Georgia vs. Carolina: What Went Right, What Went Wrong

The Georgia Bulldogs fell to 0-2 Saturday evening in Athens, dropping a tough contest 45-42 to their most recent arch rival—the Bulldogs of the University of Georgia. That's right. As Walt Kelly, the Pogo cartoonist, was the first to say on his 1970 Earth Day poster, "We have met the enemy, and he is us."

No disrespect to Steve Spurrier and his University of South Carolina Gamecocks. They are a formidable team with of some very fine players on both sides of the ball. The "Old Ball Coach" still has some magic up his sleeves. He is certainly nowhere near joining the "It's time to let go, Good Ol' Joe Paterno" fraternity. No, no disrespect intended whatsoever, but the Dawgs beat themselves on this night.

Jumping out to a 6-0 lead on two Blair Walsh field goals during a strong first quarter, the Bulldogs led four different times during the see-saw contest, seizing the lead for the final time with 6:28 remaining in the fourth quarter on a 15 yard dash and dive for the pylon by freshman tailback, Isaiah Crowell.

Over the next 3 minutes and 16 seconds, however, Georgia imploded, giving up 14 unanswered points to fall behind 45-35. They valiantly tried to fight back off the deck, scoring on a 33 yard strike from Aaron Murray to Tavarres King with 2:15 to go. In the end, though, even with all three time outs remaining, the Dawgs were unable to stop the clock and South Carolina's offense, which kept grinding it out until time expired.

Compared to their first outing against Boise State last week in the Chick-Fil-A "Pro Combat Uniform Bowl" in Atlanta, the Bulldogs played much improved football in most facets of the game, outperforming the Gamecocks in many statistical categories on offense. Though some of the numbers do not necessary reflect it, the defense improved its performance over last week's, as well.

Overall, the Bulldogs appeared mentally and physically prepared, and the team's effort, focus, determination and fight seemed consistently high throughout the night. In many respects, Georgia played well enough to win. But they didn't. Ultimately, they found ways to shoot themselves in the foot. When the smoke finally cleared, they were a day late and three points short.

What were the things that the Bulldogs did right Saturday that gave them a chance to win and that should give their fans cause to hold out hopes of salvaging good things from the remainder of this season? 

Cause for Optimism No. 1: Signs of Creative Synapses Firing on Offense

Among the criticisms of Georgia's offense in recent years were that it is often predictable and unimaginative. It seemed in the first game, at least, that the offense had not developed a clear identity during the preseason.

The philosophies and patterns of offensive play callers should not change with the wind and should not be overhauled from week to week. However, yesterday it seemed as though, unless the Dawgs were just playing their cards close to the vest last week versus No. 4 Boise State (and goodness, I sure hope that was not the case), Mark Richt, Mike Bobo, and the offensive staff had done some reflection and had taken a good, hard look at refining their offensive package to best utilize the skills of their respective personnel. This, of course, is what good coaches do.

First, on the tweaking of the offense to fit the personnel—Richard Samuel, starting his second consecutive game since returning to tailback, was featured in the I-formation power running attack and played well. On a second half play that was ultimately nullified by a holding penalty, Samuel actually did something unexpected; he reversed his field instead of simply plowing ahead running north to south into waiting tacklers, for what would have been a really nice run and gain.

Isaiah Crowell was employed primarily in the pistol and shotgun formations, getting him closer to the edge, allowing him greater freedom to probe for seams in the defensive front and giving him the opportunity to take advantage of his superior (to Samuel's) lateral movement and "twitch" in traffic. He was also used as a target on passing downs rather than as a blocker, a skill that he never performed in high school and is still in the formative stages of mastering. In addition, the team's most dangerous playmaker, Brandon Boykin, saw a few more plays on offense and was provided a few other offensive tools (in addition to last week's jet sweep) to work with.

While the regular looks down the field were still plentiful, it appeared that the short passing game was really emphasized more in this game plan. More short routes were run and thrown. Backs were leaking out of the backfield into the flats and out for screen passes. This strategy helped Georgia to 23 first downs (to Carolina's 16) and a slight edge in time of possession (30:58), both statistical categories that most often contribute to winning games.

In addition to their first down and time of possession advantages, the Bulldogs also amassed more passing yards and more total offense than did their opponents from Columbia. While the Cocks gained more yards on the ground, the Dawgs managed to pick up 188 yards rushing and slightly improved their yards per carry average in this game to just shy of 5 yards per tote. Last week's per rush average was skewed high by Boykin's 80 yard jaunt.

In sum, it seemed as though getting the flow of creative juices resulted in the Georgia offense having a better sense of who it was and what it wanted to do coming into and throughout this game. 

Cause for Optimism No. 2: Young Gun Comes out Shooting

Pearl S. Buck once observed that, "The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible—and achieve it, generation after generation." The application? Yes. Isaiah Crowell is a freshman, a very gifted one, but a freshman nevertheless. One of the cool things about a select few freshmen, however, is that they just don't know that and are able to transition to the college game much more quickly as a result. It appears that Isaiah may just be one of those. 

While he did not start again on Saturday, when all was said and done he was the feature back this day. He was given the rock, and as he has done since he was a youngster, he just carried it. He had his first 100 yard game, gaining 118 yards on 16 carries with a 7.4 yard per carry average, and had his first rushing touchdown in the last stanza. He also had two receptions for 40 yards, one of those for his first Bulldog TD. 

Marred only by a muffed mesh with quarterback Aaron Murray that resulted in Crowell being credited with a fumble (it appeared that the freshman's takeoff angle may have been wider than it should have been), he had an otherwise stellar night in just his second collegiate game. He played with zeal and confidence. The performance may portend that Crowell, a Columbus native, will prove equal to the task of replicating his prep gridiron successes in venues around the Southeastern Conference in the games and seasons to come.

The coaching staff facilitated his performance by effectively relieving him of blocking responsibilities on passing downs and using him, instead, as a secondary and screen pass receiver. The move seemed to pay dividends in terms of providing Crowell with the peace of mind to do what he does best.

Let the young Dawg run.

Cause for Optimism No. 3: Maybe Size Does Matter After All

After watching the game and examining the offensive statistics carefully, one conclusion seems clear—the offensive line's play was much improved. And they played better against a defensive front that is highly respected around the conference. From Richard Samuel's carry on an power isolation out of the I on the game's first play until the game's final possession, their play was more consistent. This fact is particularly impressive considering that sophomore Dallas Lee started at guard for the banged up Kenarious Gates.

While the coaching staff helped to facilitate more success for them by making some adjustments with formations and personnel, incorporating some screens and quick drop offs into the game plan. By calling more short, quick passing plays, and using a little more creativity and little less predictability, the big men simply blocked better most of the night. Certainly, there were some lapses and missed assignments. Although Murray was flushed out of the pocket and knocked down a few times, the interception that he threw resulted from Murray forcing the ball in and a nice defensive play on the ball. Their play had in role in Crowell's fumble, and Murray should have eaten the ball on his.

On any given Saturday, 436 total yards on offense and 42 points is a really nice game. It is usually enough to win. It really can't be pulled off with poor offensive line play. All in all, Dawg fans have to be encouraged by the improved play of this critical unit. 

Cause for Optimism No. 4: The Spree D' Corps (Receiving , That Is) Was Obvious

While part of Carolina's defensive game plan, breaking up the Murray to Orson Charles connection, was obvious, it didn't work as well as anticipated. Indeed, Charles, arguably Georgia's best and most dangerous receiver, did not have a reception on the evening. But a host of other Georgia receivers stepped up to fill the void created by this strategy, as did backs flooding out of the backfield. On the afternoon, Bulldog receivers had 248 yards receiving and accounted for four touchdowns.

Malcolm Mitchell led all Dawg receivers with five catches for 52 yards. Michael Bennett made a big splash onto the Georgia receiving scene with three catches for 24 yards, including a spectacular grab of a Murray bullet thrown low and behind him. Later he rocked a nifty 19-yard run after another catch for a 4th quarter touchdown. Bulldog running backs tallied 84 yards receiving, including a 17-yard touchdown reception by Isaiah Crowell.

In all, Murray distributed his nineteen completions among eight different receivers against a talented Carolina defense and secondary. With preseason concerns about filling the sizable shoes of AJ Green, it appears that Georgia may be able to accomplish this feat via committee.  

Cause for Optimism No. 5: Cocks Almost Boiled in Dawgs' Pressure Cooker

With the exception of Stephen Garcia's touchdown strike to future NFL first round pick Alshon Jeffery in the middle of the second quarter, the Georgia pass defense kept the Gamecocks passing attack largely at bay for most of the night. When the night concluded, South Carolina's feisty, banty rooster of a quarterback was limited to 142 yards in the air on 11 completions.

Garcia was pressured in the pocket throughout the contest and when flushed from protection was not allowed to roam too far or too long, finishing the game with only 11 yards on six carries.

Combined with unyielding pressure applied on Carolina's pocket by the defensive front, the Bulldog secondary contributed to the pressure with several corner blitzes throughout the game and displayed much more focused and aggressive coverage behind it. On the day, the defense allowed the Carolina offense three touchdowns and a field goal (excluding the fake punt debacle, a special teams blow technically, and the five yard Garcia run after the 57 yard return of Crowell's fumble).

In hindsight their effort, though imperfect, was good enough in its own right to help secure the Dawgs a much needed victory.

But alas, just as the Dawgs were wrapping their arms around the season's first victory and a 1-0 start in the SEC East, they fumbled it away. 

What went wrong?

What Went Awry? No. 1: "Not so Special" Special Teams Play

A crucial area in which the Dawgs can ill afford mistakes if they are to stop the skid and turn their fortunes around is special teams play. There is absolutely no margin for error in this facet of the game as the offensive and defensive units continue to find their way. On this Saturday between the hedges, special teams lapses were just too costly.

Chomping at the bit to have impact on the game after having been benched versus Boise State by the offense's inability to control the ball and sustain drives into Bronco territory, Blair Walsh came out of the gate lust as any Bulldog fan would expect. As the Bulldog drives on their second and third possessions of the first quarter stalled well into Carolina territory, Walsh, as he almost perfunctorily does, punched 37 and 39 yard attempts through the uprights, staking Georgia to a 6-0 lead.

Unfortunately, when another Dog encroachment into the Gamecocks end stalled after a Murray 3rd down incompletion at the 16 early in the second quarter. Walsh jerked a subsequent 33-yard attempt hard to the left, missing badly on what is typically a chipper for him. It was not completely clear whether it was the snap, the hold, a rare Walsh muff or a combination thereof, but it was a play that Dawg fans have almost come to take for granted. The miss proved a costly missed opportunity.

The other major special teams misfire of the day was much more egregious. It did not occur on a play where a series of motor skills must be executed in sync with little room for error for success to be attained. After the Bulldogs had called time upon holding the Gamecocks on 3rd down at their own 32 at the 2:20 mark in the second quarter, the "Old Ball Coach" Spurrier made a gutsy 4th and 7 call.

South Carolina snapped the ball to defensive lineman Melvin Ingram who lined up as an upback in punt formation. The fake punt caught Georgia defenders, who appeared to be rather leisurely discussing blocking assignments for a planned return, off guard. Ingram ran to the left and rumbled up the field, making Dawgs corner Brandon Boykin whiff on an attempted open field tackle along the way to a 68-yard touchdown, staking Carolina to a 14-13 lead and momentum going into the half.

While losses, like other things, are the sum of all of their parts, these two, un-special "special teams" plays were particularly painful. As previously noted, these delicate Dawgs can ill afford such suicidal breakdowns.

What Went Awry No. 2: Miscues from the Mostly Steady Handed in Our Midst

Coming into the 2011 season, lots of questions surrounded the Georgia offense. One of them, however, was not Aaron Murray. And it still isn't. Murray, Georgia's talented redshirt sophomore quarterback, coming off of a record setting freshman campaign, is a talented field general who will eventually be rated among the Bulldog greats at the quarterback position.

On Saturday, Murray had a game of contrasts. At times, he was brilliant. At others, not so much.

Perhaps the contrasts can best be viewed in two instances occurring during the course of this war. After Carolina punched the ball into the end zone following the fumbled exchange with Crowell in the 3rd Quarter, the Georgia offense was pushed back to its own 10 yard line after a 1st and 10 holding penalty. Murray forced a throw into a receiver who had been angled to the inside and was tightly covered. Having more or less baited Murray into the throw, Gamecock DB Anthony Allen dipped inside the receiver, intercepted the pass, and ran it 25 yards into the Bulldogs end zone for a 28-20 South Carolina lead.

Murray responded by getting off the deck and driving the Dawgs down the field after the ensuing kickoff. He threw nine straight completions along the way, including the 19-yard touchdown pass to Michael Bennett and the subsequent two-point conversion to Tavarres King. Murray led the Dawgs back into a 28-28 tie.

Later in the 4th quarter, after South Carolina had retaken the lead at 38-35 and kicked off to the Bulldogs, Murray dropped back to throw on 1st and 10 at the Georgia 30. Gamecock freshman stud Jadaveon Clowney burst in virtually untouched and grabbed Murray. In a panic, Murray, looking as if he were making an ill-advised attempt to get rid of the ball, basically lost control of it. It was scooped up and run in from the 5 yard line by defensive lineman/running back Ingram for his second touchdown of the day.

Unfortunately, sometimes discretion has to be the better part of valor, and the usually steady Murray, had he a mulligan on the play, would most certainly have tucked the ball and taken the sack once he felt himself in Clowney's grasp.

Once again, Murray dusted himself off, and on the subsequent possession, he threw a 33-yard touchdown strike to Tavarres King with 2:15 remaining to bring the Dawgs back within range at 45-42, giving them a slim chance to get the ball back and either tie or win the game.

While Murray's repeatedly "rising up" in the face of adversity is both admirable and encouraging, the reality is that his miscues were costly on this particular day. Like all human error, his mistakes are forgivable, especially considering the courage that he has demonstrated during this very rough patch in the annals of Georgia football.

But, costly they were. 

What Went Awry? No. 3: Sometimes "Hole"iness Is a Sin Rather Than a Virtue

This game, as it almost always is, was close throughout. It was a back and forth, rock 'em, sock 'em war characteristic of Saturdays in the SEC, especially Georgia vs. South Carolina Saturdays.

At the end of the day, despite the special teams and offensive miscues, this game remained winnable down to the final two minutes but for the inability of Georgia's defense to stop Carolina's sophomore tailback sensation, Marcus Lattimore, when it was crunch time. This plot was eerily similar to last year's manhandling of the Bulldogs defense by Marcus, when he ran roughshod for over 180 yards against the Bulldogs in Columbia in what amounted to his coming out party.

Saturday, Lattimore virtually replicated last year's hot Dawg feast, rushing 176 yards for the day on 27 carries. However, in the fourth quarter alone (with the game in the balance), the load wearing No. 21 carried the ball 12 times for 93 yards. He hammered away at the Dawgs defense alternating carries that gained little with those gashing the Dawgs through gaping off tackle holes. During Carolina's final possession, it was Lattimore that snuffed out the Bulldogs final hopes by picking up eight yards on a 3rd and 3 play with only 1:14 left on the clock.

In the final analysis, Georgia's inability to keep Lattimore hemmed up with the game on the line was probably the straw that broke the Bulldogs' backs and resulted in their falling to 0-2 for the first time since 1996.

What Went Awry? No. 4: Mojo (Not) Rising

Upon reflection, the Bulldogs played with heart and, for the better portion of the game, played well enough to win this game. They just didn't "finish the drill." They made plenty of mistakes, as did South Carolina. At the end of the day, however, the Gamecocks overcame their errors and did what was needed to win, and the Bulldogs could not.

One of the most important factors in winning with consistency is attention to detail. The Bulldogs have lost their ability to do this consistently across all phases of the game in their descent into the throws of abject mediocrity over the last 28 games.

They have lost their winning mojo.

Mojos are are fragile and often fleeting, and sometimes very to difficult, once lost, to recover without institutional changes being made. That's why coaches, like empires, rise and fall. Yesterday, short of not taking a time out on 3rd and 3 late in the third quarter to remind the defense of the likelihood that the Gamecocks would hand the ball to Lattimore, Georgia didn't lose because of coaching. They were well prepared, and they played hard and with gusto. They lost because they have forgotten how to not beat themselves and how to "finish the drill" against opponents that matter. In other words, they have simply forgotten how to win.

As Furman Bisher used to say, "Selah."