Who Will Be No. 1 In The League

Who will be

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GEORGIA VS. ALABAMA

BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED

IN THIS ISSUE

SEC CHAMPIONSHIP ISSUE

BO HUGHLEY - YES

WE DO, EIGHT TIMES

RUNNING!

PHOTO BY: ROB SAYE/BI

SPORTS

BULLDOGS TO WATCH | 14

ELEPHANTS TO WATCH | 16

THE FIVE | 17

FROM THE INTERN | 18

A VIEW FROM | 19

SOCIAL

GEORGIA VS. GEORGIA TECH FAN PHOTOS | 22

GRAND GEORGIA FAMILIES - PAUL HOLMES | 32

MORE SPORTS

HERREN’S HOT LOCKS | 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

SPORTS: Jeff Dantzler, Greg Poole, Will Hearn,

Matthew Herren, Anna Williams, 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

SEC CHAMPIONSHIP ISSUE

December 3, 2025

BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 6 SEC CHAMPIONSHIP ISSUE

IT’S TOUCHDOWN

SEASON

FROM THE

EDITOR

VANCE LEAVY

EDITOR IN CHIEF

2025 SEC Championship/Georgia vs. Bama ,‘Who will be No. 1 in the league?’

There is certainly plenty for Dawg

fans to be thankful for coming out

of the Turkey Day holiday … BOOM,

Georgia 16 - Georgia Tech 9!

With the victory, The Drought has officially

been tied. The Bees and their pesky fans can

no longer hang their hats that Tech had the

longest winning streak in the series. And not

to look ahead, but one more victory next

season in Athens is certainly something

superb to look forward to in 2026.

My goodness, I know there are tens of

thousands of Georgia fans that are overjoyed

that The Drought has been matched. And

can you imagine what kind of partying was

going on in heaven on Friday night? After

all, many of those departed Dawgs lived

through those eight straight losses in person

from 1949-1956.

Well done, Kirby Smart and your players

and coaches on winning the State

Champion (again). How ’Bout Them Dawgs!

However now, the page must quickly

be turned because there is another

championship that would be just as sweet

… the SEC Championship. And who better

to play for it than the Alabama Crimson Tide,

who has been Coach Smart’s (and his teams)

nemesis through the years.

So as our cover asks ‘Who will be No. 1 in

the league?’

Throughout this terrific season, I’ve been

wanting Georgia’s Mr. Everything No. 1

Zachariah Branch to don our cover space.

For sure, his excellent play (on offense

and special teams) in each and every

game warranted it. This was the perfect

opportunity because the Bulldogs offense

must let Branch loose against the Crimson

Tide. Make it happen, Coach Bobo. The

Bulldog Nation is depending on it.

On the other side of the ball (defense),

Georgia’s other No. 1, freshman Ellis

Robinson, IV has become the baller that

everyone expected him to be coming out

of high school. My goodness, how insane

was that monster interception against the

Yellow Jackets? Keep it up, Ellis. Bama has

some of the best receivers in the country,

but everyone who loves the Red and Black

knows you can lock them down too.

So as our cover asks ‘Who will be No. 1 in

the league?’

This issue will certainly get you ready.

Don’t miss Jeff Dantzler’s column on page

10, where he digs even deeper into the

success of Kirby Smart teams over the last

decade. As JD wrote, it’s “amazing.” Speaking

of JD, he was awarded Kevin Butler’s Unsung

Hero of the Tech game (page 37). Nobody

loathes the Jackets, like JD, so tying The

Drought was oh, so special to him.

In our Social section, enjoy our fan photos

from the historic Tech victory beginning on

page 22. Not surprisingly, The Benz was all

Dawgs. Glad you got a big payout Techies,

but your fans weren’t there. Finally, Loran

Smith is back in this issue with an excellent

piece on Paul Holmes. Kudos to Mr. Holmes

and his family for being some of the best

Dawgs and ambassadors in the state of

Georgia … woof, woof, woof!

That’s a wrap, another shot at Alabama

beckons in the Benz. I’ll see you there with

great anticipation to find out ‘Who will be

No. 1 in the league?’ when the final whistle

blows... Go Dawgs!!

LORD … we can’t

do it without YOU!

GO DAWGS!

WE ARE THE BEST

at what we do!

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JEFF DANTZLER

@jeffdantzlerTV

Smart’s Dogs thriving in an environment that is tougher than ever!

What an incredible season

it has been in the

Southeastern Conference

this season. There have

been an unprecedented number of

extremely close games, a head spinning

number of coaching changes (Florida,

LSU and Auburn all fired their coaches

before Halloween), and parity in the era

of the transfer portal and NIL like we’ve

never seen.

Yet here we are again with the two

programs that have been on the

mountaintop, not just in the SEC, but

in all of college football, squaring off

for the conference crown and markedly

enhanced College Football Playoff

resume. For all that Ole Miss, Texas

A&M, Vanderbilt, Oklahoma and Texas

have done, and who knows, maybe

one of those teams wins the national

championship, it is once again Alabama

and Georgia playing for the Southeastern

Conference crown.

For Bulldogs Head Coach Kirby Smart,

in his 10th season and already on the Mt.

Rushmore of all-time great SEC coaches,

this year has been chock-full of even

more phenomenal accomplishments,

records and milestones. He’s the best

coach in the country, and this season has

been one of his very best, which is saying

a lot.

Let’s start with the most recent game, as

the Bulldogs beat the Yellow Jackets 16-9

last Friday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

in Atlanta. The victory marks Georgia’s

eighth consecutive triumph over “The

Enemy,” so aptly coined by the great

Bulldog legend Dan Magil, which equals

the longest streak in series history. From

1949 through1956, Georgia lost eight

straight seasons to the Jackets, the

infamous drought. Well that mark has

been tied.

Georgia’s record against the rivals is

phenomenal. Dating back to 2017, Year

Two of the Smart era, the season the

dynasty began, Georgia is a cumulative

34-2 against the Yellow Jackets, Florida,

Auburn and Tennessee. This season marks

a fifth consecutive campaign that Georgia

swept the Yellow Jackets, Gators, Auburn

and the Volunteers. That’s 20-0 against

those four dating back to the 2021

national championship season. Georgia

currently carries an eight-game winning

streak against the Jackets. The Bulldogs

have won nine in a row over Auburn.

Georgia has beaten Tennessee nine

consecutive seasons. Kirby Smart’s Dogs

have won eight of the last nine against

Florida. Staggering.

As for Georgia’s superb senior class,

the four year players boast a cumulative

record of 50-5, with the 2022 National

Championship, two SEC crowns and

three consecutive top seven national

finishes, with a ninth in a row seeming

a virtual lock. Those four year players

have now been to Atlanta for the SEC

Championship Game every year, and the

Bulldogs have been to five in a row.

Under Smart’s watch, Georgia has

now played in eight of the last nine SEC

Championship Games. No team or coach

had ever been to six of seven. Much less

seven of eight. Much less eight of nine.

The absolute pinnacle were the backto-back

National Championships in 2021

and 2022 for the Bulldogs, as Georgia

became the first team in the playoff era,

which began in 2014, to capture the title

in consecutive campaigns.

Georgia beat Alabama in Indianapolis

33-18 on January 10, 2022 to win it all for

the first time since 1980. A year later, on

January 9, 2023, the Bulldogs demolished

TCU 65-7 to go back-to-back, capping a

15-0 victory ride. The 58 point triumph

was the largest in bowl game history, and

it came in the National Championship

Game. That record stood for one year. The

Bulldogs, to cap a 13-1 season in 2023,

crushed Florida State 63-3 in the Orange

Bowl.

Under Smart’s watch, Georgia set the

SEC record for the longest regular season

win streak at 42 games - from the end

of 2020 until early in 2024. The Bulldogs

established an SEC mark with a 33-game

home winning streak that ran from 2019

through this season.

In 2021, 2022 and 2023, Georgia posted

perfect 12-0 regular seasons. No other

school in college football history has ever

gotten to 12-0 at any point of a campaign

in three straight years.

Let’s go back to last Friday’s victory

over the Yellow Jackets. It put the cap

on an 11-1 regular season, the seventh

in the last nine years where the Bulldogs

headed to the postseason at either 12-0

or 11-1.

The Bulldogs have finished in the top

ten in eight consecutive seasons. With a

No. 3 national ranking heading to Atlanta,

and a lock for the College Football

Playoff, the Bulldogs seem a lock to make

it nine in a row. Now with the multiple

polls through the years, some numbers

for some schools might fluctuate a bit

when you go through the final rankings.

But here is the company Georgia will

be in with a ninth consecutive top ten

ranking at the end of this season, with

the Bulldogs of course dreaming of

and striving for another national title:

Alabama, Florida State (in the Bobby

Bowden era), Michigan, Oklahoma, Notre

Dame and Ohio State.

Amazing.

Over Georgia’s last 74 games, the

Bulldogs are 68-6 (91.9%).

And when it comes to coaching records,

how about this company kept by Coach

King Kirby Smart:

Winning percentage …

• Kirby.853 in his 10th season.

• Knute Rockne was a record.881 in 13

years at Notre Dame.

• Nick Saban was.806 overall (28

years),.877 at Alabama (17 seasons).

• Bear Bryant was.780 overall (38

years),.824 at Alabama (25 seasons).

Elite.

Now comes another championship

meeting with Alabama, as Georgia aims

to add the SEC championship to the state

title, prior to the quest for the big one.

And who knows, it might be the second

of three games between these two

superpowers this season.

Enjoy.

And rejoice in these grandest of times

for the University of Georgia Bulldogs.


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SPORTS

GEORGIA VS. ALABAMA

GAME TIME: 4 P.M. ET

CHANNEL: ABC

NATE FRAZIER

BATTERED THE BEES


GEORGIA VS ALABAMA

BY: JEFF DANTZLER

Two of college football’s royal programs once again will

square off in the Southeastern Conference Championship

Game. Both are coming off pulse-pounding seven point

victories over their arch rivals this past weekend. Georgia

defeated the Yellow Jackets for an eighth straight time -

equaling the series record for the longest winning streak in

program history - at Mercedes-Benz Stadium 16-9 last Friday to

cap the regular season with an 11-1 record. Alabama topped

Auburn for the sixth year in a row, beating the Tigers 27-20 at

Jordan-Hare Stadium, finishing the regular season at 10-2.

Saturday’s showdown for the SEC championship and

guaranteed berth in the college football playoff will be a

rematch from September 27, when Alabama prevailed 24-21 in

Athens, the Bulldogs lone loss thus far on the campaign.

This will be the fifth all-time meeting in the title tilt between

Georgia and the Crimson Tide, equaling the second most

frequent matchups in the history of the SEC Championship Game,

which was first played in 1992. Georgia has also played LSU five

times, while Alabama and Florida have met in 10 title games.

Alabama is making a record 16th appearance in the SEC

Championship Game. Georgia will be playing in the title

game for a 13th time, tied with Florida for the second most

appearances.

Either Alabama or Georgia has won the SEC Championship

Game in 10 of the last 11 seasons, with LSU’s 2019 win over the

Bulldogs the outlier.

Kalen DeBoer, in his second season at the helm in Tuscaloosa,

will be making his debut in Atlanta. Kirby Smart has taken

Georgia to the SEC Championship Game eight times in the

last nine seasons, with the 2020 Covid campaign (Alabama

defeated Florida in Atlanta in 2020). No coach or school

had ever been six times in seven years, which the Smart-led

Bulldogs accomplished in 2022, a mark that has now been

twice extended.

Both teams have played in a slew of tight games this season,

par for the course in the ultra competitive SEC here in 2025.

Alabama has a pair of three point wins, including their

September victory in Athens, two seven-point triumphs and a

two point loss. Georgia has a quartet of one-score/single digit

victories and the three point loss to the Tide.

These two programs have been the gold standard of college

football, with the dynasties of Nick Saban, which DeBoer is

attempting to carry on, and Smart. Twice in the last eight

seasons, Georgia and Alabama have played for the national

championship, with the Crimson Tide defeating the Bulldogs

in Atlanta for the 2017 title, and Smart’s Dogs triumphing over

the Bama in Indianapolis for the 2021 crown.

Both teams seem to be locks for the College Football Playoff,

with the winner likely receiving one of the top four seeds and

a first round bye.

For all of the incredible games in the toughest league in the

land this season, and all of the title contenders, including 11-1

Texas A&M and 11-1 Ole Miss, it’s once again the Crimson Tide

and Bulldogs meeting in Atlanta.


SPORTS

FOOTBALL

BULLDOGS TO WATCH

BY: MATTHEW HERREN/BI

KIRBY SMART (HC) - After Texas’ upset win over Texas A&M last

weekend, Coach Smart and the Bulldogs find themselves in the SEC

Championship against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Smart will be going for

his fourth SEC title as the Georgia head coach and a bye in the College

Football Playoff bracket.

GUNNER STOCKTON (QB #14) - Stockton finished the regular

season with over 2,500 passing yards and 28 total touchdowns. Though

his Heisman campaign took a hit with his poor showing against Georgia

Tech, the Bulldogs’ quarterback has been the centerpiece of the Georgia

offense en route to the SEC Championship. Georgia vs. Alabama has seen

historic quarterback battles, so look for Stockton to outduel Ty Simpson

and the Tide.

GUNNER STOCKTON

QUARTERBACK


ZACHARIAH BRANCH (WR #1) - The Bulldogs’ top receiving

weapon has been one of the strongholds for the Georgia offense. Last

weekend against the Yellow Jackets, Branch scored the lone touchdown

of the game to propel the Bulldogs past their in-state rival. If Branch can

find success on screens to keep the Alabama defense honest up front, it

can open up the playbook for Bobo and the offense.

NATE FRAZIER (RB #3) - Frazier has taken the reins of the Georgia

backfield over the past few weeks due to Chauncey Bowens’ injury. The

sophomore broke the 100-yard mark for the second time this season

against Georgia Tech. Frazier struggled in the regular season meeting with

Alabama, but expect a bounce back game as Georgia’s lead back.

NOAH THOMAS (WR #5) - Thomas’ role in the Georgia offense has

seen an increase, with four receptions in two of his last three games. With

lots of attention to likely go on Frazier and Branch, Thomas could have

his signature moment of the season in what will be an instant classic in

Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

KJ BOLDEN (DB #4) - The sophomore tallied a team-high nine total

tackles against Georgia Tech last weekend. Bolden does not shy away

from the spotlight, as his two interceptions on the year came in two of

Georgia’s biggest games. With Alabama’s offense likely relying on a strong

passing game, Bolden and the defensive backs will need to play their best

football to keep Alabama from getting into a rhythm.

PEYTON WOODRING

PLACEKICKER

PHOTO BY: WILL HEARN/BI

PEYTON WOODRING (K #91) - Woodring has been Georgia’s secret

weapon this season, going 15-16 on field goals and perfect on extra

points. His consistent power and accuracy has allowed the coaching staff

to feel comfortable with bringing him on the field at any time. With this

game projected to be a one-score outcome, Woodring could be called

upon for game-deciding kicks.

BY JEFF DANTZLER

In the 2017 Southeastern Conference Championship

Game, the Bulldogs delivered the decisive blow

when freshman D’Andre Swift raced for a 64-yard TD

in a 28-7 win over Auburn.

En route to a second consecutive national title,

the Bulldogs topped LSU 50-30 in the 2022 SEC

Championship Game, with Chris Smith returning a

blocked field goal 95 yards for a TD.

Georgia won the 2024 SEC Championship Game over

Texas 22-19 in overtime, with the Bulldogs defense

holding the ‘Horns to one TD and Trevor Ettienne

scoring the game-winner.


SPORTS

FOOTBALL

TIDE TO WATCH

BY: ANNA WILLIAMS/BI

KALEN DEBOER (HC) - In his second season leading Alabama, Kalen

DeBoer has continued to prove why he’s one of the most respected

offensive minds in college football. He’s emphasized balance and

rhythm on offense, and his in-game adjustments have been a defining

strength all year. As Alabama enters its first SEC Championship under

DeBoer, his strategic fingerprints will be all over this matchup. DeBoer

is 2–0 against Georgia, and he’ll be looking to add a third straight win.

ISAIAH HORTON (WR #1) - Horton has quietly emerged as a

dependable offensive weapon for the Crimson Tide, which Georgia saw

firsthand earlier this season. In the September matchup, Horton scored

a touchdown and led the Tide with 65 receiving yards. Over the full

season, Horton has totaled eight touchdowns and 418 receiving yards,

consistently providing a red-zone presence and a reliable target on

critical downs. His most recent performance against Auburn reinforced

that reliability–five catches for 35 yards and three touchdowns. Horton

doesn’t need huge yardage totals to have an outsized impact; his

scoring efficiency makes him one of the most dangerous players on the

field whenever Alabama gets inside the 30.

KALEN DEBOER

HEAD COACH

PHOTO BY: ALABAMA ATHLETICS

PHOTOGRAPHY

JAM MILLER (RB #26) - Jam Miller has carved out a major role in

Alabama’s ground game, giving the Tide a physical runner who can also

contribute in the passing attack. Against Auburn, Miller led the offense

with 15 carries for 83 hard-earned yards and added two receptions for

12 more. For the season, he has posted 493 rushing yards and three

touchdowns, often serving as the steadying force in the Crimson Tide

backfield. His ability to extend drives, create positive yardage after

contact, and maintain balance when defenses stack the box makes him

a vital piece of Alabama’s offensive rhythm. Georgia’s defensive front

will have to account for Miller on every snap.

TY SIMPSON (QB #15) - Quarterback Ty Simpson has been at his

best in big moments, and his performance against Georgia earlier this

season was one of the strongest of his career. He finished 24-of-38 with

276 passing yards and two touchdowns, while adding a rushing score

that showcased his mobility. Although his Auburn numbers–19-of-35

for 122 yards–were less explosive, he still found the end zone three

times and kept the offense balanced. Simpson has proved that he can

extend plays, escape pressure, and challenge defenses vertically or

on the perimeter. If he settles into an early rhythm, Alabama’s offense

could become unpredictable and hard to contain.

BRAY HUBBARD (DB #18) - Bray Hubbard was a problem for Georgia

in the matchup earlier this season, forcing the game’s only turnover.

Across the season he has recorded 35 solo tackles and 20 assisted tackles,

consistently demonstrating physicality in open space. In the Iron Bowl,

Hubbard delivered again–finishing with two tackles, an interception, and

a forced fumble. His instincts and knack for finding the ball make him

one of the Tide’s most disruptive defenders. If he’s active early, Georgia’s

offense will need to protect the football at all costs.

DEONTAE LAWSON

LINEBACKER

PHOTO BY: ALABAMA ATHLETICS

PHOTOGRAPHY

DEONTAE LAWSON (LB #0) - The leader of Alabama’s linebacking

corps, Deontae Lawson plays with range, power, and an understanding

of offensive tendencies that make him the heartbeat of the Crimson

Tide defense. He enters the SEC Championship with 60 total tackles,

including a standout performance against Auburn where he posted a

team-high seven stops, a tackle for loss, and a fourth-quarter fumble

recovery. Lawson thrives in traffic and communicates adjustments at

the second level, helping Alabama stay organized against complex

offensive looks. His ability to read Georgia’s run-pass intentions will be

critical if he tries to slow down the Bulldogs’ balanced attack.

BY JEFF DANTZLER

From 1971 through 1979, Paul “Bear” Bryant led

Alabama to eight Southeastern Conference titles and

eight campaigns with double digit wins and two or

fewer losses.

In 1992, Alabama won the first ever Southeastern

Conference Championship Game, defeating the

Florida Gators 28-21 at Legion Field in Birmingham en

route to the national title.

Under the watch of Nick Saban (and with Kirby

Smart as the defensive coordinator for the first two

of these three), Alabama won three straight SEC

Championship Games from 2014-2016.


THE

Five

2025 SEC Championship Game

BY: JEFF DANTZLER

BRETT THORSON -

BOMB IT IN THE BENZ!

PHOTO BY: WILL HEARN/BI

1. Pressure Simpson - His jersey was barely dirty in the first

meeting. Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson had a superb game in

Athens back on September 27, leading the Crimson Tide past the

Bulldogs 24-21. He is one of the best quarterbacks in the country,

an accurate passer who can make all the throws. Whether it’s the

touch on the deep pass or a fastball in close quarters like the goahead

scoring toss to Isaiah Horton in the Crimson Tide’s thrilling

win at Auburn last Saturday, Simpson is lethal with the arm. He’s

also a stellar runner. Again, going back to Saturday at Jordan-Hare

Stadium, Simpson had several clutch runs, including a critical

fourth-and-short that helped propel Alabama to the win. Georgia’s

pass-rush has improved greatly since September. In fact, the

consistent pressure against another tremendous quarterback, the

Yellow Jackets Haynes King, was a big reason the Bulldogs were able

to emerge victorious this past Friday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The great Hall of Famer Kevin Butler calls for “controlled aggression,”

and that’s essential to victory. Make Simpson uncomfortable, get

to him at least a couple of times, but don’t overrush (which led to

Bama’s first first down in Athens in the earlier meeting) and keep

containment. Sounds easy right? Hot take. Of course Alabama has a

fantastic offensive line, led by massive 6-7, 366-pound All-American

left tackle/pass catcher/short yardage runner Kadyn Proctor, who

are aiming to protect Simpson all night long and open up holes for

the Crimson Tide running attack. Here’s another hot take. It’s Georgia

and Alabama. This game, for the most part, will be won in the mean

streets of the Southeastern Conference line of scrimmage.

2. 3rd and 4th Down - In the first meeting, Alabama converted

its first eight third down attempts, and the Crimson Tide came up

with a critical fourth down fourth quarter stop against the Bulldogs.

Flip a couple of those plays, and the outcome likely is flipped. But

that’s life in the SEC, especially when these two get together. It

often comes down to that critical play, that vital conversion. Kirby

Smart, America’s premier college football coach, has been a master

on fourth down this season. Critical offensive conversions and

defensive stops against Tennessee, Auburn, Ole Miss, Florida, Texas

and the Yellow Jackets are a huge reason the Bulldogs won all those

games and are 11-1.

3. Special Teams - Punter Brett Thorson and place-kicker Peyton

Woodring are one of the top specialist duos in college football this

decade and one of the best pair to ever kick for Georgia. Alabama is

also excellent on special teams. The Bulldogs were just in Mercedes-

Benz Stadium this past Friday in the victory over the Yellow Jackets,

and performances of Thorson and Woodring were one of the most

important factors in Georgia’s win. The pair combined was Georgia’s

collective Most Valuable Player a year ago. Flipping the field, making

a long one, pinning the Tide, Thorson and Woodring are consistent

weapons for the Bulldogs. They’ll once again strive to be at their

very best in what will likely be a back-and-forth battle Saturday

afternoon.

4. Counterpunch - Alabama is going to make plays. The Crimson

Tide is going to score, and get bounces and breaks, and things will

happen that will make Georgia fans put their hands over their faces

and go “are you bleeping kidding me?!?!” Absorb the blows and hit

back harder. The counterpunch. It was the essence of the Bulldogs

national championship victory over Alabama on 1/10/2022. Just

think of the famous “That’s the Chicago Way” exchange between

Sean Connery (Jimmy Malone) and Kevin Costner (Elliott Ness) in The

Untouchables.

5. 2002 - It had been 20 years since Georgia last captured a

Southeastern Conference championship. The Bulldogs left no

doubt, jumping on Arkansas in the program’s first trip to the SEC

Championship Game, and beating the Razorbacks 30-3. The win

improved the Dogs to 12-1 on the year, and a banner was hoisted for

the new SEC champion Bulldogs. After the game, my friend Robby

Kirk and I drove back to Athens and celebrated this glorious victory.

In fact, we ended up in the Five Points Waffle House. What a night,

what a win! Saturday will mark Georgia’s 13th trip to the title tilt, all

since 2002, and incredibly the eighth in the last nine years under the

watch of Coach King Kirby Smart.

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706-546-8100

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FROM THE

If the SEC Championship were

a course at UGA, it would

be DAWG 3000: Advanced

SEC Championship Studies–the

class that everyone signs up for

thinking it’ll be fun, only to realize it

comes with emotional homework,

pop quizzes in patience, and an

ultimate final exam held under the

bright lights of the Mercedes-Benz

Stadium. It’s the kind of course

that has students saying, “It was so

stressful … but so worth it.”

This imagined course–taught,

obviously, by a legendary professor

in a visor–is graded strictly

on emotional resilience and

physicality. Students are expected

to analyze offensive trends,

perfect their tailgate technique,

and demonstrate the mastery

of championship composure.

Because championship week isn’t

just another football game; it’s a

crash course in strategy, logistics,

and heart rate variability. And this

season, every Georgia student–

willingingly or not–has become a

full-time scholar as the Bulldogs

make their fifth consecutive SEC

Championship appearance and

13th overall.

Welcome to class.

Chapter 1: Introduction to

Championship Week

Campus takes on an unmistakable

buzz the week of the SEC

Championship. It’s the kind of

energy that can’t be faked: a

mixture of hope, panic, delusion,

confidence, and the existential

dread of facing Alabama again.

Georgia fans are torn between

excitement–yes, we made it– and

the overwhelming realization that

no, we don’t get a free weekend

to mentally prepare for the playoff

push. And yes, unfortunately, we

are playing a team that historically

gives us nightmares.

Chapter 1 makes students

question registering for this course.

There’s an internal debate within

everyone.

Are we fired up? Absolutely.

Are we terrified? … Also absolutely.

Such is the duality of DAWG 3000.

Chapter 2: Required Materials

This course demands preparation.

Students must arrive equipped

with the essentials: the perfect

red-and-black wardrobe (which

somehow takes seven outfit changes

to finalize), a stadium-approved clear

bag, and the lucky-game day pins

you swear by.

Auditory materials are equally

important. “Baba O’Riley” is a

required listen the morning of

the game, while “I Hate Alabama”

by Conner Smith plays on a

continuous loop all week as an

unofficial study soundtrack.

No mandatory textbook, just an

immense amount of school spirit

and optimism.

INTERN

Anna

Williams

IF THE SEC CHAMPIONSHIP WERE A CLASS AT UGA …

Chapter 3: Lecture Notes in

Stress Management

The emotional rollercoaster of

championship week feels like a

textbook in sports psychology.

Students compulsively check injury

updates for Drew Bobo, Earnest

Greene, and Chauncey Bowens with

the same urgency they’d check final

grades.

UGA’s Instagram hype videos

somehow get more cinematic

every week, which helps morale

until you remember: we’re playing

Alabama. Again. A team Georgia

has beaten exactly one time in the

last 10 matchups. This week, we’re

looking for redemption for losing to

the Crimson Tide in Week 5 … and

stress is at an all time high.

Chapter 4: The Midterm Exam

The DAWG 3000 Midterm

consists of studying highlights

with the intensity usually reserved

for organic chemistry. Students

revisit September’s UGA-Alabama

matchup, along with last season’s

game. There’s no study guide, just

analysis and a little bit of emotional

trauma.

We revisit 2023’s SEC

Championship like our lives depend

on it, replaying every “what if.” What

went wrong? Do we go for it on the

4th down this time or just kick it?

Chapter 5: Labs & Fieldwork

The experiential portion of DAWG

3000 is all about preparation.

Students participate in tailgate

setups, a multi-step group project

involving tents, speakers, and

the perfect snack-to-drink ration.

Memes are sent to Alabama friends.

Snacks are crafted with precision,

and the mimosas are flowing.

Fieldwork also includes practicing

your precise game-watching

stance–feet apart, knees slightly

bent, hands on your hips or arms

crossed like you’re personally

coordinating the offense. A few

pregame prayers are encouraged.

Chapter 6: The Final Exam

The final exam will be held at the

Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and it is

the moment everything comes

together. The lights are bright. The

nerves are loud. The stakes? High.

Grades are determined quarter by

quarter, and there is no curve.

No multiple choice questions,

no essays–just four quarters of

performance under pressure.

Georgia fans are expected to

show stamina, commitment, and

unwavering pride for their team.

The Bulldogs play their second

straight week in Mercedes-Benz, a

stadium where they’re comfortable

and confident. With the right

preparation–and a crowd packed

with loyal Dawgs–the final exam

could be a breeze.

In Dawg 3000, everyone shows up.

Everyone studies. Everyone believes

in the Bulldogs.

Because at Georgia, we don’t just

take class – we ace it.


When it comes to legendary writers and commentators, especially when it comes

to college football, Tony Barnhart is one of the greatest there has ever been

and one of the best there ever will be. Tony rose to fame covering Georgia and

college football for the Atlanta Journal Constitution and then became a fixture

on television, radio and the internet. He is an accomplished author and one of the

most knowledgeable college football minds in the business. This season marks

Tony’s 50th covering college football. He says his last. I hope he at least finds

time for us at Bulldawg Illustrated. Tony is putting together a book: “Mr. College

Football: 50 Years of SEC Memories,” scheduled to be published next November

by UGA Press. He has covered every SEC Championship Game (except Covid

2020). Tony is a 1976 graduate of the University of Georgia’s Grady College of

Journalism. We always appreciate his insight and wisdom.

BY JEFF DANTZLER

A VIEW

FROM...

atlanta

IS THIS THE MOST

COMPETITIVE SEASON YOU

CAN REMEMBER IN THE SEC?

Without question. In the Nov.

22 CPF rankings the SEC had

five of the Top 10 and seven

of the Top 16 teams. And this

is in a season when Auburn,

Florida and LSU did not meet

expectations. Nobody goes

deeper in quality teams than

the SEC. And it’s not even close.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS

SEASON?

There is not a better story in

college football than what

Clark Lea and Diego Pavia have

done at Vanderbilt. They have

transformed the University’s

commitment to football. When

Lea said his goal at Vanderbilt

was to compete for the national

championship, people laughed.

They are not laughing any

more. Think of this. Ole Miss

has been playing football since

1892 but never--ever--have

the Rebels won 11 games in a

regular season--until now. The

question used to be whether

or not Ole Miss could win a

national championship. Even

with Lane Kiffin leaving, the

answer is now “Yes.” Kiffin has

given Vandy the blueprint.

DO YOU EVER REMEMBER A

COACHING CAROUSEL LIKE

THIS SEASON?

No, because there hasn’t been

one like this season. Four

head coaches were fired by

midseason. The compressed

recruiting calendar created a

sense of urgency. Everyone

wants an elite coach but there

are not that many elite coaches

available.

WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON

GEORGIA?

I was talking to a friend the

other day about Coach of the

Year candidates. Obviously Clark

Lea will get a lot of votes and he

should. But I would submit that

nobody has done a better job

this season than Kirby Smart.

He told us before the season

started that 54 percent of his

roster would be made up of first

and second-year players. And

here he is playing in another

SEC Championship Game. His

team has found a way to win

close games week after week.

And did we mention that the

quarterback (Gunner Stockton)

has exceeded all expectations?

Georgia is a team that nobody

wants to play. They win the old

fashion way with tough, physical

football. That’s coaching. “We’re

hard to kill,” he said. He’s right.

SHOULD CONFERENCE

CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

CONTINUE OR ARE THEY

OBSOLETE?

I’ve been to every SEC

Championship Game but one,

and there is still something

fundamentally exciting about

playing one game for the

SEC championship. With the

playoffs going to 16 teams,

which may happen in 2026,

there will be pressure to make

that change. I just don’t see the

SEC walking away from Roy

Kramer’s legacy.

DO THE SEC AND THE BIG

TEN BOTH GET TWO BYES

IN THE CFP?

Yes. I don’t see Texas Tech or

BYU, who will play for the Big

12 championship, slipping

into one of those top four

slots ahead of an SEC team.

WHAT’S YOUR SCORE

PREDICTION?

FINAL SCORE - Georgia 24,

Alabama 21

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GRAND

Georgia Families

LORAN SMITH

Paul Holmes, who grew up on Atlanta’s north side, arrived on

the UGA campus in the late ’50s, a fraternity boy in Payne

Hall—the homebase of the football cabal. He was fit for both

venues.

Payne Hall was not exactly an “animal house.” It wasn’t a den of

iniquity, but it wasn’t a haunt of sophistication and intellectual

behavior. After all it was the athletic dorm in its day, which meant

that informality was forever the theme. It was loud, noisy and quiet

time usually prevailed in the early morning hours when the rest of the

world was readying for its day, and the Payne residents were sleeping

in.

There were some serious types, those who had the confirmation of a

degree on their respective minds and those who were disciplined and

oriented toward favorable resumes that would help them find their

way in life. Paul was motivated to help the Bulldogs win games, but he

also was a serious student.

A tall, handsome and friendly sort of guy whose laugh could be heard

a country mile when he was stimulated into convivial outbursts which

were often, Paul was upbeat and gregarious, given to good times and

bringing about joyful occasions.

He was an outstanding lineman at Northside High under Wayman

Creel, who became the winningest high school coach in Georgia. Creel

underscored the principles of teaching with a calm and measured style

that complemented his hardnosed practices which led to constant

winning—both games and championships.

In Paul’s senior year, Northside won the state AAA championship,

and it was assistant coach Cleve Clark who had played end for Wallace

Butts in Athens who became Paul’s booster. Clark kept touting Paul’s

potential to the Georgia coaches. Paul will forever be grateful that they

listened to his benefactor’s preachment.

Paul enrolled in Athens in 1958, playing for the freshmen team,

coached by Quinton Lumpkin. It was a good time to be affiliated with

Georgia. The ’50s were not good to Coach Butts, but a reversal of

fortunes was taking place. In November 1957, the Bulldogs defeated

Georgia Tech on Grant Field to end an eight-year losing streak.

Paul was at Grant Field to witness that drought breaking game, a

memorable point of pride for Bulldog aficionados across the state.

That was good news for Paul who had plans to matriculate in Athens

and study for a degree in business. That journey got underway in the

fall of 1958 with Paul playing on the freshman team and enjoying

the overall campus environment. He enjoyed the social life and the

activities of the Greek system, pledging SAE fraternity with both of

his sons John and Sam and three grandsons following in senior’s

footsteps. Paul became a patron of the downtown Varsity, Uppy’s,

Allen’s, Charlie Williams Pinecrest Lodge, and shopped at Dick

Ferguson’s Men’s Store, owned by his fraternity brother.

In 1959, he moved up to the varsity football team, a very good year

which led to the Southeastern Conference championship and a trip to

the Orange Bowl where the Bulldogs, led by another fraternity brother,

Fran Tarkenton, defeated Missouri 14-0 in Miami.

All the while, Paul made friends with damn near the entire student

body, which would bode well for the future that awaited him. He

became friends with matriculates from Rabun Gap to Attapulgus; from

Tallapoosa to Tybee Light.

The most important introduction and affiliation came about when

he became friends with a pretty coed from Farrow, an unincorporated

community in Jasper County which is 14 miles Northeast of Monticello.

Even back then, she was a buttoned-up coed whose serious

inclinations were good for Paul, like studying at the library on their

dates and giving the highest priority to graduation.

Getting to know people around the state would benefit him

significantly

when he became

state director

of the ASCA

(Agricultural,

Stabilization and

Conservation

Service).

Anyone familiar

with Paul’s

upbringing

would not have

forecasted him

with being

compatible with

life down on the

farm, but that is

how it worked

out.

He enjoyed

driving a tractor

and a pickup

truck, becoming

accustomed

to planting and harvesting, a down to earth, hail fellow well met.

Following graduation, he spent time with the Dallas Cowboys briefly

and then he and Susan settled in South Carolina—first at Columbia

and subsequently in Charleston when he was employed by Shell Oil

Co.

They came home to Jasper Co. in 1965 where Paul took over the

family farm and ran the dairy, which benefited from Paul’s business

expertise and connections. He ran for county commissioner, the first

PAUL HOLMES

PHOTO BY: alumni@uga.edu

Republican to get elected since Reconstruction. His friendship with Bo

Callaway, a prominent Republican in the state, led to his appointment

as the Director of the ASCS, which had him traveling the state. He

mixed well with farmers and agri-business folk across Georgia with his

Bulldog legacy endearing him to those from all walks of life wherever

he went.

In 1978, he joined several friends, led by Butch Houston of Nashville,

in forming “Life of the South Insurance Co.” and serving as Vice

Chairman until sale of the company in 2007.

Susan looked after the family when he was away and found time to

become the first woman mayor of Monticello, following that up with a

stint in the Georgia House of Representatives.

Susan spent 12 years in the legislature, and while Paul had no official

title, he was her chauffeur and confidante, one of the most popular

and active couples engaged in the business of the state.

If they didn’t find their way to the seats of Georgia’s 159 counties,

they knew the movers and shakers from each county.

Those friendships have helped him with coping with the loss of

Susan who died in May, leaving a void with the Holmes family and at

the state house and throughout Georgia.

He enjoys the small-town lifestyle of Monticello where he is a daily

fixture at the “Morning Grind,” where the local railbirds gather for

coffee and breakfast. You will find Paul holding court there if you

drop in. Visitors are welcome. When he isn’t at the “Morning Grind,”

or visiting with his sons, John and Sam, and grandchildren and great

grandchildren, he will be working out at the local gym, appropriately

named, “Bulldog Gym.”

He is a proud “Damn Good Dawg,” who is one of the best-known

loyalists in the state, one who could have written the book on the

benefits that come from being a “people person.”


JD’S TOP 12 PG. 35 | KEVIN BUTLER’S PLAYERS OF THE WEEK PG. 37 | STATS THAT MATTER PG. 38

TRUE GRIT - GUNNER

NOW GETS ANOTHER

SHOT AGAINST BAMA!


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Herren’s HOT LOCKS!

BY: MATTHEW HERREN

Troy +21.5 over James Madison Friday, Dec. 5 7:00 P.M.

The Trojans won their regular season finale over Southern

Miss to clinch a spot in the Sun Belt Conference title game.

James Madison has won 10 straight games and desperately

needs a win to remain in the College Football Playoff

conversation for the Group of 5 spot. The Dukes are clearly

the best team in this conference, but Troy keeps it within

three touchdowns. Roll with Troy +21.5 over James Madison.

‌Jacksonville State -1.5 over Kennesaw State Friday,

Dec. 5 7:00 PM

Coach Mack has completely turned around Kennesaw

State’s program after going 2-10 last season. Jacksonville

State is going for their second straight C-USA

Championship and will be playing in front of their home

crowd at AmFirst Stadium. The Gamecocks’ running

back Cam Cook leads the nation in rushing yards, so I

expect him to shine on the national spotlight and lead

Jacksonville State past the Owls. Roll with Jacksonville

State -1.5 over Kennesaw State.

‌North Texas -2.5 over Tulane Friday, Dec. 5 8:00 PM

This game features two head coaches who are caught up

in the coaching carousel, with North Texas head coach Eric

Morris headed to Oklahoma State and Tulane’s Jon Sumrall

taking the Florida job. The winner of this game will be in

prime position for a College Football Playoff bid, making

this one of the weekend’s most intriguing games. North

Texas’ has one of the top scoring offenses in the country,

while Tulane has been scraping by their opponents over

the last few weeks. The Mean Green beat the Green Wave

and head to the CFP. Roll with North Texas -2.5 over Tulane.

Texas Tech -12.5 over BYU Saturday, Dec. 6 12:00 PM

The Red Raiders have won five straight games since their

road loss to Arizona State in October. BYU avoided the

upset last weekend against UCF to hold their spot in the

Big 12 Championship. While the Cougars have had a strong

season and might be underrated, Texas Tech is too much

for them to handle. Texas Tech beats BYU for a second time

this season in convincing fashion. Roll with Texas Tech

-12.5 over BYU.

Virginia -2.5 over Duke Saturday, Dec. 6 8:00 PM

Virginia had a solid 10-2 season and will be playing in

their first ACC Championship since 2019. After their

tiebreaker scenario played out on the final week of the

regular season, Coach Diaz and the Blue Devils could

be conference champions with a 7-5 record. Virginia

comfortably won this game during the regular season, so

expect Virginia to win here and play in the College Football

Playoff as ACC champs. Roll with Virginia -2.5 over Duke.

Ohio State -5.5 over Indiana Saturday, Dec. 6 8:00 PM

The Buckeyes finally defeated Michigan last weekend in

the Big House 27-9 for an undefeated season. Indiana

cruised past another inferior Big Ten opponent with a 56-3

win over their rival Purdue. This 1 vs. 2 matchup could be

this weekend’s best game, but Ohio State’s defense keeps

Fernando Mendoza in check and Julian Sayin does enough

to lead the offense past the Hoosiers. Ryan Day beats

Cignetti and keeps their top spot in the College Football

Playoff. Roll with Ohio State -5.5 over Indiana.

SEC CHAMPIONSHIP

GEORGIA VS. ALABAMA

SAT. 4:00 PM

ABC

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 11/30/25.

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FOOTBALL

TOP 12

JD’S

BY: JEFF DANTZLER

The regular season is in the rear view mirror and it’s conference championship

time. Will the SEC and Big Ten both get two teams in the top four, which means

byes? The SEC had some fantastic games this past weekend. In this poll, the top

mid-major/Group of Five team is in the 12 spot, while an ACC team that is in the

conference championship game is in the 11th spot.

1. OHIO STATE - The Buckeyes dominated Michigan,

ending a four game losing streak to the Wolverines to

finish the regular season 12-0. Ohio State’s defense held

every team on the slate to less than 17 points. Now

comes Indiana in the Big Ten Championship Game.

2. INDIANA - The Hoosiers are in the midst of their

greatest season ever. Indiana made the playoff last

season. Now they are 12-0, coming off a blowout of

old rival Purdue. Next up is a date with Ohio State in

the Big Ten title game. The Hoosiers last won the league in 1967.

3. GEORGIA - The Bulldogs won a nip-andtuck

defensive battle with the arch-rival Yellow

Jackets 16-9 last Friday in Atlanta. Georgia will

play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for a second straight week on

Saturday, taking on Alabama in the Southeastern Conference

Championship Game.

4. TEXAS A&M - The Aggies lost for the first time

this season, falling to arch-rival Texas in Austin last

Friday. Texas A&M has an explosive offense, and you

can bet they’ll come back fighting mad in the playoffs.

It’s either a bye, or a home game at Kyle Field in the first round of

the CFP.

5. OLE MISS - The Rebels, with all of the intrigue

surrounding Lane Kiffin, took care of business and

won the Egg Bowl 38-19 over Mississippi State in

Starkville. Ole Miss has a fantastic offense and a very

good defensive front. This is their greatest team in over 60 years.

6. TEXAS TECH - The Red Raiders might have been

on upset alert in Morgantown. Texas Tech was aware,

and put together a fantastic performance, whipping

West Virginia 49-0. Next up is a rematch with Brigham Young in the

Big XII Championship Game. This is a complete team.

7. OREGON - The Ducks went to Seattle in the

cold, rain and wind, and took care of Washington

26-14. That put the wraps on an 11-1 regular season.

Oregon seems like a lock to host a first round playoff

game. Dan Lanning is doing an outstanding job in Eugene.

8. OKLAHOMA - The Sooners had a defensive

battle with LSU in the rain and cold of Norman, and

were able to hang on for a 17-13 win. That puts

Oklahoma, which has played an extremely strong

schedule, at 10-2 on the season and into the playoff. Oklahoma’s

defense is very good.

9. ALABAMA - It was another classic Iron

Bowl, and another Alabama win. Two second half

turnovers and clutch play from Ty Simpson and

Isaiah Horton, who hooked up for three touchdowns

made the difference in a 27-20 win. Now it’s Georgia in the SEC

title game.

10. NOTRE DAME - No problems for Notre Dame,

which stormed past Stanford for a 10th consecutive

win and a 10-2 regular season. There is no conference

championship game of course. The Fighting Irish will

kick back and find out on Sunday who they face in the CFP.

11. VIRGINIA - The students stormed the field in

Charlottesville following a 27-7 win over rival Virginia

Tech this past Saturday night. The Cavaliers closed out

the regular season with a 10-2 record, earning a berth in the ACC

Championship Game, where they’ll play 7-5 Duke.

12. JAMES MADISON - The Dukes have had a

tremendous year, and put the finishing touches on

the regular season with a 59-10 road win over Coastal

Carolina. James Madison’s only loss came in early

September to Louisville. Next up is Troy in the Sun Belt Title Game.

Tune into the Bulldog Brunch every Sunday at 10AM with Jeff Dantzler,

Kevin Butler and eric zeier to catch the best game recap!

LET’S BEAT THE NUGGETS

OUT OF THE ELEPHANTS!

athens • watkinsville • auburn • lawrenceville


Old & In The Way

or most of the week, the script felt pre-

Georgia, loaded with blue-chip talent

Fwritten.

and playoff expectations, “plays” Georgia Tech in

Mercedes-Benz Stadium and handles business.

Cleaner turf, bigger stage, same old rivalry gap.

Then they actually kicked the ball off.

Instead of a stress-free night in Atlanta, the

Dawgs spent four quarters trying to grab control

of a game that never fully tilted their way. Tech’s

tempo, misdirection, and just-enough execution

exposed a Bulldog team that looked a step slow

mentally and physically on defense. Georgia won,

but it was the kind of win that sends everyone

back to the film room a little quieter than usual.

From the opening drive, Tech made it clear:

they weren’t going to line up and run into

Georgia’s defensive front like it was 1998.

Formations were wide, motions were constant,

and the ball came out fast. Georgia’s defense,

usually the one creating the questions, suddenly

had all the wrong answers.

Up front, play was inconsistent. One snap

looked like classic Georgia—heavy hands, shed,

tackle for loss. Next, a crease would appear, and

Tech would be out to the numbers before the

Bulldogs could rally.

If the defense looked uncomfortable, the

offense looked annoyed. Georgia’s plan was clear:

lean on the run game, let the offensive line wear

down Tech’s front, and then let Gunner Stockton

spin off play-action. The problem? Tech’s front

didn’t cooperate.

BY GREG POOLE

When Georgia did open it up, the inconsistency

continued. Stockton missed a couple of early

throws he usually hits—one to Noah Thomas

on a dig route and another to Dillon Bell on the

sideline—that could have loosened everything.

Instead, the drops, misfires, and pressure added

up to empty possessions and a Tech sideline that

steadily gained confidence.

Zachariah Branch looked like the one Georgia

player Tech genuinely feared. Whenever he motioned

across the formation or got the ball in space, the

Jackets’ defense took a collective step back. Even

then, it felt like Georgia was one block or one broken

tackle short of truly flipping the momentum.

Halftime brought some course correction.

Defensively, Georgia simplified a bit—more base

looks, fewer “we can do everything” disguises,

and a renewed emphasis on tackling the receiver

and living to fight the next snap.

Still, Tech didn’t disappear. They kept Georgia

honest with the occasional shot play and just

enough success on the ground to prevent the

Bulldogs from pinning their ears back. Every

time it felt like Georgia was about to break the

game open, Tech would steal back a third-andmedium

with a quick throw or scramble. It wasn’t

dominance; it was survival.

On offense, the shift was more about trust than

scheme. Stockton settled down, the protection

cleaned up just enough, and Georgia leaned

harder into its tight ends. Oscar Delp became a

problem for Tech’s linebackers on crossers and

seams, giving Stockton a reliable middle-of-thefield

option when the deep shots weren’t there.

With the game hanging in the balance late in

the fourth quarter, Georgia finally put together

the kind of drive you expect from a team with

playoff ambitions, not just rivalry pride.

It started with patience. A zone run to Nate

Frazier. A quick hitter to Branch in the flat. A

play-action glance route to Noah Thomas that

punished Tech for creeping their safeties down.

The Bulldogs didn’t chase the knockout punch;

they accepted the jab, jab, jab approach and

trusted their depth.

The back-breaking play came on third-andlong,

when Stockton slid in the pocket and found

Delp down the seam, threading the ball between

two defenders. That conversion didn’t just move

the chains—it finally cracked Tech’s defensive

confidence. A few plays later, Georgia punched it

in, and suddenly a night that had felt like an upset

brewing turned back into business as usual on the

scoreboard, if not in the blood pressure readings.

From there, the defense got one last chance to

make a statement. Hall and the interior pushed the

pocket, Allen knifed through for pressure, and in the

secondary, Robinson and Bolden slammed the door

with aggressive coverage on Tech’s final desperation

heaves. It wasn’t pretty, but it was enough.

The Jackets walked out with respect. The

Bulldogs walked out with a win and a reminder:

if you don’t bring your best, even your little instate

brother can make you sweat under the big

stadium lights.

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KEVIN BUTLER’S

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

COMPILED BY VANCE LEAVY

OFFENSIVE PLAYER

Nate Frazier - the sophomore out of California might be No. 3 on the field

but that MAN is No. 1 when it comes to tailbacks at Georgia. Once again Nate

showed out this past Friday running like a turkey from the butcher. Only

thing is I believe Butcher Bobo caught him at halftime and stuffed him in the

oven tor the second half. Nate racked up 97 yards on 11 carries in the first

half for a strong 8.8 yard per carry and then in the second half the offensive

line got shut down by a stingy Tech defense and UGA went away from the

run all together. In a game that UGA ran for 157 yards in the first half, they

got away from that dominance and opted to keep the fans in the stadium.

If Nate could have kept it going in the second half, the crowd would have

stayed and cheered louder than ever. Nate needs to be the man this week

against Bama and the staff needs too keep his butt in the game and running.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER

KJ Bolden - the sophomore from Buford Georgia is becoming the player

we know he could be and it’s happening at the right time. That time is

NOW … Bama time. Excellent safety play is one of the keys to bringing

the elephants down in the championship game. KJ will need to be on

his game so he can compliment the defensive line by provided great

coverage of one of the most productive offensives in all of college

football. Interceptions are going to be huge in the championship game

and KJ and the rest of the secondary will be the key to the outcome

of the game. His leadership and physical play will set the tone for th

Bulldogs on defense this week and the crowd will respond accordingly.

Light it up KJ!

SPECIAL TEAM PLAYER

Bret Thorson & Peyton Woodring- It’s the best duo in all of football …

Bret and Peyton! Thorson and Woodring! Thump and Swing! Hangtime and

Points. Flip and Split! UGA boost two of the best at their positions, punter

and placekicker. Against Tech, they showed their value and capability in

controlling the flow of the game with timely points for the offense and

yard flipping punts that created a longer field for the lowly engineers of

the Concrete College of ATL. In the SEC Championship Game we will need

the consistency that Bret and Peyton have delivered throught their time at

Georgia. When UGA can get points, we need Peyton Points at perfection.

When UGA needs to flip the field, Boomer Bret will come through. This is

how you become the best at your position … produce when needed! We

need y’all more than ever against the Crimson Tide.

UNSUNG HERO OF THE GAME

Jeff Dantzler - for 17 years I’ve had the pleasure to sit next to the

most knowledgeable Georgia fan of all, Jeff Dantzler. This past Friday

was the biggest win for a man who loves UGA and beating Tech. Jeff

has long talked about matching The Drought and that is what the

Bulldogs did to the yellow bellies. When I saw JD after the game, he

was as emotional as I have ever seen (except when he is mad after a

loss). Friday was one for the ages. Jeff looked upward and said ”Emily

has everything to do with this!” He was right. Jeff’s love for Emily

outweighs everything else and always will, but last Friday’s game

was a combination of Jeff’s love for Emily and his love for UGA. The

Drought has been tied. Next up, nine in a row!

GO DAWGS!

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STATS THAT

MATTER


BY: ANNA WILLIAMS/BI

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

8 - CONSECUTIVE VICTORIES OVER GEORGIA TECH

The 16-9 win over Georgia Tech marks the eighth straight time

the Bulldogs have defeated the Yellow Jackets. Aside from Coach

Smart’s two national titles to his name, one of the most impressive

things he’s been able to do is consistently beat Georgia’s biggest

rivals. Coach Key will have to wait another 365 days to try and take

back the Governor’s Cup.

1 - ZACHARIAH BRANCH TOUCHDOWN

Zachariah Branch scored the lone touchdown of the game on a

7-yard touchdown pass from Gunner Stockton late in the second

quarter. Though the Bulldogs were limited through the air, Branch

had 53 receiving yards on five receptions. He is having the most

productive season of his college career and will need to continue

his success as the season moves into the postseason.

‌46 - GEORGIA RUSH ATTEMPTS

Georgia ran the ball 46 times against a vulnerable Georgia Tech

rush defense, allowing them to control the clock and keep the

ball out of Haynes King’s hands. Nate Frazier led the way in the

backfield with 108 yards on 16 carries. Whether or not Georgia

planned on running the ball at this rate, they were able to plow

down the field by commanding the trenches.

3 - PEYTON WOODRING FIELD GOALS

Junior kicker Peyton Woodring was called upon three times to

pile on points in a game where scoring was hard to come by.

Throughout the regular season, Woodring’s consistent accuracy

from long range has been one Georgia’s best weapons. His three

field goals was his highest total since the win over Ole Miss in

October.

‌69 - GEORGIA TECH RUSHING YARDS

The Georgia defense once again showed the nation how difficult

they are against the run, holding the Yellow Jackets to 69 rushing

yards. Georgia’s ability to dominate the line of scrimmage on

both sides of the ball was the difference in this game. Until

Georgia Tech improves in the trenches, they will have a hard time

winning this game in the future.

‌70 - GUNNER STOCKTON PASSING YARDS

The Bulldogs’ quarterback had a season-low 70 passing yards

against Georgia Tech. Though it seems like Bobo went into this

game with a run-heavy game plan, the Yellow Jackets were able

to keep Stockton from getting into a comfortable rhythm.

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