South Carolina game mars an otherwise promising first half for Bulldogs
ATHENS – Everything was rosy with Georgia football until this past weekend when it ran into a buzz saw in South Carolina operating under the name of Gamecocks. Then the nation’s No. 5-ranked team, the Bulldogs fell behind 35-0 before scoring save-face touchdown in the game’s final minutes.
Now Georgia finds itself having to pick up the pieces. All the optimism the Bulldogs had gained in by annihilating their opponents by an average of 26.3 points in the first five games was wiped away in one nationally-televised butt-kicking.
Since that game, Georgia coach Mark Richt has anybody who would listen – including his own players — not to read too much into one lopsided loss. As ever, he believes the Bulldogs are still a top-tier team that can win the rest of its games and contend for the SEC championship
“Whether you lose by a point or you lose by 28 points, it’s only one loss,” Richt said this week. “It’s not five losses. It feels like three or four losses, but it’s only one. The way the world works in the Southeastern Conference is the team with the best record at the end wins the East. There’s a lot more football to be played. Let’s see how it shakes out.”
He chalks up South Carolina’s domination to “a perfect storm” of atmosphere and performance that was reminiscent of what the Bulldogs were able to do against Auburn in their first black-out game at Sanford Stadium in 2007.
“It was kind of a perfect storm for us that day, too, with the emotions of the fans, the excitement of the fans and the emotion of the players when we kind of sprung that thing on them,” Richt said. “They were just at an emotional peak. We had something big happen early and it snowballed for us that day.”
Georgia scored 25-unanswered points to win 45-20 in 2007. But, he said, the Bulldogs weren’t 25 points better than Auburn. Neither, he said, are the Gamecocks four touchdowns better than Georgia.
“This game was a little bit like that for South Carolina,” Richt said. “Momentum got grabbed and they just kept rolling. We had opportunities that might could have made a difference. The first pass of the game, if [Bacarri] Rambo squeezes the ball a little tighter and comes down with it, that’s a big momentum play for us. Maybe we turn around and score, I don’t know. But we just never got momentum going in our direction.”
Richt’s point is less about South Carolina and more about the rest of the season. The 14th-ranked Bulldogs (5-1, 3-1 SEC) arrive at the halfway point still feeling like they’re a team that can fulfill all its goals from the outset of the season. As Georgia is off with a bye this week, here’s our assessment of what they’ve done so far:
OFFENSE
The South Carolina performance brought them down a notch, but it’s hard to deny what the Bulldogs have been able to do in the rest of their games. Georgia remains second in the SEC in scoring (41.3 ppg) and third in total offense (484 ypg)
It features an experienced quarterback in Aaron Murray, top-grade tailbacks in Todd Gurley, Keith Marshall and Ken Malcome fleet of proven wide receivers. The Gamecocks exposed Georgia’s weakness on the offensive line. But even with their failings in that game, the Bulldogs nine sacks allowed is fourth in the league.
“I think we’ll be fine,” said Murray, who “I thinknwe’re still very confident with who we have, with the play-calling and everything that’s going on. We just didn’t execute when the time came against South Carolina. There plays were there to be made; we just didn’t hit them. . . . I don’t think we’re shaken up at all.”
Assessment: Very good.
DEFENSE
This is the biggest mystery regarding the 2012 Bulldogs. They returned nine starters from a unit that finished fifth in the nation in total defense. Yet halfway through this season they’re ranked 51st in total defense, 68th against the rush and 79th in quarterback sacks. Worse, Georgia is giving up a lot of “explosive plays.” It has allowed 14 of 30 or more yards.
The easy answer is that Georgia had two starters out with suspensions the first four games and two others out for the first two contests. But Richt refuses to point to that.
“We don’t have any excuses,” he said. “We haven’t played as well. We’ve given up too many big plays. Some of it has been gap control; some of it has been communication on the back end. We’ve just got to get better.”
Third-year defensive coordinator Todd Grantham hasn’t been sharp in the area of game-planning. Ninety-four of the Georgia’s 135 points allowed – or 70 percent — have come in the first half, which suggests the Bulldogs haven’t been ready for what teams have thrown at them. However, with a 6.83 points second-half scoring average, Georgia is clearly making good halftime adjustments.
Assessment: Very average
SPECIAL TEAMS
Georgia is 91st in the nation in field goals at only .67 per game, but at the rate the Bulldogs have been scoring touchdowns (34), that isn’t necessarily been a bad thing. And when freshman Marshall Morgan has been asked to make a big kick, he has come through. Two of his four field goals (he has attempted only five) came from over 50 yards. However, Georgia has failed on three point-after attempts – two were plain missed – and have had three others bounce through off the upright.
Of course, special teams encompasses much more than placement kicks. The Bulldogs allowed a 70-yard punt return TD to South Carolina and are last in the SEC in net punting and punt return yardage allowed. But they’ve also blocked two punts and an extra point, snuffed out a fake punt and returned a kickoff for a score.
“The coaches are keeping us motivated,” said freshman Josh Harvey-Clemons, who was named the Bulldogs’ special teams captain for the Kentucky game. “We’re really emphasizing special teams a lot. We know how important it is to the game.”
Assessment: Decidedly average.
COACHING
Obviously Georgia wasn’t ready to play in the South Carolina game this past Saturday. The Bulldogs didn’t appear to have a specific plan for dealing with defensive end Jadeveon Clowney beyond letting tackle Kenarious Gates handle him and the defense was gashed with big plays early and could not contain quarterback Conner Shaw on the zone-read, option keeper.
That said, that was the second “game of the century” kind of atmosphere the Bulldogs faced this season. Missouri was eyeing its SEC opener versus Georgia as one of the most important in school history. And after last-season’s post-game run-in with Vanderbilt, this year’s game featured a highly-charged environment. The Bulldogs obviously handled those challenges with aplomb.
“Overall I think we’ve coached pretty well,” Richt said. “A lot of really good things have been happening. When you lose a game the way we did [to South Carolina] you start to evaluate everything and we have. . . . But I still think we have good coaches and good players. I think we’re still a very good team and the future is bright.”
Assessment: Decent
PROGNOSIS
The Bulldogs finish against Kentucky, Florida, Ole Miss, Auburn, Georgia Southern and Georgia Tech. They’ll likely be favored against them all except for the No. 4 Gators on Oct. 27 in Jacksonville.
As such, Georgia is still very much in the SEC picture. If South Carolina loses two SEC games – the Gamecocks are on the road at LSU and Florida the next two weeks – the Bulldogs could regain control of the Eastern Division with a win over the Gators in Jacksonville. Should South Carolina beat LSU and lose to Florida, Georgia could forge a three-way tie at the same juncture.
“We’ve got an opportunity to get back on a winning track,” Richt said. “The best thing we can do is correct our mistakes. We had to assess some things we need to get better at. That’s what you do. . . . Hopefully we can go out and have a good performance against Kentucky and get our momentum going again.”
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
653 comments Add your comment
beanster
October 12th, 2012
11:50 am
…UGA was about to make.
UGA Insider
October 12th, 2012
11:54 am
Richt is just like Obummer
Never takes blame himself or his employees for unprepared events.
Blames others as Richt blamed Baccari Rambo. How about this….find someone who can tackle on the damn punt return team!!!!!! Both those ST plays beat us against LSU and USCe(twice). CMR doesn’t understand that….. ST is a great way to change momentum
59bulldawg
October 12th, 2012
11:55 am
Our O-line had played well up to the game in Columbia . . . but we really hadn’t played anybody and, not to take anything away from their effort, it was sort of an illusion. SC has one of the two best D-lines in the SEC this year and maybe the best. I don’t think it would have mattered who we put out there this year, that was one bad-ass chicken D-line and they were simply more talented than our O-line boys. But we have got to get serious about getting some grade A offensive linemen with attitude before we draft another 15 receivers. The QB can’t throw the ball and the backs can’t run it when they’re running for their lives. This has been a sore point for Richt’s teams during most of his tenure. And I just don’t understand it.
Alphare
October 12th, 2012
11:59 am
Hi, Sammy, if UGA ends up as SEC Champ, and either ND or WV both have a loss, UGA will have a good shot.
If ND and WV both are undefeated, I don’t see UGA in NC even as SEC Champ.
But that’s assuming you will defeat both FL and BAMA, which will be tall order since dawgs have a hard time with ranked teams. Basically the chance that UGA defeats both FL and BAMA this year is near zero.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 12th, 2012
12:00 pm
jerry
your brain must be on the level of Sammy’s
I answered you stupid post of UGA wont fire Richt because Dooley had a mediocre bowl record by showing you UGA fired Donnan even though his record was 4-0 in bowl games Goff had a 2-2 record which is still a higher win % than Dooley’s bowl record and UGA fired them
Dooley won 6 SEC championships and a national championship and played for another without the recruiting base Richt has now in this state
Richt has backed doored himself into his championships cause he cant beat all the SEC East teams has yet to even appear in a national title game but during that time FL, AL, LSU have won 2 and Aub 1 and yet UGA has put more players in the NFL than any other school in the SEC during that time and has more top 10 recruiting classes
Dooley beat all the SEC East teams several times in the same season Dooley beat FL consistanly Richt cant even beat them 2 years in a row
Back to drinking your kool-aid
Gamecock1982
October 12th, 2012
12:03 pm
SMgjohndavis, you stated:
Chip, great article. My prediction is the coaching staff will make the adjustments going forward and this season will turn out to be a great one. Not a “homer” just looking at the big picture with Carolina and Florida’s schedule, I feel we can beat UF and SC doesn’t have the team beat LSU and Florida
———————————————————-
Well you are a homer; and UGA has no chance of beating UF. USC exposed UGA’s weakness and that’s the OL. And UGA defense isn’t the that good when playing a team with dual threat QB with a run game (UF and USC). For the last three years, USC wrote the book on beating UGA; apply lots of pressure on Murray and stop the run. UF wins big. BTW, you’re lucky that the HBC went conservative after goning up by 21. We could have scored 50.
R
October 12th, 2012
12:04 pm
CMR coaching staff = fan who know longer cares about GA football
SecFan
October 12th, 2012
12:05 pm
Grantham’s defense is the biggest puzzle. It doesn’t make sense that the same players from a good defense last year could be so inept this year. Something’s not right with the staff, they are not on the same page whether due to lack of direction by Richt or personality conflicts. Grantham never seemed to be the type of guy to mesh well with a preacher-football coach. But that’s just a guess.
dawgfacedboy
October 12th, 2012
12:11 pm
Yawn. I read the same articles every year as we on our way to a 9-10 win season.
1+3
October 12th, 2012
12:11 pm
Not sure if this has been mentioned; however, has anyone thought that maybe other teams have studied Georgia’s defense and now have countered what made Georgia a top 5 D. I believe Grantham has gotten comfortable believing he can run the same stunts and formations and get away with it. I also get tired of hearing the lame excuse about ’starters missing time’. Heck, other teams have starters missing time but they don’t get their arse’s handed to them.
GatorBait 18-4
October 12th, 2012
12:12 pm
Sammy, stop with all the” IFS” wait for a when Georgia beats a top10 team—–not this year. Also, your analysis of how the dwags will beat two #1 ranked teams is truely Delusional
Alphare
October 12th, 2012
12:13 pm
SecFan, Grantham’s defense was ranked high last year because they padded stats against cupcakes. Their stats last year against good teams(all loses) got to be mediocre, but I don’t have the number.
zeebart
October 12th, 2012
12:13 pm
hearing rumors of coach Garner and an another unnamed coach offering resignation Monday. Not getting along with CTG. Chokeadawg not playing nice?
Chris Snow
October 12th, 2012
12:15 pm
1+3, I think it’s more that the D just isn’t playing with the same intensity that they did in 2011. And the suspensions hasn’t helped. All I know is something needs to happen QUICK, or we will definitely be headed towards a disappointing 10-2 season.
Good news for the Dawgs is have 2 + weeks to prepare for Fla. Fla will have their hands full with SCAR the week before so it SHOULD mean that we have more time to prepare.
Alphare
October 12th, 2012
12:16 pm
Stats are misleading. Last year’s UGA high D ranking is among them.
liver giver
October 12th, 2012
12:16 pm
I’m an LSU fan, but their O-line is decimated with injuries. SC wins a close on in Baton Rouge. Hate to say it, but thinking with head instead of heart.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 12th, 2012
12:19 pm
Last years D was a joke like this years D
Look good against the Vandy’s and Buffalo’s and are No Shows against the ranked teams
Can someone please pay this coaching staff more money they will do so much better with a contract extension and doubling their pay
Chris Snow
October 12th, 2012
12:19 pm
At Alphare, that may be true. But the difference this year is the cup cake teams are actually putting up good numbers against us. That was not the case in 2011.
Chris Snow
October 12th, 2012
12:20 pm
At liver giver, I feel your pain with the O line issues. It finally showed in a big way against a quality opponent for us.
old dog classof 80
October 12th, 2012
12:22 pm
“Look at the situation down in Tennersee. They fired a coach who actually won a MNC, and look at where they are no. Those goobers would kill to have a coach like Richt,”
I don’t think Tennessee would want Richt at all. Why go from a 4-6 season just up to a 10-4 season? Do you really think they want to lose their SEC Championship, then lose a Bowl game against Michigan State? If they wanted to change coaches, I would think the wouldwant a coach that they think would win a championship. Who hires mediocre coaches?
Law Dawg
October 12th, 2012
12:22 pm
Tide Roll, Tide Pride and all other all other Tide trolls,
Here is an analogy for you a-holes. UGA is a disfunctional family with many problems that we are trying to sort through. You guys are like the neighbors with the “perfect” family knocking on the door 5 times a day to brag about your kids and to offer continual unsolicited parenting advice.
The anology becomes strained though when 1 considers that the bragging neighbors had absolutely nothing to do with the family they are continually bragging about.
liver giver
October 12th, 2012
12:22 pm
The difference is Chris, LSU’s o-line issues are injuries. UGA’s o-line issues are from poor recruiting strategies.
ARdawg
October 12th, 2012
12:23 pm
“SecFan, Grantham’s defense was ranked high last year because they padded stats against cupcakes. Their stats last year against good teams(all loses) got to be mediocre, but I don’t have the number.”
Agreed.
Grantham’s 1st year, they were absolutely pathetic. Couldn’t stop Colorado and couldn’t tackle Lattimore. Grantham’s 2nd year, couldn’t contain the only 2 good teams they faced, Boise and SC. 10 cupcakes in a row can make a difference in perception. Not a single good offense in that time. When faced with adequate offenses, UGA D has folded like a cheap suit. LSU in the SECCG. UGA’s D wasn’t that good in the 1st half, LSU was inept and couldn’t get out of their own way. The defense that showed up and yielding 30+ to Michigan ST was/is the real Georgia D. We know this now. It is the same D that just gave up 35 to a so-so offense of SC
Sammy
October 12th, 2012
12:24 pm
I believe SC will lose 2-3 games from here out, LSU, then Florida will have the game video from the UGA & LSU games to prep for SC, then Clemson. Spurrier loses to Florida and LSU.
Then all UGA has to do is beat #1 ranked Florida.
And then beat #1 ranked Bama.
Not saying it will happen, just saying with 2 big wins, and 2 SC losses, it will happen.
Eddie Haskel
October 12th, 2012
12:24 pm
the dogs already have their skirt hiked hoping to back into sec title game only to be thrashed by Bama like a government mule.
liver giver
October 12th, 2012
12:26 pm
Sammy, do yourself a favor…
ARdawg
October 12th, 2012
12:28 pm
Spurrier and the Cocks will have their hat handed to them in LSU. They are (SC) a decent team. Not “good” or “great” just decent. Their impressive win over UGA was a good one and to their credit although reflective of where we are (UGA) as a program. SC just ain’t all that, Georgia is even less. LSU might be weaker than last year but, thats just a lion about to wake up
McDawg
October 12th, 2012
12:28 pm
at some point players need to make plays
alot of dropped passes out there and 3 busted coverage and no help from defensive line
since CMR has been at UGA we had 3 maybe 4 teams that could legitimately make a run for a national title -twice we were 2nd (one DJ shockley got hurt)
look at UF and Auburn as examples of win at all costs
is that really what we want
Sammy
October 12th, 2012
12:31 pm
If you think Richt’s bad vs. ranked teams, Spurrier is .250 vs. ranked teams, so pretty good odds LSU & UF & Clemson all beat Spurrier. Bout a 75% chance.
Muschamp is 1-5 vs. ranked teams, about a .166 record. Could he beat UGA, maybe, but he’s 0-1 vs. Richt at Florida and 1-5 vs. ranked teams.
richt’s is .400 vs. ranked teams, so I think Richt beats Florida, gets back to the SEC Championship, and plays ALL 4 quarters this time, instead of just winning the first half.
This is the year Dawg fans, don’t let this Techiies get you down.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 12th, 2012
12:33 pm
Sammy
Yawn!!!!!
Disgusted dawg
October 12th, 2012
12:33 pm
I always rated the Colorado game as the most inexplicable of all the Richt embarrassments – until now. How could you lose to an awful CO team that got destroyed by everyone (except inept UGA) and would later fire their coach.
Reading today’s article I now realize the “perfect storm” theory and realize that they had 50,000 excited fans, so of course, we had no chance. I mean really, it was a perfect storm-who could win a game in that environment.
This also helps explain the Boise game. After all, we were playing in a very hostile environment; The GA Dome must’ve had 15,000 Boise fans. Who can realistically expect success under these adverse circumstances?? I say give CMR a lifetime contract. He is doing all that is humanly possible.
Chris Snow
October 12th, 2012
12:34 pm
AR Dawg, I’m going to pick this a part if you don’t mind:
Grantham’s 1st year, they were absolutely pathetic. Couldn’t stop Colorado and couldn’t tackle Lattimore.
I give him a pass in 2010 due to he was still working Martinez’s players.
Grantham’s 2nd year, couldn’t contain the only 2 good teams they faced, Boise and SC.
Not much I can say about the BS game, they just flat out beat us. The SC game our D only gave up 21 points, we all know what happened with the rest.
10 cupcakes in a row can make a difference in perception. Not a single good offense in that time. When faced with adequate offenses, UGA D has folded like a cheap suit. LSU in the SECCG. UGA’s D wasn’t that good in the 1st half, LSU was inept and couldn’t get out of their own way.
I actually thought UGA’s defense played pretty damn well in the 1st half of the SECCG, LSU did not even have a 1st down right? But our receivers could not catch the damn ball and our FG kicker had already mailed it in at that point.
The defense that showed up and yielding 30+ to Michigan ST was/is the real Georgia D. We know this now.
Another game that we completely dominated in the 1st half (16-0 right?), then we just fell apart in the 2nd half.
It is the same D that just gave up 35 to a so-so offense of SC.
No excusing this, just a poor effort all around in this one, offense, defense, special teams, just out played and out coached in every aspect.
ARdawg
October 12th, 2012
12:36 pm
Sammy has the tinfoil hat on and nothing will change that
what of it?
October 12th, 2012
12:36 pm
The team fails to show up for the biggest game of the first half of the season and the coaching is decent? Really?!?!? I’d hate to see what below average coaching looks like b/c the single biggest test as to whether this team was for real, the dogs failed miserably
ARdawg
October 12th, 2012
12:41 pm
Chris Snow, I didn’t see much picking apart and what was there seems to dismiss that a game is actually 4 quarters, not 2. A good defense has to play all 4 quarters.
That said, a good defense only needs to make sure the opponent has at least 1 point less to be successful, right? We’re not doing it on either count. The Defensive stats which were highly padded last year, are exposed this year. They couldn’t stop a box of kittens.
Cal22
October 12th, 2012
12:47 pm
How many of you looked at your schedule (once Alabama was dropped) and said “12-0?” No doubt your team suffers the same affliction. Looking past the first 12 games does not put you in the NCG. And you guys should know this… it’s happened for several years now, I mean decades.
old dog
October 12th, 2012
12:52 pm
@59 bulldawg,
Well said…………we just refuse (or are unable) to get top-notch linemen……good gracious anybody can see thats our biggest problem. Yeah, I harp on it because we have done ZERO about it. S.C. smashed us up there (as will Florida.)
Sammy
October 12th, 2012
12:57 pm
If you guys TRULY thought the saeson was over, you wouldn’t be spending all day blogging about UGA now would ya? No ya wouldn’t. Your actions reveal your true beliefs.
david
October 12th, 2012
12:57 pm
crowley stole #72 lunch all day. and he did nothing about it.
david
October 12th, 2012
12:58 pm
and ate his lunch
909
October 12th, 2012
12:58 pm
The UGA-USC game reminded me of the 2008 Bama-UGA “funeral.”
A complete azz-whooping from kick-off.
JimmyDawg
October 12th, 2012
12:59 pm
CMR is a good coach-but I want a great coach… I know that sounds selfish but I think Dawg Nation has waited long enough to contend for a NC… CMR will continue to beat the teams he is supposed to beat and lose to the really good teams in our league. With the talent level on our team the UGA job has got to look very good for the top notch coaches..
Layinlow
October 12th, 2012
1:00 pm
What do you guys think of blair walsh’s performance in the NFL thus far? Just more evidence of how sorry our coaching staff is if you ask me. The guy was horrible his senior year and his confidence hit rock bottom and I thought he had blown what probably was going to be a bright NFL future. Then he gets drafted by Minnesota and in his first game kicks a 55 yarder to send the game into overtime where he kicks the game winner from 38 yards. His stat line was 4/4 and he wins NFL special teams player of the week in his first pro game! Now how did this kid go from a beaten down no confidence rattled kicker at UGA to a young star in the NFL in a matter of months? I’ll let you guys decide?
Sammy
October 12th, 2012
1:00 pm
Clowney had 1 sack. 1 play that didn’t impact the game whatsoever. Not a big day. Gates only gave up 1 sack, not too bad. Clowney jumped around a lot, but couldn’t sack Murray.
RNB
October 12th, 2012
1:02 pm
Mr. McGarity
Please do whats best for this program and run all these coaches out of town. They have become complacent and can no longer motivate or teach our players. It’s time for a change. I don’t care if Georgia wins out we need a new regime in Athens. Not only can they not coach they can’t evaluate talent and have become lazy in recruiting. We have way too many walkon’s getting scholarship’s every year. Kirby or Petrino would be a good start.
Tide Roll
October 12th, 2012
1:07 pm
I would give anything to spend a weekend with Coach Saban on lake Burton!
Sammy
October 12th, 2012
1:07 pm
Back in 1954, Bear Bryant, in his 11th season, lost 41-9 to Texas Tech.
Guess he couldn’t coach.
Sammy
October 12th, 2012
1:10 pm
Nick Saban got beat 45-16 by UGA in his 11th season as a Head Coach (Mark Richt was his opposing Head Coach).
Guess Saban ain’t no good.
kingdaddy
October 12th, 2012
1:15 pm
At my annual job performance evaluation, I want to be able to grade myself. Why worry about compitition or even having to do a good job. What a joke of an article.
Chip,
Why don’t you just say “As long as we don’t have to perform at a high level, we will be fine! ”
I really thought Richt would “man-up”…WRONG…AGAIN…
sanctions aren't working
October 12th, 2012
1:18 pm
Mcgarrity should be on the hot seat as well. Mens basketball..nothing…mens baseball…nothing…football…nothing…womens basketball…nothing…and none are trending toward greatness. SEC is the power nationally in baseball, where is UGA? Basketball? Football, the SEC owns the crystal. Where is UGA’s crystal? They would own plenty of crystal if it could be manufactured from the byproduct of excuses.