Eyeing Starkvegas
Georgia vs. Mississippi State
Georgia vs. Mississippi State
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VS.
EYEING
STARKVEGAS!
Where Traditions Start
and Where Traditions Grow
From UGA’s first football game on
Herty Field to today’s Classic City
traditions, history matters in Athens.
At BankSouth, we’re proud to build
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MARSHALL
@ ATHENS, GA
AUSTIN PEAY
@ ATHENS, GA
TENNESSEE
@ KNOXVILLE, TN
ALABAMA
@ ATHENS, GA
KENTUCKY
@ ATHENS, GA
AUBURN
@ AUBURN, AL
OLE MISS
@ ATHENS, GA
FLORIDA
@ JACKSONVILLE, FL
MISS STATE
@ STARKVILLE, MS
TEXAS
@ ATHENS, GA
CHARLOTTE
@ ATHENS, GA
GEORGIA TECH
@ ATLANTA, GA
W 45-7
W 28-6
W 44-41
L 24-21
W 35-14
W 20-10
W 43-35
W 24-20
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RYAN PUGLISI
QUARTERBACK #12
ON RYAN:
GEORGIA VINTAGE G PRINTED
PERFORMANCE POLO
LORO PIANA ALL SEASON
NAVY SPORT COAT
CLASSIC FIVE POCKET PANTS
DAWGS UPSIDE DOWN ROPE HAT
LORAN SMITH: ON RYAN PUGLISI
Ryan Puglisi is obviously a talented athlete, being the
best in the state of Connecticut in both football and
baseball as a high school senior. He got the highest of
marks as a baseball player (pitcher, shortstop) andwas a
highly regarded quarterback in football.
He chose to play football and is working to hone his
quarterback skills with the greatest of due diligence.
He is a redshirt freshman.
A well-rounded individual, he sees baseball as a Plan B
option for him if his football goals were not to materialize,
but right now, he is focused on quarterback development.
With all his athletic abilities, don’t forget that he is a good
student with math being his favorite subject. In addition,
his hero dating back is Tom Brady, the New England
quarterback. How could he have a better role model? He likes
cheeseburgers and has three dogs—Anna, Blue, and Nala.
His sports highlight to date was when his mom, Meaghan
Puglisi, sang the national anthem on senior night at
Avon Hold Farms High School, where he
matriculated.
LORAN SMITH
Assoc. Director,
UGA Athletic Association
PR & Development
GEORGIA VS. MISS. STATE
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED
IN THIS ISSUE
VOLUME 23 NO. 11
CHAUNCEY BOWENS WITH
THE KNOCKOUT PUNCH!
PHOTO BY: ROB SAYE/BI
SPORTS
GA. BULLDOGS TO WATCH | 12
MS. BULLDOGS TO WATCH | 14
THE FIVE | 15
FROM THE INTERN | 16
A VIEW FROM STARKVILLE | 17
HERREN’S HOT LOCKS | 18
JD’S TOP 12 | 19
OLD AND IN THE WAY | 20
KEVIN BUTLER’S PLAYERS OF THE WEEK | 21
SOCIAL
GEORGIA VS. FLORIDA FAN PHOTOS | 24
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
SPORTS: Jeff Dantzler, Greg Poole, Will Hearn,
Matthew Herren, Anna Williams, Jackson Taylor,
Jane Toothaker
MULTIMEDIA SUPPORT: Will Hearn,
Matthew Herren, Anna Williams
PHOTOGRAPHY: Rob Saye, Will Hearn
COVER PHOTO: Rob Saye
COLUMNISTS: Jeff Dantzler, Loran Smith,
Kevin Butler, Greg Poole
DELIVERY: John Cook, Henley Cook, Win
Dyleski, Rob Freeman, Anna French, Scarlett
French, Caroline Kinney, John Kinney, Eleanor
Morgan, Henry Morgan, James Morgan, Jack
Sawyer, Cullen Sewell, Champ Vance, Jack
Roberts
ISSUE ELEVEN: MISSISSIPPI STATE
November 5, 2025
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 4 ISSUE ELEVEN • MISSISSIPPI STATE
#1 BEST SELLING AMERICAN WHISKY
AS
VO T E D
2017
B Y TH E WO R L D
’ S
B EST B AR S
FROM THE
EDITOR
VANCE LEAVY
EDITOR IN CHIEF
The victory in JAX was sweet, but now it’s about ‘Eyes on STARKVEGAS!’
There really isn’t anything finer in the land than seeing
Gator fans slithering out of Jacksonville with another loss
… How ‘Bout’em … Georgia 24 Florida 20!
Let’s be honest, our Dawgs play on the field in the latest
version of the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail party was a mixed
bag. This team is infamous and notorious in having to climb their
way out of deficits. Yet somehow, some way, they keep doing it.
I so encourage all of you to read both Anna Williams (page 16)
and Greg Poole’s (page 20) column. Being a senior at UGA, Anna
doesn’t have any scar tissue when it comes to the Gators. She
simply has the faith that her Dawgs are going to find a way for
victory over Florida. Where as Greg, in his 70s, has seen it all when
the Dawgs and Gators go to battle. And Greg is 100% on point
when declaring that the rest of the SEC best know that you must
be prepared to finish our team because the 4th quarter reigns
Dawgs’ supreme!
That is a good thing sports fans because I have to tell you that
Saturday’s 11 a.m. CT kickoff in Starkville absolutely terrifies this
scribe. Yes, the Maroon Bulldogs notched a terrific SEC road win in
Fayetteville last week, but the opportunity to take down the Top 5
Bulldogs at home would be glorious for the Hail State Nation. And
guess what, this Jeff Lebby led bunch is without question playing
well enough to shock the world on Saturday.
For this reason, Gunner Stockton flanked by UGA students
celebrating the Florida win was perfect for this issue’s cover. Take
a close look at Gunner’s eyes. Yes he is thoroughly enjoying the
moment, but in my opinion he’s also dialed-in already focusing on
what is ahead for his team … ‘EYEING STARKVEGAS!’
Like me, Jeff Dantzler has been around long enough to know
that Saturday’s 11 a.m. CT brunch game is mighty dangerous.
In his column (page 8), he admits to channeling his inner Vince
Dooley and Larry Munson ways. The message is simple … never
overlook any opponent. And thankfully, nobody adheres to that
belief more than Kirby Smart.
Coach Smart will have our men ready on Saturday and I’m
hoping our fans have enough time to shake the cobwebs off from
another rip-roaring Georgia-Florida. As you will see from our 130
fan photos (beginning on page 24) good times were plentiful in
the Golden Isles and Jacksonville this past week.
Thankfully, the BI Camera captured so many photos that my
space on this page is super tight. I’ll take it because Team BI
needs to batten down the hatches on St. Simons and get back to
Athens, so we can then head to StarkVegas. Enjoy the issue … all
eyes now must be on the Maroon Bulldogs … Go Dawgs!!
The DAWGS FIGHT HARD in every game,
just like we do for our CLIENTS!
Chris Wilson, Jimmy Hinson, John Neel, Jimbo Walker, Josh James, Mike Kaplan, Carson Schilling - PRINCIPALS
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 6 ISSUE ELEVEN • MISSISSIPPI STATE
BULLDOG BRUNCH
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from 10 am - noon following a Georgia football
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FROM THE
booth
JEFF DANTZLER
@jeffdantzlerTV
Be prepared Dawg Nation, the roadie to Starkville won’t be easy!
Before getting to the gist of
this week’s column, I just
needed to channel my inner
Vince Dooley/ Larry Munson
about Saturday morning in Starkville’s
kickoff, between these battling Bulldogs
of Georgia and Mississippi State. The
Mighty Munson, when these two would
meet, referred to Mississippi State as
the “Maroons” as a point of reference.
With the school colors in Starkville being
Maroon and White, the Master made
perfect sense.
This is going to be a very tough football
game on Saturday. Most fans realize that
in this era of college football, there aren’t
any 2021/2022 Georgia Bulldogs, or 2020
Alabamas or 2019 LSUs out there. The
landscape just doesn’t allow for it. And
even if a roster came semi-close to one
of those powerhouses, there isn’t the
years-long continuity between players
and players, and players and coaches. So
we are seeing a slew of tightly contested
games. Everyone in the Southeastern
Conference is good. There is not an easy
out. Most of these intra-conference
games are determined by single digits.
Don’t be fooled by State’s record. The
Maroon Bulldogs took both Tennessee and
Texas to overtime. MSU led the Longhorns
by 17 in the fourth quarter. State lost
to Florida by just two, a turnover in the
closing seconds proving costly. Now,
coming off a 38-35 win over Arkansas, they
are playing with superb confidence.
Mississippi State is one of the most
improved teams in the country. The
Starkville Maroons grabbed everyone’s
attention in Week Two with a 24-20
victory over Arizona State, reigning Big
XII Conference champion and College
Football Playoff participant, which nearly
beat Texas last year in Atlanta in the
Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl. State got off to a
4-0, after going 2-10 last season.
Second year head coach Jeff Lebby has
ignited a tremendous turnaround. My
good friend David Kellum, the longtime
iconic Voice of the Ole Miss Rebels, on
a baseball trip to Oxford, told my great
sidekick David Johnston and me that
Lebby would be great at their archrival.
David praised the excellent work
that Lebby had done as the offensive
coordinator and quarterbacks coach at
Ole Miss in 2020 and 2021. Lebby then
went to Oklahoma in the same role for
two seasons before being hired on by
Mississippi State.
A lot of these facts are mentioned in
other places throughout the issue, but I
just wanted to reiterate to be ready for
a very tough game. And to quote The
Greatest Bulldog Ever, Dan Magill, “I’ll
take a one point win right now.”
By the way, the only time, and I was
asked on the pregame show, that I didn’t
say I’d take a one point win was against
Nicholls State, when Georgia was a
48-point favorite in 2016. The Dogs won
by two, and I remember thinking that had
we lost, it would have all been my fault.
One of my favorite parts about going
on the road is Georgia’s visitors uniform.
I absolutely love the white jersey with
the red helmets and silver britches.
So let’s get to the schedule. The
Southeastern Conference announced
earlier this year that the slate would be
expanding from eight to nine league
games beginning next season. SEC
Commissioner Greg Sankey is the best
in the business. We always joke that he
has, on issues like this, such an easy job.
Just keep 16 highly passionate fanbases
perfectly happy with every decision 100
percent of the time.
No problem, right?
That’s certainly applicable when it
comes to the schedule.
One of the areas where Commissioner
Sankey has done such a great job with
the schedule is not getting too far ahead
with it.
Georgia’s esteemed J. Reid Parker
Director of Athletics Josh Brooks, the best
A.D. in the country, and Senior Associate
A.D. for External Affairs Alan Thomas, the
best at what he does, both pointed out
to me that the commissioner had done a
great job of having these schedules done
in the relative short term. Then see how
it goes, what everyone thinks, and what
changes in college football could lead to
adjustments?
For example, with the entry of Texas and
Oklahoma into the league in 2024 and an
expansion to 16 teams, everyone in the
SEC played the same schedule last season
and this - just flip-flopping the home
games. Again, don’t get too far ahead.
So wisely, when the decision to go to
nine games was finalized, a four-year
plan was laid out. Everyone will play
three teams every year - in Georgia’s
case, that’s Florida, Auburn and South
Carolina. Then over the four year period,
every other team will be played twice,
once at home, once on the road. For this
go around, that is absolutely the way to
go. After all, Georgia still hasn’t played
football at Texas A&M since the Aggies
entered the SEC in 2012. Bizarre. So stuff
like that can be avoided.
I’d like to, on the next go around, come
up with five opponents to play every
year, and rotate the others where you
would play twice in a five year period.
That would get more rivalry games
played. We’ll see. I’m sure the SEC Office
is not at a loss for ideas.
But unlike the PGA, which in my
opinion made a very unwise decision
of moving the PGA Championship from
August to May, and have done it, I guess
‘forever,’ the SEC has been very wise,
patient and forward thinking when it
comes to scheduling.
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 8 ISSUE ELEVEN • MISSISSIPPI STATE
IT’S TOUCHDOWN
SEASON
BULLDOGS TO WATCH PG. 12 | THE FIVE PG.15 | FROM THE INTERN PG. 16
SPORTS
CHAIN MOVER - KEEP THEM
MOVING IN STARKVILLE
ZACHARIAH BRANCH!
PHOTO BY: WILL HEARN/BI
GEORGIA VS. MISSISSIPPI STATE
GAME TIME: NOON ET
CHANNEL: ESPN
GEORGIA VS MISS. STATE
BY: JEFF DANTZLER
It’s another week in the rough and tough Southeastern
Conference, and a battle of Bulldogs is set for Saturday in
Starkville, as Georgia visits Mississippi State.
Georgia heads to the game, still squarely in the middle of
everything, with a record of 7-1 and 5-1 in the Southeastern
Conference.
Mississippi State is 5-4 and 1-4 in the SEC.
Both Georgia and Mississippi State are coming off thrilling
victories that came down to the wire. The Bulldogs from Athens
came back in the fourth quarter for a 24-20 victory over Florida
in Jacksonville. Under the watch of future Hall of Fame coach
Kirby Smart, the Bulldogs have now won 38 of their last 41 SEC
games and 64 of the last 70 overall since losing to Florida in
2020. The victory in Jacksonville marked Georgia’s fifth in a row
over the Gators and eighth in the last nine meetings.
State defeated Arkansas 38-35 in Fayetteville. MSU scored late
in the fourth quarter and held on for the win.
Like every team in the toughest league in the land, both
teams have been involved in a plethora of tight games.
Let’s start with Mississippi State, the Maroon Bulldogs from
Starkville are one of the most improved teams in college
football. They may be THE most improved team in the country.
Last season, in Jeff Lebby’s first at the helm at MSU, the record
was 2-10 and 0-8 in the SEC.
State won its first four games of the season, including a 24-20
victory in the second game of the season over then-12th ranked
and defending Big XII champion Arizona State. Then came a four
game losing streak against a brutal stretch of the schedule. But
State was right there. MSU fell in overtime to Tennessee 41-34.
Then came a 31-9 loss at Texas A&M. The next two weeks, State
came up just short 23-21 in Gainesville to Florida, then lost to
Texas 45-38 in overtime to Texas in Starkville.
So close to those signature wins at home, MSU is eyeing
Georgia as a golden opportunity.
Smart’s Dogs have shown tremendous resiliency. Georgia
has trailed in four of its five SEC victories, including this past
weekend’s triumph in Jacksonville.
State can punch its bowl eligibility ticket with a win and be a
shining triumph in Lebby’s outstanding turnaround season.
Georgia, still in the middle of everything, can take another
step towards the College Football Playoff with a road win.
This is the second straight season that these two have
squared off. Last season, Georgia won 41-31 in Athens. En
route to a second straight national championship, Georgia
beat MSU 45-19 in 2022 in Starkville. Georgia leads the all-time
series 21-6.
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 11 ISSUE ELEVEN • MISSISSIPPI STATE
SPORTS
FOOTBALL
BULLDOGS TO WATCH
BY: MATTHEW HERREN/BI
KIRBY SMART (HC) - Coach Smart leads the most resilient team
into Starkville for a matchup with Mississippi State. While the Maroon
Bulldogs have just one conference win, their record doesn’t show what
this team can do. They took Tennessee and Texas down to the wire, and
their home environment can be tricky with the cowbells ringing down.
Smart is often quick to mention how difficult it is to play in the SEC, and
this game will likely be a prime example of that.
ZACHARIAH BRANCH (WR #1) - Branch has become the face of the
Bulldogs wide receiver room after Young’s injury against Ole Miss. Over
his last three games, he has 27 catches for 240 yards. While the Georgia
offense certainly has other playmakers, Branch has the skillset to be a
player that no team wants to face. Look for No. 1 to have another huge
game in Starkville.
NOAH THOMAS
WIDE RECEIVER
PHOTO BY: WILL HEARN/BI
NATE FRAZIER (RB #3) - The sophomore continues to be the lead
running back for the Bulldogs, leading the team in carries. With a lot of
attention going on Bowens, Frazier is yet to have a breakout game for
the Bulldogs this season. Keep an eye on Frazier to keep getting his high
volume of carries, but to break off some big runs against a vulnerable
Mississippi State defense.
NOAH THOMAS (WR #5) - The transfer from Texas A&M had his first
big moment with the Bulldogs when he caught his lone touchdown of
the season in the win over Florida. While Thomas has been quiet this
year, his volume will increase with the absence of Young out wide. Look
for Thomas to make some plays for this Georgia offense and become a
reliable option for Stockton as the season moves to the postseason.
KJ BOLDEN (DB #4) - The sophomore has been the stronghold of the
Georgia secondary with 37 tackles and an interception. Bolden was ejected
from the Georgia-Florida game in the first half after being penalized for
targeting. Mississippi State’s quarterback Blake Shapen has thrown an
interception in four of his last five games, so look for Bolden to take out
some frustrations and force a turnover or two.
CJ ALLEN (LB #3) - Allen continues to be a force on the Georgia defense
with 69 tackles on the year. He tallied a team-high 13 tackles in the win
against Florida. With his draft stock rising fast, look for this junior to have
another explosive game against the Maroon Bulldogs.
PEYTON WOODRING
PLACE KICKER
PEYTON WOODRING (K #91) - Though his number has not been
called that often, Woodring has been solid this season, going 10-11
on field goals and a perfect 30-30 on extra points. Woodring has been
asked to kick field goals mostly on the road, so there’s a high probability
that he will need to knock down some field goals when State and the
home crowd limit Georgia’s offense from scoring touchdowns.
PHOTO BY: WILL HEARN/BI
BY JEFF DANTZLER
With Mississippi State coach Bob Boyd using a
slow down offense, Hugh Durham’s Bulldogs beat
MSU 26-20 in 1982 in Starkville, a game featuring
Dominique Wilkins and Jeff Malone.
In a battle of unbeaten Bulldogs Between the
Hedges in 1997, Jim Donnan led Georgia to a 47-0
victory over the Starkville Maroons, en route to a
10-2 season and top 10 ranking.
Georgia beat Mississippi State 29-22 in Starkville in
1982, and 20-7 in 1983 in Athens, with the starting
quarterback for the teams both natives of Valdosta -
John Lastinger and John Bond.
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 12 ISSUE ELEVEN • MISSISSIPPI STATE
SPORTS
FOOTBALL
MAROON BULLDOGS TO WATCH
BY: ANNA WILLIAMS/BI
JEFF LEBBY (HC) - Now in his second season at the helm, Jeff Lebby
has energized Mississippi State with a faster tempo and a renewed
offensive identity. The former Oklahoma offensive coordinator is known
for his up-tempo, spread system — one that relies heavily on quick
reads, spacing, and rhythm passing. Through eight games, the Bulldogs
have averaged just over 380 yards of offense per game, a noticeable
jump from 2024’s numbers. Still, Lebby is looking for a statement win,
and he’s yet to notch one against Georgia. His familiarity with the SEC
from his time at Ole Miss gives him an understanding of the challenge
ahead, but the key for him will be balancing tempo with discipline
against one of the nation’s most physical defenses. Expect Lebby to
lean on short throws, screens, and tempo changes to try and neutralize
Georgia’s pass rush.
JEFF LEBBY
HEAD COACH
PHOTO BY: HAILSTATE.COM
DAVON BOOTH (RB #6) - Booth has emerged as the tone-setter on
the ground. The senior running back leads the Bulldogs with nearly
500 rushing yards and six touchdowns, averaging around 4.5 yards per
carry. He punched in a two-yard score early against Arkansas to open
the scoring, and his ability to stay patient behind his blockers makes
him a perfect fit for Lebby’s inside-zone schemes. Expect Mississippi
State to use Booth early to keep the Dawgs’ front honest and to open
passing lanes for Shapen.
ANTHONY EVANS III (WR #3) - A breakout playmaker in recent
weeks, Evans has provided the explosive spark Lebby’s offense thrives on.
His 18-yard touchdown against Arkansas, where he broke a tackle and
sprinted into the end zone, was a glimpse of what makes him dangerous:
speed, balance, and yards after the catch. Evans has quietly become
Shapen’s go-to option in key moments. Georgia’s secondary will need to
keep him contained on quick slants and bubble screens — the kind of
plays designed to turn short gains into momentum-shifting chunks.
BLAKE SHAPEN (QB #2) - The senior transfer from Baylor has quickly
become the stabilizing force in Lebby’s system. Shapen is a smart,
efficient passer who thrives on timing routes and intermediate throws.
He’s thrown for over 1,900 yards this season with 13 touchdowns
and only five interceptions, including a 242-yard, two-touchdown
performance in the win over Arkansas. His poise late in that game —
engineering a comeback capped by an 18-yard TD to Anthony Evans
III — shows his ability to handle pressure. Georgia’s defensive front
will test his pocket awareness, but if Shapen gets into rhythm early,
Mississippi State’s offense could find its footing.
JAHRON MANNING (S #13) - Manning anchors the back end of the
defense with toughness and range. A returning leader with over 60 tackles
already this season, he plays downhill and thrives in run support while also
possessing the instincts to make plays in coverage. Against a balanced
Georgia offense, his role in limiting explosive plays will be critical.
ANTHONY EVANS III
WIDE RECEIVER
PHOTO BY: HAILSTATE.COM
WILL WHITSON (DL #43) - At 6-5, 295-pound, Whitson gives the
Bulldogs much-needed size and disruption up front. A transfer addition
with a history of production, he’s strong against the run and quick
enough to collapse the pocket. His matchup against Georgia’s offensive
line could be one of the game’s most telling battles.
BY JEFF DANTZLER
Legendary basketball star Bailey Howell, one of the
greatest players in Southeastern Conference history,
averaged 27 points and 17 rebounds per game during
his MSU career.
Jeff Malone, one of Mississippi State’s two greatest
basketball players ever, was the 1983 SEC Player of
the Year and went on to a successful career as one of
the top sharpshooters in the NBA.
One of the SEC’s all-time iconic sluggers, Will ‘The
Thrill’ Clark was a sweet swinging left hand hitting
first baseman, who ended his Major League Baseball
career with a.303 batting average.
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 14 ISSUE ELEVEN • MISSISSIPPI STATE
THE
Five
Georgia vs. miss state
BY: JEFF DANTZLER
BROCK BOWERS HAD A BIG
NIGHT IN STARKVILLE IN 2022!
PHOTO BY: GREG POOLE/BI
1. 1982 - In the first nationally televised game from Starkville,
it was an instant classic between Georgia and Mississippi State.
Vince Dooley’s Bulldogs defeated Mississippi State 29-22 at Davis
Wade Stadium, improving to 4-0 en route to an 11-0 regular
season and third straight SEC Championship. Herschel Walker
had a tremendous performance, healthy after the injured thumb,
and instantly moved right back into the thick of the race for
the Heisman Trophy, which he would go on to win. The two
quarterbacks John Lastinger and John Bond, both Valdosta High
School Wildcats, had excellent games. Terry Hoage was a big play
maker, Jimmy Harrell had a huge punt return, and Kevin Butler
was clutch. Down seven, MSU was on the move, then inside the
Georgia 20, Bond fumbled, and Kevin “Catfish” Jackson recovered
for the Dawgs. It was one special Saturday.
2. 2017 - The Flea Flicker set the tone. Jake Fromm handed to
Nick Chubb, who flipped the football back to Fromm, who hit
Terry Godwin on the run for a 55 (double check yardage) yard
touchdown strike. After a defensive stop to start the game, this
was Georgia’s first offensive play from scrimmage. It was 7-0
Georgia, and the Bulldogs were on the way. Both teams came in
undefeated at 3-0. Kirby Smart’s Dawgs beat Notre Dame in the
second game of the year. Mississippi State was coming off a 37-7
win over LSU. I remember that night, the famed AJC writer Mark
Bradley said to me, I think your Dawgs are going 11-1 at worst.
Of course, my inner Vince Dooley / Larry Munson came through,
and I said, oh there’s a long way to go, and the schedule is tough.
Well, sure enough, the Bulldogs went 11-1, then beat Auburn for
the SEC Championship to earn a College Football Playoff berth.
That year was the beginning of the Kirby Smart dynasty, and
that 31-3 victory over MSU was a good early indicator that these
Bulldogs were on their way.
3. 2022 - It was a frigid night in Starkville, and top-ranked,
9-0, reigning national champion Georgia was on upset alert.
Mississippi State was talented and hungry for a huge win
under the watch of the Pirate, Mike Leach, who soon after
sadly passed away. Stetson Bennett, Brock Bowers and Ladd
McConkey highlighted a 45-19 victory. State returned a punt for
a touchdown on the final play of the first half - Georgia stymied
the two-pointer - and it was 17-12 Georgia at intermission.
The Dawgs struck on the first possession of the second half,
as McConkey went 70 yards on a reverse to create some
distance. State would get no closer the rest of the night. The
victory clinched the SEC East title, as Georgia made it 10-0 en
route to a perfect 15-0 campaign and second straight national
championship.
4. Ron Polk - The legend, The Godfather of Southeastern
Conference baseball, built Mississippi State into a national
powerhouse and made the sport a huge deal. In between his
two stints at MSU, Polk coached Georgia in 2000 and 2001. The
Bulldogs of 2001, led by All-American Jeff Keppinger, went to
the College World Series for the third time in program history
(1987 and 1990) and won the SEC championship for the first
time since 1954. The coaching carousel began on our ride back
to Athens from Omaha. Pat McMahon, Polk’s successor at MSU
was bound for Florida. Polk’s top assistant David Perno became
Georgia’s new head coach and led the Bulldogs to three College
World Series (2004, 2006 and 2008) and a pair of SEC titles (04,
08). Perno is one of many Polk disciples who enjoyed stellar
careers. Ron Polk made College Baseball in the SEC popular
and profitable. He is a great man who loves his cigars and his
thousand of friends, of which I’m proud to call myself one.
5. Where to eat - Lunch at The Little Dooey is a must. It is a
tremendous BBQ restaurant with all kinds of great choices. Coach
Polk is a regular by the way. Dinner at Harvey’s, where back in the
late 1990s, I dined on all three nights of our baseball road trip to
MSU. It’s one of the SEC’s best one-two eating punches.
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 15 ISSUE ELEVEN • MISSISSIPPI STATE
WE ARE LOCAL.
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WE ARE BULLDAWGS.
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FROM THE
There’s a certain kind of
anticipation that builds
before Georgia-Florida
week – the kind that starts
long before kickoff. Frat beach
costumes are planned, bags
are packed, and everyone’s
itching to leave Athens early
for fall break on Thursday. It’s
a weekend circled on every
Georgia fan’s calendar – the five
hour drive down to St. Simons,
the beach days before the
game, and the showdown that
defines the fall. It’s a tradition
wrapped in sunshine, nerves,
and pride – the weekend where
faith, fear, and Florida all collide.
It’s one of my favorite games
of the year. Every fall, the great
migration of red and black
begins – Georgia fans loading
up their cars and heading
south, filling up beach houses,
restaurants, and island streets.
It’s one of college football’s
oldest rivalries, one of the most
anticipated games of the year,
and one weekend that perfectly
captures what it means to be a
Bulldog.
This year was the last Frat
Beach weekend for two
years. In 2026, the Dawgs and
Gators will meet in Atlanta
instead of the neutral site of
Jacksonville (and in Tampa in
2027). Georgia will be back to
EverBank Stadium in 2028, but
it’s not hard to wonder what
Halloween weekend will look
like without the Dawgs by
the ocean. Will St. Simons fall
quiet without college students
flooding the sand in costumes?
Will Ziggy’s and Rafters sit
empty? And what about that
legendary Jacksonville tailgate
– the one with the piña coladas,
hot dogs, and live music? For
the next two years, one of
Georgia’s greatest traditions will
take a timeout.
But for right now, the energy
was still there. UGA fans made
the trip south after a long
Friday on the beach, ready to
bring the noise to Florida. The
Bulldogs arrived ranked No.
5, the Gators unranked, and
Georgia had won 10 of the
past 14 matchups. On paper,
it shouldn’t have been scary.
But that’s never how this game
works.
INTERN
Anna
Williams
Faith, Fear, and Florida
Because there’s always that
fear – the “what if.” What if this
is the one game against Florida
that we drop? What if the
unthinkable happens? When
the Bulldogs trailed 20-17 in
the fourth quarter, that fear
crept in fast. We can’t lose to an
unranked Florida team, can we?
Then comes the faith. A
36-yard touchdown from
Chauncey Bowens in the fourth
quarter flipped the script,
reeling it back in and reminding
everyone why Georgia fans
never stop barking. The
Bulldogs win, 24-20. Five
straight wins over Florida. The
faith paid off – again.
And somewhere between
the barking and the “chomp,
chomp” mocking from the
stands, this game means more
than just rivalry. It’s a ritual. It’s
one weekend every fall when
Dawg Nation completely takes
over – from the sands of St.
Simons to the seats of Everbank
Stadium.
If there’s one thing Frat Beach
weekend has taught me, it’s
that Georgia fans travel. They
travel because they care —
because they’re loyal, loud, and
just the right amount of crazy.
Even after a full Friday on the
beach — the wild costumes
(Alan and Carlos from The
Hangover, Mr. Krabs, whoopee
cushions, and a few too many
Lord Farquaads to count) —
they still showed up. After a
nerve-wracking game that
never felt quite comfortable
and a long ride back to St.
Simons, Dawg fans were still
barking, still proud, and still all
in. It’s what makes this fanbase
special.
This week, the Bulldogs hit
the road to Starkville to face
Mississippi State. And if this
weekend proved anything, it’s
that Dawg Nation always shows
up — wherever the road leads,
no matter how exhausted or
Frat Beached-out everyone
may be.
Because faith, fear and Florida
may test us every year – but
Georgia fans never fail to
answer the call.
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 16 ISSUE ELEVEN • MISSISSIPPI STATE
SPORTS
Jason Crowder, my good friend, is a tremendous announcer who
wears many hats in the broadcasting world. He is an integral
part of the Mississippi State Radio Network, highlighted by his
role as the beloved voice of MSU Women’s Basketball. Jason
is a talk show host, works national radio broadcasts for college
football, and grew to fame as the radio voice of East Mississippi
Community College (Last Chance U). We always appreciate his
contributions to the BI. Enjoy …
BY JEFF DANTZLER
A VIEW FROM ...
Starkville
TALK ABOUT THE HUGE
IMPROVEMENT IN YEAR
TWO FOR MISSISSIPPI
STATE IN JEFF LEBBY’S
SECOND SEASON.
It’s been an incredible
turnaround from a roster
standpoint. As another MSU
media scribe said in the
preseason, two thirds of the
team actually look like SEC
Players. Guys are bigger,
stronger, and faster in 2025.
As for bigger, that’s the o-line.
These guys look more like a
Jackie Sherrill era front with
body size. They have certainly
had their issues but have
done a much better job in
pass pro and run blocking as
of late. Albert Reese being
back from injury at right
tackle has been a key in
that, in particular the game.
But, the biggest surprise
has been on the defensive
side. Sure, portal guys were
added but returners like Nic
Mitchell at linebacker and
Hunter Washington made
the biggest, most critical
defensive plays in the Arizona
State game. Mitchell had
a 3rd and goal stuff at the
goal line with a little over a
minute to go that forced a
field goal that helped State
win with a touchdown.
Washington then had the
game sealing interception
on ASU’s final drive. So, along
with some additions, Lebby
said those who remained on
the roster are now year two
under defensive coordinator
Coleman Hutzler’s system.
Guys have been in the right
place with gap schemes
and such. Newcomers on
offense like running back
Fluff Bothwell (S. Alabama)
and receivers Anthony
Evans (UGA) and Brenen
Thompson (OU) have been
an important piece to the
puzzle. The running back
room is now the deepest it’s
been in a while with Davin
Booth returning and those
receivers I mentioned above,
they have been able to step
in for departing pass catchers
from 2024. They have to find a
way to figure out how to win
though. That’s been the issue
as of late. They lost in OT to
Tennessee when they gave up
a scoop and score and pick six.
Against Florida, Blake Shapen
threw a pick with 30 seconds
to go at the UF 30 yard line
while in field goal range. And
in the Texas game, gave up a
17 point fourth quarter lead
and lost in its second straight
overtime loss. The good news?
This team, which was so close
to busting through the door
to break the 16 game SEC
losing, got a great win over
Arkansas this past Saturday,
and are already three wins
improved from the abysmal
season that was 2024.
WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON
GEORGIA?
A loaded roster as always.
I love quarterback Gunner
Stockton. Not only can he
sling it, he can tuck it and
tote it with physicality. The
way he led UGA in the Ole
Miss win was impressive.
Really like the Dawgs run
game with Frazier and
Bowens being a 1-2 punch. If
you rush for around 190 yards
per game in a conference
like this with really good
defensive fronts, you’re pretty
salty. Defensively, 13 scoreless
quarters tells you a lot. Coach
Smart has always had a tough,
hard nosed, energetic and
physical defense. They play
second halves well, holding
teams to less points than the
first half. That lets me know
this unit is deep and well
conditioned. Tough, solid
team.
WHAT DOES MSU NEED TO
DO TO WIN?
For starters, play extremely
clean. Most of State’s issues
have been the shooting
yourself in the foot kind. Can’t
play behind the sticks on
offense, as you need to win
1st and 2nd down. Have to be
better with gap assignments
on the defensive side against
the run and must make
Stockton uncomfortable
and early. I think State has to
force turnovers and win field
position. If they can do the
above, they can hang in the
game.
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 17 ISSUE ELEVEN • MISSISSIPPI STATE
MORE SPORTS
FOOTBALL
Herren’s HOT LOCKS!
BY: MATTHEW HERREN
BYU +9.5 over Texas Tech Saturday, Nov. 8, 12:00 PM
The Cougars sit at 8-0 and are now inside the top ten
after multiple teams ahead of them lost. Texas Tech has
also been one of the better teams in college football and
sits inside the top 15 in the AP Poll. For whatever reason,
Vegas and the public continue to see BYU as underdogs,
but they continue to win. While I do think that Texas Tech
gets a huge home win to continue their CFP chances, this
game will be decided by one score. Roll with BYU +9.5
over the Red Raiders, and keep an eye on an outright win.
Texas A&M -5.5 over Missouri Saturday, Nov. 8, 3:30 PM
The Aggies are the best team in the SEC right now, as
they continue to dominate their schedule. They are
quietly putting together one of their best seasons in
recent memory and will likely play Alabama in the SEC
Championship if no chaos ensues. While Missouri has
been good this year, I think their spirits are broken after
losing to Vanderbilt a few weeks ago. Roll with Texas A&M
-5.5 over the Tigers.
Iowa +5.5 over Oregon Saturday, Nov. 8, 3:30 PM
While it’s probably easy to see Oregon and immediately
take them, there’s a reason this line is so close. Iowa is a
top 25 team in my eyes, with their only losses coming to
Iowa State by three and Indiana by five. Oregon has not
impressed me this year, with their best win being on the
road against a terrible Penn State team. Though Oregon
might sneak out of Iowa City with a win, roll with Iowa
+5.5 over Oregon.
Alabama -10.5 over LSU Saturday, Nov. 8, 7:30 PM
Brian Kelly is out as the LSU coach, so you might think
we will see an interim revival like we saw in Jacksonville.
However, Alabama needs this win to keep pace with the
Aggies on their way to Atlanta for the SEC Championship.
Ty Simpson has the ability to dismantle the Tigers defense
just as Marcel Reed and the Aggies did a few weeks ago.
Not to mention, Bryant-Denny will be rocking for this one.
Roll with Alabama -10.5 over LSU.
Memphis -7.5 over Tulane Friday, Nov. 7, 9:00 PM
The Tigers are on the path to the AAC Championship game
and a CFP bid, but a loss will crush those hopes and dreams.
Tulane’s last game saw a blowout on the road to UTSA, who is
one of the lower teams in their conference. I think Memphis
takes care of business under the Friday night lights and keeps
their playoff hopes alive. Roll with Memphis -7.5 over Tulane.
Clemson -2.5 over Florida State Saturday, Nov. 8, 7:00 PM
We were successful last weekend in saying that there’s not
much life in Clemson right now, as Duke pulled off the upset
in Death Valley. Dabo might be coaching for his job, and the
Florida State program isn’t exactly in the best position either.
This will be an ugly game to watch, but I think Clemson
comes out on top and gets closer to a bowl berth. Roll with
Clemson -2.5 over the Seminoles.
GEORGIA
@ MISSISSIPPI STATE
SAT. 12:00 PM
ESPN
THE CITADEL
@ OLE MISS
SAT. 1:00 PM
SEC NETWORK+
AUBURN @ VANDERBILT
SAT. 4:00 PM
SEC NETWORK
FLORIDA @ KENTUCKY
SAT. 7:30 PM
SEC NETWORK
All Betting lines are courtesy of https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/ncaaf. All lines are subject to change before kickoff of each game. Lines recorded on 11/2/25.
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 18 ISSUE ELEVEN • MISSISSIPPI STATE
MORE SPORTS
FOOTBALL
TOP 12
JD’S
BY: JEFF DANTZLER
The first week of November is in the books, and there are some great conference
races across the board. The tightness of the competition in the SEC is incredible.
There were six intraconference games in the league, five were determined by a
touchdown or less. The week prior, five of the seven were decided by single digits.
Ohio State and Indiana are putting up big numbers in the Big Ten.
1. OHIO STATE - The top-ranked Buckeyes pulled
away from struggling Penn State for a 38-14 win to
improve to 8-0 and 5-0 in the Big Ten. The Ohio State
defense has held every opponent to under 17 points
this season. Next up is a trip to Purdue.
2. TEXAS A&M - The 8-0 Aggies had this past
week off to enjoy their tremendous win at LSU at
night, and turn their attention to Missouri. Texas A&M
could get a stiff challenge in Columbia. The Tiger defense is good,
but the Aggies are loaded on offense.
3. INDIANA - The Hoosiers are definitely not a
one-year wonder. They are rolling at 9-0, coming off a
55-10 pounding of Maryland this past Saturday. This
was Indiana’s fifth game scoring over 50 points. Next
up is a trip to Penn State, which lost to OSU.
4. ALABAMA - The Crimson Tide carry a seven
game winning streak into Saturday night’s showdown
with LSU in Tuscaloosa. Bama has won three times
by seven or fewer, and the Tide is playing with
confidence. Shocker. LSU is in turmoil, hoping for the upset.
5. OREGON - The Ducks are 7-1, losing only to
Indiana. Dan Lanning has another outstanding
team in Eugene. Oregon was off this past Saturday
to sharpen up for what could be a very tough game
against Iowa. The Hawkeyes are a tough 6-2.
6. GEORGIA - The Bulldogs fought back and
beat Florida 24-20 in Jacksonville, improving to 7-1.
Georgia will have its hands full this coming week
in Starkville against Mississippi State, which beat
Arkansas this past Saturday. Kirby Smart is the best in the game.
7. OLE MISS - The Rebels took another huge step
towards a College Football Playoff berth with a 30-14
win over South Carolina in Oxford. Ole Miss is now 8-1,
losing only at Georgia. Next up is The Citadel, then the
Florida Gators head to town.
8. BRIGHAM YOUNG - The Cougars are flying
high, 8-0 and sitting atop the Big XII. Coming up
Saturday is the toughest challenge of the year, as
Brigham Young heads to Lubbock to take on the high
powered Texas Tech Red Raiders. Both are playoff dreaming.
9. TEXAS TECH - The Red Raiders were a little
slow starting in the little apple, but got things rolling
in a 43-20 win over Kansas State. The lone loss this
season came at Arizona State. Now the stage is set for
a huge battle against BYU in Lubbock.
10. TECH - The Yellow Jackets suffered their first loss
of the season, falling 48-36 to North Carolina Stage in
Raleigh. Haynes King is having a tremendous season
at quarterback. Tech is off this week, then the Yellow
Jackets head to struggling Boston College.
11. OKLAHOMA - The Sooners, facing a brutally
tough schedule in the rugged SEC, bounced back
from a home loss to Ole Miss to beat Tennessee 33-27.
It was a big win in Knoxville. Oklahoma is 7-2, off this
Saturday, then will play Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
12. MEMPHIS - The Tigers again look like the best
team in the tough American Conference. Memphis
has done a great job bouncing back from an upset
loss at UAB. The Tigers followed up their thrilling 34-
31 comeback win over USF with a 38-14 win over Rice.
Tune into the Bulldog Brunch every Sunday at 10AM with Jeff Dantzler,
Kevin Butler and eric zeier to catch the best game recap!
Fuel up on $5 meal deal
for the long trip to Stark Vegas!
athens • watkinsville • auburn • lawrenceville
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 19 ISSUE ELEVEN • MISSISSIPPI STATE
Old & In The Way
BY GREG POOLE
GEORGIA BENDS, DOESN’T BREAK: WINS WITH ANOTHER LATE CHARGE!
The Bulldogs have become annoyingly
comfortable playing from behind.
Down late to Florida in Jacksonville, in a
game that had every SEC-after-dark plot
twist but sunshine, Kirby Smart’s team did
the one thing that separates contenders
from the rest of the league: they didn’t
flinch. They won a game they easily
could’ve lost because the roster Georgia
brought to the river is built for long
games, not highlight reels.
Florida threw its best, and for a chunk
of the second half, Georgia was the
one on the back foot. That’s where this
roster shows its value. When you can roll
out Gunner Stockton at quarterback, a
redshirt junior who has already piloted
comebacks this fall, and surround him
with a buffet line of receivers, you don’t
panic. You just run the offense the way
it’s been drilled since March. You trust
your guys to separate, your backs to pass
protect, and your quarterback to take the
boring throw that keeps the drive alive.
The turning point in Jacksonville wasn’t
the final drive; it was the one before it.
Georgia trailed 23-20, and Florida had just
burned a ton of clock to force Georgia
to drive it the length of the field. That’s
where lesser teams rushes, take a shot on
2nd-and-10, and hand the ball right back.
Georgia didn’t.
Stockton checked into a run for Josh
McCray to punish a light box. Then he
found Branch on a short route to the
boundary, trusting the junior’s afterthe-catch
ability. Then came the tight
ends, because Georgia will spam you
with tight ends until you admit defeat,
Delp dragging across, Luckie flexed just
enough to force Florida to widen.
This is the quiet part of resiliency:
you have to be patient enough to be
unexciting. Georgia was. That drive didn’t
score, but it flipped field position, forced
Florida to cover 80 yards again, and gave
the defense one more chance to make a
stop.
Let’s go ahead and say this out loud:
Georgia’s offense looks different with
Stockton as year three unfolds. He’s not
playing hero ball; he’s playing veteran
ball. That matters in games like this.
Jacksonville is always weird. Momentum
behaves like it’s had
a few drinks. You
need someone who
has seen enough
football to be able to
ignore it.
On the winning
drive, Stockton
didn’t force throws
down the seam. He
hit Dillon Bell on
time. He let Noah
Thomas be 6’5” and
useful. He used the
backs, Nate Frazier,
Dwight Phillips Jr.,
as actual receiving
options, not “in
case of emergency”
outlets. And the line,
which is massive
even by Georgia
standards, gave him
the pocket time to
survey instead of
scramble. You could
tell Georgia trusted
its protections; you
don’t call those
longer-developing
plays without trust.
The payoff was
classic Georgia:
Florida tired, Georgia didn’t. After leaning
on the Gators for three quarters, the
Dawgs could still bring in fresh targets,
such as London Humphreys, Lawson
Luckie, and even a freshman wideout like
Talyn Taylor, if needed, and the drops in
speed never showed. Depth is how you
become resilient. Talent is the headline;
depth is the reason the headline keeps
being true.
It would be rude not to mention the
other half of this equation. Georgia’s
fourth-quarter defense looked like
Georgia’s fourth-quarter defense is
supposed to look. The front stopped
getting moved. The edge group got off
blocks quicker. And the back end, which
might be the sneaky strength of this
whole team, closed out. That’s culture, not
coincidence.
This is the kind of finish Kirby Smart
will put on a loop in the team meeting
room. “This is why you run in July. This
is why you rotate in September. This is
why the freshmen travel.” It’s easier to
preach resilience when you have film of it
actually happening.
Let’s zoom out. The SEC in 2025 isn’t
about who has the best 20 plays; it’s
about who survives the last 20 minutes.
Georgia just beat Florida in a game where
the Bulldogs spent real time trailing. You
can win shootouts. You can win bully-ball.
Now you can win chase games. That’s a
playoff profile.
It also keeps Georgia on schedule.
Rivalry wins stabilize seasons. You can
drop a game to a West team, have a weird
day in Lexington, or even take an ugly
road win where the offense never fully
clicks, but you cannot let Florida steal
your momentum.
Georgia’s message to the rest of the SEC
was simple: you can lead us, but you’d
better finish us. Because this team, with
this 2025 depth chart, has enough offense
to chase, enough defense to close, and
enough stubbornness to make a onescore
deficit feel like a suggestion.
Florida did a lot right. Georgia did more
later. That’s the difference between a
good team and one that thinks December
is its natural habitat.
That’s the story!
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 20 ISSUE ELEVEN • MISSISSIPPI STATE
KEVIN BUTLER’S
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
COMPILED BY VANCE LEAVY
OFFENSIVE PLAYER
Micah Morris - the 6’4, 330-pound offensive lineman continues to
be a leader on the offense and more importantly in the trenches.
Morris dominated a very talented Florida defensive line and helped
Georgia pave their way for 153 yards on the ground. Micah has been
contributing consistently in 2025 after red-shirting his first year.
He is big, athletic and is a real Dawg at heart. As he continues to be
a leader on offense, his physical play and his determination really
exemplifies the heart of this Georgia bulldog team. As the game
goes on, Morris gets stronger and when he gets stronger the Dawgs
dominate. Florida had one of the best defenses that Georgia has
played this year. Micah showed he is ready for the next challenge as
the Bulldogs start to focus on postseason play.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER
CJ Allen - What can I say … CJ continues his dominant play at
linebacker for Georgia. In the long line of linebackers he gets
better and better every week. In a game where Florida had to
establish a run game to not be one dimensional, CJ and his
teammates, stuffed the Florida offense and held them to 115
yards on the ground which intern made them one dimensional.
As Florida’s quarterback goes so do they and the Georgia
defense never let the Florida quarterback get into a rhythm. CJ
had 13 tackles, seven solos, six assists and a quarterback hurry as
he continued to dominate on the defensive side. One of his best
qualities is he is a tremendous leader for this young defense who
needs someone to follow and CJ is that Bulldog.
SPECIAL TEAM PLAYER
Beau Gardner - as we get into the final stretch of the season Beau
has been consistent and certainly is considered one of the best
long snappers in all of college football. Not only does he make
perfect snaps on punt and field goals and extra points, he has the
athletic ability to get down field and provide strong coverage for
the Bulldogs. Florida has very dangerous returners and Beau was
able to get down the field and make a tackle after just a 6-yard
gain for the Gators. When you don’t hear much about Beau that
means Beau is doing a great job. A tackle, six perfect punch snaps
for perfect field goals and extra punt snaps are the way to start a
successful play. Way to go Beau!
UNSUNG HERO OF THE GAME
The Lovely Gator Fans - As the Bulldogs continue their dominance
over the Florida Gators, my unsung hero this week are those lovely
Gator fans. Because of renovations, the next two games will be in
Atlanta and Tampa, and I honestly believe the Gator fans don’t think
they have a chance to beat the Bulldogs. That attitude gives the
Bulldogs and their fans every bit of motivation they need to make
sure the jean shorts and cutoff t-shirts stay in Gainesville. As the
Gators search for a new coach, Kirby Smart just sits in his office and
giggles as he plans next year‘s attack on the Florida and his chance
to beat the fifth Gator coach in Kirby’s 10 year span. Go Dawgs, Go
Dawgs, Go Dawgs!
MR EVERYTHING - CJ ALLEN
CONTINUES HIS BEAST PLAY!
PHOTO BY: ROB SAYE/BI
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 21 ISSUE ELEVEN • MISSISSIPPI STATE
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 22 ISSUE ELEVEN • MISSISSIPPI STATE
(balcony) Chloe McConnell,
Ava Thompson, Mason
Howington, Ava Chordegian,
Aidan Dubin, Tave Harvey,
Louise Ory, Keelin Bates,
Abbie Ramberg, Sarah
Tucker, Katelyn Cutter,
Charlotte Herrmann; (back)
Kelly Macdonald, Julia
Anderson, Maddie Dyck, Kate
Wunderlich, Ashton Dillman,
Josie Acosta, Sienna Moore,
Martha Jamison, Madison
Baxter, Kourtnie Conlon, Lucy
Rentz, Reede Newhouse, Kaki
Allen; (front_ Julia Tiberia,
Kate Cronenwett, emma
Morrison, Ella Crabtree,
Morgan Pattillo, Sadie Jordan,
Lisa DeMott
SOCIAL
GEORGIA VS. FLORIDA PHOTOS: PGs. 24-30
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 23 ISSUE ELEVEN • MISSISSIPPI STATE
SOCIAL
FAN SHOTS
Thomas Ferland, Charlie Walker, Hudson Smith,
Jack Abernathy, William Beckum
Cole Barks, Kris Dewitt, Monica Gillespie,
Mike Gillespie
Gerald Lott,
Courtney Murray
Laura Anne Lewis,
Max Champion,
Sarah Burgamy
Joe Commander, Alec Perkins, Maddox
Stroud, John Wise Long, Cole Kennedy,
Andrew Charlton, Gavin Pavone
Street Nalley,
Troy Blanton,
Buddy Carter
Angie Pettus,
Angel Sharpe
(front) Kaitlyn Taylor, Sydney Pettus, Elle Kenney,
Aubrey Suvacooll (back) Katie Lewis, Camryn
Michel, Lucy Demyan, Masen Angell, Camryn
Keith Mitchell, Jim Durham
Robert Harrell, Anne Hardell,
Lisa Irvin, Greg Irvin
Billy Jones,
John Ellington
Will Warner, Max Champion,
Tommy Warner
GEORGIA - 24, FLORIDA - 20
TJ Lewis,
Marquisha Lewis
Daniel Womack, Knox
Cleveland, Lauren
Moy, Max Champion,
Carter King
Tyler Harrison, Laurie Harrison
Julianna Dooley, Georgia Stockton
Ali Duvall, Kay Darnell, Hobs Duvall, Beth Chapman,
Allyn Stockton, Stuart Speer, Louie Duvall
Wes Gash, Roy Robert, Richard Hester,
Ben Holcomb, Casey King
King Evans, Vance Leavy,
Roland Daniel
Tom Call, Kelly Call, Vance Leavy,
Cheri Leavy, Chandler Call, Whitney
Long, Victor Long
Wayne Farr,
Tracey Farr
Spence Pryor, Mary Kingsley
Broome, Olivia Pryor, John
Humphries, Charlotte Theodocian,
Jeffrey Jarboe
Henry Monsees, Chip Compton, Butch
Foust, Bill Cowsert, Skin Edge, Jim Mercer
Buckley Wiley, Ellen Wiley,
Buck Wiley
Lee Ann Sherry,
Chandler Sherry
Cameron Ohhara, Deziah Shavers,
Janice Cobb, Larry Hill
Ryan Mansfield, Keegan Gaffney, George
Vander Vennet, Mason Christensen, Brookes
Kahlert, John Wise Long, Wynn Ambos
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 24 ISSUE ELEVEN • MISSISSIPPI STATE
Ella Bankes Threlkeld, Chip Champion, Caroline Champion, Maureen
Jackson, Joe Jackson, Jenna Leach, Bucky Leach, Catherine Warner,
Corky Warner, Claiborne Collier, Lanny Allgood, Kate Allgood
Front row L-R: Chandler Call, Tressa Rountree, Avery Beaubien, Riley
Anderson, Jenna Lindsey, Back-row L-R: Pope Arline, Helen Arline, Kate Good,
Schuyler Boyer, Jack Millians, Marissa Vivirito, Olivia Cook, Maggie Kemp
Emmeline Niolon, Sutherland Newton, Riley Pickren, Anna Almstedt,
Jade Hudson
Adrian Cate, Cat Griffin, Catherine Slade, Caroline Champion,
Elizabeth Brunson, Bonney Shuman, Janet Brown
Libby Dungeon, Suzanna Barker, Emily Mosher, Mary Wallace Champion,
Olivia Faircloth, Emerson Rand, Della Buck
ULLA JOHNSON + HUNTER BELL
AMANDA UPRICHARD + STAUD
AGOLDE + DOLCE VITA + VERONICA BEARD
MOTHER + SOFTWAVES
LOVE THE LABEL + MARIE OLIVER
RAG & BONE + SEA NY + KREWE
GANNI + ENEWTON + HART
FARM RIO + CLEOBELLA + TORY BURCH
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Bart Gobeil, Ivy Cadle, Leslie Cadle, Elizabeth Gobeil, John Ellington,
Sandra Kate Ellington, Kim Pannell, Jon Pannell
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 25 ISSUE ELEVEN • MISSISSIPPI STATE
SOCIAL
FAN SHOTS
Leroyce Wright, Gary Wright, Cathy Matthews,
Jim Matthews, Georgia Bailey, Gil Morgan, Val
Powell Cranford, Cliff Cranford
Leroy Pasco,
Jason Traeye
Ashley Mackay, Dana
Chorn, Jackie Schiavone
Thomas Johnson, David Barbe,
Daniel Womack, Karen Denker,
Steve Denker, Carter King
Rob Miller, Laura Miller
Stacie Joiner, Sage Joiner
Trey Paris, Sandra Paris, Amy Cowsert,
Bill Cowsert
Cooper Johnson, Sherrie Stockton,
Luke Bennett
GEORGIA - 24, FLORIDA - 20
Greg Jackson,
Monica Jackson
Rob Saye, Jeff Sentell
Alva Compton, Ana Mercer, Amy Cowsert,
Susan Foust, Patti Monsees, Bambi Edge
Stephen Scates,
Beth Scates
Chris Nichols, Andrea Nichols,
Scott Nichols, Creta Nichols,
Charmayne Nichols
Lou Riccardi, Candy Riccardi,
Alex Turner, Wes Turner
Jennie Persinger, Andrea Pender,
Ted Pender, Holt Persinger
Grover Randolph, Greg Turner,
Sheba Turner
Brad Stroud, Melissa Stroud, Scott Steilen,
Marybeth Steilen, Tom Parot, Liz Parot
Casey King, Vance Leavy,
Vassa Cate
Eric Nathan,
Jody Nathan
Jennifer Bridges, Walter
Bridges, Patrick Bridges,
Kerry Eagan
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 26 ISSUE ELEVEN • MISSISSIPPI STATE
FAN SHOTS
SOCIAL
Olivia Veal, Adison Mars
Anna Lawrence,Emily Alonso,
Mary Ellen Barrow
Luke Nguyen
Bonney Shuman, Mitch Kahlert, Billy Shuman,
Richard Stamper
Brooks Fletcher, Jarrett Fletcher
Aaron Reise, Wilmot Greene,
Beth Williams
Mike Carroll, Dana Carroll, Sandra Delaney,
Larry Delaney
Caroline Brown,
Caroline Wingate
Jack Langford, Morgan Langford, Evan
Keimig, Manning Mercer, Gigi Mercer,
Marc Mercer
2025 Georgia-Florida
Hall of Fame inductees
Sony Michel, Freddie
Gilbert
Wade Hudson, Teri Hudson,
Jade Hudson
Trenton Thach, A.D. Young,
Dale Williams Jr, Travis
Rambert, Ajaye Cooper
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 27 ISSUE ELEVEN • MISSISSIPPI STATE
SOCIAL
FAN SHOTS
Brennan Cox,
Matt Brinkley
(front) Merritt Tulowitzky, Greer Unterreiner, Clare Whitaker, Sydney Nesley, Ally
Widmann; (back) Mary Emmalyn Macpherson, Mary Ryan King, Claire Mulkey,
Haley Avino, Mary Scott Mcvay, Libby Blumenthal, Breagh Mackinnon
Carey Stephenson,
Greg DeMent
Brian Carmony,
Mark Carmony
Tom Everett, Jill Everett,
Jodie Stewart
David Breen, Hampton Huggins,
Will Mock, Graham Lawson,
Sanders Lockman
Brigham Ralston, John Allen Rigsby,
Fripp McDougal, Bo Stephens, James
Hawes, Jack Nesser, Nate Hilsman
Derrick Dooley, Shooter Roberts,
Hal Greer
Joel Arline, Jack Millians, Anders McCallie,
Pope Arline, Max Champion
Sara Ann Vaughan, Lara Holmes,
Beth Boswell
Pope Arline,
Chandler Call
Eddie Ausband,
Tommy Bryan,
Hudson Swafford
Laura Jean Leal, Kendall McCurry, Amelia McDougal, Mallory Harris,
Stacy Stephens, Dorothy Walker
Lanny Allgood, Joe Jackson,
Maureen Jackson
Don Leebern, Hamp
McWhorter, Henry Monsees
Bob Miles, Jason Jones, Heard Galis,
Robert Miles
Shannon Ferguson,
Mary Beth Smart,
Hart Roberts
William Tumlin, Nick Tuggle,
Charlie Blackburn, Win Dyleski
Mike Fitzgerald, Drew Hill,
Ben Land
Ed Ferguson,
Sims Holmes
Chad Powell, Zach Powell, Brian Satisky,
Cullin Davis, Carter Davis
Tommy Hopkins, Jim Bishop,
Chase Hopkins, Bill Jones III
Peyton Bradford, Carter King,
Daniel Womack, David Barbe
Leslie Hartman, Ben Hartman, Whitney
Long, Vic Long, Melissa Stroud, Brad Stroud
Bo Hendee, Steve Popper, Andy McGhee,
Jack Head
Brian Harmon,
Greyson Sigg
David Long, Cathy Long,
Stacy Stephens, Carey
Stephens
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 28 ISSUE ELEVEN • MISSISSIPPI STATE
FAN SHOTS
SOCIAL
Will Willimon,
John Culpepper
Christian Massey, Randy Jones, Bo Chambliss,
Neely Young, Lewis Massey, Saxby Chambliss
Skip Balcomb,
Judy Balcomb
Harris English,
Antavious McCarden
GEORGIA - 24, FLORIDA - 20
Duncan Walker, Duncan Walker,
Ansley Walker, Sims Walker,
Smith Walker, Duncan Walker
Sonny Hires, Julie Hires, Carla Corley, Paul
Corley, Tracy Hires, Mitch Hires, Jon Gallinaro
Corky Warner, Catherine Warner,
Stephanie Powell, Chad Powell
Jeff Ramsey,
Whit Ramsey
Hil Harper, Marigold,
Sydney Parrish, Brian
Fuller, Sarah Grey Ligon
Chuck Jordan, Jeffrey
Trapnell, Dave Wilkins
Brooks Margeson, Sam Bush, Hank Tollison, Ben Hatcher,
Boles Middleton, Thomas Ray
Melony Greene,
Sara Lynn Bryant,
Beth Griffith
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED SGHS Summit Ortho_Golfer_Bulldawg Illustrated_7x4.8_(F).indd 1
29 ISSUE ELEVEN • MISSISSIPPI STATE
10/2/25 8:20 AM
SOCIAL
FAN SHOTS
Joel Turry, Roben Turry
Lauren Cook, John Cook, Jay Cook,
John Cook, Henley Cook, Matthew
Delaney, Frankie Cook, J. Cook
Kevin Keithcart, Zack Thompson, Alvro
Rodriguez, Rob Wade, Castillo Miguel, Devon
Molineaux, Justin Stephens, Jeff Brandeberry,
Matthew Delaney, Mike Watson (not pictured
Trey Burch)
Jeff Ramsey, Vance Leavy, Stuart
Hershoff, Gray Kitchens, Will Kirk
Brian Pierce, Darin Moon, Todd Bridges, Ron Thompson,
Wyatt Thompson
Greg Peters, Justin Brooks
John Presnell,
Sally Presnell
Grace Leonard, Grace Bradley,
Emma Barber, Allie Grupenhoff
Alex Smith, Jay
Buchanan
Jerry Reynolds, Mike Sanders, Rob Sweeney,
Thomas Kilpatrick, Dennis Baltz
(front )Lilly Hoy, Emma Talbott, Ali Pritsios, Sarah Lime, Molly
Anderson, Faith Wasserfall, Abbey Penley; (back) Lyle Griffith,
Charlie Woocher, Luke Tredennick, Will Pierotti, Michael Pickens,
Sam Allgood, Robbie Guttman, Joe Callahan, Jackson Simerville,
DR Nunn, Troy Schmidt
Jarrett Ward, Mary James Fuller, Avery Parker, Julianne Mccravy,
Charlotte Stokes, Emma Sturgis, Ally McVay, Anne Kaplan
GEORGIA - 24, FLORIDA - 20
Denise Childs,
Thad Childs
Katherine Edwards, Catherine
Chambers, Julia Allen, Charlie Allen,
Ansley Allen, John Allen
David Barbe,
Chandler Call
Mike McCoy, Devon Molineaux, Jeff Sherman,
Judy Balcomb, Erin Ernst, Cassy Young, Pierre
Notteau, Ines Notteau, Diane McCoy
Wilmot Greene,Coutney
Kistler, Griffin Bufkin
Richman Margeson, Banks Margeson,
Brooks Margeson, John Dorris, Leslie
Dorris, John Dorris
George Diekmann, Donny Wall,
John Shelton, Stuart Hershoff
Sarah Grey Ligon,
Mary Douglas LaVelle
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 30 ISSUE ELEVEN • MISSISSIPPI STATE
PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.
Crown Royal Blended Canadian Whisky. 40%Alc/Vol. The Crown Royal Company, Norwark, CT.