D.J. Shockley says similarities are uncanny to ‘05 SEC game
Former Georgia quarterback D.J. Shockley thinks the 2011 SEC Championship game against LSU is setting up much like the 2005 title game did. (AJC photo)
Former Georgia quarterback D.J. Shockley looks at this year’s SEC Championship matchup and between the Bulldogs and No. 1 LSU and can’t help but think back to six years ago when he was getting ready for a similar game.
In 2005, as now, the Bulldogs were the SEC East champs and the underdog team (though not by two touchdowns like they are this year). Georgia was ranked No. 13 and the Tigers were No. 3 and everybody was talking about how an SEC championship victory might get LSU into the BCS national championship game against Southern Cal or Texas.
“It’s kind of strange it’s so much alike,” said Shockley, who’s living in Atlanta and still playing football. “LSU is so highly ranked right now; they’re supposed to be so much better than Georgia; Georgia’s not supposed to have a chance. It’s the same scenario, the same story we heard in ‘05. It’s very similar, and I think the outcome could be very similar, too.”
That would be quite the shocker. Thanks in no small part to Shockley — who came away with MVP honors — the Bulldogs hit LSU with two long touchdown passes early and never looked back en route to a 34-14 victory.
“We didn’t have much to lose at the time, but we had a lot to prove to ourselves,” Shockley said of the Bulldogs, who came into the ‘05 game 9-2. “We wanted to go out and play well and I think this Georgia team now is feeling the same way. Nobody is giving them any respect for winning the last 10 games and being in this game, period.”
LSU was led by quarterback JaMarcus Russell, who came into the game banged up, and a bevy of fleet-footed wide receivers. But the hallmark of that Tigers’ team was the defense, which was known for stuffing the run and playing facemask-to-facemask in the secondary.
Shockley said the Bulldogs’ plan coming into the game was to use LSU’s defensive aggressiveness against it.
“We were going to take a couple of shots deep to let them know that we weren’t afraid and we were going to push it down the field,” Shockley said. “We weren’t going to play a conservative game. All year long, whenever they saw us audible, we always audibled to a quick game. In this game, when we audibled we did the exact same thing except we sent somebody long, too. And they did exactly what we thought. They jumped our quick slants and quick outs and Sean Bailey ended up running free down the sideline.”
Shockley hit Bailey on touchdown passes of 45 and 29 yards in the first quarter to stake them to a 14-0 lead six minutes in and the Bulldogs never looked back. Russell was out of the game and Georgia was ahead 34-7 by the time LSU scored its last touchdown with five miutes to play.
It was an unforgettable day for Shockley, who also ran for a seven-yard touchdown in the game.
“It was just so satisfying,” Shockley recalled. “I’d waited all that time and we’d been in the SEC Championship game and I was part of the team, but it was a different scenario until that year. We had a lot of guys on our team who were in the same boat, finally getting a chance to play and a lot of people not giving them a chance because we lost so many great players.
“Just being in that game was huge because we were picked to finish third in the SEC that year. So everybody thought it was a great year that year just to make it that game. But we wanted to go a step further and just win the game because all year long nobody thought we could do it. We thought, if we win this game, what else could anybody say. So personally it was very satisfying.”
Shockley hasn’t been able to recapture the magic since that game. After being drafted by the Atlanta Falcons, injuries detoured his NFL career. He played last season with the Omaha Nighthawks of the AFL. He’s holding out hope for an opening to return to the NFL but doesn’t know if that’s going to happen.
“I know I can play; I know I’ve got the talent,” Shockley said. “It just depends on getting the chance. It’s all about getting the opportunity. But it’s not always about what you want to do. If it happens, I’ll put my best foot forward. If it doesn’t, hey, you’ve got to move on some day. I’ve got a 20-month old daughter [Milan] with my wife [Portia] and we’ve got a little boy on the way, so my priorities are different now.”
But that 2005 SEC Championship, it will always be with him.
– Chip Towers
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158 comments Add your comment
Carew
December 2nd, 2011
4:28 pm
Prediction: The RB and/or TE are going to play a huge role in a Georgia win tomorrow. I don’t know which RB, but Orson Charles and one of our back will makes big plays tomorrow that will decide the game.
UGA 81-86…Graduated 2004
dawgwood
December 2nd, 2011
4:29 pm
Bite me GT Bob.
Upset!
December 2nd, 2011
4:30 pm
Seriously my dawg bias aside for a moment, athlete for athlete we just as good as them, QB we better than them, and we only gotta beat them once. I dont care how great they are they can be beat tommorrow and we aint gotta go to death valley to do it. We really just need to have the swag of a team that expects to win and we should. LSU beat a lotta teams cause they look scary getting off the bus. We gone beat LScrew GEAUX DAWGS
GTBob
December 2nd, 2011
4:31 pm
You lost to Clemson and they’re still playing in the Athletically Challenged Conference Championship game
We lost to Clemson?
GTBob...
December 2nd, 2011
4:31 pm
Alright guys, you’re right…I apologize. I guess being 1-10 against GA doesn’t really give me the right to speak here.
Oh hold on: “Thanks for choosing Wendy’s, would you like to try our new Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger meal today?” Aw crap…pressed {mute}
DIT
December 2nd, 2011
4:31 pm
@The Commissioner
It’s GTBob’s litle sister that he has to worry about. You see, not only does bob not have a life, he has to sneak the use of his little sisters pink lap top.
She kicked the crap out of him 2 weeks ago when she caught him.
The Commissioner
December 2nd, 2011
4:32 pm
GTBob, read up…I corrected myself…that was my bad…give yourself a point.
The Commissioner
December 2nd, 2011
4:32 pm
I’m confused…are you GTBob; or GTBob…?
Gdawg
December 2nd, 2011
4:34 pm
DGD!
Had he have played against the gayters it could have been a truly special season!
GTBob
December 2nd, 2011
4:35 pm
Dang, the settle down dog lovers. The kool-aid must be a little strong today LSU is much better this year and the 05 dogs were much better than this years dogs.
PS. Jasper Sanks was a DGD too.
GTBob
December 2nd, 2011
4:37 pm
I’m confused…are you GTBob; or GTBob…?
No dots after my name. I’m not the guy praising Jasper Sanks above either.
Dirty Dawg
December 2nd, 2011
4:40 pm
What in blazes is it with David Pollack? Watched his ‘picks’ on one of the thousand ESPN shows today and he ‘bailed’ on picking the Dogs saying that ’special teams’ would be the difference. My question is why in heavens couldn’t he simply say – ‘My head says LSU but my heart says Georgia…plus I have it on good authority that Larry Munson is ‘up there’ with barrels and barrels of Dixie Crystals ready to sprinkle it down at ‘just the right time’…so I’ll go with my heart and pick Georgia in a big upset.’
Now I ask you, why wouldn’t he have done that? Does he get a bonus if he ‘wins’ the picks contest or something? David boy, you missed a chance to come across as a little more human instead of the ‘talking head’ you seem to have become on those shows….and I do mean ‘talking’ – they can’t seem to shut you up.
steve
December 2nd, 2011
4:40 pm
@GTBob Reggie Ball nuff said DGD
The Commissioner
December 2nd, 2011
4:42 pm
Sounds like you’ve made a lot of friends that like to mock you on here…sorry to hear that. Hope you can recover from such a deficiency. I’ve seen your posts here and there when I’m on, and I must say…my goal is never to make too many people angry at me just because I want them to be…Karma is a tough one if she hasn’t taught you anything yet.
murray = shockley...i don't think so
December 2nd, 2011
4:44 pm
DJ Shockley could literally take over a whole football game by himself. Remember what he did vs Kentucky in 02 when their pass rush was too much for Greenie to handle?
Remember how he almost single handedly overcame soft willie’s defense in the second half of the Nutrisweet (imitation sugar) Bowl?
i would argue that if shock doesn’t try to get those extra yards vs arkansas….no knee injury and possible BCS game that year.
He was so hot that Rich Rod had to call the fake punt or we were gonna come back and win the nutrisweet bowl. (Which, by the way was one of the gutsiest bowl game calls that i can remember.)
Aaron murray is a good QB (more heart that stafford will ever have) but right now….he is no DJ Shockley. hopefully he will get to that level on saturday night….
Mike da Tiger
December 2nd, 2011
4:44 pm
Dirty Dawg I guess you are ready to dismiss Pollack from the Dawg Nation? The man gets paid to sound intelligent, not tell you what you want to hear.
Dawg48
December 2nd, 2011
4:47 pm
According to this Da’rick is no longer a vole!
https://mobile.twitter.com/#!/FallonMSmith
Mike da Tiger
December 2nd, 2011
4:49 pm
Murray=…more heart than Stafford will ever have. Dude have you seen him leading the Lions and last year he came off the canvass to throw a game winner for a bad team last year? Man,puppy fans are fickle. what has been murray’s signature “oh snap, this guys got heart moment?” vs. ole miss or missy st this year? Oh yea maybe vandy? c’mon dude I don’t like Jawga but I wouldn’t even say that about Stafford.
GTBob...
December 2nd, 2011
4:50 pm
Come eat at Wendy’s, guys…it’s yummy…and everything you buy helps keep me at minimum wage…well, it sure beats working internship at the GA Tech cafeteria. I didn’t even get paid back then.
GTBob
December 2nd, 2011
4:55 pm
Hope you can recover from such a deficiency.
lol. I’m gonna be fine. Don’t worry. If you are that bothered by me the you may want to read blogs somewhere else where no one trash talks.
Barney Frank
December 2nd, 2011
5:01 pm
I’ll be at the Dome tomorrow. At halftime there will be a slobbering contest between Russ and me.
Put your money on me.
DawgInaTruck
December 2nd, 2011
5:08 pm
DJ is a DGD.
With his athleticism and work ethic combined with the number of teams who should have their QB situation designated a natural disaster, it is a bit surprising he is not even given a look here and there. Donovan McNabb can hardly move anymore and there is talk he may be a good fit in Chicago. I know Shock would have a lot to absorb in a very short period of time but you have to think his mobility alone puts him ahead of some of these guys you see rolled out these days.
DawgInaTruck
December 2nd, 2011
5:09 pm
Yo Bob, whats up dude?
Be a Man about it
December 2nd, 2011
5:09 pm
The same Losers from other teams comment on every UGA Blawg. How pathetic are your lives?
bulldawgbill
December 2nd, 2011
5:11 pm
I think our current QB could take some LEADERSHIP lessons from D.J. He not only had the talent (legs & big arm), but was a team leader on and off the field. Maybe Murray can grow into this position before he leaves. Stafford never did develop leadership skills as far as I can tell.
2005 Boise State certainly was anything like this year without DJ Shockley
December 2nd, 2011
5:13 pm
Neither will be LSU.
Auburn Jacket
December 2nd, 2011
5:14 pm
I almost want UGA to win to throw a monkey wrench into the BCS system… Almost.
where's the clique ?
December 2nd, 2011
5:15 pm
You’ll still slapping each other on the back and calling me a Georgia tek fan ?
All you got.
Is Mark Richt at Penn State yet with all his lousy coaching staff ?
mike the kitten.
December 2nd, 2011
5:20 pm
mikey….turn off sportscenter, put down your iphone, turn off the playstation and consider the fact that this comment is coming from someone who has not missed a home or away UGA football game for 10+ years….since before you probably started shaving…………
I’ve seen every quarterback in every game. And not once did I remember Matt Stafford sacrificing his body on a consistent basis to keep the drive alive. Not once did i remember the coaches telling him to “stay in the pocket” because he is going to get hurt if he keeps running.
No sir, the tin man of college football had to protect his millions so he could go into the league and entertain you. And I am glad that he entertains you.
But when I was traveling hundreds of miles sitting in the stands I never saw the tin man do anything that made me say…”he’s a great leader…he’s got heart…or he leaves it all on the field.” All I saw was a kid who was biding his time at UGA till the NFL came knocking. And what did we get in return for that? Zero….ZERO
graydog
December 2nd, 2011
5:20 pm
I was at the Dome for the ‘05 game and will be there tomorrow. Thanks for some great memories, DJ. You represented UGA well on and off the field and continue to do so. You’re a DGD.
mike the kitten.
December 2nd, 2011
5:21 pm
zero SEC championships. Murray is giving us a shot. So he is better.
CHDawg
December 2nd, 2011
5:24 pm
For Burma Knave,
Roses are red,
violets are blue,
leave us alone,
to play LSU,
we have endured
the weekly slander
but please be assured
you ain’t a man dear.
Burma Knave
KeepDreaming
December 2nd, 2011
5:24 pm
I remember that day too DJ. Still one of the best Dawg games I’ve ever seen live in person (and I’ve seen well over 200). DJ is a DGD!! Wish you had more time with us!
NautiDawg
December 2nd, 2011
5:25 pm
I remember that game well, too. All the LSU fans that we tailgated with were so nice and friendly before the game and then after it they couldn’t look at us. Kinda like we stole something from them- maybe we did! How sweet it was and how sweet it will be tomorrow. Shockley put on a “Cam Newton performance” with his arm and legs.
Stay focused Dawgs and let’s play to win like in 2005. You have nothing to lose as far as I’m concerned. GATA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
T'Town
December 2nd, 2011
5:26 pm
Dirty Dawg love the post. Yes indeed a win and sugar will fall from the sky, god bless larry.
‘05 was great, thanks for the article, and shockley comments.
Go Dawgs!!!
Burma Shave's authorized representative
December 2nd, 2011
5:31 pm
CHDawg is hereby fired. He has no sense of rhyme.
Or reason.
superDawg
December 2nd, 2011
5:32 pm
gtbob is still sitting on that round cushion from the reaming he got on nov.28.
THE Dixie Redcoat Band
December 2nd, 2011
5:35 pm
Nothing to lose, have fun, try Not to be up-tight…enjoy the moment…
TampaDawg
December 2nd, 2011
5:39 pm
Heard it LOUD AND CLEAR 19 .. thanks for the pull and the shout out. Let’s work em over Dawgs!!!
rogeriter
December 2nd, 2011
5:40 pm
GTBob, I would think you would be too embarrassed to even comment on this blog. I don’t dislike GT but you make it hard to like them!
TOO TOUGH44
December 2nd, 2011
5:41 pm
Hey DJ thanks for the memories! Go DAWGS!
TampaShave
December 2nd, 2011
5:42 pm
Burma still rants
Like a dork with no skills
If he had any real rhymes
He could actually pay his bills
TAMPA SHAVE
TampaDawg
December 2nd, 2011
5:46 pm
How about this .. for Flat Tire and Thomas Brown/Bulldawg/Insert Tag here and ALL the other Dawg fans, let’s kill the negative talk for the next 30 hours and PULL for the Dawgs as one fan base instead of attacking each other. Let’s just kill the negative for the weekend. Seriously. Let’s take on these trolls together. ALL THE REAL DAWG FANS IN????
TampaDawg
December 2nd, 2011
5:48 pm
Barney Frank
December 2nd, 2011
5:01 pm
I’ll be at the Dome tomorrow. At halftime there will be a slobbering contest between Russ and me.
Put your money on me.
—————————-
That’s just gross .. I would rather watch Russ vomit than see Barney Frank do anything.
DawgInaTruck
December 2nd, 2011
5:48 pm
Tampa and CH are right. The poems have gotten mighty stale. They used to be kind of funny but now I just skip them.
ARdawg
December 2nd, 2011
5:50 pm
I’m in
DawgInaTruck
December 2nd, 2011
5:51 pm
Tampa I’m with you. I hope CMR has those guys breathing fire and chewing ten penny nails for sport tomorrow. Strike to kill anything that moves and ask questions later.
bugsquacher
December 2nd, 2011
6:05 pm
Good luck Dawgs!
GATA
Win this one for Munson……
Stephen
December 2nd, 2011
6:25 pm
GO DAWGS!!
That being said, am I the only Dawg fan that kinda wish’s DJ didn’t give this interview? I mean, seriously… Richt is 3 – 1 against Les Miles for a reason…. probably largely in part to the strategy DJ outlined above. I hope he didn’t give away the game plan….
Its a different season and, in my humble opinion, a better Georgia team. It probably won’t make any difference but I still got a bad feeling while reading this article.
oakisland
December 2nd, 2011
6:41 pm
Dirty Dawg, I agree with you about Pollack. Saw Bo Jackson on espn as a guest to pick the games that day and he picked Auburn over Alabama. You got to be true to your school except when betting the game.