Mark Richt testy with reporter asking about him losing big games (Video)

December 1, 2012

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Georgia coach Mark Richt got testy with a reporter following his team’s 32-28 loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game on Saturday in Atlanta.

A media member tried questioning Richt about his and junior quarterback Aaron Murray’s tendency to lose big games when the coach snapped back.

You can see the exchange if you click ahead to the spot with about two minutes remaining in the video below:

Here’s a transcription of what happened via Outkick the Coverage:

Questioner: “There are some people whether it’s fans, media, or whomever else that will maybe want to make further conclusions about you or your quarterback, specifically, in big games. Would you have any response to those people.”

Richt: “I don’t know what you’re saying. Why don’t you just say it straight up what you’re trying to say?”

Questioner: “People will say that you and Aaron Murray specifically come up short on the biggest stage against the biggest opponents.”

Richt: “Is that what you’re saying or everybody else — if that’s what you’re saying — are you saying that?

Questioner: “No, I’m saying I hear that every day —”

Richt then cut off the person asking the questions to offer his response.

“Well, that’s for you to worry about then. If that’s what you say, then I’ll answer the question. If you think other people are saying that, I’m not worried about that.”

Clay Travis also reports that Richt went behind the curtain, slammed down a can of soda, then returned to his press conference.

Richt was undoubtedly upset that his team lost, and he didn’t like the inference that he and Murray lose big games. That obviously isn’t completely true, considering the Bulldogs reached the SEC title game by beating Florida in Jacksonville earlier in the season. But the team did go 6-7 in 2010, and they went 10-4 last season, losing their first two and last two games (the losses to Boise State and South Carolina to start the season were particularly disappointing). The line of questioning probably wasn’t fair, and the reporter should have just stood behind it instead of taking the weak approach by attributing the criticism to others. Still, it’s unlike Richt to go off on someone like that.

Richt also took plenty of criticism for not having Murray spike the ball at the 8-yard line in the final seconds of the game. He defending the decision by saying they had the play they wanted. I think spiking the ball may have helped Murray and the offense focus on the situation at hand. Instead, Murray’s pass was deflected and ended up short of the end zone. The game end on a tackle, making it seem like it wasn’t meant for Georgia to win.