Bama delivers BCS knockout of Georgia, 32-28, in SEC Championship
With a BCS championship bid on the line, a heavyweight boxing match broke out at the Georgia Dome on Saturday, and it was defending national champion Alabama that delivered the knock-out blow in a 32-28 slugfest.
But give the Georgia Bulldogs credit. They got up off the mat and nearly won it.
With no timeouts and 85 yards to go with 1:08 to play, Georgia’s Aaron Murray got his team down to the Alabama 8. But rather than spike the ball with about nine seconds left, the Bulldogs elected to run another play. Murray’s pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage and caught by flanker Chris Conley at the 5. He fell to the ground inbounds, and the last four seconds ticked off the clock.
“I told the players I was disappointed, but not disappointed in them,” a forlorn Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “It was a knock-down, drag-out fight, and everybody was swinging. We just ran out of time.”
For the No. 2-ranked Crimson Tide (12-1), the victory means a third trip to the BCS championship game in the past four years. They won the previous two. Alabama will face undefeated and No. 1-ranked Notre Dame (12-0) on Jan. 7.
But Alabama coach Nick Saban indicated he and his players will enjoy the school’s 23rd SEC title for a while before worrying about that one.
“My focus right now is to give the players the positive gratification they deserve,” Alabama coach Nick Saban. “I don’t even know what the date of the (BCS) game is. We probably won’t practice for a couple of weeks.”
The Bulldogs (11-2), who haven’t won a national championship since 1980 and haven’t played for one in 30 years, will play Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl in Orlando.
Richt’s decision not to spike the ball at the 8 and instead run a hurry-up play will be debated for a while. A 26-yard catch by Arthur Lynch with 15 seconds remaining got the Bulldogs to the 8. There were about nine seconds remaining by the time Georgia lined up.
Murray rushed the offense into formation and tried to hit Malcolm Mitchell with a pass in the back right of the end zone. But the ball was tipped at the line of scrimmage, and Conley caught the ball inbounds at the 5-yard line.
“I know in hindsight now the ball wasn’t meant to go my way,” Conley said. “It was tipped at the line and, unfortunately I wasn’t able to make a smart play. Instinctively I grabbed the ball when I probably should let it go.”
Richt vehemently defended the decision.
“You don’t need to spike the ball there,” he said. “We had the play we wanted. It takes time to spike the ball, and we’re thinking about more than one play there.”
But that wasn’t where Georgia lost the game. The Bulldogs were manhandled up front by the Crimson Tide, who managed to run for 350 of their 512 yards. Junior tailback Eddie Lacy earned most valuable player honors with 181 yards and two touchdowns and his freshman backup T.J. Yeldon added 153 and another score. The Crimson Tide had the ball for nearly 38 minutes to Georgia’s 22:25.
“We did a great job of running the ball in the second half,” Saban said. “And the reason we did it was we couldn’t handle the pass rush.”
“I like the way we played,” said Jarvis Jones, who had six tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks. “I think we challenged them for 60 minutes. We came four seconds from playing for the BCS title. I’m just proud of all these guys that sacrificed for us to get here.”
Georgia freshman Todd Gurley had 122 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries. Murray finished 18-of-33 passing for 265 yards with a touchdown and an interception and was sacked three times. Tavarres King led the Bulldogs with five catches for 142 yards.
“Oh, man, it was crazy the way that it was so close,” Murray said. “That’s something you dream of as a little kid, to win the game like that. It’s just crappy the way it ended, that’s for sure.”
Saturday’s game was essentially a BCS championship semifinal, and the two teams played accordingly. After exchanging the lead three times in the second half, Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron hit Amari Cooper for a 45-yard touchdown pass down the left sideline for the game-winning score. Cooper, who had 127 yards on seven catches, got behind sophomore nickel back Damian Swann on the play, which came with 3:15 remaining.
On the ensuing possession, Murray was sacked on first down by linebacker Adrian Hubbard — a sophomore from Norcross — who stunted inside on a blitz for the 8-yard loss. Georgia ended up punting the ball to Alabama with 2:17 remaining, and it appeared the game might end like that.
But the Bulldogs used their final two timeouts and forced Alabama into a three-and-out. Mitchell’s fair catch at the 15 with 1:08 left gave Georgia one final shot.
COMPLETE COVERAGE OF SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME:
Game story: Alabama delivers BCS knockout of Georgia, 32-28
Bradley column: Five yards short in bitter defeat a winning UGA effort
Schultz column: Georgia earns respect in defeat, but loss not easy to take
The final drive and play: An agonizing ending for Georgia
What they said: post-game comments from players, coaches on both teams
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834 comments Add your comment
7576DAWG
December 2nd, 2012
12:42 pm
Glad to see Georgia only dropped to 6TH in the AP. Can’t really count Ohio State so Georgia is really 5TH. . Played for 60 minute this year and the coaches and players improved as the year went on. No complaints , great year. If a few of the 5 star linemen will commit, Georgia will be set for next year.
Kevin
December 2nd, 2012
12:47 pm
All the haters are clowns. I liked the hurry up. Ball doesn’t get tipped we win the game. If you spike it, you give the D time to rest and reset. Great game, great players, Thanks UGA. You did us proud.
hit a single
December 2nd, 2012
12:50 pm
I hope Coach Richt is at UGA as long as he wants to be. We are fortunate to have him and all these critics can go pull for somebody else.
Jborodawg
December 2nd, 2012
1:21 pm
Ben@1109AM…well spoken, brother; well spoken.
2-16, disgusted and Dr Phill….pick a team, any team….just not UGA. ‘Fans’ like you are a dime a dozen. “Choked”?! A game that is considered by most pundits as the best SECC game ever, with the Bulldogs marching down the field with 1:08 left to play and almost pulling it off; and you say the Dawgs ‘choked’?! One of the more ridiculous, inaccurate and misplaced comments out of the more than 800 posted here.
‘Said it’s great … to be … a Georgia Bulldog!
Moist Dawg
December 2nd, 2012
1:21 pm
Hey Kevin, how did they do us proud? They lost twice with the easiest schedule in America. Anything less than a SEC championship this year, with this talent and schedule is a total failure.
You people who say “good try Dawgs” are the same jerks who give out participation trophies to every kid. When they tried to pull that crap with my boy I made him give it back and he’s better off today because of it.
Jborodawg
December 2nd, 2012
1:23 pm
‘Biggun’…you think McCarron played a superior game to Murray? Not so fast my friend.
Slim
December 2nd, 2012
1:32 pm
http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefootball/story/alabama-beats-georgia-sec-title-game-hasty-replay-reversal-no-help-120112
Jborodawg
December 2nd, 2012
1:34 pm
Said Saban, “They should get to go to a BCS bowl game. They played a tremendous game out there today … and could have won at the end just as soon as us. It came down to the last play..”
“I watch these teams that are 7-5 that are talking about they might go to a BCS game because they won their championship…Something’s not right here. I don’t know what people think of the SEC. … I don’t think it’s fair to the Georgia players, coaches and their institution if they don’t go to a BCS game.”
…Alabama allowed 28 points, the second-highest total they’ve allowed all season.
Associated Press, “…Both teams played like champions…”
Yahoo Sports, “…Georgia had one last chance…’Bama … was pushed to the brink by inspired Georgia…The Tide needed everything it could muster to win…The result left SEC commissioner Mike Slive running a hand through his white hair and saying, “Wow,” over and over. It left Georgia fans broken-hearted but proud. It left Alabama fans giddy but drained…”
Montgomery Advertiser, “…Saturday’s 21st edition was the greatest…SECC Game…of them all, a back-and-forth, no-holds-barred title match between No. 2 Alabama and No. 3 Georgia. It ended with the clock running out on the Bulldogs’ championship dreams at the Crimson Tide’s 5-yard line, and Alabama escaping with a 32-28 victory…”
No, haters; I’m not claiming a moral victory. We lost, ‘Bama won. But some of the negative comments about coaches Richt and Bobo and Murray are risible.
Jacket Dad
December 2nd, 2012
1:39 pm
Come on guys, your team played a great game – probably one of the best college games I’ve ever seen two teams play. Sure, the end could have been handled better as far as clock management, but if they would have scored you would be saying that was a great decision to keep Bama on their heels.
I do feel for you if you don’t get a BCS bowl, you definitely should in front of many who will go.
OldSchool51
December 2nd, 2012
1:41 pm
Draft Eddy Lacy this week and put him in the starting line up for the next game. He could carry the falcons to the Super Bowl…..
T Shirt Maker
December 2nd, 2012
1:52 pm
Now selling T Shirts. $5.99 each
Spike The Ball!
5 more Yards!
We did not Finish the Drill because The Ball was Tipped!
LSU 42 UGA 10
December 2nd, 2012
1:57 pm
Where was Rambo?
T Shirt Maker
December 2nd, 2012
1:58 pm
Saban goes for Two!
Richt keeps the clock ticking!
We may see UGA back in the SECCG in another 5 years! Too many players out the gate for the NFL.
T Shirt Maker
December 2nd, 2012
2:02 pm
Rambo got used by a True Freshman and got trucked by a running back.
LSU 42 UGA 10
December 2nd, 2012
2:03 pm
That running game was incredible. It sliced right through Georgia’s line and over Jarvis Jones, Rambo and company.
So was McCarrons deep TD pass to Cooper was something.
Why did Murray run off so fast after yelling at his own teammate for catching a ball he threw? What kind of leadership is that?!?
LSU 42 UGA 10
December 2nd, 2012
2:05 pm
Does Rambo still believe they are better in every position than Alabama?
512 yards against a top defense?
December 2nd, 2012
2:32 pm
Grantham Sucks.
Lambert Dawg
December 2nd, 2012
2:50 pm
Chuck oliver of 680 the fan.. what a classless, low life, cheap shot, you took to question Coach Richt about his and Aaron Murrys ability to win the big game at yesterdays post game press conference. Did you watch that game? How could you ask that question at that time. You are a joke and represent everything wrong with the media.
I ask anyone who will listen. Is there any accountability in society any more? Is it ok for people to publicaly try and slander and discredit good honest men not to mention young student athletes.
Mark Richt and Aaron win and lose with class and dignity.
Oliver you are a disgrace to auburn university.
I challenge sports talk 680 the fan in atlanta to hold this guy accountable. He is a disgrace to your station.. It’s sickening…
rhettt
December 2nd, 2012
2:51 pm
Georgia’s ultra defense was exposed. They are not the caliber their stats reflect. Mostly against inferior oponents. Whooo-deee-doooo. Pit them against equal caliber competition and you see what happens. Under pressure they have a melt down. Oh many reasons can be laid out but the bottom line is, Ga could not perform under extended duress. Where as Alabama could.
Too Bad
December 2nd, 2012
3:18 pm
Too bad both teams could not have lost. However, I now hope the Irish beat Bama like a step-child. I think they will because they are on a mission from God. It is hard to beat God – even though Bama players and their mighty coach they they are the football savior to the world.
BV
December 2nd, 2012
3:38 pm
LMAO. Not again…another blown opportunity by the thugs to sneak into the NC game.
Let’s turn our attention to basketball season, Dawg Nation…oh, that’s right, we don’t have a basketball team!
BV
December 2nd, 2012
3:41 pm
Glad to see it end that way for Rambo and his thug brothers. We all lloved it for this class group of individuals.
A Wonderful Day..........
December 2nd, 2012
3:58 pm
Today has been a wonderful day! I got a chance to listen to all the Georgia Bulldog whiners cry about their lost chance….truth of the matter is they really never did have a chance….with their schedule all they have been all season is a bunch of Pretenders………betcha’ Aaron Murray will remember that lick Alabama put on his head for a long time to come….but then again as hard as he got hit, he might not even remember the game for very long……..Hit him again, harder, harder!
Ted Dibiase
December 2nd, 2012
3:59 pm
Moral victories aplenty for the Dwags!!!!!!!!!!!
Rationale
December 2nd, 2012
4:45 pm
Disgusted – You are the one that is disgusting.!
Give me a break
December 2nd, 2012
5:09 pm
UGA has a lot to be proud of and proud of this team. Call your friends in Auburn and Tennessee and ask what it is like to not matter… Stop the Kirby Smart talk. He is the most overrated assistant coach who has done NOTHING other than micro-managed by Nick Saban. He drives the Alabama faithful nutty with his stuff on defense and after what I witnessed his behavior on the then over turned interception.. Running at the the UGA crowd doing the cut throat sign.. Screw him !! Don’t Want him.. I am forever PROUD to be a Bulldog and Our time will come.. back to back SEC East winners… Our time will come…
jack bull
December 2nd, 2012
5:09 pm
agreed Lambert Dawg.
Very disappointed in Mr. Oliver. 680 should be embarrassed.
Great game, Dawgs! Great game.
Jonesy the Neutral
December 2nd, 2012
5:10 pm
Richt is a GREAT coach and a CLASS Act! Georgia accepts moral victories, whereas,
schools like Alabama do not. C’MON MAN do you really think that Alabama would keep Saban there for 12 year without having won a national championship. That’s why they are going back for the third time in three years. Different expectations from coaches.
Shankit
December 2nd, 2012
5:10 pm
Two point conversion was the difference in the game, made a 4 point differential rather than two point differential. Dawgs could have won with field goal in last 8 seconds.
Gator
December 2nd, 2012
5:15 pm
Lambert Dawg… You put that as well as it could be put. I am amazed that Coach Richt could be so composed after that jerk asked him that ridiculous question. That clown needs to be held accountable for his actions. I believe we all see what size man Oliver is. After Coach Richt asked him if that was his question or someone else, Oliver said nothing. I believe that says it all. Richt has class and Oliver is an @&&
Pope UGA XXIII
December 2nd, 2012
5:27 pm
I have already heard enuff at my parish about the Irish, so
screwwwwwwww Notre Dame. Hope Bama hangs them upside
down. If that reporter has been correctly identified as Chuck
Oliver of 680 the Fan, I’ll assure you that they now have one
less fan. What a classless dork, but that’s a perfect example of
what journalism has become. Payback comes in all flavors and
he will get his one day – maybe a pink slip for Christmas.
Moist Dawg
December 2nd, 2012
7:49 pm
Someone please explain how Chuck Oliver did anything other than ask a valid question. You all know Murray/Richt’s record in big games.
Most of you people banging on Oliver are the same losers that were calling for Richt’s head on a platter after SC, Mich State, etc.
Gator
December 2nd, 2012
8:10 pm
Moist Dawg… I understand where you are coming from. However, Coach Richt also asked a valid question that Olive Hole did not answer. I don’t blame Coach Richt one bit for his reply. Also, there is a time and place for everything and that definitely was not the right time or place. I agree 100% with Saban, it is a shame that the Dawgs don’t get a BCS bid, ridiculous!
Brown Dog
December 3rd, 2012
7:05 am
Epic game. Congrats to your team and its true fans.