Accolades follow Jarvis Jones’ performance against Missouri
After weeks of chatter about the four suspended defensive players who would not be on the field for Georgia’s SEC opener at Missouri, the topic of conversation in the game’s aftermath turned to one who did play, linebacker Jarvis Jones.
Georgia coach Mark Richt called Jones “maybe the best defensive player in America.” The Walter Camp Football Foundation named him the national defensive player of the week. UPDATE: Jones was also named SEC defensive player of the week on Monday. Even Braves third baseman Chipper Jones chimed in, posting to his 145,000-plus Twitter followers: “Jarvis Jones is a monster! Shocker! He is a Jones!”
“I think it was a special game,” Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said Sunday of Jones’ performance. “… He is a special guy that works extremely hard in his preparation. He’s really instinctive. He does a lot of things for us.”
Jones was a force throughout Saturday’s victory over Missouri and punctuated his performance with two huge plays near the end: an interception and a forced fumble that gave Georgia’s offense the ball at Missouri’s 1- and 5-yard lines, respectively, in the fourth quarter. Those plays led to 14 points within less than three minutes, stretching a tenuous 27-20 Georgia lead to the comfortable final margin of 41-20.
For the night, Jones had eight tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, one interception and one pass breakup – all of that with a strained groin muscle that Richt said hobbled him at practice last week and bothered him throughout the game.
“Really, I think the way [Jones] finished the game is the way we finished as a team,” Grantham said. “We emphasized finishing in the fourth quarter, taking charge of that quarter and winning it. And really that’s what we did there.”
Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo noted the difference from last season’s SEC opener, when Georgia led South Carolina 35-31 in the fourth quarter in Athens but lost 45-42.
“We didn’t finish in the fourth quarter [against South Carolina],” Bobo said. “But [Saturday] night we did finish on the road in a very hostile environment.”
Grantham and Bobo filled in for Richt on Georgia’s weekly media teleconference Sunday evening. Richt was tending to some family business, UGA said.
Not surprisingly, both Grantham and Bobo expressed a desire to have cornerback/wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell on their side of the ball.
“I promise you, I’m going to go in there politicking hard for him offensively,” Bobo said. “… He’s going to get back on offense some this week.”
Georgia (2-0, 1-0 SEC), which remained No. 7 in the media and coaches’ polls, plays a non-conference game at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Sanford Stadium against Florida Atlantic (1-1, 0-1 Sun Belt Conference). Florida Atlantic is coming off a 31-17 loss at Middle Tennessee.
Also:
Sunday’s UGA notebook: Offense or defense or both for Malcolm Mitchell?
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
129 comments Add your comment
Tyler
September 10th, 2012
7:49 am
No he’s not even close to being one of the best. This UGA team is full of thugs
Old Dawg
September 10th, 2012
7:56 am
GTT…gotta say that was funny…..to all the turds for tech, go bob for apples in the toilet!
bg
September 10th, 2012
7:57 am
Go dawgs!!!!….all those dawg haters FU…..!!!…..Richardson from mizzou what happin?…..old man football richardson?….look like we dug in that ass….no points scored in sec half ….dawgs D AWSOME jarvis jones is the mf man hands down no one better on the D side of ball!!!!…….and Richardson you were not even a factor in the game!!!we let yall into the sec at least they can do is show a little respect!..keep your mouth closed and just play football and hope to get 4 wins in the sec..welcome to the sec bit°h…go dawgs!!!!!
what of it?
September 10th, 2012
7:58 am
I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact the S&C coach actually has any experience in the role prior to filling the position
Devil's Advocate
September 10th, 2012
7:59 am
The only real complaint I have is Bobo’s desire to feature Murray as a Drew Brees type QB. The more time Murray has the worst throws he makes. It seems that when the offense went to quick bullets on intermediate routes while mixing in the run the offense opened up. Those fades and deep strikes were killing UGA early because Murray is just not accurate down field.
Using the run to setup playaction and letting our receivers run after the catch seems to be the ticket.
finally!
September 10th, 2012
8:07 am
We’ve always been stung by fake/trick plays – until Saturday night. Great job, Richard S.
tidog
September 10th, 2012
8:07 am
I like the intensity Mitchell brings to the secondary. The guy is gifted to have the ability to play on both sides of the ball at a high level. Initially I was against the move to defense but this young man is special. CB is where he’ll excell now and the next level. He brings skill and depth to the secondary now, next year Smith and Commings will be gone so leave the guy at CB until he leaves UGA. Throw him a bone on the offense every now and then.
Kim
September 10th, 2012
8:08 am
OF COURSE he’s the best in Amerika!!!! GA is going to win the Nat’l Championship this year!!!!!
Kim
September 10th, 2012
8:09 am
as if
'89Dawg
September 10th, 2012
8:10 am
@Goldenrod: Weak SEC EAST? I really don’t think that the West can claim the title as being the toughest with Auburn (0-2) losing to Miss. State and Arkansas losing to a FCS school. Find another drum to beat….oh yeah and everyone likes to knock UGA’s schedule…take a look at Bamma’s cupcake schedule……
Say What???
September 10th, 2012
8:21 am
Okay… I re-watched the game yesterday and I don’t see how you can blame Bobo for anything. It seemed to me that he called a pretty even game – pretty equal running and passing. It seemed to me that execution was the issue on offense. I love the kid, but John Theus has GOT to get better. Just off the top of my head, he had at least 3 false start penalties and wiffed on the defensive end multiple times, resulting in at least one sack. He is a true freshman and this time last year, he was playing against high schoolers. He has the talent, I just hope that he can learn quick so that other teams cannot focus on him as a weakness. Also, Murry was not as accurate as he needed to be. There were plenty of bad passes to open receivers. How in the hell can you blame Bobo for those things??? In the past I have questioned Bobo play calling, too. But against Mizzou?? Come on!
But one thing is for certain, we have an unbelievable defense!!! Can’t wait to get back Ogletree and Rambo…
Rick Day
September 10th, 2012
8:28 am
What the hell? This is the LEAD Story in the online edition of the AJC? Under that, the small by-line of the Falcons win?
WTF Cox???????
UGA is more important than the Falcons in the LOCAL Paper? What are you, Athens Light? Get your football priorities straight, no matter what the ex grads who still live vicariously through their old teams.
PRO SPORTS FIRST, College second, High School third, preps 4th.
I don’t care about ’school sports’. Get behind your pro teams like you back your alma matter semi-pro teams and they WILL perform for you.
fatdawg94
September 10th, 2012
8:32 am
Where was Ramik Wilson on Saturday? He played a lot against Buffalo but I didn’t see him all night.
Accolades follow Jarvis Jones’ performance against Missouri – Georgia – Dawg News
September 10th, 2012
8:34 am
[...] from: Accolades follow Jarvis Jones’ performance against Missouri ← Back to Home Tags: bobo, finish, focal, fourth, game, interception, jarvis, jones, media, [...]
Joey
September 10th, 2012
8:43 am
Rick Day, this ain’t the AJC.com’s first day on the internet. I expect they know where their greatest number of “hits” come from – UGA fans.
Win or lose, there are millions of us ready to get info and stories on our Bulldogs.
MountainDawg
September 10th, 2012
8:45 am
Jones is definitely a top tier player and if he continues this level of play (injury free), he should be a top 10 pick. As far as the Butkus Award candidatesa…there’s other LBs having good seasons (thus far) too. AZ LB Jake Fischer had 14 tackles with a forced fumble + recovery & UCLA’s Jordan Zumwalt had 7 tackles (2 TFL), a forced fumble and a sack…FYI.
Joey
September 10th, 2012
8:45 am
Grantham needs to tell Bobo to back off Mitchell, haha.
Seriously, Bobo has plenty of playmakers on offense – just gotta get them the ball. King, Scott-Wesley, Bennent, Brown, Wooten, and the (forgotten) TEs.
dawgfan
September 10th, 2012
8:47 am
“How in the hell can you blame Bobo for those things???”
Because he’s the offensive freaking coordinator. That’s how. Its always something with you people. “Well, Theus is a freshmen. That’s not Bobo’s fault.” Or “Bobo can’t make them catch passes. They’ve got to execute.” Or “We’re thin on the offensive line. That is in no way Bobo’s fault at all. I mean, its not like he’s responsible for coordinating our offense or anything. How can that be his fault?”
Wake up people. We’ve got arguably the most talented young running back in the whole country and he gets 10 CARRIES. Mizzou could not tackle him at all. 10 carries!!! He would get 1 or 2 carries and then go completely MIA for the next 15 minutes of play. What a waste. We found ourselves in 3rd and long after 3rd and long. OF COURSE we’re not going to convert many of those. Duh. Nobody would. We had no production on 1st or 2nd down the entire game. You are on crack rock if you don’t think that is Bobo’s fault. Enough with the excuses.
Now, having said all of that, I starting to accept that Bobo is our offensive coordinator and probably will remain there for a long time (Its not like other teams are beating down his door for his services or anything). I’ve just got to live with it. We’re going to have to win in spite of him. We’re going to have to win with big plays and a defense that can take the ball away. That’s what we did against Mizzou. I’m hopeful we can keep it up.
Thanks.
old dog
September 10th, 2012
8:57 am
kinda funny…..you could have pounded the ball out with Gurly and kept it away from them, but whatever. Jones is Superman, and showed it (once again.) A player like him adds ponts to the scoreboard by being on the field.
Go Gamecocks!
September 10th, 2012
8:57 am
Jarvis is decent player. He is not anywhere close to being the best. Georgia is too hyped up. They could have lost to a non-ranked opponent. There schedule strength is super weak! It’s a joke! Gamecocks win the SEC east!!! Go Cocks!!
Joey
September 10th, 2012
8:59 am
dawgfan, guess who else has a headset on? Bobo’s boss. Bobo is doing exactly what Richt wants him to do, including the playcalling.
Like it or hate it, this is Mark Richt’s offense. My blood was boiling in the first half Saturday night also, but I think it had to do more with Mizzou’s D, especially the D-line, playing outstanding.
The play-calling got better as our O-line started doing a better job in the second half. I also wonder also about Gurley’s number of plays. Seems to me you got to get him the ball at least 15 times. He makes things happen.
Maybe he isn’t picking up the pass-protection assignments or something?
Mike da Tiger
September 10th, 2012
9:00 am
Great win. But, it was against an unranked Mizzou team that was simply out classed. I think even Jarvis would tell you guys to settle down. Jarvis had a grat game but again, look at who he was beasting on. It’s a loing season. Good luck the rest of the way. Stay healthy and hopefully we see you all in Atlanta again.
Joey
September 10th, 2012
9:04 am
“They could have lost to a non-ranked opponent.”
*********************************
Go Gamecocks!,
And couldn’t SC also have “lost to a non-ranked opponent?” One that hasn’t won a game yet?
One that lost to Northwestern?
The only thing that matters is we both got a W, right?
Alabama Fan
September 10th, 2012
9:10 am
He’s by far the best I have seen…great player that just plays, not trash talking. And UGA needs serious work on the OL especially the tackles…terrible footwork. Great win for the real SEC!
Nick Saban
September 10th, 2012
9:12 am
1980 was a long time ago for a championship. What’s the problem?
ROLL TIDE ROLL
Mr. Dawg
September 10th, 2012
9:17 am
Great road win against a respectable win. I’m sure Arkansas and Auburn fans would take it. Every one knew Jarvis was a great player. But he played one of the best games of any Bulldog in recent years. Reminded me of David Pollack at his best.
Concerned
September 10th, 2012
9:19 am
Always good to win on the road, and especially true for a night game in the SEC. Make no bones about it, if we can win at night in a new venue with as many freshmen as we had on the field, plus all those new starters, then we are now headed in the right direction. We kept our poise, and made the necessary plays to win.
On offense, there were several plays which we did not run. Still no TE over the middle, no backs out of the backfield, no screens, no bubble plays, and yes a reverse would have worked. As for basic, maybe we did not have to show our hand until needed. Saturday night’s game could would have gone either way for over three quarters, so my thought is why wait on a defense to win it for you?
On defense, we do miss a true experienced safety who can bring the big hit. That changes with Rambo’s return. Looks like the MLB position did much better than agianst Buffalo, and Herrea did a very nice job.
Special teams are not there yet specially on punts as the lenght of the punts are not close to what we are used to.
As for South Carolina, and Lattimore. It is very possible that his knee is not full speed as he had a sub par game. Swelling must be an issue, as well they protecting him a bit. By the time he gets a bunch of hits on that knee, and they play him more, things will be more in the Dogs favor.
Yes to Jarvis Jones running for office. Maybe a MR / JJ ticket would do the trick. What I see for the future is a Georgia team that is very serious about their business. It has been a few years since we have seen this sort of focus, and if this continues then a Dawgs and Tide or LSU show for the Dome in December is very possible.
Go Dawgs
gt4ever
September 10th, 2012
9:21 am
No, not even the best in the SEC….
dawgfan
September 10th, 2012
9:22 am
“Maybe he isn’t picking up the pass-protection assignments or something?”
Who cares? I am so sick of hearing that. If he’s in the game don’t pass the ball. Problem solved. Its okay if they know he’s going to run the ball. Bobo seems afraid of this. Its not always about out witting the defense. You can put it on the damn stadium video boards: We’re going to run Gurley right down your throats until you can tackle him. That’s big boy SEC football. That’s how you find yourself in 3rd and 2 instead of 3rd and 10 all the time. Gurley could have run for 150 yards against Mizzou. They couldn’t tackle him. That would have softened them up. I kept thinking in the 1st half that they were saving him for the 2nd half to wear them down. That would have been a good strategy. It didn’t happen. He just sat on the sidelines wasting away. He looks ready to me. I haven’t seen any ball security issues. So what are we waiting for?
Holdyourwater
September 10th, 2012
9:24 am
Well lets not start ginving each other a reach around just yet. It was just week 2. Hold your water.
Say What???
September 10th, 2012
9:28 am
@ dawgfan, so what you are saying is if anything goes wrong on the offense then it is Bobo’s fault? I don’t care who the coordinator is, if the players can’t execute then it doesn’t matter if the OC is the best in the business. Let me put it this way… if GTBob messes up your order when you come through the drive through, should his manager be taken out back and shot?
LoyalDog
September 10th, 2012
9:28 am
I was at the game and play calling was great. Too many false starts and penalties against the offensive line and at the worst times in the first half. Shoot, Murray, completed a beautiful out pattern for 40 yards on a 2nd down play and we would have been on Mizzous 20, but holding killed the play and now we had 2nd and long and that kills an offense. Especially ours. We played well. Fans were great in Mizzou. Mizzou fans were the best, very hospitable group. Friendly place to be. Great game day atmosphere.
Vampire Bill
September 10th, 2012
9:28 am
It is kind of sad that the Bulldawg nation is so amped up about a road win against a mediocre un ranked team. Have will fallen that far? Shouldn’t UGA with all its facilities, tradition, loyal fan base and extremely well paid coaches be one of the very top teams in the nation year in and year out?
We may be ranked 7th but imagine what Bama would do to us? Does 41-10 sound about right?
You have got to blame the coaches. Why do the dawgs have such a slow start every single year? Yes we’re 2andOh unlike last year but the top teams are already in mid season form.
One last thing… Bobo, if you continue to insist on running up the middle on 3rd and long at least put one of the stronger heavier backs in. At least think about it? OK ?
RollTide1
September 10th, 2012
9:31 am
lmk when you boys play somebody. That team (you played) would not even cross the 50 with our D!
LHarding Dawg
September 10th, 2012
9:31 am
Vampire Bill is nothing but a blood sucking idiot without even a little bit of life. So Sorry for him and especially any family he may have.
LHarding Dawg
September 10th, 2012
9:33 am
Loyaldog – I was there as well and had a good time with the Mizzou fans. Got back yesterday about 5 o’clock tired but happy. Good trip and a good win.
Joey
September 10th, 2012
9:40 am
We know Bama is good, RollTide1. We know it.
This was a blog about Jarvis Jones, who plays for UGA.
What has one got to do with the other?
Shellie Richardson
September 10th, 2012
9:49 am
I would like to apologize to”Mister Jones”,in the 4th quarter when I was hiding on the sidelines scared to go back in,I saw what SEC football is all about.I am an “old man’s sissy
Say What???
September 10th, 2012
9:50 am
Also… Just checked the stats… Gurley was 10 carries for 65 yards, one of those carries was for 44 yards (http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/worksheet.jsp?year=2012&game=201200000025720120908.xml). By my calculations, if you take away that one big carry, Gurley averaged 2.3 years per carry. Seems like Mizzuo did just fine tackling him. Also, that 44 yard carry came late in th 4th quarter, so it wasn’t like he made an unbelievable rush in the 1st quarter and then we never saw him again. So where do you get that “Mizzou could not tackle him at all.” Also, Marshal seems to have a little more consistant success witht his runs earlier in the game so he got the rock more… Seems to me that Bobo continued to call plays that seemed to be working…
I think I have figured it out… You love Gurely (don’t get me wrong – I am excited as hell about the kid, too), but you HATE Bobo… I got it.
Don't Feed the Trolls
September 10th, 2012
9:52 am
@ Rolltide 1… Sounds like a plan. Only if you promise not to return to this chat board until we let you know…
jarvis
September 10th, 2012
10:01 am
Say What???, Why would you take away his long carry?
He also scored on a 1 yard run. If you take away that one his average is up to 7.2.
See….that’s how numbers work.
ga gator
September 10th, 2012
10:03 am
Georgia coach Mark Richt called Jones “maybe the best defensive player in America.” The Walter Camp Football Foundation named him the national defensive player of the week
Probably the best Defensive player I have ever (in 59 years) seen at the college level.
jarvis
September 10th, 2012
10:05 am
Bob LeBlah at 7:42, “Who is Orwin Smith?”
I Googled it. It’s worth the laugh.
Team sport football is
September 10th, 2012
10:11 am
Ugh has a team of talented players. One game it might appear to be Murray’s , the next it might appear to to belong to Jarvis or marlon or t king or turkey. This is the reality of having very talented players.
Go dogs
zbulldawg
September 10th, 2012
10:32 am
I hope Jones’ groin holds up. That can lead to some serious problems down the road. Maybe they can rest him some. Before we start the rest of the SEC play. We need to understand the defense did what they did as a unit. Jones is a great player & may be one of the best out there this year. But this defense has along way to go Yet. We MUST remember as of right now we have 3 injured starters on this D. And it will be hard for them to heal up if they can’t rest. The GREAT thing We are building depth as we go. That was a great test for our DAWGS ! LET THE BIG DAWG EAT !!!!!!! Thank you Jarvis for showing the whole nation the JUNKYARD DAWGS are BACK
LoyalDog
September 10th, 2012
10:32 am
Team sport football is Absolutely. This UGA team is talented and IF they play very well as a team,then someone, somewhere, will be in position to make plays and then the player will have to make the play, such as Richard Sammuel or John Theus or John Jenkins or Brandon Smith
The Mizzou fans were fantastic. Great win in a very challenging environment. I am so tired of hearing MIZ ZOU It was fun. OLD MAN FOOTBALL The team got a kick out that when they heard it at the game. They turned around to our little corner and laughed.
G-Dawg
September 10th, 2012
10:40 am
Who cares if the run was 4 yards or 44 yards…it still counts as a carry!!
Pat O'Brien
September 10th, 2012
10:43 am
Hey “Go Gamecocks!”: Yeah, Jarvis isn’t “anywhere close to being the best”. Actually, Mel Kyper’s got him number 1 or 2 on the NFL draft board. Last time I checked, that’s pretty close to being the best. Maybe you’ll go to ATL more than once in the next 20 seasons, though it’s doubtful.
PR
September 10th, 2012
10:58 am
Thanks Southern Cal for bringing this Dawg home!
Scotty
September 10th, 2012
10:58 am
Jarvis Jones for President!