Trying to find words....

This was my range of emotions this afternoon.

Anticipation: I was really looking forward to this game.

Hope: After stopping Auburn on their first drive and holding them to a field goal, I felt like Georgia might be able to get it done.

Frustration: The Georgia offense did nothing on the first two possessions, and that put the defense in a terrible position.

Exasperation: It was disgusting watching Georgia in the first half. Penalties, bad tackling, no blocking on the offensive line, and it looked like we might get beat by 30 or more.

Apathy: Even when Georgia pulled it to a 27-17 I really didn’t care. I didn’t think there was any way that Georgia’s defense would stop Auburn once, let alone twice to get us back in the game. Seriously thought about turning the game off. Volunteered to put the baby down for the night in the middle of the third quarter.

Intrigued: When Georgia scored, and got the ball right back, it made me think that Georgia was going to get just close enough to break my heart.

Excited: Georgia scores again and makes it a one possession game. Made me think of how the Auburn fans were feeling. Probably just like I felt watching the Vanderbilt game this season. You think everything is in hand, then you start to get worried, then it feels like a giant snowball is rolling down a hill straight toward a nursing home. You have to remember how bad Auburn was last year and that they really haven’t been tested. You could just see them getting tight. All their dreams were slipping away.

Surprised: Would have never believed that Georgia would stop Auburn and force three straight punts. 

Never. Wouldn’t have bet your money.

Hopeful: Georgia had their offense working and it looked like we were heading for the end zone.

Aggrivated: Really upset that Georgia didn’t run it on second down and goal from the five. Put the ball in the hands of your best player and, at worst, run the clock down some more if he doesn’t get in.

Nervous: Really didn’t want to get that close and come up short of the end zone.

Proud: I have a lot to say about Aaron Murray in the next few days, but for him to put his head down on that fourth down play and just barely get in to the end zone, just makes me want to shake the guys hand and tell him thank you for being a Dawg.

Pumped: Georgia almost picked off Marshall’s first pass, brings down the receiver on a cut back play that went nowhere and took forever, then we sack Marshall to bring up fourth and eighteen.

Side Note: On November 12, 2005 I was sitting in the end zone of Sanford Stadium as Georgia was leading Auburn 30-28 with  just a few minutes left in the game. Georgia’s defense had forced a fourth down and long situation. Auburn called timeout. As the players began to get back on the field for the fourth down play, I just looked around the Stadium. Everyone was up on their feet going crazy. We were about to clinch the SEC East, and I was going to get to see it happen live.

Then Auburn passed the ball over the middle, got 64 yards on the play, fumbled forward out of bounds, and the ball was placed at the two. Auburn ran the clock down under a minute and kicked a field goal to win 31-30.

Laughing: My hand to God I started laughing as soon as the Auburn receiver caught the ball. You can’t make that stuff up. Some idiot Georgia fan will complain that the players should have batted the ball down. Those same guys that complained that Connelly should have let the ball drop in the Dome last December. Of course they should have batted the ball down, but they were trying to catch the ball. Even still, what are the odds that the Auburn player keeps running as the ball floats right to him? What are the odds that he actually locates the ball in time to catch it? Please, be frustrated with the outcome, but let’s not try to blame Harvey-Clemons or Matthews for a once in a generation play.

Intrigued: There were 25 seconds left and we had two timeouts. You never know. Right Auburn fans?

Hopeful: Murray managed to get us in position to throw it in the end zone and try to salvage a win for the ages.

(There is no word for it): Just blank. I wasn’t mad. I wasn’t sad. I wasn’t disappointed. There was some pride there. One of those moments you just stare into space for a few minutes.

Acceptance: The worst part of it will be reliving it time and time again on highlight shows tonight and tomorrow, and still having to hear about it for the next two weeks until Alabama and Auburn play.

Finally I have come to a place of peace. I will be writing again tomorrow where Auburn’s win will be the best win of the day no matter what happens in the games tonight. I think we can take make some sober conclusions based on the facts of this season, not on the emotion of tonight’s heartbreaking loss.

The reality of the situation is that Georgia came into this season with national title aspirations and expectations. We are 6-4 overall and 4-3 in the SEC. You can’t escape those facts, but tonight, much like we did after the SEC title game last season, let’s just be proud of the effort our team put forth in that fourth quarter.

Glory, Glory.