I can pretty much give this same report about any Georgia-Florida game, save two, since Spurrier left. Georgia had its chances, but could never grab the game's momentum. An early red zone opportunity ended with two strange play calls and a missed field goal. A chance for a huge early turnover was nullified by a familiar penalty. A risky try for an onside kick failed miserably and gave the Gators a short field.
When the Dawgs found themselves back in the red zone before the half, it became a comedy of errors. A Knowshon run was perfectly diagnosed by the UF defense. Stafford and a wide open Tripp Chandler couldn't connect. On third down, the play went to a double covered Knowshon Moreno who saw the ball bounce off his chest and out of bounds. Blair Walsh's third attempt hit the upright so square that it sounded like a bell. A bell that tolled for the red and the black.
When the Dawgs found themselves back in the red zone before the half, it became a comedy of errors. A Knowshon run was perfectly diagnosed by the UF defense. Stafford and a wide open Tripp Chandler couldn't connect. On third down, the play went to a double covered Knowshon Moreno who saw the ball bounce off his chest and out of bounds. Blair Walsh's third attempt hit the upright so square that it sounded like a bell. A bell that tolled for the red and the black.
The second half started with promise, but after getting a Gator punt and driving into Florida territory, Stafford threw a crippling interception that was returned to the Georgia one. Tebow crashed in for the subsequent score. The game was over. The confidence and swagger of Georgia, so evident last year, remained stuck in last year. The game completely fell apart for the Dawgs after that.
Meanwhile, Florida scored. A bunch. Touchdowns, not field goals. Nevermind that Hayden grabbed A.J. Green to get position on the interception. Nevermind that Louis Murphy tugged Asher Allen's jersey to get open for a touchdown. The SEC and the BCS voters aren't going to remember the specifics. They are going to remember this: 49-10. The largest margin of defeat in the Richt era by a wide measure.
It's hard to overstate the disappointment of 2008, even if we win out. It's a season that will result without an appearance in the SEC Championship Game, much less the BCS Championship Game. This was to be a season for the ages from a team of extrodinary promise. Now the best possible outcome appears to be the Capital One Bowl against a nondiscript Big 10 team. Orlando seems a hollow consilation prize.
Quinton
Comments will be shut down for a few days starting sometime tonight. Message boards await all criticism.
57 comments:
I'm sure it still hurts more for the guys on the field, but all I can say is thank god for alcohol.
I am NO SHOW Moreno.
I am so arrogant. I am so arrogant that I went ahead and slapped a DIV 1 football coach on the rear after I just made a run. YES I went ahead and slapped Florida coach Charlie Strong on the rear after I ran the ball.
Thank God we got our butts handed to us on a plate 45-10 today.
I am NO_SHOW Moreno and I endorsed this message. 45-10? That was close.
Its your blog. Shut down comments if you like. But whatever would have been said, would probably be true. This is an embarassment. Fundamental changes MUST be made. Lets start in season by getting some young guys who might just play w/ some heart on the field. After the season, lets evaluate some of our coordinators and position coaches. Richt needs to put the wellbeing of the program above loyalty to his coaches.
Hey UGAY fan, CHOMP! CHOMP! CHOMP!
Celebrate that! Gators do it doggy-style!!!
Oh yeah, no SEC championship game for you! To bad so sad.
I mean, I'm only disappointed in how bad we lost. I told my dad before the game it would take us playing perfect to beat them playing good. Florida is SO good right now, and for whatever reason, we either show up as a perfect team, or a shoot yourself in the foot time and time again team. Richt needs to figure it out, because I'm getting tired of this. We are the Ohio State of the SEC. We falter on big stages. I predicted two losses after the injuries took place going into this year. This year is a disappointment, but we're not playing with the team that was picked to win the title. 1/4 of that team is on the sideline and out for the season. Richt laughing in his locker room interview... I don't understand it. Does it not hurt him like it hurts the fans? Does it not hurt him like it does the players. Like a loss hurts Tebow? I don't understand it. It just hurts.
Hey Georgia......You SUCK!!!
Bobo blows. Would not be a OC anywhere else.
Way to show up... I was looking for an entertaining game this afternoon but had to turn the channel around 3 minutes in the third quarter. Oh well, there's ways next year. We should have put 50+ on you. Chomp, Chomp!
To anon at 7:28...didn't your mom just die? That was funny.
I'll keep it simple.
Meyer > Richt. UGA fans dislike Meyer only because he has given Florida fans everything Richt has and more (Heisman/National Championship). Sometimes I feel Richt gets a slide because he is a "nice guy." Don't nice guys finish last?
SWEET!!! Got my AK and dead girl's Visa!!! Coke on Me!!!
Trey
...I don't understand it. Does it not hurt him like it hurts the fans? Wha. Does it not hurt him like it does the players. Wha. Like a loss hurts Tebow? I don't understand it. Wha. It just hurts. Wha wha wha!
Maybe Richt should cry after a game like Tebow did from the Ole Miss game. That seemed to help UF play better.
Maybe we can dump Ohio State to 0-10 vs. the SEC in bowl games . . . geesh. How does this ALWAYS happen?
GO DAWGS!
But damn, damn, damn!
Look on the bright side, UGA won the 1980 National Championship. Nobody can ever take that from us! Let's just all make a past to never progress beyond that magical season. Walker for Heisman!
Now, let the real celebration begin,
Florida 45 Georgia 10
Season over. So sorry guys. It sucks to be a dawg tonight.
It sucks to lose, but at least I don't wear orange & blue.
It's still great to be a Georgia Bulldog!
Gator fans get to celebrate victory thru the night while Dog fans drown their loss in their gin.
Final score:
Florida 45 Georgia 10
Anon at 7:40: No. I'll trade in the all-time win record if it means remaining a Dawg. Just when did y'all get on the bandwgon, anyway?
Shutting down the comments. Scared of the truth, huh? I bet most people would love to be able to turn off all critiques, even if they are the truth. The truth hurts, Bud. Turning off the comments won't change a thing...
It SUCKS to be a Bulldog anyday!!!
You know, if I'd just beaten my rival like a rented mule, I'd at least know the final score.
hey truth...guess you're a little slow. I'll say it slow.....comments....are.....on. Go to a real school and learn to read.
Duh.....I'm from a SEC school.
Words can't describe how disappointed I am. We got beat plain and simple. I have the class not to complain and whine on a UF board. There's no way I can expect the same out of the UF fans. I've been alive way too long to expect the same out of them.......I'm disappointed with the play calling, the matchups and the lack of lack of athleticism that our team exhibited tonight. I had to leave the house after Florida went up by 3 scores.....We are a much better football team than that and I wish we were able to prove it tonight. However, My wishes were to no avail....That being said, I'd rather be a Georgia Bulldawg than a Florida Gator anyday....
It's a pleasure knowing I will go to bed tonight and wake up tomorrow still a Georgia Bulldog. I thank god that I will never be called a Gator, Vol, or Tiger.
My Dawgs ... I love 'em ... I love 'em ... I love 'em ... No score, no game, nobody changes that ... I just love 'em ...
Still drinking, still hating everything in orange. Love my Dawgs. Go Dawgs!
Fellas, take the sophomoric comments to some message board. This thread should be for real analysis.
Here's what happened: UGA had a few fatal flaws. First, they failed to seize momentum early and score touchdowns in the red zone. And the only thing worse than settling for 3 is settling for 0. We also lost early momentum on the INT that was negated by a penalty. I truly believe that this could have been a different game (i.e., within 10 pts) if we play a mistake-free first half. Second, turnovers. We outgained UF in total yards, but gave them a short field to work with many times. Same goes for the failed onside kick. You'll look at the stats and realize that our D didn't play horribly. Not great, not even good, but certainly not horribly. Our offense moved the ball, often efficiently, but TO's killed us.
This doesn't mean that Richt, Stafford, Bobo, Knowshon, etc. should be replaced. Some perspective will do some of us a lot of good. It just means that at the most crucial time we played our worst game of the season. We could do nothing right, and all the breaks went UF's way. We've been on the other end of games like that (see AU 06, UA 03, GT 02), and it's great when you win them. When you lose, however, it can be crippling. Not just from a fan's perspective, but for the entire team if they don't turn it around. Our real worry is not firing a coordinator or reworking our scheme. It's with not laying an egg against UK, AU, and GT from here on out. Just like we gained momentum at the end of 06 and 07, we sure could lose it in a downward spiral at the end of 08. We need to circle the wagons and see to it that another loss doesn't happen.
Yes, 10-2 would be disappointing. Yes, we had hoped for better this year. You're absolutely justified to be discouraged about it. But the only thing worse than 10-2 would be 8-4, which is well within reach.
hey ANDREW..
You still fockin suck.
Wah, wah, wah.
These comments show how completely classless Gator fans are! Still Proud to be a Dawg! Go Dawgs!
I'm still drinking to forget, so my comments may dip below sophomoric to junior high, so all apologies (not really....I'd rather be a dead dog than an orange one)
First half....I was happy with the defense. If not for their play, the halftime score could have been worth. Good job all around.
Offense: O-Line, you are going to be feared...next year. I'm proud of the way they have played this year with so many problems, so I can see it getting only better. Coach Searles...please don't go.
Red zone: WTF???
Blair Walsh....hurry up and don't be a freshman.
Defense: You can only ask for as much secondary as you can hope for. I'd rather have one Asher Allen than him give half of his talent to the other side.
And Gators, you're proving that you're still classless. Thanks!
Thanks for negating everything people have been saying about class, Jason. Way to reduce yourself to their level. Do us all a favor and stop being a Georgia fan. We don't need your BS.
Everything felt weird today. Gxtra was offline, Scott Howard was making weird remarks; I don't know, I just don't know. I still feel weird, like I'm going to wake up tomorrow and it'll be Saturday. Trick or treat. Go Dawgs.
anon 8:33:
Q: Has Tebow ever touched a child's penis?
A: Yes.
Thanks for playing
I have to say that i am very upset. I hate fla with a passion but I wish we had one guy, just one with the love for the school that Tebow does. I hate Tebow but he does love the Jort University. I know Knowshon has got alot of pride but it isnt in UGA its in his play. We need a leader and an O coordinator. I think the d did fairly well till it was too late. Stafford played awful. Yes there were several bad call that probably gave them a touchdown or three but we didnt even looked pumped. Im no where near as atheletic as our stars but id have poured my hart into this game and let it show that i blead for the dawgs. I think it is a statement that most of UGAs fan base is taking this harder than the team. All this being said Stafford and Moreano better damn well be back next year to redeam theirselves. I will always be a bulldawg and will always hate florida. And gaytors we will see you next year and teblow will be gone!!! I say we breakout the dancing shoes next november.
Jason, if we were at a bar and you said that, I'd hi-5 you if I was over the limit. But don't post it! I think that's all anon 8:33 is saying.
In a weird way, I've never had a hatred for Tebow. He's never talked trash, he plays b/c he loves the game, and he's only shown his love for his team when they're down. Don't get me wrong, I'll hate the Gators forever, but if I saw a Dawg like that when they lost, I'd feel better about the next week, instead of being nervous about abother team in orange next week. Dammit.
Based on the pic of Jason's blog, he and Teblow should get along just fine.
Next year Stafford, Knowshon, and probably Asher will be gone. After this next draft, their will be a rookie salary cap. So this year will be the last for big money rookie signing bonuses.
Tebow will come back next year. He doesn't have an NFL arm and playing at FU will be the highpoint of his athletic career.
So next year the Dawgs will come in led by Cox and King against a fully intact Gator team (with the possible exception of Harvin opting for the NFL).
www.firebobo.com
You know we have a good football team here in Athens fellas. We have got a TON of Talent. We have agreat head coach. Yes many thought this might be our year but things change. Our running back is outstanding but still young. We have a Pro qb that a couple nfl teams would start right now. We have a great freshman kicker that has just hit a rough patch, he really hasnt missed real bad yet rom inside the 50. Our offensive line was just at their senior prom a year ago. Many of our more talented linema are out for the year. Our best reciever is a freshman. If our team had a lil more experiene we would be smacking them around. Look at Mo Mass, he played a great game today, hes a senior. Also look at the three big awful calls. 1st we have a 3rd down for fl that they reviewed and it was for sure a yard short yet they say first down( giving uf a touchdown) 2nd the no call on defensive pass interferance, it was blatantant and they took it back. 3rd we have the reciever puling on ashers jersey yet another no call giving them a touchdown. Thats three touchdowns. Those three plays broke the teams will and essentialy caused staff to throw three picks. There isnt anybody in the country gunna beat Fla when they are given two much less three touchdowns. NOBODY. Yes we played sloppy and hartless but that deffinately contributed.
I guess my earlier comment was censored...I don't agree with it, but I'm not the moderator of this blog. Maybe I should leave a nicer comment.
That being said Jay's comment only validates the lack of class that the majority of Florida fans have. I think his post speaks for itself.
Go Dawgs
I take that earlier comment back, I don't think that the moderator censored my earlier comment. I think that my computer screwed up and just didn't send it to the server. Sorry for any mixups.
Yeah, you're right, Jason. I guess most every pediatrician is a child molester too?
I stand by what I said. Take your BS and go be a Florida fan. We don't need you.
I'm really tired of this repeating itself every year. While I am not saying that everyone needs to be fired, some things need to be changed. The team lacks focus. There is no reason why Saban, Miles, Meyer, Fulmer, and Spurrier should have National Championships and not Richt and UGA. What's the deal? While SEC Championships are nice, UGA has not finished #1 in 28 years. Heck, even GT has at least tied for #1 since then. While UGA has a ton of wins this decade, they squander talent and lose games they should win. A preseason number 1 (whatever that means) team should not lose to Florida and Bama by a combined score of 90-40.
I'm just tired of defending the Dawgs year in and year out. Pick an excuse:
1. Injuries. They happen.
2. We're just not lucky.
3. The media is against us.
4. We're young. Wait until next year (my favorite).
Well I'm waiting and have a feeling that I'll be waiting a while...
Those Dawg fans in denial. Feel free to send your excuses to this Dawg fan...I will always be a Dawg fan but I am tired of living in the distant past.
I am a dawg fan not living in the past. Im 25 and have not seen us even get close to a national title. ershel was before my day. In my honest opinon I didnt see this year as our year. We have a hell of a schedule. Next year isnt much better schedule wise but I could see us in the hunt at the end of next season. Im not in denial, I just have hope. I am a Braves fan also and it seems we are their football equivalant but the Bravos won it in 95. Now look at em, I just hope and pray this doent happen to the dawgs
We have suffered from a number of things this year but freak injuries are the only ones we can't control. A number of issues need to be addressed:
1. Lack of fire in the belly and focus
2. Execution on both sides of ball
3. Coordinator issues: philosophy and play calling
4. Did I mention execution?
5. Focus going into the home stretch
The play-calling has always been suspect at times under Richt. His call for a penalty against Florida last year was absolutely genius because it ignited a fire under our tails we hadn't seen in quite a while. Maybe the amount of class that Richt has, the amount of respect for his opponents, no matter who they are, is holding him back. Clearly, that dip in the stick-it-to-em pool he took last year was not enough to carry over to this year.
You have to give him some credit for attempting the onside kick, just on principle, but clearly the timing was ill-advised and that is the judgment that worries me as we look into the future. Richt has done tremendous things for our program in the years that he has been here in terms of publicity, resources, etc. He just hasn't executed when execution is necessary. This is carrying over to the team, who is one of the most talented we have seen in years. We will continue to recruit nationally ranked players and continue to be very talented. The improvement needs to start up front with the coaches.
I think the problems lie with the coordinators. I love our Pro-Style offense and would be livid if we jumped on the Spread bandwagon. Pro gives us the hard-nosed, hit-em-in-the-mouth, battle in the trenches football that the SEC is renowned for. The balance we have on offense is amazing, but we just don't execute when we need to. Today was a perfect example. The two missed TD passes could have easily affected the momentum of the game if they had been properly executed.
Willie Martinez is a great coach and has proven he can get our guys ready, but the last two games have me scratching my head. Why are they not executing? Credit has to be given (regretfully) to Florida because they were so fast. But we missed a bunch of assignments that led to some big plays (see wide open TD pass to Harvin). Our D clearly did not have the fire in their belly they did last week. We looked complacent, skittish, and timid in our Zone assignments which let Florida walk down the field. I've always had issues with Willie's Zone D, but thats another story.
On the topic of play calling, Bobo/Richt always seem to make the weirdest calls at the wrong times. What was up with that first possession? The past couple games, our first play was always a deep throw down the line to MoMass or Green. I was looking for it, but we got that little play up the middle that didn't give any positive yards at all (if I remember that correctly). Way to set the tone on that one.
The dream season may be over, but we still have huge games to play. We can't lose to anybody else. A loss to Auburn or Kentucky would be embarrassing, and we can't overlook Georgia Tech and Johnson's triple option offense. We didn't defend Florida's few option plays today and that worries me going into the Tech game. Plus, we will never hear the end of it if we lose to Tech after being the pre-season #1...
With that said, we have to Hunker Down and stay focused because the year is not over! We need to survive and then get healthy and retool the mechanics during the offseason.
Go Dawgs!
Fallingshortagain...I understand your pain...trust me. But those coaches? I'll take Richt...Saban: 1 and gone, Miles: inherited Saban. Meyer: inherited again and will probably gone after another. Fulmer: 1 in about 15(?) years? Spurrier: classless and wears orange. Let me throw another in there...Dooley had his first NC in over 15 years, and Richt's still ahead of him in SEC and overall wins after the # of years he's been there so far. I'll still take Richt over any of the above. Now Bobo...that's something else. We missed our chance to get Muschamp to come home, and I don't really know any OC's who don't have head coach jobs waiting for them instead. And how do you find someone that will coach MR's system? Ask how Tuberville feels about new system coach's. Anyone?
A little ray of hope on a dark, dark night:
Washon Ealey on Friday night - \
5 carries, 82 yards, 3 TD's.
2 catches, 56 yards, 2 TD's.
That's 7 touches, 138 yards, 5 TD's.
Please, Mark, don't bring the red-shirt.
I have a question that I itching to ask. Last year richt set the tone with a celebration this year do you think the onside kick set the tone? I think florida saw it aswe are scarred of them and we have to score NOW. I think the dawgs saw it as coach doesnt think we can stop em on d. I think it was a weak call and hurt us worse than just the yardage.
Bulldog movies playing in Athens:
Sleepless in Jacksonville 1:00, 3:45, 7:00
Gone with the (UF) Win 2:30, 4:45,
8:30
Gone in 60 minutes 1:15, 4:00, 7:25
Alligator 1:00, 3:30, 6:00, 8:30
Let me clarify, I would not replace Richt. Ever. The coordinators are a completely different story, especially CWM. Bobo's offense, coming in to today, was ranked at the top of the SEC. Execution has been more of an issue, Bobo doesn't miss open receivers. Bobo doesn't throw INTs. Bobo doesn't fumble. Bobo doesn't miss FGs. Focus. Out team is full of studs, but yet we lose 90-40? We should've at least been close. Somethings just not right.
I love Richt. By implying we are living in the past, I am merely frustrated by the arguments week in and week out that the national media favors teams like Florida, Oklahoma and USC over UGA. Unfortunately, until UGA wins the big one, we'll be seen in a skeptical light. I'm just frustrated. That's all...
@Baxter:
Muschamp?
Are you watching Texas Tech burn him a new one?
I don't think we will ever overcome the media's bias for teams like Texas, USC, Florida, etc. The traditional SEC game will continue to be disrespected because we don't put as many points on the board as those other teams. With that said, I will take that disrespect if it means watching some hard-nosed football every Saturday in Athens. I hate games that are shootouts. I wouldn't mind seeing the score run up on some teams, but I like a close game. It means more when you fight hard and win rather than walk all over a team. We just need to get over that hump and stick it to a USC or a Texas Tech-type team.
All I can say is Go 'Bama for the rest of the year. They are in the position we were suppose to be in and I don't hate them as much as I hate Florida.
nrbq...no...still drunk from the cocktail slaughter.
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