UGA blog finds new home
Morning all. As I’ve said a couple of times this week, we’re converting this blog over to a WordPress platform and it will be a permanent move the first of next week.
Those of you who are regulars probably know that I’m not what you’d call techno-wizard when it comes to these things. But from what I understand the technology offered in this new format should make the blogging and commenting experience better for all. Of course, I’ll be learning as we go along, too. But I’m hoping to provide more pictures and video and things like that which should bring the blog more to life.
Of course, this blog is nothing without all you guys so I want to heartily invite (read: beg) you to come over to the new site by CLICKING HERE ON THE NEW ADDRESS and save it in your browsers. As of Monday, Feb. 23rd, this will be the permanent home of the UGA blog you so love or, in the case of some of you, love to loathe. If you’d prefer to copy and paste or just memorize, the new address is: http://blogs.ajc.com/uga-sports-blog/.
See at the new place!
AJC > Sports > UGA > Blog > Archives > 2008 > September > 06 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDogs hope to handle heat better
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s an hour before kickoff here at Sanford Stadium and it looks like it’s going to be another scorcher for Georgia-Central Michigan.
Strength and conditioning coordinator Dave Van Halanger was telling me he was extremely concerned before last week’s game against Georgia Southern when the Georgia players came into the locker room after the first session of warmups with their sweat puddling at the knees of their football pants. He said started running yelling “hyrdrate, guys, hydrate.” As we all know now many Dogs cramped up, including one named Knowshon, and Georgia seemed to run out of gas late, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
Conditions are remarkably similar today. CMR was glad to see a heatwave pass through Athens earlier this week and he made of point of working the Bulldogs hard on the Field Turf practice fields so they’d have to endure maximum temperatures. The hope is that they’ll be better conditioned for today’s game.
And they’ll need to be. Central Michigan’s spread offense, led by record-setting quarterback Dan LeFevour, is going to test the Dogs’ defense way more than it was last week against Georgia Southern. You can bet they’ll be having to cover some ground to keep the Chippewas at bay.
But let’s be clear. I think there is about a 1 percent chance of CMU pulling off an upset today. What hasn’t been talked about this week is how bad its defense is. Hence, 45, 52 and 70 points in games against Purdue and Clemson last season. And whatever heat the teams are having to endure today, it has to be worse for the team from Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
But as we found out last week, style points matter to fickle pollsters. With that in mind, let’s hear it folks. Name the score. Do the Dogs win big? How many points do the Chippewas score? Does Georgia have to win by 50 to keep its No. 2 national ranking?
REMEMBER, I’M GOING TO BE WITH YOU ALL GAME LONG, RIGHT HERE ON THE 50-YARD LINE IN THE PRESS BOX ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF SANFORD STADIUM… .
Permalink | Comments (76) | Post your comment | Categories: Football
Comments
By 74 Dawg
September 6, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
Chip,I think the game will be a lot like last week, with the Dawgs jumping out to a lead, and CMU scoring later against the back ups . Call it 48 to 20. If style points count now, how far will Ohio State drop in the polls next week?
By Atlanta Gator
September 6, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
Well, Dawgs, here’s your team’s chance to put some distance between them and Ohio State in the polls. OSU managed to squeak out a second-half win against another MAC team, Ohio University. If your boys put a four-touchdown smackdown on Central Michigan, they may not bump Southern Cal from number one, but they push number three down a ways.
In the meantime, I’ll be sweating bullets as the Gators try to end a six-game losing streak tonight against the ‘Canes.
Good luck, SEC. woof!
By Chris
September 6, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
wow ohio state is awful…how do they continue to be ranked so high year after year with the joke of a schedule they have?
By Chris
September 6, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
But guys the problem is the idiots who do the polls are in love with ohio state. they won’t drop in the polls…heck they may move up a spot!
By 74 Dawg
September 6, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this
That is one of the 7 wonders of college football polling, Chris. Personally, I have always thought it was the geographic distribution of the voters - more according to population than according to who plays actual football.
By Chip Towers
September 6, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
GEORGIA 7-0
Well, that didn’t take long. Dogs took opening drive and drove 63 yards to score on Stafford’s 3-yard pass to Massaquoi. Just what doctor ordered from standdpoint of 11 playsand well over five minutes… .
After initial post it has clouded over some and wind has picked up. so not as hot.
By Salty Dawg
September 6, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
No way Ohio St drops significantly unless the Dawgs really put some wood on CMU today. Ohio St has proven time and again that they just aren’t as good as voters seem to think they are. They dominate in a weak conference and sh1t the bed when they face a dominant team from strong conference. But they are media “darlings” and are gifted a top rank every year. They should have and almost did lose today to Ohio. If Georgia was dropped for giving up a couple of late tds with their subs in, Ohio St has no business in the top 10 after today.
To answer Chip’s question, yes, the Dawgs need to run up the score on CMU if they want to retain the #2 spot. Unfortunately that is is what voters reward.
By Eric
September 6, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
Run the numbers up DAWGS… Show Terrance Moore, ESPN Critics, and the other bias sports media who we are. As a matter of fact, Run the numbers up from here on out against these opponents. Especially against Against Arizona State.
By dawgfan in minneapolis
September 6, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
chip, please keep the updates coming. i’m sweating this out in the minneapolis airport.
By Chris
September 6, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
Well that’s what I can’t figure out. Other teams that play crap schedules don’t even get ranked in the top 10 even if they lose just one game for the season.
By Chip Towers
September 6, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
UPDATE #2
Dogs 14-0. Caleb King first career TD from a half-yard at 11:10 mark… .
But that’s not what the biggest deal. Knowshon Moreno is hurt again. We don’t know how bad and it doesn’t appear to be real bad but the radio broadcast hasn’t mentioned anything, nor has TV as far as I can tell. Moreno was blocking on a pass play when he went down. There was 13:13 on the clock. He walked off on his own power and was attended to by trainers as soon as he crossed into the team box. I couldn’t see and none of the Georgia officials in teh press box know.
As always, I’ll let you know when I know
By Chris
September 6, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
I can’t remember Georgia having a better offense under CMR than the one they look like they have this season. With a great offense and defense…this could be one tremendous season.
By Chip Towers
September 6, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this
MORENO IS BACK ON THE FIELD. Whatever it was must not have been too bad.
By csj
September 6, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
cmr will never run the score up on any team. I think the final will be 45-14.that should be enough to keep our #2 ranking.Chip tell us how everything looks.
By 74 Dawg
September 6, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
Just got the breath knocked out of him, they are saying.
By csj
September 6, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
chip, more updates I now live in iowa and do not get the radio broadcast.go dogs.
By Chip Towers
September 6, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
UPDATE #3
Here’s an interesting stat. Georgia led the time of possession in the first quarter 10:16 to 4:44. Some of you may recall that I talked to offensive coord. Mike Bobo earlier this week about the offense possibly being mindful of the Bulldogs’ defensive task with the Chippewas. Appears to be calling a pretty conservative game so far, and I’d say it’s working.
By Chip Towers
September 6, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this
GEORGIA 21-0
Knowshon Moreno 1-yard run 5:29 mark of second quarter… . Moreno got the TD after all. He had recovered a ball in the end zone three plays earlier but the replay officials got it right when they ruled the ground caused a Demiko Goodman fumble when he stretched for the goal line after a catch… .
That was the first drive the Bulldogs really got after CMU with the passing game. The result was a quick 45-yard scoring drive… .
Defense doing a great job of hemming up CMU and heralded QB Dan LeFevour. Chippewas just called their third T.O. and he’s 5-of-12 for 15 yards and they have 22 yards total offense.
By Chip Towers
September 6, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this
UPDATE #5
Wow, that was a change of fortune. No sooner had I put up that last post than CMU got a 31-yard completion and mounted a late drive. They were second-and-five deep in Georgia territory when Prince Miller deflected a LeFevour pass and DE Demarcus Dobbs hauled in an interception and returned it 78 yards for a touchdown. Dobbs did a great job of taking the ball to the house and got some good downfield blocking… .
Trouble was, Asher Allen was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct at the end of the play. I didn’t see what he did but it was assessed on the kickoff and the Chippewas ended up on Georgia’s 40 on the return… .
They scored in like 40 seconds. So now it’s 28-7 0:27 before halftime.
Anybody see what Asher did to warrant the penalty.
By Matthew
September 6, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this
Georgia’s playing a pretty good game… I like the conservative offense giving the defense a lot of rest in this heat.
Regarding Ohio, if the coaches and AP use the same logic for Ohio as they did Georgia, Ohio should drop out of the top 5. Frickin’ pathetic.
By 74 Dawg
September 6, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this
Hopefully this will be a lesson for the Dawgs - with the kickoffs spotted at the 30, and the new no tolerance on celebration etc, a 15 yarder is almost like giving the TD right back…it totally switches the momentum. Fortunately,it won’t matter in this game. But it hung a cloud over what had been a totally dominant half.
By 74 Dawg
September 6, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this
is this blog down?
By Chip Towers
September 6, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this
HALFTIME THOUGHTS
Shameful for Georgia to give up that early touch late in the half. Apparently Asher Allen took his helmet off on the field and that resulted in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty on the ensuing kickoff. CMU returns 28 yards and just like that they’re at Dogs’ 40… . But defense had a chance to bow and didn’t. Gives up passes of 13, 16 and 11 yards for an easy 7.
Otherwise, 222 total yards pretty good for Georgia offense but this is not — 88 yards rushing. The Dogs are struggling a little running the football. And this ain’t no South Carolina defense. Moreno 14-65. Stafford 14-22-134, 1 TD. CMU 134 total offense. LeFevour 11-23-107 with 1 TD, 1 INT.
By Chip Towers
September 6, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this
CHIPPEWAS BACK IN IT
Prince Miller beaten deep for a 32-yard touchdown to Jean Pitts. Now 28-14 Georgia with 12:45 to go in third. Dogs’ defense looked really bad on that drive. Better get in gear our there will be a lot of grousing again after the game.
By william cranman
September 6, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this
Prince Miller needs to pick up his jockstrap! Pathetic coverage.
By Cuz
September 6, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this
28-14, What? Fire Willie Martinez now! Get the State Troopers to escort him out of the stadium. Someone get a cell phone to Mark Richt, call Van Gorder now, offer him anything.
By Ga Fan
September 6, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this
Ga at this point of the Season, does not have it. Yes, they will win this game & SC. After that, something better change. The Defense is not playing well at all. After SC, I don’t know. I don’t like Willie, have never liked him & never will. He needs to do a bit of Coaching or they need to send him out of town.
By Cuz
September 6, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this
Anybody notice Larry called Kris Durham “Wes” again. Gentlemen we are watching the passing of a legend.
Touchdown, Oh my God, touchdown!!!!
By Cuz
September 6, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this
Dang, Lefevour has finnally got some rhythm, must have listened to some old Parliament CD’s at halftime.
By LifelongDawg
September 6, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this
This is the kind of play that keeps the Dawgs from getting national respect as a contender for the BCS championship. Uninspired play may still win the game but it doesn’t get attention. This game isn’t over yet and already UGA is giving up 17.5 point per game to the likes of this opponent and Ga. Southern. Not impressive if I’m voting, and I love the Dawgs.
By BurbankDawg
September 6, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this
I’m still not worried about our D. We don’t want to hit our peak too early in the season. In other words: We’ll. Be. Fine.
By Chip Towers
September 6, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this
UPDATE #9
Took about one minute for Georgia to answer the score. Knowshon Moreno on 52-yard run at 11:43 to make it 35-14… .
But CMU on the move again. Back in scoring territory and LeFevour is talking smack with Georgia LB Dannell Ellerbe. Chippewas have made some impressive offensive adjustments and Dogs are on their heels defensively… .
CMU forced to settle for a field goal this time. Dogs lead now 35-17 with 8:28 left in third.
By Cuz
September 6, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this
Lifelong, I haven’t decided who to vote for but that Sarah Palin is kinda hot. Somebody get me another bag of bourbon for my IV.
Touchdown, touchdown!! MASSAQUOI!!
By LifelongDawg
September 6, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this
Given the poor reviews that they received for the last game, I’m surprised that the defense seems to have no sense of urgency. They had plenty of bulletin board material to read to fire them up. They look bad right now. I agree with Ga Fan; this might be a long season if they can’t step it up.
By Chip Towers
September 6, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this
GEORGIA 42-17
54-yard pass from Matthew Stafford to Mohamed Massaquoi. Fly pattern down the right sideline to East end zone. Great pass and great job by Mo-Mass to run it down and keep his balance to get in the end zone.
It’s probably going to be a track meet now.
By Cuz
September 6, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this
99 YARDS TO DAYLIGHT, SOMEONE GET A TORCH!
By dman
September 6, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this
Cuz, are you reetarded? he’s talking about college football.
By St. Bernard
September 6, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this
I’d love to know what we could do if we had a defensive coordinator. Same old same old for Martinez. The players have to bail out their coach.
By Gen Neyland
September 6, 2008 6:12 PM | Link to this
Cuz
I decided a long time ago who and what I’d vote against. Congrats on the W that’s just a tick or two away…Somebody get Lou another gin and tonic…
By Cuz
September 6, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this
Track meet, Chip, is Bisher up there feeding you bourbon? This is a football game.
By LifelongDawg
September 6, 2008 6:17 PM | Link to this
You got that right, Cuz. Imagine her as President. Not too many world leaders would want to say “no” to her. I wouldn’t.
The offense sure showed up to play today. Massaquoi is looking to have a monster season. Moreno is right on track. Now, if we can just stop the other guys. 283 yards of total offense for them and we’re still in the third quarter. They’re good, but we make them look better.
By Cuz
September 6, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this
Saint Bernie, evidently, humor is lost on you. Laugh once a day, you will live longer.
Moreno is playing leapfrog, I bet Simon Sez is next.
By Lee
September 6, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this
Moreno is unbelievable! Clearly jumped that guy. Man, he is exciting to watch.
By BLEEDING RED & BLACK
September 6, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this
OMG!!!! KNOWSHON MORENO JUST JUMPED OVA SOMEONES HEAD 5 FEET AND KEPT RUNNING!
By matthew
September 6, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this
Moreno is hurdling defenses - that’s got to be the clip of the day!
By Cuz
September 6, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this
Lou just needs his depends changed, and a shot of Lithium.
By Cuz
September 6, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this
The blog cannot keep up with the scoring, the 99 yard drive came through, someone found a torch and Moreno just took it through.
By Chip Towers
September 6, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this
DID YOU SEE THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you didn’t, I can guarantee you you’ll catch it on SportsCenter Today. May be the play of the day… .
On third-and-nine, Knowshon Moreno took the ball around right end, cut up and jumped right over the head of CMU **SS Vince Agnew. That’s right — over his head. It came at the tail end of a 29-yard run… .
Just for good measure, Knowshon scored a couple of plays later on a 21-yard run. That was his third TD of the day and, by my calculation he’s rushed for 168 yards on 18 carries. I think he has at least another 30 receiving. So a pretty good day.
By the way, 49-17 Georgia with 14:11 to play.
By Fort Worth Dawg
September 6, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this
MORENO FOR HEISMAM!!! Does UGA Track & Field need another hurdler?
By Big Dawg
September 6, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this
Knowshon for Heisman
By Cuz
September 6, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this
Bernie, as a father of a disabled daughter, retarded does not have two e’s. But thanks for playing, Jane, what are his parting gifts?
By BurbankDawg
September 6, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this
I’d love to hear what that slobber-knocker, Lou Holtz has to say about our Dawgs! Knowshon is a Touchdown Machine!
Man, I wish I could watch this game!
They’ve got LeFever! And the only prescription, is more Curran!
By Lamar
September 6, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this
Dogs have been moving ball good but one of our MVP’s we are missing is Southerland….wish he was back for the USC game.
By Cuz
September 6, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this
Cox is in, he just told the offense that if they cannot win this game they do not deserve the G on their helments. GATA!
By Cuz
September 6, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this
Michael Moore is having an awesome day. Is it to late for Moore for Heisman?
By Lamar
September 6, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this
Cox looks pretty good throwing the ball!
By Big Dawg
September 6, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this
Samuels got his first TD.
By Cuz
September 6, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this
Finally, a toss sweep on the two yard line. Man this used to be the bread and butter. Samuels. TOUCHDOWN
By Fort Worth Dawg
September 6, 2008 6:46 PM | Link to this
CMU’s qurterback is like Tebow — He’s 0 - 1 against UGA.
By Chip Towers
September 6, 2008 6:47 PM | Link to this
LAST UPDATE BEFORE NEW BLOG GOES UP
Georgia leads 56-17 after Richard Samuel’s first career TD. Game went largely like the Dogs had hopes in that they had all the starters out by early in the fourth quarter… .
We’re going to produce stories for you on Moreno, Dogs’ high-octane offense, defensive struggles, Dobbs big TD, LeFevour, UGA penalties, Rennie Curran and much more.
C-ya shortly.
By Cuz
September 6, 2008 6:47 PM | Link to this
I like Michael Moore so much better since he gave up films and started football.
By Fort Worth Dawg
September 6, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this
Two posts. Two typos. In my defense I am holding my 8 month old as I type.
By Lee
September 6, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this
I think Cox is proving himself to be an effective back up QB for Stafford. Samuels and King are proving themselves as standouts as well. I hope our D holds them to 17.
By Cuz
September 6, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this
Taveres King, from Mayberry, way to go, Barney and Andy are proud, GATA.
By Cuz
September 6, 2008 6:53 PM | Link to this
God bless you Fort, treasure these days, they go by too fast.
By Cuz
September 6, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this
The chapel bell is ringing, I can hear it here in Augusta. GO DAWGS, EARN IT!
By Mike
September 6, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this
Way to go Dawgs !! Michigan had nothing for us, bring it on nogamecocks. Sic em woof woof woof
By Cuz
September 6, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this
Knowshon for Heisman, after that leap, just give him the bronze tropy and call it a year.
By Big Dawg
September 6, 2008 7:04 PM | Link to this
Dawgs won big 56-17, should have been bigger. Dawgs looked great at times then at others they struggled. Moreno is a great player and is in a class by himself. Caleb King looks to be just as explosive, as this OL gets more PT together, this offense is going to become even more explosive and our defense will look even better.
By devildawgnc
September 6, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this
Where’s the UGA coverage on ESPN? Moreno hurdled a guy, they played really well all around, and I can’t even find the coverage on ESPN right now. Maybe it’ll be up eventually…sheesh…
By Cuz
September 6, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this
Ohio State beat Ohio 26-14, that should be enough to leap frog us like Knowshon and windup number two for next week’s One versus Two. Big win for the O. I mean they really showed fortitude after falling behind. They should be number two. We never showed our fortitude, we were raised better. We were never behind and only won 56-17, heck we should drop out of the top ten and make Mark Mays and Lulu Holtz happy. Dawgs, it is an upstream battle with one paddle. Just do one thing, EARN IT, PROVE IT, TAKE IT!
By BUD
September 8, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this
IF LEFEVOUR HAD SETTLED DOWN, WE COULD HAVE HAD A MATCH. HE HAS SNIPER ACCURACY. THE CHIPS DID GREAT IN THE HEAT AND PUT UP POINTS TO PROVE IT. THEY DON’T HAVE ALL THE RECRUITING MONEY THAT GEORGIA GETS. GEORGIA BOUGHT ITSELF A BIG BLACK TEAM. CHIPS PLAYED WITH GUTS AND CLASS. VERY PROUD OF THEM. GEORGIA IS CLASSLESS WITH A BUNCH OF HILLBILLY FANS WHO NEVER WENT TO COLLEGE. GO CHIPS
By TOD
September 8, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this
HEY IDIOT, MICHIGAN IS UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN. CMU IS CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY. GUESS I WAS RIGHT ALL ALONG, GEORGIA FANS REALLY ARE STUPID. CHIPS SCORED AGAINST THE DOGS= 3 TIMES!! THEY ARE GOOD. MADE THE GEORGIA FANS TAKE NOTICE A FEW TIMES.
By TOD
September 8, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this
THE CENTRAL PLAYER WAS BENT OVER..MY GRAMPA CAN JUMP OVER SOMEBODY LIKE THAT..NO BIG DEAL PEOPLE.
By thad
September 8, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this
yeah, the hurdle, if i can even call it that, was no biggie. the guy was bent over. thought central played with class against a bunch of hillbilly fans and a bought and paid for team. grow up dawgs.
By hillbilly
September 8, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
now, who you callin’ a hillbilly? we can spell georgia and bark a bunch. big dumb hairy a* smellin’ dawgs. we aint dumb. we aint bright but we aint dumb.
we bought our team and we gonna keep spendin’ our money on big black men.