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AJC > Sports > UGA > Blog > Archives > 2008 > September > 25 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBig ain’t the word for it!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Game Day” is coming to town for the first time in 10 years. Mark Richt has called for another Blackout as Georgia and Alabama both bring Top 10 rankings to their game in Sanford Stadium. Tickets are going for as much as $600.
This is big. Aw, big ain’t the word for it, as Deputy Fife would say.
This is REALLY big.
Biggest home game ever? Well, that remains to be seen, but the 2008 edition of Georgia-Alabama will have to go some to match what took place on Oct. 2, 1976, when the No. 6 Bulldogs under Vince Dooley met Bear Bryant’s No. 10 Crimson Tide Between the Hedges.
It was one of the toughest tickets ever in Athens. Folks camped out overnight on the old tracks, and my Dad, who almost always could find a way into a game, wound up watching it from the bridge (which you could do back then) with, as he put it, “the drunks and the hippies.” The next year, Dad bought season tickets so that wouldn’t happen again. Me, I was in the seats under the overhang that I’d bought the year before and which I still have to this day.
From pre-game through to the end, it was the loudest I ever heard a Sanford crowd before they enclosed the one end of the stadium.
The 1976 Dawgs may not have had black jerseys, but they had their own motivational tool … shaved heads, with pretty much the entire team and coaching staff (including Dooley) bald by the end of the SEC championship season.
This was the second year of Erk Russell’s revived Junkyard Dawg defense, and they kept Alabama, coming off five straight SEC titles, in check the entire game, stopping one first-half drive with an interception and recovering a fumble to set up Georgia’s final scoring drive in the second half. Jeff Lewis finished the day with eight unassisted tackles.
On offense, the Bulldogs were running the veer option using tailback Kevin McLee and two quarterbacks, Matt Robinson (the passer) and Ray Goff (the runner), behind a massive veteran line that included Mike “Moonpie” Wilson and Joel “Cowboy” Parrish. The line was so good that when Robinson misread a signal from the sideline and ran an option into the strong side of the Tide defense instead of the weak side as intended, he still ended up in the end zone. Another 72-yard drive by the Dawgs in the first half resulted in no points when a fake field goal play failed. In the second half, Goff engineered a classic 10-play, 5 minute Dooleyball drive for another score. Robinson passed to Ulysses Norris for the third TD, as the Dawgs blanked the Tide 21-0. The Junkyard Dawgs had held the Tide to just 49 yards rushing. The Bear offered no excuses. “We lost to a superior football team today,” he said graciously after the game before going off to chomp on some Golden Flake potato chips.
The Georgia win set off a post-game scene in Athens that hasn’t been matched since, not even when the goalposts were torn down in the Donnan era. Dooley calls it “the biggest celebration that ever took place in Georgia football history.” The partying grew so intense that Milledge Avenue, home of many of the fraternities and sororities, had to be closed down by police because students were dancing in the street and stopping cars to shake hands with the drivers. The celebration continued on into the next week and legend has it that some classes had to be canceled.
So Georgia-Alabama 2008 has a lot to live up to. On paper, it looks like the ingredients are all there to produce another game for the ages.
Who knows, maybe they’ll even have to close Milledge Avenue again Saturday night!
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Comments
By Bama Mike
September 25, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this
They will have to close it for the funeral procession for that poor ol squashed Bulldog.
By Knowshon Is My Cuzin
September 25, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
I was on the field for that game with the Redcoats. I lost my voice screaming. That was the game that we went to Dooley’s house on Thursday night before and sang UGA songs only to have Barbara come out to tell us that coach was not home. He later sent a message to RLD letting him know how much he appreciated our spirit.
By NYJacket
September 25, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
Good luck this weekend UGA. You are going to need it.
By toemeetsleather
September 25, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
if i recall the next week you lost to ole miss!!!YELLOW FEVER WILL MARCH THRU ATHENS AND CRUSH YU COME NOVEMBA!!
By toemeetsleather
September 25, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
if i recall the next week you lost to ole miss!!!YELLOW FEVER WILL MARCH THRU ATHENS AND CRUSH YU COME NOVEMBA!!
By TMDAWG
September 25, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
We came up with a cure for yellow fever 7 years ago. Silly bees!!
By GeoffDawg
September 25, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this
Yellow fever sounds like a urinary tract infection.
By GaDawg
September 25, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this
The only funeral this wekend will be for those pachyderms’! the tide recedes and fades to BLACK. GO DAWGS!
By Aunt Bee
September 25, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this
What would Floyd call it?
By Floyd
September 25, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this
The Atlanta Football Classic will be a big Blackout.
By Mikey in the SAV
September 25, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
Dawgs 17 Laundry detergent 13
By Ed
September 25, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
Dawgs 23 Marine Algae 16
By uga_b
September 25, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
I am just hoping I have one great tailgate still left in me…
I can’t wait. Go Dawgs!
By Bama'sFatLineman
September 25, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this
Me hungry… Me no want to run.. Me no like play football.. Me outta breath from talking… Me riding on fork lift for game… Did I mention me hungry?
By Jim Harrick Jr
September 25, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this
Cancelling classses so they could party for a week after a FB win?? No problem, everybody gets an A
By Randy
September 25, 2008 6:21 PM | Link to this
The Deciding factor….NICK SABIN Roll Tide Roll !!
By alabama al
September 25, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this
this is by far the best team the puppies have faced…just as the hogs last week..they will not know what hit them…lucked out last year…ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL Tide….27-7
By Phoneguy
September 25, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this
Its SABAN dude. Alabama grad I see.. Fabulous grammar and delusional. Dawgs 24 Tide 14
By stendec
September 25, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this
How about F+++++G unbeatable USC? Even if these bums come back to win they ARE NOT #1 except perhaps on paper only. TOILET PAPER!
By stendec
September 25, 2008 10:32 PM | Link to this
Announcers were begging for field goal so beloved Trojans would only be down by 17 points at half. FORGET IT! How about 21-0? SWEET! Almost as good as a UGA victory. ALMOST! GO DUCKS! F++K USC! Cheap shot crybaby overrated C++Ksuckers!
By Maddog
September 25, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this
PACWIN, where are you? 21 - 0?….to Oregon State?….. #1 in the country?
LMAO!!!!!!!!!!
By FLA DAWG
September 25, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this
I don’t know how this game will end but The Oregon State Beavers have absolutely DOMINATED The USC Trojans on both sides of the ball in the first half.
DAWGS - A USC loss or even a close win should jack you up so high that you might outscore Bama by 14 points this Saturday.
LET THE BIG DAWGS EAT !!!!!!!!!
By Maddog
September 26, 2008 12:15 AM | Link to this
USC = O V E R R A T E D
By spike
September 26, 2008 6:55 AM | Link to this
You Bama potlickers are in for a long night and a long ride home.
By future freshman
September 26, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this
Here’s a chance to win tickets to Georgia’s homecoming game against Vanderbilt on October 18, cut your taxes and help pave the way for future Bulldogs to attend UGA. Just go to www.path2college529.com for sweepstakes rules and to find out more about the State of Georgia’s tax-deferred higher education savings 529 plan and register to win four tickets to the UGA homecoming game against Vandy. There’s no obligation beyond registering, and the winner will get free limousine transportation to and from the game as well as pre-game hospitality and sideline passes, game programs, and a football autographed by Coach Richt. But sign up now! The deadline for registration is October 12. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited.
By tblack
September 26, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this
uga aint clemson or arkansas so buckle up mr wilson.
By mojoman
September 26, 2008 6:55 PM | Link to this
The Bear may scare, but VD Kills. Wasn’t that game in the fall of ‘75. The only thing I remember was going to the liquor store on the Atlanta Highway after the game and they were sold out of all brands of bourbon. It was the biggest party I ever saw.
By Ron Michael
September 27, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
Georgia vs Alabama I think that we’re alot better than Alabama. Bama’s stats are racked up because of 4 games with 4 below sub par teams.Georgia has already no doubt played 2 teams that should finish above .500 this year. We have a better Running Back, Quarterback,as good if not better recievers and a kicker equal to theirs. I think Georgia should beat Alabama by 13 points tonight, just dont be intimidated by their stats cause its very misleading. I think Stafford will have a great game and knowshon will get his 100yds. AJ Green will get 100 in recieving and we will put pressure on their quarterback which will lead into turnovers. Dont let the players become intimidated by misleading stats. GEORGIA 23 ALABAMA 10
By Waitin Gator
September 27, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
Go Dawgs! Get ranked Number One!
Rack up those BCS points.
And enjoy it until Jacksonville.
By Aubbie Gal
September 27, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
Go DAWGS!!!!
AU alum ALWAYS love it when the Dawgs attack the Tide…I am sick of hearing how ‘Savior Saban’ has made this bunch of spoiled, non-disciplined lazy jocks into a real team, they are not and never will be half as good as the in-bred fans of the long dead Reverend Bryant seem to think. So roll over the Tide, Dawgs! Rolll Them all the way back to Tuscaloosa tonight! But that is the ONLY Alabama team you gonna whip! lolz!! Go Tigers!!! War Eagle!!!
By lgragg
September 27, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this
NEENER, NEENER! ALABAMA 41 GEORGIA 30 ROLL TIDE!!!
By miss a
September 27, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this
What’s up Georgia fans? Got nothing else to say? Well, this Alabama fan says “ROLL TIDE ROLL”
By War Damn Eagle
September 27, 2008 11:10 PM | Link to this
Hey MUTTS…I thought those black jerseys and blacked out stadium were supposed to scare Bama…oh wait…you wore black for the funeral…I get it. Have you guys dusted off the trophy case for that BCS Championship Trophy yet….well don’t bother…you guys aren’t even going to make it into the SEC Championship game…but don’t worry, they do give a National CHUMPianship trophy and you guys sure are first class CHUMPS….War Damn Eagle
By stendec
September 27, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this
First off, I love the Dawgs. That said, now time for tough love! I would not vote UGA in the Top 10. They would have to win three consecutives times before I would grant them a #10 spot. I have never been more ashamed of a non-performance! They stink, stank and stunk. Allowing an untalented bum team like Bama to build a 31-0 lead is completely unacceptable. The Dawgs could not have defeated USC (the California one) with this type of ball-less S++T! Forget the final cosmetic score. This was an old fashion A++kicking. IN SPADES! Not worthy of a ranked team. An embarrassment to an UNRANKED one! Is Bama that good? Hell no! Is Georgia that bad? Possibly. Only time will tell. That said, GO DAWHS! Oh, as for the black jerseys. Burn the damn things!
By Jim Ware
September 28, 2008 12:14 AM | Link to this
BAMA is that good!Made a good but OVERATED team look very bad!
By Waint Gator
September 28, 2008 7:52 AM | Link to this
Close ain’t the word for it!
Who looks overrated now?
By Bryan Hunter
September 28, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this
That was a lovely funeral last night. Thanks for the hospitality. Roll Tide!
By Alabama RedNeck
September 28, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
Welp, looks like we showed them thar dogs how a REAL team plays football in Alabama. YEEEEE HAAAAAAAAAW
We gonna beat every team we play this year cause we gots the best coach, the best players, the best fans and the most redneck folks like me.
Heck, aint got no education, dont even know whar the college is, but i know BEAR Almighty is grinning down on us all Rednecks today cause we went over thar and whipped them dawgs yep sirreee. Heck, mah beer done gots gone, Bubba out.
By DawgDaze
September 28, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this
alls i gots t’say:
how emabarrisin’
….
By JDawg
September 28, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this
Fire Willie Martinez, fire Mike Bobo, Get a real Off. & Def coordinator, pro caliber coaches, rewrite that stupid amateur playbook , throw out that damn shotgun draw that hasn’t worked against a good team in 5 years. If I see that play one more time I’m gonna shoot myself in the head. After doing all that then maybe, just maybe, we can talk NC. Until then our Dawgs are a good, little, top 15 team and occasional S.E.C. champs. Nothing more, nothing less. And certainly never National Champs.
After giving up 31 in the first half against Bama, and last years debacle to Tenn, its obvious Coach Martinez is over matched in this league. He should just quit now and save us all another year of heartbreak!
As for Bobo, down 31-0 and you run a a trick play to try and catch Bama off guard, are you stupid? You run that in a semi close game, after the running and passing game is working. Then you call a quarterback sweep and nearly get Stafford killed. Then you call another screen after Bama had stuffed the last one tried. Are you stupid or just ignorant?
CMR please hire some pro coordinators and give this team a real pro offensive and defensive look, not a amateur look and feel.
CMR must do something about coaching and play calling or this team will never be respected and will never win a NC during his stay at UGA!
By ChattHill Jacket
September 28, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
Never forget the last game BOBO started was @ Bama and they pulled him put in Eric Zier and never looked back. It seems as if BAMA is going to kill Bobo’s coaching career too.
By Pago Flyer
September 28, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
Do we have to play LSU, Auburn, Gators, Vols, Vandy and GT?! Sad….
By Prior Commitments
September 28, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this
it’s a game folks..it is NOT ‘pro’ and the players are college kids, maybe three of them will actually pursue a ‘pro’ football career..
what a shame you would know the names of college coaches, plays, and stats of every game in the past ten years, but none of you can name your state reps , congressmen, what bills are being presented…maybe one of ten who visit a football stadium this season can name the secretary of state, or the speaker of the house? no wonder United States is sinking into the worst financial mess, all of you are too busy watching a meaningless football game to consider what is developing in Washington. sad sad sad.
By FormerTideSafety
September 28, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this
I wouldn’t say meaningless….some of the greastest leaders our country has ever known, business or government, have done battle on the athletic fields of competition. This game makes a young man develop mental toughness, discipline, the ability to perform under pressure and teamwork skills. All traits I look for in prospective employess in my business. Aside from that….how does watching football from 8-11 p.m. on Saturday night further add to our Nation’s economic crisis?? What alternative activiites would you suggest?
By HighBrow
September 28, 2008 9:24 PM | Link to this
yeah, football fans are a sorry lot alright,
especiallyThe ones who travel hours in gas guzzling red and white RVs to boast about how well they cook ribs and how cold the cooler will keep the brew…while most of them ignore the inner city poverty they are parked a few yards from.
ah yes, football…such a noble institute of character building. puhleeeese.
greed, ego, bragging rights…ummm, right.
By bamafan
September 29, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this
You were right….Big Ain’t the word for the whuppin the dawgs got! Roll Tide!