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Spurrier on Georgia: ‘I keep seeing all those long runs by those freshman Bulldogs’

3:02 pm September 30, 2012, by Chip Towers

Informed Sunday that ESPN’s College Gameday crew is coming to Columbia on Saturday for No. 5 Georgia’s game against No. 6 South Carolina, Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier said that’s just the way he likes it.

The last time that group set up outside Williams-Brice Stadium was on Oct. 9th, 2010, and South Carolina knocked off No. 1-ranked Alabama 35-21.

“We certainly do [like games such as this],” Spurrier said on his weekly teleconference call Sunday. “The last time they were here, obviously that was one of the best days in Carolina football history. It was the first time we had ever beat a No. 1 team. It adds to the importance of the game. It sort of lets the world know and the country know South Carolina football’s pretty good. We’re not quite where we want to be yet, but we’re up there amongst them and hopefully we can keep pushing on.”

The matchup everybody anticipated for Week 6 of the season has materialized. Both the Gamecocks (5-0, 3-0 SEC) and Bulldogs (5-0, 3-0) were consensus preseason picks as the top two teams from the East and they arrive undefeated and ranked among the nation’s best. Both teams negotiated potential trap games this past weekend. South Carolina trailed Kentucky 17-7 in the first half but surged ahead in the second to win 38-17. Georgia wasted several three-score leads to outlast Tennessee 51-44 at Sanford Stadium.

Spurrier said he hasn’t had a chance yet to sit down and study the Bulldogs on video, but he has been impressed by what he has seen on highlight shows.

“I keep seeing a bunch of long runs by those Bulldog freshmen,” said Spurrier, speaking of tailbacks Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall. “That’s probably a good message when you think you lose a top running that has some issues like the kid they had there last year [Isaiah Crowell], maybe the next guys can come in and play as well or better. So the long runs is what I noticed mostly yesterday. And, of course [Aaron] Murray hit a bunch of big passes, too. They were a scoring machine.”

Georgia comes into the game leading the SEC in scoring (48.2 ppg) and total offense (536 ypg). But the Gamecocks, behind quarterback Connor Shaw and running back Marcus Lattimore, have been lighting it up, too. South Carolina averages 36.6 points and 409 yards per game.

The difference might be the Gamecocks’ defense, which is giving up an average of  just 11.2 points and 288 yards. That’s second and third in the SEC, respectively.

Conversely, Georgia’s defense has been a bit of a disappointment. The Bulldogs are in the bottom half of the league against the score (22.0 ppg) and in yards allowed (370 pg).

“Well, they’re scoring so fast,” Spurrier said. “You score fast and your defense has to play a lot more. It usually takes us a while to get it down the field and score. Our defense is hopefully only out there 58 to 63 plays, something like that. Georgia’s been scoring so fast and there’s been so many turnovers in their games, the defense is just playing more plays. No, they can make plays all over the place. And even last year we didn’t move the ball that well at all.”

Spurrier is referring to last season’s 45-42 win at Georgia in which the Bulldogs gave up 14 points on a pick-six and a fake punt and another 14 indirectly on offensive turnovers deep in their own territory.

You’d think that all would be warm and fuzzy with the Gamecocks, what with them being in some unchartered waters in program history from a winning standpoint. But Spurrier refused to take questions after the UAB game and a couple of other news conferences due to his differences over what he deemed was negative reporting by the local newspaper, The Columbia State. In particular he seems to be having issues with columnist Ron Morris, who has been known to take him to task from time-to-time.

“Well, it’s only one guy,” Spurrier said Sunday. “I just said I had enough of it. Hopefully we got the problem under control. I guess time will tell.”

Morris wrote a column about their strained relationship this past week.

Stay tuned for much more coverage of the Gamecocks and the Bulldogs this week as we get set for what will certainly be the most anticipated Georgia-South Carolina game in the long and storied history of that series.

COMPLETE COVERAGE OF GEORGIA-TENNESSEE GAME:

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222 comments Add your comment

THE UGA formerly known as RUSS

September 30th, 2012
5:54 pm

I don’t need comments on everything from the Pie Hole under the Visor, but someone goes to him for a comment on every thing and prints it.

@polorenzo

September 30th, 2012
5:59 pm

Whoever is doubting this “D”, go jump off a cliff…This is a national championship year and we will show up and show out…Too much on the line…G.A,T.A

JB

September 30th, 2012
6:04 pm

If Spurrier had a choice of beating Georgia this Saturday or saving his mothers life…..He’d have a funeral to go to on Tuesday.

Herschel Walker's Jock Strap

September 30th, 2012
6:08 pm

I am embarrassed as a UGA fan for some of things you self appointed geniuses are coming up with as to why we are under performing on defense. There are several reasons as to why we played poorly on defense yesterday. So, for those of you with a mildly retarded football IQ here are the reasons….

1.) UT has a really good Offensive Line (credit where credit is due)
2.) They also kept a TE & RB in to block most of their pass plays (that was there counter for Jarvis Jones)
3.). Our D-line cannot get up field and disrupt running lanes or squeeze the pocket (Rodney Garners fault)
4.). Last year we were great on 3rd downs, yesterday not so much. (See points 5 & 6)
5.). Branden Smith is a total liability on 3rd down passing situations. We should not expect him to play man 2 man / bump & run against guys that out weigh him by at least 25 lbs and are 5-6″ taller. (They looked for that match up all night)
6.). Malcolm Mitchell needs to play strictly defense (he needs to replace Branden Smith) and we don’t need him on offense unless Bennett, King or Brown get injured.
7.) Lastly, they ran it down our throats yesterday because we used Florida’s approach to countering UT’s deep threat capability (We gave up the run and played safeties very deep (also see point #1) those two reasons together made our run defense look rather pedestrian.

Now, with all that being said, we will handle SC because they really don’t have the recievers to give us fits like UT. We will win this game but we have to do a good job of protecting Murray and blocking SC’s front 4. Go Dawgs!

Mark

September 30th, 2012
6:11 pm

Protect the ball and we win. Simple. Go Dawgs.

LakeDawg

September 30th, 2012
6:12 pm

I think UGA is going to win this game. While Carolina is basking in all of the hoopla with GameDay there and coming off of an easy victory of UK, UGA will be away from the limelight working to correct their mistakes from the UT game. UGA will be more focused and is more talented.

roughrider

September 30th, 2012
6:13 pm

The job of the offense is to score whenever posible. The job of the defense is to keep the other team from scoring.Our offense did what they were supposed to do but our defense was slack.

LakeDawg

September 30th, 2012
6:18 pm

Herschel Walker’s Jock Strap

I agree with your post. Also, that is the last game you will see UGA in that defensive scheme. UGA coaches were really afraid of UT’s WR’s and Bray. The players aren’t used to playing that passive scheme and missed several assignments, not to mention the problem of having to rotate in guys who hadn’t played before. UGA will play much more aggressive on D the rest of the way. I expect the D to start turning it on.

superDawg

September 30th, 2012
6:27 pm

I hope has has about four or five zingers in him before next saturday.

dawg4life

September 30th, 2012
6:27 pm

Ummm, Marcus, Tech just got smoked, at home, by MTSU….

Dawg-Gawn

September 30th, 2012
6:29 pm

Bobo’s job is to score as often and as fast as he can… Grantham’s job is to stop the other team from scoring! Both coordinator’s did their job…. the problem lies in the turnover’s and metal lapses by certain players (Malcolm Mitchell, Marshall Morgan, Aaron Murray, Rantavious Wooten, Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall) ALL of these are easily correctable! 10-A-C was given 20 points due to turnovers and thanks to M. Morgan 2 XP taken away from UGA’s score.

The important factor in this 10-A-C game, is the fact that UGA despite the turnovers and mental lapse’s STILL got the W…. it wasn’t pretty, but UGA survived though all the ugly, still won and never lost their composure once!

This game happened at a perfect time too… right before the SC game! This game should serve as a wake-up call (slap in the face) to both the players and coaches… stay focused (No Regrets) turn the ball over next Saturday and SC will get the W. This was a most humbling game at best!

“Stay Focused”

“Our Team” “Our Time” “No Regrets”

“BELIEVE” in the “G”

LHarding Dawg

September 30th, 2012
6:29 pm

I just got in from Athens where its always good to beat Tennessee. I figured Tennessee was going to give us fits and they did. If I were Coach Richt and Grantham, the only thing I change is to try to cut back on the turnovers.

BILLY JACK

September 30th, 2012
6:32 pm

Beanster 5;43 we didnt return every starter from last year we lost Brandon Boykin probably our best all around player CB and special team player and team captain.

kmarshall4

September 30th, 2012
6:51 pm

seriously crazy people on here scoring to fast is not the problem how about a few more 3 and outs on defense then we can score some more come on grantham earn your money bobo is

Beast from the East

September 30th, 2012
6:53 pm

Looking forward to watching this game. Too close to call in my opinion, but I would have to give SC the edge because they’re at home. Hope it lives up to the billing.

LakeDawg

September 30th, 2012
7:01 pm

Hey Beast. What’s your take on the LSU-UF game?

Bitter---same-ole---same-ole

September 30th, 2012
7:03 pm

Same trolls bashing//hate-in//dumb, senceless commints//—One thang for sure

Our QB–Murry proved his TWIN—Turnover Murphy was still hanging around

———-Give the BLUE TICKS CREDIT——–Great offensive line

————gurshall is/are the best thang since slice bread

———-”O” line coach//FRIEND—has truely turned the corner

——————-//THANKS COACH FRIEND//—CONGRATS DAWGS

———Remember you win as a ———-TEAM

ARdawg

September 30th, 2012
7:04 pm

So the Old Bawl Sack makes a few remarks and the blog fans think we are scoring to fast? That’s funny chit right there. I don’t care who you are

DogMax

September 30th, 2012
7:05 pm

SC can’t stop the the Dog’s powerful offense—Ga rolls—33-20. Bet the house.

ARdawg

September 30th, 2012
7:05 pm

Beast
We win this game and I’m pretty sure The Old Bawl Sack knows it

Skint

September 30th, 2012
7:13 pm

Georgia won the game. It wasn’t what everybody wanted. The defense needs to close the spreads on the line. Shaw will look for Lattimore out of the backfield on the dump pass. We need to recognize formations so that we can quit running people off and on on D. With that said, how many TV timeouts were there where we could rest our D. Score when you can, and play smart on D. Like one of my favorites said at TA&M, “We played well, but we just couldn’t get off the field”.(Joe Kines)

DOGGIE IN NC

September 30th, 2012
7:13 pm

BEANSTER – Just how many long ball did you see Murray throw? One, maybe? We were not scoring with home run passes – it was mostly long runs that were the fast scores. What do you want the runner to do? Stope half-way there so we don’ score too fast? The stupidity on these boards never cease to amaze me! That defense is going to be spitting nails come Saturday nite. I see a blowout of the Chicken Littles. GO DOGGIES!

SmyrnaGuy

September 30th, 2012
7:15 pm

Lou Holtz is an old senile geezer. Anything he says is proven wrong more times than not. Mark Mays is a much more intelligent analyst. If Holtz is picking USC(e), then that’s perfect for the Dawgs.

DOGGIE IN NC

September 30th, 2012
7:17 pm

By the way. great shuttle pass by Green Bay just now – how come we never run it any more – seems I recall we were very successful when we used it. Go figure. GO DOGGIES!

LoyalDog

September 30th, 2012
7:18 pm

Spurrior has his opinion. Score often and the defense needs to win the 1st down and 3rd down battles. Make it 2nd and long and then 3rd and long. Earn it and get off the field. Right now the D has not earned it. Score often and at will against Spurrier. He is afraid of this explosiveness.

Mookie

September 30th, 2012
7:24 pm

The ole ball Dlck with ears may win the game next week by running Lattimore 40 times but still won’t win the east.

rramo

September 30th, 2012
7:24 pm

Scoring 2 fast! LOL:)

Snake Doc

September 30th, 2012
7:35 pm

Beanster – you are correct

Snake Doc

September 30th, 2012
7:37 pm

Gurshall?

Are you serious?

BigDawg

September 30th, 2012
7:47 pm

Fellow Dawgs,

The real one’s anyway this was the first game where we had Rambo and Ogletree back plus Commings moved back to Corner so they were rusty. Next these guys had beaten Tennessee the last 2 years and it appeared to me that we went into a little bit of a shell when got out to the 17 point lead so easily and we relaxed and then the mental mistakes by Murray, ball security, place on the field by Marshall and Gurly happened allowing Tennessee to score those 3 TDs in the 2nd quarter before the half.

As you saw yesterday this Tennessee team is pretty good on offense and did not fold, plus they had some help from the officials by not calling those blatant holding on their O-line. We shut them down in the fourth quarter by forcing those 3 turnovers. The talent is there all over the field on this team and they are starting to jell into a very good team. I believe they will acquit themselves quiet nicely come Saturday in Columbia, South Carolina and this time next week there will be more of these so called experts obsessing over this and that etc.

Go dawgs

WTF

September 30th, 2012
7:48 pm

This game is going to be huge! USC and UGA are both primed and I think the winner takes the East. Go Dawgs

Game Changer

September 30th, 2012
7:57 pm

Aaron Murray has not beaten a team that ended the season in the top 20.

Been 5 years or more since UGA has beat a team that finished in top 20.

Will that change, dang sure hope so!!

umyboyBlue17

September 30th, 2012
8:00 pm

The dawgs have to do everything they have to do to stop ML if Shaw can beat throwing it so be it.I have seen that guy run over so many dawgs the past two years I have actually thought about calling the SPCA. No matter what the defence cannot let Lattimore beat them.

joe jenkins

September 30th, 2012
8:06 pm

The only true talent we have on defense is jarvis jones…tree and commings….rambo….the rest are average. I think the suspendions hurt malcom mitchell the worst…because for five games the coaches are not sure what to do with him….but we cant give up on him…he is one of the best players we….i would love to hang 60 on those sorry ass chickens……..go dawgs!!!!

Cornelius Washington's Neck Brace

September 30th, 2012
8:08 pm

Big Dawg is right….the defense matches up better against the Chickens than with UT. Ogletree was very rusty – he whiffed on two tackles including the reverse TD by Patterson…..he needed to get used to game speed again……I think we see much better defensive play and beat the Chickes.

kerryb

September 30th, 2012
8:17 pm

umyboyBlue17
September 30th, 2012
8:00 pm

The dawgs have to do everything they have to do to stop ML if Shaw can beat throwing it so be it.I have seen that guy run over so many dawgs the past two years I have actually thought about calling the SPCA. No matter what the defence cannot let Lattimore beat them.

________________________________________________________________________

I haven’t seen the Lattimore of 2 seasons ago yet this year. He still looks like he doesn’t have total confidence in his knee yet.

Beast from the East

September 30th, 2012
8:20 pm

LakeDawg,
My take of the UF/LSU game is…who knows? I truly think my Gators are much better than last year, but not sure if we care beat a top 5 team yet. We’ll have to play well and win the turnover battle to have a shot. I don’t think we’ll be able to start from behind and come back on LSU the way we did against A&M and UT.
Go Gators!

kerryb

September 30th, 2012
8:21 pm

Did anyone not notice that we were playing 2 deep safeties most of the night last night and that’s why Neal all of a sudden looked like a Heisman candidate? Apparently Grantham decided that we were not going to let Bray beat us with a big play down field and he did not. If Neal ran the ball on us some so be it. The defense will not play that way against Carolina. They will be playing closer to the line to stop Lattimore and Shaw from running.

Beast from the East

September 30th, 2012
8:25 pm

Kerry’s,
I saw that. Thought it was possibly a big mistake. I thought he should blitzed early and often. Bray is TERRIBLE under pressure. UF decided to pressure him in the second half and he ended the game 1/10 for 5 yards. He was just throwing it away.

Beast from the East

September 30th, 2012
8:26 pm

meant kerryb. The iPod has a mind of it’s own when it doesn’t recognize a word.

kerryb

September 30th, 2012
8:29 pm

Beast from the East
September 30th, 2012
8:25 pm

Kerry’s,
I saw that. Thought it was possibly a big mistake. I thought he should blitzed early and often. Bray is TERRIBLE under pressure. UF decided to pressure him in the second half and he ended the game 1/10 for 5 yards. He was just throwing it away.

_______________________________________________________________________

It would have been okay if our offense had not fumbled the ball twice on the 15 yard line giving them a short field. Up until then the only way they could scored was a pick 6 on a tipped ball. It was a fluky game. A pick 6 on a tipped ball, two fumbles on the 15, and a run by Patterson where he was going to pass the ball but it was not there so he ran. You got to tip your hat to him because he made a great play on a broken play.

Game Changer

September 30th, 2012
8:29 pm

kerryb: offensive lines have dominated the UGA defensive line and line backers, has nothing to do with where two safeties line up, we are getting blown off the ball. Not sure the TG 3/4 is good defense against quality teams.

kerryb

September 30th, 2012
8:32 pm

Gum Chewer is here with his usual stupid assessments.

kerryb

September 30th, 2012
8:33 pm

Yea right, Vandy dominated our D-line and LB’s. They didn’t score all night.

Game Changer

September 30th, 2012
8:34 pm

and kerryb is here with the usual excuses and kool aid to share

UGA defense has to improve is A FACT

kerryb

September 30th, 2012
8:35 pm

Ask James Franklin if their O-line dominated our defense. I believe his shoulder is still sore.

kerryb

September 30th, 2012
8:36 pm

We also only gave up 14 points to FAU. The other TD was a Lemay pick 6.

Dawg-Gawn

September 30th, 2012
8:38 pm

Tree or Herrera need to spy on Lattimore… the whole game!

Look for Bobo to use the Stanford Balco offensive formation against SC, to protect true Freshman OT Theus against SC’s defensive ends, Clowney & Taylor.

“Phi Beta Gata”

“Bobo’s Pistol is Legal”

“Focused” “Poised” = “Victory”

“BELIEVE” in the “G”

kerryb

September 30th, 2012
8:39 pm

Also, Grantham said they didn’t even game plan for Buffalo. They were experimenting with plays they were going to use against Missou. He said that they had not planned on their QB running so much because he never had in the past. If you noticed after he made some adjustments at halftime Buffalo was shut down.

kerryb

September 30th, 2012
8:41 pm

I think Theus got a little SEC education on Saturday that will serve him well from now on.

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