Struggles continue in marquee games; team whipped but not flat, Richt says
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
- Game story: South Carolina 35, Georgia 7
- Bradley: A sobering night for overwhelmed Bulldogs
- Spurrier: ‘They can’t say they own us anymore’
- Georgia’s defense no match for South Carolina’s offense
- Notebook: Gamecocks’ Shaw shows off against state school
- Photo gallery from No. 5 Georgia vs. No. 6 South Carolina
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654 comments Add your comment
Double T
October 7th, 2012
11:05 pm
Did anyone catch the quote by Spurier when he the announcers said that he felt Atlanta had more D-1 players than the state of Florida? That is why he recruits so heavily in Atlanta. To think that CMR cannot even compete against USC in our own state is pathetic. And YES CMR, they were flat and it is your and the rest of the coaches fault. You have become too much of the players’ friend and not enough of their leader and coach. Just listen to the recruits say that the do not even know coach Saban well, it is because he is their leader, not always their friend. You have become way too soft and that is why you are not prepared for the big games. You do not WANT IT bad enough. Please go ahead and retire and give us a coach that is passionate enough and hurts enough to win the big ones. Just look at Saban, Spurier, Miles and the rest of those that are Winners. Enough said, I will hang up and listen.
Profiler
October 7th, 2012
11:05 pm
We were killed in both trenches. We have 30 spots in 2012 recruiting class and possibly more. We had 4 OL commits until one decommitted. We have a boatload of 5′8″, 170 lb. athletes who won’t amount to crap if we don’t get someone to block for them. We lose the top OL recruits every year from the state of Georgia to our competitors. Why is that a low priority?
dean
October 7th, 2012
11:06 pm
This has gone on long enough. He’s a nice man, but it’s time to make a change. We will never be more than mediocre with Richt. It pains me to say it . But it’s time for a change. Or else just be prepared to continue to lose big games.
Festus
October 7th, 2012
11:07 pm
Mark Richt would make a great poker player. Doesn’t matter whether UGA is up by 35 or down by 35 he only has one expression on his face. Only time I’ve ever seen him smile is in those commercials for those dump trucks. Plus he looks great with those sunglasses. Heck. LSU lost and nobody is talking about firing Les Miles. At the end of the season Auburn, Tennessee, and Tech may be shopping for new coaches. Whose available? Bobby Petrino? Tommy Tuberville? One of Bobby Bowden’s kids? Keep Richt. He’s wins over 80% of his games and will never, ever lose to Middle Tenn.
Rick James
October 7th, 2012
11:09 pm
@Cocky’s Revenge
the powerful GA offense averaging 48 pts a game could not “expose” future number 1 overall draft pick Clowney…then who will? LSU …the offensive juggernaut who put up 6 pts agains the Gators.
HAHAHAHA, Or maybe the Gators dynamic 3 yards and a cloud of mudd
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Dont do too much bragging Cocky.I’m sure you were passing bricks during that Vanderbilt game.One or two more of those you wont make it to Atlanta..Just like last year.
Cocky's Revenge
October 7th, 2012
11:09 pm
LSU will loss 3 or 4 games this year. Should they fire Les Miles…..NO! Calm down Puppy fans. Beat Florida and win out….you could be in a top tier bowl game.
Big Wally
October 7th, 2012
11:10 pm
@Rick James, evidently you like; getting killed by other teams, a coaching staff that does not prepare it’s team and regularly get’s out-coached; and spending the bowl season in such exotic locations as Memphis.
Rick James
October 7th, 2012
11:11 pm
@Double T
What year did Spurrier out recruit Richt in Georgia? If he’s so great why couldnt he sign AJ Green who was right under his nose?
Hey, Rick James
October 7th, 2012
11:12 pm
Some of us would actually like to win the SEC Championship game, not just back into it and be practice fodder for Alabama or LSU on their way to another NC. The evidence of the last few years does not seem to indicate that this will change anytime soon.
Profiler
October 7th, 2012
11:14 pm
@Rick James
It is your attitude that allows us to continue in this complacency for years. Several years ago it was the same for Willie Martinez. He was allowed to stay way, way too long. While I am not saying fire anyone, I think we all have to acknowledge that we have a MAJOR problem and there needs to be serious dialogue between the people in Athens. Those of us who finance the mission should at least be given honest answers, explanations, and not denial and bs.
Cocky's Revenge
October 7th, 2012
11:15 pm
@ Rick James
I fear no-one. LSU and Florida are down….Ark is “John L Smithed”….yes its a new verb for screwed to Hades. Clemson is all show and no go in a tough game. See you Bama in Atlanta.
Rick James
October 7th, 2012
11:15 pm
@Big Wally
@Rick James, evidently you like; getting killed by other teams, a coaching staff that does not prepare it’s team and regularly get’s out-coached; and spending the bowl season in such exotic locations as Memphis.
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If my memory serves me right Georgia played its bowl game in Tampa last year right? Georgia’s worst team in ten years played in Liberty Bowl in 2010..Maybe you should support Georgia Tech if you dont already.
Time For Change
October 7th, 2012
11:15 pm
“If we’d had more success early in the ballgame, it wouldn’t have seemed like a flat performance.” Of course not.. But it didn’t happen that way. Why didn’t you have success early in the ball game? Because you came out FLAT!!!. This guy has no clue and that is why UGA is going no where while he is in charge.
BobDawg
October 7th, 2012
11:17 pm
COCKY, Congrats…. You whipped us and we had no clue and your coaches had you dialed up and ready to play…
Cocky's Revenge
October 7th, 2012
11:18 pm
@ Rick James
AJ Green was the last real player to get out of South Carolina. Those days are over. Jefferey, Lattimore, and Clowney….all from SC….all at USC. Georgia will have to look elsewhere to poach players.
Dawg Meat OReilly
October 7th, 2012
11:18 pm
Bear Bryant could not have coached the Dawgs to beat South Carolina Sat. night. Their line dominated because they were far superior. Can’t change that. Move on. We can still win the East
Hey, Rick James
October 7th, 2012
11:19 pm
and lost that bowl game just like they have been losing to ranked teams for some time now. If you like beating the also rans and then losing to the only real teams on the schedule then maybe you should root for an ACC team.
Rick James
October 7th, 2012
11:19 pm
@Cocky’s Revenge
I fear no-one. LSU and Florida are down….Ark is “John L Smithed”….yes its a new verb for screwed to Hades. Clemson is all show and no go in a tough game. See you Bama in Atlanta
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I’m sure you fear nobody but Auburn was down last year and beat you at home which knocked you out of the championship game..Remember.
THE UGA formerly known as RUSS
October 7th, 2012
11:20 pm
What does one expect from a coach that brags and complements the other team and players the entire week prior to a game? Best to not talk or focus at all about any other players than your own.
Big Wally
October 7th, 2012
11:20 pm
Hey bartender, Rick James will have some more Mark Richt Kool Aid please.
Huh?
October 7th, 2012
11:21 pm
Dawg Meat…and if I had the 6 winning numbers for the lottery I’d be a multi-millonaire. After last night’s performance, why would you WANT to play in the SEC CG? To give Alabama a scrimmage for the NC game? Geez…I would think that you would be tired of having to sneak in the back door of the SEC CG.
Cocky's Revenge
October 7th, 2012
11:22 pm
@ BobDawg
Thanks. I understand long time Dawgs fans still see USC in the same league as Kentucky, Vandy, and Ole Miss….but those days have past. SC has beaten BAMA more times in the last 3 years than UGA has beat the Gamecocks. LSU and Florida are next.
kbb
October 7th, 2012
11:23 pm
Moronic bible thumpers have been holding this state back for decades. I hope Mark Richt gets a 10 year extension just as long as he invokes the name “God” and keeps recruiting thugs, local yokels will give him a pass.
Rick James
October 7th, 2012
11:24 pm
@Profiler
It is your attitude that allows us to continue in this complacency for years. Several years ago it was the same for Willie Martinez. He was allowed to stay way, way too long. While I am not saying fire anyone, I think we all have to acknowledge that we have a MAJOR problem and there needs to be serious dialogue between the people in Athens. Those of us who finance the mission should at least be given honest answers, explanations, and not denial and bs.
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I guess the solution is to whine and b#tch in AJC blogs.Maybe you should call the Mark Richt show tomorrow night and tell him how to fix things.
Fair n Balanced
October 7th, 2012
11:24 pm
If the opposite of “fall apart” is “together” then No, Ga won’t fall apart. They are together and determined to do better. But the problems exposed Saturday have been together with them all season.
Cocky's Revenge
October 7th, 2012
11:25 pm
@ Rick James
You are correct about Auburn. That was Stephen Garcia’s last game as a starter. That problem is no longer a problem. A new day has dawned. Accept the reality.
Huh?
October 7th, 2012
11:26 pm
Rick James…and maybe you should go spend the night with Russ…
This is a blog…which means that people get to come on and express their opinions. After UGA’s embarrasing performance last night, what did you expect when you came on here? Sounds like you are just looking for a fight.
Rick James
October 7th, 2012
11:26 pm
@Hey, Rick James
and lost that bowl game just like they have been losing to ranked teams for some time now. If you like beating the also rans and then losing to the only real teams on the schedule then maybe you should root for an ACC team
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Tell us something we dont know Bill O’ Rielly
Hey, Rick James
October 7th, 2012
11:26 pm
CMR is being paid $3,000,000 a year to fix things, not the fans. I don’t think it is unreasonable to expect him to do his job.
Rick James
October 7th, 2012
11:28 pm
@Huh?
This is a blog…which means that people get to come on and express their opinions
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Which is just what I’m doing..I just happen to be in the minority..~middle finger~
Huh?
October 7th, 2012
11:30 pm
Spoken in true fashion…stay classy Rick stay classy.
Hey, Rick James
October 7th, 2012
11:30 pm
The evidence of the last few years suggests that maybe he is out of ideas as losing to teams we must beat to be a real contender for the SEC title, and just maybe a NC, has become a habit, not the exception.
Rick James
October 7th, 2012
11:30 pm
@Hey, Rick James
CMR is being paid $3,000,000 a year to fix things, not the fans. I don’t think it is unreasonable to expect him to do his job.
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He’s doing his job he just lost to better team..He’s the fifth highest paid coach in the SEC and one that makes more is coching a team thats having a worse season.
Huh?
October 7th, 2012
11:31 pm
spoken in true Rick James fashion. Stay classy Rick
THE Gamecocks own you
October 7th, 2012
11:32 pm
I look forward to this unrest for many years to come. Just a shame with all the talent you have had and have just can’t get it done. Uh maybe just maybe it is the coach?
Rick James
October 7th, 2012
11:33 pm
@Huh?
Rick James…and maybe you should go spend the night with Russ…
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This was classy too..~both fingers~
Big Wally
October 7th, 2012
11:34 pm
Rick James: Do you even pull for Georgia? Any true, legitimate Dawg fan would not be dumb as you are. I think your a Bama or Auburn fan that wants us to keep our current incompetent coach.
Hey, Rick James
October 7th, 2012
11:36 pm
If doing your job is losing to all the good teams on the schedule, then CMR is doing an outstanding job of it.
Rick James
October 7th, 2012
11:37 pm
@Hey, Rick James
The evidence of the last few years suggests that maybe he is out of ideas as losing to teams we must beat to be a real contender for the SEC title, and just maybe a NC, has become a habit, not the exception
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Why were you not here making that comment before last night? They lost to a team last that was better.Did you see how much they left on the field after they beat Tennesee.They were flat last night and lost get over it.South Carolina will lose two games this season and Georgia will beat Florida which puts them back in the race and the top 10.
Georgia Boy
October 7th, 2012
11:39 pm
Hire the defensive coordinator from Alabama who played for UGA. The Dogs never play with discipline (DBs looking in backfield instead of playing the receiver). What is their philosophy on offensive. Why doesn’t the linemen ever dominate other lines (unless its lesser team).
Nick Saban would win National Championship with UGA’s talent against his teams that won. The Dogs have top notch talent. Mark is a great man, husband, father but he is a 8 or 9 game win coach and never will win the big one because his coaching staff will always get out-schemed.
Rick James
October 7th, 2012
11:39 pm
@Hey, Rick James
If doing your job is losing to all the good teams on the schedule, then CMR is doing an outstanding job of it.
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They beat a good team last week in Tennesse,they lost to better team last night.Why is that so hard for you to understand?
Rick James
October 7th, 2012
11:42 pm
@Big Wally
Rick James: Do you even pull for Georgia? Any true, legitimate Dawg fan would not be dumb as you are. I think your a Bama or Auburn fan that wants us to keep our current incompetent coach
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Wally life has taught me that only dumb people call people dumb.People start calling others names when they have nothing intelligent to say.Is that all you have?
Hey, Rick James
October 7th, 2012
11:42 pm
1-9 since 2008 against top 10 teams does not support your position that we will beat Fla. And since LSU can not score on offense I am not certain that SC will lose to them. If you did not notice Sat, SC plays pretty good D
Rick James
October 7th, 2012
11:42 pm
“All is well”, “All is well”, “All is well”. If I keep saying it, it is true.
Sautee Dawg
October 7th, 2012
11:42 pm
Chickens will do their usual 3 game skid towards the end of the season as always.
1- 10 win season, no championshipa to speak of.
Spurrier will throw the visor for sure if the Dawgs end up in Atlanta again this season, then we’ll have to hear his speach about how you should be able to lose 3 games and still play for a championship.
Rick James
October 7th, 2012
11:45 pm
@Hey, Rick James
1-9 since 2008 against top 10 teams does not support your position that we will beat Fla. And since LSU can not score on offense I am not certain that SC will lose to them. If you did not notice Sat, SC plays pretty good D
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Is this news?
just sayin
October 7th, 2012
11:46 pm
Georgia not only got outcoached but they were run onver by carolina, quite embarassing.
Big Wally
October 7th, 2012
11:47 pm
@Rick James…………and telling everyone else who disagrees with you to go pull for other teams. Wow, real grown up stuff there.
MG
October 7th, 2012
11:47 pm
It seems that the game has passed Richt by. The days of the Davids (Pollack and Greene) are long gone and don’t seem to be coming back. He’s a great individual but not the man for the job anymore at UGA.
Rick James
October 7th, 2012
11:47 pm
@Hey, Rick James
Who won the Georgia/Florida last year?