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Home > Jeff Schultz > Archives > 2008 > August > 30 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.US‘All right. 1-0. That’s good’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Athens — Given the seven months of delirium that led up to the opening kickoff, maybe it’s not surprising that perspective was already obliterated Saturday.
A quarterback throws for 275 yards and two touchdowns. Then he laments his overthrows and underthrows. A defense blanks an opponent for most of three quarters. Then some complain about missed assignments.
A team leads 10-0 and 24-0 and 38-0 and snuffs the drama out of the game so early and so emphatically that the only thing left to wonder is how Uga VII will handle being center kennel. (Answer: About like you would expect: He fell asleep.)
One game. One win. Thirteen Saturdays of nitpicking left?
“It has been hard,” Georgia center Chris Davis said Saturday when asked about handling expectations. “My family is diehard Georgia fans. Every time I go home Sunday night for dinner it’s always like, ‘You better not disappoint us.’ I’m like, ‘Gee, thanks guys.’ ” And pass the potatoes.
Seven months after drilling Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl to close last season and two weeks after this bandwagon jumped the rails when the Associated Press dubbed thee, “No. 1,” the Bulldogs opened the season with a 45-21 win over Georgia Southern. At least, I think they won. Postgame analysis would have you believe some wonderfully choreographed debut mutated into a tragic opera.
Mark Richt began his postgame comments simply: “All right. 1-0. That’s good.”
Then he broke into “La Traviata.” Foolish penalties. Drops. Overthrows. Missed assignments. Sloppiness. And my personal favorite, “The first punt snap was shaky.” I think later in Act III, somebody gets stabbed in a duel and survives, only to have his love interest contract an awful disease and die in his arms.
Is this what it’s going to be like all season?
“As coaches, when things don’t go the way we want, we get bent out of shape,” Richt said. “But it’s good to get the victory.”
This was game one. Teams are not supposed to be perfect yet. The idea is to get better as the year unfolds. The idea is to get better after dispatching a 1-AA opponent when you play Arizona State and Alabama and Tennessee.
You know what would have been a problem Saturday? If the Bulldogs had come out against Georgia Southern and not led 10-0 and 24-0 and 38-0.
To struggle against an inferior team would suggest players, like fans and media, had lost focus. To open the season with first-half turnovers and costly penalties would throw significant doubt on what this team can achieve.
Instead, Georgia did just the opposite.
Yes, it got sloppy in the second half. But heat and humidity and the lack of any semblance of a challenge by the opponent will do that.
“We know we’re good. Everybody knows we’re good,” said defensive tackle Corvey Irvin. “It’s just about going out and showing it every week. Coach Richt has been real big about reminding us to not buy into the hype.”
The Bulldogs ended last season as the No. 2-ranked team in the nation. They ran onto the field as a No. 1-ranked team for the first time since 1982 (before losing to Penn State in the Sugar Bowl).
Did it feel different playing a game as No 1? Of course. It had to.
“I could definitely tell the atmosphere was different,” Davis said. “The fans were a little more riled up.”
Said Stafford, “It was loud when they called out, ‘We’re No. 1.’ That was kind of cool. But other than that, it feels just like another season. You’ve got to grind. It’s a long year in the SEC.”
The Dogs won the national title 28 years ago. They started that season ranked only 16th. But Herschel Walker ran over Bill Bates at Tennessee and things just kept building. Lindsay Scott ran over logic in Jacksonville. Notre Dame was dropped in the Sugar Bowl.
When a team starts low and climbs, it avoids some of the pitfalls of expectations. Start the season No. 1, and it’s a little different. People look for flaws.
Here’s a thought: When a team leads 38-0 in the third quarter, it’s not worth the analysis yet.
Permalink | Comments (125) | Post your comment | Categories: UGA/SEC
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By Frank Lane
August 30, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this
I agree. This could have easily been a 55-0 or worse game. The dogs were called off.
Green showed us what he has. Other receivers looked good. Stafford and Cox looked good. The first two units on defense looked good.
Things will be fine.
By GM
August 30, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this
Most dog fans are ignorant.
By Coopdawg
August 30, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this
Can anybody give me an idea why Samuel went in before King today? I know the competition has been heated but I thought he was listed as no. 2 heading into the day.
Overall, I think we looked great. Stafford did miss a couple of deep ones. If he could have put some more air under the one to Mo Mass and lifted the ball a little higher on the sideline to A.J. that would’ve been pretty much a perfect day.
I’m so excited about this season. My little daughter, 3 months old, and I watched the game together today on TV.
GO DAWGS!!!
By heyberto
August 30, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this
c’mon Jeff…if Richt wasn’t being honest about what he saw, you’d guys say they were getting caught up in being #1. If they’re going to be #1, they have to strive for perfection. Richt has it right. It’s like Bull Durham… “Aren’t you going to let me enjoy the moment?” “the moment’s over”… time to go to work.
By Cuz
August 30, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this
Read the title put up by the AJC and came looking for axe markings of a hatchet job. Instead I found a good article with some of my similar feelings, thanks Jeff.
Yeah we could have pulled a Spurrier UF team, left in all the starters to keep Southern from scoring but why? So ESPN will love us? Won’t happen.
We unleashed the Dawgs of War, put in the guys that needed game experience and came out with a W and the confidence we need when it comes to gut check time. Nice to know if someone ala Knowshon goes out, we just reload and keep going.
Great showing Dawgs, next up Central Michigan. And those guys could probably beat the U of Michigan, after today anyway.
Still no love from ESPN, almost ten minutes postgame OSU, three minutes or less for the Dawgs. Makes me want to say, EARN IT, PROVE IT, TAKE IT! GO DAWGS!
By Coach BoBo
August 30, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this
The UGA-Ga Southern game was closer than the Tech-JSU game.
By doug
August 30, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this
Good enough doesn’t cut it when you are the #1 team in the land.
Once again our defense let us down. There is no way GSU should have scored 21 pts. After USCs destruction of UVA today they will be #1, OSU beat their 1AA oponent worse than we beat ours. And UF broke 50 against Hawaii. We will be lucky if we only drop to #4. But then, perhaps, that is where we really belong. #1 for one week, what a great relfection of our universtiy. Coach Richt has to understand that when #1, one must show no mercy. If this is a good enough win for him then his teams don’t belong at #1.
By Alex
August 30, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this
Jeff,
I have to say after watching the offense attack the defense over and over again with vertical, low-percentage plays and look very good in doing it I am highly encouraged about the offensive prospects this season. Off hand, I can’t think of many pass plays that were between 10 and 20 yards (routes at least). With that said, what Stafford accomplished today is even more impressive.
I also feel confident that as the season progresses and the defense calms down they will be as stout as ever. Of course there are some early season kinks to be worked out.
On a side note, I expect to see a different offensive game plan next week. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the offense run considerably more and throw short passes so that South Carolina, Arizona State, Alabama and Tennessee see a different scheme to plan for. Maybe we’ll get to see Logan run the spread option some.
By BobDog
August 30, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this
I’m very pleased with what I saw. Some things to work on, but anyone who thinks they would come out flawlessly is kidding themselves.
My wife was in grad school during their great years (with Richt as OC). We went to most games then and I got so sick of the spoiled fans who complained if they didn’t have the opponent put away by halftime.
Folks, let’s enjoy the moment and don’t lose touch with reality.
By GM
August 30, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this
UGA has beautiful women, better uniforms than Tech, yet more ignorant fans. Nothing else was learned from this game.
By Dawg
August 30, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this
They aren’t going to drop Georgia in the rankings, you have to lose before they’ll do that. Pay attention.
By GM
August 30, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this
Pay attention? Georgia could easily drop to #2 this week. The ballots were so close it only takes a couple changes for Ohio State or USC to jump to #1. I’d look to see UGA #2 in at least one poll, but it doesn’t really matter with 11 or 12 games to play.
By GM's Daddy
August 30, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this
I know I’ve raised an idiot for a son. I knew I shouldn’t have messed around with my sister.
By wallace
August 30, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this
I was not at the game, but listened to it on the radio. The things that hurt me most was the twenty one points put up by Ga Southern and the loss of Owens. It seems that the Dogs are having a lot of injuries sooner or later it has to come back to bite them. We have a long way to go let us enjoy the ride.
By Eric
August 30, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
I’m starting to think Georgia maybe cursed, first Uga dies, then they lose their best offensive lineman, now they possible lose arguably their best defensive lineman in Jeff Owens.
By Cuz
August 30, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
We lost Jeff Owens possibly for the season. How many defensive starters would you give up to put Southern away without them scoring. Two, three, give me a break. Georgia Southern left the game with some great consolation prizes, three touchdowns and a half a million dollars. We still got the win.
By reality check
August 30, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
If you’re going to type a whinny butt comment on here, GO ASK YOUR MOM TO PUT YOU TO BED.
A comfortable win against a meager opponent is not going to change the rankings.
Games against ASU, UT, LSU - those will change the rankings.
At the end of this season, there will not be one single voter in the gall dern universe looking back at the Georgia Southern victory and voting us down because of it.
To suggest otherwise is absolutely idiotic.
But since ya’lls are idiots, let the idiocy commence anyway.
By GM
August 30, 2008 7:53 PM | Link to this
I knew it wouldn’t take long to get under someone’s skin. #2 buddy!
By D-Cider
August 30, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this
Owens’ injury is troublesome. As far as the rankings go, things will start getting sorted out when ohio st. plays USC in a couple of weeks.
By Fahim
August 30, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this
Coopdawg…..congratulations on your newborn daughter…it has to be really special watching a Georgia football game on a beautiful saturday afternoon with her in your arms….someday i’ll hope to have that same special bond :)
Best wishes to you and your family on many other Bulldog Saturdays!!!!
By GM
August 30, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this
Whinney butt comment? I’d say the comment about not getting ESPN love is the best one so far.
By Cuz
August 30, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this
GM, I expect no love from ESPN. That was my point. Or is sarcasm lost on you?
By dawg
August 30, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this
Schultz, you’re a moron.
By gm buddy
August 30, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this
your not under our skin gm your under our feet…..way under…we can sense an insect a mile away in athens town…nice to have you nerds join us on the # 1 blog in the country…stayed tuned to georgia football we like to educate tech fans on the game…..your wishbone did look good though…just suggest you play it on saturedays…middle school teams play on thursday..before the high school games…enjoy the georgia blogs the rest of the year…glad to have ya
By Doc
August 30, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this
Fahim, I don’t want to know about your dreams of Coopdog and a special bond.
By coopdawg congrats!
August 30, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this
yes coopdawg congratulations!!!! gm ,,,,,,is my daughter she is sittin next to me watching the tide roll!
By 555dawg
August 30, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this
Richt did the right thing. This one was under control early. Give as many players experience as you can. Yep, they made some mistakes and gave up some points. That’s how you learn and get better. With key injuries on both sides of the line, I’m glad a lot of these pups got their feet wet.
GO DAWGS!!
By brent musburger
August 30, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this
msuburger made an interesting comment on abc….”sec ready to defend another national title, as middle of the road alabama is barely an underdawg to acc favorite clemson”…alabama doesn’t look like the underdawg right now! and i agree gm is somebody’s daughter or uneducated mother one
By simple minds
August 30, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
georgia’s second and third string made the mistakes and gave up the points…get real…half those kids were in high school last spring….not one thing wrong with the game…injuries are ashame but they happen…plenty of players will step up….richt has a hoss in caleb king and samuel looked impressive for a true freshman…great to see kris durham make some big plays and aj green is a stud
By cumberland conference
August 30, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this
clemson will do well once the atlantic…cumberland…conference schedule begins…..on the tech blog a couple of days ago two of the insects kept talking about how the yellow jackets beat cumberland college 222 to 0 back during the roosevelt years(teddy)….now thats hilarious!sounds like even paul johnson’s defense will prosper against that schedule
By GM
August 30, 2008 9:23 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the welcome, but I stand by my ignorant comment about Dog fans. Didn’t see any wishbone from Tech Thurday. #1 blog in the country is really something to be proud of.
By kinda looked like ga. - ga. tech game
August 30, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this
tech fans would have been happy to stay within 24 pts. of us right now thats for sure..heck alabama is already up 17 on the acc’s best…or at least the first acc team to grace the top 10 in a long time!!!!
By by cumberland conference
August 30, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this
your right for standing by your ignorant comment!!!it was ignorant! didn’t take long for us to tell you were a tech fan trying to explain football…..enjoy your dad
By proud blog
August 30, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this
we are a proud blog..proud to have beaten the # 2 team in the state of georgia on this beautiful saturday
By proud blog
August 30, 2008 9:42 PM | Link to this
i resent the idea that ga. southern is # 2 in the state of georgia i think if we played well we could beat them…course i play for morehouse
By fooseball
August 30, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this
no offense guys i really think the undercover tech fans think we are talking fooseball
By darrell starks
August 30, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this
I NO INJURY IS PART OF THE GAME BUT TO MANY IT WILL BE IMPOSIBLE TO WIN A NATIONAL CHAPIONSHIP WITH THE BRUTAL SCHEDAULE THAT THE BULLDOGS HAVE. GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!
By by gm buddy
August 30, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this
gm no kidding its all in fun you are welcome on this blog anytime, i personally think tech will be good this year not just later and possibly contend for the conference title..as for the wish bone comment… the wish bone just has more “options”..the option is very difficult to defend if a team has the personnel to run it…and we will have a tougher time defending against tech because of it..look at what nebraska did to fla. running the option in the orange bowl under osborne..something like 56-14
By tech fan
August 30, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this
you know jeff shulz kinda looks like a typical tech fan..wonder if he picks his nose too?
By stafford 275 yds
August 30, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this
i guess if stafford had have played every snap he would have passed for 550 yds…not a bad day it could have been 222-0
By GM
August 30, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this
I’m enjoying getting all the attention on this blog. Now if I could just get some ESPN love, I’d be complete.
By Jamie
August 30, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this
We did exactly what we needed to do! Get the O-line some reps, break the ice with the baby Kicker, Give AJ the Ball, and build some depth in the backfield. The End Result….O-line did great, 57 nailed a 52, AJ got a TD, and King out gained Moreno! Go Dawgs!
By Jamie
August 30, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
We did exactly what we needed to do! Get the O-line some reps, break the ice with the baby Kicker, Give AJ the Ball, and build some depth in the backfield. The End Result….O-line did great, 57 nailed a 52, AJ got a TD, and King out gained Moreno! Go Dawgs!
By Cuz
August 30, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this
GM, get used to it, the preseason and current number one team cannot get any love on ESPN. I expect it, congradts on your first victory in the Johnson era. Here is hoping he shakes up the ACC and gets the conference back to where it used to be. Go Bees, sting em. Win the ACC, we win the SEC, the entire state will be proud.
By Dawg4Life
August 30, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
Jeff, I know it is early to predict, but it appears to me that Samuel appears to have many of the same qualities at RB as Moreno. Then King is lightening quick. It is also unbelieveable to me that this team keeps pulling in top notch QBs. Grey is a stud, and can’t wait for Mett and Murray in a couple years. It appears Richt is now built what appears to be what Pete Carroll and USC has (QB1 after QB1, and RB after RB).
By GM
August 30, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
stafford 275 yds: your comment could not be more silly or insignificant.
Thanks for all the comments about my relatives. Again, most Dog fans are ignorant. Pay attention, I wrote “most” Dog fans, not all.
By GM
August 30, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
Cuz: VT went down today, Clemson looks weak (or Bama looks scary), BC lost Ryan and many others. Could be another nerd-fest at ACC championship - GT versus Wake. I agree with you, but Dawgs have a tougher road, even if they have the better team.
By oldbird
August 30, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this
Folks, I’m a Dawg alum and fan for over 40 years. We learned nothing today. We played a division 1AA opponent that teaches you nothing about the quality of your team, unless you are 2007 Michigan. Next week will be a marginally better measure, considering CMU has won the M AC two years in a row. Truthfully , we won’t know squat until we play S.C. I hate opening with weak opponents. After watching tonights game, I am suddenly afraid of Bama.
By Ken
August 30, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this
The DAWGS have started the season slow the last couple of years and you see what it cost us after dropping that game to SC in 07. CMR is trying to get it going early this time. GO DAWGS!
By March Hare
August 30, 2008 11:10 PM | Link to this
I hated it that the Dawgs came in ranked #1 but not because they don’t deserve it. They do. But the job holding that position will be harder than if they had come in ranked a little lower and then had the space to climb in the polls.
Coach Richt will have his hands full keeping this pack of Dawgs focused.
By TheItalianDawg
August 30, 2008 11:31 PM | Link to this
yeah the score could easily be 70-0. Jeff,could you please tell me whats the story behind Caroll of USC keeping his first team till the end and they were ahead 52-7, and the crazy ego Urban Mayer calling fake punt and Florida was ahead 35-0. and Oklahoma coach is also a piece of crap trying to run up the score on chattanooga
By To Tell The Truth
August 30, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this
I am UGA. I am the #1 team in the country. I am UGA. I am not the #1 team in the country. I am UGA… I don’t care if I’m the #1 team in the country. I’m smart enough to know it is too early in the season to matter.
By oldbird
August 30, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this
were you around when tech beat cumberland 222-0 sounds like it….gm tell me wouldn’t you be excited if your team was # 1 ..not a cut down either…let us enjoy it ….with our schedule it probably won’t last ..hope it will but probably not
By GM
August 30, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this
oldbird: I have never made any comment about cumberland 222-0. In fact, if you review my blogs, I’ve said very little.
Yes, I would be excited if my team were #1. I agree, you should enjoy it. SEC schedule really looks tough for Dawgs. Good luck to you. SEC Champ absolutely deserves to play in title game.
By Cuz
August 30, 2008 11:57 PM | Link to this
The Italian Dawg, Olbird, Ken and Jamie want to thaank the hundreds of Dawg-Nambla fans for todays awesome rally at Morris Hall, literally a Blast, and we raised both Awareness and money for our great cause. So what if ESPN doest think the Dawgs are any goo, its what we feel that counts…and we are a top 50 team most definately. Great to see us together again.
By Denver Dawg
August 30, 2008 11:57 PM | Link to this
The facts:
(1) Georgia vs GSU 45-21 (2) OSU vs Youngst. St 43-0 (3) USC vs Virgina 52-7 (4) OU vs Chattano. 57-2 (5) UF vs Hawaii 56-10
Georgia’s defense gave up more points than all the other Top 5 teams COMBINED! That’s including TWO Div. I opponents!
Only ONE team scored less points. TWO scored more points against Div I oppponents.
Peak performance EVERY week = a champion
SHUT UP WITH ALL THE EXCUSES. THESE TEAMS DON’T HAVE TO MAKE UP ANY. THEY PERFORMED AT PEAK LEVEL TODAY. Georgia did not! Period. It felt like a loss to a lot of Georgia fans for a reason - we’re realizing this team’s playing with the mentality more like the one from the 1st half of last season, not the last half.
By 555dawg
August 31, 2008 12:03 AM | Link to this
SEC is gonna kick everyones butts. Whoever is left standing will be the National Champ. This is gonna be fun. GO DAWGS!
By GM
August 31, 2008 12:04 AM | Link to this
So, Denver Dawg, do you think UGA drops in polls?
By GM
August 31, 2008 12:06 AM | Link to this
Dever Dawg and I were lovers for two years,, and spent summers at Cuz, Zeb and Casey-Tiffanys over at Peidmonts Waffle House. These UGA Boys wont last the season, soft offensive line, not tough enough on defense, as a patsie drove down the field on us several times. Sportscasters were all agreeing that Oklahoma, USC were #1.
By GM
August 31, 2008 12:10 AM | Link to this
obviously an imposter on the previous post…
By GM
August 31, 2008 12:17 AM | Link to this
Great meeting tonight, totally agree, and I met the hottest Beau…will have to make an adjustment, as he’s Italian..his grandma is so fat, as most woppers ladies are..the difference between her and an elephant…..50 pounds and a black dress. Disfunctional father too, he used to spank my beau,,, then turn around and say..’Now Do Me Son”.
By 555dawg
August 31, 2008 12:21 AM | Link to this
My impression of all the SEC Teams today was only so so. U.S.C looked best to me, and I worship surfer dudes.
By GM
August 31, 2008 12:22 AM | Link to this
huh?
By sounds like
August 31, 2008 12:24 AM | Link to this
sounds fun gm for a tech fan anyhow
By Cuz
August 31, 2008 12:29 AM | Link to this
GM, welcome to having your name pirated by the pathetic pieces of gargbage that refuse to be buried on this blog. See my last post, not the “real” me, just someone who wishes he could be me. Other than this blog, my life kinda suks so I have no idea why someone would want to steal my life.
You who stole my name. You are a pathetic piece of trash. you could have used your name, told me i was wrong, and I would have respeceted you. You did not, and when you place the gun in your mouth, before you pull the trigger, there were people that could have helped you. I am not your problem, whatever happened to you in your childhood, I cannot correct. I am sorry for your pain. Go ahead, take a deep breath, and know that when you are gone, no one will care. Good luck in the afterlife. Take a couple of quarters for Cerebus, he is a bad Dawg.
By GM
August 31, 2008 12:34 AM | Link to this
I’ve enjoyed disrupting your blog tonight, didn’t realize Dawg blogs ended with imposters and queer talk. Later…
By GM
August 31, 2008 12:40 AM | Link to this
And I say this with complete respect for some Dawg fans: Most dawg fans are ignorant.
By You got to be kidding me
August 31, 2008 12:42 AM | Link to this
38-0 before they scored on our reserves… getting chastised for roughing up a heisman candidate in the Sugar Bowl (who by the way is gone and is not with the Hawaii team Florida played) sacking the heisman winner numerous times last year and winning handily… I think we will be ok in the standings! Go back and fawn over your new sissy yellow uniforms and gloat over your win over Jax State!
By GM
August 31, 2008 12:46 AM | Link to this
What’s last year got to do with this year? See 12:40 entry.
By kilroy
August 31, 2008 1:05 AM | Link to this
Hey Doug “Go _uck yourself! Your a moron!I guess mommy and your step dad b*** when you brrought nothing but Cs and Ds home on your report card. Come back when you understand football and how Mark Richt does it (plays football games)his way,which seems the best way right now!
By Cuz
August 31, 2008 1:21 AM | Link to this
It is not easy and rarely done, being an adult on this blog.
By GM
August 31, 2008 1:32 AM | Link to this
ok guys, good talking to you… i gotta go see my boyfriend and do a little swordfighting if you know what i mean!
By Dan
August 31, 2008 2:42 AM | Link to this
Good point Jeff, I suppose us Dawgs fans have been a little spoiled over the years. I just get frusterated when this team doesn’t play like they’re capable of playing, especially for games like this. The whole point of playing teams like GA Southern and Central Michigan is to give the Dawgs an opportunity to showcase their talent and for the coaching staff to evaluate, and it’s hard to do that and gauge how this team will perform if they play hard for 2 quarters and slack off for the rest. But hey, at least they won instead of choke it up like Michigan did yet again this year.
By Zeb
August 31, 2008 2:46 AM | Link to this
Cuz, just take it as a compliment. The idiots are too much of a pu$$y to post under their own names. Doesn’t really matter. Dam…..I wish I could’ve gotten the game on TV……had to settle for the radio, which wasn’t all bad.
Looks like we just might be Okay. Does anyone know if it will be replayed and which channel???
By Georgia Fan
August 31, 2008 6:14 AM | Link to this
All we need to do is win the games.
By tampa dawg
August 31, 2008 7:26 AM | Link to this
I thought they played good. Ga southern scored on 3rd an 4th stringers. but the penalties,those were killer. that is deffinatly something CMR will try to clean up during this weeks practice.
By Keppinitreal
August 31, 2008 7:55 AM | Link to this
Go Dawgs!
By Coach Smith
August 31, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this
I am a Dawg fan, an alum, and a High School football coach and I must say that the Lack of Football knowledge, IQ, and understanding from many of you is astounding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The score was 38-0 at the end of the 3rd quarter folks!!!!!! those points were scored against guys who mostly will not see the field this year in an SEC game.
Besides, if they hadn’t got that last score on a 4th down busted play with under 2 minutes to go and the score ended 45-14 most of you would not be complaining either.
BUT Why risk MORE injury just to run up the score on an obviously inferior team?
If we had left the starters in and MORENO, STAFFORD, ELLERBE, or CURRAN were lost for the season, the same ones of you complaining about the score would want RICHT’s head because then you’d be saying “Why leave those guys out there when the game was over? He was just trying to get style points”
With this schedule, Georgia just has to WIN each week, they don’t have to be classless and stupid like FLORIDA or USC who left TEBOW and GARCIA and all their starters in for virtually the whole game
Also, I wouldn’t be too concerened about BAMA, they started out big last year to, they were 4-0 and shooting up the polls when we went to their place and beat them.
Most of you need to have a better understanding of football before lashing out…
Remember, it is better to be silent and thought an idiot than to speak and remove ALL doubt!
By Dennis
August 31, 2008 8:22 AM | Link to this
It wasn’t what I saw from UGA that should make you nervous. USC and ALABAMA and FLA should be what scares the He!! out of you. USC had the attitude that UGA can only get from gleaning an unsportmanslike penalty.
By win over #2
August 31, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this
win over # 2 in the state is not bad when you live in football rich georgia..we’ve got some excellent schools in the state uga, ga. southern, valdosta , armstrong st., kennesaw state and columbus state….ga. southern fans hold your head high
By oldeagle
August 31, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this
Congratulations, You beat a 1-AA team loaded with redshirt freshmen and sophomores, with 8 players suspended, 45-21. Yeah, we know about your few suspensions. GS is picked to finish 4th in the Southern Conference. Hatcher will have the Eagles hunting at the top of the FCS in a few years, but these Eagles are still babies. So go ahead and pat yourself on the back. I was at the game. I saw enough to know for d&mn sure, most of the SEC can play with you and that little trip to the desert is going to be interesting. I also noticed that your starting ‘D has a little problem with stopping the misdirection run, Southern’s 18 year olds moved the ball pretty effectively against your all world D. Paul Johnson is making a lot of mental notes right about now. Yeah, Go on and pat yourself on the back………..
By Coach Smith
August 31, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this
oldeagle
why are you so bitter? you act as though you thought GS had a chance to win going in.
Georgia called off the DAWGS, MORENO barely played, we played 3 QBs, 3rd and 4th string D-fensive players, and 10 TRUE FRESHMEN
Get a grip!
By I'm Ignorant Too
August 31, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this
Yes it was 38-0 at one point & yes they outscored us 21-7 the rest of the way, but Southern was in our Red Zone twice in the first half & came away with nothing. Some will say that’s good defense, some will say it’s cause for concern. Just realize that at this point, we’re 1-0, & played Georgia Southern. That’s all we know. That & Munson thinks Wes Durham plays for the Dawgs, not Chris. Our “season” starts in two weeks.
By oldeagle
August 31, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this
Bitter ? ... Nothing bitter in that at all. Just calling it as I saw it. You're overrated and it's going to be fun watching you fall. That's what I'm saying.By blueboy
August 31, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this
The way Alabama looked on last night Georgia’s schedule just got alot tougher!
By Coach Smith
August 31, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this
I’m Ignorant too
those TWO redzone trips were the results of TURNOVERS!!!!!!!
They got the ball inside our 40 and inside our 30, so they only had to go 10-20 yards to get in the red-zone
that is a perfect example of pulling something arbitrarily out of your @zz and panicking about it and totally failing to see the facts
By oldeagle
August 31, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this
We’ll see how arbitrary those turnovers are against Spurrier, the SunDevils, a rising Tide, Phat Phil, LSU in the Bayou, a stong Auburn team, and the Hate Fest in Jacksonville. And GT will be rolling by season’s end.
Good luck.
By AltamahaDawg
August 31, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this
Why would a GSU fan have “fun watching (UGA) fall? I am pretty sure 99% of the Bulldawg nation will be pulling for GSU to do well this year. Is that how ya’ll do it oldeagle, pull against UGA for no appearant reason? Odd, thats all I’m saying.
By Coach Smith
August 31, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this
About the Defense
at HALFTIME GS had ONLY 88 yards of total offense and 137 at the end of the 3rd quarter
It also took the Eagles 41 RUSHES to get 102 yards. that is less than 2.5 per carry
GSU was also 4-19 on 3rd down..that is less than 25%
The defense was fine…the fact is that the points were scored by GSU in the 4th quarter when the game was out of hand and 3rd and 4th string players were in!
If you want to worry about something to correct pick on the PENALTIES and Kick-off coverage! And that is nit-picking for the first game
By PAUL3084
August 31, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this
It is a little frustrating when you see other teams (i.e. OSU, USC, UF) blow there opponet out without giving up much if anything on defense. However, I respect what the UGA coaching staff is trying to achieve by giving 2nd & 3rd team players reps during the game. UGA may not get the same publicity/hype from the media but obviously we are ranked No. 1 in the coaches poll for a reason. Leaving all the starters in so you can run the score up without giving up much if anything on defense doesn’t necessarily make your team stronger for the long haul. How many of the other top ranked teams played their 2nd & 3rd team quarterbacks and defense? Would be interesting to see if Logan Gray gets a little more plaing time @ quarterback to oppsing defenses a little more off-balance. New guy no video, could be a bad thing for opposing defensive coordinators.
By Coach Smith
August 31, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
oldeagle
you are bitter sir, no way around it
I didn’t say that the turnovers were arbitrary…rather how GS got their 2 first trips to the red-zone…
In other words, they didn’t drive the ball to get there..they were set up with field postition due to those to’s
Also, you can’t compare a game against GS to games in the SEC because the atmosphere, intensity, focus, and gameplans will be far different in those games than against GS
Remember that Georgia was VERY VANILLIA on offense and Defense yesterday on purpose
By oldeagle
August 31, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
AltamahaDawg
I have a very apparent reason,…a very large percentage of your fans are a*******holes. I knew that long before GSU ever had a football team.
By PAUL3084
August 31, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this
It sounds like “oldeagle” might have at one time applied for admission and did not get accepted into the University of Georgia or maybe he was assaulted by a white English Bulldog (something really bad must have happened to him). This guy has as bad a case of winner’s envy as two of my goofy buddies that pull for Tech. Everybody wants to pick on the big guy. It sounds like he got his feelings hurt when Georgia Southern was being shutout 38-0.
By AltamahaDawg
August 31, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this
I HOPE Paul Johnson uses that game to compile his note………
hey, just curious oldeagle, are you going to actually attend any GSU games this year, or just sit home so you can watch UGA and hope they “drop”?
By AltamahaDawg
August 31, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this
well, when you have a fan base of a few million people, bound to be a few.
BTW, relative to the GSU fan base what percentage do a***** like you represent?
By oldeagle
August 31, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this
AD, I’ve already been to one so the first part of your question is answered in the affirmative. In general, I usually just split my fall Saturdays between the two. I throw in a little deer hunting also.
By 1eyedJack
August 31, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
I’m happy! It could have been 77-0 if CMR had wanted to embarrass them. Coach has more class than that. Besides why try to destroy a fellow state school’s program or reputation. They need to recruit here too.
We started substituting liberally on the second series. Everybody got to play. Even the guys who hold the tackling dummies in practice got in there before it was over.
Stafford looked good. Knowshon looked good (8 carries 3 TDs). AJ Green looked good. Caleb and Samuels looked good. Dowtin looks as if he can help. The first team D was excellent. The O-line played well.
People it was a tune up game. It was what I thought it would be considering we haven’t been able to practice much live hitting for fear of killing each other and the lack of hot weather for conditioning.
The one negative I saw was the injury to Owens that could be big later. Let’s just hope and pray it’s a sprain.
UGA VII 1-0!!! Go DAWGS!!! Woof!!!
By J Long
August 31, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
I believe there were freshmen playing the second or third drive…and third teamers playing by the third drive. NOt exclusively the third team…but a number of them. Just wanted to point that out to everyone.
By dawggirl
August 31, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
oldeagle: I’m wondering if the percentage of our fans you deem so negative were anything like the GSU fans and students I sat next to yesterday - cheering at our injuries when a guy was down on the field, calling to take out Moreno’s knees so that his playing career would be ended, drunk to the point of vomiting in the stands, rude to women, where should I stop? The list goes on and on. To me, the epitome of classless fan.
There were some female GSU fans behind us, one was lying down ill because of the extreme heat. I checked with her friends to make sure she was okay. They were very appreciative of this coming from the opposing team.
As far as the game itself goes, I wish we could have gotten a higher degree of victory that would have matched up more with the USC, OSU and Florida wins. But, if it prepares us to be more ready for our intensive SEC games, it’ll be completely worth it. Remember, at the end of the day, and the end of the season, a win is a win. Let’s take what we can from this first game, fix the easily fixable things in practice this week, and prepare for Central Michigan. One week at a time, and don’t start worrying about S. Carolina just yet. Something tells me they’ll have their hands full with Vandy this week.
By High Tide
August 31, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this
Get the f—k out of the way-Bama is back!
By BE#3
August 31, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this
Don’t count J. Owens out for the season just yet. Talked to his family leaving stadium yesterday and his Dad said they think it is a sprain. He never got hit on the knee, just landed wrong coming down.
Good article by Schultz. Most folks won’t remember we were up 38-0 in the third. The 1st and 2nd units dominated. Gotta work on the mental errors but who doesn’t at this point of the season?
By VegasDawg
August 31, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this
I agree. There were a couple other teams that looked alot better against more talented opponents! Alabama looked great. I’ve been saying that’ s the one that makes me nervous all spring. We are better on the road and that one’s at home???
By exNFLplayer
August 31, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this
August 30, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this
Good enough doesn’t cut it when you are the #1 team in the land.
Once again our defense let us down. There is no way GSU should have scored 21 pts. After USCs destruction of UVA today they will be #1, OSU beat their 1AA oponent worse than we beat ours. And UF broke 50 against Hawaii. We will be lucky if we only drop to #4. But then, perhaps, that is where we really belong. #1 for one week, what a great relfection of our universtiy. Coach Richt has to understand that when #1, one must show no mercy. If this is a good enough win for him then his teams don’t belong at #1.
Those of you here that know me understand that I seldom criticize or take issue with other posters, but the above comment has to be the most ignorant comment I have ever seen here. It is not about style points folks. You go out and take care of business every week and when you line it up against those teams the games that came before, the style points, whatever mean absolutely nothing. Nada. Polls are ego strokers. Win the games on the field, man up against your opponent and when the last game is played the wins will say it all. The last NC at UGA started the season at #16 and the margin of victory was less than 6 pts per game and guess what? Forget the polls. Forget what USC did, what UF did, what OU did. Just win. Polls don’t mean squat.
By AltamahaDawg
August 31, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this
Took me a minute to figure out that was NOT your quote exNFLplayer.
Nice that you werent calling out “doug” by name for that, oops.
The thing that puzzles me is why anyone thinks voters would choose a #1 and then try thier damnest to prove themselves wrong.
By Old and Wise
August 31, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this
It never fails this time of year. One game is played and everyone thinks they’ve got all the answers. In reality we really don’t know any more now than we did a week ago. That goes for almost any team. Its a long season folks. There are alot of games left. Calm down.
By JW
August 31, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
GM.. To make a comment that most Dawgs are ignorant shows your lack of intelligence. The average SAT for the two schools are only about 100 points apart. UGA was ranked 177 overall on the list of this years Best Universities and Tech was ranked #501. Hmmm.. what does THAT tell me? i think i might not be so ignorant after all. FYI, I am the daughter of a Tech grad too.
By dennis the menace!
August 31, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this
dennis
your mom and i need some quality time so please go to bed
By Gamecock
August 31, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this
UGA always has the top 10 recruiting class, but you seldom live up to the hype. I don’t doubt that you all have a good team this year, but I like our chances in Columbia next week. It is usually a pretty good game.
By tjs
August 31, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this
UGA beat a 1-AA team handily, so what? It did show that the offensive is going to have difficulty moving the biggies in the SEC, and Moreno will last the season…I think CMR better break out those five star high whiz kids, he will need them.
By whoopdee doo
September 1, 2008 2:17 AM | Link to this
Ok, 1-0…just like Georgia Tech and half of the other schools that play football. Whoopdee doo.
By Denver Dawg
September 1, 2008 3:27 AM | Link to this
Our so-called “reserves,” our second- and third-string players, are 4 star recruits at one of the top Div I programs in the Nation. A team of these guys should be able to whip GSU’s guys, 17 of the 22 of whom had never donned a GSU jersery until Sat’s game. EXCUSES, EXCUSES, EXCUSES. I love my Dawgs, but I hate fans who are so radical they can’t be realistic.
And to the Gamecock: We’re not NC State. We have an offense that will score plenty on your defence AND your QB’s suck. Can you say INT, INT, INT, INT?? Georgia’ secondary is going to have a field day with those bozo’s.
By Bob
September 1, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
At 38-0, if you don’t start bringing guys in off the bench, you have some sort of character deficiency. I think our backups should have held GSU to no score, but this garbage about running up scores is cowardly…like gangs picking on weak victims and pummelling them so they can feel like “men.”
Men have restraint and self-control, and are able to produce victory honorably, without demoralization of an opponent…especially when you consider the opponent is a bunch of 18-21 year olds playing their hearts out.
ESPN be damned. CMR did what was right. Georgia will be a champion with class.
By TheFIsh
September 1, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
Thank you for your open minded assessment Denver Dawg. It is plainly apparent that GSU’s #1’s are not as good at UGA’s #1’s, but they might be close to UGA’s #2’s and 3’s. And you’re right Denver. Those guys are four star players too.
I love it that UGA played 20 freshmen. Well GSU played 24 freshmen and 8 more players who had never donned a GSU uniform in a game before. The kid who scored GSU’s second TD was not just playing in his first college game. It was the first college game he’d ever been to. All three of GSU’s TDs were scored by freshmen.
GSU coach Hatcher said after the game that UGA had the best overall team speed of any team he’d seen in all of his years of coaching, and he coached in the SEC early on. He also feels that they are the most complete team in the country.
Should the Dawgs be #1? Sure they should until someone beats them. Sadly some of the voters in the polls know about as much about football as some of the posters in this thread.
I love the comments about UGA getting tired, so they relaxed so GSU could score. I’m sure glad that the 60 kids that played on Saturday for GSU didn’t get tired. UGA played 69. Maybe those big misting fans on the UGA sideline were the problem. GSU didn’t have any of those.
Come on guys. Lighten up. Georgia should have won and did, but don’t make it sound like GSU has nothing. The might be a bit better than you think.
By arnie
September 1, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this
Missed the game. Defense WINS championship. Can my fellow DAWG fans comment on how defense looked. I am concerned about the injury to DT??? Also, how is our new center on offensive line? How was the line over all?
By Carolina!!
September 1, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this
Dear Pups,
Congrats on your win over your 1-AA opponent. Reality is coming in 2 weeks.
S.C. GAMECOCKS!!
By Paddy
September 2, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this
We looked good…we looked bad… who cares, we won the game.. Hope we say it 12 more times this year.
Go Dawgs
By NW Ga Dawg
September 2, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this
Yes, Carolina reality IS coming in 2 weeks. Just be ready because the team that SC faced last year isn’t the same in ‘08. Come back in 2 weeks, 2 days…by the way, beter watch out: Vandy will probably beat you before you play Georgia.
By Eagledawg
September 2, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
As one who was there and calls himself a huge fan of both teams, here’s my .02 worth. Hatch is right. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such speed on D. UGA will be fine. Richt did everything the right way. He ran a vanilla game plan to get the reps and prepare his team. He has way too much class to run up the score. Reverses and fake punts are trick plays that you shouldn’t need to widen the gap in a tuneup game. One reason Tebow was banged up last year was having him in there to flop for tds in games the Gators were winning by huge margins. For my beloved Eagles there is plenty of reason to be hopeful. With everything new, we never gave up and kept fighting the whole game through. I’m also going to apologize for many overly obnoxious Eagle fans. You Dawgs have many folks who push that envelope. I met a few Saturday. But I’m afraid that lady was right who complained about some of our people. We have a “hate Georgia” group which does all the things you mentioned here and does these things every week. I usually end up arguing with them about such things. GOOOO Eagles and Dawgs— May we both win titles this year. Only two bad things to say Georgia Southern is Division 1. UGA fans who CLAIM to be knowledgeable should know that. Keep your “you’re jealous becasue you couldn’t get in” comments. I was accepted at both and chose GSC (at the time) for a number of good reasons. We don’t know the meaning of QUIT. Erk taught us that. Richt got Erk to came back and tell that to his Dawgs too.
By ATLHusker
September 2, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
Wow!
After reading some of the posts on this blog I’m starting to see that Nebraska Football fans may have a strong challenger for The Most Obsessed, Unrealistic Fans in College Football Crown! One of you actually had the audacity to equate the death of your canine mascot with the injury of a starting DT (in the same sentence lol) and attribute it to a curse AFTER your beloved Bulldogs dominated an opponent like they were supposed to during Week ONE!? LOL. Gimmie a break and get a grip! UGA is good, but not great and will not finish in the top five this year.
Oh yeah…and save all of your “Nebraska sucks” rebuttles. I know they suck right now. I’m a REALISTIC fan. But remember, UGA fans, it wasn’t too long ago that you were in the funk the Huskers are in now. And just as you returned, so shall we. Get a grip and enjoy your season! No. 1 doesn’t come around too often, and if you’re not careful, it won’t stay very long either!
By ATLHusker (P.S.)
September 2, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this
P.S. — I think that Georgia-Georgia Tech tilt might be a better game than many of you think. Watch… ;-)
By Brendan
September 2, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
UGA VII has a lot of pressure on him. He’s following the most successful mascot in team history. I think he was in the pre-game strategy session. Next week, UGA VII expects better passing.
By RickyJ4PREZofUGA
September 2, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this
preach on coach smith…preach on
By Dawg Fud
September 3, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
Carolina!!
please do not post under “Carolina.” it is insulting. Carolina is a term used for a storied basketball program located in Chapel Hill, NC — not some mediocre football team in the slums of Columbia.
Reality is coming to you in 2 weeks indeed…
By I-DOG
September 3, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
ATL Husker.
UGA may have been down in the 90’s, but NOTHING like what Nebraska is experiencing. UGA still had 2 teams ranked in the top 10 at seasons end during the 1990’s and went to bowl game EVERY year.
No doubt the Huskers have a fine history and will be back at some point. Pellini is probably going to make a good coach… but 76 trombones to Kansas? Are you kidding me. UGA gave up 50 to FL once, the year we were really down in 1995 and it stands as one of the absolute low points of UGA football.
Lets look back at the last 5-6 years of humiliation for a once proud Nebraska program:
Nebraska has been getting routinely routed starting with Colorado in 2001 crushing the so called black shirt defense under Solich to the tune of 62 points, the very next year you gave up 40 to Penn State in a loss. The next year it was Missouri’s turn to score 41 and beat NU.
Who would have thought that things would actually get much worse in a hurry. Texas Tech scored 70, a 60 point defeat. I can’t imagine what a 60 point defeat feels like.
The defense became more stout later in the year and held mighty Ks State to only 45.
2005 brought a sliver of hope to Husker fans when they only surrendered 40 points once that season to Kansas? and they only lost 4 games.
2006 brought a lifetime worth of misery to the people of the corn. Giving up 49 points to USC (understandable I suppose) but not given Nebraska’s tradition! That squad went on to give up 41 and 45 to Missouri and OK State. 76 to Kansas… How can anyone score 76 points? There are usually no more than 12 offensive posessions in a game. To redeem themselves they only gave up 65 to Colorado a few weeks later.
UGA has NEVER been in the “funk” that Nebraska is in I pray that we never are.
By Jared
September 4, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this
if you’re going to play warm-up games (like these cupcake OOC games) then you need to be prepared to judge them almost like a practice.
fact is, if UGA played like that against Florida they’d probably lose. dropped balls, foolish penalties, and missed assignments are how you lose games in the SEC. glad to see UGA staff being objective about their drubbing of GSU and realizing that they still have a little work to do before they get into their conference schedule.