huckaby

Darrell Huckaby is a syndicated columnist and author of six books including two about Georgia football, Need Two and Need Four. He writes a column for the site each week during the season. E-mail him at DHuck08@bellsouth.net or visit his website: www.darrellhuckaby.net.

November 27, 2011

Make No Mistake; Dawgs Still Run This State

Well let's see now. The week started with coaching genius Turkey Neck-Fish Fry-Manboobs-Johnson calling all Georgia fans-and Walmart workers-"retards," on his radio talk show. I believe that was the same venue where he invited all Tech fans to just "punch Georgia fans in the nose" a couple of years ago after we ruined their little ACC Championship party. Of course, since the comments were broadcast on the Georgia Tech station, nobody outside a ten mile radius heard them. But you've got to wonder how long an institution will put up with such boorish behavior by the face of the school. I guess as long as he keeps winning 6 or 8 games a year and packing 45,000 or so people into their little outdated "stadium." They almost got a sellout Saturday!

The week ended like just about every Tech-Georgia week seems to end--with Georgia winning the game and the Nerds making excuses and comments about how much money they make, how much calculus class limits their recruiting pool and how stupid Georgia fans are. Right. And aren't we all glad Reggie Ball and Josh Nesbitt have engineering degrees to fall back on since their football careers aren't exactly working out for them.

Saturday was just another in a long line of beat-downs the bees have experienced at the hands of Mark Richt and his Georgia Bulldogs. I loved the way we picked their pitiful defense apart. Tech likes to brag about the time they beat Notre Dame without throwing a forward pass. We beat Georgia Tech without using a running back-at least not so as you'd notice. Shredding the Tech defense was like shooting fish in a barrel for Aaron Murray as he completed passes almost at will-to eight different receivers-and even picked up a few yards with his legs at crucial times.

The game ended 31-17 but anyone who was there knows that it wasn't anywhere close to that close. Georgia spanked Georgia Tech-pure and simple. And once again the Tech team and Tech fans outdid themselves in the classlessness department-from cheering the injury of Kwame Geathers by a dirty cut-block in the game's opening drive to jeering a tribute to a recently deceased Georgia icon at half-time. But, as usual, there was no bad behavior from Tech fans at game's end-because they started pouring out of their bandbox of an arena like piss running off a flat rock when the score reached 31-10-leaving Sanford West and Mark Richt Field to the red and black clad revelers.

That was about when Mark Richt told Mike Bobo to take his foot off the pedal and run out the clock, which is exactly what he did. So Georgia has beaten Georgia Tech 10 out of 11 times. 10 out of 11. And their fans like to make fun of Mark Richt. That's 10 of 11 and 17 of 21. Wow. And there is no end in sight to the domination either-especially if Tech keeps Paul Johnson on the Flats.

But let's take a minute to look at what Mark Richt has accomplished over the past eleven months. He has been a big enough man to take stock of his program-and himself-and make wholesale changes. Last December Georgia lost to Central Florida and failed to score a touchdown in the game. Coach Richt realized that his program needed a new culture. It takes a big man to admit that. He got rid of players who were very talented but had cancerous attitudes and work ethics. He completely revamped the strength program, ignoring the criticism of almost everyone-where has Fran Tarkenton's fat mouth been lately?-and went old school with the promotion of Coach T.

He went out with the enthusiasm and faith of a man coming off an undefeated season instead of a 6-7 debacle and put together a dream team of recruits-and gave them a chance to contribute immediately. Then he recovered from an 0-2 start that would have stymied and discouraged a lesser human being and kept working-and put together a ten game winning streak, one game at a time.

And he enraged many by giving the glory to God instead of claiming it for himself.

There are still many naysayers out there, armed with a litany of negative comments. "Georgia played a weak schedule." "They didn't beat people badly enough." "They are going to lose to LSU."

Maybe they did. Maybe they didn't. Maybe they will.

But on the last Saturday of November in 2011, Georgia beat Georgia Tech 31-17 for Georgia's tenth straight victory. Mark Richt assured his seventh 10 win season over the past decade. And Georgia may or may not compete with the consensus best team in the nation next Saturday-but Georgia will be playing and ten other SEC teams and their fans will be wishing they were.

Look for me Saturday. I'll be the good looking guy in the red shirt screaming Geaux Dawgs!

Darrell Huckaby

Darrell Huckaby is an author, educator and syndicated newspaper columnist. Visit his website at www.darrellhuckaby.net.

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