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.”
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
546 comments Add your comment
Ronaldus Hyattus
September 10th, 2011
11:30 pm
That fake punt was a thing of beauty. Glad to see Coach Superior use a lameass Richt trick against the master baiter of lame.
Oh Brother
September 10th, 2011
11:31 pm
The SEC East? We blew our only shot tonight. USC would have to lose two SEC games and we will have to go undefeated…didn’t happen last year…won’t happen this year. Did anyone hear the game wrap up with Zeir? Sounds like we should be happy to be middle of the road and we should get a win next week. Of course…he never one the big one either. What a joke.
Jim Moron
September 10th, 2011
11:31 pm
Bring back Hershel Walker..He can still run a 4.39?
UGA Law Dawg
September 10th, 2011
11:32 pm
Would someone who thinks they know the SEC please rank the SEC top to bottom after two weeks without divisions?
1 through 12..I would love to see someone elses perspective.
Ronaldus Hyattus
September 10th, 2011
11:33 pm
“Did anyone hear the game wrap up with Zeir?’
I couldn’t hear him for Scott Howard yelling.
Kramer
September 10th, 2011
11:35 pm
Listen folks. Georgia is the only team in the country to play two games against 2 top 15 teams. There are a lot of teams that would be 0-2 at this point. Quit yer crying.
Ronaldus Hyattus
September 10th, 2011
11:36 pm
I’m not crying, I’m laughing. Loudly.
mcg dawg
September 10th, 2011
11:36 pm
Kramer…if your team is Tech….you’ve got to be kidding with your comments, right?
Almost doesn't cut it
September 10th, 2011
11:38 pm
Out-coached…….out-coached…….out-coached. Game after game………..
Plain and simple.
Kramer
September 10th, 2011
11:39 pm
My team is Georgia. And I’m not kidding. I suppose you have ALL of the answers right? Of course you do. That’s why you coach for a living.
joseph
September 10th, 2011
11:40 pm
i am very pleased with the way the coaches coached and the players played tonight much better than last week. i am not a big fan of cmr, but lets see how the season plays out before we fire anyone. if they were to fire mr now, they would probably make graham or bobo temp hc until the end of the year.
Really?
September 10th, 2011
11:41 pm
So let me get this straight? Since we weren’t completely dominated this week, we accept the return to the status quo of the last 5 years: generally outplaying the opponent but losing because we commit stupid penalties, make special teams mistakes, turnover the ball at the worst times, make dumb calls at the end of the game, and then let the other team walk over us when we need the key stop at the end of the game (though it is hard to blame the D for this one….)? Really? Really?
I have been pretty patient with CMR. Lord knows he was a dramatic improvement over the Goof and the Buldozer. BUT he has made too many mistakes. Squandered too much talent. UGGGHHHHH!!!!!
The Rock
September 10th, 2011
11:42 pm
The Rock say Mark Richt get yourself a good Real Estate Agent and put your house on the market. You may be from the “U” but this is your last season at Georgia.
georgiagirl
September 10th, 2011
11:43 pm
I was very proud of this team tonight they never gave up and fought to the end. But as always the arm
chair coaches on here think that they can do better, doubt it. So for the team GREAT BATTLE, keep fighting the true fans are behind the team 100%. Don’t worry about the bandwagon fans. GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
drbasic
September 10th, 2011
11:43 pm
@almost
dude, cheer for someone else ok…sounds like it is you whining abou everything. If you expected his team to be undefeated, then you are an idiot. Much improvement was seen today. True FANS, see this. Sure mistakes were made, so be it. this team and coaches have my support and yes as a booster, my MONEY. No problem with that! If you really think the coaching lost this game today, you do not know football.
This gets old...
September 10th, 2011
11:43 pm
Can coach turn this ship around? You betcha he can.. He’s an extremely bright guy! Lets support the Head coach and give him another shot..Hes won over 70% of his games.. That should count for something? Hang in the COACH!!! The Sun will come out tomorrow…
jimdawg
September 10th, 2011
11:43 pm
How can any real fan who watched that game not be at least pleased with the effort. The INT isnt the coaches fault neither is either fumble we dont make those mistakes we win by at least 2 td’s! Hell even Tom Brady throws INT’s does Bilicheck get blamed? If you’re a real fan lets get behind these kids and their coaches because good days are coming this is the SEC! Its not easy to beat a bad SEC team let alone a good one! And when you have 4 major miscues you can not expect to win.
This game is what I believe will be the game that gets them back on track watch and see!
GO DAWGS! GATA
SatillaDawg
September 10th, 2011
11:43 pm
Fire ‘em all!
This is one alum who’s sick and tired of the excuses.
We haven’t won a National Championship in 31-years, people.
At this rate, we’ll never win another one.
Clean house. Make a change. Soon.
dogdawg
September 10th, 2011
11:45 pm
We lost but i’m proud of these dawgs. They showed true heart today! I feel sorry for Coastal Carolina cause I got feeling these dawgs are gonna take the last 2 weeks out on um lol.
Oh Brother
September 10th, 2011
11:46 pm
No Kramer…my money goes to pay a supposed coach to win games for me. Just like I pay someone to work on my car too. Bet you change your own oil!!!
lance
September 10th, 2011
11:46 pm
you people make me sick, the only thing that lost us the game was murray. he cant win big ball games . the d played like champs. its time for mark richt to go. its always somthing with this team. last week hurt less. atleast they are a good team
Kramer
September 10th, 2011
11:47 pm
Tomorrow is 9/11. Get your priorities straight people.
dawggie dawg
September 10th, 2011
11:48 pm
Well it’s not just one guys fault.We made mistakes and paid for it dearly,but we did Improve and I think Carolina is not as good as advertised and can be beat.I am a little more up beat because we played hard and didn’t give up.Dawgs don’t give up continue to improve and don’t worry about some of the Idiots on here.
jimdawg
September 10th, 2011
11:48 pm
@ SatillaDawg who do you suggest we get? Do you not realize that replacing Richt is not going to be as easy as you may think? Not to mention that we dont know what effect this will have on the talent that we currently have! We have a great nucleus that I think can grow and by next year be a seriously dangerous team! You people dont see that then you are blind!
drbasic
September 10th, 2011
11:48 pm
@satilla
True alumni do not request that. You ever compete in sports? Join the bulldog club, let your money speak if you feel that way…..thought so
ajfdog
September 10th, 2011
11:48 pm
He knew we were going to lose this weekend. H basically said so in his call in show on Monday. He was already petitioning for more time. Now he is trying to lobby even more be selling the young team and we will get better to try to instill some hope. Bottom line, he lit into a fan this offseason saying he knows what he is doing. He has cashed in his goodwill. It is time to move in a different direction.
georgiagirl
September 10th, 2011
11:48 pm
ESPN said today that Mark Richt is the 9th winning coach in the national and that the fans of Georgia are really back stabling him, because what was Georgia before he got there. Pretty bad when ESPN calls out the bandwagon fans of Georgia made you all look like fools. Like they said every team as down years. All you haters are really making other Georgia fans look bad. Not everyone feels the way you do.
Oh Brother
September 10th, 2011
11:48 pm
I am TOTALLY amazed how the fans have been lulled into moral victories and proud that we almost won! I was at UGA when we never lost home games…you all must have grown up watching Goff, Donnon, and Richt Football. LOL…imagine LSU or Alabama saying we were very proud of the fact that our team almost, kinda sorta, won. THIS is the reason why UGA is not a winner…you, the coaches, and the players do not expect to win.
Kramer
September 10th, 2011
11:49 pm
Oh Brother. Keep your money. UGA will stay in the black without you. Trust me.
This gets old...
September 10th, 2011
11:49 pm
Richt should coach this team for at least 10 more! He needs more time….
dawgfan84
September 10th, 2011
11:51 pm
Yes the DAWGZ played alot better this week with that said. I keep hearing all this “we will be a better team by the end of the season” do you see LSU FLORIDA ALABAMA AUBURN or any good SEC team saying oh we will be better by the end of the season? NO!!! And having this mentality is why UGA is quickly becoming a glorified Vanderbilt!!! UGA has the talent to be a top 5 team EVERY YEAR!! Mark richt is not the man for the job he always has some lame excuse and “we still have more to look forward to” bull crap. He gets paid millions every year to get these DAWGZ ready to play before the season not be better half way through the season. His outlook on we lost the game oh well we lost this one blah blah is the reason he will NEVER take UGA to the national championship game. Go ahead and say im not much of a fan because I am if uga was to not win a single game im still gonna sport my G!!! Im sick of the coaching staff
Tripp Bowden
September 10th, 2011
11:51 pm
Lads, yes loosing sucks, but the Dawgs will be just fine. It would not surprise me in the least if Crowell wins a Heisman before the NFL calls his name. And AM has mad game–he’s just a fricking Sophomore. Don’t forget, these are kids out there playing the game of football. And don’t be surprised if the Dawgs go 11-2…Don’t be a fool and fire Coach Richt like Tennessee did when they fired Fulmer. Or the Braves when they fired Bobby Cox back in the day, or the Falcons when the fired Lehman Bennett. Richt is a good coach. Is he too nice a guy? Maybe. Do the players love him? Absolutely. Let the season play out. Imagine how good Crowell will be after a full season under his belt?
dogdawg
September 10th, 2011
11:51 pm
Bring on the GATORS we got a runnin back finally!
mcg dawg
September 10th, 2011
11:51 pm
My bad Kramer…misread your post…on board now, and your 11:47 comment is right on!
Alumni
September 10th, 2011
11:51 pm
Great improvement from last week! I support Richt! Hardest two are behind us. Young team will continue to improve and schedule is nice! We will finish strong and will be roll’n heading into next year! Still could win the East this year! Get on board now everyone!
Oh Brother
September 10th, 2011
11:52 pm
Before Ricth got to UGA, we won a national championship…after he got there we haven’t. Here is the truth on what ESPN has to say….they will talk with what games they show. Do you think they are showng many more Richt games???? NOPE!
This gets old...
September 10th, 2011
11:53 pm
9-3? Good year?
Ronnie
September 10th, 2011
11:53 pm
Hey, Almost doesn’t count:
The only reason Georgia was relevant in the SEC is Coach Richt. Prior to that it was Dooley in the early 80s and then he settled in for 8 or 9 wins a year with no real threat to winning the SEC. See second comment about adversity. I get frustrated and even angry at the game and losing but in the end, who you are shows. Opinions are just that, opinions. No one wants to lose, but it happens. I’m guessing Oklahoma fans are glad they stuck with Stoops. Adversity makes you stronger. We want to win now, yes, but giving up will never lead to winning.
sick of richt
September 10th, 2011
11:54 pm
you know what would make me proud of these guys a win, a win. people we are 0-3 in our last 3 games . i just hope we can beat cc next week.
Gravy Train
September 10th, 2011
11:54 pm
What the heck was Georgia before Coach Richt came along? A speed bump for Tennessee and Florida. Whatever self respect Georgia has had since Dooley left was earned by Mark Richt. These coaches obviously did their jobs today and in practice last week. I remember a few years back, folks were touting USCe’s defensive coordinator as what UGA needed. Well, Bobo and our offense shredded his rear today. Coach Grantham finally got some pass rush today. There were three plays that changed the momentum of the game today and the boys were able to overcome all of them except the last one. Murray knows he gave 14 points to the other side. The players are showing accountability. This season isn’t over, no matter how many times a bunch of sad sacks claim it to be. I will just take comfort in the fact that the vocal minority has no control over personnel decisions.
ajfdog
September 10th, 2011
11:54 pm
@georgiagirl
ESPN calling the local fans out is not exactly embarrassing. They are a national stating based in the NE. They really could care less if we continue to play 500 ball and lose to every good team we play. Honestly, our rivals are wanting us to keep CMR as much as I wanted Tech to keep Gailey.
Chinny
September 10th, 2011
11:55 pm
Oh Brother, UGA is not a winner because we are not Alabama or LSU. We never will be. You should accept that we will win one or two SEC championships every 20 years or so. I don’t know why UGA fans think that UGA should be good every year. We have garbage coaches and players…okay, mediocre players and coaches…wake up … it’s UGA not Florida, Alabama, Auburn, or LSU.
Oh Brother
September 10th, 2011
11:55 pm
Agree with Dawgfan84….he was around when UGA truely was great…not when they won moral victories and “will be fine” by the end of the season. The season is 13 games for them…not just the end. Big deal..they will beat Tech again..meanwhile, a tradtitional mid tier program that has half of the money of UGA is now the pride of the east and beating UGA back to back. WAKE UP!
Tripp Bowden
September 10th, 2011
11:55 pm
Curious Oh Brother–when were you at UGA when we never lost Home Games? Hershel Walker days?
drbasic
September 10th, 2011
11:55 pm
@georgiagirl
heard the same thing….I am an alumnus, I am a booster, the haters are morons, probably never stepped foot on any college campus anywhere, they are just trying to stir the pot.
@ Kramer to oh&*$ker well said
NO ONE is begging any of you bandwagon fools to follow the program. We as well as the bulldogs will be just fine without any of you
bobby
September 10th, 2011
11:56 pm
People should’nt get down this is only the second game of the season. I don’t accept this loss at all this was a game uga should’ve won but looking at the next 10 games, it seems like the best team out the bunch is florida. The next five games are coastal carliona, ole miss, miss state, tennessee, and vanderbilt. i saw miss state today today and they did’nt look so hot and tennessee depth wise isn’t that great and ole miss isn’t that good so all you bangwagon fans need to cut the garbage because uga can win the next five games and i tought the loss stunk but this is a very long season.
nash
September 10th, 2011
11:56 pm
This still could be a 9 or 10 win team (I drink the kool aid) considering that the toughest teams on the schedule left are Fl and, Miss St. I know Aub should have lost and, I don’t think much of Tn but, this team could come out with the same fight over the next couple of week and, build off of those wins. I don’t know if Richt is the man for this job but, when he gets mad the team responds.
darren
September 10th, 2011
11:56 pm
Great game again CMR. A f g fake punt again. Please find this piece of s t. Its time for a real coach. Hit the road Jesus boy.
Oh Brother
September 10th, 2011
11:59 pm
Huh Chinny? Not sure what is suppose to be your point. LSU is not Alabama…no team in the SEC is Alabama with the winning tradition. The rest are about the same in the league. LSU, Florida, TN, etc. Prior to Steve S. at Flordida, they were the whipping boy for every major team. Up your expectations…that is what drives a team to the top. Don’t celebrate mediocraty. We have the 3rd highest spend on our football program in the country!
Ace70
September 11th, 2011
12:00 am
WOW……..Georgia just finds ways to lose games these past 2 years.