Best account I’ve seen yet of the pregame skirmish that occurred before Georgia-Florida this past Saturday comes from Palm Beach Post reporter Jason Lieser.
I didn’t see but the very tail-end of the incident myself as it happened right around the time they were preparing for the pregame toss. But according to Lieser, Florida safety Matt Elam instigated the incident by bumping Georgia’s Devin Bowman. Apparently a bunch of Georgia players then responded to the taunts of Elam and teammate Dominique Easley, including Todd Gurley, Malcolm Mitchell, Corey Moore and Arthur Lynch.
Liesler reports that Florida strength coach Jeff Dillman interceded and ended up shoving Moore. That drew Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and some other assistant coaches and referees into the fray. This is the part I saw and skirmish quickly dissipated with both sides squawking as they went their separate ways.
Wrote Lieser:
Gators strength coach Jeff Dillman, who later had at least one very animated conversation with a ref, was involved as well. Dillman shoved Georgia safety Corey Moore, then got in the face of a Bulldogs assistant.
The whole affair was over in less than a minute and no penalties were assessed (though officials would make up for that later).
Georgia coach Mark Richt claimed on his Sunday conference call he knew nothing of the incident until seeing a vague reference to it on the TV broadcast replay.
“You know what, I don’t know what happened,” he said. “I watched the TV copy of the game and they showed a little bit of that. You could tell there was some chirping and all that, but I don’t think anybody got physical or anything like that.”
Informed for Dillman’s shove and when it happened, Richt said: “I’d have to look at it. I’m not really worried about that right now.”
Grantham acknowledged the incident after the game but claimed he was merely telling the Georgia players to get out of the way. “I was telling our guys to get off the field,” he said.
The “chippiness” carried over into the game, where the teams combined to be flagged 24 times, including several personal foul penalties.
“That was one of the most intense games I’ve ever coached from start to finish,” Richt said. “. . . You want intensity with discipline. But I didn’t want to slow anybody’s ability to keep their blood hot.”
280 comments Add your comment
gdawginkalamazoo
October 30th, 2012
9:55 am
Better beat Ole Miss first. That’s not a given. Then we better beat Auburn. No matter the records going into that game it can go either way in a hurry.
100ongame
October 30th, 2012
10:01 am
my azz!!!! horse collar ? you want to talk horse collar? ok, watch that game again cause they missed 2 that should have been called on uga.
OrlandoDawg
October 30th, 2012
10:07 am
Good luck to the Gators the rest of the season and beat FSU…After the Dawgs, we got to be an SEC fan…so, if UGA gets beat in atlanta, I will be pulling for LSU or Bama to get it done in the NC game….Go Dawgs! It will be rockin in Athens Saturday!!! Will make the drive up I75 with the UGA flags flying high and proud! Go Dawgs!
dale
October 30th, 2012
10:09 am
Alphare,
It’s because SC has two losses and UGA one. You’re right about David P, but I don’t think he has the podium “Dr. Lou” has. He’s still just a color guy.
Chris
October 30th, 2012
10:10 am
That was about the only part of that game worth watching. Ugly bad football between two mediocre teams
WDE
October 30th, 2012
10:17 am
Couldn’t care less about our ranking, our chances in the SEC championship game, or our chances at the MNC…all I care about this week is beating OLE MISS…GATA !
Mark
October 30th, 2012
10:27 am
Ole Miss will be a very dangerous game.
WDE
October 30th, 2012
10:31 am
@Mark I hope CMR can make the team understand that !
P B
October 30th, 2012
10:47 am
Florida has no chance to beat FSU. Driskel can run decently but the coaches have no trust in him to win a game with his arm. FSU will pin their ears back and come after Driskel much like UGA did.
P B
October 30th, 2012
10:48 am
And yes Ole Miss is somewhat of a trap game. It being between the hedges makes me think UGA will not lose any steam from this past weekend. 38-10 dawgs
WDE
October 30th, 2012
10:59 am
@P B I might agree with you if FSU wasn’t in the ACC I am not convinced they can man handle the gators..
castle pines canine
October 30th, 2012
11:21 am
Looks like Tampa Gator has lost his way again. I’m sure that he thought that this was just another ad in the Red and Black. Maybe he was harkening back to the days of Charley Pell and Galen Hall. Maybe he thinks that it was just luck that the Mullets lost. Maybe the strings from his cut off jeans got caught in his seat and it kept him from jumping up and cheering at the end of the game. Maybe he is right about the Sugar Bowl. We will just have to see. Muschamp is a good coach, and his team will be ready for FSU and whoever else that they play. His problem is there is no offense. The UGA defense is good, but South Carolina proved that it could be exploited. I see UGA running the table and going to the MNC game. So Tampa Gator, I object to your Purple Haze Projecttions
npgator
October 30th, 2012
11:24 am
It sucks losing to Georgia but at least we can come home to beautiful Florida and they have to return to that suck hole of a stat – Georgia!!
St Simons
October 30th, 2012
11:27 am
where ya at SSIgator? On the side of Demere on yo yeller bicycle?
storm didn’t blow you away, cause i’m still here hahahahaha
boy the islans sho’ is hoppin’ aint it? heheheh
Dawg Tired
October 30th, 2012
11:28 am
Things happen. Get over it. Move on.
St Simons
October 30th, 2012
11:30 am
Florida’s just not that big of a game anymore, until they’re competitive
Swamp Donkey
October 30th, 2012
11:31 am
Here is a little side note for all you duck fans, I mean dog fans. Why don’t you learn how to play in the SEC. Your schedule for the PAST TWO years has been pathetic. The fact that you got out of playing Alabama this year in regular play is a shame. Please go look at what we had to face in the past TWO YEARS and then come bring your flee bag self back into the SEC. Take your little win, and take your 6 turn overs within the the 15 yard line and enjoy it. Soon very soon you WILL have a changed schedule and you will have to play better. You did surprise me on Saturday, and every dog has its day. If the dogs are what WE send from the SEC east then its a crying shame! Lets also remember the this is a very young Gator team and the second year for our Gator coach????? Taking this into consideration and the fact that we also controlled the ball longer and were driving down with 2 min to go and tie it which I am sure we would have. But,,,you guys did well on the recovery and so it goes. Like I said (( IN TIME )) you will be able to see what we can and will do to the dawgs. So do enjoy this win, and the turnover win,,,,but I am very sure we will be back again to show you how the game should have gone and how its going to be. It truly would be nice to see the dawgs have a schedule with some nuts in it.
WDE
October 30th, 2012
11:33 am
@npgator yeah I hear Frostproof is lovely this time of year…bitter much?
Honey Badger Has the Munchies
October 30th, 2012
11:33 am
npgator…that is just a retarded comment. Please move on to a Florida blog and continue trolling there
WDE
October 30th, 2012
11:36 am
@Swamp Donkey would like some cheese with that whine?? Call the SEC offices cry baby they make the schedule and guess what we beat your sorry butts and you were ranked no 2 so remember that when your crying in your beer we beat the no.2 team in the land and it was YOU !
Honey Badger Has the Munchies
October 30th, 2012
11:38 am
Swamp Donkey…go back a few more years when UGA played Bama, LSU and Arkansas. The shift between the power struggle with the SEC East and West happens every few years. The East dominated a few years and the West has dominated a few years. As a Georgia fan I do miss the more difficult schedules…those tough schedules make for a better team, legit rankings and more exciting games win or lose.
Bazooka Joe
October 30th, 2012
11:42 am
Maybe the series with UF is turning into one where we each win our share of games – given the talent on both teams, thats about all anyone can ask for. I dont think UF will dominate us like they did for 20 years, and I dont think we will dominat them like we did the 20 years before that.
Regarding the refs, yeah some were a bit nitpicky, however (and no I am not a retired ref ! hahaha) I think the little pre-game spat, and history of the rivalry led the refs to put a clamp down on anything and make sure everyone knew who was in control.
Swamp Donkey
October 30th, 2012
11:43 am
Yeah you did that,,,,,but at some point in your crappy scheduling, your gonna have to man up and play better teams. At this point right now, you would have LOST to Alabama if you played them. So truly you would be a 2 loss team. In fact you should be kissing the SEC a..ss right now. Again, I defer you to go look at our schedule and tell me if we don’t play better and stronger teams. In other words, if you did have a harder schedule YOU WOULDN”T BE where you are at now. So,,,as I say, enjoy your time it will be short lived. I am very confident in this Gator team and considering the 2nd year of this guy as a coach. Ohhhhhh,,,my friend I am very happy with how we are playing and a loss is fine. But,,,in time you will see our domination over you. Its just like you hated Spurrier here now you get to hate him at S.C. and now your gonna hate Will M. as well.
Toosmall_TooSlow
October 30th, 2012
11:44 am
Alabama is the defending champ and deserving of respect…but before conceding the SEC to them take a look at their schedule. The only really good team they play is LSU.
Bazooka Joe
October 30th, 2012
11:47 am
Swampo thing…. you REALLY coming on here talking that junk with the pathetic team you put on the field last Sat ???
Swamp Donkey
October 30th, 2012
12:00 pm
Turnovers is how you won the game! and a win is a win. Hey you guys deserved to win the game. We ran out of time and as you could see we did move the ball on you consistently until we turned it over to (you). I began this Florida season banking on 3 losses and we have played to over our ability. None, of the gator nation was thinking we would be where we are!!! I say it again,,, most of our team is sophmors and its young. I see us being a lot better and Driskel with three more years of playing,,,,,,oh yeeeeeah.
WDE
October 30th, 2012
12:02 pm
@Swamp Donkey what in the hell are you talking about we beat the no 2 team?? so your play better teams BS is just that. and we were supposed to lose to you and guess what we didn’t so..that numbskull is why we play the games instead of having parades..and dominate this Nancy..
Swamp Donkey
October 30th, 2012
12:06 pm
How many titles has Mark R. given you dirty flee bittin back porch muts? How many? You are VERY lucky you have had the schedule because just last year you wanted him out. Its saved his job and the dogs beating us keeps Marky Mark,,,,there even longer. Hey,,,,,I love Marky Mark,,,and he is exactly what I want to stay in Athens. The next thing we have to work on for ya’ll is to get some BALLS in that schedule then will see how you all pan out. You dang lucky Vandy didn’t send you back to the dog house!!!!!! That tail was tucked in almost!!! I watched that game and they played you and should have beaten ya.
Swamp Donkey
October 30th, 2012
12:12 pm
Dang I put Vandy when I ment to Tenn. Sorry!!!
St Simons
October 30th, 2012
12:13 pm
wah wah wah, can’t play thug-ball anymore wah-wah-wah
can’t cheat, can’t poke players in the eye, dang them refs.
no cheap shots, what we gon do now -
wait! mullet cuts on sale – $10 at the Gainsville mall
Swamp Donkey
October 30th, 2012
12:14 pm
I’ll be a big fan of Ole Miss, Ga. Southern, and God only hopes that Auburn will be you. I think that would be the best of them all. Then you get some of Ga Tech and I’ll be listening to all of them.
Honey Badger Has the Munchies
October 30th, 2012
12:15 pm
Swamp Donkey…if our schedule is so weak (which I agree) then why didn’t your Gators beat us? It was a wild game on both sides. Look at how many chances UGA had the ball in your territory…HELL the score could have been a lot higher in Georgia’s favor. Sour grapes, come on man your Gators are still a good team, lots of football to be played.
Swamp Donkey
October 30th, 2012
12:18 pm
Hey,, St. Simons
I think your team is just a bad!!! Then only difference is the ref’s didn’t call some one’s on ya’ll as well. You got out with over 130 in penalties, but it SHOULD HAVE BEEN A LOT MORE!!! and you know it. Enjoy your win over us,,,Simon it will short lived I am sure!!!!
Swamp Donkey
October 30th, 2012
12:26 pm
Dude,,,, I agree with ya. I have no problem with our loss to yall. The dawgs beat us hands down. But,,,, I will say we beat ourselves on turn-overs. I don’t think Georgia fans know how young our team is and that we have a 2nd year coach. Again,,,this is a (((2nd year coach))) with a team still from urban myers players. He has one recruting class under his belt. I am not bitter at all,,,,I said in a previous post that I was thinking 3 losses. I just don’t think a lot of dog fans understand WHERE this florida program is in terms of players and time of coaches teaching our team. If we are playing this good, this young!!! Then as a team,,,my idea is Florida only gets better. Now if I am mistaken then jump in. Maybe ya’ll see it different!!! But based on coaching and young players, I’d say this is a building team and IT WILL get way better. But,,,the loss is fine with me!!! lots of time left and FSU will be a nasty one,,,oh and buy the way its in Tallahassee.
hornblowermg
October 30th, 2012
12:26 pm
if our dogs have retired the Fulmer Cup, then fla is certainly deserving of the Holtz tear-catching trophy for being the sorriest whiners there has ever been; and anybody who doesn’t enjoy Athen, Ga has never spent any time there.
funny...
October 30th, 2012
12:34 pm
Florida ending up in the Sugar Bowl.
Fine.
2 in a row, ha
Grantham tried to choke Chaz Henry
October 30th, 2012
1:02 pm
The Dawgs won the game but I don’t see any reason for them to think that they are the dominating team now. They beat the Gators who turned the ball over 6 times and still would have got the ball back and had another shot except for 2 phantom penalties by the refs.Take away Jones and it is a blowout for UF. Jones is a monster just like our Ronald Powell who sat out the season with a torn ACL.
CC
October 30th, 2012
1:07 pm
The SEC should suspend UF’s coach.
Typical article by leg humping homer chip towers
October 30th, 2012
1:11 pm
Here is the entire article which is not slanted as Chips is:
Matt Elam at center of pre-game incident in Florida-Georgia game
by Jason Lieser
For some reason, some Georgia players decided to hang out near the tunnel where the Gators were going to run onto the field before the game. For some other reason, Florida S Matt Elam decided to bump CB Devin Bowman.
What ensued was sprawling altercation between the teams that preceded Georgia’s 17-9 win. Elam appeared to be the instigator. Florida DE Dominique Easley figured prominently. So did Bulldogs TE Arthur Lynch, FB Alexander Ogletree, RB Todd Gurley, CB Sheldon Dawson and WR Malcolm Mitchell. Several others had a role, but it is difficult to keep track of them all.
Gators strength coach Jeff Dillman, who later had at least one very animated conversation with a ref, was involved as well. Dillman shoved Georgia S Corey Moore, then got in the face of a Bulldogs assistant.
“It’s something that’s expected out of a rivalry game, just two teams going at it,” Gators LB Jon Bostic said.
Elam ran back to the mess of players once he realized a fight was happening, and one referee tried to derail his course with an ineffective shove. It slowed him down long enough for several UF assistants and coach Will Muschamp to intercept him.
Is Muschamp Georgia's Trojan Horse?
October 30th, 2012
1:14 pm
Time will tell, but I think that 3 in a row will get him fired. Even the Zooker won 2 of 3 from Jawja.
Swamp Donkey
October 30th, 2012
1:19 pm
Your gonna get what you think you should and thats a shot at a title! Lets see here,,,was it 1980? I think they have already inducted Herschel into the hall of fame. I don’t see you guys running the table, again considering your schedule!! And if Georgia is what the east is showing as our be all team,,,,I’ll go with BAMA all day.
Typical article by leg humping homer chip towers
October 30th, 2012
1:20 pm
Best yet article on the incident Homer CHip? I guess you need to re-read it; no where did it say the “innocent” UGA players were responding to a taunt. How much are you paid by the Hartman Fund CHip?
To Tell the Truth
October 30th, 2012
1:23 pm
He probably deserved to be shoved as he probably was running his mouth!!!
Swamp Donkey
October 30th, 2012
1:29 pm
2013 GEORGIA SCHEDULE
Aug. 31: at Clemson
Sept. 7: South Carolina
Sept. 14: Open date
Sept. 21: North Texas
Sept. 28: LSU
Oct. 5: at Tennessee
Oct. 12: Missouri
Oct. 19: at Vanderbilt
Oct. 26: Open date
Nov. 2: Florida (at EverBank Field, Jacksonville)
Nov. 9: Appalachian State
Nov. 16: at Auburn
Nov. 23: Kentucky
Nov. 30: at Georgia Tech
You tell me if this isn’t a CAKE WALK!!!! The only hard teams here are South C., LSU, maybe Tennessee, then Florida,,,other then that,,,, Another cake walk for the dogs.
Where is Alabama, Texas A M,
He Hate Gator
October 30th, 2012
1:44 pm
Beware Ole Miss…..do not overlook….
WDE
October 30th, 2012
1:49 pm
@Swamp Donkey are you on crack today or just dumber than a sack of hammers? Son when the season started THIS year we were getting hammered because of our schedule and one of the “cupcakes” on our schedule was UF…
Pitbull
October 30th, 2012
1:55 pm
Conflicts are nothing new.
I remember one time after a Georgia – Clemson game that Georgia won at the last minute that Danny Ford came across the field and got in Vince Dooley’s face.
I saw the Vince Dooley that probably only his players saw that day. He bared his teeth and got in Ford’s face and it looked like two snarling wolves about to go after it.
I was proud of Vince for setting the tone for his team and understood that he was a gentleman until circumstances called for him not to be. I think I saw the United States Marine in him at that moment.
PR
October 30th, 2012
1:58 pm
Swamp Donkey… that isn’t a cake walk.
USC Dreamer
October 30th, 2012
2:01 pm
What a freaking cry baby “Swamp Jack A**” is. Shut up and worry about something that you can control. You can’t worry about other teams schedule, I mean you sound like that visor wearing idiot from Carolina.That idiot was whinning about schedules at media days and you see what good that did him. Go home and shut up!!
CC
October 30th, 2012
2:05 pm
Hopefully the SEC will look into this.