AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > September > 23 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDogs grow up with big win
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
Tuscaloosa, Ala. — This was the team we expected, the one that exorcised memories of losses to Vanderbilt and Kentucky with three straight wins last season, the one that opened the season by pounding Oklahoma State — the one that inexplicably missed the off-ramp on the way to the South Carolina game.
Georgia didn’t merely win a game Saturday night.
It grew up.
Matthew Stafford, showing a cool we witnessed a year ago when he was a freshman, took hold of a game in the most hostile and electric of surroundings. He threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Mikey Henderson in overtime, giving the Bulldogs a 26-23 win over Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
“This is huge for us,” Stafford said. “We’re so young. To win here, to win any game like this on the road in the SEC, is big. It felt like there were 200,000 people out there. This is a big moment for this team.”
The winning touchdown pass came after the Crimson Tide had taken a lead in overtime with a 42-yard field goal. It came after Georgia’s Brandon Coutu had missed a 47-yard field-goal attempt in the final seconds of regulation that could have won it. It came after Alabama had rallied from a 20-10 deficit to tie it.
That’s a sign of a team and a quarterback maturing.
This was not the same Stafford who struggled against South Carolina two weeks ago in the Dogs’ SEC opener. This time, he made plays that won the game. When things went wrong, he came back stronger.
After an interception led to Alabama tying the game 10-10, Stafford led two scoring drives.
And after Coutu missed the 47-yarder as time expired in the fourth, Stafford shook it off … and then started clapping.
“I was excited to play more football,” he said. “I wanted to get back out there. We all did. It’s a good sign for this football team.”
“He doesn’t let bad plays affect him,” offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said. “Even when they tied they game, he brought us right back and got us into field-goal range. Even though we missed it, it was a huge confidence boost for the offense.”
Nobody knew quite what to make of the Bulldogs going into this one. They had played three games, looking alternately great (Oklahoma State), awful (South Carolina) and borderline disinterested (Western Carolina). Football teams like balance, but not in multiple personalities.
If a loss to Alabama wouldn’t have doomed Georgia in the SEC, it would at least have caused nightmarish, Ray Goff flashbacks. The Bulldogs last started 0-2 in the conference in 1993 under Goff (who opened 1-4 on the way to 5-6).
But this team looked different from the outset Saturday — not only from ‘93, but from the South Carolina game two weeks ago.
The Dogs drove for a touchdown on their first possession. They converted three straight third-down situations. Against the Gamecocks, the offense failed to locate the end zone for the first time in six years and went 3-for-18 on third down.
The early differences were obvious. Stafford looked in control, completing seven of his first 10 passes. The offensive line protected well and popped open a few holes for Thomas Brown and Knowshon Moreno. The play-calling? Bobo had Stafford continually expose the soft belly of the Alabama defense with short passes over the middle.
And there was something else the Bulldogs showed early and often: a little nastiness. Wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi leveled Crimson Tide defensive back Simeon Castille on a downfield block. Georgia DB Bryan Evans buried running back Terry Grant. Tackle Jarius Wynn ripped off quarterback John Parker Wilson’s helmet. OK, that’s a penalty. Not smart, but it’s good for street cred.
Things could have easily unraveled. They led 10-0, only to see Alabama come back with a field goal just before the half. They failed to convert when the Tide fumbled away the second-half kickoff. Then a Stafford overthrow led to an interception at the Dogs’ 37, setting up a 1-yard, tying touchdown run by Wilson.
But the Dogs came back. A 6-yard touchdown run by Moreno set up by three straight Stafford completions, then a field goal by Coutu. It was 20-10, and suddenly things weren’t so bright in Saban Nation. Go figure: $32 million contracts don’t come with guarantees.
Young teams don’t come with guarantees, either. But after a series of confusing outings, the Dogs took a step toward maturity Saturday. It just took a while.
Permalink | Comments (132) | Post your comment | Categories: Jeff Schultz, UGA / SEC
Comments
By RedAndBlack
September 23, 2007 1:20 AM | Link to this
Yoohoo, WhiteAndGold, where are you? What are you going to say this time…NOTHING! Your bugs lost, and the Dawgs won with heart. Don’t even try to come in here and talk trash.
By Gary
September 23, 2007 1:27 AM | Link to this
What a exciting win. After this game, Mike Bobo just needs to call pass’s to Shawn Bailey every time until the other team figures out how to stop him. Moreno is a really exciting “can break it long” young back with unlimited potential. The Dog’s just coming back and did not let anything deter them for a really great win. Matthew Stafford will keep getting better with time and I see a great future with our young team.
By hattiesburgdawg
September 23, 2007 1:28 AM | Link to this
Wow, little Jeff writes a nice column about UGA! Shocking! Where is the usual snarky “chihuahua” comment or the snide comment on Richt’s lack of discipline? I think Jeff took his meds today and I am grateful.
By NASCARfan
September 23, 2007 1:41 AM | Link to this
R&B, you know something I just kinda realized.
When you stack Red & Black up against White & Gold, the Red covers up the White and the Black covers up the Gold.
Dude, this may be the beer talking, but even our colors kicks Bug @$$!!!
By BJohnDAWG
September 23, 2007 1:42 AM | Link to this
MR and the DAWGS find a way to win on the road again.23-3 in road games.
Oline played a great game. Moreno and Brown strong as usual. Stafford play well( sans the two ints.)
Bobo called a good game. And the defense was as someone said “MAN ENOUGH”.
But the Bugs from the north avenue trade school seem to have a problem with games they are suppose to win.Excuse now is …’we had all these injuries. Bugs are 2-2 and 0-2 in the conference. Yeah it is their year all right. LOL
GO DAWGS!Good win over a tough team.
Oh, and to hell with the BUGS from the North Avenue Vocational school.
By sarfdawg
September 23, 2007 1:44 AM | Link to this
I think we now see how the RB situation needs to play out: Moreno gets the bulk of the load, and Lumpkin can do damage between the tackles. Thomas Brown - love him - but he is a third-down back, catching balls out of the backfield. The difference between him and Moreno is staggering.
That said, who cares…Dogs win baby!! And, this just in, Tide fans…the Bear is still dead!
By Buck in the NW
September 23, 2007 1:45 AM | Link to this
JEFF GOOD COLUMN! I WAS VERY WORRIED ABOUT WHAT OUR OFFENSIVE GAME PLAN WOULD BE BUT I PICKED THE DAWGS TO WIN 30-24 SO I WAS WRONG BUT THAT’S NOT FAR FROM WHERE THE ACORN FELL. NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO BE NEGATIVE ABOUT ANYTHING. WE KNOW WHY CMR CLOSED PRACTICE AND DID HE EVER SELL THAT ACT TO EVERYBODY AND WE KNOW THAT LEAKS DON’T COME FROM THE PLAYERS. i STILL CAN’T BELIEVE THE PLAY OF OUR “OL” LINE AND IF I EVER HEAR ANYBODY SAY THAT MATHEW STAFFORD DOESN’T HAVE ICE WATER IN HIS VEINS I’LL KNOW THAT THEY REALY DON’T KNOW WHAT THEY’RE TALKING ABOUT. THE REST OF TONIGHT AND TOMORROW IS CELEBRATION TIME AND MONDAY WE CONTINUE THE “ONE GAME AT A TIME” STRATERGY AND PREPARE FOR ‘OLD MISS. WHAT A WIN! YOU CALLED IT!
By dawgnation60
September 23, 2007 2:00 AM | Link to this
What a great SEC game! What a great SEC win! Two great programs with two class act Coaches…
By quaildawg
September 23, 2007 2:11 AM | Link to this
Hey Pappy Schultz dare I say you are schizo?! I guess Richt must have eaten gun powder this week every breakfast and was heard to have dined on nails and was spitting out tacks!!! Bet the reason Dawgs won was because our Coach changed his ways like you suggested?! Here’s hoping you take a wrong turn in Tuscaloosa and head West…never to be heard from again!!!!!
By Buck in the NW
September 23, 2007 2:15 AM | Link to this
FORGOT TO ASK ALL ‘BAMMA FANS, HOW DO YOU DEFINE THE WORDS “SUDDEN DEATH”?
By 10gadawg
September 23, 2007 2:24 AM | Link to this
Man, what a great game. The only down side was the 2 interceptions. Did I mention that TECH sux!
By BROOKS
September 23, 2007 2:43 AM | Link to this
SEC here we come!!! UGA is back, not that we went anywhere but people have counted us out!! Bama fans and the rest of the league Fear the Dawg!!! Mark Richt and Mike Bobo called an outstanding game and we can only get better!!! Its nice to knock Bama back to reality because they really don’t have a good team. They have a few good players!! Go DAWGS!!!!!!!!!
By DawgFan0137
September 23, 2007 3:53 AM | Link to this
So where are all the ‘Bama fans that were on these blogs earlier this week saying the Dawgs were going home crying? Bug fans in hiding???
By Robert
September 23, 2007 3:59 AM | Link to this
Let’s have another good headline. Tech “zooms” past Georgia in the standings again!!!
By Robert
September 23, 2007 3:59 AM | Link to this
Let’s have another good headline. Tech “zooms” past Georgia in the standings again!!!
By jdawg34
September 23, 2007 4:15 AM | Link to this
You know..I saw this and I really do not know why to respond, except to say…who cares…Jeff has made the circuit recently and gotten the headlines that he wanted…maybe he took Pat Dye’s place…these young men are maybe fed up with negatives…now maybe these articles will fade away…jdawgs34
By jay
September 23, 2007 6:10 AM | Link to this
Jeff, watch those knees. You jump on and off the UGA bandwagon so often, you’ll eventually need surgery.
By Capt Caveman
September 23, 2007 6:14 AM | Link to this
Dawgs young’ns got their watershed win. Now it’s just a matter of time before this group brings home the National Championship.
OH YEAH —- GO DAWGS AND TO HELL WITH TECH!!
By Hunk Erdown
September 23, 2007 7:15 AM | Link to this
Headline-
Even with Coutou’s “Under Toe”, Saban’s Tide not “Currently” strong enough to “Ebb” surge by Dogs
By Hunk Erdown
September 23, 2007 7:18 AM | Link to this
“Dogs catch Saban at Low Tide, sink Pachyderms at their own Tar Pit”
By old timer
September 23, 2007 7:20 AM | Link to this
I thought saint sabin was the savior at alabama.everyone found out he was just a common mortal.Maybe with his suitcase he can get some on the job training.Great game DAWGS.
By Steve
September 23, 2007 7:38 AM | Link to this
Dawgs take the game to the Tide and finally show us what they got! Unfortunately, Florida is still on the schedule, although Ole Miss showed some stuff themselves. Great SEC this Year!
By old timer
September 23, 2007 7:39 AM | Link to this
I get the most satisfaction watching every one on espn and espn2,eat their stupid predictions.old mayes and dumba$$.The showcase for alabama called gameday.tickled the tickle pile out of me. “DAWGS”
By fildawg
September 23, 2007 7:58 AM | Link to this
WOOF WOOF WOOF WOOF WOOF!!!!
By Paul in J-ville
September 23, 2007 8:01 AM | Link to this
What a reverse in direction for the fate of the dawgs! Breaking this down is too simple:
Special Teams: looked like a different team. Bama had poor field position most of the game while the dawgs actually stsrted near the 50 on 5 occasions. We actually tackled well, especially #53 he was in on all kickoffs.
O-Line - as CMR said, having 3, yes 3 guys go down this week in practice and moving Vince V from Tackle to guard shown nothing short of a miracle the job they did last night. GAME BALL to these guys!
Defense played inspired and finally let their talent out and showed the speed. Bama has 3 very gifted and dangerous players on offense 2 Recv and 1 back that were pretty much neutralized. Great Scheme also by Willie Martinez all night
Budding Superstar KNOWSHON MORENO - face it nobody in a long, long time has played with the type of grit, moxy, and talent of this guy. Loved it when he would rather put the DB on his back than go out of bounds on that run near mid-field. This gets contageous and other players are seeing it and the team gets jacked.
Play calling Coach Bobo could not have called a better game in the 1st half, it was superb. They obviously exploited Bamas over agressive D and chopped them up with shorts the whole 1st half. 2nd half i’ll give him a “B” on calls. Got way too conservative for a stretch ( although it was obvious we were trying to eat clock) but it might have cost us the game. Like to see us put the nail in the coffin and stay with our game plan longer and put teams away instead of getting so conservative. Love the last call though, it was perfect!
What a great night, this should be a good start to hopefully a good run. Watch out for Ole Miss they actually played very inspired against the Gaytors and also have 2 very good wideouts. If D line puts as much pressure as they did tonight it will be a long night for the Rebels. GO DAWGS
By Jerry Gray
September 23, 2007 8:07 AM | Link to this
There is no football like SEC football! 92k fans! Great tradition! Two teams loaded with great athletes fighting it out! Great coaches! It gets more difficult to win every year, so a win like this one in a conference like no other must be cherished. UGA is young but demonstrated that it can play with anyone in the conference. Did anyone see Kentucky? The SEC!!!
By Hunk Erdown
September 23, 2007 8:11 AM | Link to this
I didn’t get to watch the whole game between Fla and Ole Miss, but what I saw the first half was that when Ole Miss pressured Tebow, Fla was vulnerable. They definately looked mortal enough for us to give them a better game than I thought we could. I think our defense is better than any Fla has seen so far this year. I don’t know about ya’ll but I think we should go ahead and show up for the game, just in case we get lucky.
By glercdawg
September 23, 2007 8:19 AM | Link to this
Great game plan and outstanding on both sides of the ball. WE’re growing up!
By de fault
September 23, 2007 8:21 AM | Link to this
HOW BOUT THEM DAWGS!
By Terrible Truth
September 23, 2007 8:26 AM | Link to this
Save the canonization of Bear Saybant for Tuby Smirkelville and the Warrrr Vaginas. Real classy of those born again Bamists to pelt the UGA players with garbage, though I’ve seen it at many other SEC venues including Sanford Stadium. Kudos to both sides of the line, especially the o-line. He ain’t Larry but…Give Scott Howard a bone decal for the back of his broadcast helmet, he did a good job. I hear the North Avenue Tickle Pile Club is losing membership fast. They’re even thinking about going out and talking to girls. And get ready for the credit grabbing, I-told-you-so columns from Jeffy Pantyliner and Terence the Bigot, you know they’re coming.
By doggirl90
September 23, 2007 8:35 AM | Link to this
A great game and the Dawgs obviously had the fire they were sorely missing against South Carolina. I could watch Knowshon play all night…I love the enthusiasm. With that said…a little discipline might convince Tripp Chandler to actually hold on to a ball. Maybe someone should tell him it’s actually a can of beer, that seems to motivate him quite well.
By Hunk Erdown
September 23, 2007 8:43 AM | Link to this
After the game last night I was somewhat frustrated because the game should have never have had to go to overtime, but the more I think about it, the more I like the way it ended. We left there with a highly fired up ball team, that made a dramatic come back to win in a packed, adverse enviroment. It ended with a beautiful pass, and a great catch. We go into the next game with momentum from a good SEC victory.
By eddie from acworth
September 23, 2007 8:53 AM | Link to this
what a great win on the road in the sec….and to make life even sweeter, the queers from n atlanta laid an egg in va……the earth just righted itself…..HOW BOUT THEM DAWGS! YOU SUCK JACKETS!!
By Tom
September 23, 2007 9:03 AM | Link to this
I’ve seen enough of Trip Chandler. I hope he runs gassers for two straight days. Mr. Brick Hands … that’s his real name. I dont want to see him on the filed ever again.
By eddie from acworth
September 23, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this
oh forgot to add one little bit of criticism….what is the deal with tight ends at uga having freakin butterfingers?? Chandler DROPPED at least 4 passes….know he made a big catch finally to set up the missed field goal, but DANG….you gotta catch the ball!!!
By Looking ahead
September 23, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this
GREAT WIN. KEEP PRACTICES CLOSED.
By Big Dawg
September 23, 2007 9:13 AM | Link to this
Great Win for our Dawgs, now we need to get over this game and get ready for an Ole Miss team that gave the Gators all they could handle yesterday. Coach Richt is amazing he goes into hostile envoronments and wins 23-3 in SEC road games, 9-2 against ranked opponents at their home fields. What else can you say SEC is the Best.
Go Dawgs
By Roger Searcy
September 23, 2007 9:15 AM | Link to this
I went to the Tuscaloosa News Sunday morning to see their comments on the game. It wasn’t even headlined and mentioned only on back pages!!! The headline was that Stillman College won their game. Oh well!
By Dawg 2007
September 23, 2007 9:15 AM | Link to this
Thank God Mark Richt is not the “tough guy” Schultz called for after the SC loss. He’s a smart, calculating, motivating football coach. He’s right I guys that have to write something to sale newspapers. Schultz you need to write in the Living section because your not much of a “sportswriter” and your tounge in cheek humor is old and stale. Maybe we need a “tougher” scribe…not the “smart guy” you think you are.
By Big Dawg
September 23, 2007 9:16 AM | Link to this
Oh and I wonder if Stafford will be sending Gilberry a note and flowers?
By StatesboroDawg
September 23, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this
I am sure many Dawg fans noticed, but the team came out and seem very motivated. They acted like they wanted to be at the game(unlike the game against the Gamecocks). You could even read CMR and CWM’s body language and note that our coaches had the players ready to play(CWM jumping around on the sidelines). Good game by a young group of players. I love Moreno’s style of running. I think Brown and Moreno should be used to exploit other teams. Contrary to what some fans may think, I don’t believe a freshman with that body type could hold up to 30 carries a game in the SEC. Fresh legs will wear down defenses in the second half. Stafford played a good game(minus the interceptions). Great throw in the OT. The defense played well considering this was a tough game in a hostile environment. Guys, I believe the team showed that they are man enough to win on the road. There are some areas where we can improve(dropped passes and penalties) but it was a good game. Good game plan by Bobo and Richt. Let’s hope we see some fire in the upcoming game. I would have loved to hear Munson make the final call(even though Scott Howard did a good job). Maybe we will give him the opportunity to make a legendary call this year at J-ville. Go Dawgs!!!!
By Mdawg
September 23, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this
Give KNOWSHON MORENO the bulk of the playing time and carries he is by far the best back we have..
By P'cola Dawg
September 23, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this
Georgia played great and I’m as excited as anyone, but as ESPN mentioned during the game, if you run the power “I” like Georgia you need a good fullback and tight end - Tripp Chandler sucks he looks like he has two left hands, can someone tell me if this is all we have, didn’t we have a big recruit out of California - Georgia has been known for great tight ends, please tell me we have someone else waiting in the wings.
By BigNCDawg
September 23, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this
I’m with you old timer. It’s great to see these espn types be wrong, and the …. great…. saban take a punch in the mouth.
These young DAWGS will continue to have sucess, even though they will be inconsistent at times.
By liferdawgfan
September 23, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this
Great effort by our young OL, Stafford was good ( he is supposed to that way every game lest we forget!!) Defense is what was the difference. I have questioned your manhood Wilie but last night you used your D’s speed and zone confusion to make Bama work for there yards.
Dawgs back into the SEC east with a big bark!! Lets get these young men coached up for this next stretch and take our sh** to Jax next month and give the damned Gators somebody for real to play. SEC east is open when this team shows up with some attitude!!
P.S. whenever they show Richt on TV with passion and REAL EMOTION on the sidelines, we win!! I love you Coach when you bring the fire!!
By liferdawgfan
September 23, 2007 9:28 AM | Link to this
Great effort by our young OL, Stafford was good ( he is supposed to that way every game lest we forget!!) Defense is what was the difference. I have questioned your manhood Wilie but last night you used your D’s speed and zone confusion to make Bama work for there yards.
Dawgs back into the SEC east with a big bark!! Lets get these young men coached up for this next stretch and take our sh** to Jax next month and give the damned Gators somebody for real to play. SEC east is open when this team shows up with some attitude!!
P.S. whenever they show Richt on TV with passion and REAL EMOTION on the sidelines, we win!! I love you Coach when you bring the fire!!
By DawgHare
September 23, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this
Big Dawg, you’re right! While that was an incredible win, they do need to focus on Ole Miss. After Bama’s big win over Arkansas last weekend people were saying they had grown up and were filled with confidence. And yet, they followed that up with a home loss to the Dawgs. Please Dawgs DO NOT OVERLOOK OLE MISS! And thank you for a memorable win last night! GO DAWGS!
By bob
September 23, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this
We have got to get the “not in our house” fire in our belly when we play between the hedges…my belief is that on the road we just play with more passion…passion..turns into confidence…confidence gives you that attitude of…we can do it! I also belief that we could have put Bama away by the 1st series of the 2nd half. We have got to learn how to put teams away…when given the opportunity. ..2nd..Best play of the game…KM extending the ball over the line to pick up the first down…he’s a player! Tripp…the football is about the size of a pitcher of beer…invision MS throwing you a pitcher of Bud!
By JR
September 23, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this
It must suck to be a tech fan.
By mike1743zzz
September 23, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this
Georgia has better talent but Richt aand his staff out coached Sabin.Did you see how many swing passes to the flat were consistently open and Alabama did not adjust.Why does anybody talk about that?Alabama’s defensive line in the middle could not stand up to Georgia’s O line.It was worn down.
By eswhite55
September 23, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this
Big win for the Dawgs!! Not many comments on the drops by the recieving corps. Looking at Trip Chandler out there I thought I was looking at Martrez Miller. How did that guy ever find his way onto the field? I don’t understand why we can’t fix this problem. It continues year after year and is sickening to watch. What was nice to watch was the play of the defense and King Knowshown. Martinez deserves a ton of credit. Hopefully when we get a hold of Florida somebody will step up and knock Tim Tebows teeth out!
By Don
September 23, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this
Schultz, this column proves that if you could finally realize that you aren’t funny and drop the “humor” columns, you could be a decent sportswriter.
By TeacherMan
September 23, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this
Knowshon reminds me a lot of Cadillac Williams, and if he stays healthy, he will be a star for the next three years!
By James Adams
September 23, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this
Huge win! I just want to ask, what the F*$& was Mike Patrick talking about when he brought up Britney Spears right before Georgia’s OT possesion? WHAA!?!?!?!
By dc dawg
September 23, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this
everybody keeps asking where did all the tide fans go on the blog?? im asking WHERE DID ALL THE GEORGIA PEOPLE GO WHO WERE BASHING OUR OWN TEAM?? next time dont be so quick to give up on us and maybe for once stand behind the dawgs. great game on all aspects. great building block for the rest of the year.
GO DAWGS!!
By Danimal
September 23, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this
There is a big difference between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Steve Spurrier South Carolina Gamecocks. We looked awful because we were outplayed and out coached. If Spurrier had not had major injuries against LSU, that might have been the shocker of the day. We are a good SEC team this year. Hopefully next year, we will be a great one.
By eswhite55
September 23, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this
Agree with you Danimal. Next year we should be ranked in the top ten preseason. Not to continue to harp on the dropped balls, but yes we were outplayed against South Carolina but we dropped two touchdown passes. Make those catches and we win.
By Cuz in the Midwest
September 23, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this
As for where did the “dawg fans” go that were bashing our team. Myself and most of the FANS OF CHAN know that those so called fans are gators, lamecocks and bugs. Not real dawg fans. Read some of those posts, no true dawg fan would predict six losses for his team. I believe in my heart that we can win any game at any time. If I did not, I would quit following the dawgs and take up oragami.
Felt good last night. A cup of coffee and a few asparins and I feel pretty good today.
IT’S GREAT TO BE A GEORGIA BULLDAWG
By SamoanDawg
September 23, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this
Great game, great win. We can build on from this big win, especially the freshmen upfront.
The D played good. Our d-line did a superb job. Marcus Howard had an exceptional first half. We gave up few big plays and we played good D overall.
Now lets beat the Rebels next.
Go Dawgs!
By yellowblood
September 23, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this
Not talk trash ? This is when it really gets fun. Yea Tech blew it yesterday but beating your overrated crew will happen this year.
Congratulations on a win on the road. Impressive. But you had to win it twice and your defense gave it away the first time. Great throw by Stafford but when you have problems on defense you have cancer.
By mike
September 23, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this
Love the Dogs, but please lose those ugly-a$$ black socks!!
Has anyone asked CMR if maybe our receivers need to try a different brand of gloves? Endorsements are important but damn man.
By Eric C.
September 23, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this
Most impressive stat… 0 sacks allowed. Great job.
Rebels have proved they can be a tough opponent so Dawgs can’t let up at all.
By Spanky
September 23, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this
Glory,Glory!….Yeah, HOW ‘BOUT THEM DAWGS!!!
By tally-ho
September 23, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this
There have been some leachurous, life-sucking, rats of Dawg fans criticizing Richt lately…well, I hope they’re happy, even though I know they never will be. That ranks in my top 5 favorite UGA games ever.
By GetReal
September 23, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this
PLEASE. GA bearly beat a suspect AL team. Suspect? Yes the Arkanas win for Bama means little now that Arkansas lost to Kentucky. GA is still a question mark.
By Dawgbreath
September 23, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this
Dang, I loved that game and yes we grew up some, but there are no easy games this year in the SEC. We are so young and consistancy is going to be the key to the rest of the season. The Ole Miss game should be a real test of our growth. Bama had some wide rec wide open and we had no pressure on the QB, he just missed. Ole Miss has good rec and their QB was hitting the long ones. Be careful guys, and go DAWGS!!
By Bobdog
September 23, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this
<<
Although losses have been a lot more common in the past 10-15 years or more, I still aint bought into accepting a “good” loss. We were beaten by the better team, although Bama somehow managed to tie the game late.
Most fans and the media have been swimming in the Kool-aid. But the reality is, this is last years team. They have never had to deal with any degree of success. Nor do they have the talent or depth overall to seriously challenge the better teams in the conference. Perhaps their perserverence will equate into a nice win or two the rest of the season.
In the defense of the Fan Mania, Alabama has had nothing to feel good about in a long time. I kept telling myself, hell, enjoy this week, cause things may be different next week.
I thought it would be a good game, which it was, however it dosent feel good this morning to the Bama Players and fans. We have our hands full next week, We lost a piece of our ear last night, I hope we can sew it back on and and scalp a seminole next week…..
Enjoy your Sunday morning Dawg Fans. All I can say after getting beat is “wAIT TILL NEXT YEAR?”…aint much left to say….
ROLL TIDE ANYWAY
By fayettevilledawg
September 23, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this
AMAZING how Knowshon Moreno pushes the pile. Without several mistakes (penalties, INT’s, etc) this game might not have been close. Defense is awesome, shifting the linebackers really helped against the run.
By david
September 23, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this
The Dogs looked very good against Alabama and it was a great win. However, they better enjoy this win for what it is a stay focused. Ole Miss put a big scare in a great UF team and they’re coming to Athens next week. I know I’m not the only Dog fan to remember a truly astounding defeat of LSU a few years ago only to see a completely deflated set of Dogs look absolutely horrible the following week in a loss to a very average Tennessee team in Athens. The win over ‘Bama was a great win but they have to stay focused on the ultimate goal.
By fayncDAWG
September 23, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this
Right on the money DC Dawg! Forget bashing the Crimson and Yeller Nations for a moment! We need to bash some in our Dawg Nation for putting our team in the same catagory as Mississippi State! To read some of their blog entries before the Bama game, you’d think we were doomed to lose to every team above .500 left on the schedule! I mean, History should have told us that CMR wasn’t going to have this team looking like SEC cellar-dwellers for long (actually they never looked that bad; the team just needed a swift kick, esp. after that South Carolina game).
By Maugwa
September 23, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this
Georgia Tech got curb stomped yesterday for their 2nd straight loss. Life is so good.
By RedAndBlack
September 23, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this
Yes, Georgia answered the question. GEORGIA IS MAN ENOUGH to go in a hostile environment with everyone including some Georgia fans not believing they could win. The Dawgs shutout the world and looked insided themselves…and believed. The Peaceful Warrior mentality which Coach Mark Richt has tried to instill throughout his tenure at Georgia will be his legacy.
By Dawg19
September 23, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this
Hey GetReal, just in case you haven’t noticed, Kentucky is 4-0 this year along with Florida and LSU. It feels strange to say this, but Kentucky is no joke. They are very talented on both sides of the ball, especially at QB and came out with a very impressive come from behind win yesterday.
Georgia’s win yesterday was nerve-wracking, exciting, agonizing and wonderful at the end. The ups and downs in emotion were awesome and I am still excited about it today. Next week will be another tough game where our D will have to step up and shut down a very good passing attack.
No more let downs this year!!!
GO DAWGS!!!
By DirtyDawg
September 23, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this
As much as we enjoy Moreno’s enthusiasm and antics, you can bet that someday soon some anal-retentive ref will call him on it - taunting, unsportsmanlike, something. Not to suggest that he ought to change anything, just be ready for it.
PS - You can tell that Auburn is the ag-school in Alabama…they’re the ones that install a massive irrigation system around their football field. If ‘The Tide’ had one they’d have hosed us down last night.
By Stafford is Tebow's Kryptonite
September 23, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this
Great win for our young team. i got one question though. why isnt bruce figgins starting over tripp chandler? tripp dropped 4 balls that hit him in the hands or the numbers. we gotta start bruce or duke ward over chandler. he redeemed himself with that catch to set up the missed FG but his drops were crucial. on another note, dont be surprised if moreno starts to get even more carries week by week. i also liked the fact that willie martinez started to bring more blitzes and pressure on JP wilson in the 2nd half. at least he is showing that he can make halftime adjustments
By DirtyDawg
September 23, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this
And another thing. How satisfying is that what with the coronation of KingNick, including the presence of ESPN’s Gameday crew, that Georgia, who was supposed to roll over for the ‘rolling tide’ like the Washington Generals do for the Globetrotters, laid a big one in their punchbowl (aka Byrant-Denny)? And just how sick and tired can you get about all these folks saying just how we were embarrassed by South Carolina. Yeah, we lost and we should have won, and we were only a couple of plays away from beatin’ Superior all over again. Those of us that are old enough to remember, know that the early-season South Carolina game has been a thorn in our side for years, starting with the ‘59 SEC champs that had a tie with SC as the only blemish on their record. Just like those that keep talking about how West Virginia ‘took us to the woodshed’ in that Sugar Bowl game - whenever I ask people how badly they beat us, nobody seems to recall that it was just three points and we were only a play away from one of the greatest comebacks ever.
My point is, we’re over SC and obviously have bigger fish to fry. Thankfully, that game has shown our kids that you can’t let down against anybody.
By BJ
September 23, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this
WAY to go DAWGS! A nail biter but you guys looked great and we are sooo PROUD of your WIN! I wouldn’t get too worried about the GATORS! OLE MISS almost ate gator tail for dinner! Who knows Tebow and his roomie may get mad at each other and not be able to KISS and make up!
By garrett
September 23, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this
Sweet win. Can’t quite understand why Moreno wasn’t the go-to guy at the end and why Bobo stopped calling underneath passes to the backs when they never stopped it though. Brown is a badass too though. Good problem to have.
By GetReal
September 23, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this
Hey Dawg19,
Kentucky (4-0) has not beat a team with a winning record this year. The Louieville win looked like a big deal, but HELLO! Syracuse 38, L’ville 35. Kentucky beats Louievill by 6, Syracuse wins by 3. hmmmm.
Kentucky is also suspect.
There is little difference right now in Saban and Shula cept Saban is playing with Shula’s recruits. Shula lost, what 20 games, by a touchdown or less.
By King Nick Saban
September 23, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this
you barely beat a team that you are better than. ‘yawn’…. good job. enjoy the victory. 2 yrs from now, few will be beating Bama
By bama12titles
September 23, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this
As a Bama fan I have to say congrats to the Dawgs. I’m embarrassed about a premier national program like Bama losing to a good regional program like Georgia.I now know exactly how you guys felt after losing to Kentucky and Vandy last year. As for the bama haters trying to beat down Saban and the Tide I have this to say. Enjoy it while you can! Alabama is the sleeping giant and when Saban gets his own recruits in there you better watch the F out! He is building a looming juggernaut and even with Mike Shula recruited talent this game was a tossup that could have gone either way. It won’t be like that in future years with the talent Saban is stockpiling. Count on it!
By Vince
September 23, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this
congrats dawgs!
congrats to the coaches for a job very well done top to bottom.
congrats to the players for all of the hard work for months that paid off
By boots
September 23, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this
This is a Dawgs team that will only get better with time. Don’t forget, we get Lumpkin back in a week or two, and we have a program that seems to be settling down for a very good year. Yes, I am excited for the 2008 season, but the 2007 season suddenly looks a lot brighter after last night. Great job, guys, and you made us all proud to be Georgia Bulldawgs last night.
By uga95
September 23, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this
Dawgs are ranked fifteen in the new AP poll thats a seven place jump!
Kentucky is fourteen
SC is sixteen
By yellowblood
September 23, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this
CUZ: Just a thought. Do you think it would be appropriate to change the FANS of CHAN to FANS OF RAD (Radokovich) and CHAN ? I think our problem is the AD as much as anyone. Hope things are going well for you and your daughter in Minn.
By uga95
September 23, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this
Bama a “premier national program”????? The sixties were forty years ago pal!! You really need to start living in the real world!! The dissapointment wont be as severe then!!
By dawg breath
September 23, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this
Why does yellowblood and ramble on sound alike? hmmmm
Sure is nice being able to come to the blog without a bunch of 17yo insects flapping their stupid yaps. Guess they’re playing X-Box this afternoon.
By Brenda Leigh
September 23, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this
It is SO FUNNY how now this was a Great win against BAMA when Bama was not even ranked early this year and Georgia was 13th. The UGA fans suddenly think that any team they play is really hard. Look, Oklahoma State lost to Troy 41-23 (but they were such a test for UGA) and Arkansas got killed last night 42-29 (so get real guys BAMA was not playing a powerhouse last week, and that is the ONLY reason they ranked BAMA) And if I hear someone else cry about having a young team one more time I am going to start to think that the UGA fans are a bunch of cry babies. Its FOOTBALL boo hoo go look at half of the teams in the SEC they are all young this year but I don’t hear every other school and newspaper (AJC) crying about it. That’s FOOTBALL!!!!!! I challenge anyone to go to the Bama and UGA team Rosters and look at how young the BAMA team is (just as many freshman as UGA) but that’s funny how we don’t care that’s football. To me it’s just exciting how Bama can take UGA: a team with a well established coach and recruiting program into overtime with a first year head coach that inherited a team in shambles!!! WOW!!! Just wait until Saban actually gets to RECRUIT!!! We have a great future ahead Bama Nation be proud!!! And if the AJC calls Bama fans Championship starved again. Tell them that we saw a National Championship in 92 ask them when they last saw one!!! I don’t think that we are the only starving ones at the table. Hey UGA fans you might settle but BAMA fans will not and we will not apologize for it!!!
ROLL TIDE!!! ROLL!!!!!!
By ugafann
September 23, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this
The line of scrimmage is where it all began. Giving Stafford the time to throw, and making holes for our running back. 2INT’s and missed field goals, and we still won. What a great victory, the DAWGS need to build on this and continue to open up the offense. The Defense should get better, and lets see what MORENO can do as the premier back! Can Richt and Bobo give the oppurtunity to him, 25-30 times a game. Lets see at home with Ole Miss! Lets not forget we have TN on the road and take care of business against VANDY and KENTUCKY, who would of thought KENTUCKY would matter in the east. Great job DAWGS! BEAT FLA!!!!!!
By The Big Bug
September 23, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this
You people are pitiful.You just have the biggest win in recent history and almost every blog mentions the Yellow Jackets. What is this? Could it be envy?
By ugafann
September 23, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this
A win is a win is a win. If we were to go into OT in every game for the rest of the year and win, I’d take that. Let take care of business, and take that week off before FLA, get healthy, get a great game plan and go hunt us some GATERS! Lets not overlook the game in Knoxville. I think FLA showed what can happen if you dont take your next opponent seriously. Ole Miss about took them to the “wood shed”. Week by week this may turn into a great season. For all you CMR doubters out there, Hope you enjoyed it! BY FAR overall, recruiting, leadership, demeanor, discipline, and character, CMR is one of the top 5 coaches in all of college football! I would send my son to play for him without hesitation. HE is a great individual and more importantly, a man of conviction. We should be grateful!
By B
September 23, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this
I went to a sports bar filled with Bama and UGA fans to watch the game last night and you want to know the difference. ALL of the BAMA fans were watching the game intensely. 3/4 of the UGA fans were talking, getting up to pee every five minutes, filing their nails, and telling jokes. A bunch of the UGA girls started clapping when BAMA intercepted because they had no idea of what was going on. There is a difference in BAMA and UGA football. When you live in Atlanta your whole life as a Bama fan and graduate, with many UGA friends you get to see it every year. 1/2 of the Georgia fans are hard core fans and the other half drive around with their shiny UGA car tags and “stuff” because it’s cool or it looks good. Bama fans even the girls live by the Crimson Tide! I felt so sorry for the 7 or so real UGA fans in the bar because they could not see the TV half the time for their fellow UGA fans standing in front of it with their backs to it! I salute the real UGA fans because I am a true BAMA fan and that’s what it’s about but I tell you if you stop any given person with a BAMA hat on in the supermarket they can tell you ALL about Tide football. Go up to a fellow UGA fan in the supermarket today and ask them about Georgia Football: the shirt looked cool so I bought it. Please don’t ruin it for the real UGA or BAMA fans! You can get drunk and party anywhere, but if you are going to the sports bar CHEER and WATCH the game please!!!! This is football it’s not for POSERS!!!!! I watched a great SEC football game last night and afterward shook hands with the few real UGA fans in the bar, while the ones that had not even watched most if any of the game yelled rude remarks at my family on the way out.
By bama12titles
September 23, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this
To UGA95, You don’t think Alabama has been a premier program since the 60’s? What planet do you live on? You need to get a reality check! People forget that under Gene Stallings we were a dominant program in the 90’s with 70 wins in 7 years under Stallings and a national championship in 92. When the hell is the last time UGA won the big one? Stallings dominated along with Spurrier and when Stallings left we won the SEC 2 years later in 99 with a bonehead coach. Bama was the nation’s 5th winningest program in the 90s and the SEC was simply a 2 horse race between Florida in the East and Bama in the west. Get ready for a return to that type of dominance now that Saban the coach and Saban the recruiter is in T-town. You know its coming and since the gators own the dawgs(see 16 out of 18)it will soon be back to FLA. vs BAMA for the title year in, year out the way it oughtta be! Sure, we had our ups and downs in the 2000s due to the probation. But even then we’ve fielded 10 win seasons a couple of times since then with scholarship decimated rosters. Its only matter of time and I find it humorous that UGA fans are all excited over beating a very average Bama team that’s low on overall talent from the Shula years. But then of course we all know that’s about to change in a hurry!
By uga95
September 23, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this
To Bama twelve titles a hundred years ago
UGA and Bama have had the same number of national titles in the past twenty seven years
And quite frankly it doesnt matter what Bama did in the nineties any more than what UGA did in the eighties!!!
How many SEC championships has Bama won in the last five years? For that matter how many SEC western division titles have you won in that time frame? Thats what I thought!! Our little regional program has been putting your premier national program to shame for quite a while now!!!
Of course Saban will be an improvement over what you have been doing!!!! It would be almost impossible for him to do worse!!!!
Keep living in the past you sore loser!!!!!!!
By RealFan
September 23, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this
UGA fans should’ve learned by now to be more realistic w/ our expectations after certain wins or losses. The SC loss wasn’t such a horrible loss. They looked to have the better team & played LSU as well as most anybody probably will this season, though we still had a chance to win that game. The Alabama win is a good one & I, for one, thought we would/should win because we had the better team & Alabama was a little overrated following the Arkansas win. This is the SEC (East) though, & we have a long way to go. Right now I’d say we have anywhere from a small chance of winning the SEC East to finishing 3rd/4th. UT & Auburn look very winnable, but there’s still UF & anybody that tries to downplay the Kentucky game this year is delusional. They look to be better than Alabama. I’m really looking forward to that SC-Kentucky game, because if UK beats SC then we basically have the SEC East in our own hands looking at Florida (if we handle business beforehand).
By tim
September 23, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this
How do you call Alabama’s coach CLASS? “Oh, I’m not leaving LSU, Miami…..” If that’s class, I don’t want any. Stop driking and bloging….
By KJ
September 23, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this
Brenda - too many ridiculous comments for me to address, I’ll just suggest that perhaps football isn’t your thing, pottery or needlepoint might be more your speed.
Big Gnat - Curious, what exactly is there for us TO envy? Your loss to a mediocre All Cupcake Conference team? Or are you still clinging to your opening victory over (0-4) Notre Lame?
By Brenda
September 23, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this
Go ahead KJ! I DON’T HEAR YOU!!!!
By WTF??
September 23, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this
So instead of playing the game to win, we play the whole game not to lose. We end up blowing a 10-point lead with 6 minutes left in the game, forcing this thrilling finish in order for the Dawgs to win.
This is a direct quote right out of Mark Richt’s mouth:
“…rings are fun and uh you know uh trophies you know that that’s kinda good but usually you end up sticking those things in the drawer…”
Are you f’ing kidding me? I would prefer a National Championship. Anyone else with me here???!!! He is actually downplaying the importance of winning CHAMPIONSHIPS!! And acting like this win is somehow comparable. Holy SH1T!
“…uh but the memories that we we made tonight you know are going to last a lifetime for me I know that and uh for those guys too.”
And the memories of a National Championship wouldn’t? That’s why Dawg fans kep talking about the one and ONLY 1980 National Championship season.
WTF?? We will NEVER win a National Title with this man at the helm. Period.
By Co
September 23, 2007 6:37 PM | Link to this
Brenda - That’s the same crap we’ve been listening to from Carolina fans for several years. “Wait ‘til Spurrier gets his recruits in here. We’re going to be National Champs.” Yeah, they sqeaked by us this year, but National Champs, okeedokee, whatever you say.