Dawg Sports - It's Saturday In Athens! Your College Football Morning Open Comment Thread.Georgia Bulldogs. 2012 SEC East and state champions.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48665/dawgsports_fave.png2013-09-07T22:30:05-04:00http://www.dawgsports.com/rss/stream/44681392013-09-07T22:30:05-04:002013-09-07T22:30:05-04:00The Mark Richt Victory Watch: #119.
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<figcaption>Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Georgia Bulldogs moved to 1-0 in SEC play tonight by grinding out a tough victory against the South Carolina Gamecocks. That can only mean one thing: it's time to update the Mark Richt Victory Watch.</p> <p>In a game about which, admittedly, many among<a href="http://www.dawgsports.com/2013/9/6/4691066/round-table-predictions-south-carolina"> the Dawg Sports staff</a> (and Bulldog Nation at large) had their doubts, the Classic City Canines pulled out a gutsy goal line stand, squeezed out a double digit lead late, then ground it out to <a href="http://www.dawgsports.com/2013/9/7/4705794/dawgs-beat-cocks-post-game-victory-thread">secure the victory</a>.</p>
<p>I am now pleased beyond words to assume the mantle of T. Kyle King, <i>Editor Emeritus</i> of Dawg Sports, all around good guy, and renowned expert on the early history of Pomerania, in updating the Mark Richt Victory Watch. With this win the Mark Richt Victory Watch now stands at 119. Mark Richt is just 82 wins shy of tying Vince Dooley for the all-time Georgia record, and 21 shy of tying Coach Butts for second place. After 160 games as the Bulldogs’ head coach, Mark Richt remains the most accomplished skipper in Red and Black gridiron history.</p>
<p>Coach Richt boasts a 119-41 record and a .744 winning percentage. At the identical juncture in their respective careers, Wally Butts stood at 104-49-7 following a 1953 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide, while Vince Dooley sported a 105-50-5 ledger following, ironically, a 1978 loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks. Coach Butts boasted a winning percentage of .650 and Coach Dooley stood at .656 for their respective careers after the same number of games.</p>
<p>There's still an awful lot of football to be played. For example, LSU comes to Athens in a short three weeks. For now, however, the Bulldogs will have a week off to heal up after two physical games against Palmetto State opponents, and get ready for the North Texas Mean Green. Until later . . .</p>
<p><b>Go 'Dawgs!!!</b></p>
https://www.dawgsports.com/2013/9/7/4705858/the-mark-richt-victory-watchmacondawg2013-09-07T20:16:41-04:002013-09-07T20:16:41-04:00DAWGS BEAT COCKS! POST GAME VICTORY THREAD!
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<p>The Dawgs run a soul crushing drive out of the end zone to win the game 41-30.<br><br>We'll have lots of post game analysis for you soon, and the Mark Richt Victory Watch tonight, so for now, this will be short. Cause I want to party too!</p>
<p><br>IT"S GREAT TO BE A GEORGIA BULLDOG.</p>
https://www.dawgsports.com/2013/9/7/4705794/dawgs-beat-cocks-post-game-victory-threadchuckdawg2013-09-07T18:15:45-04:002013-09-07T18:15:45-04:00Second Half Open Comment Thread.
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<figcaption>Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Georgia Bulldogs and South Carolina Gamecocks played a wild first half combining for 48 points, 13 first downs apiece, and 470 yards of total offense. The Bulldogs got a few solid shots in on Connor Shaw and held Jadeveon Clowney to only one impact play, a second quarter sack. Aaron Murray has played a statistically flawless game, going 10 of 13 for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns with no turnovers. Todd Gurley looks every bit like the best back in college football, grinding out 92 yards on 17 carries.</p>
<p>Murray and crew will get the ball to start the second half (unless of course the Ole Ball Coach pulls out an onside kick of his own . . .) and will look to get some defensive stops and pull away.</p>
<p>If there's a positive to take away from the first half defensive performance it's that the problems were not scheme problems, but rather technique issues (body positioning, tackling) that the younger guys will improve on as the year goes on. But it would be a whole lot better if they'd just go ahead and improve right now.</p>
<p>Buckle up folks. It's time to go at it again.</p>
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<p><b>Go 'Dawgs!!!</b></p>
https://www.dawgsports.com/2013/9/7/4705076/Georgia-south-Carolina-score-stats-second-half-open-comment-threadmacondawg2013-09-07T16:00:06-04:002013-09-07T16:00:06-04:00Georgia/South Carolina First Half Thread.
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<figcaption>Scott Cunningham</figcaption>
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<p>In a few short minutes the Georgia Bulldogs will kick it off between the hedges against the South Carolina Gamecocks, one of the peskier nonrivals on the conference slate. Losers of three in a row in the series, the 'Dawgs will be looking to take an early step toward the driver's seat in the SEC East, and trying to avoid their second 0-2 start in three seasons.</p>
<p>The key to doing that? Playing the first snap, the last snap, heck, every snap with fire. It's going to be a hot one out there, and the team with more in the tank in the fourth quarter may be the team who emerges victorious. Let's get it started.</p>
<p><b>Go 'Dawgs!!!</b></p>
https://www.dawgsports.com/2013/9/7/4705026/georgia-south-carolina-stats-score-first-halfmacondawg2013-09-07T11:00:12-04:002013-09-07T11:00:12-04:00Bigtime Visitors In Athens Saturday.
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<figcaption>Lorenzo Carter working out at Nike's Opening event this summer. | USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Recruiting is the lifeblood of a successful college football program, and days like today give you a chance to get the blood flowing. Find out who's in Athens learning why they should commit to the G.</p> <p>While recruiting is a year round activity in today's college football world, game weekends are still when a lot of the heavy lifting gets done. It's when committed players come to town to build bonds that will tie them together for years to come. It's also when prospects come to town to see what the University of Georgia has to offer.</p>
<p>This weekend several of the biggest targets on the Bulldog board will be in the Classic City taking in Georgia/South Carolina. No name is bigger than Norcross DE/OLB Lorenzo Carter, touted by many as the top prospect in the Peach State and a top 10 player nationally. Carter has listed a top 3 of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia and while many thought this one would be between the Dawgs and Tide, Carter has recently shown quite an affinity for the Sunshine State Saurians. Mark Richt does not need to have another Signing Day on which the top player in the state leaves it, and definitely doesn't need that player heading to an SEC rival. This battle will be one to watch.</p>
<p>Also on hand will be Jacksonville offensive tackle David Sharpe, also considering the Bulldogs and Gators. Sharpe is probably a lean to the Fighting Muschamps at this point, but anyone who watched last Saturday's Clemson game knows that Will Friend has playing time to sell at the all-important blindside tackle spot.</p>
<p>Four star Auburn, Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans will be in the house, as will New Jersey DB Juwann Winfree. Like Carter and Sharpe, the 'Dawgs don't seem to be in the lead for Evans or Winfree. That's why this weekend will be important. A big conference win in an electric atmosphere could go a long way in making up some ground for guys who could each be among the last pieces of the 2014 recruiting puzzle.</p>
<p>These uncommitted prospects will be joined by Bulldog pledges Sony Michel, Detric Dukes, and Kendall Gant. This is probably not the biggest recruiting weekend of the season in terms of numbers, but the quality of prospects on hand will be unparalleled. Let's hope Mark Richt and Company give them something to be impressed by. Until later . . .</p>
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<p><b>Go 'Dawgs!!!</b></p>
https://www.dawgsports.com/2013/9/7/4704120/lorenzo-carter-georgia-visit-david-sharpe-rashaan-evans-juwann-winfree-commit-verbalmacondawg2013-09-07T09:40:33-04:002013-09-07T09:40:33-04:00It's Saturday In Athens!
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<figcaption>Scott Cunningham</figcaption>
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<p>The hills are alive with the sound of Bulldogs. It's another college football Saturday in the Classic City, and we're with you from here to the end. </p> <p>College Gameday is on from Ann Arbor, and someone still needs to slip David Pollock a Big Mac or something. Tailgaters are jamming the hills and thoroughfares of Athens and Clarke County.</p>
<p>The noon slate includes Tommy Tuberville bringing his Bearcats to Urbana-Champaign to face the Fighting Illini, and Will Muschamp takes his Gators south to face Miami in a game which will likely have Dawg Sports' own Dave The Dawg bunkered down in his living room and praying for meteors. Miami of Ohio will come into Kentucky and attempt to kick the Wildcats while they're down, and Oklahoma State will visit UT-San Antonio to take on the Fighting Larry Cokers. Finally, Western Kentucky will visit Knoxville looking to run their record to 2-0 in SEC play against the Volunteers.</p>
<p>Is it the most interesting group of early games ever? Not even close. But it's college football, and you gotta do something between now and kickoff between the hedges. So dive in. Until later . . .</p>
<p><b>Go 'Dawgs!!!</b></p>
https://www.dawgsports.com/2013/9/7/4704022/its-saturday-in-athens-your-college-football-morning-open-commentmacondawg