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Struggles continue in marquee games; team whipped but not flat, Richt says

7:22 pm October 7, 2012, by Tim Tucker

COLUMBIA, S.C. – A dismal loss to South Carolina extended and exacerbated the Georgia football team’s multi-year trend of struggling — a lot — against top opponents.

Saturday night’s 35-7 loss — Georgia’s first game of the season against a ranked opponent and its first defeat of the season — dropped the Bulldogs’ record against Top 25 teams to 2-8 since the start of the 2010 season, including 0-4 against Top 10 teams.

And going back a bit further, the loss dropped the Bulldogs to 6-14 against Top 25 teams since the start of the 2008 season, including 1-9 against Top 10 opponents.

The impact of the loss on Georgia’s national reputation was quickly registered. Ranked No. 5 before the game, the Bulldogs tumbled Sunday to No. 14 in the Associated Press media poll and No. 12 in the USA Today coaches’ poll. South Carolina rose from No. 6 to No. 3 in both.

Asked late Saturday night how he responds to the perception that Georgia doesn’t rise to the occasion in high-profile games, UGA offensive lineman Chris Burnette said: “I can’t really dispute it because we haven’t.”

The Bulldogs’ only wins over ranked opponents in the past 2 1/2 seasons came last season against Auburn and Georgia Tech, Nos. 24 and 25, respectively, in the AP poll at the time of those games.

You have to go back to a 2009 victory over Tech, No. 7 at the time, to find Georgia’s most recent victory against a Top 10 opponent. Aside from that, the Bulldogs have lost to every such team they’ve faced in the past 4 ½ seasons: Alabama and Florida in 2008; Oklahoma State, LSU and Florida in 2009; Auburn in 2010; Boise State and LSU (SEC title game) in 2011; and South Carolina in 2012.

“We definitely want to make sure that in the future we can rise up to that occasion,” Burnette said. “We know what we’re capable of, but we’ve just got to go back and look at film and figure out what happened, what we did wrong.”

Saturday’s loss left Georgia (5-1, 3-1 SEC) a game behind South Carolina (6-0, 4-0) and Florida (5-0, 4-0) in the SEC East. Georgia doesn’t play this week, while South Carolina is at LSU and Florida at Vanderbilt.

Georgia won the East last season despite losing to South Carolina. To repeat that feat, the Bulldogs likely would need to win out — including Oct. 27 vs. Florida, currently No. 4 in the AP poll — and would need South Carolina to lose twice (say, at LSU and at Florida).

“I’m definitely not losing confidence in this team at all or in our coaching staff or anything like that,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said Sunday. “That’s the worst thing you can do. Teams panic and they tend to fall apart. But Georgia is not going to fall apart.

“A year ago, we’re 0-2 and everybody wants to decide the sky has fallen and it’s over for Georgia. But what did we do? We stayed firm; we believed in each other; we kept banging away; we started to win; and before you know it, we won the Eastern Division. … It’s unfortunate [Saturday’s game] came out the way it did with so much at stake, but there’s still a lot at stake. The sun did come up, and we’re going to get back to work.”

Richt rejected the suggestion the Bulldogs were flat against the Gamecocks.

“I wouldn’t say it was a flat performance,” he said. “I would just say that South Carolina physically whipped us.”

He continued: “If we’d had more success early in the ballgame, it wouldn’t have seemed like a flat performance. Even the initial drive, if [Bacarri] Rambo hangs on to the pick and we turned it into points, all of a sudden things look a little bit different. So there’s a lot of things that could have happened along the way if we could have [pass-]protected better or run- blocked better and been more accurate or tackled better — all of those things. I’m still going to say South Carolina did a heck of a job, and we didn’t get it done.”

Georgia averaged 48.2 points in winning its first five games, but the Gamecocks jumped to a 21-0 lead in the first 10 minutes and held the Dogs scoreless until the final two minutes.

As South Carolina built the early lead, Georgia had breakdowns on offense (a tipped interception), defense (a missed interception, open receivers) and special teams (a 70-yard punt return for a Carolina touchdown). So it went, the Gamecocks’ domination starting on the line of scrimmage and permeating all phases of the game.

“It’s definitely humbling,” Bulldogs linebacker Jarvis Jones said.

“They were shell-shocked,” South Carolina tailback Marcus Lattimore told reporters. “We hit them in the mouth, and they weren’t ready for it.”

COMPLETE COVERAGE OF GEORGIA-SOUTH CAROLINA GAME

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654 comments Add your comment

the go to play

October 8th, 2012
1:54 pm

Enter your comments here

the go to play

October 8th, 2012
1:55 pm

Gator,

That is the 3rd and long draw play and it is prominent in the UGA playbook. It’s gonna work one day and if the tailback does not die of shock, it will be awesome.

Big Crimson 75

October 8th, 2012
1:57 pm

Seriously, you do know your football, but in my opinion, “we are a new head coach away.”
—–
Joey — thanks for the compliment.
I’m not arguing for Richt’s job!!
I’ve also stated the obvious several times — No one can convince me that Richt is the same Coach that took over the Ga program. I don’t see the same fire and determination he once had. In the early years of the Richt era, Ga had a Coaching edge in most games, it was easily seen.
What happened!?

Gotta Be the Coaching!

October 8th, 2012
1:58 pm

It’s gotta be the coaching… check out these alarming numbers of which SEC teams currently have the most players in the NFL:

UGA – 37
LSU – 37
ALA – 30
FLA – 31
AUB – 26
TENN – 26
S. CAR – 22

Source: http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/2012/sec-players-in-the-nfl/

Let’s interpret those numbers… UGA is tied for the most with LSU… LSU is a BCS contender every year and has won a NC… Alabama has less than UGA, but is a BCS contender every year and has won NC’s… FLA has a lot less than UGA and has won NC’s in recent years and now appears to be in the BCS hunt again… Poor old S. Carolina only has 22 players in the NFL and has kicked our butts for 3 straight years and made our best talented team on paper, look like a Division III team at best on Sat. Night. And BTW… UGA had at least 4 top NFL prospects on that Grantham D last Sat, as well.

Folks, I’m a loyal Dawg fan, but the players and the fans deserve better! CMR is a good man, but there is definitely something missing in the leadership department, when a team of UGA’s talent gets embarrassed on national TV like we just did. It’s not just that we lost, we were dominated in every facet of the game. That comes down to coaching my friends, plain and simple.

I wish CMR the best, but it’s time for a change in Athens! He’s accomplished about all he can there IMO.

embarassed

October 8th, 2012
2:02 pm

I say bring on new coach and move Richt to team chaplain.

Big Crimson 75

October 8th, 2012
2:04 pm

Can y’all imagine Kirby Smart taking the reigns!!
Another lil Nick on the sidelines.
Look at Muschamp.
First & foremost, Kirby would control the recruiting in this State.
Your Team would play with a lot more passion.
You wouldn’t be getting whiped on national TV.
Question is, can y’all come to grips with a Coach that doesn’t tote a Bible everywhere he goes?
Better snatch him now before Arky does.

embarassed

October 8th, 2012
2:06 pm

AJC/Tim Tucker please forward all these comments to Mcgarity’s office so he can see what true passion for UGA looks like

deebow

October 8th, 2012
2:06 pm

UGA overrated……SC will lose to LSU and UF. This weekends game will be pointless

Joey

October 8th, 2012
2:07 pm

You are correct, dddf’s.

I know I am coming across as angry, but my butt will right back in front of the TV or radio Saturday week, hoping for a W.

See, I am not a college football fan.

I am a Georgia Bulldog fan, and I hate getting blownout in front of the TV-watching sports world, and I just can’t stand having a head coach who thinks a blowout loss is no different than losing in overtime. Isn’t tha amazing?

I just long for the day this obviously good man, who is also obviously clueless when competing with good coaches, is retired and gone from Athens.

ATLien

October 8th, 2012
2:12 pm

@”gotta be the coaching”

That is a factual post and echos my sentiments exactly. Mark Richt is NOT an elite coach. He’s a good man and great ambassador for the university but if you want to win CHAMPIONSHIPS, he’s just not the guy. He’s been at UGA a long time and he’s brought in some tremendous talent, but he clearly does not maximize the talent level. UGA has consistently underachieved as a result of coaching.

Here’s another glaring lack of coaching: Look at what happened in the bowl game against MSU. No fight in the OT, runs two very conservative plays and trots the kicker who had a rough day to kick a 42yd FG which he summarily missed. Coaching says run your offense as normal try to move the ball as a turnover only leads to a second OT given that Michigan State had the ball first

He is just NOT the guy.

ASB Dawg

October 8th, 2012
2:12 pm

Sure, we got beaten and out-coached…does that mean I am throwing a whole team or coaching staff under a bus or burning all of my Dawg gear? NO. NEVER. Have some pride for a great team and a great school…If anybody deserves the support of the DawgNation it is Murray, we have all read how hard he works and how bad he wants to win for us….give the kid a break, he’d probably give you one.

gdawginkalamazoo

October 8th, 2012
2:12 pm

The defense just look like it was loaded up on some of Rambo’s brownies.

DrDawg

October 8th, 2012
2:15 pm

Once again, Spurrier owns Georgia and Muschamp is getting ready to do the same. Muschamp inherits a train wreck in Gainesville and in his second year they are in the Top 5 already. Can somebody call Kirby Smart? He is going to be a head coach next year, is UGA going to let him get away? He would come in and clean house and bring some BAMA coaches with him. Richt cannot win the big ones – evidently.

Big Will

October 8th, 2012
2:15 pm

Bring on Kirby Smart.

Big Will

October 8th, 2012
2:16 pm

Kirby Smart

PT

October 8th, 2012
2:18 pm

The problem is Georgia had not played anyone until the Gamecocks. Georgia fans believed that the Dawgs had improved, in reality they had not. South Carolina improved from a year ago. They have gotten better each year under Spurrier. Don’t expect anything different in the Florida game. Muschamp is high energy and the Gator players are responding.

NoMoreRawDeal

October 8th, 2012
2:18 pm

Here we go again. High expectations crushed by Steve Spurrier. Again.

I’m sorry, but CMR should be done after this season. Beating USC was the one thing he had to do this year to give us a shot at the NC and they couldn’t get it done. I’m done with Bulldawg football until they run this guy out.

Let him go focus on his missionary work. It seems apparent that’s what he’d rather be doing than coaching football. Fine. Let him go do that, and we’ll get a coach in here who cares about taking this program to the National Championship. Like everyone else around here, I’m sick and tired of hearing his excuses, and tired of watching him laugh off these big losses like they’re not a big deal.

Fire him. Now. And tell him to take Bobo and Grantham with him.

JDBCOCK

October 8th, 2012
2:21 pm

For years when South Carolina was always losing to Georgia , Clemson , Florida , Tennessee et.. I would always think at times these teams were overated and it was the coaching. Its is a great day now at least for the moment the shoe is on the other foot.

We may go 6-6 but all I know we detroyed a team that got all the hype pregame saturday night and we did it with that tried and true formula of winning the game in the trenches. We have had some really good football players at USC but I have never seen a defensive line remotely close to what we have now and I am having a hard time coming up with a player that is as freaky as Clowney as he is quicker off the snap than anybody I have ever seen whether he figures out the snap count or not.

We attempted only three passes after the 21-0 lead and still won going away. Yes we have a hard schedule ahead but it is doable.

Joey

October 8th, 2012
2:22 pm

Big Crimson, why don’t you just waterboard us UGA fans?

Kirby will be here one day. (I keep telling myself that). Nick Saban student for years. Firey sideline demeanor. Recruiter extraordinaire.

embarassed

October 8th, 2012
2:25 pm

I propose at the next home game instead of a redout or blackout lets have a fanout,then we will see how much the AD cares about the fans opinion

Big Crimson 75

October 8th, 2012
2:27 pm

Kalamazoo — funny. Rambo was definitely high!

Joey — Kirby’s the best option. He knows UGA as well as Richt. He knows Ga as well as anyone.
He’s ready to Coach somewhere.
I don’t see him back in Tuscaloosa next year, no matter what kind of year we end up having.

Played the game

October 8th, 2012
2:33 pm

@Joey…there were many times where Murray wasn’t touched and just made horrible throws…I’m not saying he wasn’t pressured and was only sacked twice – he was sacked more last year with a more experienced line. I’m also not placing all the blame on Murray – entire team contributed. Bobo is not a good in-game coach and should have doubled Clowney w/TE and/or fullback since neither was utilize in passing game, ran more power sets, quick pitches (like 1st play from scrimmage), mis-directional plays, etc… More importantly, he should have used Murray’s legs more sort of like SC did with Shaw. Yes, Murray is decent in the pocket but using the wrinkle to run him more or some type of zone option against their entire defense would have slowed them down a little. No adjustments by the offense which lies directly on HC and OC. Didn’t give their defense nothing to think about cause they already seen everything we did on film. With all that being said and everyone pointing figures, IMO…there still were to many plays in all phases left on the field which the players didn’t execute. Again IMO, if those plays were made with our most basic game plan, we are in the game with a chance to win. That tells me our game plan was good enough and our players are good enough. EXECUTING can’t be overloooked. If any of you can stand it, go back and look at the game and see all the plays not excuted by UGA and far out numbered SC’s mis-executed plays. Hats off to SC for playing a great game. Doesn’t mean their talent is that much greater or even better than UGA’s.

ATLien

October 8th, 2012
2:52 pm

@played the game

That type of attitude and dismissive stance is exactly why UGA won’t be a serious contender. The fans deserve better. You don’t perenially keep that type of talent coming to campus and perenially NOT be in contention. Of course some plays where missed when are they not, even when NE went 16-0 you can say plays were missed, but UGA was destroyed in all phases. The game was out of hand 10 minutes in and there were no adjustments or changes. IT IS ALL COACHING. This is just a culmination of years of the same ineffective play against marquee opponents and the complete collapse of a team

fishook dawg

October 8th, 2012
2:57 pm

THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT WE LOST TO A RANKED TEAM AGAIN FOR THE 8TH TIME OUT OF THE LAST 10 AND THE BAD NEWS IS THAT MURRAY WILL BE BACK WITH US AGAIN NEXT YEAR. I’ve said it for the last 2 years that Murray is nothing more than a hyped up Joe Cox. At least Cox had some fire in him. For all you Murray lovers that are concerned that he will go pro after this year, relax it ain’t happening. He may end up with all these UGA records, but it is my belief that just about any top recruit could have done the same or better with the players he has had around him and the number of games he’s played in. I don’t care how much film studying he does if he doesn’t reflect it on game day against quality oppenents. CMR hitched his wagon to Murray 3 years ago and I believe he will live or die with that decision. Maybe since Murray has already graduated, he’ll transfer to another school like UCF or USF and finish his great carear down there. It’s my belief that that would be the best thing to happen to UGA in the last 3 years. I also believe that there are alot of guys on this team that would like for that to happen also.

Played the game

October 8th, 2012
3:03 pm

@ATLien…whatever!!!! Teams lose from time to time. Since 1972, there has not been an undeafeated pro team and thought we were talking about college uga vs. sc? Yes…the entire UGA staff is to blame for this loss, not naive to that fact. However, i also know every last one of those players and coaches wanted to win that game. You are very smart to know that plays are missed every game. It’s not all coaching when players don’t execute plays, PERIOD!!! I’ve missed a block and motioned on plays that went for td’s – coaches fault right? Trust me I’m as frustrated w/coaching staff as all are for big games but not always one thing and all fingers should not point that way….IMO!!!! What the hell do i know, I’m just a network engineer that got my brains beat playing football so many years through college.

ATLien

October 8th, 2012
3:09 pm

@played the game

New England went 16-0 in 2007 and I gave that example to show how an elite pro team with top tier Elite pro players miss plays. Missed plays happen, but when you get thoroughly embarrassed the way UGA got embarrassed on Saturday chalking that up to “missed plays” is a dismissive and enabling excuse to keep things status quo. (not criticizing Richt and the staff the way they should be criticized). That was my point.

DawgShit

October 8th, 2012
3:09 pm

I wonder if Richt would say they were flat against Bama in 08 or they were flat against WVU in the Sugar Bowl or Tennessee in 07, etc, etc, etc… In 08 we had 3 top 15 picks in the NFL draft. If there is any doubt in anyones mind that the problems plaguing this UGA program isnt coaching you are delusional and you are part of the problem.

DawgShit

October 8th, 2012
3:27 pm

It absolutely matters how you lose a game.. Year after year when your program s loaded with NFL caliber talent and then you lose football games seemingly every year in a manner where you are not even competitive. There IS A PROBLEM!

If I were Mark Richt I would be apologizing profusely to the UGA fan base. But Ive never heard him take full responsibility. Its just one excuse after another.

RebellDawg

October 8th, 2012
3:28 pm

It’s not about the game, it’s about money. Richt, Adams, etc. see record crowds, sold out games, national tv revenue, souvenir sales up, and increased revenue. Georgia is consistently one of the most lucrative programs, Forbes #7 in 2011 in value $90m, #4 in revenue $75m and tied for #2 with Penn St for profit $53m.
http://www.forbes.com/special-report/2011/college-football-11_land.html
It was just one day, one game, and they don’t see anything down, money wise, which is what really matters. They are not interested in making changes, because to them it isn’t broken. If you want change, stop buying tickets, souvenirs, and stop going to games. When the money starts going down, you will get change.

G

October 8th, 2012
3:40 pm

Rebelldawg makes a good point. Just like we’ve had blackout and redout games, try a couple of fanout games if you’re serious. The UGA brass don’t really care about who wins the GA/FL game, they only care about fans showing up and spending money. That’s a win. UGA football team winning the game is only a perk. A fanout in key games such as GT and FL would send a clear message to the brass that we’re serious about change. Want to drive it home? Skip the bowl game.

embarassed

October 8th, 2012
3:41 pm

fanout would speak volumes

Joey

October 8th, 2012
3:50 pm

“It’s not all coaching when players don’t execute plays, PERIOD!!!”
******************************************
BS!

When did you last see Bama, LSU, or UF get a beatdown like we get multiple times, EVERY YEAR . . .PERIOD!!!? How can Vandy and UK play SC a good game, and SC win our game in the 1st Quarter . . .PERIOD!!!?

Keep your head up your butt, Played, or please tell us when did this coach last beat an equally talented team?

Stiffneck

October 8th, 2012
3:57 pm

Our defense has not stopped anyone this season. From Buffalo to SC. Where are all those All SEC or top draft picks? Where is that top 10 defense? Grantham got a pay raise too. What for? And as far as offense, Murray never had a chance. The O-line had so many break-downs all night it was sad – what the hell was Burnette blocking….mostly wind. Special Teams just isn’t getting it done. Richt really needs to step up, be a man, accept responsibility for his teams short-comings.

DawgShit

October 8th, 2012
4:05 pm

Other than the money… When the recruits start to dry up, then we might get a change too. How can we continue to attract these top recruits while getting thoroughly embarrassed on national TV atleast once a year.

Joey

October 8th, 2012
4:09 pm

“…THE BAD NEWS IS THAT MURRAY WILL BE BACK WITH US AGAIN NEXT YEAR”
**********************************************
Yeah fishook dawg! I wish we had a NFL All-Pro, superstar QB like a Matthew Stafford at UGA, so we could win every game, and SEC Titles, and . . . . . oh hell, Richt had Stafford, along with Knowshon, AJ, MoMass, and DIDN’T EVEN WIN THE SEC EAST.

Be careful what you with for son, you might get 8-5 or 6-7, you know the records Richt has when he doesn’t have a star QB?

G

October 8th, 2012
4:15 pm

Think about a lot of top HS recruits that are on the fence choosing to play for UGA. Kids are not stupid and blind. Yeah, it’s only one game. But loosing in that fashion does not help. The pool won’t dry up, but it will certainly decline.

DawgShit

October 8th, 2012
4:35 pm

Richt is in the wrong profession. He should be a politician the way he spins these embarrassing big game losses year after year. It is getting comical. Oh well the sun will rise tomorrow.

He Hate Gator

October 8th, 2012
4:46 pm

Players may make the plays but stuff like that evens out over time, but mediocre game planning, in game decisions,adjustments and poor assignments does not. When constantly losing against similarly talented teams it can only be coaching…one would expect at least a .500 record against similar opponents…

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October 8th, 2012
4:59 pm

[...] Bulldogs’ struggles continue in marquee games [...]

Aaron Murray focused on his father as Bulldogs put South Carolina behind them | UGA sports blog

October 8th, 2012
6:14 pm

[...] Bulldogs’ struggles continue in marquee games [...]

Played the game

October 8th, 2012
6:23 pm

Joey….to Hell with your insults? Have your opinion as I do mine and just that cause all of us has one as we do a_ _ holes, esp in your case!, w/that crap you’re speaking!!! NOW…if it was that easy because you got the talent, several teams would win every year; that’s why you play the games. Alabama, Auburn, LSU, USC(w), Oregon, Florida, etc…none have won it every year and never wiill and all have multiple NFL’ers on their teams most years. UGA got beat in one game, on one nite, etc… I want UGA to win more than anything and frustrated as HELL too!!! No we haven’t beat the top tier teams, lately, yes we have in the past. Just as all the teams mentioned and lots of others, you go thru peaks and valleys with whatever that makes you a weaker team than others…coaching, players, scheme, matchups, etc…Most on this blog thinks it’s coaching/scheme and defintely part of it. Lots of other things factor into that and quickest one is fire the staff. Go ahead and best have a great one willing to come. I think CMR will start back winning those bigger games soon and will still have questions, LOL!!!

dockta

October 8th, 2012
8:10 pm

this article exposes Richt and that so called Athletic Director——what a joke. Georgia has become a middle of the road team and everybody knows it now—-there is no great UGA football program–its a hoax—

DawgShit

October 8th, 2012
8:45 pm

@played the game. Do you remeber the state of Alabama’s program before Saban was hired? If Im not mistake he won a national champioship within 2 years of taking over. He will most likely win another this year. And he will probably content every year he is there. Do you not agree Alabama’s turn around is not 100% due to a very good coach? Do you ever believe that CMR and his staff can compete against a coach and staff of that caliber? Even in 2008 with 3 first round, top 15, NFL picks UGA goes down 31-0 on a blackout and one of the most electric atmospheres ive ever seen in Athens. If Im understanding your arguement correctly you seem to think that the tides will turn and luck will come back on the side of CMR and UGA. This has been going on since early 2000s. I believe the “collapse” games started with WVU in first half of the sugar bowl. How many more years are you willing to give CMR? I dont believe in luck turning when it comes to winning football programs or games. I believe in the fundamentals, blocking, tackling, discipline, toughness, no stupid penalties, keeping kids out of jail, etc, etc…

DawgShit

October 8th, 2012
9:12 pm

Other examples of how COACHES make or break and largely determine the success of a football program. Urban Meyer at UF, Urban Meyer now with Ohio State, Jon Harbaugh at Stanford, John Harbaugh now with the 49ers..

If Saban and staff were coaching the Dawgs Saturday night, do we get completely dominated and embarrassed?

92 Dawg

October 8th, 2012
10:07 pm

Richt is a “fine Christian man, good example, positive role model, blah, blah, blah, etc.” That’s fine, but his record against ranked teams tells the story that counts. He’s not a motivator, and obviously the boys don’t follow his Christian examples, as we always have several suspended every year. We need a new coaching staff in Athens, it’s painfully obvious. Until that happens, I’m nit renewing my six season tickets. I just can’t listen to the same excuses and lack of emotion.

Cal22

October 9th, 2012
6:16 am

Oh that’s right… the upset of VA Tech was the last game where UGA y beat anyone decent. I’m glad you enlightened the Georgie fans, Tim. Most of them wouldn’t have known about that game as they’ve only been fans for a season or two.

Cal22

October 9th, 2012
6:18 am

Looks like a lot of UGA y fans are boycotting their precious Bulldawgs and forfeiting their tickets. That’s good, it’ll make room for more bandwagoneers.

Cal22

October 9th, 2012
6:27 am

Looks like all you Georgie fans are complaining about the same thing from CMR and company… lack of emotion. Why don’t you sissy boys start watching soap operas if you want emotion?

God I love UGA y football. It brings out the man in everyone.

Whiznot

October 9th, 2012
12:36 pm

Georgia is a house with no foundation. Richt has never been able to recruit top linemen. You win in the trenches. SC’s superiority was overwhelming.

Whiznot

October 9th, 2012
12:42 pm

Maybe we should hire a devil-worshiping coach like Nick Saban. Bible thumpers are too passive.

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