Missouri player: UGA plays ‘old-man football’
Missouri does not enter the SEC shyly. Quite the opposite, based on comments by one player.
According to an article in the Columbia (Mo.) Daily Tribune on Sunday, Missouri defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson was asked after the Tigers’ 62-10 victory over Southeastern Lousiana Saturday night if he watched the Georgia-Buffalo game on television earlier in the day.
“I watched the game. I turned it off, too,” Richardson was quoted as saying. “… It’s like watching Big Ten football. It’s old-man football.”
Then this: “If we execute, nobody in this league [the SEC] can touch us. Period.”
Missouri, which officially became an SEC member on July 1, opens play in its new league by hosting Georgia at 7:45 p.m. Saturday in sold-out Memorial Stadium.
Georgia coach Mark Richt laughed when informed, on his weekly teleconference with reporters Sunday evening, of Richardson’s comment.
“’Old-man football?’ Well, I don’t know what he meant by that,” Richt said. “But bottom line is, we got to get after it and do what we do well, and they’ll be trying to stop everything we’re trying to get accomplished.”
The game provides multiple challenges for Georgia, not the least of which will be the emotion associated with Missouri’s much-anticipated SEC debut.
“It’s a huge game for them, no doubt,” Richt said. “It’s a huge game for us, too, though, because we’ve got our goals. And they’ve got their goals. Shoot, to me, it’s the biggest game of the year, no doubt. … It’s a monster game.”
Being the visiting team for Missouri’s SEC opener “is not the best draw,” Richt added. “But it is what it is.”
Aside from the sure-to-be-charged atmosphere, another major issue Georgia will face: Missouri’s spread offense, led by dual-threat quarterback James Franklin, a 6-foot-2, 225-pound junior who last season passed for 2,865 yards, ran for 981 yards and accounted for 36 touchdowns (21 passing and 15 rushing).
“It’s a problem,” Richt said of defending Franklin. “A quarterback who can run well is a problem. … And they’re going to spread you out. They’re going to get you in a lot of four- and five-wide looks. … It’s a space game, and space is the enemy of the defenses.”
Franklin had surgery on his shoulder in the off-season but reportedly did not have any problems with it in the opener against Southeastern Louisiana, an FCS team. He completed 13 of 21 passes for 131 yards and ran six times for 39 yards.
Comparing Missouri’s opener with Georgia’s performance in its 45-23 victory over Buffalo, “it looked like [on film] Missouri’s boys played harder than our boys played,” Richt said. But he added that the Bulldogs “probably played as hard we could” considering the heat and humidity in Athens.
Etc.
As of Sunday’s teleconference, Richt said he had received no updates on the status of any of his team’s injured players. … Richt on Connor Norman, a former walk-on who started at safety against Buffalo: “Overall, Connor did a good job. I can think of one play where he missed a tackle out there in space, but just about every safety in America is going to miss a tackle here and there when you’ve got too much space with a back.” Richt said Corey Moore “continues to push hard for playing time [at safety], but right now we think Connor is more ready to play.” … As expected, Richt stayed mum on the status for the Missouri game of suspended players Bacarri Rambo and Alec Ogletree. “We’ll know when the time comes,” he said. . . . Despite Ken Malcome’s hand injury and Todd Gurley’s huge opening game, Richt wasn’t ready to publicly commit to the freshman Gurley as Georgia’s primary running back for this week. “Well, he’ll definitely get the ball, that’s for sure,” Richt said.
– Tim Tucker, AJC
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465 comments Add your comment
kerryb
September 2nd, 2012
8:44 pm
What do we think of that? For one I think you’re a moron. How’s that.
"The Georgia Way"
September 2nd, 2012
8:45 pm
Last year, it was UGA badmouthing Boise State in the media. It is always a bad idea.
UGA all the Way
September 2nd, 2012
8:45 pm
joe jenkins, you obviously aren’t a real UGA fan, why are you trolling on here in disguise? Because you sound like a tech looser
kerryb
September 2nd, 2012
8:46 pm
Tell this knucklehead we are not Southeast Louisiana.
Buzz 2011
September 2nd, 2012
8:46 pm
The Mizzou kid is right, the Dawgs do play old man football. The Tigers will have their way with Dawgs..
UGA all the Way
September 2nd, 2012
8:49 pm
buzz, what in the hell do you know about old man football? you run the oldest known style of offensive football there is…and you SUCK at it. before you post, make sure you aren’t going to feel really stupid after you’re done moron.
Mad Dog One
September 2nd, 2012
8:50 pm
James old son all you have to do is score more points ever game than the other team then it don’t matter how many you give up.Oud D will be OK as for the spread my grandson’s team runs it in highschool I don’t like it there eather. GO DOGS & GATA
Buzz 2011
September 2nd, 2012
8:51 pm
@UGA all the way….You are right Mizzou won’t score 17.. They will score 37 and
the Dogs may score 17, maybe…
UGA all the Way
September 2nd, 2012
8:51 pm
Oh, and for the record, Auburn won the nat. title and were ranked 60th in total defense a few years ago, so no, it can be done, but that isn’t going to be a problem.
He Hate Gator
September 2nd, 2012
8:52 pm
To Mizzou footballplayer: Do you really think Georgia ran their gameplan for you against Buffs?
Blazerdawg
September 2nd, 2012
8:54 pm
Chipper!
joe jenkins
September 2nd, 2012
8:54 pm
I’m a true dawg fan…i’m just sick of all the talking our players do before the season starts…i hoping to see the second coming of the junkyard dwags but what i seen was the same ol crap…a bunch of talented defenders getting pushed around by a little school not much better than akron or GSTU…..hey kerryb i think you are a douchebag loser…well most baseball fans are anyways…btw southeast louisana is better than buffalo….richt is done anyways….we have a fat overpaid DC and AN OC that even a middle school wouldn’t even hire
UGA all the Way
September 2nd, 2012
8:54 pm
no kidding he hate gator, oh and yeah… they have to play UF, UT, Vandy, Kentucky, Alabama, and SC… I’ll be honest with you, with the exception of Ky, they loose all of those games.
UGA all the Way
September 2nd, 2012
8:55 pm
joe, a true fan would never say that. way to stand behind your team. You can go away now. If you can’t wear the “G” proudly, then don’t f-ing wear it.
Tide Roll
September 2nd, 2012
8:57 pm
If I were Christian Lemay, I’d be out of there. Being forced to run over to the sideline to receive the play call. He just “Can’t Pick up the System.” Is that treatment of him vintage Bobo or what? Only UGA! And Richt starting Connor Norman over Corey Moore!? And the Weslyan Connection: Your 5′10″ 270 lb.center and your walk-on fullback. I doubt South Carolina’s front seven will even show up at Williams Brice, and if you back into another SEC east title, I know Alabama’s linebackers want none of those two! Richt and Booboo are certifiable. Y’all realize that don’t you? 68 scholarship athletes BEFORE attrition sets in. You’re in the toughest conference in America, by far, and to be in this position to start the season is inexcusable. Why do you put up with it? 32 years. No wonder.
kingdaddy
September 2nd, 2012
9:00 pm
Braves were down 7-3 in the ninth with one of the best pitchers Phillies have with little chance and the Braves FANS LEAVE EARLY (some of them) Sound familiar? Braves have one of their greatest come from behind victories against tall odds. The”FANS” that gaveup, missed a great game. The Bulldog fans that giveup too soon this year will miss out. At least wait till we lose a game before you “give-up!”…
UGA all the Way
September 2nd, 2012
9:01 pm
No kidding kindgaddy! What a game, and the dawgs can loose at least one, so long as it’s not the SECCG and still make it to the national title if they do win the conference. No way they can boot a one loss SEC team from the NCG.
Destin Dawg
September 2nd, 2012
9:02 pm
Tide Roll all day and every night on here,… do you have a wife, girl friend, family, another sport, a job???? 32 years no wonder!!
Rob in Chapel Hill
September 2nd, 2012
9:03 pm
The quote from the Missouri player is a gift, an absolute gift. Really, you couldn’t ask for much better bulletin-board material. I would assume that the Mizzou coach had a near-stroke when he saw the quote. I pray that the Dawgs are smart enough to use it as fuel this week. Part of me is terrified that the Dawgs will not show up, but another part is fired up for the opportunity to take a major step forward. Alabama clearly threw down the gauntlet, and it’ll be fun to see if we earn the right to take them on in December. And would be darn nice to have Mitchell, ‘Tree, and Rambo back on Saturday. Go Dawgs!
kingdaddy
September 2nd, 2012
9:05 pm
T.Roll
STFU YOU RACIST POS…
Destin Dawg
September 2nd, 2012
9:05 pm
i think the Dawgs will win out.. SEC Champs this year.. bama will be our toughest game
Paul in NH
September 2nd, 2012
9:05 pm
“You can’t expect a team dedicated to a 4-3 scheme to just turn over to a 3-4 overnight. It takes time. If you don’t believe that, just look at what happened to bama when they did it. You don’t just start off winning.”
In Saban’s 2nd year Alabama went 12-2 – losing in the SECCG and Sugar Bowl after winning their first 12 games. They gave up 200 points total in the 14 games.
Mightymo
September 2nd, 2012
9:06 pm
Georgia gonna look a lot like an old, Michael Vick, whipped dawg when MIZZOU is done with them.
joe jenkins
September 2nd, 2012
9:06 pm
No you go away all the way!!! just because i have a difference of opinion and i’m not disney like you are doesn’t make me less of a fan….tell me now then what makes a true fan??? sitting back and letting richt robb the university of millions? I think ctg is overated…he has yet to show me his defense’s can stop a team with a qb that can run football
Tide Roll
September 2nd, 2012
9:07 pm
James Franklin is going to Cam Newton y’all’s ass. You got no depth. And once again Garner puts Geathers and Abry Jones out there “Out of Shape.” and Washington and Drew are soft AND inconsistant. And Franklin is not afraid of going straight at Conner Norman, I can assure you. It’s unbelievable! And with Booboo and his “3 and out offense” throwing the damn rock all over the place because YET AGAIN, you can’t pound it, your defense will get worn out against this high octane offense that apparently Booboo is incapable of executing. And how the hell do you scrimmage? You have 4 SEC caliber offensive linemen. FOUR! And two of ‘em don’t even start! What a joke of a program. 32 years.
St Richt
September 2nd, 2012
9:11 pm
Kingdaddy, do you ever leave these blogs? I mean, really, get a life man.
Incredibly stupid comment from mizzou, though. As if they played any really D in the little 12. If I were mizzou’s coach I would suspend him for stupidity.
joe jenkins
September 2nd, 2012
9:16 pm
I agree with youre assement tide roll….putting norman as our starting safety is the most stupid thing richt has vever done….we dont start our best players under richt and we never have and never will. we are the biggest under acheivers in CFB….just look at all the guys we put in the nfl and we havent won the sec in 7 yrs….shame on you richt
St Richt
September 2nd, 2012
9:17 pm
I’m sure this will be well received in a Georgia blog- but y’all should really stay grounded w gurley. It’s not like he was running against anybody that was worth a ….
Rob in Chapel Hill
September 2nd, 2012
9:20 pm
Still thinking about Rambo and Ogletree. Do we know if a UGA program rule has taken effect, so that Richt has no choice but to suspend them for four games? Or is there some discretion. I would think that for them, having to watch the D give up three touchdowns on long drives to Buffalo would be punishment enough! I have agreed with most of the recent disciplinary actions, but we need those guys back on D now. There is no way around the fact that the Missouri game is huge. I mean, are we a legit force in the SEC, or not? And I have been in Richt’s corner throughout and continue to like him as our coach, especially every time another SEC coach does something embarrassing (e.g. Petrino). But he’s gotta win this game, period!
Unfortunately...
September 2nd, 2012
9:20 pm
…the kid only told the truth about UGA and the way they play – now stopping it is another deal altogether.
And, unfortunately, without the 4 suspended players on D I truly believe that UGA will have a difficult time slowing down the MO offense, as they could barely slow down UB, and MO is much faster all around – I l;ook for the game to be won by whoever gets the ball last – something like 48-45, but I have no idea who wins…
St Richt
September 2nd, 2012
9:20 pm
Bold prediction: All suspended players will be back for mizzou. Going out on a limb there…
22 SEC Titles
September 2nd, 2012
9:20 pm
I never hear any Bama kids chirping at opponents lol… these Mizzou boys need to be taught some off field manners Saturday. Dawgs up to the task?
bitter---hershal W
September 2nd, 2012
9:21 pm
Best run’s in 30 years, GET on board—BE A GURLY–MAN
——–We shall learn a lot about –aaron murphy this week
—-”O” fer against top 15 teams so far—-Be ready HUDSON
—-Coach Richt has finaly lost his patience with TURNOVER MURPHY—
–Will be a different team under the leadership of –hudson–mason–dixin
kingdaddy
September 2nd, 2012
9:22 pm
If we win against Missouri, all the trolls will claim Missouri was nobody and UGA accomplished nothing. A troll will never be happy with anything The Dawgs do except lose. That’s all they want. That and for the UGA fans to be humiliated or giveup. Cyber-warfare from punks…Laughable at best, pathetic at worst…
Joe taxpayer
September 2nd, 2012
9:23 pm
tide roll you make too much sense. Until the bottom falls out UGA fans will never give up on CMR. They just gave him a new contract
Uncle Kirk
September 2nd, 2012
9:23 pm
Well Paul, how Many of ugas points given up were directly from the offense or special teams. When you get the final tally then I am sure it will look a lot better.
St Richt
September 2nd, 2012
9:28 pm
King daddy, yes we are all haters. Not realists like the Georgia fan base. Always have your feet firmly planted on the ground. Gurley was a difference maker against that 4.7-5.2 speed buffalo’s D through at him.
You sound like an angry d bag.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 2nd, 2012
9:28 pm
I hope we can show Mizzou they dont belong in the SEC
But our coaching staff doesnt like to run scores up
If we even get the chance too; play like we did against Buffalo and that might not happen
St Richt
September 2nd, 2012
9:31 pm
Still a stupid comment from mizzou. The intellectually challenged king daddy got me off topic. Running your mouth before your first SEC game is about as dumb as you can get. SEC is the best but not nearly as deep as we are all led to believe every year. It’s a 2 horse race again.
kingdaddy
September 2nd, 2012
9:31 pm
St.Richt
another troll. Don’t worry about me lulu. I’m retired and live an amazing life. Go back to the Varsity, and flip your burgers loser. Dawg fans don’t attack each other…
Hairy Dawg
September 2nd, 2012
9:32 pm
I’d rather play Mizzou in Columbia than Bama anywhere. I’m not complaining about this game.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 2nd, 2012
9:33 pm
kingdaddy
All I want is UGA to utilize the talent they have had the past 12 years and beat top 15 teams more than once every 4 years
not go out and lose to teams like Colorado, Boise St, Michigan St UCF, OK St and continuously lose to FL
and stop winning the Fulmer Cup or being in the running for the Fulmer Cup
Not to much to ask
kingdaddy
September 2nd, 2012
9:33 pm
You sound like a frycook…
St Richt
September 2nd, 2012
9:34 pm
“cyber warfare from punks”. Need anyone say more about king daddy? Don’t you have a tractor pull to get to tonight??
St Richt
September 2nd, 2012
9:36 pm
Yes an amazing life on your computer at all hours of the day, sharing your deep intellect with all of us. We are all better men because of you.
St Richt
September 2nd, 2012
9:38 pm
You are the King D bag on these blogs, though, congrats!
Mark
September 2nd, 2012
9:39 pm
tideroll what did you think about buffalo’s o-line opening holes against our supposed tough front seven?
Jerry Mills
September 2nd, 2012
9:40 pm
“If we execute” is what I’ve been waiting for the Dawgs to do for the last 10 years. I’m still waiting to see a well oiled machine.
Big Crimson 75
September 2nd, 2012
9:41 pm
I hope y’all don’t take this jazz from Mizzu!!
Old Man Football!!??!!
I don’t consider them SEC Boyz yet.
They wanted to join the B1G, not the SEC.
A&M on the other hand wanted the invite.
Y’all need to put these clowns in their place.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 2nd, 2012
9:44 pm
Big Crimson 75
We might
I mean we sure shook in our boots when we played mighty UCF in a meaningless no name bowl game