Georgia Bulldogs 19, Kentucky Wildcats 10: There Are Worse Things in the World Than Winning Ugly to Claim the East
by T Kyle King on Nov 19, 2011 9:32 PM EST
in Georgia Bulldogs Football
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PrintBy rights, I ought to be madder than all get-out. I arrived in Sanford Stadium with my son (who was attending his first college football game featuring two SEC contestants) expecting a blowout. Instead, I saw the Georgia Bulldogs held to four field goals through two quarters, leaving them with a 12-10 halftime lead over the Kentucky Wildcats in a sloppy game featuring four Red and Black turnovers. I should be infuriated by that, but you know what? I’m really not.
For one thing, it could’ve been worse. For instance, the ‘Dawgs could’ve held a 20-13 halftime lead on The Citadel, or the ‘Dawgs could’ve held a 14-10 halftime lead on Samford, or the ‘Dawgs could’ve held a 27-22 halftime lead on Furman. I mean, at least Georgia was struggling with a Division I-A opponent.
Despite failing to secure the football and settling for too many field goals, the Bulldog offense still racked up 317 yards and retained possession of the pigskin for nearly 36 minutes of clock time. With most of the running backs once again sidelined for most of the game, the squad gained 155 rushing yards, with Brandon Harton rushing 23 times for 101 yards. That’s not too shabby, considering the fact that the last eventual SEC East champion to face Kentucky without its top tailback lost.
The special teams performed well, with Blair Walsh hitting all four of his field goal tries and Drew Butler averaging 47.5 yards per punt, with one being downed at the Wildcat one yard line. The defense carded a quartet of takeaways, limited the visitors to ten first downs, surrendered 165 total yards, conceded first-down yardage on just five of 17 third- and fourth-down plays, shut out the opposition after intermission, and only allowed a touchdown because of the combination of a Georgia turnover and a pair of highly questionable officiating calls.
No, it wasn’t pretty, but it was a win against a Kentucky club with several native Georgians on its roster that was fighting to keep its bowl streak alive. Maybe I should feel angry, or disappointed, or dejected, but I don’t.
In 2007, a very good Georgia team followed up an exhilarating win over Auburn with a lackluster victory over Kentucky; it didn’t prevent the Bulldogs from continuing their winning streak through the end of the autumn, which culminated in the Sugar Bowl. After allowing more than 30 points to the Wildcats in three straight series meetings, the Athenians held the Blue and White to ten points for the first time since 2003 (another season that ended in an Eastern Division championship, by the way).
As for the way Georgia has gone about putting together this nine-game winning streak, well, all I have to offer are three sets of numbers. These are they:
- 27-13, 24-10, 20-12, 33-28, 24-20, 19-10
- 31-28, 13-7, 27-25, 18-13, 24-21, 26-13
- 16-15, 20-16, 28-21, 13-10, 26-21, 17-10
The first line consists of scores from Georgia’s current nine-game winning streak. The second line consists of scores from Bulldog wins during their 2002 SEC championship season. The third line consists of scores from Bulldog wins during their 1980 national championship season.
This team is in good company. It also is in the SEC Championship Game for the fourth time in a ten-year span. I think I’m going to feel pretty good about that.
Go ‘Dawgs!
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"a pair of highly questionable officiating calls."
the pass interference call was complete BS. Not only was it not PI, but the ball was thrown 5 yards out of the end zone. Add the fact that on the next drive TK was grabbed and turned on a 3rd and goal but nothing was called….really?
I personally enjoyed the facemask on Kentucky
That magically turned into holding on Georgia.
Editor, Dawgsports.com
Sacrificing goats, chugging Maker's Mark, and walking underneath The Arch.
by RedCrake on Nov 19, 2011 11:59 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
There was a play on front of UK’s bench where Harton got his helmet pulled off from what looked like a facemask but we got a holding call. I haven’t watched it on DVR yet so it could be just a matter of me reffing from section 136…but it did look like we should have gotten a 15 yard gift.
by Dawgy45 on Nov 20, 2011 11:04 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I agree.
When they threw the flag, I thought we’d finally caught a break. When they called holding on us instead of a facemask on them, it infuriated me. It was a badly-officiated game, all the way around.
Manager, Dawg Sports, SB Nation's Georgia Bulldogs weblog.
Go 'Dawgs!
Not the best weekend for SEC officials.
I guess their ineptitude is a matter of degrees. Yesterday, it was obvious in our game and some others, particularly Vandy @ UT…and again, a Marc Curles crew screws up the end of another game. Not that I’m complaining much because James Franklin is a poo poo head.
Editor @ Dawg Sports. 3rd degree Red 'n Black Belt.
"If we score, we may win. If they never score, we'll never lose."
-Erk Russell
Given how
that PI call visibly angered the players, I have to say I was impressed with the way that anger did not devolve into sloppy, emotional play. Yes, Kentucky scored a touchdown, but it was the last time they scored in the game.
Just a few weeks ago, I think that situation could have led to more penalties, but instead the Dawgs directed their anger to playing tighter and keeping Kentucky from having another chance to get points. That really showed how well this D has come together and matured this year.
by tmfwuf on Nov 20, 2011 4:23 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Well, CTG let them know what time it was after that.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
Good point, tmfwuf.
The progress our defense has made this season is hard to overstate.
Manager, Dawg Sports, SB Nation's Georgia Bulldogs weblog.
Go 'Dawgs!
I was in section 101 behind the terrible and pathetic Kentucky band and...
that PI call was a total load. It was coming right at us and the ball was absolutely uncatchable not to mention that there was no interference. Seemed to be one of those where got all the phantom calls against us and got nothing for us.
Still the best weekend in recent memory—got my wife and 3 boys to Athens for their first time. Sharing the atmosphere and the traditions is better than the MasterCard commercials.
And yes —-they rang the fool out of the chapel bell.
PjsGroundPound
"Don’t cuss. Don’t argue with the officials. And don’t lose the game."
by PJsGroundPound on Nov 20, 2011 4:54 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
The thing that got me was the flag was about a year after the play. Almost like the ref wanted to see what happened and then decide.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
"I'm sure it was just stuck in his pocket"-Herbstriet
PjsGroundPound
"Don’t cuss. Don’t argue with the officials. And don’t lose the game."
by PJsGroundPound on Nov 20, 2011 5:20 PM EST up reply actions
In your list of things that could have been worse...
You forgot to mention eeking out a 7 point win against 3-8 Duke.
Editor, Dawgsports.com
Sacrificing goats, chugging Maker's Mark, and walking underneath The Arch.
by RedCrake on Nov 20, 2011 12:03 AM EST via mobile reply actions 1 recs
Well, considering the crazy I watched today, I feel a touch better about this win.
Everyone needs to focus on GT, they are all that matters. We need our game ready for Atlanta x3.
Beat the Tech. Badly. That’s all that matters.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
by tankertoad on Nov 20, 2011 12:21 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Considering the may become known as LETDOWN Weekend
with Oklahoma State, Oregon, Oklahoma, and Clemson all being upset, I will take this ugly win just have I taken the other 7 or so during this streak. Damn it is nice to have to play in Atlanta 2 weeks in a row
SEMPER FI and I HATE ORANGE, and GREEN notebooks
HEY TKK
you need to update the schedule on the front page….seems you forgot to list one game
SEMPER FI and I HATE ORANGE, and GREEN notebooks
by Dawg2011 on Nov 20, 2011 1:34 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
In fairness He doesn't know who we are playing against yet.
I HATE the gators.
by CaptJackSparrow on Nov 20, 2011 3:15 AM EST up reply actions
How about
giving up 45 points, 479 yards passing, and 4 passing TDs including a long TD pass with ten seconds left and the score tied?
I wonder if OU is going to be looking for a new secondary coach in the off-season.
Its not like it wasn't a huge issue last year at OU too. Why Willie continues to get a long
leash at topflight programs is beyond belief.
Turnovers
Without the TO’s, we blow them out. We’ve done very well in the TO margin department this year and we have to get back to form for our next 2 games. Go Dawgs, Wreck Tech!
"Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees." Thomas J. Jackson
a PF Late Hit Out of Bounds penalty
was called on UGA when one of our players jumped on top of ANOTHER ONE OF OUR PLAYERS-yet a few plays later we had a receiver who was hit while standing two yards out of bounds and NO FLAG. I have not watched the replay so I do not know who the officiating crew was captained by, but he should have had a white and blue cap on and not a solid white one. Atrocious.
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more-
by Lakepoets on Nov 20, 2011 3:36 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
True--that was laughable--
It was red on red crime there was no blue involved.
PjsGroundPound
"Don’t cuss. Don’t argue with the officials. And don’t lose the game."
by PJsGroundPound on Nov 20, 2011 4:56 PM EST up reply actions
That was actually
a facemask call I thought. We grabbed the back of his helmet so naturally the ref called a facemask. Horribly officiated game…water under the bridge though, I guess. We won, we’re going to Atlanta twice in a row…good times.
Back off, man. I'm a scientist.
If you grab underneath the helmet, which we did (but barely) it's called a facemask. They don't have a "underneath helmet" call, so it is put in with facemask.
You can’t somehow slide your hand underneath a players helmet and pull. Same danger and reasoning as a facemask. It was the correct call. The PI and the PF, however, made no senese.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
Oh, okay
I could have lived with the PI, which I felt was a terrible call at the time, had there been similar interference calls for the obvious holds on our recievers. But that didn’t happen, and that’s really what’s chapping my buttocks. Bad calls happen, but that was really bad and it wasn’t being called both ways.
Back off, man. I'm a scientist.
Observations and being reawakened to the greatness of UGA
I am starting with a couple of observations of players and then sharing what this weekends trip to Athens did for me.
First time I’ve seen any of the players live in about 18 months. I was amazed at how much better conditioned they look and the muscle mass that they have put on. Boykin is majorly ripped-pictures don’t do justice. Gates arms are as big as my legs and I am a large man. OC and AM smaller than I thought. Marlon Brown is a huge receiver (very similar to Julio Jones physically)—if that dude has a breakout year the rest of the SEC is in trouble…especially with Conley, Mitchell and Bennett.
For those of you that get there regularly let me remind you how special that place is. I am a lifelong Dawg born and raised in Savannah but have lived in either Oklahoma or Alabama(currently) since 1998. Getting to Athens is a bit of a pilgrimage and every time I am reminded of the fact that it is the greatest place to play or watch football on the planet.
I got to see it through the eyes of my 3 boys who are first timers—it made me remember the wide eyed wonder of being a Dawg. The amazement of seeing Herschels heisman at Butts-Mehre. Seeing CMR outside the BM as the players were loading the bus—they almost popped. The practice fields-the G’s on everything-the Redcoats-the Arch-the stadium-the hedges-the pre game warmups-the lone trumpeter-the dawgwalk-the first glory-the first stadium chant georgia-bulldogs and the 4th quarter fanfare all amazing. Ringing the Chapel Bell in victory. Most importantly though the sheer joy they experienced just to be around people saying Go Dawgs at every turn. (Living in Alabama is unspeakably tough as it is nothing but RTR and WE and that is all they know). Thanks to all the DGD’s who helped make it a great weekend.
I am proud of the Dawgs and proud of my boys for staying true in a world of Bamers and Barners. It is the greatest football location in the world and I am glad to have my wonder renewed.
Go Dawgs! Wreck Tech!
PjsGroundPound
"Don’t cuss. Don’t argue with the officials. And don’t lose the game."
by PJsGroundPound on Nov 20, 2011 5:15 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
If you wanted, you could add to this nice post, put it in a fanpost, and we can put this on the front page. I love hearing stories from folks after its been a while.
If you have photos, you can use flicker and link your photos and make a whale of a post.
Regardless, great color and thankyou.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
Thanks TT-I will work on that-I appreciate the suggestion.
PjsGroundPound
"Don’t cuss. Don’t argue with the officials. And don’t lose the game."
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