What was Mark Richt thinking when he allowed his entire team to celebrate a touchdown in the first quarter of Georgia’s 42-30 victory over Florida on Saturday? It was obvious that Richt was dying for a win and was trying to motivate his team, but it was ridiculous to see the entire UGA squad flood the field after just one touchdown in the first quarter.
“Oh, Coach Richt told us during the week that, after we scored that first touchdown, you can have an excessive celebration,” said Georgia defensive end Marcus Howard, adding that Richt informed the team that he didn’t care about the 15-yard penalty that always comes from such an action. “That’s what everybody did [after Moreno’s touchdown]. They just ran out there and formed a big, old Dog Pile.”
Some are going to look at this situation as a brilliant move by Richt, because it obviously inspired his team. However, there’s nothing genius about trying to humiliate your opponent in the first quarter after just one score. Win or not, the move was classless and it’s too bad the Gators didn’t win so Richt and Georgia would look even more ridiculous than they do now. What, you can’t win unless you celebrate like a bunch of Pop Warner players after just one touchdown?
