Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Dawgs score less than Alabama

Before now, I never would have believed that a "magical season" for UGA could include a loss at Jordan-Hare, but also involve a run for the roses that would catapult Georgia into the National Championship Game at Mercedes Benz Stadium. But, it happened quite rapidly. As soon as destiny's Dawgs redeemed themselves by slaughtering Auburn for the SEC title, a mean machine in red and black came barking through the streets of LA. And to be quite honest, they rocked a certain west coast stadium like Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre used to do and likely wish they still could.

But, Changes were made in Atlanta. When it looked like my beloved Bulldogs were FINALLY gonna win a National Championship, Nick Saban inserted a freshman QB in the game named Tua and he tainted my red and black script. It happened at the beginning of the second half. With Junkyard Dogs relentlessly gnarling at his facemask, there were a few moments when Tagovailoa made a few mistakes. But, the Dawgs seemed inclined to return the favor. Especially when Fromm threw a pass off the helmet of Crimson Tider Hand's head and into the arms of his teammate, Rayquon Davis.

Trailing 20-7, Bama got rolling and put a dagger deep into my Dawg loving chest with 13 unanswered points. But, Georgia was given new life when the Crimson Tide missed a game winning field goal at the end of the fourth quarter. So I cheered, I barked, and I yelled, "Go Dawgs!" as the game headed into overtime.

But, Alabama quickly turned my joy into agony. After holding my Dawgs to 3 scrawny points off an amazing kick from HotRod Blankenship, Tua became Dan Marino with legs. After a first down sack netted negative 16 yards and breathed life along the Bulldog sideline, Tagovailoa launched a pass that will forever be embedded in the misery of Bulldog fans across the globe. It was a game winning 6 strike, which Munson might have described as, "My God. A freshman from Saint Louis School in Honolulu. Hunker down, you guys. Dawgs on top 23-20, but Tagovailoa scrambles and he throws...Touchdown. Oh, God a touchdown. No flags on the play. Alabama wins. We fought hard, but the freshman from Honolulu just destroyed our 37 year old dreams. And he did it with a flick of his wrist."

Alabama became National Champions last night. Georgia did not. I don't like it. And I'll never find peace or tranquility or whatever you're supposed to find in order to make yourself feel better when this happens to your team. I won't lie to you. This loss stings and it will continue to do so. I've barely slept and I know the pain won't go away easy. These emotions will travel with my Bulldog loving soul, like an albatross around my neck until the title-less streak is reversed. Until then, I don't like it. I don't have to. But...It's just the way it is... Go Dawgs!!!

*This post is dedicated to the memory of my friend Marcus. Forever missed and never forgotten.