Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA. (Courtesy: University of Georgia Athletic
Dept.)
Georgia 10 Oklahoma State 24
1st Downs: UGA 16 / OSU 17
Total Yards: 257 / 307
Passing: 162 / 135
Rushing: 95 / 172
Penalties: 7-58 / 15-106
3rd Down Conversions: 4-12 / 6-15
4th Down Conversions: 0-1 / 1-1
Turnovers: 3 / 0
Possession: 26:17 / 33:43
So, I have a question: Has Coach Mark Richt informed his defensive players that they are allowed to actually catch the ball on pass coverage? I really began to wonder as this game went on, as time and time again UGA players simply slapped the ball away instead of catching it for an interception. No, I probably could not have caught the passes myself, true, but that would be why I am not on the field for UGA football.
Also, I have to wonder: How long is it going to take Coach Richt to figure out what everyone in the nation already knows? Run the ball. It’s that simple. Georgia is a power running team, so run the ball. But, carrying over from last year, picking right up where he left off, Coach Richt continues to rely heavily on passing, even with a new quarterback. Makes no sense—none whatsoever, especially when you have a coach like Mark Richt at the helm. We know he can win ballgames, but sometimes it seems his decision making is the team's worst enemy.
Speaking of Richt and his poor decision making, let's talk Joe Cox. Look, bottom line, I’m just not a Joe Cox fan. He is a fifth-year senior, this is his first and last year as the starting QB, and I think the time would have been better served for UGA to have went with redshirt sophomore Logan Gray—someone who could grow and give more than one season to the program. Yes, Cox has given to the program from the sidelines in other ways, and his loyalty is admirable from one point of view. However, from a reality standpoint, his loyalty was misplaced and not in his own best interest whatsoever. But, ultimately, staying at UGA was his decision. Rewarding Cox for his loyalty with the starting QB job is a waste of a season, and detrimental to the entire program. Cox will have an entire “freshman” season, with the expected mistakes (like turning over the ball in the fourth quarter with A.J. Green waiting for a big play down field, and simply missing receiver after open receiver), and Gray loses a season that could have had him coming into 2010 as a strong, seasoned veteran player.
Complete waste.
And, we cannot forget consistency, or lack thereof. As I mentioned previously, UGA must find the consistency that they simply never found last year. Well, it seems that, as of the season opener, they have not found it. They marched down that field on the first possession like they were in Athens, playing in front of thousands of Dawg fans. After that, it was a slow-but-sure slide downhill, allowing Oklahoma State to score not once but twice in the last three minutes of the first half, sending the Cowboys into the locker room leading the game—and they never looked back.
Oklahoma State looked good in the second half. That end-of-the-half scoring revitalized them, as it should have, and they played strong. They had a lot of penalties throughout the game, but UGA did nothing with it. OSU, in fact, notably did one thing that UGA has not done in at least two years: They took advantage of their opportunities. UGA capitalized on nothing. They made mistake after mistake, they turned the ball over three times to OSUs zero, and they never took advantage of any of the chances they had to either put points on the board or keep OSU from doing the same.
So, Game One goes into the “L” column and I’ll say it again: Consistency is the key.
Oh, and one more thing: Don’t try the “Joe Cox had the flu” argument. I don’t believe he was sick, number one, and number two, I just don’t care if he had the flu or not. He is a good QB, I think, but that just is not the point.
Mark Richt should have gone with Logan Gray, and his decision to reward Cox is going to haunt UGA this season and beyond.
Comments
All due respect. Cox did not miss receiver after receiver. Receiver after receiver missed the ball. Substituting an inferior quarter back that doesn't know the scheme for a guy who's been a part of the program for years and made very few mistakes tonight just for the sake of coming in strong in 2010 is admitting that this season is a throw-away no matter what. I can't get on board with that. Cox is better than Gray now. I'm not so quick to write off this season or the right QB. Respectfully.
Fire Willie Martinez. Fire Joe Cox. Get a new QB to take the team forward. Martinez has some of the most talented defensive players in the country and can not do anything with them. He has to go. He should have been fired after choking last season.
Game stunk. 1st drive beautifully scripted then abandoned in a panic. Cox didn't manipulate the secondary w his eyes, he telegraphed. At least our team handled the loss with class, I hope they are steaming mad in that plane ride back though
J--
Receiver after receiver DID miss the ball, but, just as much, Cox missed his receivers ... is this season a "throw-away?" No, I don't think that, but I *do* believe that it is a mistake to, as I said, give a one-season QB a "freshman year" when you have talent behind him who could also have a good freshman year and have additional time to lead the team beyond that ... this is not about tonight's game, or just a few mistakes made tonight ... in my opinion, Logan Gray probably would not have had any better a game than Cox ... it's about the program, and I don't believe that Cox adds to the ongoing health of the UGA program ... :)
Coley--
You have a point, although I did think the defense did well overall tonight ... but, you do have a point ... we'll see as the season rolls on ... sigh ... :D
Dawg Fan--
You are so right about the "telegraphed!" He may as well have given them the playbook ... he should take a good look at the OSU QB in the films this week ... that guy can really pull some great fakes!
We lost the two best UGA players to the pros. Back-up QB, Cox??? Running back...??? Running game??? This year is a throwaway. Given. Richt is a fine human being but here we go again with his coaching inconsistencies. UGA used to be a powerhouse. Now, we hold our breath through games...just hoping. If he continues to lose, UGA needs to look elsewhere for leadership.
Olddog--
You know, I've heard that a lot in the last year, and tho' I'm not ready to start the bandwagon to oust Richt, I'm not taking it off the table ... it's frustrating, because he DOES win games ... but, then again, he doesn't seem to get the job done with the BIG games ... and, in my opinion this was another BIG game ... you're right, too, and your point is well-made ... we hold our breath these days instead of cheering on our team with confidence ... as I said, I'm not ready to say it's time to toss him, but I'm certainly not going to disagree, either ....
I watched Alabama and LSU play last night,
I don't believe we have recruited the caliber of running backs Alabama has or the quality of QB LSU has. Bottom line is we were flat, we didn't make adjustments to OSU's offense (like last year) we had dropped passes on offense and defense. We had STUPID penalties that still had a little thug attitude that creates COSTLY personal fouls in our D backs that just looks like no team or individual discipline. BOBO and Martinez are both calling schemes scared and theirs no confidence from the guys on the field that the plays are going to work.
A weak suck "Big 12" team spanked our asses on National TV. Own it.
I like your patient reserve! I'm a bit unnerved. This was a big game. The big ones get away. Leadership in the crunch. Refinement in the D line. Try looking the other way once before airing the pass. These teams are nothing like the Power-Dogs I used to know. I was team photographer for a few years and traveled to all the games. Knew the players...well. All business. Winning attitude every game. Great scouting. Impeccable recruiting. Coaches with fire in their bellies!!! I long for those days. Maybe...someday...maybe?
FYI - That last Mechele Commentary was by Olddog not Mechele. I was responding to Mechele. Sorry.
Thomas Payne -
We own it alright. You are right...no team or individual DISCIPLINE. Where's the "GO DAWGS! spirit!! I feel strange walking under the Arches anymore. I photo'd those Arches many times for UGA. Feed those Dawgs some MEAT! Let's get fired up!
Precision, coordination is the name of this game and determination. Richt may need to take a look at the coaching staff.
Now, you see, if the TEAM had the spirit and fire of those here on this board, we might have won last night ....
Something I've been contemplating lately is the lack of "killer instinct" that Richt instills in his athletes ... yes, they can do dumb things and get personal penalties with the best of them, but Thomas Payne is right, that this has a tinge of "thug" to it, not directed fire and spirit, and it certainly is not a positive action for the team ... where is the "eat'em up" attitude that, for example, Urban Meyer is always able to get out of his players? It just is not there and, as Olddog says, has not been there for a long time ....
Something to think about guys, yes Cox has several years in the system, but Logan has two years in it himself and could really be ready to take this team forward with two years of learning and his first year mistakes already out of the way.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!