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Home > Jeff Schultz > Archives > 2008 > September > 13 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBulldogs 3-0, mostly because of Stafford
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Columbia — If this season turns into something special, it won’t be because of what we were subjected to Saturday. The dropped passes, the poor pass protection, the blur of inane late hits and 112 yards in penalties — those are things the mind tends to flush when a season ends with a championship.
But if this season does turn into something special, Georgia can look back on one thing Saturday as the reason why: It was the day Matthew Stafford defined resolve.
He got beat up like in no game, he said, since his freshman season, “back when I didn’t really know what I was doing.” He was sacked four times. He was abandoned by his blockers and, at times, his catchers.
So what did he do? He led.
Georgia opened SEC play short on style points. They defeated South Carolina 14-7 despite doing way too many things wrong for a second-ranked team.
But they are 3-0, mostly because of Stafford. He had runs of 17 and 30 yards, the second of which set up the Bulldogs’ only touchdown. He also set up a field goal by hitting receiver A.J. Green in stride for 39 yards on third-and-21. But mostly, he endured.
“Winning a game like this, when things don’t go well, is huge for our confidence,” he said.
“We’re not going to steamroll every team we play. It was a good test. We have true freshman all over the place. It’s good that we came here, we struggled and we came through.”
Somebody had to lead them. Stafford? He is now 20-4 as a starter.
Two years ago was his somewhat-bizarre coming-out party in Columbia. He was 18 years old. He had come off the bench in the 2006 opener against Western Kentucky, throwing a touchdown pass. Before the South Carolina game, coach Mark Richt said Joe Tereshinski III would start again, but he wouldn’t declare who the backup was, Stafford or Joe Cox.
Secrecy over the backup?
But when Tereshinski suffered an early ankle injury, it was Stafford who came in. He proceeded to exhibit both ends of the talented freshman spectrum. He had three interceptions but threw for 171 yards, including a key 39-yarder to Mohamed Massaquoi on play-action, audibled to a run play that led to a touchdown — and won 18-0.
“I had a whole different mind-set back then,” he said. “I didn’t really know what I was doing. I felt a lot better this week.”
Look beyond the pedestrian numbers (15-for-25, 146 yards). Never mind that for the third time against South Carolina he failed to throw a touchdown pass. Consider: Tripp Chandler dropped third-down passes on the first two possessions. Kris Durham bobbled a potential touchdown as he ran out of the end zone. Richard Samuel had another possible TD slip between his hands.
It was clear: Central Michigan week was over.
In the second quarter, Stafford faked a handoff to Knowshon Moreno on second down and ran 17 yards to midfield. Five plays later, he hooked up with Green for 39 yards to set up a field goal. Later came Stafford’s 30-yard run to the Gamecocks’ 4 in the third, setting up Moreno’s go-ahead touchdown. Both of Stafford’s runs were zone reads: He reads the linebacker and has the option to keep the ball or hand it to Moreno.
“It was nice to be able to contribute with my legs, I guess,” Stafford said, laughing. “But I don’t see us winning with me running the rock, too much.”
The last spasm got him to the four.
“Slow,” Stafford said when asked to describe his running style.
His teammates have resisted making jokes. But Stafford does enough of that for everybody. Durham, alluding to one of Stafford’s runs against Central Michigan, said: “When he was running out of bounds, he was laughing. I asked him later, ‘How can you play out here in front of 90,000 people and laugh?’ He said, ‘Because I thought about how bad it was going to look on film.’ “
Stafford limped around badly following Saturday’s win.
Asked what hurts, he said, “A little bit of everything. But I’m good to go.”
And if Georgia continues to win, now you know why.
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By VirginiaDawgMan
September 13, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this
The win looked awful good from here! Kids grew some today. A little glue for the receivers and we’ll be OK.
By A-ville Ranger
September 13, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
Matt was average at best today.He missed open receivers time after time.He did make a couple of running plays and he didn’t turn it over though.
By joedog
September 13, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this
More than most sports writers, you seem to remember this is just a game. I appreciate that. I enjoy your Friday morning articles. I mean, Spurrier won’t struggle against Wofford, but he’ll pull off an upset against somebody and find a way to rub it in Georgia’s face, but, you know, it won’t reduce the national debt now will it. And Urban Meyer will still be a jerk. And Auburn will still find a way to lose to just about everybody. And Nick Saban will still be over paid. But you know, it won’t restore electricity to Houston a day sooner. You keep things in perspective. It’s a game, but it’s a fun game. Thanks.
By Gene
September 13, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this
Funny that Georgia fans have been barking all week about how terrible SC was. That game should be a dose of reality to a team that is not nearly as good as it thinks it is.
By Villadawg
September 13, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this
I agree. If the dawgs win out and/or go for the NC then Stafford will be the reason. Say what you will about Moreno & Co. but Matthew is the leader of this team.
By 82DAWG
September 13, 2008 11:07 PM | Link to this
Stafford was exceptional. Like Dave said, Chandler looked like a sophomore again, dropping everything. Samuel played like a freshman on his pass miss and Durham dropped a TD pass. Stafford did what he had to do, and most importantly, he didn’t turn the ball over, not once. Defense was also exceptional. Moreno did well enough and Green looked good. Everyone else on offense was downright offensive. They looked like the 52nd ranked team in the country. Will be totally shocked if Georgia is still number 2 on Monday. USC 1, OK 2 and UGA 3.
By Georgia
September 13, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
Gene, SC is terrible. Georgia wan’t too hot themselves, thus the close game. Anyone want to play Southern Cal next week? I don’t. Maybe at the end of the year.
By Lowcountry Dawg
September 13, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this
I said before the season that I was glad that we play SC early in the year. I will tell you once they get their QB situation resolved(if that’s even possible for Spurrier) they are going to win some big games- how about FLA in November?- we may need them to do that. We were playing a pretty good defense today. If we can get the pass rush tweaked a little-that will help tremendously.
By Steve
September 13, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this
Glad to get the W for sure but if they don’t cut down on the mental mistakes, they won’t win next week. And please STOP throwing the ball to Tripp Chandler! Do we not have a tight end that can catch the ball?? With the talent on this team, UGA should have been able to run this USC team out of the stadium.
By Howard
September 13, 2008 11:21 PM | Link to this
Jeff…saw the game and let me tell you…UGA was lucky to get outta there with the win. They might find themselves dropped in the polls this week, since Oklahoma destroyed Washington. Hope not…when Ga. comes to play, they can hang with them all…even the networks’ favorite team…Southern Cal. Oh, how many “high schools” are left on Southern Cal’s schedule?? What a joke the Pac-10 is!! At least they eliminated the myth that Ohio State deserved to be in the top three as this season started!!
By boots
September 13, 2008 11:22 PM | Link to this
It is a shame that the receivers and TE took a few steps backwards. However, there are bound to be games like this. Last year we lost this game and still ended up #2. It is all about finding the passion and fire that the Dawgs had at the end of last season. They look tight and like they need to start enjoying the game again. That, and start making some blocks and catches.
By dawgonegaboy
September 13, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this
I think this was a VERY important win for the dawgs ..
1 we WON 2 it points out the weakest part of the team for the coaches and players to work on before AZSTKicking game … can’t somebody kick off into the end zone?
Pass rush … pretty much non-existant
offensive line … 4 sacks? they will get better with every game
play calling … Bobo is still a little slow to respond to “what the defense is giving us” … will also get better
If we can get by AZST we might have a chance to go all the way ..
GO DAWGS!
By BCS Slave
September 13, 2008 11:45 PM | Link to this
Guys, UGA looked vulnerable. The O Line was unable to block consistently. The D Line didn’t get a pass rush. Martinez acted like a coach that couldn’t make an adjustment to save his life. If our O Line blocks as poorly as it did today…we will get our butts beaten out west. We’ll be lucky to win another SEC game.
But to be fair, today’s game was a rivalry game that is traditionally low scoring. South Carolina under spurrier has always played GA tough. That game just highlights that we are not a number 2 team. We’ll be lucky to be number five this week.
By SickandTired
September 13, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this
With all due respect Georgia won today because of their defense not an over hyped QB who can’t seem to throw the deep ball, can’t read a blitz and gets blown up, and throws a deep ball up for grabs that gets picked and the refs bailed him out with a bogus pass interference call. When are people going to come to their senses and see that this guy has a great arm but isn’t a passer. For those of you that do not know what that means, it means he can’t hit the broad side of a barn. His accuracy is awful and it cost Georgia at least three touchdowns today. The drops you talk about were badly thrown balls that didn’t get caught. How about the catch AJ Green made running wide open over the middle and had to reach back three feet behind him to catch. But we never seem to hear about the catches that should have been incompletions, just the passes that don’t get caught. Matthew Stafford is a great kid with a lot of talent but he’s not a great quarterback yet. He may never be, but don’t let that stop the media from talking about how great he is.
By disciple of Christ
September 13, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this
Let’s take into consideration that South Carolina is traditionally / historically a tough team for Georgia despite the tremendous differences between both teams. Georgia has the opportunity to capture another Championship if they can maintain their poise and concentration (on a consistent basis) even when things are positive / negative. Today, is quite possibly a “Defining Moment” for our Bulldogs. Every great team has at least one during their Championship year. We definitely needed this day to realize that all weaknesses must be exterminated before we face the bigger powerhouses of the SEC, and (USC in the National Championship). I believe that this is our year. We will have games/moments/missed opportunities. However, the difference will be if we are victorious at the end of the day, or not. Rhetorical question: Which would you prefer, an ugly win or a competitive lose? There’s no such thing as a competitive lose. We must improve on sacking/pressuring the quarterback. The receiving corps is awesome. This is our year. Bulldogs, stay focus on the task at hand, not the rankings, not the statistics, but winning each game by implementing the fundamentals Coach Richt is constantly reminding us about. Victories might be effortless, they might not. Bottom line is winning this years National Championship. Our state needs it. We are behind our Bulldogs and YellowJackets. E’vry1 KEEP THE FAITH!
By North Florida DAWG
September 14, 2008 12:05 AM | Link to this
Skhruew you GENE! Nat’l Champs usually end up winning an ugly one or two. I did not like it, but I will take a win any way it comes. Bring on the next opponent. The results always end up speakimg for themselves. GOOoooo Dawgs!! Sic ‘em!! Woff! Woof ! Woof!
By gastr1
September 14, 2008 12:06 AM | Link to this
Who’s that fool saying Stafford missed pen receivers time after time? Yeah, he still wants to throw it deep every play. But if the receivers could catch the blasted things his numbers would look more like this:
20-25, 250 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT
And the score would have been more like 24-7.
By gastr1
September 14, 2008 12:06 AM | Link to this
Who’s that fool saying Stafford missed open receivers time after time? Yeah, he still wants to throw it deep every play. But if the receivers could catch the blasted things his numbers would look more like this:
20-25, 250 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT
And the score would have been more like 24-7.
By SickandTired
September 14, 2008 12:20 AM | Link to this
Well hey, if that’s the numbers he would have had…how would he possibly have even had an incompletion….make him 25 for 25 and a zillion yards with 25 touchdowns…….He’s just that good huh? He couldn’t tote the clip board for Sanchez of USC.
By Dr. Morpheus
September 14, 2008 12:28 AM | Link to this
I wish the whiners who want to fault Matt for things beyond his control makes me wish they’d ventilate with their therapists instead of on the AJC blogs. Thanks for calling our attention to the enduring truth that leadership is everything. It takes more than just a rocket arm, and Matt has a rocket arm, to lead. We should all be grateful that Matt picked us over every other school in the country ‘cause he could have gone anywhere he wished. And they would competing for the BCS NC instead of us.
By Denver Dawg
September 14, 2008 12:42 AM | Link to this
Unlike some previous losses when Stafford was less experienced, and where he was to blame, this was NOT Stafford’s fault.
Stafford willed a win, despite his teammates poor play. Dropped passes, poor blocking, etc. He made the best play of the day when he ran the ball 30+ yards to set Moreno up for the TD.
It’s because of Stafford that we won. Period.
By hop
September 14, 2008 12:43 AM | Link to this
shafford did lead,but many of the drops were badly thrown passes,except for the durham pass in the endzone which should have been caught.
georgia will not play a better defense than carolina this year. they are that good,if they stay heathy carolina will win many games.
the offense line had some good moments and they will get better each week.
ASU has no defense and georgia will have a field day next week.
the dawg defense played well except for two carolina drives.
it is a long season,but the dawgs will prevail!
By alabamadawg
September 14, 2008 12:52 AM | Link to this
Why to go Dawgs!!! Moments of brillance, just polish it up and we are able to beat anyone, anytime!!! Hey, we dropped passes and had linebackers on great receivers and still WON!! That’s all that matters BABEEE!!! Keep rollin Dawgs!!! Can we say 3-0 hahahahaha
By Orlando
September 14, 2008 12:53 AM | Link to this
Honestly, i’m glad to see UGA respond after getting punched in the mouth by South Carolina. Stafford did need some help from his receivers (throw the ball to AJ Green more often) but he did what was needed to win.
This team needed to see what it was liked to be pushed to their limits and still win. Even better, now the media, fans, and the polls will all say that UGA is overrated and thus drop them further. They will say all week how Arizona State will run all over the Dawgs based on today’s game.
Good, keep it that way. Georgia usually plays better when they have a chip on their shoulder, and today they developed a huge one.
By Bearcat
September 14, 2008 12:58 AM | Link to this
The key to the game was the 77 yard punt by the kid from Dublin, Ga. Oh what a kick at a crucial point in the game. Imagine if that had been a normal 40 yard punt and a ten yard return with much better field position for the Gamecocks. It changed the outcome of the game for sure.
By zeke
September 14, 2008 1:08 AM | Link to this
The dogs have a pretty good team. However they were very lucky today. If a back who never fumbles had not fumbled, might have been very different! And that USC, the real USC defense is pretty damn good!! Same thing, if so many passes had not been dropped, USC would have been way up!!
By zeke
September 14, 2008 1:08 AM | Link to this
The dogs have a pretty good team. However they were very lucky today. If a back who never fumbles had not fumbled, might have been very different! And that USC, the real USC, defense is pretty damn good!! Same thing, if so many passes had not been dropped, USC would have been way up!!
By zeke
September 14, 2008 1:08 AM | Link to this
The dogs have a pretty good team. However they were very lucky today. If a back who never fumbles had not fumbled, might have been very different! And that USC, the real USC, defense is pretty damn good!! Same thing, if so many passes had not been dropped, USC would have been way up!!
By joe_h
September 14, 2008 2:46 AM | Link to this
Well hey, if that’s the numbers he would have had…how would he possibly have even had an incompletion….make him 25 for 25 and a zillion yards with 25 touchdowns…….He’s just that good huh? He couldn’t tote the clip board for Sanchez of USC.
It’s time for clueless b*stards like you to shut up. Sanchez’s receivers know how to catch the ball you ignorant kunt. Stafford will go in the NFL draft before Sanchez even gets to sniff the NFL.
shafford did lead,but many of the drops were badly thrown passes,except for the durham pass in the endzone which should have been caught.
BS! He threw two perfect TD passes to Samuel and Durham. Both of the damn things were dropped. Every pass Tripp Chandler dropped hit him right in his hands. He threw a perfect first down pass to T. King, and it was dropped. Hell, the only badly thrown ball was to AJ Green nearly 2 yards behind him. But not only did Green make the catch without any problem, he also gained an additional five yards after the catch.
So get a clue you delusion idiot. Stop making excuses for our receivers stinking the joint up.
By captain Midnight
September 14, 2008 4:02 AM | Link to this
As a Georgia man let me say that Georgia is no where near the best team in the land. Maybe they will work there way up to it but they sure as Hell have a lot of work to do in all phases of the game.
By vick is da victim
September 14, 2008 5:10 AM | Link to this
i think that if matthew stafford were black, he’d own a dogfighting ring.
By chazz
September 14, 2008 5:35 AM | Link to this
Perhaps it is time to give another tightend the nod.
By neatldog
September 14, 2008 6:43 AM | Link to this
Tripp Chandler is awful. Why can’t he catch? Better yet, why do we keep throwing him the ball? On thing about Tripp is he is consistent, he has dropped pass after pass his entire career. There has to be someone who can make a simple catch, I mean Tripp continues to do the same thing every game and continues to play. Awful, just awful, move him to tackle and let someone who dosen’t have hands of stone play.
By whatacrock
September 14, 2008 6:53 AM | Link to this
Look friends, this was a lucky win only. Lack of coaching and preparedness was the reason. Every area of this team failed on epic preportions accept for the punter. Linebackers could not cover the only offense weapon SC owned in their tightend. Our D line could not get through for one sack. Cornerbacks lost receivers. Safeties were strangely outmanned by their second team wide receivers.
Our O line couldn’t block their way through a walmart blue light special. Running backs not able to pick the right hole to run through. Tight ends and receivers that couldn’t catch a cold. And Stafford missed not once but twice a corner blitz that had touchdown written all over it. Did someone not tell him what to look for the first time? A cornerback off of his receiver with a safety 25 yards away should say something!
I am hoping someone will help them this week understand what they are doing. They will be ranked 4th this week and tumbling down the top 25. Five days to correct this mess!
Whatacrock!
By benadawg
September 14, 2008 6:56 AM | Link to this
In my opinion if georgia had a tight end to go accross the middle to we could have made them play more straight up defense. I think teams are catching on to the fact after every turnover we go deep. Good sometimes bad most times. Who has more drops, Martrez Milner or Tripp Chandler but i still like him and we are under estimating the missing linc Brandon Sutherland, he is so important to this offense.
By mike
September 14, 2008 7:17 AM | Link to this
It was a win. After watching it I am pretty sure we are a little overrated. In two more weeks we could easily be 3-2 if we play like that. Congrats on the win boys, but we are gonna have to play better than that though.
By mike
September 14, 2008 7:17 AM | Link to this
It was a win. After watching it I am pretty sure we are a little overrated. In two more weeks we could easily be 3-2 if we play like that. Congrats on the win boys, but we are gonna have to play better than that though.
By The goose
September 14, 2008 7:19 AM | Link to this
Does anyone know a football coach that could take Stafford aside and teach him how to throw a football?
Believe it or not I’m a dawgs fan and a Stafford fan….
However… We’re in trouble boys. Either USC or Ohio State would beat UGA by 40 points.
By DJSTHEGREATESTQBOFALLTIME
September 14, 2008 7:22 AM | Link to this
82 DAWG. Watch again. You were obviously DRUNK the first time. Stafford stunk. He’s a very average QB. Always has been, always will be. The Dawgs would be the same with Cox in.
By Overrated
September 14, 2008 7:26 AM | Link to this
They are obviously not in the class of USC (west), Florida, Oklahoma etc. Stafford has great arm but not much else. And someone please tell him to thin out those sideburns.
By TDOG
September 14, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this
Nothing like a reality check. I think CMR should get the guys ready for the game. They always seem to play to the level of their opponent. At least they didn’t come out with pink shirts or run around the field like they own the stadium. As long as coach can keep his head, and keep from the gimmicks, the team should be fine. He does not need to fire them up by becomming a new MIami.
By BrizDawg
September 14, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this
When you have a Heisman candidate at running back, how do you only run the ball once in your first 13 plays? The coaches have to get the ball in the hands of their playmakers - Moreno and Green. Need not say anything about Moreno, and unlike most of our “experienced” receivers, freshman Green actually catches the ball. What a great snag when he caught that ball Stafford threw behind him!
By Florida Dawg
September 14, 2008 8:06 AM | Link to this
Other than the great catch by AJ Green…I’m very concerned about this team….I’ve enjoyed a nice year here in Jax, Florida and I hope yesterdays Dawgs don’t show up in Jax on Nov. 1. We have work to do.
By In Defense of Tripp
September 14, 2008 8:15 AM | Link to this
I don’t think Tripp Chandler is among the best tight ends we have ever had at Georgia. But give him a break on at least 2 of those dropped passes. The first one was a rocket from Staff that was behind his head. Yes, he got his hands on it, but that is an incredibly tough catch for a tight end to make. Remember that tight ends wear larger shoulder pads than a WR and they restrict the mobility needed to reach back behind your head. Ask anyone who’s played the position.
The 2nd dropped pass was similar to the one that Green did catch. It was at least 2-3 feet behind him. It would have been a great catch just like Green’s.
The 3rd one, I agree was right in his gut. You gotta pull that one in. Same goes for Durham’s missed TD.
The bigger issues for this game were the lack of any semblance of a pass rush (Even when we blitzed we only got him a couple of times), Kickoffs were weak, penalties killed us, and blown coverages allowed big plays.
With all of that said, I’ll take the W in Williams-Brice. That may be the best defense we see all season. That team will beat some SEC schools this year which will come back to help us will the East.
One last note. Throw the ball to A.J. at least 10 times per game.
By dawgsarejokes
September 14, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this
georgia defense has been exposed for the fraud it is, gA will be beaten once or twice this year. Stafford is gonna get nailed in some games and when he does that’s when his p** poor decision making will come back to haunt georgia.
By dawgsarejokes
September 14, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this
georgia defense has been exposed for the fraud it is, gA will be beaten once or twice this year. Stafford is gonna get nailed in some games and when he does that’s when his p** poor decision making will come back to haunt georgia.
By Flightlessbird
September 14, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this
Schultz, you are full of it Sir. Yesterday youo said how bad USC was going to be. Really, they exposed Stafford and Moreno as not so great against one of the worst teams in the SEC. UT, UF and Bama will tear your dreams apart if this is the best you can do against a weak SC team.
By SickandTired
September 14, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this
Mark Richt has played Steve Spurrier 5 times now, once at Fla. and 4 times at USC. He know owns a 3-2 Record over Spurrier. On the surface it looks pretty good, but on all 5 occasions the Spurrier team has out coached the Richt team. If you give Spurrier the talent the Dawgs trot out on the field every week, we MIGHT have a chance at a National Championship. This Georgia team has as much chance of winning the crystal football as Micahel Vick does replacing Gene Upshaw as head of the NFL players union.
By dawgsarejokes
September 14, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this
Hey defense of Tripp…….The best you will see all year????????? You better wake up! That was South Carolina you played!!!!!!!!! Hello!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stafford is an average quarterback at best, your offensive line is a so so and you defensive coverage is a laughable.
9 on your defense is a dirty player!!!!!!!!! He is the cheap shot captain of football. He is going to get his one day. What a dirty player! Late hits out of bounds, shots to the head and #2 is right there with him!Both should have been kicked out of the game yesterday. f you think squeaking by South Carolina without a quarterback and no really good receivers is going to get you to an SEC championship game you need to go back to school.
By GREER, S.C. DAWG
September 14, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this
I’d much rather be a “DAWG FAN” with this ugly win than a “GAMECOCK” with another competitive loss. South Carolina always seems to shoot themselves in the foot going all the way back to George Rogers fumble at the goal line in 1980 helping to preserve our natinal championship run. I was there and believe me, games like yesterdays are what defines a champion. Go Dawgs and keep winning the close ones!!!
By Disappointed
September 14, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this
As a UGA fan, I am happy with a win but very disappointed in GA’s play. There was no rhythm and poor execution. And, why isn’t anyone talking about the penalties? 13 penalties is unexcusable and it has been a pattern all year. I bet GA leads the nation in penalties!
By DawginLex
September 14, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this
Where are the gamecrocks ? Henry ? Chrissy? Anywhere to be found. Thought not.
We don’t need to get too excited though, it’s not like we beat some power team. They lost to Vandy.
Spurrier looking up at the rest of the SEC ?
PRICELESS
By office space
September 14, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this
Well, let’s face it South Carolina didn’t play good enough to win and Georgia not bad enough to lose but with that said, it could have gone either way. The Refs gave me a headache in the first quarter,between the clock and the play reviews it was like dancing with a three legged dog. The defense did their job holding SC to 7 but gave the QB all day to throw, Tebow will eat us up if he has that much time.Tripp Chandler needs to trust his instincts and quit trying to think the ball into his hands. Couple that with a couple of overthrown balls and Matthew might start thinking too much and forget to play. What a great leader he was though, audiblizing and keeping his composure with that pressure. God Bless Rennie Curran, what a stick! There’s enough good to come out of this to work toward next week but what a couple of months lie ahead. We need to get Southerland back in the game to balance out the defensive rush and protect Stafford. Well Spurrier can start building his team for next year and the Dawgs are still on track. Go Dawgs!
By bug
September 14, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this
Although Stafford did remain composed and lead this team to a W, it was apparent that discipline and execution were left back in Athens. Not the showing that befits a Nat Champ.
Poor preparation by the coaching staff gets this game a C-.
A great opportunity to tune up the parts that are mis-firing.
By PAUL3084
September 14, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this
I am a huge UGA fan but i must say we looked terrible in that game. I know Carolina has a much better team than their record indicates. However, they aren’t that good and if UGA wants to make a run at the NC game they better get a few issues resolved real quick. Our offensive line didn’t have control of the line of scrimmage at all. We should have scored at least 3 touchdowns if not more along with the two field golas we did get. Out defense absolutely shut down the run but waht happened to the secondary in the second half. I have to chalk some of this up to the coaching staff. Spurrier was gashing our defense and we didn’t have an answer at all. Seemed like we had our linebackers covering wideouts and their tightends all afternoon. We have great linebackers but it is a total mismatch when you have linebackers covering receivers 30 yards downfield. Penalties are killing us and this is another typical game we come out and look mediocre against an unranked team due to dropped passes, poor pass- blocking, no consistent control of the line of scrimmage, not enough pressure on the opposing quarterback, Gamecocks pretty much passed the ball at will in the fourth quarter, and out kicker can’t seem to kick the ball past the 15 yard line on kick-offs. Punting looked good. Defense played with heart all day long. Penalties and dropped passes are both the biggest drive/momentum killers in football and we had plenty of both yesterday.
By Gdawg
September 14, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this
Hey gang last year we lost this game and went on to lose again to TN, thus beginning the season at 4-2. We got lucky at Vandy, and the streak began. I was at last year’s SC game, and I thought after that game at best we would be 8-4, but we all know what happened. The coaches are still searching for the missing pieces to the puzzle, and the players need time to gel with one another. I am just glad that we escaped with a win, and hopefully, CMR will address the following issues: no pass rush, penalties, not getting the ball into our play maker’s hands, and poor play calling at times. CMR needs to settle these guys down, and just tell them to go out and have fun and stop playing so tight. Bobo needs to call plays to win and not to lose. Lastly, the year FLA won their MNC they beat SC 17-16 and LSU beat 4 ranked opponents last year by less than 10 points and allowed KY to put up 40+ points and ARK dropped 50 on them. We have a long way to go, so let’s just see how we respond next week.
By scooter
September 14, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this
Well, for everyone beating up the OL, 2 of the sacks were corner blitzes that most likely a running back is supposed to pick it up (particularly Chapas on the 2nd one) which is why Stafford did not “look” prepared to handle the blitz. Very correctable. Durham drops a touchdown pass that most high school kids catch. Big impact to the game. To me, the most disappointing offense part for me was our offense putting our defense back on the field for that last drive. Everyone can talk about how “lucky” we are.. but if Davis fumbles on the second play of the drive at the 50, everyone thinks our defense is awesome. We force the turnover on the sixth play of the drive near our goal line and we are “lucky”. We are so young at so many positions. We WILL get better and better this season. Watch what AJ is going to do….
By Charlotte 1
September 14, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this
This game was simple, UGA made a couple of more plays to win. You could speculate all day that if UGA had not dropped so many passes that they would have blown the game open. If you make that argument, it is just as easy to talk about the USC mistakes like stopping on the route when it is 4th and 1 or blocking when the ball is being thrown your way. That’s football, there will always be mistakes by both teams, it comes down to who makes a couple of more plays.
After reading some of these posts, I am not sure how anyone would think that USC’s defense is not good. Even Moreno said that USC has at least 4-5 NFL players on defense. Perhaps if you know nothing about football you may discount the USC defense but, for the most part, they controlled the line all day.
The biggest problem for USC is mental. They are not accustomed to winning and until they get a little more confindence, they will not win these games. But, once over that hump, they will surprise some people.
By GatorJim
September 14, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
Hey, Bulldog Nation. I am a Gator Alumni of the Gator Nation and I tell you one big thing: Listen! Tim Tebow and the Mighty, Mighty Gators could have beat the Gamecocks and super coach Steve Spurrier really big yesterday. Something like 100 to 0! You will see this later and you will see our Mighty, Mighty Gators beat Tennessee this week to!!! Go Gators and we are number ONE!! You say Orange and I will say Blue!! Mighty!!
By DawgTag
September 14, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this
Wow, UGA is not worthy of the #2 ranking. Close character building games don’t come with you dropping 112 yards in penalties. A character building win doesn’t come with a QB laying eggs the entire 4th quarter when the team he was “leading” needed him most. We won because SC couldn’t get out of its own way. We may be good, but as a top 5 team we suck.
I think this might be the year we finally send Richt packing. Do you really think this team can beat LSU at LSU?!? Tennessee? A Florida team p** off at us? REALLY PEOPLE? Richt and Stafford screwed us.
By PAUL3084
September 14, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this
I agree Gdawg, I beleive we have as much talent as any team in the nation the coaches must find a way to unleash the talent and motivate out team each and every game. We all know every game is not ging to be a blowout it just doesn’t work that way and Spurrier seems to give us absolute fits every year. I also agree with the play calling comment, I personally am not sold on some of the plays UGA ran yesterday when they did. Lucky for us, UGA fans the talent is there it’s up to the coaches to make it work. A win is a win!!!!!
By Meatcleaver
September 14, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this
Our defense looked very tired in the 4th quarter, very similar to the Ga. Southern game. I think we have a conditioning problem here. We are supposed to be deeper than all the teams we have played at every position and yet we look exhausted and out of gas at the end of the game.
Martinez needs to get some quickness back to the DE position. Marcus Howard provided it last year, but we look incredibly slow and docile at defensive end so far this year. I’d like to see more of Justin Houston. He looked good on the few series I saw him play.
We did not look good against the Gamecocks, but then, we never do for some reason. Take heart Dawg fans. We also looked bad against them last year, but had we found a way to win ugly like we did yeaterday, we would have been playing for an SEC championship and a NC.
We didn’t hit our stride until mid season. Hopefully it won’t take that long this year. The offense better get ready to score some points next week. Fourteen won’t get it done against ASU. They will put up at least 21 gainst our defense.
One win at a time.
By Manny
September 14, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
I will chalk this ugly win up to bad coaching. The game planning was not good at all. Let me tell you why:
Offense. On Offense, our line was just not getting a push and was getting exposed up the middle. The pitch runs were effective, though. Also, South Carolina’s defense was over-pursuing and it wasn’t exploited but a couple of times. And one of those times was that run by Stafford.
See, those things needed to be addressed by coahing and making adjustments.
Defense. On Defense, once again, we didn’t make the necessary adjustment to shut down SC’s tight end. I thought we should have went to a 4-2. And if we went to that nickel by inserting another person to man up on the TE with someone that can play SS- you can slow down that offensive thrust.
But time after time, they put an LB to cover that TE. And that TE was just too fast for any LB to cover him. I just thought that SC went to that mismatch every time they needed some yardage. And it was there all day.
So I put that showing on the coaches. Yes, there was some bad plays on the O-line. Like that LT diving at the shoes of the defender like he’s 135 lbs. Urrgghhh! That made me angry. But there were opportunities that with good coaching, we could have exploited.
By Reality
September 14, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
Anybody want to tell me how many times LSU was tested or even loss last year and still ended up in NC game. The SEC is not a conference where you can blow everybody out inspite of their record or their performance the week before. You guys have to be realistic and know that these will be hard faught games and if they are won by a point then that is enough to get us to Miami. See you there!
By Kennesaw Fan
September 14, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this
Yes, I’m a Dawg fan too. But when you watch a true number 1 team, the USC in California, you can see the real difference. They DOMINATE with machine-like precision and organization and confidence. UGA just seems to not be in the same class. Because of coaching, having a great QB, great lines, great secondary, and great receivers. We don’t dominate. We’ve never done it and don’t know how. It takes superb talent and quiet confidence in each player. I see our players going out on the field wondering if they’ll do good or mess up. CMR needs more passion and Stafford needs to learn to throw accurate passes. Granted, he can throw hard passes, but if you analyzed all of his passes on film, he has a hard time hitting receivers with accuracy. I hold my breath and turn away from the TV when he tries a long bomb…because we all know the odds of it hitting our receiver is not good and I scream NO DON’T DO THAT…..DON’T EVEN TRY THAT!! And why oh why do we continue to keep getting the number of penalities we get. If I were CMR, I would tell my coaches that their job is on the line is they can’t get their players to not get called for penalities. This alone will lose games for you….there’s just no excuse for it. The UGA coaching staff always seem to get us high ranking on paper, but then cannot live up to it. I would rank us about a #10 team at best.
By RealityBites
September 14, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
Gator Jim, Gator Chomp, whatever U want to call yourself, you’re a queer eye makeover waiting to happen! Your coach Urban Myth will be lucky to get the GAYtors to finish 3rd in the East. The fact you old farts worship a 19 or 20 year old boy is just plain sick. Get a girl, if your too ugly to get a girl get a cat, at least you’ll finally be able to claim you have some pu* at home. Sure UF could beat So. Carolina, U algae covered turds couldn’t even beat sorry aZZ Michigan last year in a bowl GAME!
I say black! u say blue! That’s what Timmy will beaten too!
By office space
September 14, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
Beautiful punt yesterday Mr. Mimbs. If we would have held them there there would be a lot more talk about it. Keep it up, you set yourself apart.
By salty dawg
September 14, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this
A win is a win,and Ill take it.I will not be surprised to lose no.2 ranking .We totally got outcoached today.If Spurrier would have had our talent advantage he would have won by 21.I like CMR,but it is what it is.
By Kendawg
September 14, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
Last year we lost to SC and everybody was unhappy, especially the way things played out at yearend. This year we won and many people are still unhappy. I would have taken a one point win before the game. We’re 3-0. That’s better than 2-1. We need to find a pass-rushing end soon. Also, we need to throw more passes to AJ. At least he can catch.
By T
September 14, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
I thought the offensive line play was poor. That lead to inconsistent play from Stafford. THE DROPPED PASSES were unbelievable! Tripp Chandler should not be on the field if he is going to continue to drop passes right in his hands… I also thought the play calling was poor. Bobo usually calls a very good game, but not yesterday. Defense was average, but came up big in the end. Typical SC game, but at least UGA got the win. Dogs would have lost that game last year and the several years prior…
By SlimG
September 14, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this
Whey! Grade W. Thats a relief. On to the desert dawgs. How bout em.
Ok…..Four real!
Drive killing drop balls plus several missed reads and one of the best defenses in the country equals ugly football game. This game should not have been this close at all.
Wake up bloggers, no pass rush was the plan. Make SC bet us with the pass. Steve has to hate that game plan.
By singndblues
September 14, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
Martinez’s philosophy to play a prevent defense, rushing only three lineman a number of times, with only a 7 point lead, almost lost the game. How many ways can I say, I hate prevent defenses! Yeah you may prevent that 80 yard touchdown play but you wind up giving up yardage in 20 & 30 yard chunks.
By Ronnie
September 14, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Sick and tired of SickandTired. I think Stafford could carry a clipboard. Who cares? Spurrier’s antics and frustration are worth a close, ugly win.
By Conspiracy
September 14, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
Any more comments how the media is conspiring to make USC (not usc) #1. I hope you win out and get them. Line will be 21
By reddawg
September 14, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
Someone inform Chandler that trip is a 4 letter word. Catch is a 5 letter word.
By voice of reason (formerly known as P Dawg)
September 14, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
Didn’t we win? Give me a break guys! Everyone has to go through a couple of close ones a year and we just had our first (on the road). F Spurrier! He said it right- we’re LOSERS!!! Thanks to UGA!!!
By voice of reason
September 14, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this
You know you’re good when you hear BS about a WIN!!! Especially a road SEC win!!!
By King Nick Saban
September 14, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
oh. we. are. going. to. pound. those. losers….
By Dalton
September 14, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
It’s the third game of the season. Rankings at this point mean NOTHING, so it shouldn’t even be a topic of conversation. There are too many games yet to play for all teams. Just win. I repeat, just win. Style points mean nothing now. Just win. If Dawgs keep winning, and ugly wins count the same as blowouts, the goal of the SEC Championship will just gets closer. Polls will take care of themselves in December. Dawgs beat ASU next week, “ugly” or not, and they will be 4-0. I don’t care where the “experts” decide to put them in the poll. DAWGS win. That’s what matters.
By voice of reason
September 14, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
No big deal. It’s just South Corlina.
By voice of reason
September 14, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
A visor just landed in my front yard. Good throw, coach!
By D.Ellis
September 14, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
Alot of areas of concern. But hey we are no USC or Oklahoma. That much is true. But you have to make it their to play those guys first.
The bottom line is this. Winning the SEC is the only thing that matters. PERIOD. Right now we are on track to do that.
3 down. 10 to go. Doesn’t matter how you get there. Doesn’t matter what you wear when you get there. JUST GET THERE.
By TampaGator
September 14, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
If any Dawg fan was wondering who the #1 team in the country was…and why Georgia was ranked behind USC…I guess you can stop wondering now. USC played around with and crushed Ohio State, like a cat does with a cat toy around the house. Here are the real #1 through #4 teams in the country…1) USC 2) Oklahoma 3) Missouri 4) LSU, with Florida and Georgia at 5 and 6. You choose…and then the rest of the wanna bees. If you watched USC and Oklahoma play last night, you know who the two best teams are in the country by a wide margin. Georgia, currently, has too many questions on the OL, at WR, and at TE. But still a very good defense. Florida suddenly has too many questions on offense, but a very good defense (yes, it is true Dawg fans). Florida and Georgia need to fix things to catch up with the two real top teams this year. But I am still wishing for two undefeated teams to match up in Jax…still wishing for a dream come true. By the way, how many times must Ohio State be crushed by a non Big Ten team before everyone stops hearing about how great Ohio State is at the begining of each year…and at the end of each year just before they are crushed again in the NC game? But they probably will beat every team they play in the Big Ten this year and will probably, once again, play for the NC. And, again, get royally crushed by someone! Enough already, please! We want to see a real game…like USC vs. any of the other top 6 real teams in the country.
By bmc
September 14, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this
I was there..could have been the most frustrating game ever attended if we had lost…we have one of the best players in all of college football and he runs the ball 20 times..last possession..game and clock on our side and we get stuffed and have to keep them in the game…dropped passes..kill drives…our play calling was horrible…never set the tone to take control of game.. We need a first down play that gives us 5-6 yards..to many 3rd and long situations…their defense kicked us all day..as they did last year…yet..we won and I’m happy!
By voice of reason
September 14, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this
Stop bragging on osu dumbass. osu is always overrated. I’ll take UGA over Southern Cal any day of the week. Just because UGA didn’t destroy south carolina doesn’t mean we suck. Listening to you a*****, you would think we just lost a game or something!
By voice of reason
September 14, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this
I hope gamecock henry is gone for good. As for the rest of you c** fans, how long before you start talking about what you’ll do to us next year? I’m laughing my a* off at all the trash you’ve been talking leading up to this game. 45-14-2 lifetime vs SC! I don’t think I’d be saying anything either! Goodbye and good riddance losers!
By dandydawg
September 14, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
TampaGator….
You need to keep it real! If Ohio State is one of the top five teams in the country, then Vandy is also a top five team. I am sick of hearing all this smash mouth USC (west coast)… Who have they played … let’s see (Virginia and OSU). OSU, when facing a real opponent, has been trounced the last two times… so they don’t count… Virigina, well you saw Saturday (45-10 loss) what they were made of. So stop killing me with this bull that USC is the best team in the country. As far as we know it could be OK or MIZZ. So, no, we can’t stop wandering. Were the Gators wandering two years ago when they had to block a kick by SC to win the game and then go on to win a NC? I think NOT! And for sure you were excited. Georgia beat a great SEC defense and all we hear from the smart butts is “Yall not that good”. Until you beat us, we are better than all of you. And if you do beat us, I will say you were better on that day! So kill all this negative talk (that goes for the Dawgs fans too). We are 3-0 and to hell with ESPN, ABC and the damn Polls! Only the last one counts anyway!!!! Let the team do the talking on the field.
By Jay
September 14, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
I feel comfortable with UGA in Tempe next Sat. I truly believe that we will step it up and beat all remaining teams on our schedule. A lot of mental mistakes were made yesterday. If it not were for the dropped passes and lost yardage due to penalties, the score could have easily been 28-7. UGA has the most talented team in the SEC, hands down. They just have to expose their talent each game and prove the critics wrong. The key is to work on correcting those mistakes and stay focused. GO DAWGS!
By dandydawg
September 14, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
(With Corrections) TampaGator….
You need to keep it real! If Ohio State is one of the top five teams in the country, then Vandy is also a top five team. I am sick of hearing all this smash mouth USC (west coast)… Who have they played … let’s see (Virginia and OSU). OSU, when facing a real opponent, has been trounced the last two times… so they don’t count… Virigina, well you saw Saturday (45-10 loss) what they were made of. So stop killing me with this bull that USC is the best team in the country. As far as we know it could be OK or MIZZ. So, no, we can’t stop wondering. Were the Gators wondering two years ago when they had to block a kick by SC to win the game and then go on to win a NC? I think NOT! And for sure you were excited. Georgia beat a great SEC defense and all we hear from the smart butts is “Yall not that good”. Until you beat us, we are better than all of you. And if you do beat us, I will say you were better on that day! So kill all this negative talk (that goes for the Dawgs fans too). We are 3-0 and to hell with ESPN, ABC and the damn Polls! Only the last one counts anyway!!!! Let the team do the talking on the field.
By DestinDawg
September 14, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
Shorter passes-Longer runs !
By joe_h
September 14, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this
And Stafford missed not once but twice a corner blitz that had touchdown written all over it
Kind of hard to throw the ball when that corner blitz is not picked up by the fullback, and you’re on your butt two seconds after the ball is snapped to you.
By tony
September 14, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
to be bless with the most talentive team in college football mark richt has to be 1 of the worse game manager in the ncaa.
we have the best rb in college but clueless mark richt only gave moreno 20 carries.
we won the national championship in 1980 because vince dooley was smart enough to realize that herschel walker gave us the best chance to win games.
if anyone think that stafford is a great qb needs a brain transplant. i saw mediocrity in his game last season. he’s a sub-50% comp qb who’s trying to make a name for himself.
mark richt, do us all a favor and start joe cox and let him hand the ball off to moreno 30 times a game and throw the ball to aj green so he can make plays.
By tierawn
September 14, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this
yall white people think staffords some kind of brady. ha aint noethin. yall aint gonna win till you get someone like the vergina teck qb, or the georgia teck qb.
yall betta recognize.
By NikkiFree
September 14, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this
A win is a win. But for the sake of having some sort of passing game PLEASE FEED THE GREEN!!!! A.J. Green, that is.
By GwinnettDawg
September 14, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
voice of reason, you are spot on about Gamecock Henry!! I hope that sunny beach is STILL crying his imbecile arse off today after all that smack talk about the hens. As you mentioned, good riddance to that cork soaking Carolina wuss ball. I will admit that the yard chickens have a ferocious defense - Moreno limited to just 79 yards - think about it. Bottom line is that the Dawgs ruled and GC Hank is STILL locked in his musty trailer bathroom, crying her little eyes out!!!
By S.G. DAWG
September 14, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
havent heard from all of you fair weather pricks in a while. sorry teck lost but get off this blog.
By wreckmaniac
September 14, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
Schultz, to borrow the phrase of the week, you have just succeeded in ‘putting lipstick on a pig”
By wreckmaniac
September 14, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
The one serious move this team needs to make is to understand that its offense will never carry it to half-conference or conference champ. When it realizes that the ONLY way it will win a champ is with its defense it will become much better. The best thing that happened for SC yesterday is that GA’s offense was on the field for most of the day.
By wreckmaniac
September 14, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
The best news for UGA fans is that Stafford is not ready for NFL and will be back next season. That is also the best news for UGA opponents. Stafford will not go in the first three rounds of any NFL draft and will keep a better QB off the field at UGA for at least this season and next. I can just imagine the QB talent that is riding the pine in Athens this year and next year. In other words, how many more DJ Shockleys can there be ?
By left blank
September 14, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
OVER-RATED CLAP CLAP CLAP-CLAP-CLAP
Have fun in the Cotton Bowl
By dawgfaninmich
September 14, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
Coaches poll is out UGA drops to #3
1USC 2Oklahoma 3Georgia
By dawgfaninmich
September 14, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
AP Poll has Georgia at #3 also
By Regan
September 14, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
You BUTT SNIFFING, G C** LICKING, CRYSTAL BALL Busting, Beer Bellied Rednecks plaese get over yourselves. NOW, So. CAROLINA is a power team in the SEC, but all week the 2 Heisman Canidate DAWGS were going to hang 50 on DARTH VISOR. HAHAHAH. So, 14 is the new 50 and the other top teams put up what 200 in their games. You were Over-Rated to start the season and you are over-rated now. UGA should open every season 4-0 with your easy early schedule and you know it. I guess now ASU is a POWERHOUSE too after their defeat. You would wish that the REAL USC would wear a TROJAN if you were going to play them next week you week knee ankle grabers. You know as of your play lately you don’t want to play BAMA, LSU, UF, or any top 15 team.
By Regan
September 14, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
You BUTT SNIFFING, G C** LICKING, CRYSTAL BALL Busting, Beer Bellied Rednecks plaese get over yourselves. NOW, So. CAROLINA is a power team in the SEC, but all week the 2 Heisman Canidate DAWGS were going to hang 50 on DARTH VISOR. HAHAHAH. So, 14 is the new 50 and the other top teams put up what 200 in their games. You were Over-Rated to start the season and you are over-rated now. UGA should open every season 4-0 with your easy early schedule and you know it. I guess now ASU is a POWERHOUSE too after their defeat. You would wish that the REAL USC would wear a TROJAN if you were going to play them next week you week knee ankle grabers. You know as of your play lately you don’t want to play BAMA, LSU, UF, or any top 15 team.
By Regan
September 14, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
You BUTT SNIFFING, G C** LICKING, CRYSTAL BALL Busting, Beer Bellied Rednecks plaese get over yourselves. NOW, So. CAROLINA is a power team in the SEC, but all week the 2 Heisman Canidate DAWGS were going to hang 50 on DARTH VISOR. HAHAHAH. So, 14 is the new 50 and the other top teams put up what 200 in their games. You were Over-Rated to start the season and you are over-rated now. UGA should open every season 4-0 with your easy early schedule and you know it. I guess now ASU is a POWERHOUSE too after their defeat. You would wish that the REAL USC would wear a TROJAN if you were going to play them next week you week knee ankle grabers. You know as of your play lately you don’t want to play BAMA, LSU, UF, or any top 15 team.
By GwinnettDawg
September 14, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
wreck & regan, UGA won the game 14 - 7. The rambling mess got schooled by a sub-par VT team. Any questions, @$$wipes? Thought not. Now go practice cussing and throwing things around your trailers to get ready for watching the BULLDOGS whip some gt @$$ yet again this year. It will happen - oh, yes. It will happen. There will be nothing that the bees can do about it and you @$$ clowns know it. I cannot WAIT to see the UGA defense have some fun with the gt triple-fumble offense. At least your coach has an appropriate last name (i.e., gt players like to hug big, hairy johnsons).
By GwinnettDawg
September 14, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this
wreck & regan, UGA won the game 14 - 7. The rambling mess got schooled by a sub-par VT team. Any questions, @$$wipes? Thought not. Now go practice cussing and throwing things around your trailers to get ready for watching the BULLDOGS whip some gt @$$ yet again this year. It will happen - oh, yes. It will happen. There will be nothing that the bees can do about it and you @$$ clowns know it. I cannot WAIT to see the UGA defense have some fun with the gt triple-fumble offense. At least your coach has an appropriate last name (i.e., gt players like to hug big, hairy johnsons).
By GwinnettDawg
September 14, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
wreck & regan, UGA won the game 14 - 7. The rambling mess got schooled by a sub-par VT team. Any questions, @$$wipes? Thought not. Now go practice cussing and throwing things around your trailers to get ready for watching the BULLDOGS whip some gt @$$ yet again this year. It will happen - oh, yes. It will happen. There will be nothing that the bees can do about it and you @$$ clowns know it. I cannot WAIT to see the UGA defense have some fun with the gt triple-fumble offense. At least your coach has an appropriate last name (i.e., gt players like to hug big, hairy johnsons).
By dawgsarejokes
September 14, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this
Georgia is the first preseason No. 1 to drop that far after starting 3-0 since Oklahoma in 1985
Ha Ha Ha Go puppies, maybe next week you will be as high as 10 !
By Keeping It Real
September 14, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this
Jawja is not the third best team in the SEC let alone the USA. For the sake of the SEC, lets hope none of them plays USC. It would be total embarrassment.
By Uga_Sucks
September 14, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
If Stafford is so good, why does he constantly throw behind his recievers?
This is why I love Jeff Schultz and Ugay fans, always giving me somebody to laugh at!!!
By Dalton
September 14, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
Regan…are you okay?? Why the angst and anger? Dawgs won. Period. Who cares about the score. Five games from now, UGA will probably be 7-1 or 8-0. I don’t care if they win them by 50 or by 1. The Dawgs don’t care about the polls, either. SEC Championship is the goal. Everything else will take care of itself.
By dawgsarejokes
September 14, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
Five games from now Georgia may be 5-3. Obama MAY be running for President but he is still a muslim!
By Dalton
September 14, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this
What does Obama have to do with the discussion on this sports blog? Joker, you’ve got to come up with something better than that. That was embarrassing. Why don’t you talk about YOUR team, which is…??
By Dalton
September 14, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this
Well, that’s what I figured. No class from “joker” and no sports knowledge.
By GaCracker
September 14, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this
If Stafford returns next year, I hope we will start another QB for SC or he will be injured and miss. It’s a head case with him now. He had Trip Chandler open and threw high and behind him, the hardest catch to make. He is taught to lead and throw on the NUMBERS. He also tries too many home run passes when a nice 15 to 20 yard pass will keep a drive going. On third and more than 7 you don’t have to throw the bomb. Get thr fricking 1st down man!!!! He still throws some short passes too hard - he needs to work more on touch. Francis Tarkenton come talk to the boy!
By SickandTired
September 14, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this
3 with a bullet trending down. Saint Mark stock. Dump it now while it’s peaked. Buy Paul Johnson it is low then sell after UGA Game. Then buy all the Nick Saban stock you can get your hands on.By GwinnettDawg
September 14, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this
wreck & regan, UGA won the game 14 - 7. The rambling mess got schooled by a sub-par VT team. Any questions, @$$wipes? Thought not. Now go practice cussing and throwing things around your trailers to get ready for watching the BULLDOGS whip some gt @$$ yet again this year. It will happen - oh, yes. It will happen. There will be nothing that the bees can do about it and you @$$ clowns know it. I cannot WAIT to see the UGA defense have some fun with the gt triple-fumble offense. At least your coach has an appropriate last name (i.e., gt players like to hug big, hairy johnsons).
By SC Loser
September 14, 2008 7:22 PM | Link to this
Yayuh, yunz dun gawt wun awn us hyar in Souf Karlinah. Yunz bettuh wawtch owt nex yar tho kawz we gawn put wun awn yunz. Ah mone bayet muh trayluh fer attar gayme in Affinz nex yar. Yezzir, we gawn put uh wuppeen awn emmar dawgz. Ah bin uh drankeen leedle bit but ah no emmar game kawks eez gawn whup sum butt nex yar. Hayl yayuh!!! Go Kawks!!!
By DAWGHATER
September 14, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this
Hey UGAly Fans: Guess what? Your crappy team dropped again in the polls. Ooops, that’s 3 in a row. You have been overated and still are. As usual, your ot of conference schedule is weak and you think you will win it all every year. Not so soon, my young redneck dog fans. You barely beat lowly SC, which lost to Vandy. Now you play ASU, which lost to UNLV. Now that’s a Powerhouse team you have Saturday. Don’t worry, you will lose to Florida (As usual), LSU for sure, BAMA probably and GT this year. Also, it’s pretty sad when GT’s QB runs for more than 150 yards against a ranked team, that’s VT at 23 0r 24 and KNOWSHOW and STAFFORD look like crap. Keep bragging on KNOWSHOW as Heisman. Not a chance. Also, your team sucks and so do your redneck fans. So get your fat azzes out of your double wide trailers in your lil crappy city of Athens, throw some chitlins in the boiler and watch your team drop some more. Hey, maybe next year, but not this year! SORRY DAWGS! IT AINT HAPPENING!
By pete
September 14, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this
Oklahoma may have been the only other team to slip to number 3 after starting the season with a 3-0 record (in 1985), but, Dog fans, take heart: OU ended up winning the national championship that year.
By TruDawg
September 14, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this
UGA can no longer hide behind last year’s finish. This is a high-end mediocre team with a great running back. A group of retired nuns would have brought as much defensive line heat as UGA did yesterday. The greatest danger the ASU QB will face is trying not to get bored while he waits for his receivers to get open. UGA’s defensive strategy of “keep them on the field until they make a mistake” won’t play much longer. With four top ten SEC teams looming, UGA may soon start thinking about how good they’ll be next year.
By rick
September 14, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this
i wish were were ranked 20 or lower, then mothing to prove. Just sneek up on everybody. Overrated??? Come tell me that in Jan. You see my name, i will be here, win or lose. If we played USC’s schedule we would be considered God’s team also, we would pin 50 on everyone also. Get off it, people, jealousy is a tough thing, we are 3-0, and your record is???…..
By zone1atl/borngator
September 14, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this
No one can deny the talent that the Trojans have. No matter how much you hate it you have to admit from a talent stand point they are stacked. I think that Lil Matty has benefitted greatly from a strong run game and defense. UF didn’t have a run game or D last year. The reason we won what we did was because of Tebow. If the run game is not working and the D is not stopping the opponent…could Lil Matty win the game on his on? Just have to wait and see. See u garbage dawgs in November. Go GATORS!!!
By Ron
September 14, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this
TE: How about Figgins or Aron White.
The play calling was terrible. Sorry BoBo. Over the middle was open all day. Sorry BoBo.
By Bob
September 14, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
The pre-season rankings and expectations were based largely on all the returning starters. You can tell that this team is feeling the loss of both the #1 offensive and #1 defensive lineman, especailly Sturtevant. But good teams find ways to win, even with major pieces missing. And the Bulldogs proved they can find a way to win against a good SEC team, even missing some key players and making some mental mistakes. That is a test that will likely serve them well for the remainder of the season.
By whatfor
September 14, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
No - you are wrong Schultz - the key to the UGA “win” against SC was the fumble that the SC running back gave-up in the End Zone - which GA didn’t cause. Take that and it is a different game where I believe the puppies would have been losers. Some reason - SC loves to fumble in the end zone - like about 3 years back. That was the key to yesterday’s ballgame.
By its me
September 14, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this
Don’t worry about AZST - They lost to a very bad team named UNLV late Saturday night - what a riot - and some of you are worried about us against AZST - come-on - we will kill them
By DAWGHATER
September 14, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this
Hey It’s Me: Kill them just like you did crappy SC? You will be lucky to beat crappy ASU, as your school, team and fans all suck azz! GO ASU! Hey KNOWSHOW for Heisman? NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! Also, GT kicks your sorry dawg azzes between the rotten hedges! LMFAO!
By DAWGHATER
September 14, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this
Hey Ronny Boy: That’s Blowbo in UGAly Land. He is probably blowing the refs. It’s BLOWBO the call maker. It’s time for him and your team to swallow again my friend. Your going down when you play real teams instead of wimps. As for SC being a good SEC team? WTF! They lost to Vandy! Enough Said!
By DAWGHATER
September 15, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this
UGA Fans: How many points is a 3 point basket worth? A) 1 B) 2 C) 3 D) 4
What are your school colors?
A) Pink for panzies B) Baby Blue for wimps C) Silver and Black D) None of the above.
What a school! Do these questions remind you of your awesome school and your basketball coach and program. You are pathetic in all kinds of ways. UGA SUCKS!
By blackswan
September 15, 2008 12:39 AM | Link to this
As a UGA guy, our D and O line is scaring me. SC is not known for their stellar QB play, and we made him look like Dan Marino at times. Just think what a better QB, with better recievers could do with the same time to throw….which is almost every QB on the schedule. If we get into an offensive shootout…we didnt show we could protect Stafford.
By John Leach
September 15, 2008 4:07 AM | Link to this
Why are you guys beating each other up?I’m a longtime Gamecock fan but ya’ll won period paragragh. It’s not easy but we hang in there. Ya’ll didn’t play a patsy.There is a a lot of young off players but the defense is stout. We all watched it and the best team won. But I do believe we may help ya’ll in your challenge. I guess I’m not an expert but I believe ya’ll beat an up and coming team. I have no complaints.Good luck to you. John
By hop
September 15, 2008 7:02 AM | Link to this
gacracker.. you are right on about stafford’s passing, he does not have any touch.
stafford looked like he did in last year’s carolina. most of the so called drop passes were throws that were off-target.
they were very difficult catches to make.
tarkenton would be a good one to teach him how to throw with some touch and being on target.
mike bobo are you listening!
By Jerry G
September 15, 2008 7:24 AM | Link to this
We UGA fans have a short memory. SC plays UGA hard every year. It’s never a blowout…no matter how high we’re ranked. Vegas had it at 7 and they were right. UGA played maybe the toughest defense they’ll face all year, in their place, and won. Too many penalties. Too many dropped passes. But UGA did what Vegas said the #2 team going into the best defense in the SEC’s home stadium should do. They won by 7! Why OU moved ahead of them when UGA did exactly what should have been done baffles me!
By SickandTired
September 15, 2008 7:47 AM | Link to this
Jerry, Jerry, Jerry put the Kool-Aid down please. Do you honestly believe South Carolina is the toughest defense you’ll face all year or that just your A$$ talking fella? You’re gonna face at least 4 tougher than that one. And if it is so tough how come Vandy hung 21 on that mighty gamecock defense. Georgia has scored ONE (1) touchdown on South Carolina in the last 8 quarters of play against them. Mel Kiper says Matthew is the best qb in college football and will the the #1 overall pick. Don’t you think you should maybe get some of that NFL potential out of him before he leaves?
By scdawg
September 15, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this
When will Southerland be back???&%&$#&
By GetOverIt
September 15, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this
You’re right, the polls don’t matter, just keep winning and everything will take care of itself. That’s exactly what USC and Oklahoma are thinking and we will see them in Miami.
By Spurrier Rocks
September 15, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this
Re: Oklahoma may have been the only other team to slip to number 3 after starting the season with a 3-0 record (in 1985), but, Dog fans, take heart: OU ended up winning the national championship that year.
Ah…hello! Did you people even watch the USC game (the team on the west coast)!? Everyone is playing for second place. This team is head and shoulders above the rest. Albeit, Un of Okl looks like a close second. UGA is nowhere close to that level.
By Calm down Mouthbreathers
September 15, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
Ifs, Buts, Candy, Nuts. I don’t know whats more comical, the jump off the ledge Georgia fans or the obsessive Tech & Florida fans on this blog. Close games happen and UGA didn’t play well. But you guys are going to give yourself an anuerism if you don’t relax. Polls are irrelevant, and you can judge overated/underated at the end of the season, not in week 3. In the Mark Richt era, UGA has finished ranked higher than they started 5 of 7 years, and in the two seasons where the finished lower, they dropped from 4 to 8 and 16 to 24. UGA is in fact consistently one of the most Underated teams in the country.
By Keeping It Real
September 15, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
I understand that Jawja last played USC back in 1960. Does anyone know the final score?
By knoxdawg
September 15, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this
Anybody remember 1980 UGA/USC game. 13 - 10 final score won by a recovered fumble late in the game as Carolina was driving for the win. It is very difficult to go into anyone’s stadium and win but even more so in this series, especially when you are ranked #2. You will get their best. UGA didn’t give their best but I don’t want to take away credit from SC. They made us look bad but we won. Go back to the practice field and work on correcting mistakes and getting better.
By gdawginkalamazoo
September 15, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this
So far SoCal has been head and shoulders above college football for this entire decade. Loaded with talent like a baked potato at Wendy’s. So it would reason that they would have 8 NC’s this millenium. They have 1. Let’s play the season out and see what happens. To give them the crystal ball just because they beat OSU is a little premature. Oklahoma? They will lose one or two. Texas will take it to them and so will Texas Tech offense. Let’s gets some serious games in before we hand out trophies.
Guys have to catch the ball. Why do we go through this every year? The WR’s have to get the separation from the DB’s too. I didn’t recall seeing a lot of that Sat. night. Watching some of the highpowered O’s on the highlights they have the WR’s wide out 10 yards past the DB’s. I thought we were loaded at WR. I want to see them flying down the field. Greeg looked very good. The possession type receiver that we really need. Not afraid to catch it over the middle. Kinda of like a Hines Ward.
By Bo Baswell
September 15, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this
I poorly called game by both the offensive and defensive cordinators. South Carolina’s d was teeing off all day long. 2 play action plays all day (both of which were sucessful)Damn linebacker covering SC’S Moe Brown all afternoon. We have all the talent in the world, but we need some innovative minds to utilize it.
Go Dawgs!
By gdawginkalamazoo
September 15, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
Bo, Danielson, the announcer, was all over that LB coverage all night long. That SC tight end was open a lot. We have the personel to cover a couple of people don’t we. I know a win we didn’t get last year but hope we learned a lot too.
By Jeff
September 15, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this
A-ville Ranger,
Sorry, but when you were 15 of 25 with at least 5 drops, you weren’t missing many receivers.
Stafford didn’t have a great game. But, that was mostly on account of drops and a South Carolina D that had a great game and kept pressure on him for most of it.
By Joel in ATL
September 15, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this
Blah Blah Blah.
Look they are not all pretty and when you can win the ugly ones you’ll be a better time downt he road. Last year we GA lost the “ugly” one to So Carolina. This year they won it, just like the pollsters continue to sleep on the Dawgs again and let the Dawgs do what they do best. WIN,. In the record books it’s not going to saw Georgia 14 South Carolina 7 *(Barely), it’s going to read UGA 14 S.Carolina 7 F. in other words a WIN, if you want style points go play NCAA 09 on Freshman!!!
By truedawg
September 15, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
I think its funny that everybody says that Stafford is horrible, and he cant make throws…..he is a great QB, look at every other QB in the nation…..tebow and all the other qb’s that you praise all look to the sideline to get the audible’s from there coach’s…..Stafford calls his own Audible’s (he called the audible that he ran down to the 4 by the way)……and as far as his arm, he can make the plays if the guys can catch it……And it doesnt matter if South Carolina loses every single game before us they play us harder than anybody…..anybody with any colleg football knowledge should know that…..and was it just me or was our defense lights out on the run all night…..in teh first quarter and halfway through the second quarter they were in the negative as far as yards!!! GO DAWGS!!! trust me, everything and every game will work out….and if they dont….my dad always says….its better to be luckky then good!!!!!