in AJC u watch us…we have 0-2 U better Richt slick beat Coastal Carolina so easy like 70-0 and we know u guys are Mad over lost to Boise state n south carolina….if u beat them by 10pts u are not ready….n florida no push over as they whip u all over jacksonville 48-14 ….I see a 7-5 record again! And u still be coachin sayin to Chip Towers This is gonna be are break out year..u quote me now!
Dawg Tired of complaining
September 13th, 2011
7:51 am
In a post somewhere I read that some Einstein is suggesting fans stop buying tickets, stop buying stuff with the “G” on it and some other ignorant ideas.Wow! Now I’ve heard it all. The suggestion has been made to stop buying the stuff with a “G” on it and stop giving the team our support. Sir or Maam let me say this, that “G” stands for way more than just the football team. That “G” stands for a University that I will forever be proud of and proud to support, no matter the success of the football team. I was once told that I played for the “G” on my hat instead of the name on my back. Sir or Maam, I feel what you are selfishly suggesting is outrageous and it truly demonstrates your connection to UGA. Athens and UGA means more to many folks than just a place to go on Saturdays to watch a football game. No matter what the record I will always support the team and the “G”. So, you can stop buying and supporting UGA if you would like. What these boys and Coaches need is support and your fickle support would not be missed at all. These comments are really reveal the difference between the people that are true Dawgs and those that have absolutely no loyality to the University that I love. So if YOU want to boycott UGA then go right ahead, WE don’t need supporters like YOU. Go Dawgs! Once a Dawg, always a Dawg!