ATLANTA, GA -
It is a play that will haunt Georgia for a year. A potential game winning touchdown pass to Malcolm Mitchell was tipped at the line by an Alabama defender and caught at the three by Georgia's Chris Conley.
Time ran out Georgia's SEC and National Championship dreams.
"You are trying to throw a fade to either side. We had what we wanted. Press man out there to either Malcolm or Tavarres." Said offensive coordinator Mike Bobo
"It is rough. to come this close and not win the SEC championship. to get a chance to compete for a national championship. it is tough." Said Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray
Georgia's effort drew the praise of Alabama head coach Nick Saban who says the Bulldog loss in this championship game should not cost them a BCS bowl bid.
"I am going to tell you I think it is a crying shame if Georgia doesn't get to go to a BCS bowl game. they should get to go to a BCS bowl game. they played a tremendous game out there today. that was a great game out there today by both teams." Said Saban
"The loser of our conference game doesn't get to go to a BCS game. that is not fair. we compete at the highest level. I don't think that is right." Said Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones
After the game Georgia head coach Mark Richt was having to defend his program and quarterback in big games.
A talk show host asked "There are some people whether it is fans, media or whoever else will maybe want to make further conclusions about your or your quarterback in big games. would you have any response to those people?"
Richt said "I don't know what you are saying. why don't you just come straight out with what you are saying? If anybody thinks our guys didn't play their tails off. Aaron Murray did't play his tail off. they are crazy. that is unbelievable that someone would bring that up."
Alabama celebrates another SEC championship and trip to the BCS national championship game, a disappointed Georgia team heads back to Athens to hear where they will be bowling during the holidays.
