“AT&T Bulldog Hotline” comes your way every Monday night at 8:00 p.m, over the air on the Georgia Bulldog Sports Network from IMG, and online at georgiadogs.com. You can call in to the AT&T Bulldog Hotline number at 1-888-81-DAWGS (1-888-813-2947). Or submit your questions for Coach Richt via the Dawgs’ Official Facebook page, facebook.com/georgiabulldogs, and the Official Twitter page, @UGAAthletics, using the hashtag #bulldoghotline. Look for posts on these sites every Monday for instructions on submitting your questions. The Dawgs continue SEC play this Saturday back in Athens for Homecoming against Ole Miss at 3:30. The game will be aired as usual on CBS.
Scott leads things off by congratulating Coach Richt who says it’s fun to win. It was a hotly contested win. Not real sure what happened at the start of things, still getting to the bottom of it. Was watching the flip of the coin. While that was happening there was something going on with some players and their strength coach. Not sure if he’ll get a call from the commissioner. Fur was flying from the beginning and until the very end. But was proud to see the team not back down from the challenge.
Scott points out that they really don’t have much time to enjoy it as they get right back to work today. Richt says they don’t even take Sunday off. Has an offensive meeting at 2pm with some film study, the the defense at 3:30. After a family dinner there is a full staff meeting before he meets with the kicking coaches. As soon as they get done watching and going over Florida they’re looking at Ole Miss. The downside is you don’t get to enjoy the wins too long, but you also don’t worry about the losses too long either.
Mike in Columbus points out that Richt is 17-3 in the last 20 games. Predicts that LSU will get beat by Bama and then the other teams ahead of Georgia will also fall. Beat Bama in Atlanta and then guess who is playing for the National Championship? Then he says that Scott is the best announcer in America. Richt says that Mike is setting the tone tonight and that he loves Mike. Scott says he does as well. Richt asks if we can get to hear Howard’s call of the Malcolm Mitchell touchdown before the end of the show, that he didn’t get to hear it. Scott says there’s just a lot of screaming. Richt says that’s okay.
Next segment leads in with Howard’s call. (applause) Richt – “That was awesome!” Scott asks what the intent was on the play, to go 45 yards or get a first down. Richt says he’s just glad he put Mitchell back in the game after yanking him out following the personal foul penalty. They were in a zero or man to man coverage and that was where the ball is supposed to go there. The rushed six and played man including press coverage on Malcolm. If it was a zone look Murray would’ve been looking to his right side. They really brough more than we could block and he thgouht the ball was going to get batted down. Malcolm ran a good route, pushed the defender up field and then pushed the brakes. Then he turned around and the ball was right there which gave him enough separation to take it the distance.
Lance in Uvalda asks if Richt really thinks it is a neutral field, especially with all of the financial impact that the state of Florida gets from it not to mention the proximity to Gainseville. Richt reminds that he doesn’t make comments on that anymore. Says it is like an away game for both teams, with travel and the 70 man roster. Feels like an away game until you get in the stadium with the 50-5 split. Definitely neutral in the that regard.
Joe McFarland asks if Richt would ever go to a backup quarterback in times when Murray is struggling to give him a break to regroup. Richt says it’s possible, but Mason is redshirting. You have to worry about the possibility of the other guy going in and really struggling too, not used to the speed of the game. You’ve just got to believe in your man. References the last touchdown drive where Aaron was continually counted upon. They have a lot of faith in Aaron.
Steve in Carlton is concerned about Murray. Noticed that he doesn’t run the ball as much as he used to. Mentions the illegal forward pass penalty. Looks like he settles down some after he gets a good run. Richt agrees that he used to run more. Remembers being surprised at how successful and how quick he was against the speed of the conference. Made some great plays with his feet, but also missed some opportunities that he didn’t see because he was running out of there too quick. The more he understands the system the more he’ll stand in there and make good throws. That’s part of the reason his passing stats are so high. Had a lot of time thanks to the offensive line. The only thing he said to Murray at halftime was that he has a time clock in his brain and knows when the guy is supposed to be open. Make the 1st, 2nd and 3rd read and then it’s time to throw it away or like Steve said, take off running. What happened was he was often going through his reads and still had time left in the pocket. And then you’re throwing too late or across the field. He got it straightened out in the second half.
Mitchell in Columbia can’t believe no one has mentioned Jarvis Jones yet. Best defensive player in the country. Dominated again like in Missouri. Defense really played well. Gives a shout out to Marcus Lattimore after his injury, hopes he has a speedy recovery. Asks how he’ll keep the team up. Richt says Jarvis was phenomenal. Didn’t realize just how impressive he was until he went back and watched. Really was spectacular. Admits that he got emotional watching the defense as a whole really get after it. Also is praying for Lattimore. Thinks he’ll be back, great young man. As far as keeping them up, just got to do it. Quotes Jarvis saying that this game doesn’t mean anything if we don’t keep winning. Hoping to have a great practice tomorrow.
Primerica Player of the Week is Connor Norman.
Injury update. David Andrews (left knee contusion, out) Merritt Hall (right ankle sprain, out) Abry Jones (left ankle, out) and Chase Vasser (left shoulder sprain, out)
Jim in Duluth wants to echo what Mitchell mentioned. Thinks the coaches and fans are ready. Wants to make sure the fans are ready. Have earned another 3:30 time, it’s homecoming. We need to get in the stadium and get loud. We know what’s at stake now. Richt agrees and is glad Jim mentioned it. Says he tweeted that message earlier. National audience, lot of guys deciding if Georgia is the place for them. Good time to make a good impression. Atmosphere is important from the Dawg walk to the end of the game. Players get inspiration from the fans.
Daryl in Columbus tells Scott that Munson was smiling Saturday, another legend in the making. (applause from the studio audience) Says he’s surprised that Murray doesn’t play better in Jacksonville given that he’s from nearby Plant High School. Says we’ve got to find six more ways to inspire this football team. It’s critical. Richt says he’s right. Hopes that they would be inspired. Team knows what’s at stake. Been fighting for the right to get back to Atlanta since January.
Conner in Lexington (young caller) asks what Coach can do to keep the team at the same level of emotion that they played with against Florida. Richt says he guesses he’ll have to find someone to call them sissies (chuckles). Doesn’t know the answer to that, to get them that high. Every coach in America would like to be able to do that. Doesn’t always happen that way, but thinks our guys will be ready to play. So close you can almost taste it. Really want to get back to Atlanta.
Couple studio questions: Braden wants to know the good characteristics for a linebacker and Ty wants to know what he looks for in a quarterback.. Richt says you’ve got to be tough to be a linebacker. He likes them to keep their eyes up, avoid injury. Have to like contact. Put their face right on the ball carrier, wrap up and then drive them into the ground. Like guys with good grades and ones that listen to their parents and their coach. At quarterback you have to make good decisions. Have to have a good plan and make your reads. Practice makes good habits and helps you do what your coach wants.
Brad in Crawfordville asks how they’re going to keep them focused until we get out Christmas present. Richt says that everybody wants to know that (referencing earlier caller), even his mom wants to know that. Says Jarvis said it best when he said that this game doesn’t mean anything unless we keep winning. As good as we felt celebrating after the win that’s how bad we’ll feel if we don’t take care of business. Right now the focus is on what their job is and practicing.
Clem Jordan asks how easy it is to play multiple defenses when your base is a 3-4. Richt says the beauty of the 3-4 is that you’re not declaring to the team who your four rushers are. It helps to have guys that can rush really well and can drop into coverage.
Francis Carrington wants to know why two players wear number 11. Richt explains that everyone has a favorite number. The rule is that two guys cannot be wearing the same number in the game at the same time. It’s okay if you have an offensive player and a defensive player with the same number.
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