Game Blog: Georgia vs. Arkansas
September 19th, 2009
Georgia 52, Arkansas 41
FINAL THOUGHTS
Arkansas has a defensive goals board for each game in its team meeting room. Twelve items are listed. From simple rows like “win,” “no score in last 2 minutes of each half,” and win “third down 60 percent of time,” the Hogs fulfilled just three tasks in this 52-41 loss to Georgia.
The Hogs forced more than two turnovers, won third down 62 percent of the time and their defense set up a score after Prince Miller fumbled a punt return and set the UA up for a touchdown.
After watching this game, it may have been hard to believe they even accomplished three things worth circling after the loss. Yet, they did.
Obviously this 52-41 loss to Georgia at home has to be very disappointing to the Razorbacks. After spending a lot of the offseason and, of course, a bye week, to prepare for the Bulldogs only to get smoked on defense is amazing.
The Hogs gave up 530 yards of offense, and allowed quarterback Joe Cox to sit back in the pocket and pick and choose his receivers down field. Cox tied a school record with 5 touchdown passes (first set by Matthew Stafford), and threw for 375 yards on 18-of-26 passing.
The difference in this game of bad defenses, though, was the running game. The coaches talked about setting up the run all week during preparations, but the Hogs couldn’t get it done on the ground. The Hogs rushed for 91 yards, Broderick Green was unable to push the ball in (again) near the goal line and the early sidelining of Michael Smith (shoulder) kept the Hogs one-dimensional as the second quarter began.
Meanwhile, Georgia chewed time off the clock in the second quarter and ended the night with 155 yards rushing, including a 104-yard night by Richard Samuel. Samuel had an 80-yard touchdown run as well.
Bobby Petrino was happy with some things offensively, obviously. But he had little to say about his defense, other than that he was “very disappointed.” Defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said the game wasn’t “embarrassing” but was “discouraging.”
There’s a lot of superlatives you could use when talking about this offense. The Hogs certainly looked the part of some of those Texas Tech teams five or so years ago when they had yet to find a defense.
For Arkansas, it better find one — and quick. A trip to Alabama looms next week.
How would you grade the Arkansas defense and its offense? Is there even a letter out there to aptly describe the Hogs’ defensive performance?
Check out WholeHogSports.com later tonight for more stories from the 3-hour and 45-minute marathon.
UPDATE (5 p.m., Sunday): Video now available on WholeHogSports.com as well.
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It’s an hour before kickoff and a few of the Hogs are out and about on the field tossing the ball around. So are the No. 23 Georgia Bulldogs. While you’ve got the time, make sure to check out all of our Game Day stories on WholeHogSports.com.
Keep it here for coverage and analysis from the game. It’s one you all have been looking forward to for months.
As for the weather, it’s still overcast but the rain and drizzle has stopped. In fact, the windows here in the press box are open. Hope it doesn’t start raining on my laptop.
As for the game blog tonight, we’re going to try something new. Instead of actually updating this post, I’ll be updating through the comments section here on the Game Blog. So make sure to post in the comments section during the game with your questions and your own thoughts on the game. I’ll interact as much as possible.
Also make sure to follow our updates on Twitter via @wholehogsports and @bmarcello.
The cheerleaders are riding into the stadium with Tusk, the Hogs’ live mascot. Game time is almost here, folks.
Georgia's second-team
defensive endsam linebacker, Akeem Dent, did not travel with the Bulldogs today. Neither did third-team DE Kiante Tripp.I caught up with Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long on Thursday night and I thought I'd go ahead and share his thoughts on tonight's big game, which is just 23 minutes away.
"I'm very excited. I'm excited it's an ESPN game and we've got a great crew here covering us. It's going to be a big night for us and it's a chance for us to show the new program under Coach Petrino. That is exciting. Our team is looking forward to it. I know our coaching staff is. I am personally and professionally. I'm hoping for a great night."
How's the energy in the stadium?
FIRST QUARTER
Arkansas 7, Georgia 0
Arkansas had to punt after its opening series stalled on its own 35, but a fumbled punt by Prince Miller gave the Hogs the ball back on the UGa 34 and Ryan Mallett found Joe Adams in the back of the end zone between defenders for an 18-yard touchdown pass at the 12:23 mark. It's 7-0 Hogs.
Arkansas is obviously trying to bounce runs outside. They don't like the look of those strong Bulldog defensive tackles. Dennis Johnson is the tailback of choice right now and had an 11-yard run to open the Hogs' second drive.
Arkansas' opening drive was only five plays before they had to punt.
Very loud right now in this stadium, JimPatriot. Georgia is driving down field on offense, however.
Is Michael Smith hurt?
FIRST QUARTER
Arkansas 14, Georgia 7
Hold onto your seats, folks. Less than 6 minutes into this game, the teams scored 21 points. Ryan Mallett found Jarius Wright, who beat his man and then the safety, Bryan Evans, for a 48-yard pitch and catch that looked too easy for Mallett and Wright to help make it 14-7.
It was the first play of the drive after Cobi Hamilton took a handoff from Dennis Johnson on the kick return for 50 yards.
Just prior, Georgia struck quickly in 2 minutes, 27 seconds on a 57-yard drive.
Georgia, though, had to punt on its second drive and pinned the Hogs inside their own 10. The 'Dogs were trying to run the ball, which may be smart because their offensive line is getting good push on the Hogs' defensive front. It may just be a matter of time before Georgia busts one.
What are your thoughts so far, Hog fans?
bustedlung,
No Michael Smith update right now. We'll keep you updated.
Wow, offense looks as good as advertised so far. The TD to J.Wright was a big time throw.
Defense is obviously improved, but we're still a year or two away from top-level D.
The Hogs just pulled ahead 20-10..o ****...
FIRST QUARTER
Arkansas 21,
Georgia 10
RB Richard Samuel fumbled a Joe Cox toss on Georgia's first drive on the 36-yard line, Adrian Davis recovered and Ryan Mallett found a streaking Greg Childs for a 30-yard touchdown pass with 13 seconds remaining.
Mallett finished first quarter with 161 yards passing and 3 TDs in the first quarter.
Earlier, there was a very nice break up by Wendel Davis on a Cox pass attempt on third-and-long. Bulldogs held to a field goal to make it 14-10 in favor of Arkansas. It was a similar pass breakup-attempt that could have occurred on the Georgia touchdown pass that had Jerry Franklin turned around earlier in the first quarter.
Davis has shown up big time tonight. He recovered a UGa fumbled punt earlier that set the Hogs up for their first TD.
Childs' catch was fantastic and so are the Hogs' receivers. Great catches by Childs, Joe Adams and Jarius Wright. Mallett has had his hiccups but the receivers are busting down field to come up with huge plays.
SECOND QUARTER
Arkansas 21,
Georgia 17
Lots of penalties, one 80-yard touchdown run by Richard Samuel, and an Arkansas ejection since we last left you.
Linebacker Jerry Franklin, who never turned around for an easy pass deflection on the 'Dogs first touchdown, was ejected from the game for shoving to the face after Tramain Thomas intercepted a Joe Cox pass in the middle of the field. It put the Hogs in bad field position.
Later, Bobby Petrino drew an unsportsmanlike penalty from refs for arguing on the sidelines during a TV timeout. Two plays later, Samuel busted through the middle of the field for an 80-yard run with 10:56 remaining.
I said this earlier, but the UGA offensive line is getting the best of Arkansas' defensive front. It was a matter of time before there was a big play in the running game.
Now, can the Hogs strike back on offense?
Michael Smith came back in the game on the Hogs' last drive and had a leaping catch, by the way. No running game without him. Arkansas has 15 yards rushing. Offense has been all Ryan Mallett and the receivers with 208 yards through the air.
Any thoughts on Hogs' defense right now? They don't seem to be getting much pressure on quarterback Joe Cox.
I thought an ejected player had to "hit the showers"?
SECOND QUARTER
Georgia 24,
Arkansas 17
This game certainly looked like a potential classic in the first quarter. Instead, flags started flying, the Hogs' offense started sputtering and Georgia has come down with all the big plays.
Arkansas was saved on a booth review with under 1 minute remaining when a Ryan Mallett pass to Greg Childs was first ruled a completion and fumble returned 40 yards for a touchdown by Vance Cuff. Upon review, it was called an incomplete pass.
The Hogs could have been down 31-21.
Arkansas allowed Georgia to march down the field for a 75-yard touchdown drive to give the 'Dogs their first lead of the game.
Arkansas looks a bit out of whack since that great first quarter.
Free safety Tramain Thomas went for a big hit and wide receiver AJ Green bounced off the sophomore and rolled into the end zone for a 25-yard touchdown catch.
The big thing on that drive was that the 'Dogs converted on fourth down and, on third-and-8, the Hogs were called for offsides on what could have been a sack by Jerico Nelson to end the drive.
Penalties are killing the Hogs. BIG TIME.
Arkansas may have been up 28-10 by now if not for the silly penalties. Instead, the Hogs are in a hole.
Halftime thoughts coming up.
Arkansas offense is all Passing and NO Rushing. Looks as if GA can score on us. It will be a shootout, but we will be one dimensional without a running game.
Come on Hogs. Play fast and play smart. You can do it.
Go Hogs, WPS.
Georgia 27,
Arkansas 21
HALFTIME
Georgia was able to hit a 37-yard field goal off the leg of Blair Wash to extend the lead to 27-21. This game has been in flux throughout, but the Hogs really lost their grasp in that second quarter, obviously.
I don't think it helps that you have players (Jerry Franklin) shoving opponents in the face and being ejected, plus your own head coach draws a personal foul penalty after arguing with a ref during a TV timeout.
The Hogs had poise, looked strong and were on the cusp of breaking this one open after going up 21-10 in the first quarter. You could tell the Hogs were well prepared with a bye week. But then the wheels fell off.
Instead of a Razorback blowout, Georgia adjusted, went to their strengths (running the ball against a weaker UA defensive front) and is now ahead by six, and almost up 31-21.
There was a window there where the Hogs could have easily gone up 28-10, but silly penalties and a couple of overthrown balls by Ryan Mallett are coming up huge.
Can the Razorbacks get things together in the locker room and adjust? The 'Dogs have the confidence right now. It's up to Arkansas to come up with some huge plays and snatch away that mojo. It'll take some work but, obviously, the first quarter was an indicator of just how good this Razorbacks offense can be.
Mallett is 10-of-16 passing for 208 yards and 3 touchdowns, but the running game is not getting it done so far. Michael Smith's apparent injury to start the game affected things, even with Dennis Johnson looking to be a stride or step from busting a big run.
The Arkansas coaching staff said the running game was going to be very important in this one. The Razorbacks have 18 yards on the ground. Georgia has 113 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown.
What do you think so far?
We're about 6 minutes from the third quarter.
Covington Ga calling. Dawgs are seasoned already in coming back. The biggest penalty of the first have was an illegal motion on UGA after the third down pass had fallen incomplete. With another chance, UGA converted and went on to score.
THIRD QUARTER
Arkansas 28,
Georgia 27
The Arkansas defense held Georgia to a three-and-out. Meanwhile, Greg Childs is having a breakout game for the Hogs and caught his second touchdown pass, this time a 40-yarder from Ryan Mallett to put the Hogs back up 28-27.
Mallett has 4 TD passes, which is a personal best and ties him for the school record for TD passes in a game.
Mallett got the Hogs a first down on a sneak on a fourth-and-1 at the UGA 41 earlier in the scoring drive.
And Georgia is moving the ball down the field again. Amazing.
Shootout in Fayetteville!
THIRD QUARTER
Arkansas 35,
Georgia 34
As Armydawg put it above, it's a Shootout in Fayetteville.
Georgia tossed a 50-yard touchdown from Joe Cox to Tavarres King and Ryan Mallett struck back with his fifth touchdown pass of the night (a school record) to put the Hogs back up 35-34. Mallett has 321 yards passing. The running game is still struggling with 30 yards, though.
This one is going to be about which defense can hold the other offense on one or two drives.
Who's going to step up?
Hogs' defensive line is the weak link right now.
THIRD QUARTER
Georgia 42,
Arkansas 38
Georgia held the Hogs to a 23-yard Alex Tejada field goal with 1:21 remaining to stay on top.
With the way the defenses are playing, that defensive stand may just be the difference. Arkansas' defensive line is not getting pressure on Joe Cox and the Razorbacks' o-line allowed Georgia to pressure Mallett during that last drive.
One thing is for certain, this game certainly is lighting up Twitter with some hilarious comments.
Check us out on Twitter at @wholehogsports.
FOURTH QUARTER
Georgia 49,
Arkansas 41
The record books are being shredded here. Ryan Mallett has set the school record for passing touchdowns and yards in a single game. He has 395 yards, but his Hogs are down. Their defense needs a big stop or turnover.
Alex Tejada cut into the deficit with a 23-yard field goal.
By the way, Georgia QB Joe Cox has set his school's single-game record with 5 touchdown passes.
I'll be heading to the field soon, so you probably won't see another update until after the game and interviews.
Good luck the rest of the way Hogs, its been a great shootout tonight.
We need a defensive coordinator! Please, does ANYONE know how to coach defense? Who wants to be Texas Tech?! Fire Willy Robinson, please!
Some thoughts on the game....Offense looked really good and Mallet is as good as advertised. They obviously had a hard time running the ball, but the Hogs were able to keep up via the pass....wonder the last time that happened (certainly didn't happen in the Nutt era). It was nice to see the special teams have a pretty nice game...no kickoffs out of bounds and Tejada was able to make a couple of field goals...they were short, but even so, that should help his confidence a little. Now to the defense...flat out horrible. I have a hard time believing that Georgia's offensive line is that good....with the exception of a few plays, the d-line was no where near Cox. They did some good things on the run defense, but that 80-yarder really hurt. I wonder if the cornerbacks and safeties (especially the safeties) really know where they are supposed to play. The safety should be the last defender (I think), but they didn't make one play. How do they consistently let guys run right past them? I am trying to figure out how the cornerbacks can play 20 yards off the ball when it is 3rd and 10. All the receiver needs to do is run to the 10 yard mark and stop....which they did on a couple of occasions. Please Hogs...cure some of the defensive ills before next week down in Tuscaloosa. I think it is way too early to even talk of firing Willy (and it is not going to happen anyway), but the guys on the field need to listen to him and go out there and hit someone!! Go Hogs!!
I am not going to beat around the bush: Willie Robinson needs to be fired sooner rather than later. He had nine months to prepare for this game in front a good crowd and an offense that gave them 41 points. We can't pressure a QB; we can't get a team off the field in third and long. I realize the players are responsible for their actions, but this scheme does not seem to be working. And judging from how good the offense is, how can the defense NOT be prepped for a team with speedy receivers? And I've said this before, but he was sorry when he was DC for the 49ers, and his defense there had the same problems that ours have. Lack of QB pressure, futility on third and long, foolish penalties. Sound familiar?
Hey guys and gals,
Final thoughts are now updated at the top of the post. Let me know what you think of your Razorbacks.
Brandon,
Defense is an F-------------------------. You cannot expect your offense to come through every time. I really cannot come with an adequate response describing how bad this defense is. It's not like Joe Cox is Joe Montana, but he sure as heck looked like it against us.
Ok, its been YEARS since I left some kind of msg on the hogs (1998, I think), but being in the heart of Buckeye Nation, here is my impression (most are obvious, "no kidding" sorts):
We do have a QB with leadership traits, and this will bode well for the hogs.
The defense has the talent to be good enough for SEC, but something just is not clicking there - coaching or player leadership, or scheme is not working, maybe all three?
This one hurts, but it was a good yardstick, and it IS early in the season - the team has to now make a decision on how to respond. Even with the problems with the running game, the offense can score points, and it can score them quickly - look, anyone who watched the game would've said "Arkansas is a dangerous team if they can figure out how to make a few keys stops at key times in the game." In other words, I think Arkansas could still make some noise, and I think they cannot be overlooked by anyone, not even FL or Bama. I really do believe if they can figure out how to improve defensively, they can become bowl eligible by outscoring some folks in shootouts - yes, "D" typically wins championships, but I have news for ya: Ohio State has had VERY good defenses over the last few years, and they have been unable to win the National Championship because they have fallen short offensively. I look back to the Denver Broncos at the end of the Elway years, and his two superbowl win seasons were accomplished based on a great offense and a "barely good enough" defense. As Nolan used to say, "not all sickness is death" or something to that effect. BP has to find a way to at least stablize the defense; if he can do that, I still think the season will be fun for hog fans.