Georgia/Clemson Reaction

Georgia fans wouldn’t want to hear that it was a great game, but that’s exactly what it was.

The saddest part of Georgia’s 38-35 loss, is that we will now have Georgia “fans” calling for Mark Richt to be fired, Aaron Murray to be benched, and Uga to be put down. If you are one of those people, please do the following immediately.

1.       Don’t post anything on Facebook for the next 24 hours.

2.       Go to your closet, take all of the red and black out, and donate it to charity.

3.       Learn the words to Ramblin’ Wreck.

There is nothing embarrassing about going on the road and playing a top 10 team, and losing by 3  points. 

There would have been nothing embarrassing about losing by 10 for that matter. Clemson played really well. Tajh Boyd was as good as advertised, Sammy Watkins was electric, Clemson has two talented tailbacks, and Clemson’s defense slowed Georgia down at a point in the game where the Dawgs were getting on a roll. Clemson is a very good team that will, most likely, go on to win the ACC this year.

Look at it this way. Georgia lost their best receiver in the first quarter. Georgia’s superstar tailback left the game for about a quarter. Georgia’s senior quarterback struggled for most of the first half. Georgia’s offensive line was terrible in the second quarter. Georgia had way too many penalties. Georgia screwed up a simple field goal. All of that added up to a Clemson blowout right? Nope, just three points.

There will be enough negativity out there, so I will start with the positives.

All in all, I thought the Georgia defense played pretty well against a talented and complicated offense. Georgia’s defense didn't cost them the game, which I would say is more than most people were expecting.

Georgia found a real weapon at fullback with Hicks. His block is what allowed Gurley to make the 75 yard touchdown run for Georgia’s first score. If he plays like he did tonight, it give Georgia their best threat at fullback since Southerland.

Todd Gurley is as good as advertised, and maybe better. Gurley played exceptionally well. He had the one big run, but almost every run he had was positive. He reminds me of Moreno in that he will take a two yard loss and make it a three yard gain. Todd Gurley will win the Doak Walker award this year, and maybe next year too.

Finally, Justin Scott-Wesley looked like a real threat at receiver. He stepped up and made some big catches with Mitchell out of the game.

Of course there were some concerning things as well.

Aaron Murray had a rough first half, but a better second half. The biggest problem, in my opinion, was that he didn't look like a four-year starter tonight. His clock management was bad, and he did seem to get Georgia in the right play as much as you would expect. The fumble wasn't really his fault because the offensive line has to do a better job. The interception right after the muffed punt was his fault and was a momentum killer.

The offensive line was simply offensive tonight. If John Theus can’t play left tackle, then Georgia has to figure out who can. Mr. Clowney comes to Athens next Saturday, and if Theus plays like he did tonight, Aaron Murray will spend next Sunday at St. Mary’s Hospital. David Andrews is supposed to be the leader of the offensive line and is apparently one of Coach Will Friend’s most trusted players, but he had two killer holding calls that negated first downs. I really believed the line would be a strength of this team. They have a lot to prove against South Carolina next week.

The problems on the missed field goal robbed Georgia of seeing tonight’s kicker attempt a true field goal instead of an extra point. I’m sure Marshall Morgan will be kicking next week for Georgia, but if he starts struggling this year like he did in 2012, I think Mr. Morgan will be on the bench.

A few years ago I wrote that one of the most important things a fan can do to enjoy a college football season is try to maintain a certain level of perspective throughout the season. Each and every one of Georgia’s goals are still attainable. I am not the only person that said if you had to start 1-1, you would rather lose the Clemson game. Now Georgia faces a must win game next Saturday night against South Carolina.

The coaches have plenty of things to help motivate the team this week, but nothing is more motivating than the simple fact of what next week’s game means.

Win, and you will have a chance to achieve your goals. Lose, and you won’t. I don’t believe in moral victories in major college football, but tonight is a loss you can live with. A loss next Saturday might throw this program back into the turmoil that haunted it following the 0-2 start in 2012.