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September 6, 2009

Defeat

Let me start with the good. For those of you who didn't go to Stillwater, I have nothing but good things to say about OSU and their fans. I had heard Stillwater was the Starkville of the Big 12, but I found that was not remotely true. They had ample bars serving watered down beer and every Dawg I saw before the game was enjoying himself.

The Pokes were, without exception, courteous and good natured. Even after the game, they were respectful and gracious. The only knock I have on them, and I'm straining, is that they did the Orange Power cheer while Trinton Sturdivant laid on the turf with a season-ending (possibly career-ending) knee injury. The campus was surprisingly nice. Overall, OSU acquitted itself very well this weekend, both on and off the field. (Image: Athens Banner-Herald, Tricia Spaulding)
Now, let's get to the game. Considering the positions they were put in and the quality of the offense they were facing, the defense played well. They gave up only one score in drives of over thirty-two yards. Dez Bryant was held to only three receptions. His first TD catch was as good a play as you will see a receiver make all year. No shame in a great player making a fantastic catch to score. OSU ran the no huddle exclusively and, for the most part, the D held up well. The only complaint was that we dropped at least three balls that could have been picked off. Wasn't creating turnovers a emphasis in fall camp? We desperately needed one of those turnovers because after our first drive ...
The offense stunk. Turnovers. Sacks. Sacks with a turnover. Drops. Bad passes. No running lanes. We had it all. There's plenty of blame to go around. Cox didn't throw many good balls downfield and when he did, we dropped them. There was no apparent game plan. The offense tried several things, some of which succeeded, but stuck to nothing. Richard Samuel is a big, fast back, but he seems to find tackles rather than dodge or break them. I don't know if Caleb King is any better.

I do know that OSU was one of the worst defenses we'll face this year. The offense has to get much, much better. One thing that might help is to get the ball to our only playmaker more often. A.J. Green had four touches in Stillwater. If no other receiver is going to make opposing defenses play honest and take some coverage off of A.J., then give him some reverses and screens. He's the only real offensive threat, so build the offense around him.
Special teams were the usual mix of decent and terrible. Blair Walsh hit a career long FG, but kickoff coverage cost us seven points. Why we're returning kickoffs that are seven yards deep in the end zone is baffling. Even more baffling is that Okie State's kicker can kick it seven yards into the end zone and The University of Georgia can't find someone who can kick it there, despite three scholarship kickers.
While I'm complaining, the roughness penalty was absolute garbage. I doubt that it would have changed the outcome, but it was still a horrible call. The receiver had touched the ball and Reshad led with his shoulder into the receiver's chest. There was no helmet-to-helmet contact. It's a hard, clean hit. What was he supposed to do? Let the receiver go? (By the way, every official on the field thought that was illegal.)
I wasn't optimistic after last year, but over the summer I had managed to convince myself that the Dawgs would be competitive this year. I think I did too good a job of persuading myself. Every game on our schedule, except Tennessee Tech, is a potential loss.
I would have believed almost any final score, but I would have never believed that UGA would only score ten points on the Pokes. Nor would I believe that OSU would win comfortably after compiling a UGA-esque 15 penalties for 106 yards. Richt, Bobo, and Cox have a lot of work to do.

Quinton

P.S. Does every Big 12 school shoot off some sort of ordnance during their games? Piston Pete was firing off shotgun blasts at key points in the game. One of those came during game action as Cox rolled out on a play fake. I strongly urge Hairy Dawg to begin blasting a shotgun at our opponents during key plays. That might help restore an intimidating atmosphere in Sanford Stadium.

Also, I don't know when Paul will turn comments back on. (PWD: I just cut the comments back on. I stayed away from the internet after the game. Just remember if you are commenter, I'm deleting personal attacks on players and coaches, and I'm deleting excessive profanity. If you need to go that direction to express your feelings, try a message board.)

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Obviously couldn't handle that Big 12 speed.

Torque said...

Boone certainly had the money to handle the Big 12 refs didn't he. Referees certainly changed the outcome of that game. They handed you 2 TDs on BS calls. The bad spot on 4th down and the worst PF call on our safety of all time. You won though. We can't beat you and the refs too. Now GFY.

Trey said...

People who blamed this loss on the refs really should either stop watching football, or take a back seat and use a little more time to try to come up with a logical argument.

Anonymous said...

Big 12! Big 12! Big 12!

UGA would be a mid to lower tier team in the Big 12...South Division!

LOL!

Big 12! Big 12! Big 12!




(This was obviously a tongue in cheek post. I just hope ya'll realize how stupid that SEC chant is now.)

mitch said...

We had all offseason to prepare for them and what do we see? The worst offensive performance of the Richt era. And then we have to face a defense that is twice as good as the one we just played. There is some serious problems with this coaching staff and team.

Unknown said...

To add to what Quinton said about the OK State fans, they were amazingly nice. If you had a problem with their fans (non-students), the problem was likely you. Their gracious attitude pre-game and in victory was quite unnerving. I couldn't wait to get back to the SEC where we hate everybody and everybody hates us. All that hate keeps me warm.

Anonymous said...

I think the roughing penalty was called because of his after the play moves as opposed to the hit. It was a clean hit no doubt.

Unknown said...

As I told UGA and OSU fans after the game OSU beat us but the refs gave them 7-10 points. I was made about 1) PF flag 2) Cannon 3) spot on 4th down (can you not review in the big 12???) Every OSU fan was very nice, even the one that were having trouble walking. Now I just need my voice back.

Jman781 said...

What are your thoughts on Cox being our starting QB long term? I do not think the kid has what it takes. Murray or Gray are better options. I do not think a guy should start merely because he is a senior. He threw poorly and, even worse, made horrible decisions. I can excuse physical limitations, but for a senior to make mistakes like running out of bounds behind the line of scrimmage or holding onto the ball forever is inexcusable. I firmly believe Cox lost this game, flu or no flu. He's a good kid, but we need to look to the future.

Dubbayoo said...

I think Washaun has to play this year. Samuel is not the go-to guy and I don't think King will stay healthy. Like Quinton said he finds tackles, which I can't stand. When he sees a tackler he physically commits to taking that guy on while HE'S STILL 5 YARDS AWAY. If he's that far away break out a forearm and run around the guy. Thomas Brown did the same thing but Samuel doesn't have the leg strength to bowl over guys like Thomas did.

As far as A.J. goes keep in mind he was covered by one of the best corners in the country. He'll get his catches.

Anonymous said...

Where are the props for WM and his staff ? Why can the OSU kicker put it 7 yds deep and UGA can't ? why does UGA stop running the plays that work ? Where was that overpowering line ? Does UGA have a special teams coach ? Will MB escape his huge share of the load ?

Unknown said...

Guys,

We had 7 penalties for 58 yards.

They had 15 for 106 yards. The call was suck, but you'll be hard pressed to convince me there was a conspiracy given those stats.

Jasper said...

You have to admit those calls were critical. Both of them directly led to to TDs.

JaxJay said...

we gotta get a kicker, is it really that hard? I read somewhere we have 3 kickers on scholarships, why are we paying for kids to go to UGA if they can't kick it in the endzone, get us a soccer player if need be. Also, saying Cox doesn't have a great arm is an insult to people without great arms, he has no arm.

Anonymous said...

Quinton,

I could not agree with someone more about this game.

I really hope we get it together and quickly. I'll keep the faith.


Go Dawgs!

BIG ALBANY DAWG said...

Hey, the UGA Band was rocking. I could here them almost the whole game on the TV, (even though it seemed during the entire first quarter the camera man was filming from the blimp). Concur on Samuel. He seemed to fall down on or before first contact.

BIG ALBANY DAWG said...

I mean "hear"

Anonymous said...

The OSU fans were great. Willie's defense played a remarkable game. Officiating did not cost us the game....only, whiny excuse makers could come up with that. Grow up and man up....we got one or two bad calls....have we reviewed the ones they got?

I agree with most of the comments on the offense. I am hoping it was the flu in the case of Cox and that OSU's defense has suddenly become the Steel Curtain.

We have to be "man enough" Saturday night or it is going to be a long and ugly season.

Chip Wainginn said...

WE WANT LOGAN!!

Anonymous said...

We should have a little more faith in CMR. He deserves that given his record. I think he will make changes after SC game if offense continues to sputter.

Zazz said...

More "Grey"hound offense.
Great blog guys. Thanks.

SC's D must be frothing at the mouth...

Need a huge turnaround.

Anonymous said...

Not much to say if we can't say anything negative about the coaches...CWM aside, oh the irony

Anonymous said...

If the offense continues as such, CMR will not only be making changes after SC, he'll be 0-2.

Part of the program's problem is the inability to enact change. The issues on offense need to be addressed NOW.

80dawg said...

It was a tough loss! I do believe coach will make changes. If not, things will be rough. I would like to see our O-Line man up and play a complete game. Guys we do need to cut Joe a little slack! I know Matt was really good, but he too struggled with low coring games at times. In addition, we lost games where we scored 31 points. My biggest concern is our lack of consistent hardnosed play, period.

 
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