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
james
October 21st, 2012
9:38 am
Poor performance last night in KY- Glad we won
but slipping by UK isn’t real impressive.
Early line Fl by 21 and Im not sure it will be
that close– Hope Im wrong but just do the math..
SC crushed us, UF crushed SC……..
lifer dawg
October 21st, 2012
9:39 am
“You know what, I’m happy with the victory,” Richt said somewhat unconvincingly. “We’re what, 6-1? That’s not bad.”
God help all the Georgia fans that actually have passion about our program. Its time we take another direction. Hire Kirby Smart as head coach and pay the Oregon OC the big bucks like UF did with their OC from Boise St.!!! I have been screaming this since the 2006 Sugar bowl against an over hyped WV team. That was the night Richt went to sleep on pills. Its been that way ever since.
Bucknfl
October 21st, 2012
9:43 am
I hate all these tough talking wussy whiners. Its low class lynch mob mentality.
angry mangy mutt
October 21st, 2012
9:45 am
Glad to see most of us are on the same page.
RunningWithTheDawgs – Glad to see you are doing well enough to throw your money around. Bet you were one of those guys buying Braves’ season tickets 10 years ago. Like the Dawgs they were not interested in winning it all by that time, but somebody had to support them.
My friend next Saturday will be hurting you more than it will me. I have learned my lessons. Hope I am wrong, but I guess UF can have a bad day.
Xenophon
October 21st, 2012
9:49 am
How much do we need to buy out Richt’s contract? Start passing the hat.
me
October 21st, 2012
9:49 am
Horrible scheme on defense. This team couldn’t stop the worst rushing offense in the SEC. No adjustments, everyone blows up field while the backs and QB run through the gap they just vacated. Just clueless. 2 of the top Freshman RB’s in the nation got about 2 or 3 touch’s in the 2nd half. Did I remind you Bobo’s pass happy offense cannot deliver against good defenses. Because we can’t run the ball because we don’t focus on it.
BubbaDaBaller
October 21st, 2012
9:51 am
Time for a change at the top…ton of talent and ability but the Lead Dog and his assistants don’t have a clue as to how to make it work…Give me a snarky, acerbic, spiteful, deranged football coach ie Lester Miles, Nicky Satan, Stevey Superior etc… Heck the guy at Vandy has got greater passion for the game…
me
October 21st, 2012
9:53 am
@Tampa Gator
Those who follow football know that if you can’t run the ball against KY, well…
Those who follow football know that if you can’t stop KY from running the ball, when you know they have no chance of passing it, well….
That is the problem. This is a bad, one dimensional KY team that UGA could not stop. Pathetic coaching and scheming is the issue.
serenityseeker
October 21st, 2012
9:54 am
I always read but never comment. Dawg fan for 30 yrs. I am no expert but when year after year we have superior talent, multiple NFL prospects and all the tools to work with yet we stayed mired in at best mediocrity I HAVE to think it is a coaching issue. Love CMR but I sadly have to believe its time for change (”We’re what, 6-1, thats not bad”). We are undisciplined (multiple untimely penalties, multiple arrests and suspensions), seem to be unmotivated(purely subjective observation on my part admittedly), and are getting embarrassed by lesser teams. I just want us to live up to our potential. Open to any feedback.
GatorsforRicht
October 21st, 2012
9:54 am
Face it dogs, you are stuck with Richt, no one would come to Athens to replace a coach who was fired going 10-2. Don’t worry, I don’t think Muschamp will run up the score on you so next week will not be too brutal for you and the CapitalOne bowl ain’t that bad. It could be worse, hang on to Richt.
Long-time Dawg
October 21st, 2012
9:54 am
Get Dan Mullen before someone else does.
PT
October 21st, 2012
9:55 am
That’s what I like to see under Richt’s leadership, continuous improvement each week. Those Gators better be ready for an dominate Georgia team coming to Jacksonville.
Tarryuga
October 21st, 2012
9:56 am
I really hope UGA can make a game out of it this week but with this defense of UGA and UF’s D, uummm, I ain’t feeling too good about it!
Tarryuga
October 21st, 2012
9:57 am
Murray was on fire…slinging lasers, great to see that, Keep it up Dude!!!
me
October 21st, 2012
9:59 am
@lifer dawg “Hire Kirby Smart as head coach …”
Why hire the “defensive coordinator” of a team that has the best 2 teams in the nation and is under the wing of a head coach who is a defensive coach? Bama’s 2nd team would be in the top 5. Bama does nothing with scheming, they just play smash mouth, power football because they have better players at every position than everyone else. With the talent at AL I could coach the Bama defense.
Vance
October 21st, 2012
10:01 am
No rushing defense equals a field day for Florida next week. They have a talented defense and we look one diminesional. UGA has lost their mojo–don’t know why, but UF changes coaches and gets back to the top. It never ceases to amaze me that UGA cannot continue to be a true top tier program. Next week won’t be pretty. If we do manage a win, Richt stays a lot longer. If not, the pressure to change will get greater. Regardless, I love my Dawgs–Go Dawgs, beat UF!
me
October 21st, 2012
10:01 am
Tarryuga
October 21st, 2012
9:57 am
Murray was on fire…slinging lasers, great to see that, Keep it up Dude!!!
Murray did play well. Because he had time to throw the ball. Unfortunately next Sat he won’t have that much time. Murray is not the issue. The Oline is horrible and the DLine isn’t much better.
Dawgman
October 21st, 2012
10:01 am
Maybe a dumpster fire in Jacksonville and another one against Tech will finally rid us of this nightmare!
GwinnettDad
October 21st, 2012
10:02 am
Getting trounced by South Carolina this year. Humiliated. Embarrassed.
Getting annihilated by LSU 35-0 in the 2nd half last year.
Getting blown away by Alabama 30-0 in the first half a few years ago.
Getting almost no victories against ranked teams in the top 10 while CMR has been coach.
That’s the record. That’s reality. Like it or lump it, that’s the truth.
The only way UGA can change is on the field.
CMR cannot coach a team effectively in a big game because his players lose their composure when the chips are down. That’s coaching.
Other teams may lose big games.
UGA gets embarrassed in losing big games.
Newnandawg
October 21st, 2012
10:02 am
@me Half that “talent” at Alabama is from the state of Georgia. Wonder why?
Fire Mark Richt, or accept the Capital One bowl as our best case scenario for a season.
We lose 9 defensive starters next year (nice roster management). Next year will be a blood bath.
beanster
October 21st, 2012
10:03 am
I agree with Uncle Tom @ 8:20 a.m. Putting a c-note on Florida next Saturday will make all the missed assignments, personal fouls, false starts etc. go down much more smoothly. UGA should be a 21 point dog but they won’t be.
redandblack
October 21st, 2012
10:04 am
You can read about the UGA-FL game next week in the obituary section…….because Florida will kill us…….
Captain Obvious
October 21st, 2012
10:05 am
@Vance
No rushing defense equals a field day for Florida next week. UGA has lost their mojo–don’t know why…
Because our defense plays a scheme that is way too aggressive. Our DE’s and Tackles rush up field, which leaves huge gaps for RB’s and running QB’s to exploit. The way LSU and FL controlled USC is by containing the edges and not allowing the QB to scramble up the middle. They didn’t try to sack him every play like we do. We should just hold our position at the line, instead of attacking every play…
Captain Obvious
October 21st, 2012
10:07 am
Why does the Defensive secondary always look confused.? The scheme must be too complex because we always have receivers running free in the secondary with no Dawgs near them.
Newnandawg
October 21st, 2012
10:08 am
Does anybody realize that no team we will beat this season will have a winning record?
We struggle to beat sad-sacks Tennessee and Kentucky, but some think we’ll compete with Florida next week?
Put $500 on Florida next week to ease you pain. Then send an email to McGarity to man up and do what he said he was going to do when he took this job. Get us a good football coach.
redandblack
October 21st, 2012
10:11 am
@ Captain Obvious
I think you’re on to something…..
wastedyears
October 21st, 2012
10:12 am
game time…3.30pm cbs…kickoff!!!!!!!!!…game .OVER….3.45PM…cbs
beanster
October 21st, 2012
10:12 am
@ Captain — …then taking a cheap shot at the player who burned them out of frustration (e.g #36, #18).
redandblack
October 21st, 2012
10:13 am
@ Captain Obvious
And with that……..I think you should be promoted to General…….maybe even a 5 star……
whipped, flat, unresponsive $850,000.00
October 21st, 2012
10:14 am
`
Will Todd Grantham get another pay increase to “clean” the defense up?
clownboy
October 21st, 2012
10:14 am
Hey james!
Where did you get the early FL line number 21 point favorite. As bad as Ga has looked , I can’t imagine the number being anywhere close to 21 points? For all the old dog fans that were around in 1985, this game next week is setting up to be eerily similar. A six and one Ga team went to Jax to face a undefeated Fl team that was ranked number one and Ga rode two freshmen running backs(Tim Worley and Keith Henderson) to a huge upset! This is college football, with the athletes GA has they certainly can beat FL with inspired play and a few lucky bounces. While the Dawgs offensive line has performed miserably of late, I fear our worst problem with our running game will continue to be Bobo’s wretched play calling and head scratching backfield formations! Who else is sick and tired of that putrid shotgun formation hand off to a flat footed stud running back and that ridiculous reverse or end around to Mitchell at least once every game followed by at least five vertical passes to a flat footed receiver with no blocking. The only way we play with Fl is we run the ball better and average at least 5 minutes per offensive possession! Our offense needs to keep our under performing defense on the sidelines as much as possible. Go Dawgs!!! By the way Tim Worley was a true freshman running back from the state of North Carolina!
wastedyears
October 21st, 2012
10:15 am
alice murray in intensive care all day next sunday
redandblack
October 21st, 2012
10:16 am
@ wastedyears
You give them tooooo much credit……..I say it’s over at 3:31PM……..
chase
October 21st, 2012
10:17 am
It takes a GATOR fan to make any sense on here
I agree with everything you said TAMPA GATOR
wastedyears
October 21st, 2012
10:18 am
CMR……PLEASE ….JUST….LEAVE DO THE RIGHT THING!!!!
whipped, flat, unresponsive
October 21st, 2012
10:19 am
Can we send the UGA Coaching staff to the
School of Halftime Adjustments ?
redandblack
October 21st, 2012
10:19 am
Florida will give us a football enima……..
wastedyears
October 21st, 2012
10:19 am
RED AND BLACK I KNOW ITS GONNA BE UGLY
wastedyears
October 21st, 2012
10:20 am
IN ATHENS THESE DAYS 3 MILLION NOT BUYING A WHOLE LOT
crudmudgeon
October 21st, 2012
10:21 am
Let’s see, SC beat us by 30 pts and Fla beat them by 30 pts so add those up and UGA loses by 60 pts next week. Heck if they keep it under 40 pts. I’ll consider it a victory.
wastedyears
October 21st, 2012
10:22 am
@ WHIP……IN THIS GAME THERE WILL BE NO NEED FOR HALFTIME AJUSTMENTS
Thomas
October 21st, 2012
10:22 am
This is the last warning! UGA must beat the Gators for job security.
hit a single
October 21st, 2012
10:23 am
I don’t want to hear another word about 4 or 5 star recruits. They have no heart or character or they would have gone and dominated Kentucky. Coming off the SC percformance you shouldn’t have to be coached up. But I can tell you if I was the AD I would tell Richt he better chew some butt or I would.
wastedyears
October 21st, 2012
10:23 am
OLE MISS YOU WILL FEEL OUR WRATH……MAYBE
celtdawg2002
October 21st, 2012
10:23 am
Apparently “satisfied” lives in Athens.
For the love of God can we hire a special teams coach and a strength and conditioning coach?
Can we find someone in this country to hire to get these kids to play like they are p!ssed off at the other team? All the players at Alabama play like the other team talked bad about their mamas. I respect Coach Richt as a man, but I am getting tired of the whole buzzard from the old bugs bunny rouine. Lastly, what the heck are these players doing celebrating single plays during the game? YOU HAVE DONE NOTHING this year so far but struggle against inferior opponents.
CDAWG
October 21st, 2012
10:25 am
I can see why some folks are selling their tickets to the Florida game. We are going to get embarrassed next weekend. I have finally defected to the side of Richt needs to go. I think we need to be reaching out to Kirby Smart before Auburn does.
wastedyears
October 21st, 2012
10:25 am
HEY WE GOT FLORIDA RIGHT WERE WE WANT THEM BEHIND THE WOODSHED WITH THE PADDLE IN THEIR HANDS
wastedyears
October 21st, 2012
10:27 am
CMR…..THE REASONS I DRIVE A DODGE
FBGUY
October 21st, 2012
10:27 am
FL fans have every good reason to laugh. This was a terrible victory that showcased poor defense and uninspired coaching for the Dawgs. That said, this week’s game may be closer than many believe. Its a great rivalry and those games can be surprising. I’d pick FL but not by much.
Old Dog Class of 80
October 21st, 2012
10:28 am
“You know what, I’m happy with the victory,” Richt said somewhat unconvincingly. “We’re what, 6-1? That’s not bad.”
I agree with lifer dawg – if this is the coach’s sentiment it is pretty poor. I think it is high time we got some new coaches.