UPDATED: Georgia struggles vs. Kentucky, but win sets up monumental matchup with Florida
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Florida did its part by taking down South Carolina on Saturday. Georgia followed suit by beating Kentucky, though it didn’t go down like anyone predicted.
Nearly a four-touchdown favorite, the No. 11-ranked Bulldogs (6-1, 4-1 SEC) found themselves in a street fight with the 1-7 Wildcats. Georgia finally eked out a 29-24 victory, but there was hardly a wild celebration in postgame locker room. Even the tone of the ever-optimistic Mark Richt seemed indifferent and weary.
“You know what, I’m happy with the victory,” Richt said somewhat unconvincingly. “We’re what, 6-1? That’s not bad.”
It’s good enough to set up at SEC Eastern Division showdown next Saturday in Jacksonville. After Saturday’s disparate results — the No. 2-ranked Gators (7-0, 6-0 SEC) thumped No. 7 South Carolina 44-11 in Gainesville — not many will give Georgia a chance in their annual rivalry game next to the St. Johns River. Still, a win over what will be a favored Florida team will put the Bulldogs in the driver’s seat to repeat as SEC champions.
“That’s why you play on Saturdays,” Richt said.
Kentucky was certainly saying that Saturday. Georgia needed a record-setting night from quarterback Aaron Murray, a roughing-the-kicker penalty and an a hotly-contested onsides kick recovery to settle Saturday’s score. The victory wasn’t finalized until the Bulldogs stopped Kentucky’s final pass for a 13-yard gain at the Wildcats’ 30-yard line as time expired.
Aaron Murray’s 10-yard touchdown pass to Aaron Lynch – it was his fourth on a record-setting night — made it 29-17 with 7:51 to play, the first time the Bulldogs had been ahead by more than a touchdown all night. Ultimately, that play gave Georgia the cushion it needed to get back to Athens with the victory.
Murray finished with a career-best 427 yards on 30-of-38 passing and now holds the school record for career touchdown passes with 75. David Greene (2001-04) had the previous record with 72.
“I’m not a record guy,” said Murray, who also set the school mark for completion percentage with 30 or more receptions (78.95). “I just want victories. I want championships. That put us another step closer toward achieving those goals. We just have to go out there and keep competing and winning games.”
Said Richt: “A lot of things have to go well to throw the ball like that. You’ve got to be able to protect, to run good routes, to put the ball on the money and catch it. And you have to have a good idea what you’re doing. You have to have some scheme involved in there. I thought everything came together well.”
Murray completed the majority of his passes to wideouts Tavarres King and Malcolm Mitchell, who finished with nine receptions apiece. King had 188 yards and scored two touchdowns, including a 66-yarder. Mitchell had 103 yards. Marlon Brown dropped what would have been a sure-fire touchdown from 52 yards out in the second quarter.
Despite their struggles running the ball — they managed only 77 yards on 32 attempts — the Bulldogs’ claim their ability to throw the ball gives the offense confidence heading into Saturday’s game against the defensive-minded Gators.
“I think so,” King said. “I think those big guys, our O-L, will take pride in protecting No. 11 and let him get it down field to his boys.”
Florida’s offense might be licking its chops after getting a close look at Georgia’s defense, which continued to give up yardage in huge chunks to the previous hapless Cats. Kentucky, which came into the game 13th in the 14-team SEC in total offense, gained 329 yards, 198 of it in the first half . The Wildcats converted 4-of-7 third downs in the first half, all on runs, and finished 6-of-14.
“hey ran the ball on third-and-10 or so a lot and we let them run for first downs,” defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said. “We need to stop that in the zone that we have if we play physical. Obviously we’re going to address that. I didn’t think we played the third-down runs well and we need to clean that up.”
The game was still in the balance when Georgia’s Connor Norman recovered on onsides kick attempt by Kentucky with 3:59 to play to thwart the final upset attempt. It was a bang-bang p[lay as Kentucky’s kicker Joe Mansour hesitated to pounce on the ball as it slowly rolled 10 yards. Norman dove in under Mansour, a LaGrange native, just as he went down.
“Connor was heads up to go in there and snatch it and convince the refs it was his,” Richt said.
The Bulldogs were able to knock out three first downs after that and ended its possession at the Kentucky 16 when tight end dropped what would have been a first-down catch at the Wildcats 1.
Kentucky had time only to get off one desperation pass, which it completed to no avail at its own 30. The plan was for some sort of hook-and-lateral, but Georgia’s Shawn Williams was on Kentucky’s La’Rod King too fast and wrapped him up before King could get rid of it.
“Well, I don’t live in ‘almost,’” said Kentucky coach Joke Phillips, who drops to 12-21 as the Wildcats’ coach. “At the end of the year, we don’t say we almost win. The records say wins and losses. This was a loss.”
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555 comments Add your comment
Richt's a Bum!
October 21st, 2012
12:17 am
Let’s get the Georgia Tech administration in to fire those bums; the Georgia administration is only interested in doing what’s best for those bums, not in what’s best for the school. We’re way beyond tired of this. This is not the Georgia tradition. We are not bums and losers.
The Truth About Dawgs
October 21st, 2012
12:17 am
Acting like a jackass is not good coaching. Grantham should have taught you that much. Heck, even Hairy Dawg can act like a jackass — and he probably can’t find his way to the bathroom without help.
houstondawgfan
October 21st, 2012
12:18 am
Great post Dude84. There is a difference when you change coaching at high tier program like UGA, its not like the NBA when you rebuild. The top players are always gonna come here. The big losses at UGA have come from being as you can say outfoxed or out coached. It gets embarrassing after a while, I will watch the FL game, but I know whats coming. Maybe something good will happen and the top brass will see hey were getting out coached by the other guys. Lets fix this and better guy in here that wants a title bad!!
Hairy Dawg Can't put a paragraph together
October 21st, 2012
12:19 am
Hairy Dawg, Please, and I mean please never post a blog again with that bad grammer. Geez you make Archie Bunker sound good.
The Truth About Dawgs
October 21st, 2012
12:20 am
I will take a few years to clean this program up. We can start when Richt decides to retire, or we can start sooner. It will take a few years either way.
LakeDawg
October 21st, 2012
12:23 am
Most of these kool-aid drinkers are not UGA fans. They are CMR fans. They like him because he is a “Christian.” The football team is secondary to them. NEWS FLASH—There are good coaches out there that are also Christians. Of course, they will be coaching and not preaching every chance they get, so you might not like them.
GDawg
October 21st, 2012
12:23 am
John Gruden or Mike Leach, please submit your resume on Sunday October 28th. After UGA gets massacred by FL we will have an immediate opening.
I am tired of hearing the garbage from UGA’s President and Athletic Director. It is time to cut the Alumni donations until they produce! AL, AU, FL, TN, have all won National Titles since the last time UGA was in the hunt. Much like the graduates of my Alma Matter, the Football Team can’t get the job done in real-world situations. Don’t keep giving us the same old crap. I actually was less unhappy when we were 4-7 or 5-6 with Donnan or Goff. At least we KNEW they sucked from day one. We have 1st round NFL talent on both sides of the ball. We have top-recruits every year. Why in the heck can’t we win…? Our coaches are 3rd tier. Get Gruden or Leach in here and we have at least 2 Nat’l titles in the past 5 years.
houstondawgfan
October 21st, 2012
12:24 am
Truth about dawgs, it is coaching in College because
Alabama right now has alot of positional players right now, they are extremely well coached and prepared. Ex. Falcons (Van Gorder was one of the problems for the playoff failures, hmm Nolan comes in, well see how they do in the playoff, but im sure much better)
Oh well, nothing will change in Athens, we have to get used to being the Ole Miss of the East.
dbc
October 21st, 2012
12:25 am
I’m so tired of the “real fans don’t complain” argument. Out team is soft, uninspired, and lacks leadership at any and all levels. Florida will destroy this team. Let me repeat that, FLORIDA WILL DESTROY THIS TEAM! If miraculously, Saint Richt calls in a miracle, I’ll be the first one to say I was wrong. History and FACTS are on my side. I’m at least not dumb enough to spend $400 per seat for the sure to be debacle in Jacksonville. I actually love going there, playing golf, seeing old friends, tailgating, etc. — but then the team shows up and expects the fans to change their diaper at halftime. Not this year — at least for me.
The Truth About Dawgs
October 21st, 2012
12:25 am
There are going to be a lot of coaches hired at the end of this season. Wonder who will land the best prospect?
John
October 21st, 2012
12:25 am
Good work Dude 84
RMikel58
October 21st, 2012
12:26 am
Love my Bulldogs so dont tell me i dont have any right being honest without sugarcoating the truth.
Im not like alot of you saying its ok to quit, giveup, not focus, not concentrate on what your assignment is suppose to be.
When you breakdown……they all breakdown!
Alot of parents believe that everyone should get a participation trophy but not me. These kids have to be held accountable for their mistakes and sometimes honesty hurts.
If you cant handle the truth dont come on here telling people they arent as big a fan as you are. Its becuase you care and if you dont point out weaknesses they wont get better. Dont say its O.K. when its not because youre living a lie or in self denial.
We have the right to scrutinize just as much as you have the right to point out the positives. Dont confuse constructive criticism with whining or not being a true Dawgs Fan.
Did you ever spank your kids when they got out of line or did something wrong? Would that make you a bad parent?
I swear some of you people here act like you have stock in UGA. Say whaT you wanna say but im going to continue to lash out on my Dawgs Team everytime they play poorly like tonite.
If you dont like it…..go chew on a bone
The Truth About Dawgs
October 21st, 2012
12:27 am
@houstondawgfan
I wouldn’t have even mentioned Ole Miss. They’re playing pretty decent football. I expect them to beat Georgia. They’re a much better team than Kentucky.
Doug
October 21st, 2012
12:36 am
Can you spell M E D I O C R I T Y
Mike Geigerman
October 21st, 2012
12:39 am
Go back to the early season D- Lineup . They hunt.
Giddyup
October 21st, 2012
12:40 am
@Gdawg
Quit contibuting your money if you dont like it. UGA wont miss your 500 bucks a yr.
PS – sit your azz at home for the FL game. We dont need your type there.
Giddyup
October 21st, 2012
12:43 am
@dbc
you tell em… maybe they will cancel the game because you didnt show up….
6-1 You Naysaying Biatches….
houstondawgfan
October 21st, 2012
12:46 am
Its better if UGA Loses next week, because. I don’t want them to get embarrassed on national tv with only 1 game on in the GA dome.
joe
October 21st, 2012
12:46 am
bs comments from head coach and d coordinator no way in he.. we beat fla I dont care what sat I actually hope we get blown out so we might have changes in athens this crap has to stop
GDawg
October 21st, 2012
12:51 am
Hey Giddyup, you are one of two people. You are a twenty something with no knowledge of UGA’s history under Mark Richt or you are a TROLL!! I ahve spent WAAAAYYYYY over 500 bucks a year and am tired of this mediocrity. I don’t need you to tell me what I need to do. I’ll be at the remainder of the games while you work your crappy little Wal-Mart gig.
When we have a REAL coaching staff and win against top 25 teams then you can talk. Shut your hole as obviously you are the BIOTCH! (Say it right…) Trick!
7576DAWG
October 21st, 2012
12:53 am
I know I am getting up in age but will someone please tell me when Georgia left the SEC and joined the Big -12.
Grantham said “Stop It in the zone if we play Physical. We need to clean things up”. Where the heck has Grantham been . He could have written the same thing after every game except Vanderbilt. Georgia is giving up approx. 24 points per game. GRANTHAM CLEAN THAT UP.
houstondawgfan
October 21st, 2012
12:53 am
@Giddyup, only problem is the 1 loss, UGA got demolished by a USC team that just got manhandled by the team that is next. If they were better coached the Kentucky game should have never been close, as Vegas had them by 27 point favorites.
GDawg
October 21st, 2012
12:59 am
BTW….I’d love to see UGA kick the crap out of FL. I despise the lizard, gay-turds. If UGA loses to them, I’ll be upset as I would be anytime the Dawgs lose. UGA has won how many games against top-tier opponents the past 5 years? Giddyup, I don’t know where you sat @ the SECCG last year against LSU but I was on the 50 in club level. I was with a large number of die-hard Dawg fans. We are tires of the standard crap out of Athens. Next year has NOT come since 1980. I spent boat-loads for tickets each year for the past 20 years. I thought we had something when I took a bus-load of people to New Orleans in 2007 as we dismantled Hawaii. Please, tell me you don’t accept this level of play from UGA if you are IN FACT a UGA fan (which I seriously doubt).
I’d love to see Mark Richt win and win BIG against FL, LSU or AL. It’s simply not going to happen. Much to my dismay!
Troup Co. Dawg
October 21st, 2012
1:03 am
Get ready for another arse stompin’ next week, and it pains me to even watch! We’re gonna get beat down by a fired up team because our coaches and players don’t really give a flip! The players probly have it in their head that they will play in the NFL anyway so “why should I play hard for nothing strategy”, that sure is the attitude on the field! ” I ain’t gettin’ paid fo this! Why risk my career for nothing? Don’t you love the culture of sports in Georgia? Never have your expectations high for any championships around here! It only happens when special players come along, Chipper, Herschel, Dominique! I give up….glad I’m not a betting man!
markj
October 21st, 2012
1:06 am
I have never seen so many people lose faith on a team that is in position to take the lead in the SEC East, one of the top 2 conference divisions in college football. I am not sure whether they will have the x factor it takes to position themselves to be champions, but I know as a leader of people, that those people do better with expressed support than they do with vitrolic criticism like this. If my recollection serves me correctly, in the last 30 + years the Georgia Bulldogs have only had one undefeated season. There have maybe been only a handful of teams that have had repeat undefeated seasons. Including the last 5 national champions. Realize that this is the pain involved with competing in the greatest conference in college football. Go Dawgs!!!! beat Florida!
PS those of you who want to fire Coach Richt and his staff Fire yourselves as fans! Find another team to root for
Wayne
October 21st, 2012
1:07 am
I said 2 years ago that mark richt and his entire coaching staff need to be fired. I don’t care if they win all their remaining games. The season is over. No national title. This team under performs like all of mark richts teams. The man cannot coach. All you have to do is look south at the gators. How do they build an awesome team and we can’t. Simple – COACHING – bulldogs? More like pussy cats. It’s a crime.
Chuck UGA
October 21st, 2012
1:08 am
The booster I know told me Friday that Richt must play Florida close or win outright otherwise he will be asked to remake his staff or resign. That is fact! In my opinion, Florida wins next week 41-19. Both coordinators, Garner and two or three other assistants will be the ones replaced based on speculation.
Troup Co. Dawg
October 21st, 2012
1:09 am
And then reality sets in!!!
SRS
October 21st, 2012
1:10 am
The defense played better when the suspended players were out. Go back to that group and see how things work out. What is the problem!!!!
Chuck UGA
October 21st, 2012
1:11 am
Wayne, you and others associated with UGA are the problem. UGA needs to focus on winning the SEC, not the dam national title. If you win the SEC, you probably will be in the national title picture. However, UGA is light years from winning a national title! They can’t even win their division!
Mr. Smith & Mr. Wesson: Sowhatyousayin'
October 21st, 2012
1:14 am
My prediction was : UGA 27 UKY 20. F
Final score : UGA 29 UKY 24. F
A very unimpressive win. Maybe UGA was having too much fun in practice since the SoCar. rout !! I know CMR very well. Not proud to say I’ve observed him for over 20 years and very little has changed with his philosophy sad to say !!
Lil Scooter
October 21st, 2012
1:15 am
Wayne,
So there wont be a nationl title. get over it. Just because you make a B in school doesnt mean you are a failure either. We have a lot to play for.
GDawg
October 21st, 2012
1:16 am
markj,
Do you ever look at things to find out how to improve them? What is the definition of insanity? Repeating thing over and over expecting a different outcome. I would simply love to have Coach Richt stay and win National titles. I think he is a respectible, upstanding man. I would love to sit back and say, We won and we did it with a REALLY good person as our head coach. The problem is we haven’t beaten a ranked oppenent in 3 years. Our defense has gotten worse since the 1st game of the year. Our special teams is atrocious. Our offense has problems scoring against FAU, KY, MO, etc. etc. etc. When do you say it’s time for a change? When do you say “we’ve got to get better?” I’m glad you are running one of my companies. I expect results when I invest as much in one of my organizations.
Troup Co. Dawg
October 21st, 2012
1:18 am
I love every team in Georgia, but there hasn’t been any state pride around here in …forever, hell, we can’t even settle for a mascot outside of the UGA bloodline other than the deformed looking inbred dogs that keep dying early. The famous fan with the bulldog on his head that attends every home game has a pure white bulldog and they wouldn’t even consider it because of tradition. Tradition is failing the fan base and changes need to be made!
UGA ROCKS
October 21st, 2012
1:19 am
6-1. ITS THERE FOR THE TAKING. WHOO HOOO
SUCK IT GA NAYSAYERS!!!!
FL WEEK… LOOK OUT GAYTORS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bigdog
October 21st, 2012
1:22 am
Pitiful against Kentucky I turned the radio on for a few seconds they were saying a win is a win they don’t have to be great every week it is obvious that Ricth and Bobo are their idols. Dude 84 I wish you were right. But as long as they keep winning most of their games most years and go to a bowl as well as most importantly filling the seats to keep the $$$ rolling the powers that be are more than happy to keep subsidizing Ricth and Bobos incompetence against the better teams.
BullyDawg
October 21st, 2012
1:22 am
@chuckuga,
well, the booster I talked to said Richt is guaranteed to be back and that he is the man. UGA wont force a coach who is 11-1 or 10-2 to make changes.. Too successful… Sorry richt haters…THAT IS THE TRUTH
bigdog
October 21st, 2012
1:26 am
Bully Don and UGA rocks you are the exact reason there won’t be any new hardware in Athens in the foreseeable future. You guys are Real fans championships don’t matter beating Ranked teams don’t matter us haters should just shut up and take being mediocre in stride.
GatorBait 18-4
October 21st, 2012
1:27 am
Lick’in our chops
sargent carter
October 21st, 2012
1:28 am
Enter your comments here
7576DAWG
October 21st, 2012
1:28 am
BullyDawg
I don’t want Richt gone but 3 or 4 of his coaches sure need to be, starting with Rodney Garner.
sargent carter
October 21st, 2012
1:31 am
you know what, you guys don’t know what, Georgia kicks Florida’s butt and all of a sudden our coaches know what they are doing, so bye-bye to all you janitors and fair weather fans…sec east champions locked down
Troup Co. Dawg
October 21st, 2012
1:32 am
Richt will not be rehired after these next 3 years…he has been a good coach and is a great man, but if Mc garity wants to win, he’ll have to find a more determined coach, that’s all there is to it!
dawgfan
October 21st, 2012
1:33 am
That is right bigdog if you were a real fan you would enjoy basking in the greatness that is Ricth and Bobo!! He is better than Saban and Will Muschamp and a really good man. Besides Bobo has 15 kids to feed give all the coaches another raise and contract extensions.
SAD Sad UGA
October 21st, 2012
1:34 am
28 point favorite limps home
SAD Sad UGA
October 21st, 2012
1:35 am
sargent carter ——–you need to go back to rehab
dogone
October 21st, 2012
1:37 am
Sargent Carter even if they beat Flordia they won’t beat Bama it is time to win Championships not for excuses. Who cares about being sec east champs if you can’t go any further. If Florida beats UGA their coach has only been there since 2011 and will already be ahead of UGA, Saban has been at Alabama much less time than Ricth at UGA and the list goes on and on and they are all ahead of UGA!!! I think you must be more like Gomer PYle than Sagent Carter..
markj
October 21st, 2012
1:37 am
@Gdawg
I certainly understand your frustration, but I think you make decisions in a sports organization at the end of a season. While the season is in progress expressions of meaningless criticisms do nothing but create negativity that accelerates failure. Although I certainly want to see a National Champion at Georgia sooner rather than later, I temper my expectation with1) the understanding of what conference we play in, 2) the alternatives available and 3) the costs associated with the success. We play in the most intense conference in the land. I heard Bobby Patrino is available and Chisek might also be available, We could go after a Gruden maybe can they create champions having to reload teams every 3 years since most leave by theeir Jr year. People criticized Bobby Cox for only 1 WS How many managers in MLB had mutiple WS and how much did they spend to get them? I think only 3 managers in the last 20 years.
Troup Co. Dawg
October 21st, 2012
1:37 am
I give praise to the Offense for putting up the points, but defense looks like crap! I don’t know where the fire went, but I sure wish those guys from the 1st half of the SEC championship game would show their heads!
Sam Robards, Dawg Fan
October 21st, 2012
1:43 am
Good night. This fanbase is pathetic. You wanna fire the coaching staff because we didn’t beat the spread? I don’t know why I bother to read this garbage.
Go Dawgs!