Poise. Killer instinct. Focus.
Georgia coach Mark Richt isn’t exactly sure which one it is but he knows his team is lacking one of those things and needs to get that addressed in the wake of Saturday’s 23-20 escape from Florida.
For the fourth time in SEC play this season, Georgia was the dominant team and appeared to be in firm control of the contest only to let its opponent back into it. Prompted by another unpredictable calamity – this time a pass-ruled-lateral fumble by tight end Arthur Lynch in the third quarter – the Bulldogs nearly blew a 20-point second half lead to the Gators.
Similar scenarios emerged in games against South Carolina (17-3), Tennessee (17-3) and Vanderbilt (27-14). The Bulldogs had double-digit leads over all three only to let them all get within one score late or lose the lead altogether.
So far it has only cost them victory once. Vandy scored 17 points in the final 19 minutes in an upset that may ultimately cost Georgia the SEC Eastern Division championship.
“You can’t predict the types of things that have happened,” Richt said Sunday on his weekly teleconference call. “It’s mostly self-inflicted wounds. I’ve used that term more than I’d like to this season.”
Georgia has allowed blocked punts, high snaps, dropped snaps, fumbles and interceptions to rejuvenate opponents this season. Of course, adversity is going to strike every team every game.
The issue has been in the Bulldogs’ response to those moments, and they folded like a
cheap tent against the Gators. Florida scored in two plays after Lynch’s gaffe and the Bulldogs gave up a safety on an unblocked cornerback blitz a short time later.
Georgia was outscored 17-0 in the second half and managed only five yards on five plays in the third quarter.
Richt said the Bulldogs will be working hard to put their finger on whatever is the causing such letups.
“You’d like to make people earn it at least, make it a little bit tougher on them,” Richt said. “Not to say Florida didn’t earn a lot of what they got. They did. But we gave them a reason to get excited and it’s just tough to hold people off once they get their blood pumping again. … We’ve got to keep working hard to keep that from happening.”
To their credit, the Bulldogs responded once Saturday’s game hung in the balance. A 14-yard sack thwarted Florida’s final scoring opportunity, and an offensive drive that burned the final 8:17 off the game clock was one for the ages.
“That was a really amazing finish,” Richt said, “especially considering the momentum swing that had just transpired.”
In the end, Georgia got the victory. Missouri did not cooperate, however. The Tigers thumped Tennessee 31-3 late Saturday to remain in control of the East with a game lead and head-to-head tiebreaker over the Bulldogs.
As for the team’s health, Richt said he was not sure yet about the status or availability of Todd Gurley. The sophomore tailback had 187 total yards and two touchdowns against the Gators. But he was limping noticeably after the game. Meanwhile, he said wide receiver Chris Conley (ankle) likely won’t practice this week after missing the Florida game.
With FCS opponent Appalachian State next up, it’s likely the Bulldogs will take a conservative approach and hold them out until the Nov. 16 game at Auburn.
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