FOOTBAL
Head coach Mark Richt and several football players addressed the media during the Dawgs’ weekly press luncheon today. They offered the following comments:
Opening statement (Coach Richt) …
“We are ready for another game. Last week of course was very exciting and took a lot of physical and mental energy, but I think the guys are pretty resilient. They came in the next day and got a good lift in. They got a good run in, and they are ready to go, so we are excited about that.
Going to Arkansas will be tough. They will be ready for us. They have had pretty much the whole offseason to work on us, and also an open date, so I’m sure we will be getting their very best shot scheme-wise, and their very best shot physically, mentally and emotionally. It is a big game for both teams certainly. Now it’s their first SEC game, and you know how important it is to start off on the right foot. They will have a tremendous atmosphere there. It’s not our first away game, but it is our first away game in the conference. It’s huge for us. It’s huge for them. Second year coaches tend to do extremely well, and that’s where they are right now. So hopefully we can stave off all the crowd, the excitement and energy and settle the game down and play good Georgia football.”
On the areas he saw the most progression from week one to week two…
“I’ve been excited about the progress period. Some of the things that got me excited are the young guys playing on special teams really improved a lot. They have a lot of confidence. The kickoff return team probably first and foremost, we have six freshmen on there and two sophomores with (Fred) Munzenmanier and (Shaun) Chapas the juniors and (Justin) Fields the senior. From week one to week two it was astounding. Week one the front five, I don’t think there was ever a time when three out of five got their block. There might have been one time two out of five got it. There were one or two times that zero out of five got their man. They got called out, not in a real bad way, but we must have production; we got nothing. The first kickoff, four out of five really handled their (responsibilities) well. The fifth guy got a good piece of him, but didn’t quite keep him off the runner; he’s the one guy who Branden (Smith) had to break the tackle on. But he wasn’t in the greatest position; he was a little off balance. He made the hit, but he was blocked well enough where he didn’t have a solid shot at him. When we got to the wedge, all of those guys did their job so well. With the kickoff coverage team, for all the fans who want us to drive it out of the end zone every time, that was one of those where we drove it, the kid caught it five yards deep, and there wasn’t enough hang time. Hang time is important. All the fans want to know why we don’t kick it into the end zone every time, that’s the reason why. Those guys who were covering did a beautiful job. Every time but that one kick, we kept them right around the 22 to 25, 26 yard line. Even the one we had to kick from the 20, if that ball would have been kicked from the 35 it was more of the same. I saw guys beginning to get more confident. I saw more offensive players get involved and begin to make plays. I just thought we looked like a fast football team. I watched the TV copy, and I saw everybody playing hard and playing fast. I’m talking about both sides of the ball and special teams. We looked like Georgia should look. The penalties of course weren’t exciting. You fumble one at the 23, you fumble one at the eight, you have a pick six, you have a punt faked on you, you snap one over the head. All those things are bad, no doubt, and could have gotten us beat. But ultimately they didn’t get us beat, so if we can continue to get excited about the progress we are making and eliminate some of the bad things, we could become a pretty good team. We are not there by any stretch, but I’m optimistic that we aren’t as good as we can be, and that gives you hope and gets you excited.”
On whether he is surprised about how the first two games have been played…
“You can’t predict it. You can try, but it’s very difficult. I would have never dreamed that many points would have been scored, period. You watch their first game, you watch our first game, I think both offenses struggled really in the first ballgame, so you think it’s going to be tough to get anything. You knew turnovers and special teams could light up a game, but it was more than that. The offenses executed well. The defenses probably didn’t play nearly as well as they thought they would on both sides. This game, I don’t know. All I can say is fasten your seat belt and get ready for another 60-minute war. I would see no reason why this thing might not go down to the wire also.”
More tomorrow.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Dawgs Honored By SEC
FOOTBALL
Junior right tackle Clint Boling and sophomore defensive back Brandon Boykin have been given Southeastern Conference weekly awards. Boling was named the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week and Boykin was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week.
Boling, a 6-5, 304-pound native of Alpharetta, Ga., graded out at 94 percent during the Dawg's 41-37 win over South Carolina. The Chattahoochee High School graduate registered 10 knockdown blocks as the Dawgs managed to pile up 308 total yards on offense. The offensive line helped give senior quarterback Joe Cox time to complete a career-high 17 passes for 201 yards and a pair of touchdowns while only allowing two sacks. The Dawgs are currently tied for No. 1 in the conference in Red Zone offense since they have scored all six times they have been inside their opponent’s 20-yard line.
Boykin, a 5-10, 185-pound native of Fayetteville, Ga., set a new record by returning a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown against the Gamecocks. This was the longest scoring play for the Dawgs in Sanford Stadium history and he is only the 36th player in SEC history to have a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Boykin also had another return for 48 yards and finished with 187 kickoff return yards, which stands at the No. 2 mark in school history (Scott Woerner, 190 yds. in 1977 vs. Kentucky).
As a team, the Dawgs had 252 kickoff return yards on seven returns, which topped Woerner’s record and is the fourth-best total in SEC history.
Defensively, Boykin snagged the Dawg's first interception of the season and his first career pick, setting up one of two field goals. In addition, Boykin finished with a career-high four tackles (all solo).
This is Boykin’s first SEC weekly award.
Boling was also named the league’s Offensive Lineman of the Week following the Dawg's win over Tennessee in 2008.
Junior right tackle Clint Boling and sophomore defensive back Brandon Boykin have been given Southeastern Conference weekly awards. Boling was named the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week and Boykin was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week.
Boling, a 6-5, 304-pound native of Alpharetta, Ga., graded out at 94 percent during the Dawg's 41-37 win over South Carolina. The Chattahoochee High School graduate registered 10 knockdown blocks as the Dawgs managed to pile up 308 total yards on offense. The offensive line helped give senior quarterback Joe Cox time to complete a career-high 17 passes for 201 yards and a pair of touchdowns while only allowing two sacks. The Dawgs are currently tied for No. 1 in the conference in Red Zone offense since they have scored all six times they have been inside their opponent’s 20-yard line.
Boykin, a 5-10, 185-pound native of Fayetteville, Ga., set a new record by returning a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown against the Gamecocks. This was the longest scoring play for the Dawgs in Sanford Stadium history and he is only the 36th player in SEC history to have a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Boykin also had another return for 48 yards and finished with 187 kickoff return yards, which stands at the No. 2 mark in school history (Scott Woerner, 190 yds. in 1977 vs. Kentucky).
As a team, the Dawgs had 252 kickoff return yards on seven returns, which topped Woerner’s record and is the fourth-best total in SEC history.
Defensively, Boykin snagged the Dawg's first interception of the season and his first career pick, setting up one of two field goals. In addition, Boykin finished with a career-high four tackles (all solo).
This is Boykin’s first SEC weekly award.
Boling was also named the league’s Offensive Lineman of the Week following the Dawg's win over Tennessee in 2008.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Battle Out For Remainder Of Season
FOOTBALL
Senior defensive end Rod Battle is the latest Dawg to be lost for the season due to a knee injury.
A 6-4, 259-pound native of Atlanta, Battle left the South Carolina game in the second quarter due to an injured left knee. He has appeared in 36 career games for the Dawgs including 22 starts. He started the first two games this season and had registered three tackles. Battle was redshirted his first season in 2005.
“Rod has an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury that will cost him the season,” Richt said. “I haven’t had a chance to look at the situation to see if he can get another year. It’s sad, he’s a classy human being who was practicing and playing hard, doing all the right things, being a leader and then this happens.”
This marks the second Bulldog in as many weeks to be lost for the season due to a knee injury.
During the season opener at Oklahoma State, offensive tackle Trinton Sturdivant went down with an ACL injury for the second time in his Bulldog career.
“We lost another key player, it’s tough on us, but first and foremost, it’s tough for Roderick,” said Richt. “However, that’s why you recruit, train guys and teach guys to play both end positions. You try to get prepared for these moments.”
Georgia does get sophomore defensive end Justin Houston back this week. He was serving a two-game suspension to start the season due to a violation of team rules. “Justin made a mistake and paid his price,” said Richt. “He was hurting, he wanted to play, but he understood the situation. He’s working on getting in shape, and he was working on his own too. He’s had a great attitude, he knew his time would come and now it’s here.”
LADIES GOLF
The No. 14-ranked lady Dawgs golf team put together one of the most impressive days in program history on Sunday.
The Dawgs played the first and second rounds of the College of Charleston's Cougar Classic at a combined 13-under to build a a dozen-shot lead entering today's final round. In addition, four Dawg golfers are among the top-12 leaders on the individual leaderboard.
"It was a great day," head coach Kelley Hester said. "Everyone played well and played confidently. As good as it was, I think it could have been better. We hit the ball long, but we really didn't play the par fives that well. We just got our putters going and made a lot of birdies."
Senior defensive end Rod Battle is the latest Dawg to be lost for the season due to a knee injury.
A 6-4, 259-pound native of Atlanta, Battle left the South Carolina game in the second quarter due to an injured left knee. He has appeared in 36 career games for the Dawgs including 22 starts. He started the first two games this season and had registered three tackles. Battle was redshirted his first season in 2005.
“Rod has an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury that will cost him the season,” Richt said. “I haven’t had a chance to look at the situation to see if he can get another year. It’s sad, he’s a classy human being who was practicing and playing hard, doing all the right things, being a leader and then this happens.”
This marks the second Bulldog in as many weeks to be lost for the season due to a knee injury.
During the season opener at Oklahoma State, offensive tackle Trinton Sturdivant went down with an ACL injury for the second time in his Bulldog career.
“We lost another key player, it’s tough on us, but first and foremost, it’s tough for Roderick,” said Richt. “However, that’s why you recruit, train guys and teach guys to play both end positions. You try to get prepared for these moments.”
Georgia does get sophomore defensive end Justin Houston back this week. He was serving a two-game suspension to start the season due to a violation of team rules. “Justin made a mistake and paid his price,” said Richt. “He was hurting, he wanted to play, but he understood the situation. He’s working on getting in shape, and he was working on his own too. He’s had a great attitude, he knew his time would come and now it’s here.”
LADIES GOLF
The No. 14-ranked lady Dawgs golf team put together one of the most impressive days in program history on Sunday.
The Dawgs played the first and second rounds of the College of Charleston's Cougar Classic at a combined 13-under to build a a dozen-shot lead entering today's final round. In addition, four Dawg golfers are among the top-12 leaders on the individual leaderboard.
"It was a great day," head coach Kelley Hester said. "Everyone played well and played confidently. As good as it was, I think it could have been better. We hit the ball long, but we really didn't play the par fives that well. We just got our putters going and made a lot of birdies."
Chicken Soup....Good For The Dawgs
FOOTBALL
After last week's flu bug, Joe Cox needed a little chicken soup to make things all better within the DawgNation and Saturday night in Sanford Stadium he got just what the doctor ordered. The offense showed flashes of what they are capable of doing by putting 34 points on the board against a better defense than what confronted them in Stillwater. Throw in Brandon Boykin's 100 yard kickoff return and what is usually a low scoring defensive slugfest turned into a high scoring defensive slugfest with the Dawgs Rennie Curran making the deciding play on fourth down at the seven with less than a minute to play and the Dawgs win 41-37.
Curran is the heart and soul of this team, Cox is the brains and even with a bum shoulder, gives the Dawgs the best chance to win.
Cox finished the night 17 of 24 with one interception for 201 yards and two touchdowns. Curran tied his career high with 15 tackles and for the second year in a row made the play that sealed the win against the Gamecocks. Their supporting cast wasn't bad either.
Branden Smith simply smoked the Carolina defense on a reverse that resulted in a 61 yard TD, his speed will become more important as he gains a little experience.
A. J. Green is the best receiver to ever wear the Red and Black, he had 86 yards on 6 receptions and sent most of his old neighbors home feeling that they had been robbed by letting him get away.
Richard Samuel averaged 4.3 yards per carry ending the night with 67 yards and a touchdown,
he caught three passes for another 23 yards.
Boykin had 187 yards returning kicks and set a new Dawg record with the 100 yarder for a score. Thomas Brown (2006 in Athens, Tennessee) and Lindsay Scott (1978 in Baton Rouge, LSU) both owned the previous record after returning kickoffs 99 yards for TDs. The other 100-yard TDs in school history were Jimmy Campagna (punt return, Vanderbilt, 1952 in Nashville) and Charlie Britt (INT return, Florida, 1959 in Jacksonville). Boykin also had a 48-yard kickoff return in the first quarter. He finished second on the all-time list for most kickoff yards in a single game, the record is 190 by Scott Woerner on six returns against Kentucky in 1977. Boykin also registered his first career INT after picking off Stephen Garcia early in the second quarter. This was the first turnover caused by the Dawgs this year.
The Dawgs set a school record with 252 kickoff returns yards on seven returns including 204 in the opening half. The previous record was 190 yards versus Kentucky in 1977. The Dawg's tally ranks fourth best in SEC history.
Blair Walsh kicked field goals of 50 and 42 yards, his two kickoffs for touchbacks had Sanford buzzing.
Sophomore defensive tackle DeAngelo Tyson blocked the first extra point for the Bulldogs since Kedric Golston blocked one against LSU in the 2003 SEC Championship Game.
The defense was forced to play 83 plays as Carolina used a short passing game to control the ball for nearly ten minutes more than the Dawgs.
South Carolina recorded a safety against the Dawgs after a snap sailed over punter Drew Butler’s head in the end zone late in the third quarter. The last time the Dawgs surrendered a safety was 2006 against Western Kentucky (holding penalty in end zone).
All the news was not good for the Dawgs on the night as senior defensive end Rod Battle injured his left knee in the second quarter and did not return, he is scheduled to undergo an MRI today.
The Dawgs will head to Fayetteville, Arkansas to meet the Razorbacks next Saturday night, kickoff is set for 7:45.
After last week's flu bug, Joe Cox needed a little chicken soup to make things all better within the DawgNation and Saturday night in Sanford Stadium he got just what the doctor ordered. The offense showed flashes of what they are capable of doing by putting 34 points on the board against a better defense than what confronted them in Stillwater. Throw in Brandon Boykin's 100 yard kickoff return and what is usually a low scoring defensive slugfest turned into a high scoring defensive slugfest with the Dawgs Rennie Curran making the deciding play on fourth down at the seven with less than a minute to play and the Dawgs win 41-37.
Curran is the heart and soul of this team, Cox is the brains and even with a bum shoulder, gives the Dawgs the best chance to win.
Cox finished the night 17 of 24 with one interception for 201 yards and two touchdowns. Curran tied his career high with 15 tackles and for the second year in a row made the play that sealed the win against the Gamecocks. Their supporting cast wasn't bad either.
Branden Smith simply smoked the Carolina defense on a reverse that resulted in a 61 yard TD, his speed will become more important as he gains a little experience.
A. J. Green is the best receiver to ever wear the Red and Black, he had 86 yards on 6 receptions and sent most of his old neighbors home feeling that they had been robbed by letting him get away.
Richard Samuel averaged 4.3 yards per carry ending the night with 67 yards and a touchdown,
he caught three passes for another 23 yards.
Boykin had 187 yards returning kicks and set a new Dawg record with the 100 yarder for a score. Thomas Brown (2006 in Athens, Tennessee) and Lindsay Scott (1978 in Baton Rouge, LSU) both owned the previous record after returning kickoffs 99 yards for TDs. The other 100-yard TDs in school history were Jimmy Campagna (punt return, Vanderbilt, 1952 in Nashville) and Charlie Britt (INT return, Florida, 1959 in Jacksonville). Boykin also had a 48-yard kickoff return in the first quarter. He finished second on the all-time list for most kickoff yards in a single game, the record is 190 by Scott Woerner on six returns against Kentucky in 1977. Boykin also registered his first career INT after picking off Stephen Garcia early in the second quarter. This was the first turnover caused by the Dawgs this year.
The Dawgs set a school record with 252 kickoff returns yards on seven returns including 204 in the opening half. The previous record was 190 yards versus Kentucky in 1977. The Dawg's tally ranks fourth best in SEC history.
Blair Walsh kicked field goals of 50 and 42 yards, his two kickoffs for touchbacks had Sanford buzzing.
Sophomore defensive tackle DeAngelo Tyson blocked the first extra point for the Bulldogs since Kedric Golston blocked one against LSU in the 2003 SEC Championship Game.
The defense was forced to play 83 plays as Carolina used a short passing game to control the ball for nearly ten minutes more than the Dawgs.
South Carolina recorded a safety against the Dawgs after a snap sailed over punter Drew Butler’s head in the end zone late in the third quarter. The last time the Dawgs surrendered a safety was 2006 against Western Kentucky (holding penalty in end zone).
All the news was not good for the Dawgs on the night as senior defensive end Rod Battle injured his left knee in the second quarter and did not return, he is scheduled to undergo an MRI today.
The Dawgs will head to Fayetteville, Arkansas to meet the Razorbacks next Saturday night, kickoff is set for 7:45.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
It's Just A Matter Of Timing
I was standing in the endzone taking pictures last Saturday in the newly renovated T. Boone Pickens stadium when Oklahoma State lined up near the Dawgs five yard line with Dez Bryant split out wide left. Just to my right was a photographer shooting for Sports Illustrated, he was focused on the OSU quarterback calling signals. I had turned my lens to the right and had a clear shot of Bryant as the ball was snapped, he cut to his right, caught the ball and dove between two Dawg defenders to score.
I took a series of shots and as I looked down at my camera, the SI guy tapped me on the shoulder and said "Thanks, I saw you turn on Bryant and I did the same thing, I got a great shot that I would not have gotten if I had not seen you over there."
I took a series of shots and as I looked down at my camera, the SI guy tapped me on the shoulder and said "Thanks, I saw you turn on Bryant and I did the same thing, I got a great shot that I would not have gotten if I had not seen you over there."
As it turned out, that shot has made the cover of this weeks Sports Illustrated and it is almost exactly the same shot that I got, just a slight difference in the angles.
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