AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > November > 08 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USGeorgia-Auburn: Best series in South, if not the world
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
This will be my 20th Georgia-Auburn game, and I’ve come to believe this is the best series in the South if not the whole wide world. Alabama-Auburn? Too much hate. The World’s Largest Outdoor Whatever? Too much alcohol. Georgia-Auburn is pure football, home-and-home, with a chill in the air and invariably something on the line.
Georgia-Auburn is great because, almost alone among football rivalries, the road team stands just as good a chance (if not better). Georgia-Auburn is great because of the schools’ shared history. (Dooley went to Auburn but coached Georgia; Dye was the other way around.) Georgia-Auburn is great because the games themselves tend to be classics. (Not many Georgia-Florida games over the last 25 years have had memorable finishes.)
Georgia-Auburn had Michael Johnson’s catch and Devin Aromashodu’s fumble. Georgia-Auburn had Auburn fumbling on the goal line in 1992 and Georgia getting stopped on the goal line nine years later. Georgia-Auburn had four overtimes in 1996 — I was 10 feet from Corey Allen when he caught the tying touchdown pass on the last play of regulation — and another OT in 2000.
And it has had, as all rivalries must, its weirdness. James Jackson missed the 1986 game because of his grandmother’s funeral and Georgia upset Auburn with its second-string quarterback. (That was the infamous hose game.) Terry Bowden went for it on fourth-and-short in 1995 and essentially ended Ray Goff’s tenure at Georgia. Kevin Ramsey misdirected his defense in 1999 and Auburn took a 31-0 halftime lead in Athens. Last year Tra Battle intercepted three first-half passes — Brandon Cox managed four completions all told, two of those for minus-yardage — and the previously reeling Bulldogs took a 30-7 halftime lead in Auburn.
But the Georgia-Auburn game I remember most is my first one. It was 1983. Auburn was No. 3, Georgia was No. 4. Georgia had lost Herschel to the USFL, and Bo Jackson had become the nation’s best back. Auburn won 13-7 between the hedges to clinch the SEC and the Sugar Bowl, but the thing that stood out for me was Doug Smith overwhelming Guy McIntyre on the line of scrimmage. Three months later, that nugget helped me get this job.
Feburary 1984: I’d come down from Lexington, Ky., for an interview with the AJC. I had an audience with the editor. Jim Minter asked if I knew anything about college football. (Mr. Minter was a huge Georgia fan and had a wide-angle photo of Sanford Stadium behind his desk.) I said I thought I did. He asked if I could name all the starting quarterbacks in the SEC. I knew I couldn’t — I’d have gotten nine, but Ole Miss would have stumped the band — so I tried to change the subject.
I pointed to the picture. “I can tell you why your team lost to Auburn — because your best offensive lineman got whipped by their best defensive lineman.”
Mr. Minter thought for a minute before saying, “Still nearly won, though.”
Taking my vocational life in my hands, I said, “Yeah, but you didn’t really deserve to.”
And here Mr. Minter, who almost never smiled, actually smiled. “When you’re a fan,” he said, “you don’t care if you deserve to.”
We both laughed. I got the job. Twenty-three years later, I still credit the Georgia-Auburn game.
Permalink | Comments (107) | Post your comment | Categories: Quick Hit, UGA / SEC
Services »
Comments
By T-Bone
November 8, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this
First!!
Great article, Mark.
By Heady
November 8, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this
and Mark has been sucking up to UGA fans every since.
By Clowns
November 8, 2007 9:40 AM | Link to this
Someone should start a betting line on which appears first in these comments, some imbecile typing “First!” or some other imbecile typing “You suck__(fill in columnists name)!”
What’s the over under on how many times someone types “your” when they mean “you’re?”
How many times will someone call any and everyone racist? And how many times will “racist” be spelled wrong?
Anyhoo, here’s hoping UGA wears black. It’s nice for them to have a personality all of a sudden.
By Great Article
November 8, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this
I love this game every year. As a UGA fan I have always had great experiences in Athens and in Auburn. It is a good intense battle every year that the fans really get jacked up for but the difference is MOST fans have mutual respect for the other team. This is very different than the low life Florida and LSU fans that would rather spew profanity as they spill their drink on your kids as you walk to the stadium. I suspect this will be another great SEC battle this weekend.
Go Dawgs!
By Lowcountry Bulldawgs
November 8, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this
Great article! Always has been a favorite of mine as well! Thanks for taking us back to those days Mark!
By Brad in Jasper
November 8, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this
Maybe it’s just me, but it does seem like there is more mutual respect between the schools in this series than others (FL, GT, UT, SC). Perhaps that has something to do with the neck-and-neck finishes throughout the years, and/or mutual disdain for others schools in orange or crimson. I don’t know. Losses are never fun, but I can swallow one to Auburn much easier than Tech or UF. Victories are sweet anytime though, and here’s hoping for a repeat of last year. Go Dawgs!
By K
November 8, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this
It it The Rivalry because over the decades there have been far too many Benedict Arnold’s who have turned their back on their home state and played for the Tigers.
By Jim
November 8, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this
The only Georgia-Auburn game I ever saw was in Columbus. The left handed Auburn quarter back faked a hand off into the line and threw a long touchdown pass. At some point in the game a fight broke out on the field. I asked my Dad what the fight was about and he said “they always fight at this game”.
By Roswell Ed
November 8, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this
I love this game.
Growing up an AU fan in Atl means that I never really felt that AU UA hate like you would growing up in Al.
I come from a mixed family. 1/2 AU and 1/2 Al and everyone was very cordial.
The team I can’t stand the most is the Ga Bulldogs. Growing up with all that barking around you especially during the HW era will drive you to hatred.
I had a teacher in high school that had a bumper sticker on a cabinet in his room that read
Me and You and a Dog Named Belue
I hated that class.
I love to hear Larry call a lose. Back in the day before the satellite delay I would turn down the sound for all the UGA loses right at the end and crank up the demoralized Munson on WSB. It was the sweetest music to my ears.
To all of you that think that is crazy remember:
It’s a southern thing you wouldn’t understand!!
PS: Buck Fama
By 82DAWG
November 8, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this
I didn’t see a whole lot of mutual respect when they turned the hoses on us after winning there in 1986. #&$@ was it that long ago? sigh
By tim
November 8, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this
I think that the mutual respect comes from these teams playing each other so closely almost every year. How many great finishes or disappointing last second defeats do these teams have against each other? It seems like every year it’s a battle to the last second. I respect AU fans but that doesn’t mean I won’t be talking trash come Saturday. Gooo dawgs!
By Roswell Ed
November 8, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this
Bradley:
You get the job because of the UGA game.
Just another reason to hate the Dogs!!
By DirtyDawg
November 8, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this
For the longest time I suppose I’ve held the highest respect for Auburn. One of my first - fond - memories of the series was the Tarkenton to Aaron, or Box, or whoever, to win the ‘59 game…but the fondest of all was those Auburn guys - two of the classiest ever - Joel Eaves and an unheard of assistant Vincent Dooley, coming to rescue Georgia football, and indeed the entire athletic program following a dismal ‘61 through ‘63. Admit that Tuberville has strained my feelings toward AU, before Spurrier, Meyer and Saban I thought he was the least loyal and most arrogant coach in the league. Now I’ve pretty much mellowed on the guy - after all, if you can count Bobby Louder among your enemies and still keep your job, you’ve got something going for you.
I don’t know who’s gonna win this game, but since being reminded that we haven’t beaten Florida and Auburn in the same year since ‘82 - the last since my dad (the all-time UGA fan) passed in Oct ‘83), I’m making a special trip to the family plot to see if he can do something about that. I’ll let you know if it works - then again, we’ll all know, won’t we?
By Roswell Ed
November 8, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this
82Dawg:
Turning the hoses on you there is called
Alabama crowd control!!
I thought everyone knew that!!
By tim
November 8, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this
0 National Championships Roswell Ed. That must be pretty painful. Is that why you hate the dawgs so much. or is it that we always beat you in the last second and crush your dreams for another year. ouch…or is it the beat down from last years game that haunts you at night. Another year another what could have been for the war eagles…i mean tigers…i mean losers. Go dawgs
By Forrest Gump
November 8, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this
The first Auburn-UGA game I attended was the one in 1959 with my father, an Auburn graduate, and my brother, a student at Auburn. That was one of the all-time great contests with Tarkington throwing a tuchdown pass in the closing minutes. The game has traditionally been a battle, in more ways than one. In the 1940’s, my father was knocked unconscious when a Georgia fan threw a Coke bottle into the Auburn section. He refused medical attention until the game was over. I subsequently attended Auburn and got a graduate degree from Georgia. It is a great rivalry, literally between cousins and certainly one of the most colorful games in college football—not withstanding the silly UGA plan to wear black.
By tiger7_88
November 8, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this
82DAWG, that lack of respect in 1986 by using the hoses was simply responding in kind since the UGa visiting section were throwing cups and bottles at the on-the-field security that were doing their job arresting UGa fans trying to run onto the field and accomplish a little “friendly” destruction. After the first bottle hit one of the security guards in the head and he was down for the count with blood running down his face, that kind of “respect” by the UGa fans was responded to by sprinklers (not hoses, as the myth goes). I remember this clearly since I was there too.
As Mr. Bradley wrote, this rivalry is noted for it’s sportsmanship and respect. And, as you noted, 1986 doesn’t stand out in either of those departments. But you dawgs wouldn’t have gotten wet that year if you’d not charged the field (as the PA announcer repeatedly requested you not do) and if you had not started throwing cups and liquor bottles from the stands during the ensuing arrests.
Respect is responded to with respect. And, as 1986 proved, disrespect is responded to with disrespect.
By ARdawg
November 8, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this
Year in and year out the GA/AU game is always a coin toss and the most competitive I believe for both teams. Most years there is always something at stake for one or both teams. Like Brad, I do tend to injest a loss better from Auburn than I do any other team we ever play. I guess that is some kind of subliminal respect for the Tigers I dunno.The road teams winning history baffles me as does the fact AU seems most years to have more Georgia players than the Dawgs do. In any event, history is just that, history. Dawgs make it two in a row and beat them Tigers between the hedges.
GO DAWGS
By klm
November 8, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this
Hey Roswell Ed
The whole world saw that “Alabama crowd control” during the civil rights marches. I wouldn’t brag about it unless your middle name is KKK.
By mart
November 8, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this
The 1983 game was my only UGA-Auburn battle. Great atmosphere. It was the last really good Dooley team, but rising star Auburn was better. Terry Hoage was hurt but played some on special teams. Later, Ga. denied Texas a national championship by winning the Cotton Bowl; Auburn got ripped off (for not the last time) when Miami jumped it in the polls after beating an overrated Nebraska. That was college football.
By tiger7_88
November 8, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this
Roswell Ed, if you’re going to be obnoxious and bold-face certain rude words, could you please make sure that you spell them correctly in the future?
Munson doesn’t call a UGa “lose”… he calls a loss. And you didn’t turn down the sound for all the UGa “loses”, you turned it down for all the UGa losses.
By Bamadon
November 8, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this
I don’t hate Auburn like other Bama fans do. I live in Nahville, TN and really HATE the little orange nation. The Bama/Vols game is my Auburn game!! The Georgia and Auburn game is a classic game in the south. The iron bowl is just freaking crazy!! The idiot auburn fan from roswell can go KISS BIG AL’S A*!!! ROLL TIDE!!!!
By respect
November 8, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this
Hey tiger7_88 I recall your goon fans ripping out chunks of hedges after a AU victory. I just say if you guys do it this year if you win, UGA security should have the tasers ready. Fried war turkey anyone? After all its all about respect.
By ARdawg
November 8, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this
Dirtydawg
Excellent post
By Pat
November 8, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this
Auburn sprayed the fans that did not storm the field. Go figure. This is always a tough, fast SEC game and lately, very high stakes. What more could a fan ask for?
By Roswell Ed
November 8, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this
Ahh screw it:
Top ten signs you’re a member of the Dawged Nation
Ten: Barks in Public
Nine: You think guys with hyphenated names are cool- Gordon Ely-Kelso and Max Jean-Gilles. Pick a name any name.
Eight: You actually think Munson brings insight into the game. Let’s face it there is a likability about Munson, but you have to admit that if brains were taxed, he’d get a rebate.
Seven: You’re stupid enough to pay $3,000-$4,000 for a direct descendant of UGA6. A breed of dog that drools, farts a lot, snores loudly and will rarely sees 10 yrs of age!!
Six: You think Athens is Bourbon St east
Five: Your RV cost more than your house or it is your house.
Four: You thought Jim Herrick Jr’s class was ”tough but fair”
Three: You think Jan Kemp was the devil.
Two: Owns a copy of “Who Let the Dogs Out” and WOOFS when the chorus is “Who-Who-Who-Who-Who”
One: You think beating Vandy, Tech, and Kentucky every year and hardly ever beating AU and UF is the stuff of dynasties
Bonus: You have to come up with some stupid gimmick every week to fire your team up every week.
Ohhhh the blackout!
The Jesus sez
“What’s this running out on the field after a touchdown s+++? What’s this b++ls++t? I don’t freakin’ care! It don’t matter to Jesus. But you’re not foolin’ me, man. You might fool the flicks in the league office, but you don’t fool Jesus. This bush league psyche-out stuff. Laughable, man - ha ha!”
What’s UGA’s record against AU the last 24 yrs by the way?
I believe it’s 8-15-1.
National champions in ‘57. Closer to ‘81 than ‘81 is to ‘07. No one under 30 remembers either one.
I don’t care what anybody sez:
2004 AU undefeated, SEC and Sugar Bowl Champs.
They get the Roswell Ed National Championship. To me that just as valid as the stupid BCS.
By ugagal
November 8, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this
Great article, Mark. You captured exactly what I tried to put into words when my husband asked me about all the “rivals” UGA had. I copped out and said UGA-AU was about “history,” you know…”The Oldest Football Rivalry in the South.” But it was more than that. It was all the things you listed in your article.
And about the divided family thing…My sister married an AU alum who is determed to sell his putrid propaganda to my two nieces aged 8 and 6 months. My mother, an avid Dawg fan, babysits the 6-month-old. So tomorrow, to irritate the crap out of my brother-in-law, she’s going to do a little shopping and and and return my niece to her father decked out in a UGA cheerleading outfit. hee, hee, hee
GO DAWGS!!!
By tiger7_88
November 8, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this
Hey, respect, I’m with ya man… if any AU fans leave the stands to go on the field and touch those hedges, tase’em and cuff’em and take’em away. They have no reason to be there and destruction of property is not “fun” nor is it “respectful”.
And if the AU fans in the stands start pelting the UGa security with cups and bottles, please feel free to turn your hoses on them.
If you think that I believe AU fans should get a pass on being as rude and destructive as the 1986 UGa fans were at Jordan-Hare, you would be very, very wrong.
By looneytoon
November 8, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this
Hey all
Sorry bout roswell ed, he just escaped from the psych ward. We’ll have him tranked and back in the rubber room before the game. Poor mind is just shot. If only he were a horse….
By tiger7_88
November 8, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this
Pat, Pat… the UGa fans in the stands were throwing cups and bottles at the security guards on the field. At least one of those guards had been hit by a bottle and was down. OF COURSE the fans in the stands (you know, the ones throwing the items at security) were sprayed.
Of course, all this happened AFTER the Auburn PA announcer had repeatedly requested that UGa fans not attempt to go on the field and AFTER he had requested that UGa fans leave the stadium. When neither of those things happened and the destruction and violence continued, the sprinklers were turned on. Sorry for the innocent fans that got wet, but if you want to remain to celebrate in the middle of an ongoing riot, when the riot is responded to by the authorities you will feel the effects, innocent or not.
By Red Clay Hound
November 8, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this
By Respect, I was at that game and you are right. Funny how Auburn fans never seem to remember that thou.
By MB
November 8, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this
Having grown up in Atlanta and attended Auburn, it is definitely my favorite rivalry. As Mark said, AU-Bama is just ridiculously nasty and all-consuming.
I look at it this way…if I want to take someone who has never seen SEC football in person, this is the game I would choose, in either stadium.
The game’s are always competitive yet with good sportsmanship, and afterwards the crowds mix well and share food and a coolie together.
Best of luck to both teams, and WDE!
By Forrest Gump
November 8, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this
The crowd control techniques of 1986 were conceived by the thug, Pat Dye. He not only hosed the UGA fans on the field, he hosed Auburn and Georgia fans in the stands. Dye was a discredit to the SEC as well as to Auburn and his alma mater, Georgia.
By FLA DAWG
November 8, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this
The Dawgs know this Auburn team is a different one that lost early this year. Auburn is tough, executes well and has a good coach. But the Dawgs have confidence this year knowing they slaughtered Auburn last year and pounded the gators two weeks ago.
UNCHAIN THE YARD DAWGS ‘N LET THE BIG DAWGS EAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By DWG
November 8, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this
Roswell Ed is a LOSSER!
By Steviejoe
November 8, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this
Hey tiger 7 88 You are absolutely incorrect in your description of the 86 hosing incident. I was sitting on the 10 yard line and had a birds eye view of the endzone where elderly people, young children, and others were hosed and knocked around, injuring several. The bottles flew AFTER the hosing began. You can’t re-write history. I saw it, and will never forget it. Oh yeah, I’m an Alabama fan, so blast away.
By Concerned
November 8, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this
tiger7_88-
I was on the sideline for the Auburn game in 86. I can assure that the bottles came out of your student section as soon as the game ended and aimed at the UGA players & coaches as they left the field. Not much different that Tech did to Bryant & Alabama in ‘63.
Also, to Roswell Ed, congrats on your SEC title in ‘04. You now have one more SEC championship than Georgia Tech who has been out of the league for 45 years. Hey, but you have been on probation more than any other SEC school…Nice program.
By DawgsDawgsDawgs
November 8, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this
Roswell Ed, your hate is delicious. If you only could love Auburn as much as you hate Georgia. You are on this blog year round complaining about UGA and our fans. Yet, you always come back. It is your obsession. Admittedly, this is a UGA/Auburn blog but you’re on all the other UGA blogs too. I love your hate. It is proof that Bulldog Nation is in your head. You cannot escape it. Woof, woof, woof!!!! I know you love it. You wish you were a Bulldog… but you can’t be. You’re War Damn Tiger Eagle. Keep spewing your hate. We understand.
PS Jan Kemp IS the devil.
By Well I was there too
November 8, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this
tiger7_88, Well I was there too and in the endzone about 2 rows back and I vividly remember the fans asking the security gaurds if they could go out on the field to congratulate the team and he stated emphatically, “GO ahead…just don’t try to touch the goal posts.” Our fans were very respectful and stated that this would not be a problem.
Next thing I know, the hoses turn on the stands, they handcuff a guy who was just trying to let him know he was ashmatic…he starts turning blue and they have him laying on the ground in handcuffs. The only good thing about the whole ending was the stupid women in the fur coat standing next to me with her Auburn hat on as she got soaked just like me. Gotta love karma…
The hose incident will forever be a black eye for the Auburn folks as far as I’m concerned. They said one thing and did another. I’m still ticked off and I hope we beat you by a 100. Not likely to happen but a man can have hopes. Just don’t lie about what happened.
By Steve Spurrier
November 8, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this
This is the dumbest column I have ever read, this game never has any national implications and is no where near the biggest rivalry in the south much less the nation
By Steve Spurrier
November 8, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this
This is the dumbest column I have ever read, this game never has any national implications and is no where near the biggest rivalry in the south much less the nation
By Bamadon
November 8, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this
Roswell ED You love to stir up crap!! I do sometimes laugh at your idiot views! Save your best bs for the Bama game!! Auburn has one national title and how many national titles does Bama have, maybe 12!! Get ready for another beat down from the dawgs and we will laugh at your idiot views after the game!!
By Jay
November 8, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this
Way to get caught up in the moment and not look at the FACTS.
Fact: Georgia is no better then the second-biggest rival for Auburn, definately after Alabama and Lsu.
Fact: Auburn is possibly as low as FOURTH in listing of rivals for uga. Floida, Tennessee, and Ga Tech all mean more to alum then Auburn.
Fact: No one outside of the states of Georgia and Alabama cares who wins this game.
By GT76
November 8, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this
Roswell Ed, you are great. I loved the top 10. But you especially, please remember Tech has beat AUBURN the last two times! Don’t include them in your rant about UGA. You know you should not patronize them that way!
By elderlyballcoach
November 8, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this
Hey stevie shouldn’t you be playing with your kock(s)right now? I’d be more concerned about my more than sieve like defense than sticking your yap in a discussion between 2 schools that matter at this junction of the season. Maybe you chicken chokers should discover this thing called tackling before Tebow rips you a new one.
By BigNCDawg
November 8, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this
Forrest gump, I was at the 59 game also. That game earned the silver britches the Orange Bowl. I also attended the Orange Bowl game with my Dad that year. The 59 game was a great one.
By mark
November 8, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this
Top ten signs your name might be Roswell Ed
10- you think there is a dawg that doesn’t fart and snore.
9- you cheer for a team that can’t pick a mascot.
8- you criticize a legendary announcer for not being intelligent when in fact it is his on field counter part Lorn Smith who is the one who was born without a brain.
7- you cheer for a team that can’t pick a mascot…oh, did I already mention that one?
6- you lose to S.Florida and you talk trash
5- you where a Tiger shirt and yell “War damn Eagle”!!
4- you come up with your own award and it has your name in it.
3- you make fun of athens’ night life when you party in……Auburn?
2 and 1- you actually know the words to the the song “who let the dogs out”!
I give myself the “Mark” award!!
Lorn whaddya got…..????
By RTB
November 8, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this
The Auburn game in 1959 is the best game I have ever seen. There were no tickets to be had, but I had a buddy who was a ticket-taker and we managed to act like I had one and I get in. I had another buddy who was a guard on the student section aisle and he let me in and said, “Save me a seat.” I got a seat up against the cement wall and saved two more. During the game, even with literally no chance for GA to win with hardly any time left on the clock, we all three never had a doubt that the Bulldogs would pull it out. Coburn Kelly with the Athens Y team on the sidelines told his boys, “When Francis (Tarkenton) played at the Y and for Athens Hi, I would see a look come into his eyes just before he made a great play. Boys, he had that look in his eyes.” On fourth down, the Southeastern Conf. championship waiting for the winner, Tarkenton made up a play in the huddle GA had never run before. To make a long story short GA’s end, Bill Herron caught a touchdown pass just before he stepped out of the end zone for the game tying touchdown. While the ball was in the air a fan in the stands died of a heart attack. Durwood Pennington came in to kick the extra point to give GA the victory. After the game Pennington said that he thought GA was ahead before he kicked and felt no pressure. After the game, the GA fullback Don Soberdash said in the locker room, “Men, lets end this game the way we started the season”, and the entire team got down on their knees and thanked the Lord for the victory. In the pre-season picks for order of finish in the SEC, GA was picked to finish last. They won it all! What a game!
By touche
November 8, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this
A little late, but I think “Clown” is on to something. That´s my first thought when I read these blogs also. But my personal over and under is how many times will “offense” and “defense” be spelled with a “c”.
By shane
November 8, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this
i have a running bet with a farmer friend of mine that graduated from auburn.see,there is some truth to a stereotype.he has been sporting a uga tag on the front of his truck for the past year.i am sure he has an au tag ready for me,so GO DOGS!!!!
By RugbyDawg
November 8, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this
AUBURN AND GEORGIA NECK AND NECK AUBURN AND GEORGIA TO HELL WITH TECH
By JAXDAWG
November 8, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this
UGA-AU has been a great rivalry.
I was a Boy Scout usher at the ‘59 game. Fran Tarkenton threw the winning TD pass to TE Bill Herron. (They re-enacted that play in ‘79 and the pass was complete again. I wonder if they will re-enact again in ‘09 on the 50th anniversary when all the players will be in their 70s.)
I missed seeing the winning TD play in ‘59 because I was sent to the press box to page a doctor…a fan had a heart attack during Georgia’s final drive because of the stress. The Boy Scouts took care of medical emergencies because there were no Red Cross or other medical personnel in the stadium. It was a very different world in the 50s…even Munson was not around.
By gdawginkalamazoo
November 8, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this
GT76, thank you for pointing that out to “Area 51” Ed. You guys own them like well….
By gdawginkalamazoo
November 8, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this
Shane, nice bet there. LMAO! For your sakes, shame and humility I hope the dawgs help you out there.
By Steve Houlder
November 8, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this
Johnny Cash - Man In Black Lyrics Well, you wonder why the Bulldawgs are always dress in black, Why you never see bright colors on my back, And why does my appearance seem to have a somber tone. Well, there’s a reason for the things that I have on.
I wear the black for the poor Bulldawgs and the beaten down, Livin’ in the hopeless, hungry side of town, I wear it for the prisoner who has long paid for his crime, But is there because he’s a victim of the times.
I wear the black for those dawgs who can’t read, Or listened to the words that Jesus said, About the road to happiness through love and charity, Why, you’d think He’s talking straight to you and me.
Well, we’re doin’ mighty fine, I do suppose, In our streak of lightnin’ cars and fancy clothes, But just so we’re reminded of the ones who are held back, Up front there ought ‘a be a Man In Black.
I wear it for the sick and lonely old, For the reckless ones whose bad trip left them cold, I wear the black in mournin’ for the lives that could have been, Each week we lose a hundred fine young men.
And, I wear it for the thousands who have died, Believen’ that the Lord was on their side, I wear it for another hundred thousand who have died, Believen’ that we all were on their side.
Well, there’s things that never will be right I know, And things need changin’ everywhere you go, But ‘til we start to make a move to make a few things right, You’ll never see me wear a suit of white.
Ah, I’d love to wear a rainbow every day, And tell the world that everything’s OK, But I’ll provide a loss to AU with darkness on my back, ‘Till things are brighter, I’m the Man In Black War Eagle!!! Steve
By RxDawg
November 8, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this
This my favorite game of the year. The best football games I’ve ever seen have been between these two teams. Heres to another battle in the deep south, Go Dawgs!
By Westcoaster
November 8, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this
My favorite was the ‘79 game when James Brooks and Joe Cribbs ran all over the Dawgs for 200+ yards each. If I remember correctly, the Auburn defense also broke Buck Belue’s ankle in the 33-13 Tigers victory. SWEET
By SugarHillDawg
November 8, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this
Hey klm! Lighten up! I can’t stand people like you who have to bring your political baggage to places like this!
By Dang him
November 8, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this
I still admire and like Jim Minter. Guess he couldn’t get ‘em all right.
By braveswin
November 8, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this
Roswell Ed,Jan Kemp is the devil.
By SugarHillDawg
November 8, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this
Hey tiger 7__88, Guess you’ve never seen your FINE ,UPSTANDING fans in Athens when y’all win tear up the hedges huh??!!I was at that “86 game and the PA announcer did say that but it was VERY soon after that that us Georgia fans were getting hosed as we were running out of the first level tunnels,YES they were hosing people in the STANDS. Guess we really p*ssed y’all off huh??
By Lowcountry Bulldawgs
November 8, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this
Enough said about Awbum fans!
By Blue Ridge Bulldog
November 8, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this
Please no black. What are you nit wits trying to do become another South Carolina with the hideous black jersies and fans dressed in black. It looks like a large funeral crowd. But if everyone wants to change uniforms and colors I think that we should try to get some really ugly uniforms like Oregon or Syracuse or have all kinds of swooshes, stripes, panels, and other weird styles like some trashy Denver or Titan NFL uniforms.
By braveswin
November 8, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this
Jay ,FACT I’m not in the states of Ga or Ala and I care who wins this game so FACT you are obviously an idiot.This is one of the best rivalries in the NATION as well as one of the top 1 or 2 in the south and I really don’t give a flying rats behind if that suits you or not.GT would be a bigger rivalry IF they could win more than once a decade.Good luck AU but Sat will be a Dawg day afternoon
By AtlGaTiger
November 8, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this
I was at the firehose game, the AU fumble on the goal line game (when the refs just stared at the ball on the ground while the clock was ticking down and Goff was screaming to his players to take their time getting up), the AU win in Athens in 03 (so long Zeier - finally!),the tie in 04, both OT games in Auburn, Greene to Johnson in 02, the UGA beatdown of us in Athens in O3 when Tubs forgot Cadillac made the trip, Cox/Aromashoudu in 05 (thank you Courtney Taylor trailing that play)…. But nothing compares to the atmosphere at AU in 04. Gameday was in town, Carnell/ Brown/ Campbell/ Greene/ Pollack saying goodbye - and yes an AU thumping of the Dawgs. But I’ve never been more proud to be a Tiger (AND a Plainsman who loves to yell War Eagle!!) than when our STUDENT section started a cheer that the entire stadium picked up on….. “REG-GIE, REG-GIE” when Rosegreen murdered Brown coming across the middle and he was laying face down and not moving. Other then full-throttling you smelly DAWGS with the fire hoses, it was the classiest moment I’ve ever seen on the Plains. WDE!
By The Daddy
November 8, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this
Pat Dye offered a perfectly reasonable explanation for the `86 hose-down; He said “I grew up in Georgia, so I know they like to get their bath on Saturday. I was just doing them a favor.”
War Eagle Forever!
By GetReal
November 8, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this
How assinine you are Bradley.
Last NC for Auburn 1957. 50th anniversary.
Last NC for GA 1980 or 81.
This game matters nothing on the national scale. Nothing!
By Erk
November 8, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this
AtlGaTiger,
I wouldn’t expect any less from a classless Auburn fan. Yes, that’s a true exhibition of character to chant an injured player’s name while he’s on the ground not moving his arms or legs because of a cheap shop helmet to helmet hit. I’m sure you would have been just as proud if Brown had not walked again. Remember, it is a game so keep it in perspective. Thank goodness there are a lot of classy Auburn fans out there. Unfortunately it’s the ones like you who give them all a bad name.
By 3 Rivers jacket
November 8, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this
Rivalry-I think not. These two teams love each other in a way that is not natural if you catch my drift. It is a shame both cannot lose.
By DB Cooper
November 8, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this
I’ve got my Tommy Tuberville Ears on. I have my Reggie Ball replica jersey getting ready. Kentucky is already booing their basketball team after 2 games. GOSH you gotta love this time of year !!!
GO DAWGS!!
By FluffAlbright
November 8, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this
Erk, if I remember correctly they were cheering for Reggie Brown not taunting him. I think you may have misunderstood.
Anyway, looking forward to a good one as always. This Auburn D is playing very well right now and the offense is a bit under rated after struggling early in the season. I like Auburn’s chances. War Eagle!!
By richbrave
November 8, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this
You guys:
ACC; best football league in the universe.
By Coweta Dawg
November 8, 2007 5:36 PM | Link to this
Georgia / Auburn is the best football rivalry in the country. It is the longest, most respectable, and through the years it has earned the right to be called the most meaningful.
These teams ruin each others’ seasons in unexpected ways that become the stuff of grid iron lore.
Mark’s example of UGA winning with its 2nd string quarterback in 1986 is a prime example of this. (And NO ONE knew about losing our starting QB until the starting line up was announced and you just felt all of the wind get sucked out of the UGA section of Jordan Hare because we already were big time underdawgs and now without our starting QB. Ergo ,the crazed celebration at the end which resulted in rampant hosing of fans).
Tuberville seems to have our number most of the time. I don’t know the exact numbers but I think it would be around 6-3 against us.
I feel like Auburn has the edge or the karma going into Saturday, but I like how the Dawgs are trying to create a little of their own with the “blackout.”
Expect the unexpected. Auburn usually wins at UGA, Auburn owes us for last years’ rout, Auburn is by far the most improved SEC team right now, Auburn also shut down Florida, and Auburn has a knack of just ruining a promising UGA season. So you’d think Auburn is a lock, right?
Expect the unexpected …what a rivalry.
Go DAWGS!!!!!
By bryan
November 8, 2007 6:13 PM | Link to this
ISNT BLACK FOR FUNERALS!!KICK EM IN THE A$$ BIG BLUE HEY!!WDE PUPS
By Aladawg
November 8, 2007 6:33 PM | Link to this
To Tiger7_88 All his comments about the hose game regretfully don’t reference the 1985 game where Bo Jackson(Wrong way Bo) and his cast of clowns raped the hedges and our turf after the game. I remember his comment “Dog meat is Sugar sweet” with a branch of our sacred hedges in his mouth. That led to the pulling of turf and bushes in AuBARN in 1986. The hosing was a total lack of class by AuBARN since it was indiscriminate on everyone on a very wet cold night.
To: AtlGaTiger And while 2004 may have been special to AuBARN fans; the hit was illegal and the NCAA made it a point to require future punishment for hits like those. That Reggie chant may have intimated that AuBARN fans were hoping for a recovery by Reggie, many Georgia fans understood it to be a taunt. All I have to end with is “War Eagle Died on the plain Never to conquer, flushed down the drain……………
Woof! 24 P***’s 13
By Firehose
November 8, 2007 6:38 PM | Link to this
Yes, “The 1986 Fire Hose Game”
The great slogans that came because of it: Auburn…Alabama’s only water park. The bumper sticker: Auburn Football where the Surf Meets the Turf! Beat Auburn and get hosed! Then the crowd started chanting Selma Selma Selma!
By jmt
November 8, 2007 7:11 PM | Link to this
thanks for the great column. despite all the nastiness from the ignorant fans on both sides, i totally agree — as a diehard AU fan, UGA is my favorite game of the year, and UGA fans get my respect for being more classy, friendly, and hospitable. the game has a unique dynamic, and is always entertaining. win or lose, though, both teams and their fans seem to enjoy this one. (except for last year. last year sucked.) War Eagle! See ya next year, Dawgs!
By Da Showstopper
November 8, 2007 8:12 PM | Link to this
They were going to have a Nativity scene at Auburn this year, but they couldn’t find 3 wise men and a virgin.
By matt foley, motivational speaker
November 8, 2007 8:40 PM | Link to this
While the Auburn team is fighting amongst themselves in practice getting ready for the rumble…here is what the **UGA players are doing…
I want more cake to celebrate No-Show’s award…
Black uniforms…”does it make my butt look too big…what do you think Coach Mark? geeeee…I just don’t know…DO you have anything in CHARTREUSE?”
Who knows the song….Kum-bay-yah???Let me take another tug on that BONG**
By Alex
November 8, 2007 8:42 PM | Link to this
Hey Mark —
I just wanted to say that this is the first article in a long time on the AJC that made me laugh when that was your aim. I know that sounds like a backhanded compliment, but I really want to commend you on this great piece of writing.
By joe cuervo, III
November 8, 2007 8:57 PM | Link to this
That picture of that butt ugly UGA V lashing out at Robert Baker in 1996, if I was Robert Baker, I would have tried a field goal attempt on UGA V’s head!!!
Me being right footed, I would have pulled it left, but that would’ve been the last bark UGA V would’ve had!
By ClvTiger
November 8, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this
The 1986 game is one of my favorite memories. It was my first date with my now beloved wife. We were both students at Auburn. Unlike my traditional behavior at home football games, I was on my best behavior that night. I had nothing to drink and we were seated very close to the 40 yard line at the edge of the student section. I was crushed when Auburn lost the game but remember like it was yesterday what happened after the game. Auburn did not unleash hoses. They turned on the field sprinklers. This occurred after Georgia fans rushed the field. At least 4000 Georgia fans were on the field before the sprinklers were turned on. What I saw, contrary to what is repeated often in the “tradition” of the series, is Georgia fans laughing and having a ball while the sprinklers were turned on.
I also remember many other GA-AU games. The vile comments on this website do not reflect the atmoshpere at this game at all. Pleasant people, wanting their people to win but with mutual respect is what I remember…not ridiculous trash talking I read above.
By Spoon
November 8, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this
As a guy who has attended games from ‘99 to ‘04 and on and also was at two games where at one an Auburn reciever was render unconcious by a blow to the head by a hit by a Georgia linebacker…four years later a similar hit was laid on a Georgia reciever and both times the Auburn crowd started chanting their names to show support. So for all you sick people so torn up by hatred for Auburn that somehow manage to twist a generous and supportive move by the crowd into taunting is just wrong. I played defensive back when I played and laid many a hit helmet to helmet…a typical thing for a guy who is normally undersized and outweighed by whoever is coming down the field. We tend to lead with our heads and it hurts like hell, but it gets the guy down. So for all you so called experts who talk about it being a malicious hit, sorry but its very typical just now days in world of modern medicine its just realized to be a very dangerous hit, as much for the hitter as the hittee. It bugs me so much to see a good article like this one which was respectful to both sides torn and butchered by all you people who hate either side. How about just not posting in the future…that would be nice and helpful and as far the game goes. Stay at home…watch the game there and embarrass those around you with your malacious hatred without taking it to a public venue where you embarrass your school too.
By War Eagle
November 8, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this
Jim, ask your dad if he remembers Theron Sapp, that was reason for the fight. I played in that game and its was last stand in Columbus brawl. Great game Auburn,6 UGA 0.Auburn won out and was 1957 National champions.
By BigNCDawg
November 8, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this
RTB and JaxDAWG we probably know each other. I had been one of Kelly’s boys but had aged out. That 59 game was the greatest DAWGS game I have ever seen. I was sixteen at the time. Do you remember that Pat Dye was on that team.
By banjeaux
November 8, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bradley,
First time reader - first time to make a comment in the Journal-Constitution. Can there be a better job than sportswriter covering big time college sports?
An interesting column, indeed, on the Georgia - Auburn rivalry. I’m originally from Mobile and remember when Vince Dooley played for Auburn in the early ’50s. The Dooley to Georgia and Dye to Auburn stories make good material. No doubt your memories of this rivalry have the potential for an interesting book. Surely, many Georgia and Auburn fans would love to share walks down memory lane with you.
BTW, that fellow posting as Forrest Gump is an imposter or a liar. Everybody knows that Forrest Gump played for Coach Bryant and the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Oh! The polls have closed in the Best Rivalry in the South in College Football. Did the results of the poll agree with your opinion. Please share the final counts with readers. Thanks!
By banjeaux
November 8, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this
**By Forrest Gump
November 8, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this
The first Auburn-UGA game I attended was the one in 1959 with my father, an Auburn graduate, and my brother, a student at Auburn.**
I beg your pardon, Mr. Gump. I misread your post. Please excuse my bad attitude. Love it when you played for Coach Bryant. ;-)
By banjeaux
November 8, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this
**By Forrest Gump
November 8, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this
The first Auburn-UGA game I attended was the one in 1959 with my father, an Auburn graduate, and my brother, a student at Auburn.**
I beg your pardon, Mr. Gump. I misread your post. Please excuse my bad attitude. Loved it when you played for Coach Bryant. ;-)
By Great Rivalry
November 9, 2007 2:03 AM | Link to this
Mark, I agree with you. This is the best rivalry in College football. Over 100 years of games, and the rivalry is even in terms of not only wins and losses…but even points scored! They’re have been too many fantastic finishes to even start recalling.
The coolest thing is that it seems like every one on both sides of the rivalry has friends on the other side. Its a fierce, yet friendly rivalry…and usually a lot is on the line!
Go DAWGS!
By Redwing
November 9, 2007 7:44 AM | Link to this
Best rivalry in college football? Maybe. Definitely not in the whole wide world. Has Mark Bradley ever seen rivalry in other sports in other parts of the world? Of course not. Control yourself Mark.
By physicsDawg
November 9, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this
The Mutual Respect, as evidence by a lot of comments here, Is demonstrated by the teams and coaches. SOMETIMES by the fans, but not always. The reason is that many of these players played together in high school, but aren’t instilled with the vitriol that playing together can’t overcome, like AU-UA hatred. Also, the coaches’ respect is evident, due to their common history in many cases. Yes, it is our friends on the other side that can make us enemies for a day, but friends the rest of the year. Sprinklers and Coke bottles are the result of very poor human beings being allowed to be fans. Unfortunately, there’s no screening process…
By lee
November 9, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this
Hey Roswell Ed…Get a job!
By physicsDawg
November 9, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this
Win or lose tomorrow: Touch the Hedges and it’s “Don’t Tas’ Me Bro!” time.
By BT
November 9, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this
The Ohio State University vs Michigan is the greatest rivalry in the world of sports. PERIOD.
By I was there
November 9, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this
Hey Great Article: ‘This is very different than the low life Florida and LSU fans that would rather spew profanity as they spill their drink on your kids as you walk to the stadium’. There are no fans more low life than Dawg fans. Two weeks ago in Jax I had the pleasure of having 2 drunk, obnoxious Dawg fans escorted from Jax Municipal stadium after they spent most of the 1st half barking, drinking from flasks, screaming f-bombs in spite of and in some cases at several young children in the area. When an elderly gentleman in front asked them to stop hitting him in the head with a huge ‘G’ flag, they threatened to send him out on a stretcher. All teams have their obnoxious fans, but NONE are worse than Georgia’s.
By F Russo
November 9, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this
That 1983 game was my first also we lived in New Jersey than and i was a 20 year season ticket holder of the NY Giants. OUR SON WAS A Senior at Georgia. After that game i became a Georgia fan and the next year gave up my Giant tickets and have not been to a pro game since.
By Auburnfan33
November 9, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this
Roswell Ed,reading these stupid attacks on you reminds me of exactly why I’ve always HATED the ‘Dawgs! I’d rather focus on the teams and their mission tomorrow. It should be a hard fought, kick-@$$ close game that is a real heartbreaker for the team that ends up on the losing end. I wouldn’t begin to predict the outcome since none of us have a hand in the actual game anyway. And what is it with Georgia fans and their stupid nicknames for everyone?! Fine, how about the Georgia Bullthugs or, as my nephew innocently said, the Borgia Doo-Gods… Hey, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. War Eagle.
By tiger98
November 9, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this
I was at the game in Athens when fans were tearing up the hedges. What the UGAlies don’t remember is that the hedges were going to be pulled up anyway for the Olympics. The school had already grown replacements. Auburn fans were not the only ones tearing them up. Georgia fans were right down there with them.
By Georgia 74
November 9, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this
I have been to games at all the SEC schools plus Jacksonville, all the Pac 10 and Big Ten schools, and Auburn still is the nearest nothing place I’ve ever been.
By Jake Kay
November 9, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this
Hey we beat UF, everything else is just a cherry on top for me.
I would request, as a graduate of UGA, that our fans please utilize their spell check functions- or simply begin reading more.
And to Auburn fans, your school is horrible. Also, you need to figure out a way to deal with traffic. Visiting your cow town always involves 2 hours in a parking lot. Pave new roads.
By 87 Dawg
November 9, 2007 5:28 PM | Link to this
All schools have some fans that are idiots. Some have more than others. I have read many blogs but never repsonded to any. I happened to be on the field at the 86 game as a player for UGA. As we walked off the field I recall being pelted by whiskey bottles, coke bottles, batteries and a few other objects. Fans on both sides were out of control. Coach Dooley told us to wear our helmets till we got to the locker room. It was crazy and near a riot. I played in 4 games against Auburn and no one hits any harder than Tigers. The games are intense and both sides have a lot of repsect for each other. Great rivalry with great fans on both sides. Unfortunately some try to ruin it for all. Go to the game and support your team with class and dignity.
Roswell Ed you got too much time on your hands my friend. If you have that much hate inside of you then you need to exercise your demons in a different way than making a a** out of yourself on ajc blogs.
Go Dawgs
By SECDon
November 9, 2007 6:39 PM | Link to this
Auburn-Georgia is without a doubt one of the best conference games in the SEC and the south. However the Alabama-Tennessee game has to stand out as THE GAME not only in the south but also one of the key games in the nation. Use to be that the winner of the Ga. Tech, Tennessee, and Alabama trio of games usually won the SEC. Now with Tech gone that leaves Bama-UT. Other historical games of national importance are Oklahoma-Texas, Notre Dame-USC, and Ohio State-Michigan.
By Mike-Alpha Dawg
November 9, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this
I was at the 1986 game with my wife and we both distinctly remember the water cannons at War Memorial Stadium or what was left of it. We were BOTH shocked when they were turned on the people in the stands from the endzone out to about the 20 yard-line. These were waterCANNONS, not hoses- who came up with that word? That’s like saying a bomb is only a firecracker. There was one older couple that was knocked down, who later filed suit against the university. The most disgraceful moment in the history of college football. If this had happened in the last 5 years with the intense coverage by ESPN, it would still be talked about on TV and dissected by Nancy Grace. It was awful. And not one apology by ANYONE of the “CLASSY” auburn officials. And, the announcers on TV were flabbergasted and very critical.This is the true story.
By Mike-Alpha Dawg
November 9, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this
I was at the 1986 game with my wife and we both distinctly remember the water cannons at War Memorial Stadium or what was left of it. We were BOTH shocked when they were turned on the people in the stands from the endzone out to about the 20 yard-line. These were waterCANNONS, not hoses- who came up with that word? That’s like saying a bomb is only a firecracker. There was one older couple that was knocked down, who later filed suit against the university. The most disgraceful moment in the history of college football. If this had happened in the last 5 years with the intense coverage by ESPN, it would still be talked about on TV and dissected by Nancy Grace. It was awful. And not one apology by ANYONE of the “CLASSY” auburn officials. And, the announcers on TV were flabbergasted and very critical.This is the true story.
By Mike
November 9, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this
Good column, Mark. You’re right, this is a great series no matter which side of the fence you’re on.
By TheClassicCity
November 10, 2007 12:23 AM | Link to this
I never post but…..i could not agree more about this series. I love playing AU evey year. This is the game that it really takes for us to get it done!
Go Dawgs!
By AKDAWG
November 10, 2007 1:23 AM | Link to this
Auburnfan33-You have to admit that it’s enjoyable to poke fun at a school that has 3 nicknames. Making up nicknames, that’s plain silly. You might be able to divulge from your nephew that football really is just a game.