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DEL.ICIO.USGeorgia did just enough to win
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Lexington, Ky. — Elite teams win no matter what. So, despite looking ridiculous in a slew of ways on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium, Georgia alternated between surging and slumping throughout the chilly afternoon before somehow leaving town with a 42-38 victory over Kentucky.
Mark Richt had it about right after his Bulldogs rose to 8-2 overall and 5-2 in the conference after last week’s 49-10 ugliness at the hands of Florida. Said the giddy coach with memories of clutch Georgia plays on offense and defense down the dramatic stretch, “It’s a team game, and everybody did enough [to win]. These kinds of victories aren’t so bad.”
No, they aren’t, especially in the SEC, where survival often is more important than style. It’s just that, here’s something else about elite teams: They generally don’t flash all of these issues along their way to winning no matter what.
For Georgia, you had a blocked punt, a misplayed punt return by Prince Miller and an 18-yard punt by Brian Mimbs. You had Kentucky with a 96-yard kickoff return. You had two fumbles by wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi. You had a defense continuing its three-week run as a clueless bunch until the game’s final moments. You also had the Bulldogs showing a lack of focus, with half of their mind in bluegrass country and the other half on those Gators storming to that blowout.
Most Georgia players denied the latter, but only to a point. “I mean, the Florida loss was discouraging to us. That said, in this league you have to leave the games in the past,” said Demarcus Dobbs, among Georgia’s few slivers of light on defense in the midst of much darkness.
Let’s return to around the final minute, when Kentucky’s offense was stopped for one of the few times all game on fourth-and-two from the Georgia 26. The Wildcats got new life — with help. Georgia’s Jarius Wynn was called for a face-mask penalty that gave Kentucky first-and-10 from the Georgia 13 and hopes of overcoming its conquerable deficit.
Not good for Georgia. Remember: After relinquishing a total of 87 points in the previous two weeks against LSU and Florida, the Bulldogs operated against Kentucky as if they’d never seen an option offense before. That’s because they haven’t, at least not this year. “I really can’t remember when we ever played a quarterback who always thought of running first,” said Georgia sophomore linebacker Rennie Curran, referring to Kentucky’s Randall Cobb. Courtesy of his swift legs and Georgia’s porous defense, he became Randall Cunningham throughout this one, and Cobb was making only his second collegiate start.
Even so, Cobb rushed for 82 yards and three touchdowns. He also completed 12 of 20 passes for 105 yards. And there he was at Georgia’s 13 at the end, and he was dropping back for a screen pass.
Elite teams don’t flinch in such situations, even with mostly an invisible defense up to that point. Said Georgia junior cornerback Asher Allen, “No, it was never panic. The same motto was echoing throughout the entire team. It was like, ‘Let’s go. Come on, because we can do this.’ I was having flashbacks to my freshman year when we weren’t able to envision the defense making a stop in that situation.”
The defense did, with Dobbs ignoring casts on both arms to intercept Cobb’s pass with 46 seconds left.
This came nearly a minute after Matthew Stafford shrugged off an uneven day that featured overthrown receivers to find A.J. Green in the corner of the end zone with an 11-yard pass.
Just like an elite team.
Then again, Georgia is just a pretty good team.
Permalink | Comments (16) | Categories: UGA/SEC
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By Josh
November 8, 2008 7:28 PM | Link to this
You know, Kentucky’s not a doormat anymore, and UGA’s coming off that demoralizing blowout, so I’ll take the win and leave it at that. An elite team this is not, but how could they be with all the injuries? When Sturdivant, and then Owens went down, I knew this wasn’t the Dawgs’ year. You just don’t lose players of that caliber and run the table in the SEC East.
And the entire SEC is tough, top to bottom. How many upper-tier SEC teams have non-conference losses?
The Dawgs played hard and bounced back from horrendous loss. I’m proud of them for it. Hopefully they’ll build on this and run the table the rest of the way.
By Dr. Morpheus
November 8, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this
Get ready for the hostility from the faithful, TM- you love it.
I’m happy with a win and great days for #’s 7 and 24. Georgia still hasn’t had a complete game leaving one to wonder if they have it in them this year? Maybe they’re saving it for Tech… Auburn will also be tough so the Dawgs are not out of the woods’ but, they are 8-2.
By eyes
November 8, 2008 7:35 PM | Link to this
Exactly right. They looked ridiculous
By Hey Soose
November 8, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this
Amen. In the SEC, a win’s a win no matter how ugly.
By Brian
November 8, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this
Josh, you’re just as much a pansy as the rest of the defense…..I’m a UGA fan, but that defense is sub-par at best. Look what happened when we played 2 above par teams. Stop looking out your rose colored glasses you pansy. We won today, but had no right with the way Kentucky ran the ball all day. Thank goodness they had to pass at the end of the game or we’re screwed….If they had another minute, they would have marched into the endzone untouched…
Richt needs to challenge Martinez to tighten that D up. The bend don’t break D is a thing of the past with the power house offenses now……
By ugarulz44
November 8, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this
Moore— Stafford had a “uneven day”. I hardly call 376 yds, 3 TDs, 0 Ints. a uneven day. Defense was horrid but the offense played well. Its time to Free Willie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Skydawg
November 8, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
Elite team? Are there truly any elite teams? Its college football played by mostly 18-22 yr olds. But elite program, yes. How many teams have been ranked in the final AP top 25 poll since 1998. One, and guess who it is. The Georgia Bulldogs. Say what you will about how disappointing this season has been, no one will deny it. But since Mark Richt has been at UGA, only LSU had more wins before this season started in the SEC. That may have even changed after today. Georgia is a so-called “elite” program it you judge by those standards. Its just a tough conference to run the table especially with the key injuries the Dawgs have suffered.
But the Dawgs will bounce back. This team is still extremely young but still have a lot to play for this season. It may not be exactly where the goals were set, but that goes for many other teams around the country that would like to think they have an “elite” program.
By dawg in bama
November 8, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this
As long as w have Matinez we will never be elite. Please CMR fire that idiot before it is too late.
By Gator Man
November 8, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this
UGA looked weak this week after our drubbing last week but they are the team most Gators admire and envy the most. They are the class of the SEC and will find a way to win. We’d give anything to have a coach like Mark Richt and have facilities like those in Athens. What a history! Now, Go Gators but I’m pulling for the Dogs for the rest of the year too.
By Brian
November 8, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this
“You know, Kentucky�s not a doormat anymore…”
Florida 63 Ky 3
They’re just not OUR doormat.
By D'Marcus Jefferson, Kappa Alpha pledge at UGA
November 8, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this
For all the Hype this year, I’d say the UGA season is a JOKE. You got shellacked by Bama and the Gators. If Pudge stays next year and I was a defensive opponent, I’d be trying to push that arm up hard to tear a few tendons in his throwing arm! Make him go from a sure Number 1 pick this year to a Free Agent!
By Gene
November 8, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this
Georgia certainly remains in first place in personal fouls, and the last one against KY almost lost them the game. I don’t think Richt had anything to be giddy about.
By Delusional
November 8, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this
Funny,
When GA TECH blowouts MSU, its because MSU is an SEC doormat, now Josh is telling us the SEC is tough from top to bottom. Hmm. Makes me wonder what you fellas are drinking on Saturdays because I need some of that stuff to witness my TIDE win in OT!
By CatsFan
November 8, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this
I was front and center, and that was one hell of a fight, Dawgs. I mean, don’t get me wrong, your defense and special teams were a joke today, but we all have our days in the shade and for several reasons, you must admit coming to Lexington is no longer a walk in the park as it used to be. GOOOO CATS!!!
By georgia93
November 8, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
Say what you want but Richt needs to address the “Little Willie” issue. Since taking over the defense from van Gorder the defense has continually slipped into the abyss.
Should Richt NOT address it after the season - I give him 3 years before he’s gone. The inability of Little Willie to do his job is causing the meltdowns. The margin of victories continue to shrink and the blowouts are getting larger.
Quit being a sissy-boy Richt and do your job - do what’s best for the program and not your friends…otherwise you’ll BOTH be looking for a new job.
By Honesty
November 8, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this
UGA is nothing more than at best a 2nd tier team. With the expectations coming into this year, they have become the biggest joke in NCAA FB. They are overrated, and underachieving, and not disciplined. A disgrace to their college. Why do they constantly make the same mistakes over and over again and continue to beat themselves? They are actually a veteran team, so it must be the coaches? UGA needs to evaluate their current coaching situation and make changes.