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
Who Me?
December 1st, 2012
10:05 pm
but at least we can spell.
Pale Rider
December 1st, 2012
10:06 pm
“The Dawgs gave it their all” said the blind Dawg fan- we gave up over 350 yards rushing- if you call that playing your all, your expectations need to rise
change
December 1st, 2012
10:07 pm
murray is 1-11 against top 25 teams…. richt not much better. you want to win, then do as michael jackson says, “make a change”.
Loyal Dawg
December 1st, 2012
10:07 pm
Moist Dawg, you are an embarrasment as a “fan”. I don’t believe you are a UGA fan. You are the worst type of “fan” out there.
dddf's
December 1st, 2012
10:07 pm
It was the terrible officiating, it always is.
BamaStan
December 1st, 2012
10:08 pm
I’m just glad over the next few years that Florida is in the East. We’ll be seeing them in Atlanta real soon. Muschamp will win Florida another NC before Richt gets one.
Disgusted
December 1st, 2012
10:09 pm
We weren’t good enough up front. I don’t see any conspiracies, but I must say that the hit delivered on Murray has to get that player suspended from the BCS game. Don’t be too hard on Disgusted people. Here’s the thing. Alabama kicked everybody around in the 70’s, did nothing in the 80s, got overrun by Florida in the 90s, and was on probation for about five years last decade. Everything goes in cycles. They beat us tonight. We just play sharp enough.
@Indiana Dawg — Totally agree that we got completely beat at the line of scrimmage on booth lines. The OL was not good enough to keep drives going and there were too many three and outs that cost us the chance to get control of this game.
It is frustrating that this team gets set in accepting being pretty good and getting satisfied at that level. I have had enough of it — come on with this level of talent, a favorable schedule, veteran defense a junior QB who could have stepped it up this yr — this was the year of opportunity and once again it was not good enouh.
I do not think we see this opportunity again for some time. It was there for the taking and they let it get away.
No, I am not satisfied. Every yr we get a top 5 or top 10 recruit class, produce first round NFL draft choices and its always some one else who gets the cyrstal trophy.
Something is not achieving its full potential I cannot believe the people who want to blame the refs or are just being so complacent over this.
Unacceptable — just unacceptable to me.
Standawg
December 1st, 2012
10:09 pm
Yay, Bamer won. And guess what Bamer fans yound and old, you get the national championship, yes, rent-a-coach and all. Celebrate Bamer! We know you can do eet. Celebrate Bamer, garsh darnit
snoop dawgy dawg
December 1st, 2012
10:09 pm
I think we should fire Booboo but not Richt the offense let the defense down by going three and out so much
Richt Must Go
December 1st, 2012
10:10 pm
I’m sorry but Richt must go. He will never win another SEC championship much less a NC. He’s a good man but we need a better coach to win an NC.
Big Gator
December 1st, 2012
10:10 pm
I mean how many Sec championships UGA going lose? hey maybe if UGA did not doge LSU, Ala for the last 5 years during the season, they would know those two teams pound the ball.
Yes puppies beat Gators this year but we are going to the sugar, what that now two loses maybe three in the bowl game yet, Mark R. is the only coach who gets a bonus for wining the East, talking about w standards, any where in the Sec, Mark R. would be fired, 15 years never played for NAT.
Standawg
December 1st, 2012
10:11 pm
Yay Bamer. Be shure to cheer verry hard. It’s the NC game. That’s a good thingy. Yay.
Loyal Dawg
December 1st, 2012
10:11 pm
Bama gave up 281 yards passing; I guess they did give it their best effort either.
NYC Dawg
December 1st, 2012
10:12 pm
TITANIC EPIC HISTORIC GAME
Dawgs were playing at the absolute highest level of college football, and came up 4 yards short. They showed they belonged at the very top.
The Dawgs played a fantastic game against a team that is headed to its 3rd NC in 4 years. Who else is beating UA in a championship game? No one. We have nothing to ashamed of and everything to be proud of.
I am proud of my Dawgs.
DaegTearsRYummy
December 1st, 2012
10:12 pm
Richt-Murray connection =Nickelback
Pale Rider
December 1st, 2012
10:12 pm
Shouldn’t Grantham bear the weight of this loss?
Mookie
December 1st, 2012
10:12 pm
Still wonder why Richt called the first time-out when Alabama was on 3rd down. That one cost us the game.
snoop dawgy dawg
December 1st, 2012
10:12 pm
@Big Gator
Are you going to wear your Jorts to New Orleans
dddf's
December 1st, 2012
10:13 pm
Vanderbilt will have a NC before UGA. 30+ years of frustration and the collective pain of the hydrant sniffers will sustain me for some time.But still, it was awfully cute how you guys thought there might be a seat at the grownups table for you this year. DDDF’s indeed.
Standawg
December 1st, 2012
10:14 pm
So tell me Bamer, is this Saban’s last year before he heads to the Redskins, or New Orleans, or even back to LSU? Them rent-a-coaches are all the rage nowadays. Yay Bamer won.
Disgusted
December 1st, 2012
10:14 pm
I do think that if they were serious about getting a championship they would fire Richt.
But he won;t be gone so we settle for being fairly good. Big deal
Disgusted
December 1st, 2012
10:15 pm
No game is a good game when you lose.
ATLBAMAFAN
December 1st, 2012
10:16 pm
Am I missing something? Didn’t UGA beat FL for the second year in a row? Why are the FL fans yapping?
NORRIS
December 1st, 2012
10:16 pm
Georgia gave them everything they wanted and more. We came just a tad short. I do have to agree that Murray should have spiked the ball. We would have had two shots at the end zone.
I just cant figure that out. If the ball hadnt been tipped we would have had one more shot most likely. It was a bad call. I spike there would have given us time to get a play in. hind sight is 20 20.
we could have one. But that was all murray there and not richt.
BamaStan
December 1st, 2012
10:16 pm
Never understood the jorts thing. So let me get this right, someone from Georgia is calling someone from Florida a redneck? Seriously?
Thomas
December 1st, 2012
10:16 pm
Undisciplined: not subjected to discipline; not subjected to correction or discipline; lacking in discipline or control.
Standawg
December 1st, 2012
10:17 pm
Yeah, Bama won, but they don’t really appreciate it.
Loyal Dawg
December 1st, 2012
10:17 pm
Ok, get rid of CMR crowd. Who would YOU hire to coach UGA?
Pale Rider
December 1st, 2012
10:17 pm
Richt wears Crocs
BAMAMAN
December 1st, 2012
10:17 pm
who was the idiot on 790am that stated if ga def line stuffed bama’s off line and murray + gurley played good they would EASILY defeat bama! what planet is that loon from? too many uga fans got caught up in the hoopla forgetting WHO they were playing! what’s his name? hosted the show w/bucahan. what a stupid man he is! I think if he had stated if uga does this n that then maybe they will eek out a win! how insulting and plain stupid can one be?
Standawg
December 1st, 2012
10:18 pm
Bamer rented and won, yay.
Disgusted
December 1st, 2012
10:18 pm
I would gladly accept bring in Bobby Petrino if that is what it took to win a National Championship.
Who Me?
December 1st, 2012
10:18 pm
Grantham is going to fall on the sword for this one. McGarrity is going to want change after watching the debacle on the last drive and the NC slipping away. Look for Bobo to finally get his walking papers.
Richt Must Go
December 1st, 2012
10:18 pm
Richt is a damn good man but not so much a head coach… He needs to go…
Ghost of Sinkwich
December 1st, 2012
10:18 pm
I agree about Pollock. I was told by someone along time ago. That he was a hateful Frat Boy type.
After all the love the Bulldog Nation gave him. It is really a shame.
The Bulldogs have a bright future. They have all of the Offense coming back, and some fine young players, on Defense. This recruiting class will fill a lot of depth, with the numbers, that will be signed.
I am a glass half full type, but I am so glad we have Coach Richt.
Superduper
December 1st, 2012
10:18 pm
Right on, Disgusted. Any Georgia Fan that is not disgusted tonight is a wimp. FIRE MARK RICHT. What a big ol’ LOSER!
snoop dawgy dawg
December 1st, 2012
10:18 pm
@Loyal Dawg
that is why I don’t think we should fire Richt
NORRIS
December 1st, 2012
10:19 pm
its not fair that a team is punished for losing the sec championship. UGA is the number 2 sec team and that is it. We should be in the BCS.
So because florida wasnt good enough to get there they go ahead of the team that won. This makes no sense. teams that lose their conference championships shouldnt drop in the polls unless it is to decide the championship. The system is a joke and not right. The second best team in the sec gets the toilet bown and florida gets the bcs when they werent even good enough to be in the championship.
this is stupid
Loyal Dawg
December 1st, 2012
10:19 pm
NORRIS, if that ball wasn’t tipped and instead caught for a TD. No one would be saying anything about spiking the ball. We run the hurry up all the time. No reason why we shouldn’t have taken a shot there while Bama was trying to gather themselves.
Dawgfan
December 1st, 2012
10:19 pm
The D does not deserve a bad rap for this game. They played tough except when they were gassed because they were on the field for an hour straight in the 3rd and start of 4th. I’m all for scoring, but sometimes the O needs to keep the ball longer to let the D breath.
And, what the hell was with non-spiking and then the Conley catch? They have to know you can’t dive and catch outside the endzone with a few seconds remaining.
BamaStan
December 1st, 2012
10:20 pm
Keep Richt. He’s a great coach…
Dawgfan
December 1st, 2012
10:20 pm
Disagree loyaldawg. Last play of game, we needed to spike the ball. No question.
tony
December 1st, 2012
10:20 pm
Bama beat the dawgs with their 2nd string defense from last season but the dawgs got more nfl talent. Maybe Mr Richt will figure out what he is doing wrong or maybe not.
Loyal Dawg
December 1st, 2012
10:21 pm
Saban is better than Petrino. NEXT. Petrino is a snake.
Standawg
December 1st, 2012
10:21 pm
Here it is again: Saban = Rent- A-Coach. Good luck with that.
just sayin
December 1st, 2012
10:21 pm
chippie i think Alabama was damn lucky knothead.
NORRIS
December 1st, 2012
10:21 pm
loyal dawg: you may be right. But i would rather have had two plays that i could have thought about than the other.
But either way…who knows.
Big Gator
December 1st, 2012
10:22 pm
snoop dawgy dawg
lol, got them on now, enjoy captiol one bowl, another moral victory for dogs, “we hung in there with Ala” talking about low standards, two years straight, Fla will have another one before Richt.
Thomas
December 1st, 2012
10:22 pm
At LEAST we beat Florida!
Loyal Dawg
December 1st, 2012
10:22 pm
Dawgfan, we’ll just have to respectfully disagree. I wanted a spike too, but I also don’t have a problem with taking the shot.