Published October 7, 2012 - 3:35pm
NEW: Discuss this topic in the Google+ community for SEC fans.
I hate to say I told you so, Georgia fans, but I did. And just for good measure, I picked Florida’s win over LSU, too.
My seat — and body — was shaking Saturday night in Columbia when a Bulldogs fan tapped me on the shoulder after South Carolina’s first touchdown. Still in awe at how easy the Gamecocks scored on what was perceived as one of the SEC’s top defenses on their opening drive, I tried to settle down.
“We’ll probably turn it over on this drive, and if we do, it’ll be over,” the elder Georgia fan said.
Soon thereafter, like clockwork, Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray — considered one of the SEC’s best entering the season — had a pass tipped and intercepted by Devonte Holloman. After finding themselves in an early two-touchdown hole a few plays later, Ace Sanders delivered the death blow to the Bulldogs midway through the first quarter.
During Sanders’ 70-yard highlight punt return, the record crowd of 85,199 at Williams-Brice rose to a deafening level (perhaps louder than Alshon’s one-handed grab during the 2010 win over Alabama). From my vantage point at 21-0, UGA fans held their heads in their hands while the Gamecocks shrugged off questions of whether or not this team was legit. Against the fifth-ranked team in the country, Steve Spurrier’s group was ready.
Remember how “Gurshall” was supposed to expose South Carolina’s front seven? Didn’t happen. Twenty-five carries for 76 yards for Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall, two freshmen who hadn’t yet experienced a true road game (Missouri doesn’t count, as Vandy proved Saturday) in the Southeastern Conference. Jadeveon Clowney proved to be unblockable once again, Lattimore gashed the Bulldogs with another 100-yard outing and Connor Shaw made plays — and throws — on third down that Gamecock fans won’t soon forget. Murray fell flat on the big stage, completing 11-of-31 passes for 109 yards. It was South Carolina’s third straight win in the series and Georgia’s ninth loss in its last 11 games against ranked opponents.
So, after Saturday night’s beatdown at the Brice, let’s give credit to where credit is due Bulldog fans. South Carolina’s the third-best team in the country and Georgia — the fanbase mostly — came in too “Cocky”.
Another round of Sandstorm please.
Couldn’t be said any better. We were going insane in the student section on the punt return. You literally could just feel it in the air. Now on down to Baton Rouge…
Great win by USCe last night. UGA definitely didn’t show up ready. Series record now 46-17-3……
i love knowing the history of a series, it just means SOOO much about current teams :) thanks for sharing!
Nice to see an underhanded complement. No one disagrees that UGA has had more success in the past. Problem is they can’t beat USC anymore
@SCAR fans,
enjoy the victory while it lasts. you guys deserve it. See you in Athens next year.
Its great to be a Gamecock!
Great win by South Carolina. They looked unbeatable from the get-go. I doubted. I’m a doubter no more.
Ive said it in other places, but again hats off to the S.Car team. Ive been to several UGA games and it really kind of makes me a little upset that the crowd in Athens doesn’t get as pumped up as some of the other schools. It really does have an affect on it when a SCar player literally told a reporter that they would just watch Murray tap the center to snap the ball and when they saw the tap, they went. Thats a huge advantage and anyone who has played football knows that it is. I got a small laugh last night after I made a comment about how if they continue like this it wont be long until the “Over Rated” Chant starts. Sure enough, about 10 min later you could hear it in the background of the commentators.
I really thought Georgia had it in them to do better than that and I still do. They could have turned it around at any point but they never showed up and thats sad. I dont know if that has to do with coaches, players, or all of the above. Something needs to happen in Athens and Im not sure what it is. I said it earlier on the AJC but in this day and age of SEC football the fans expect a certain product to be put on the field and that product is National Titles. Richt and company put us out of the race especially well last night and to some degree Im tired of seeing that. Im tired of seeing the most NFL talent come from Athens (Tied with LSU for most current NFL players) and there not be much to show for it. On the flip side of that, Im afraid that if we get rid of Richt and co we will have whats happening in Tennessee with the transition from Fullmer to Dooley/Kiffin.
Im not after Richt’s head yet because he has been a great coach, but damn we want to be talked about the way that Alabama, LSU, and Florida have been talked about the past 6 years.
Also guys, lets all be mature and keep it civil. I understand being happy about the win and I understand being upset about the loss, but its best to be civil and respectful. (I know it hasnt gotten out of hand yet, but on other sites it has)
Great post, I agree, especially on being mature and civilized. Flex the muscles, but don’t forget not only did none of us play this game, but it is just a game at the end of the day.
Be glad to give credit to the players and coaches on Scar’s staff and the fans who were goin nuts at williams brice…but wow what a smug article…Lose with dignity and win with class. For the record Murray IS one of if not still THE best QBs in the SEC. One game (especially considering his family issues) does not change that. Our Coaching staff did not have the team ready to play and that was pretty obvious to even your own players. SCAR was very impressive though and I admit I did not think the offense was that good. but 51 rushes and 11 passes also shouldnt have been THAT hard to stop. Credit goes to Spurrier and Shaw for Jumping all over a stunned and lost Defense in the first quarter and wow Clowney is by far the best player on your team and possibly the Nation.
Just bring that scary zone-read game on down to Gainesville. We don’t beat ourselves.
Well, South Carolina’s zone-read has beaten the Gators back-to-back years. Hell, SC won in Gainesville for the East in 2010 with STEPHEN GARCIA at quarterback. #notworriedaboutFlorida