The Dreaded O-fer
For the first time in most of our lifetimes, there is a graduating class from Auburn that never beat Georgia. The 31-24 beating of the Tigers was satisfying on many levels. The Dawgs continue to pull together after a disappointing first half of the season. It will still be looked upon as a season to forget for many Dawg fans, but the seniors at Auburn will take this to their graves.
I can remember developing a real deep seated passion(hatred) over a four year period against the likes of Clemson(2-2), South Carolina(2-2) and Auburn(1-2-1). Those career records in parenthesis were bad enough, but to go 0-4 against a rival would be the recipe for a lifetime of what ifs and coulda woulda shouldas. A real nightmare.
See Georgia Tech.
I am not gloating or making fun of these young men. I am just telling you like it is. They will forever be remembered as a group that never beat Georgia. Even other Auburn people will remind them, when it suits them. That just the way it is.
Spread the Love Folks
The Georgia Bulldogs’ 31-24 win over Auburn was a very pleasant surprise. Particularly after spotting the Tigers 14 points on the first two possessions. It was looking bad for the good guys, but then A.J. Green got hurt. Wait, did I say that right? Like it was a positive thing? I would never wish that on anyone. I hope A.J. heals up quickly, we need him, but to persevere and win without him was huge to me.
Early in the season A.J. was our team, making catch after miraculous catch. To progress to a point where we can beat a pretty good Auburn team without him is immeasurable. The growth of our O-line and running backs is gratifying to see. The young receivers like Israel Troupe having their chance and making the most of it. Tavares King could be an awesome compliment to A.J. Green in the future.
I have to also say that the defense came to play. The Auburn no-huddle offense and what I bet were scripted plays really put us on our heels. The third possession seemed to stop the hemorrhaging and whether it was swagger or something else, it was fun to watch. Even though there could have been more, the two interceptions were a delightful change of pace as well.
Blair Walsh continued to impress with his sixth career field goal over 50 yards, with four this season. This kick moved him into a four-way tie for second place in career field goals over 50 yards. Alan Leavitt, The Blogger himself and Brandon Coutu also had six. If he continues to have the opportunities and stays healthy, obviously he is on pace to break a very special record held by Kevin Butler(11). The younger Butler(Drew) had a disappointing night, only punting for a 47.4 average on 5 punts. His season average plummets to 49.0. I guess being on the Ray Guy watch list went to his head. Just kidding folks.
I tell you, Dawg fans have been super critical of the coaching staff, sometimes for good reason. My belief is when they pull things together you should acknowledge that as well. The sign of good coaching is when a player and/or team gets better over time. This team has gotten better the last four games, the Florida game notwithstanding. They may win out, which I would not have predicted 48 hours ago.
Randall Cobb of Kentucky gave us fits last year and Tech is a well oiled machine, but shtuff happens, as we have seen all too often this year. Maybe we can make some shtuff happen and make someone choke on their Thanksgiving leftovers. You know who I’m talking about!
Throwback Thursday, Tiger Style!
Thirty years ago Georgia played Auburn in Athens with a chance to go to the Sugar Bowl. That same crazy year we talked about last week with the awful homecoming game versus Virginia, yet we still had a chance win the SEC. A win against Auburn and we would be tied with Alabama. Since the Crimson Tide had won a title more recently, the Dawgs could go to the Sugar Bowl and represent the SEC, but it was not to be. For the second year in a row, the Tigers would derail the Dawgs.
Today’s post is more personal though. This game meant something special for other reasons. My focus was on trying to help us win but, I also had a personal challenge with Auburn’s kicker, Jorge(pronounced George) Portela. As Auburn’s kicker Jorge had made All-SEC in 1977 and had become the target of my obsessive desire to be considered better than Jorge.
I know that probably sounds weird, but as a kicker, how else do you measure yourself besides statistics and against other kickers. There is no direct physical confrontation like an offensive and defensive lineman might have. As a freshman, I looked at Jorge as the standard to shoot for.
In the summer of 1978 I found a picture of Jorge and kept it in my wallet. Each day I imagined what Jorge was doing that day, and I did more. If it rained, I thought that Jorge might take the day off and I kicked anyway. This degree of focus and desire helped me become the best kicker I could be. I made All-SEC in 1978, 1979 and 1980. I was an All-American in 1980. Jorge Portela is a huge reason why.
Back to the 1979 game. Jorge and I had both kicked for three years, and we were tied going in to the Auburn game with an SEC record 35 field goals. I had my senior to go still, but I wanted to win the three year battle too. Jorge finished the year with 38 FG’s….I finished with 40.
I have not talked to Jorge since 1982, but I owe him a lot for setting a standard that pushed me to be my best.
Thanks Jorge…
Georgia Defense has Swagger Back?
It’s great that the Georgia Bulldogs won a game that can only be considered a confidence builder. The first shutout by a Georgia defense since 2006 and Alabama-Birmingham. Holding any college team to 55 yards in total offense is very impressive. Young Montez Robinson said the following, ”(The way we played) gives us confidence to know that we are getting better”. That’s a reasonable reaction and statement to make.
Senior Jeff Owens, on the other hand, had this to say, “We got our swagger back.” Really. That’s amazing. This defense has seen more stagger than swagger this year. I don’t want to throw cold water on a positive outcome, but let’s keep it in perspective, players and fans alike.
My mantra is “just play”! Don’t talk or dress in funny uniforms. Just play.
Did Tennessee Tech have a Ben Tate, Mario Fannin or Onterio McCaleb? Holy Crap. Stop them, then talk to me about swagger. QB Chris Todd had been inconsistent, but seems to have recaptured his early season proficiency. Even with Auburn’s Jekyll and Hyde existence this year, they are averaging 35 points per game. That’s a tie for second in the SEC with who? Florida. “Awbarn” actually leads the conference with 450 yards/game in total offense. Hello!
After rolling off five wins, the Tigers lost three in a row. They seem to have righted the ship after wins against Ole Miss(33-20) and Furman(63-31).
Fortunately they are last in scoring defense(26.6), just behind Arkansas(26.1)…and Georgia(26.1). Sheesh.
With a win this weekend, Georgia will become “bowl eligible”.
Throwback Thursday- Halloween Style!
In thinking about this football weekend, which includes Halloween this year, I was considering the few times I had actually dressed up for Halloween as an “adult”. The one that sticks out is 1991, I guess it was. I was “newly single” and enjoying life for the first time in a while. From time to time I went to a place called “Buttons” at the Gwinnett Place Marriott. Some of you Gwinnettians may have been there.
They had a costume contest and I decided to give it a try. In thinking about something topical, all I had to do was look as far as the sports pages. You may remember Auburn and Coach Pat Dye being embroiled in a controversy with former player Eric Ramsey. Ramsey had tape recorded conversations with Auburn coaches and some including a booster named Bill “Corky” Frost.
It was an easy costume to put together because if you remember Coach Dye wore a navy blazer, white shirt, orange tie and an Auburn hat. All I had to buy was the hat and some orange material to sort of look like a tie. I don’t know why but I already had some Nike tennis shoes with an orange swoosh. This was pre-cell phones so I took a regular phone with me and as icing on the cake, I got some Monopoly money to help me “recruit” while at the party.
It was a huge hit, but I only came in second place behind some guy in an elaborate alien costume. Or maybe it wasn’t a costume at all, I don’t know. Needless to say, a great time was had by all.
Sorry Coach Dye!
Tell me what you really think!