Richt: ‘We spent ourselves in a worthy cause…. You’ve got to kind of get over the heartbreak’
Georgia coach Mark Richt said his program is moving on from the “heartbreak” of Saturday’s SEC Championship game loss and “getting back to work.”
Mark Richt: "It was heartbreaking, no doubt." (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
“You know what? We spent ourselves in a worthy cause,” Richt said Sunday night. “We of course wanted to play for the national championship. We knew we were just a couple of yards away, maybe a couple of seconds away or a tipped ball away or however you want to say it. We were at least in position to win it.
“It was heartbreaking, no doubt. We were all highly, highly hurt by it. … We just came up short. It was one of those games where either team could have won. So you’ve got to kind of get over the heartbreak of that. And I’ve always had the ability to understand what the reality is and move on.
“We’re already out recruiting. We’re getting back to work.”
Despite the dashed dream of playing for the national championship, Richt said he expects his 11-2 team to be enthused about its trip to Orlando for the Jan. 1 Capital One Bowl against Nebraska.
“We’ve got a new goal in sight: We’re excited to try to get 12 wins,” Richt said.
Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity acknowledged that the day after the SEC title game was a difficult one in Bulldog Nation.
“I know we’re all still hurting a little bit right now,” McGarity said. “But the sun came up … and there’s nothing we can do about it but learn from it and move forward.”
How coaches ranked Dogs
After Georgia’s 32-28 loss to Alabama, voters in the USA Today coaches’ poll ranked the Bulldogs everywhere from No. 2 to No. 11.
The highest vote cast for Georgia was by Vanderbilt’s James Franklin, who had the Bulldogs No. 2 (behind Alabama and ahead of Notre Dame).
The lowest votes cast for Georgia were by Baylor’s Art Briles and Washington’s Steve Sarkisian, both of whom had the Bulldogs No. 11.
Richt and Alabama’s Nick Saban voted Georgia No. 3 — ahead of Florida, which both put No. 4.
Coaches’ individual ballots were released for the first time this season, per customary procedure on the final poll before the bowls.
Overall, Georgia was ranked No. 5 in the coaches’ poll. In the other two components of the BCS standings, Georgia was ranked No. 5 by the Harris Poll but an average of No. 11 by the computers. That added up to an overall BCS ranking of No. 7.
Conference limit to be eliminated
The rule that kept Georgia from playing in any of the four BCS bowls (Rose, Sugar, Fiesta and Orange) will be scrapped when college football goes to its new playoff system in the 2014 season.
The current rule is that no more than two teams from a conference can go to BCS games in a given season. Alabama, of course, got one of the SEC’s spots this season with its berth in the national title game. Florida moved up to No. 3 in the final BCS standings, clinching the SEC’s second spot because of a rule that stipulates a team ranked in the top four automatically gets a BCS invitation unless two other teams from its league are ranked higher. Georgia is the highest-ranked team not in a BCS game.
McGarity noted that the SEC has six of the top 10 teams in the BCS standings — but only two of the 10 spots in BCS games.
“It’s obviously being corrected in 2014, so a number of individuals thought that was not a fair way to treat conferences,” McGarity said. “I think the way it’s set in 2014 will reward those conferences that have the ability to place teams in the top 10.”
Under the 2014 model, there is no specific limit on how many teams from a conference can make the four-team playoff and the other top-tier bowls, although various arrangements between leagues and bowls will still be a factor.
ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit, who sharply criticized the inclusion of Northern Illinois in a BCS game (Orange Bowl), scoffed at the current two-per-league limit. “Who came up with this rule?” he asked on air Sunday night.
Herbstreit added: “To leave teams out like Georgia and … Texas A&M and Oklahoma, all of us want to see those teams in games that matter, and you’re going to give us Northern Illinois.”
‘They call themselves the CornDogs’
Georgia’s bowl opponent, Nebraska, brings back childhood memories for Richt.
“It’s kind of personal for me in that I was born in Omaha and my mom and dad grew up in Nebraska and all my cousins on that side of the family are big Husker fans,” Richt said.
“They like the Dogs, too,” he added. “They call themselves the CornDogs, actually — combination of Cornhuskers and Dogs.”
Richt said his family moved from Nebraska to Colorado when he was 7 or 8 and then to Boca Raton, Fla., when he was about 13. But “I still had Nebraska on my mind, really, up until the time I went to college at Miami.”
— Tim Tucker, AJC
Click here for full story on Georgia’s Capital One Bowl invitation
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781 comments Add your comment
AltamahaDawg
December 4th, 2012
9:41 am
Well except for those handful of folks trotting out that straw man so they can disagree with it to make themselves look good, I haven’t heard anybody actually talking about this as a Moral Victory.
I have heard plenty of real people talk about being proud of their team for the effort. Please continue to critisize that, so as to display a total lack of class.
RaMAbaMA
December 4th, 2012
10:48 am
Will georgia print t-shirts with MORAL VICTORY–SEC!
Ga fans will pay good money for these—good christmas gifts.
Archie
December 4th, 2012
12:26 pm
@Sick and Tired: Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired?
BigDawg
December 4th, 2012
12:39 pm
Fellow Dawgs terrible officiating cost the Dawgs this game and an opportunity to play for MNC, I applaud these Dawgs and Coaching staff for playing to the end and having a chance to win. The officials called every tacky penalty on the Dawgs, they ignored obvious holding by Bama’s offensive players so often it boggles the mind that more people are not storming Mike Slive office or e-mail demanding that this officiating crew be fired. Next they talk about suspending that Alabama player for the flagrant personal foul on Murray what about that Official that was watching and failed to call the personal foul and thus pushing Alabama back to around their 35 yard line and maybe we are talking about a great win today because the Dawgs could have kicked a field goal instead of having to try and score a touchdown. He should be fired immediately as should the head official and the rest of that crew. The spotting of the ball was horrible as they were spotting it forward for Bama and spotting it back on the Dawgs all afternoon/evening.
1969 Graduate
December 4th, 2012
12:59 pm
Someone who claims to be a Dawg said that Aaron Murray choked in the game. What nonsense! Mr. Murray played a pretty fabulous game. Consider how things would have gone for the Dawgs had we not had a quarterback able to do as well as he did? Consider carefully and tell me exactly what he did that can be called choking?
Was not spiking the ball Murray’s decision? I don’t think so.
I will admit to sometimes having rightly be critical of Murray, but the guy is a DGD, and a heck of QB. He studies the game. He makes the plays. In the Alabama game he most certainly showed that he can flat out play football.
Other than Johnny Football who else would you have rather had?
Go, Dawgs!
ARdawg
December 4th, 2012
1:37 pm
Bamagirl
You are near 100% correct but not quite. It was an illegal block because he went to the head. It was not illegal to block Murray, true. The play was for all intent and purpose over. Murray wasn’t advancing to the runner as much as he was the sideline in a slight trot. Dial could have hit and blocked him like he was coming out of a cannon and been legal just the unsuspecting headshot made it cheap shot and a personal foul. Was Dial trying to hurt Murray? Probably not but, that doesn’t matter. He could have hurt him severely. That really has not place in football. Yes in the heat of a games action people don’t think or have time to think fully but, Dial knew when he made that contact what he was doing. It wasn’t a block as much as it was a head shot that had nothing to do with the play
Pissed off at all our Coaches GA fan
December 4th, 2012
1:49 pm
At the end of the day our guys outplayed their coaching in this game and if Saban was the coach at UGA the game is a rout fact.
3 keys to this game
1. abadoning the run play action game that is working well in favor of a consecutive straight drop-back passing plays when we can’t hold up in blocking causing several quick 3 and outs that’s all BOBO’s Fault
2.Giving up 350 plus rushing yards to a team running all of 4 plays over and over, no adjustment in the whole half or rotation to help those guys who were getting hurt.
That’s all on our DC Grantham blew it big their
3.PENALTIES this has killed us since the 07 season and Richt actually publicly said it was okay, No excuses it costs us wins
Saban’s team used the offense that worked until we adjusted then used that adjustment to take that late play action shot for a TD. Their D while not always great adjusted to the situation and even forced several 3 and outs albeit we helped their D with poor strategy, and finally they don’t commit penalties at all because they have great discipline.
UGA’s great talent forced several amazing plays on athleticism alone that covered for the fact our coaches were outclassed in this game anyone who says otherwise is lying to themselves and ignored the game played right in front of their eyes on national television.
I appreciate the superhuman effort our players put out their but I don’t appreciate how badly the coaches let their team down in this game that’s all I’m saying. Not only should we have won but guys like Spurrier, Meyer, Miles, and Saban if they had our team they would have won that game. You can’t argue it because you all know it’s true.
Tide/Dawg
December 4th, 2012
2:48 pm
Can’t figure out the voting for BCS games. How do you finish second and play for the SEC Championship Game and drop 5 places behind 5 teams that weren’t good enough to play in the SEC Championship?
For all of the fans out there that are not SEC fans…..enjoy berating the SEC while you can because someday you may have to play an SEC team and that should shut you up.
Who is this JoeDawg person that has all of the answers to any problem. He certainly has a thing for Richt & Murray(a lady Tech fan hiding behind a Dawg moniker?) Of course GT wants to get rid of Richt because they can’t beat him.
Jimmy Crack
December 4th, 2012
2:48 pm
Wow, after that big tilt…
Trying to get pumped up for a team that just ate a 70-burger with onions…
Ridiculous.
Moist Dawg
December 4th, 2012
5:05 pm
Bama Girl, nobody here cares about your opinion on UGA football. I hope Notre Dame beats you by 40.
Now go poison a tree or something.
sflanagan21
December 4th, 2012
5:49 pm
Being a QB my entire life I would have wanted permission to spike the ball for the mere fact that it would give me time to settle my nerves and not make a quick pass that could result in a pick or what we saw in a tipped pass. Also our receiver coach could remind the receivers of what not to do. Give AM time to regroup after that emotional and fast paced drive and see where that throw goes 4 out 5 times…CRAP!!!
With that being sad, I’m not blaming anybody on that loss. Did we play/coach a perfect game no, did Bama play/coach a perfect game NO. That’s football people and if you have ever played it then you know everything doesn’t go as it’s written up on the play board. Both teams left everything they had in them out on that field! And for that I’m a very proud DAWG fan!!!
Think what ya want about our coaches but we have a VERY solid coaching staff and we have and still are recruiting some STUDS!!! We no longer have to rebuild like we had to in the past, we are simply going to have to reload. Our O is going to be one of the best in college football regardless if AM stays or go. Yea HM is going to have some bumps in the road but Gurley is going to be a year older, stronger and at least 10 pounds bigger. Marshall will prolly put on a little weight while he gets much more stronger. Our running game will be a force to be reckoned with and that will keep us in those close games. Sooner than later our new D will have it figured out, I say by week 3 or 4. If we can weather the early storm then we will be right back in the SEC CG in 13′. Our future is bright Dawg fans!!!
Kevin in Alpharetta
December 4th, 2012
8:23 pm
It was not pain I felt at the Dogs loosing in the SEC CG. And I am not trying to be funny, but it was closer to being traumatic. I know that it is true that the sun came up, Sunday morning, Monday morning, and also today. I know it was just a football game. I just cannot believe how I could, a grown man, a husband and a father, how could I react or why would I react this way to UGA loosing a football game? It is insane! Well, I’m not sure how long it will take me to get over that game. I imaging I will some day. But I do not think I will be able to watch Alabama play Notre Dame. If I do watch it I don’t imagin I will get any enjoyment out of it. It just hurts too much.
The Monger
December 4th, 2012
8:31 pm
Here is the letter I just sent Greg McGarity, who I believe relies on FACTS and reason, unlike you so called lunatic fans, that support and embrace LOSING the biggest games of the year EVERY year. IDIOTS. 3 friends also sent letters similar to this, but with a little different wording, as they are their own letters. Finally, we are uniting to get Richt out of town….Anyways here’s my letter to McGarity…
Hello Sir,
Mr. McGarity I have tremendous respect for yourself and the entire University of Georgia. I am a proud 2007 graduate, and a successful chef who contributes to the athletic association on an annual basis. I just want you to know that I have never been so ashamed by some of the so-called fans and alums of this University than I have since the loss to Alabama. I am at a loss for words as to why so many alums are proud of the loss, as well as the coaching staff. Correct me if I am wrong but how is giving up 520 yards of offense, including 350 rushing, something to be proud of. Especially, considering we have 9 NFL caliber players on our defense. I did not agree with extending Grantham and giving him a raise, and I still don’t. I just want you to realize FACTS about the program (that I know you know, but want to reinforce). Despite similar recruits, facilities, resources, and financial status, Nick Saban has only lost 5 games in the last 3 years, while Mark Richt has lost 13 games since 2010. The answer is clear as day…. Alabama is a well-coached, well-run, well-conditioned program with top notch atheletes striving to be their best. Georgia is under coached, under prepared, and can’t play with teams of similar stature in the SEC. It is evident by Mark Richt’s 1-11 record against teams that finished the season ranked since 2009. How can you justify paying 3 million a year for this ineptitude sir? I understand he is a good man with clean, Christian values, but are we not trying to win Championships. The nail in the coffin is the simple fact that Mark Richt has not delivered a Championship of ANY kind since 2005, 7 LONG years ago. How much longer do we have to wait sir? Despite top 10 recruiting classes every year, he fails to win A SINGLE big game (outside of the florida game, in which Georgia was given 6 turnovers to work with), and Alabama is yet another in a LONG list of failures in big games by this regime. I ask you humbly to please help the REAL supporters of UGA football, and bring us a staff that can not only compete every year, but win championships on at least a somewhat consistent basis. I was embarrassed of Mark Richt and the University at his childish outburst at the post SEC championship interview room, in which Richt stormed out of the room like a toddler have a temper tantrum, at a truthful evaluation from a reporter asking him about his meager record in meaningful games. I hope you evaluate THOROUGHLY the state of this coaching staff and the direction of this football program, which hasn’t won a championship in over 7 years, despite top 10 recruiting classes and millions of dollars from investors like myself being funneled into the athletic program. Thank you for listening, sir.
Sincerely,
Keith Thompson, Alum 2007
Sun Devil Dave
December 4th, 2012
8:46 pm
Note to Boo Boo – SPIKE THE DAMN BALL!
Sun Devil Dave
December 4th, 2012
9:03 pm
RaMaBaMa – I’m selling T-shirts that state: Save a Tree – Go Elephant Hunting
Hale C
December 4th, 2012
9:10 pm
F
FLA DAWG
December 4th, 2012
9:22 pm
“We spent ourselves in a worthy cause..”
What the hell kinda statement is that!?
The Dawgs gave it all they had – that’s a fact. More’s the pity.
We backed into The SECCG by a UF win over SC ONLY.
Richt has once again beaten one ranked team out of the three he played this season.
This is the closest Richt will have come to even playing in The Big One.
Regrettably, the man has ensured his job and that of Bobo for several more years.
Glad Dawg Nation is used to failure, because we’re going to see alot more of it.
FLA DAWG – TRUE DAWG FAN
Class of ‘79 and on the sidelines in N.O. in 1980.
The above is my opinion only.
The Monger
December 4th, 2012
11:04 pm
PLEASE FIRE MARK RICHT, MIKE BOBO, AND TODD GRANTHAM IMMEDIATELY!!!!!
doc
December 5th, 2012
4:25 am
Murray, did what he can do, he obviously was not wanted by Florida—-because he is from Tampa———–I never did figure out what a guy from Florida was doing playing quarterback for Georgia———–he is not mobile at all—he cannot run, he does not roll out very much——–he is an ok quarterback—-but he is not as good as Bama’s. Georgia needs a quarterback from the state of Georgia. Broken record here===no Georgia team without a quarterback from the state of Georgia ever won the SEC–Congrats on UGA winning the East though. Tough loss to Bama.
doc
December 5th, 2012
4:30 am
Note: Georgia did beat Florida 2 years in a row—-better than what has been happening in the past.
Parris in Dahlonega
December 5th, 2012
8:00 am
Looks like the Kool-Aid is flowing copiously again as dwagturds stick their heads in the sand and overlook the now brutally obvious fact that Mark Richt is simply not in the same class as the top coaches like Nick Saban.
And that’s not going to change.
Jim S
December 5th, 2012
10:18 am
Thanks Coach Richt, staff and Dogs for another great season. Can’t wait till the bowl game and then on to next year’s season.
Go Dogs!
reggie ball
December 5th, 2012
1:24 pm
Mark Richt or Mike Bobo for that matter make more money than Joe Douche, Alatmaha Douche, Stupid and tired, I-95 idiot and all the rest put together. At least buckeye has the sense to rip someone else’s team.
reggie ball
December 5th, 2012
1:49 pm
what FLA DAWG failed to mention is that herschel steamrolled him on the sideline in 80 and now his brain is damaged. Nowadays you have to be smart to get into UGA, in the 70s any spoiled daddy’s boy could get in. I guess Bama backed in too because they needed UF to beat A&M or else A&M would have been representing the west. I guess they should fire saban too.
reggie ball
December 5th, 2012
2:03 pm
keith does UGA have a culinary school? where are you a chef so people know not to eat there? What % of your 25K/yr salary are you donating to be so arrogant as to think McGarity cares what a 27yr old nobody thinks? People with your lack of intelligence and logical reasoning capacity are an embarrassment to all graduates of UGA.
GIGO
December 5th, 2012
4:10 pm
Wow…laughing at the Saban is better than Richt post…really?!? What gave you that idea? But does that make Richt garbage? Hardly. I’d rather have 10 grand than 9 grand, but doesn’t make 9 grand suck…is there anyone on this blog that isn’t an arrogant prikk. Man, use your brain people.
FLA DAWG
December 5th, 2012
5:43 pm
hey reggie ball,
How many ranked teams has Saban beaten in the past three years?
How many ranked teams has Richt beaten in the past three years?
Bama is not the team it was last season yet they still beat The Dawgs.
Bama is confident and cockey – you can get away with that when you win.
If you’ve never played ball then at least pick up a book on football before you write.
FLA DAWG
December 5th, 2012
7:33 pm
reggie ball
Still to stupid to respond?
Reading a book on college football I hope.
What was the UGA v SC score? (hint: 7 – 35)
What was the Texas A&M v Bama score? (fill in the blank and learn ___ – ____ )
By the way, the 1980 NCCG was a defensive game all the way.
Dooley played ground-pound ball and waited for ND to make a mistake.
And they did with a kickoff fumble.
We converted for a 17-10 win.
It was far from Walker’s best game – check the stats.
Once again you are wrong. Pick up a book and read if you are able to do so.
Bammer
December 6th, 2012
3:50 pm
Do you think it bothers us when you mention “The Trees”? I could care less about those trees and if they burned up or were struck by lightning tomorrow I would still sleep like a baby!
What’s funny is it’s mostly UGA turds talking about it…and they’re not even your trees. Although they are kinda like your stupid ass hedges you are so proud of.
FLA DAWG
December 6th, 2012
4:06 pm
The Monger,
Keith,
I couldn’t agree with you more.
Please let us know if you get a response – don’t hold your breath though.
Todd's Money
December 6th, 2012
9:11 pm
todd wants a big raise again, or he’ll act interested in other jobs