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LORAN SMITH: ON LAWSON LUCKIE

Lawson Luckie, a 6-4, 240 tight end from Norcross,

loves basketball although his interest is confined to being

a spectator. His favorite subject is history: “I love learning

about previous leaders and philosophers and their great

influence on society; a degree is of great significance for

him because “college is something that I started (with great

anticipation) and a degree confirms that I finished what I

started.”; his favorite artist is OutKast “because I enjoy rap

music which I grew up listening to and OutKast reminds me

of my dad.”; the most interesting thing he has done in his life

is traveling in Europe and learning about the customs and

traditions “over there.”; the person he would like to meet is

Mercedes Lewis: “I look up to him a lot. Really respect the

career he has put together, and I really admire how he carries

himself off the field.”

LORAN SMITH

Assoc. Director,

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PR & Development

GEORGIA VS. TENNESSEE

BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED

IN THIS ISSUE

VOLUME 23 NO. 5

CHAUNCEY BOWENS

TOTING THE ROCK!

PHOTO BY: ROB SAYE/BI

SPORTS

BULLDOGS TO WATCH | 12

VOLS TO WATCH | 14

THE FIVE | 16

FROM THE INTERN | 17

A VIEW FROM KNOXVILLE | 18

SOCIAL

GEORGIA VS. AUSTIN PEAY FAN PHOTOS | 22

PROUST Q&A: FRANK DOWNEY | 32

MORE SPORTS

HAMMY’S HORSESHOES | 34

JD’S TOP 12 | 35

OLD AND IN THE WAY | 36

KEVIN BUTLER’S PLAYERS OF THE WEEK | 37

STATS THAT MATTER | 38

OUR TEAM

EDITOR: Vance Leavy

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Cheri Leavy

MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR: Greg Poole

CHIEF SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR: Jeff Dantzler

ART DIRECTOR: Stacey Nichols

SALES: Caroline Kinney, Hamilton Culpepper

SPORTS: Jeff Dantzler, Greg Poole, Will Hearn,

Matthew Herren, Anna Williams, Jackson Taylor,

Jane Toothaker

MULTIMEDIA SUPPORT: Hamilton Culpepper

PHOTOGRAPHY: Greg Poole, Rob Saye, Will

Hearn

COVER PHOTO: Will Hearn

COVER DESIGN: Hamilton Culpepper,

Vance Leavy

COLUMNISTS: Jeff Dantzler, Hamilton

Culpepper, Loran Smith, Kevin Butler

DELIVERY: John Cook, Henley Cook, Win

Dyleski, Rob Freeman, Anna French, Scarlett

French, Caroline Kinney, John Kinney, Eleanor

Morgan, Henry Morgan, James Morgan, Jack

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Roberts

ISSUE FIVE: TENNESSEE

September 10, 2025

BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 4 ISSUE FIVE • TENNESSEE

Dawgs

Grab a friend and cheer on the Dawgs at

a game-watching party near you!

ALUMNI.UGA.EDU/GAMEWATCHING

FROM THE

EDITOR

VANCE LEAVY

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Tighten up your chinstraps, ‘See you on Good ol’ Rocky Top!’

Two games are officially in the books for our 2025 Dawgs

and unfortunately the latest contest versus Austin Peay

(this past Saturday) didn’t go near as well as the Marshall

opener. While many of the (Mike) Bobo Boo Birds are

chirping away, I have no problem that this young team struggled

a bit versus the Governors. The reason is simple … everyone in the

Bulldog Nation is about to find out what this Kirby Smart team is all

about at 3:30 p.m this Saturday on Good ol’ Rocky Top.

Throughout this issue, there are a few common themes you will

digest as you work your way through all of our sports pages.

The first one being the absolute dominance our Bulldogs have

enjoyed over the Volunteers in recent years. However, on page 10, I

absolutely love how Jeff Dantzler reminds our readers of the misery

that occurred against Tennessee in the ’90s. Believe me, I was in

school at Georgia during those dark days. While my crew of friends

and I always made the road trips to Knoxville, we were really kidding

ourselves thinking “this was the year we finally beat the Vols.”

Don’t believe me? Try this on for size for road trips to Knoxville in

the ’90s …

1993 - Vols 38 Dawgs 6

1995 – Vols 30 Dawgs 27

1997 – Vols 38 Dawgs 13

1999 – Vols 37 Dawgs 20

This issue of BI will certainly get you ready. Beyond our normal Sports

offerings, I encourage you not to miss Anna Williams’ inaugural ‘From

the Intern’ column (page 17). In her space, Anna dives into what

makes a true Bulldog, which is most interesting seeing that she is

from Maryland, so the last four years that she has been at UGA is her

very brief snapshot of the Bulldog Nation.

As Anna astutely points out, we were once again reminded of our

fans incredible persistence by the amount of them that came back

into Sanford Stadium after the nearly two hour rain delay this past

Saturday. It was an incredible effort and without a doubt it helped

our team finally put away the scrappy Austin Peay Governors. With

that being said, don’t miss our fan photos beginning on page 22.

Also, in our Social section, you will enjoy getting to know

Nashvillian Frank Downey in our Proust Q&A (page 32). Frank gives a

nod to the renowned UGA history professor Phinizy Spalding, while

throwing down Larry Munson’s famous Hobnailed Boot call as his

‘Quote to Live By.’ Hilarious and brilliant, like so many others who

graduated from Georgia with a Franklin College/BA History degree.

Well, once again, I have run out of space, which means I must bid

farewell. Enjoy the issue and then tighten up your chinstrap because

it’s time to make the journey north to Knoxville … ‘See you on Good

ol’ Rocky Top!’ … Go Dawgs!!

Like I said above, the misery and carnage of those days were

very much real, which is what makes Georgia’s current run of eight

straight victories over Tennessee oh, so sweet. But as JD (and others)

in this issue point out Tennessee, under the leadership of Josh

Heupel, finally turned the corner against their other rival foes (Bama

and Florida) with recent victories.

All summer long and even the last few weeks when asked my

thoughts on the 2025 Georgia team’s chances of a big year, I

have told folks that Georgia’s four rivals games are what I’m most

concerned about this season. The bottom line is that Tennessee,

Auburn, Florida and Georgia Tech are all due for a victory against our

Dawgs. Don’t believe me? Then just google All-time series or look

in the Georgia media guide. Unfortunately the good guys don’t win

every game.

I will stop there with my Dooley and Munson speak, but I hope

all Georgia fans realize that a massive battle awaits our Dawgs this

Saturday in Knoxville. So as our cover says, ‘See you on Good ol’

Rocky Top!’

Don’t you know Neyland Stadium is going to be rocking, so the

question is can Gunner Stockton keep his wits about him to make

sure the Georgia offense is focused and poised in such a hostile

environment? And can the Georgia defense that many are saying

may be one of Kirby’s most athletic be disciplined enough to

remember their assignments to avoid Tennessee’s high-flying offense

from connecting on explosive plays? I sure hope so because when

the Vols are scoring touchdowns in Knoxville it is both deafening and

annoying on Rocky Top.

This match-up is going to be a great one, I can’t wait until Saturday.

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It’s been a glorious run for the Dogs over the Vols, but Kirby

and Company remain hungry for another Knoxville victory!

While the Bulldogs were

enduring a nine game

losing streak to Tennessee,

it was hard to imagine

Georgia flipping the script in this rivalry. But

Georgia has done that indeed, most notably

during the incredible Kirby Smart dynasty.

Under Smart’s watch, the Bulldogs have

won eight consecutive games against

the Volunteers, including four straight in

Knoxville. Not only has Georgia won eight in

a row against Tennessee, all of the victories

have been decided by at least 14 points.

Since 2010, Georgia is 13-2 against

Tennessee. The Vols wins came in 2015,

when they erased a 24-3 deficit to defeat

the Bulldogs 38-31, and the following year

in Athens on the Josh Dobbs Hail Mary.

Dating back to Georgia’s streak breaking

21-10 triumph over Tennessee in 2000, the

Bulldogs are 19-6 against the Vols here

in the 21st century. When Vince Dooley

retired as Georgia’s head coach following

the 1988 season, the Dogs led the all-time

series 10-8-2, including a 28-17 victory to

open his final campaign at the helm. As

you can tell by the series record, Georgia

and Tennessee just didn’t play each other

very much. Well that all changed in 1992

when the Southeastern Conference

expanded and split into divisions.

Beginning in 1992, Georgia and Tennessee

played every year.

When Tennessee beat Georgia for the

ninth straight time in 1999 (1989, 1992-

1999 comprised the streak), the Vols led

the series 17-10-2. Trying to imagine ever

catching up seemed a bit far fetched.

But then the Georgia victories started

coming, and now the Bulldogs lead the

all-time series with the Volunteers 29-23-

2. Amazing. This stretch of success has

included many memorable triumphs on the

banks of the Tennessee at Neyland Stadium.

There was David Greene to Verron

Haynes (with a couple of huge grabs

with Randy McMichael) in 2001, Sean

Jones 92-yard fumble return in 2003, and

Thomas Flowers punt return in 2005.

Those three straight wins in Knoxville put

Georgia and Mark Richt in rare company,

joining Alabama under both Bear Bryant

and Gene Stallings as the lone programs

and coaches at that point who had led

their teams to three straight wins over

Tennessee at Neyland Stadium.

Call and raise with Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs,

who have won four in a row at Neyland

Stadium during this current eight game

winning streak in the series.

For “younger” Georgia fans, who have

only known playing Tennessee every year,

the Volunteers rank as one of the Bulldogs

top rivals. Especially for those fans who

weren’t around for that magical night

of September the 6th, 1980, and knew

nothing but losing to Tennessee.

Growing up, I had no animosity towards

Tennessee. We barely played. After beating

the Volunteers 44-0 to kick off the 1981

season as reigning national champions,

the two didn’t play again until the

aforementioned 1988 opener. I was nine,

and then 16.

Well losing all those games to Tennessee

didn’t sit well. That losing streak also

coincided with some very hard times

against the Vols other sports. At one point,

if memory serves, my beloved Diamond

Dawgs lost 17 in a row to Tennessee! 17!

The wins were hard to come by on the

hardwood as well, especially in Knoxville.

When we got swept by Tennessee in

the spring of 1999, including a 28-11

bloodbath in which our great baseball

Sports Information Director Chris Lakos

spent two innings on the broadcast going

through his records year by year to see the

last time we had given up that many runs.

It was a record.

Following the Sunday game, I was

lamenting our losing streaks in football

and baseball, plus the struggles in hoops,

to my friend Bob Kesling, Tennessee’s

exceptional broadcaster. Some

conversation lurker jumped in and said

“Now you will make sure you’re at Neyland

Stadium this Fall, won’t you! Ha Ha Ha.”

I’m sure the look I gave wasn’t pleasant.

I’ve always admired our Georgia fans in

enemy territory, especially during tough

days. That includes the famous Bulldog fan

Al Bell, known on the airwaves as Al from

Knoxville. On our trips to Rocky Top, Al and

his friends would always take great care

of our broadcast and sports information

crew. He once drove me over early to

Thompson-Boling arena for a Lady Dogs-

Lady Vols game, and blew through one of

those barricades in his land yacht. Front

door service. The man on the gate came

running up and said you can’t park here.

Al retorted, “I’m dropping my friend off so

he can work, and you couldn’t pay me to

walk in this dump!” Then the tires squealed

off again.

Tennessee in recent years broke long

losing streaks to both Alabama and

Florida, and the Vols would love to add

Georgia to that list this season. As for the

Dogs, nine in a row, including five straight

in Knoxville, where some long days and

nights were endured by the Red and Black,

would be mighty sweet.


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BULLDOGS TO WATCH PG. 12 | THE FIVE PG. 16 | FROM THE INTERN PG. 17

SPORTS

GEORGIA VS. TENNESSEE

GAME TIME: 3:30 P.M.

CHANNEL: ABC

BY: JEFF DANTZLER

STRONGER TOGETHER ON

ROCKY TOP! JJ HANNE AND

CHRIS COLE!


GEORGIA VS TENNESSEE

It’s a mega showdown in the Southeastern Conference Saturday,

and a top 20 battle between two of college football’s most

storied programs, as the Georgia Bulldogs take on the Tennessee

Volunteers. It’s the SEC opener for the Dogs and Vols, who both

head into the game with 2-0 records.

Tennessee posted one of the most impressive wins of the young

season to kick off the 2025 campaign. The Volunteers defeated

Syracuse 45-26 in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with

quarterback Joey Aguilar making an impressive debut. Tennessee

followed up the victory against the Orange with a 72-17 blitzing

of East Tennessee State. The Vols were cooking offensively and

built a 48-7 halftime lead against the Bucs.

Aguilar has thrown five touchdown passes with no interceptions,

completing 39-of-59 passes for 535 yards. His top target is Chris

Brazzell II, who has hauled in 14 receptions for 187 yards and a

pair of scores. Meanwhile, Tennessee’s rushing attack is averaging

5.7 yards per carry.

Georgia followed up a season-opening 45-7 victory over

Marshall with a 28-6 win over Austin Peay. The game was marred

by a lengthy weather delay that lasted nearly two hours before

play began with the second half kickoff. The first half ended with

an Austin Peay goal line stand, with highly touted freshman tight

end Ethan Barbour suffering an injury on the final play before

intermission and the delay.

The Bulldogs came out strong to start the second half, getting

a stop and then driving 60 yards in seven plays for a touchdown

that expanded Georgia’s lead to 21-3. But penalties and a

turnover opened the door for Austin Peay.

Kirby Smart’s defense came up with a huge goal line stand early

in the fourth quarter, with Georgia leading 21-6. The Bulldogs

then went 99 yards in 17 plays, while eating up over 8:30 of the

clock and putting the game out of reach.

Georgia and Tennessee were both in the college football playoff

a year ago, and expectations are high - as always - in Athens and

Knoxville. The Volunteers are hungry to topple the Bulldogs.

Georgia has won eight games in a row against Tennessee,

including four straight at Neyland Stadium.

This is Georgia’s first road game of the year, and the first start

in a visiting stadium for - amongst others - Bulldogs fourth year

junior quarterback Gunner Stockton. Saturday’s showdown is the

first of eight consecutive games for Georgia against Southeastern

Conference foes.


SPORTS

FOOTBALL

BULLDOGS TO WATCH

BY: ANNA WILLIAMS/BI

GLENN SCHUMANN (DC) - Though the Bulldogs’ schedule has

not presented any immediate threats, Schumann’s defense has

looked unstoppable, allowing just 13 points through the first two

weeks. His defense will certainly be tested this weekend against a

Volunteers offense that scored 45 points against Fran Brown and

the Orange in week one. While a lot of pressure will be on Bobo and

Stockton to perform on the road, Schumann will have to have his

unit ready to go when Heupel looks to light up the Tennessee sky.

NATE FRAZIER (RB #3) - When playing on the road in the SEC,

establishing a run game is essential for offensive success. The light

start on the schedule has held Frazier back from beginning his

sophomore season, but this matchup with Tennessee will force

GLENN SCHUMANN

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

PHOTO BY: WILL HEARN/BI

him to be used in critical situations. Frazier showed elite flashes

last season behind Etienne, but he will likely be fully unleashed in

Neyland.

ZACHARIAH BRANCH ( WR #1) - The transfer from USC took

Athens by storm with his performance against Marshall, scoring a

47 yard touchdown en route to a Bulldogs’ victory. Branch was less

productive in the win over Austin Peay with 17 receiving yards on

three receptions. He will need to be a reliable weapon for Stockon

as he navigates the sounds of Neyland in his first SEC road game.

GUNNER STOCKTON (QB #14) - Stockton will be entering his first

true road start as the new starting quarterback for the Bulldogs.

In last week’s win over Austin Peay, he was limited to 227 yards

through the air. Stockton’s running ability will be another factor for

the Volunteers’ defense to keep an eye on, so look for a few breakout

runs from Georgia’s dual-threat quarterback.

ZACHARIAH BRANCH

WIDE RECEIVER


CJ ALLEN (LB #3) - The projected first-round pick in the 2026

NFL Draft is arguably the Bulldogs’ best player on defense after a

productive sophomore year. Now as a junior, Allen leads his defense

into what will be a rocking Neyland Stadium, as the Volunteers look

BY JEFF DANTZLER

In Georgia’s 44-0 season-opening victory over

Tennessee in 1981, legendary freshman kicker Kevin

Butler set a Bulldogs scoring debut record with 14

points on three FGs and five PATs.

Georgia’s sensational tailback duo of Rodney

Hampton and Tim Worley shined in a 28-17 victory

over the Vols in 1988, as both scored two TDs while

running for 196 and 144 yards.

When the Bulldogs won at Neyland Stadium in 2005,

the big play was a fourth quarter punt return for a

touchdown by Thomas Flowers, which extended the

lead to 20-7 in a 27-14 triumph.


FOOTBALL

SPORTS

to dethrone the Dawgs atop the SEC. Against Austin Peay, he had

seven tackles, including a sack. Look for Allen to keep pressure on

Aguilar’s offense and keep Tennessee off the scoreboard.

ZION BRANCH (S #2) - Branch was quiet in the win over Austin

Peay, but recorded seven tackles in his first game in Athens against

Marshall. He will have the task of stopping the deep ball when Joey

Aguilar and Heupel try to dial up an explosive play against the

Bulldogs’ secondary. This transfer from USC has yet to make his mark

for Bulldog Nation, and a clutch interception could go a long way in

doing that.

PEYTON WOODRING

KICKER

PEYTON WOODRING (K #91) - Aside from being 10-10 on extra

points this season, Woodring has seen very little action when

it comes to field goals. With the chance that Stockton and the

Bulldogs struggle to find the end zone, Woodring could be called

upon to tack on three points for the Bulldogs when they need it

most. This game will likely come down to a few possessions, so he

could be called on in the final moments similar to Marshall Morgan’s

game-winner against Tennessee in 2013.


Ford Neel, Sara Kate Dennis,

Lindsey Conner, Michael Conner

FROM SANFORD TO ROCKY TOP,

BRING HOME THE VICTORY, DAWGS!

WE ARE THE BEST at what we do!

WWW.SANFORDUSA.COM | 478.471.4221


SPORTS

FOOTBALL

VOLUNTEERS TO WATCH

BY: ANNA WILLIAMS/BI

JOSH HEUPEL (HC) - Josh Heupel has established his identity in

Knoxville with a fast-paced, high-scoring offense. Saturday’s 62-point

outburst against ETSU marked the eighth time in his tenure that

Tennessee has crossed the 60-point threshold. While Heupel has proven

that he can light up the scoreboard, he still faces the looming challenge

of Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs. Heupel has dropped all four matchups

against Smart, and with another matchup on the horizon, the question

becomes whether or not Tennessee’s offense can finally break through

against Georgia. Expect a hungry coach determined to prove that his

system can hold up against the Bulldogs.

JOEY AGUILAR (QB #6) - Joey Aguilar wasted no time making an

impression against ETSU. The quarterback threw a 21-yard touchdown

in the opening minutes, then later connected on a 53-yard pass for

another touchdown. His final stat line, 23-of-31 for 288 yards and two

touchdowns in just two quarters of the game shows his efficiency and

big-play capability. Aguilar’s ability to stretch the field vertically gives

Tennessee a dangerous weapon, and his chemistry with the receiving

corps will be something to watch.

JOSH HEUPEL

HEAD COACH

PHOTO BY: KATE LUFFMAN/TENNESSEE

ATHLETICS

DESEAN BISHOP (RB #18) - Running back DeSean Bishop displayed

his explosiveness with a 50-yard run versus ETSU. Though he’s part of

a crowded backfield, Bishop’s burst and vision make him a player who

could carve out an increasing role. If Tennessee leans on its ground game,

Bishop could be the breakout name to watch.

ARION CARTER (LB #7) - Linebacker Arion Carter was all over the

field against ETSU, finishing with four tackles, including one for a loss,

and forcing a fumble. His combination of speed and physicality allows

him to thrive in run support while also being disruptive near the line of

scrimmage. His growth could solidify Tennessee’s defense against the

Bulldogs.

COLTON HOOD (DB #8) - Defensive back Colton Hood, another

young defender, made an immediate impact in his Tennessee debut.

Hood scooped up a fumble and raced 22 yards for a touchdown against

Syracuse, a heads-up play that energized the defense. With his instincts

and speed, Hood looks like a rising contributor in the Vols’ rotation.

JALEN MCMURRAY (DB #6) - Against Syracuse, McMurray showed

both playmaking instincts and tackling consistency. He recorded

seven tackles and tipped a pass in the backfield, a performance that

highlighted his versatility. McMurray gives the Vols another reliable

option in the secondary rotation, showing that this team has great depth

to their roster.

JOEY AGUILAR

QUARTERBACK

PHOTO BY: KATE LUFFMAN/TENNESSEE

ATHLETICS

NATHAN ROBINSON (DL #94) - Nathan Robinson first introduced

himself with a momentum-shifting play against Syracuse – a strip sack

that forced a turnover and went down as his first career sack. At 6-foot-5

the redshirt freshman has the size and motor to be disruptive up front. If

he continues to grow into his role, Robinson could become a steady force

along Tennessee’s defensive line against the Bulldogs.

BY JEFF DANTZLER

One of the most dominant defensive linemen in the

history of football, The Minister of Defense, Reggie

White, was an All-American for the Vols and NFL Hall

of Famer for the Eagles and Packers.

Hall of Fame Rockies great Todd Helton is one of the

best college baseball players ever. An All-American

hitter and pitcher at Tennessee, Helton was also a

starting QB for the Volunteers.

In the late 1970s, the Tennessee men’s basketball

team, coached by the legendary Ray Mears, featured

All-Americans Bernard King and Ernie Grunfeld - The

Bernie & Ernie Show.


GO DAWGS!

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++


++

THE

Five

Georgia vs. Tennessee

BY: JEFF DANTZLER

1. 1980 Opener - When it was 15-0 Tennessee, the Bulldogs,

who had gone 6-5 the year before certainly didn’t look like

the eventual national champions of college football in 1980. I

listened to that Larry Munson highlight tape, narrated by Dan

Magill, so many times. Georgia got a safety off a fumbled punt to

make it 15-2, but it should’ve been a touchdown, as the slippery

pigskin squirted through the back of the end zone. “We landed

on it with our chests, we landed on it with our hands … this has

not been a night for old lady luck.” Well, Superman soon arrived

on the scene. And No. 34, with the Dawgs in the red pants, white

jerseys and red helmets, soon changed the course of Georgia

football history. It was destiny. Two Herschel Walker touchdowns,

two Rex Robinson PATs, and Nate Taylor and Pat McShea teaming

up on a huge fumble made the difference. Georgia won 16-15 on

a hot night in Knoxville. The introduction of the tape with Coach

Magill … “September the 6th 1980 marked the debut of the

most sensational freshman halfback in the history of American

football.” God Bless America! Go Dawgs!

2. Calhoun’s - One of the top spots to stop in Knoxville is

Calhoun’s on the River. It’s got everything you could imagine

to eat and very tall glasses for cold beverages. My good friend,

the late great Vol Fan Rob (who also loved Georgia and cheered

for the Dawgs as long as Tennessee wasn’t the opponent) was

always grateful when I ventured to his alma mater and would

bring him back some of their bar-b-que sauce. For baseball and

basketball trips, it’s a must for my crew of Tray Littlefield, David

Johnston and Chris Lakos. It is also the gathering place of …

3. Vol Navy - There are two famous football programs where

many fans arrive via boat. That’s the University of Washington, in

a beautiful setting in Seattle on Lake Washington, and Tennessee.

Calhoun’s is both a drop off and launching point, and it is pretty

darn neat to see a bunch of football fans come rolling in off

boats. And oh yeah, that happens in Jacksonville some, too.

4. 1993 - Smell the Bourbon. My first game in Knoxville was in

1993. I was a student assistant for the great Claude Felton, and

COACH VINCE DOOLEY AND

HERSCHEL WALKER, 1980

PHOTO BY: UGA ATHLETICS

was on the sidelines. My duty was to provide any injury updates

to ESPN’s outstanding sideline reporter, Dr. Jerry Punch. We got

pummelled that night 38-6. The only three times that Georgia

had previously played Tennessee in Knoxville in my lifetime

were 1973 (Andy Johnson was the hero, I’d just turned one),

1980 and 1989 (I was in high school then). Along with getting

axe murdered that night to fall to 0-2 (after a bitter loss to

the Gamecocks Between the Hedges to start a miserable 5-6

season), my other memory was the constant smell of bourbon

in the air that night at Neyland Stadium. The Vols were doing a

lot of toasting. We were a long way removed from the early ‘80s,

and an eight game winning streak against Tennessee seemed

but a fantasy.

5. 2001 Baseball - Georgia had lost 11 games in a row in

Knoxville on the diamond against Tennessee. Things were

looking up with Ron Polk as the head coach, David Perno as

an ace assistant, and Jeff Keppinger as the most clutch star in

America. We were upper middle of the pack in the SEC. But

Georgia swept Tennessee and got right in the thick of the

race. At the conclusion of the Sunday victory, some family

members of our star third baseman Andy Neufeld and the late

Jody Friedman, an outstanding reliever, went cowabunga and

cannonball in late May straight into what had to be a pretty

chilly Tennessee river. It was a special weekend, and turned the

narrative in Knoxville. A few months later came P-44 Haynes.

MOVING DAWGS ACROSS GEORGIA SINCE 1972

lidnsey

Residential and Commercial Moving

Local and Long Distance

On-site Document Destruction

Document Data Storage

Go Mini’s Portable Storage Units

Packing Materials

DUKE LINDSAY

dlindsay@thelindsaygroup.net

706.549.8902 • 180 Trade Street • Bogart, GA 30622


FROM THE

INTERN

Anna

Williams

WHAT MAKES A TRUE BULLDOG?

C

oming to UGA for college all

the way from Maryland was

a bit of a culture shock; I

had no idea what it truly meant to

be a ‘Bulldog.’ I knew SEC football

was big, but I don’t think anything

could have prepared me for just

how much this program means

to the people here. The fans love

this team like family, and it’s been

incredible to witness that over

the past four years. I’ve learned a

lot about what it means to be a

Bulldog—both on the field and in

the stands. So what truly defines

one? Is it the championships and

successes—or the camaraderie,

the loyalty, and the heart and soul

that run through this program?

Saturday’s game against

Austin Peay offered the perfect

snapshot. When the weather

rolled in and fans were forced to

clear the stadium, I figured many

might head home, call it a day,

and catch the rest on TV. Instead,

I watched from the press box as

fans sprinted back to their seats

the moment the gates reopened,

eager not to miss a snap. The

storm had delayed the game for

nearly two hours, but as soon

as the Bulldogs retook the field,

they picked up right where they

left off—focused, resilient, and

ready to dominate.

That kind of persistence isn’t

new here. Before kickoff, I asked

fans to describe the Bulldogs in

just one word. Together, their

responses captured the essence

of Georgia football: elite, family,

determined, accomplished,

united, legendary, champions,

legacy, tough. Some words point

to the trophies Georgia has

hoisted in recent years, while

others speak to the deeper roots

of the program—the sense of

family, the grit, the toughness.

Conditions on Saturday weren’t

perfect, but Bulldog fans stood firm.

That’s nothing new, either. Fans

here have stuck with this program

through heartbreaking losses,

near misses, and, more recently, a

championship era that redefined

the standard of play. Whether it’s a

sweltering September afternoon in

Athens or a storm-delayed kickoff,

the loyalty never wavers. Being a

true Bulldog means showing up no

matter what.

That loyalty extends to the team

itself. The qualities fans admire—

determination, grit, toughness—

are the same ones that define

Georgia’s players. This week,

those traits will be put to the test

in the Bulldogs’ first road game

of the season, an SEC matchup

where the stakes and the noise

will be higher. These are the kinds

of games that separate the good

from the great. Environments

like a roaring Neyland Stadium

demand resilience, focus, and

unity—and true Bulldogs are

built for exactly these moments.

So what makes a true Bulldog?

The answer depends on who

you ask. For me, after four

years of soaking in this culture,

there’s one word that stands out

above all the others: persistent.

Persistence is the drive to keep

showing up, through rain,

heartbreak, and triumph alike. It’s

striving for championships while

also embracing the grind that

comes with maintaining a legacy.

It’s fans who keep coming back,

players who keep pushing, and

a program that strives to prove

itself time and time again.

You see that persistence in the

leadership of Coach Kirby Smart,

now entering his 10th season

at the helm. He’s navigating a

substantial youth movement—

over half the roster is composed of

first- and second-year players—a

huge shift from the veteran

lineups that defined recent

years. Despite the new faces, the

standard to play with fire, passion,

and energy remains unchanged.

This energy has shown up

most visibly in quarterback

Gunner Stockton. Through

the first two games, Stockton

has completed 40 of 58 passes

(69%) for 417 yards with two

passing touchdowns and zero

interceptions, adding another 86

rushing yards and two rushing

touchdowns—a clear sign of

leadership in action. His ability to

perform under pressure reflects

the same persistence that defines

Bulldog Nation as a whole.

If I’ve learned anything in four

years here—far from Maryland

but feeling more at home than

ever—it’s persistence. Persistence

is showing up through rain

delays, losses, victories, and

everything in between. It’s

demanding excellence from

yourself and one another. It

drives players like Stockton to

evolve under pressure and keeps

fans sprinting back to their seats

when it’s pouring down rain.

Persistence is the heartbeat of

this program—and it’s exactly

what will carry Georgia through

the season ahead.

WE ARE LOCAL.

WE ARE GEORGIA.

WE ARE BULLDAWGS.

706-354-4000 bbga.com

HERE’S TO LOTs OF

TOUCHDOWNS IN TENNESSEE!

706-546-8100

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SPORTS

John Adams, my very good friend,

and the esteemed columnist from the

Knoxville News Sentinel, is kind enough

to offer his insights on the big game

Saturday. John is one of the most

talented, clever, knowledgeable and

insightful writers of all time. He is a

tremendously talented talk show host

and a frequent guest on Lunchtime from

Athens on the Superstations.

BY JEFF DANTZLER

A VIEW FROM ...

knoxVILLE

WHAT DO YOU THINK

TENNESSEE IS CAPABLE OF

THIS YEAR?

I predicted the Volunteers

would go 9-3, mainly

because of their schedule.

They play the four worst

teams in the SEC, and their

nonconference schedule is

a breeze. Tennessee should

still be in playoff contention

in November when it plays

Oklahoma and Florida.

WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON

GEORGIA?

Georgia has another stout,

well disciplined defense – just

as you would expect from a

Kirby Smart team. The wide

receivers are better. Whether

they make the playoffs likely

will come down to how

Gunner Stockton performs in

big games. The schedule will

be challenging, of course, and

the Bulldogs get every team’s

best shot.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE

MOST MEMORABLE GAMES

YOU’VE EVER COVERED?

I have covered a lot. But

when it comes to the

most memorable games,

Texas vs. USC in the Rose

Bowl for the 2005 national

championship stands out

above all the others. It was

just an incredible game, and

an individual performance by

Vince Young that might never

be topped in a championship

game. The Georgia-Notre

Dame game, when the

Bulldogs won 17-10 to clinch

the 1980 national title, would

be second, because it was the

first championship game I

covered.

WHO IS THE BEST COLLEGE

FOOTBALL PLAYER YOU

HAVE SEEN IN PERSON?

I’ve covered way too many

outstanding players to single

out one. But the first players

that come to mind are Archie

Manning, Herschel Walker, Tim

Tebow, Cam Newton, Vince

Young, Reggie Bush and Brock

Bowers.

WHAT IS YOUR

PREDICTION?

For the Georgia-UT matchup,

you will get Neyland Stadium

at its loudest, and it can get

really loud. Tennessee has

gone 2-2 against Alabama and

Florida – their oldest nemeses

– under Josh Heupel. But

Georgia has been a different

matter. The Vols haven’t been

competitive for the most part.

If the Vols would win, UT fans

will have flashbacks to the

1998 season when they took

down Florida in overtime

at Neyland on the way to

a national championship.

Security guards will be

challenged to keep them off

the field.

KICKOFF HAS ARRIVED,

LET US CATER YOUR TAILGATE

OR PARTY THIS SEASON!

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DAWGS!

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DAWGS

EAT AND

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IT’S TOUCHDOWN

SEASON

PROUST Q&A: FRANK DOWNEY PG. 32

SOCIAL

Tristen Davis, Tatum Davis, Mabry

Mahoney, Ella Parisian, Ellie Herl,

Cov Broadnax

PHOTO BY: VANCE LEAVY/BI

AUSTIN PEAY FAN PHOTOS: PGs. 22-30


SOCIAL

FAN SHOTS

Aiden Duffy, Yani Nawezi

Mixon Barrett, Dustin Barrett

Tee Brown, Terry Brown

Byrne Eastland, Leigh Eastland

GEORGIA - 28, AUSTIN PEAY - 6

Mack Furlow, Timothy Furlow, Henry Vance,

Andy Vance

Conner Parks, Sonny Parks, Mason Parks,

Carl Parks

Brendon Glass, David Thomas,

Branden Mitchell


Willa Kent, Jaime Woodring, Laurie Young, Zeke Shivers, Maddie Patton

Mary Rice, Decker Rice,

Tiffany Cline, Nirece Hattingh,

Heather Brian

Amy Nasworthy, Laura Hogan, Tracy Cass, Reighley Walker

Miller Danner, Reese Madden, Caroline Trainor, Mary West

Estes, John Sorrow, Isie Gates, Ashley Sorrow, Lela Kate Sorrow,

Maggie Ratterman

ULLA JOHNSON + HUNTER BELL

AMANDA UPRICHARD + STAUD

AGOLDE + DOLCE VITA + VERONICA BEARD

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James Miller, Henry Miller, Jimmy Miller, Matthew Marvel,

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Renee Branch, Sheva Branch

Jaleel Shakir, Dahmari Thomas

Reid Smith, Phillip Kelley, Hunter Hensley


Anna DeFabio, Greer Moseley Henry Anderson, Audrey Davis Kitty Carter, John Culpepper Paul Rue III, Paul Rue II

REAL DAWGS

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Martha Reagan, Will Reagan,

Joe Reagan

John Ellington, Allyn Stockton Pepper Smith, Hailey Blu Landon Knight, Jakobe Omalho

Jeff Tingle, David Abernathy, Mel Channell

Blake Anderson, Emma Anderson, Jack Schultz

Bryn Adamson, Chris Adamson,

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SOCIAL

FAN SHOTS

Timothy Kates, Mason Mikell,

Kyleigh Mikell, Ayanna Kates

Jay Laschinger, Trey Carter, Kevin Butler

Palmer Bush, Dan Cook, Chad Hogan, Dax Weekly,

Greg Richards, Tap Bennett, Mel Channell, Drew Hill,

Woody Fields

Bo Caves, Jane Trotter

Milledge Anderson, Stephen

Anderson, Emery Anderson

Jeff Tingle, Julie Tingle

Bryson Towers, Chip Towers


Scott Shepherd, Robert Wolfe, Paul Collar, Winn Collar, Mel Channell, Will Cochran,

Vance Leavy

(clockwise, from bottom) Silas Campbell, Grady

Johnson, Emma McClure, Elliot Mixson, Cale

Mixson, Henry Johnson, Jeff Stortz, Brooke Stortz,

Jordan Mixson, Charles Mixson, Ross Campbell

Jeff McWhorter,

Suzanne McWhorter

Steve Purvis, Kara Purvis,

Bryan Turner, Kristen Turner,

Brian Owens, Lauren Owens

Maddie Watermolen, Connor Fenneran,

Ryan Rutherford

Max Champion,

Billy Shuman,

Bonney Shuman


FAN SHOTS

SOCIAL

Jordan Cladd, Queen Spivey

David Anderson, Kim Anderson

Beth Muller, Rick Muller

Hap Hines, Brian Satisky

Cindy Kelley, Susan Kelley,

Tom Call, Kelly Call

Ed Ferguson, Shannon Ferguson,

Holly Phillips, Marshall Phillips

Larry Edwards, Sharon Edwards, John Parker, John Ellington,

Sandra Kate Ellington, Robby Kirk, Daniel Mosseri, Brandon

Holtzclaw, Shelly Harrell

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SOCIAL

FAN SHOTS

West Downey, Allen Gruehn, Cole Kennedy, John Wise Long

Brant House, Colby House

Shayna Van Glish, Eden Vainer,

Eliza Ford, and Emily Myers

Zack Powell, Elizabeth Powell,

Stephanie Powell, Chad Powell

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FAN SHOTS

SOCIAL

Georgia Galligan,

Addy Hollis

Lucy Claire Fulcher, Chamberlain

Lunceford, Sara Beth Trotter


Rob Saye, Chuck Vincent

Caroline Champion,

Chip Champion,

Mickie Carter,

Jim Benefield

Emma Sloane Evans, Madeleine Koss,Mia Hill,

Anna Benedetto, Ellie Atwater

Kimberly Faulkner, Dre Faulkner,

Cynthia Walker, Tom Walker

Mark Cullars, Hadley Cullars, Mason Cullars,

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St. Simons Island, GA 31522

ST. SIMONS ISLAND • SEA ISLAND • BRUNSWICK

A leading real estate team in Coastal Georgia

Tina Fallon

Realtor

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Realtor

Chrissy Johnston

Realtor

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Elizabeth Smith

Marketing

Coordinator

Desiree Varnedoe

Rental Manager

Sarah Broyles

Rental Agent

Emily Wages

Rental Division

Freddy Stroud

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SOCIAL

FAN SHOTS

(front) Anji Osinuga , Kebron Asfaw, Susan

irungu; (back) Sade Sutherland, Brook-Bailey

Crawford, Debra, Jessie Biyogmam

Vassa Cate, Vassa Cate, Kelly Mahoney

Walker Okvist, Billy Okvist, Brittany Okvist,

Brynlee Okvist


Savannah Corbin,

Gretchen Corbin,

Havalynn Abernathy

Dyllan Adams,

Tishara Adams

Amber Deutsch,

Andy Deutsch

Will Campbell, Owen Hodges, Ian McGary,

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community

PROUST

Q&A

BY: HAMILTON CULPEPPER

NAME: Frank Downey

FAMILY: Married to Lyn. Daughters are Emma (UGA 2022) and

Martha (UGA 2025).

HOMETOWN: Nashville, Tennessee.

CURRENT TOWN: Nashville, Tennessee.

WHAT YEARS AT UGA: 1987-1991. Mom and Dad declined

my attempt at a fifth Fall.

SCHOOL/DEGREE: Franklin College/BA History.

ACCOLADES: Sigma Alpha Epsilon President, 1991. Gridiron

Secret Society, Spring 1991.

WHAT LIFE LESSONS DID YOU LEARN WHILE AT

UGA? I learned how to balance and navigate a very busy social

calendar while staying focused on school (most of the time).

WHAT PROFESSOR DID YOU ADMIRE MOST? Phinizy

Spalding

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST

ACHIEVEMENT? Marrying Lyn and being a father to our two

daughters Emma and Martha!

WHAT HISTORICAL FIGURE DO YOU MOST IDENTIFY

WITH? UGA X (Que, A Damn Good Dawg).

WHO ARE YOUR HEROES IN REAL LIFE? All of the men and

women who serve in the armed forces to protect our freedom.

QUOTE TO LIVE BY: Well, for UT week it has to be: “My God

Almighty,

did you see

what he did?

David Greene just

straightened up

and we snuck the

fullback over! We

Frank Downey

just dumped it over! 26-24! We just stepped on their face with a

hobnail boot and broke their nose! We just crushed their face!”

WHAT IS YOU IDEA OF PERFECT HAPPINESS? Pulling

into Clarke County after a long drive from Nashville on a beautiful

fall or spring day. Or, a night in St. George Island surrounded by

family and friends, enjoying a shrimp boil and a cold beer.

WHAT IS YOUR MOST MARKED CHARACTERISTIC?

I would like to think that I am loyal and disciplined.

WHAT DO YOU VALUE MOST IN YOUR FRIENDS?

Loyalty and consistency.

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT

YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I wish that I had my

younger brother John’s ability to play the banjo!

WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE WRITERS? Pat Conroy. He

was an amazing and passionate storyteller. His descriptions always

remind me of the settling in Kiawah or coming onto St. Simons/Sea

Island. All beautiful places!

FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA AND WHO TO FOLLOW?

I am not really a fan of any social media. I might be the last person

without Facebook or Instagram.

Radiate #connectcollaboratecreate

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MONROE FREELING

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MORE

SPORTS


MORE SPORTS

FOOTBALL

BY: HAMILTON CULPEPPER

USF @ Miami (-16.5) | O/U 54.5

Saturday, Sep. 13, 4:30PM

USF is off one of the great wins in program

history, taking down Florida in the Swamp thanks

to a field goal as time expired. These Bulls are no

joke and the clear favorites to represent the G5 in

the Playoff. Head coach Alex Golesh and QB Byrum

Brown are not slowing down. For the second

straight week, hunker down with USF to cover

+16.5. An upset is not out of the question as USF

could take down Carson Beck and Miami and be

kings of the Sunshine State.

USC (-21) @ Purdue | O/U 59


USC dominated Georgia Southern last weekend.

The Trojans scored 59 points on their own. Purdue

is one of the worst teams in the Big 10, but it

seems the Boilermakers have an upset up their

sleeve each season. I’m not touching the line, but

hunker down with the over. USC’s speed paired

with Purdue’s upset-ability should lead to a big

night on the scoreboard in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Arkansas @ Ole Miss (-9) | O/U 63

Saturday, Sep. 13, 7PM

Ole Miss didn’t cover for us last weekend against

Kentucky, but these Rebels have the offensive

firepower to beat any team in the SEC. Arkansas

is in a tough spot this season as head coach Sam

Pittman’s job is on the line. I think the Razorbacks

keep it close for three quarters on Saturday,

but hunker down with the Rebels as they hit a

backdoor cover late in the fourth.

‌Florida @ LSU (-9.5) | O/U 49.5


While USF is riding the ultimate high, Florida is

on the ultimate low. With such high expectations,

a loss to USF was not in the cards for the Gators as

they looked ahead to the 2025 season. However,

here we are. “Sun Belt” Billy Napier has the

opportunity to right his wrong in Baton Rouge this

weekend as Florida takes on No. 3 LSU. Florida is

still a good ball club, and they lost to a really good

team in USF. Hunker down with the Gators to keep

it close and cover against the Tigers.

‌Texas A&M @ Notre Dame (-6.5) | O/U 49


We saw this matchup in College Station last year.

What a game it was! Now, we’re on the back half

of this awesome home-and-home duel. Mike Elko

is one of my favorite coaches in the country. He

is going to have his boys ready in South Bend to

avenge the loss from a season ago. Hunker down

with the Aggies to cover 6.5. Don’t be surprised

with a straight up win!

‌Vanderbilt @ South Carolina (-5.5) | O/U 47


This Vandy team is scary. With Diego Pavia at

quarterback, anything can happen. However, look

across the field to the other sideline, and one of

the nation’s best QBs wears garnet and black.

That’s LaNorris Sellers, Heisman candidate. The

Commodores can wreak havoc, but Sellers and Co.

are on a mission this year. Hunker down with the

Gamecocks at home to cover!

OKLAHOMA @

TEMPLE

SAT NOON ESPN2

‌WISCONSIN @

ALABAMA

SAT NOON ABC

‌SOUTH ALABAMA @

AUBURN

SAT 12:45PM SECN

‌GEORGIA @

TENNESSEE

SAT 3:30PM ABC

‌LOUISIANA LAFAYETTE @

MISSOURI

SAT 4PM ESPN+

‌UTEP @

TEXAS

SAT 4:15PM SECN

ALCORN ST. @

MISSISSIPPI ST.

SAT 6PM ESPN+

EASTERN MICHIGAN @

KENTUCKY

SAT 7:30PM ESPNU

All betting lines are courtesy of http://BetOnline.ag . All

lines are subject to change before kickoff of each game.

Lines recorded on 9/8/2025.

Tune into The Hammy Show on Spotify or YouTube

and listen/watch Hammy’s full analysis.

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MORE SPORTS

FOOTBALL

TOP 12

JD’S

BY: JEFF DANTZLER

There are some big matchups this weekend around the country, and a

lot of contenders are jumping into conference play. In this era of college

football, nothing can be taken for granted. You better be ready every

Saturday. The SEC will take center stage with some major matchups,

Clemson ventures to Atlanta and South Florida tries to pull off another

win, this time against Miami.

1. LSU - The Tigers took care of Louisiana Tech 23-7

in a tweener game. On the heels of the big win at

Clemson, the Bayou Bengals got it done. The Baton

Rouge faithful will be on fire with Florida heading to town. The

Gators beat the Tigers last season.

2. OHIO STATE - The Buckeyes took care of

Grambling 70-0 this past Saturday in a matchup of two

teams with tremendous traditions. Ohio State plays an

in-state MAC foe this week, hosting Ohio at The Horseshoe. Big

Ten play begins two weeks later at Washington.

3. OREGON - Ok, Barry Sanders wasn’t playing

for the Cowboys, but what Oregon did to Oklahoma

State (69-3) was very impressive. Dan Lanning has

another outstanding team in Eugene. Can the Ducks

defend their Big Ten title? Early returns put them in hunt.

4. PENN STATE - The Nittany Lions made it 2-0 with

a 34-0 win over Florida International. Penn State made

the College Football Playoff semifinals last year, and

the Nittany Lions are hoping for even more this season. They host

Villanova this Saturday.

5. GEORGIA - The Bulldogs battled Austin Peay

and Mother Nature this past Saturday, defeating the

Governors 28-6. Now the gauntlet begins, as Georgia

battles Tennessee in Knoxville in the SEC opener. The

Bulldogs have won eight straight in the series.

6. MIAMI - The Hurricanes are flying high. After the

win over Notre Dame to kick off the season, Miami

defeated Bethune Cookman 45-3. Now at 2-0, the

stage is set for a huge game against in-state foe South

Florida, which just beat the Gators in Gainesville.

7. TEXAS - The Longhorns bounced back from their

season opening loss at Ohio State with a 38-7 win

over San Jose State. The next two weeks, Texas hosts

UTEP and Sam Houston State, then comes the beginning of

Southeastern Conference play.

8. CLEMSON - The Tigers, after dropping that great

opener to LSU, found themselves down 16-0 in the first

half to Troy. Clemson did not panic though and closed

the game in strong fashion to win 27-16. It’s off to The Flats now

in a big ACC battle with the Yellow Jackets.

9. NOTRE DAME - The Fighting Irish were off this

week following the season opening loss against the

Hurricanes in Miami. It’s another tough opponent

Saturday, as Notre Dame hosts Texas A&M. Last season, the

Fighting Irish beat the Aggies in College Station.

10. TECH - The Yellow Jackets backed up their Week

One win at Colorado with a one-sided victory over

Gardner-Webb. Brent Key has this team clicking. Now

comes one of his biggest game at the Jackets helm, as Tech hosts

Clemson at Grant Field.

11. TENNESSEE - The Volunteers followed up their

extremely impressive victory over Syracuse with a

dominant performance against East Tennessee State.

The Vols are clicking and they are hungry to end an eight game

losing streak to the Bulldogs.

12. USF - There isn’t a team in the country that has a

better two-game hit list thus far this season than the

Bulls of South Florida. After beating down Boise State

in the opener, USF went into The Swamp and took down Florida

18-16. Now they get the Canes.

BEAT UT ON ROCKY TOP =

LATE NIGHT CELEBRATION!

athens • watkinsville • auburn • lawrenceville


SPORTS FOOTBALL

Old & In The Way

BY GREG POOLE

Expectations drive emotions.

Saturday’s Austin Peay contest was

not what most fans had in mind for the

Bulldogs when facing an overmatched,

lower-division opponent. The

Governors, however, had failed to read

the memo informing them that they

had no hope of competing with Georgia

on a rainy afternoon in Athens. But as

any seasoned Dawg fan knows, football

games — even ones we’re “supposed” to

win by 50 — rarely go exactly to script.

Georgia walked away with a 28–6 win

over Austin Peay on Saturday, but the

overall feeling coming out of Sanford

Stadium wasn’t exactly one of triumph.

It was a mix of relief, mild frustration,

and a lot of “we better clean that up

before Tennessee.”

A sloppy afternoon, delayed and disjointed

The game started earlier than planned,

moved up to 2:30 p.m. due to inclement

weather. That didn’t help much. The

skies opened, the grass was slick, and

everything — from the play calling to

the flow of the game — felt dampened

by the conditions. Then came the

lightning delay just before halftime,

stretching the break into a 1-hour and

46-minute slog that drained the energy

from the building and both sidelines.

Going into the half with just a 14–6

lead, Georgia looked like a team still in

preseason mode. The talent gap was

noticeable, but the Bulldogs weren’t

imposing their will the way the fan base

— or the coaching staff — expected.

‌The ground game grinds it out

If there was one consistent positive,

it was the performance of Georgia’s

running backs. The trio of Nate Frazier,

Chauncey Bowens, and Dwight Phillips

Jr. delivered when it mattered. Frazier

and Bowens each notched two rushing

touchdowns, and the group combined

for 180 yards on the ground. They ran

hard, protected the ball (after some

early fumble scares), and showed why

the future of the Georgia backfield is

in good hands. The signature moment

of the day came in the fourth quarter

when the Dawgs were pinned at their

own one-yard line. The offense then

marched 99 yards down the field —

tying a school record — and capped

the drive with a touchdown by Frazier.

It was a beautiful mix of grit, patience,

and execution. That sequence felt like

Georgia football.

‌Passing game? efficient… but limited

Quarterback Gunner Stockton finished

26-for-34 for 227 yards — a solid line at

a glance. But the passing attack never

really threatened the defense vertically.

The deep ball wasn’t there, and outside

of a few crisp throws in the intermediate

range, the offense didn’t stretch Austin

Peay the way it could have. Stockton

looked steady, but not dynamic. With

SEC play coming, Dawg Nation will need

to see more explosive plays and better

rhythm through the air.

‌Silver lining: the defense was nasty

Let’s not bury the lede — the Georgia

defense remains elite. Austin Peay

managed just 196 total yards and a

paltry 45 rushing yards. The Governors

averaged only 1.6 yards per carry and

were stuffed time and time again by a

Georgia front seven that was missing

multiple starters.

Linebacker CJ Allen had his name

called early and often. He finished with

seven tackles, a sack, and 1.5 tackles

for loss. He flew around the field like a

seasoned veteran, and his performance

was exactly what you’d hope to see in a

tune-up game. There was also a critical

goal-line stand in the fourth quarter

that kept Austin Peay out of the end

zone. With the game still somewhat

in reach, Georgia’s defense dug in and

denied four straight attempts inside the

10-yard line. That stand-alone showed

that this team still knows how to bow its

neck when it matters.

‌Special Teams: quietly excellent

Special teams don’t always get the

love they deserve, but they played

a significant role in dictating field

position on Saturday. Freshman punter

Brett Thorson had a stellar afternoon,

averaging 47 yards per punt, including

a beauty that pinned Austin Peay inside

their own five-yard line. Kick coverage

was disciplined, and there were no

major errors in the kicking game —

exactly what you want in a game where

offense is sputtering.

‌What it means for the Dawgs

A win is a win. It may not have been

pretty, and it certainly wasn’t dominant,

but Georgia still extended its home

winning streak to 33 games — now

the longest active streak in college

football. Still, if you’re a Georgia fan,

you know the standard is higher. Kirby

Smart doesn’t build rosters to scrape

by FCS opponents. He builds them to

crush and demoralize them. So while

there’s no reason to panic, there’s every

reason to expect a far more polished,

explosive, and disciplined performance

moving forward. Because next week? It’s

real now. The Dawgs travel to Knoxville

to take on Tennessee — a team that’s

undefeated, explosive, and looking

to punch Georgia in the mouth. If the

offense sputters the way it did Saturday,

it could be a long afternoon/evening in

Neyland. But that’s also what makes this

stretch of the season exciting. The next

test is whether they can put it together

on the road, in a hostile environment,

with real stakes on the line. We’ll find

out soon enough.


KEVIN BUTLER’S

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

COMPILED BY HAMILTON CULPEPPER

FOOTBALL

SPORTS

OFFENSIVE PLAYER

Dwight Phillips Junior - The 5’10”, 185 pound sophomore running

back from Mapleton, Georgia and Pebblebrook High School

continues to impress not only the coaches but the loyal bulldog

fans in attendance at the first two games. Dwight’s speed and

elusiveness has turned into quite a surprise in a very competitive

competition for carries at Georgia’s running back position. Phillips’

performance Saturday was quite impressive. He had seven carries

for 55 yards with an average of 7.9 per carry. In two games, he has

12 carries for 115 yards and bumps the average up, raking in 9.6

yards per carry. That speed will be a key factor in trying to keep

Rock Top as quiet as possible. Keep the great work up. Dwight.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER

CJ Allen - The junior out of Lamar High School stands at 6’1” and tips

the scale at 235. He is a very physical player and another linebacker

with NFL capability to attend UGA (LBU). Saturday was no different for

CJ, leading the defense in one of the more awkward games that the

Bulldogs will play this season. Trying to keep the intensity at a high

level when rain delays come is very hard to do, but a seasoned veteran

finds that situation as a true opportunity. CJ uses all the opportunities

given to him to be a leader and a physical force on defense. Leading

the defense with seven tackles, five solos, a sack and 1.5 TFL’s was a

clear indicator that CJ is heads and shoulders above his competition.

His leadership and his physical play are a must in Knoxville Saturday

afternoon. He’s a leader. We need the rest of the Dawgs to follow.

SPECIAL TEAM PLAYER

Brett Thorson - As the game started early Saturday, the storms came in

and finally Georgia got to put the “Thunder from Down Under” back on

the field. Thorson‘s hard work and dedication to making it back from a

critical injury last year is certainly what kept him on the fast track. Saturday

he averaged 43.5 yards per punt and, like always, 0 yards returned. Drew

Miller did a fantastic job filling in for Brett last week and earned Special

Team Player of the Game. Likewise, Brett performed courageously in his

return to the gridiron and certainly put a smile on Kirby Smart’s face! Now,

all he has to do is deliver us another 75 or 80-yard punt that goes out on

Tennessee’s half yard line, and he will be a folk hero forever.

UNSUNG HERO OF THE GAME

As we hear from our fan base, the confidence in our offensive line is

not quite there. One thing that might have gone unnoticed to the fans

was the point in the game where Georgia showed their dominance and

slammed the door shut on the governors of Austin Peay. The offense

orchestrated a 17 play- 99 yard drive that consumed eight minutes and

43 seconds to beat the governors down into submission. These are the

things that an offensive line needs to grow and learn from. As a young

team tries to build continuity on the offensive line, Small victories like the

17 plays will help instill confidence in this young, talented offensive line.

When the offensive line does good running backs gain yards and when

the running backs run, the receivers are open to make plays. Football is a

team sport and Georgia has proven over the last 10 years. They grow as a

team each game. Bring one home from Rocky Top kids.


STATS THAT

MATTER


BY: MATTHEW HERREN/BI

A look back at what decided the game between Georgia and Austin Peay.

1:46 - LENGTH OF THE RAIN DELAY

The most notable event of the game between Georgia and Austin

Peay was a one hour and 46 minute rain delay that occurred

during halftime. The game was moved from 3:30 p.m. to 2:30

p.m. to try and get ahead of the weather, but it was not enough.

Coach Smart expressed his gratitude for Bulldog Nation being

flexible and still showing support for their team regardless of the

circumstances. Many fans believe that the rain delay played a

factor in Georgia’s lackluster performance against the Governors.

2 - LOST FUMBLES

Both London Humphreys and Nate Frazier lost fumbles against

Austin Peay. While these turnovers did not prove to be huge

difference makers in the win, it limited a Georgia offense that

was already struggling to get into a rhythm. As the season goes

on, and the competition grows, turnovers need to be held to a

minimum if the Bulldogs want to make noise in the postseason.

190 - TEAM RUSHING YARDS

Georgia rushed for 190 yards as a collective group, led mostly by

Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens. Both of these running backs

scored two touchdowns each. Dwight Phillips Jr. had a solid

showing of his own, rushing for 55 yards on seven carries. While

Bobo’s offense has not shown much of the playbook, the running

game that features multiple high-level running backs looks to be

the strongest link.

76 - RECEIVING YARDS FROM COLBIE YOUNG

Colbie Young was by far the most effective receiver for the

Bulldogs with 76 receiving yards and seven receptions. The

senior was a highly touted acquisition from Miami last year,

but saw little action. It seems like he is ready to become an

impactful player for Stockton and the Bulldogs.

6 - POINTS FOR AUSTIN PEAY

Austin Peay scored just six points in their loss to Georgia, being held

to 196 total yards of offense. While Georgia certainly outmatches

the Governors, Smart’s defense looked great once again, as they

allowed just seven points against Marshall in the opening game. The

test becomes a lot greater when Georgia travels to Knoxville for a

matchup with Josh Heupel’s high-flying offense.

0 - GEORGIA RECEIVERS WITH A CATCH OVER 20 YARDS

One of Mike Bobo’s biggest criticisms is his emphasis on

keeping the offense simple. Against Austin Peay, that’s exactly

what happened. Zero Georgia receivers caught a pass that was

longer than 20 yards. Most passing plays called were screens

and underneath routes, keeping Stockton very limited through

the air. While Bobo and Smart certainly do not want to reveal

too much of the playbook, Bulldog Nation has every reason

to be skeptical about how good this offense really is. This

conservative strategy will be put to the test as Georgia begins

SEC play.

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