Georgia Bulldogs: Matthew Stafford's career

Sports

Georgia Bulldogs: Matthew Stafford's career

Photos of Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Matthew Stafford's college football career from 2006-2008.

After leading Georgia to a 24-12 win over Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl, Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford announced his decision to skip his senior season to enter the NFL Draft. Reports have Stafford going No. 1 overall to Detroit.

As QB for the Highland Park (TX) Scots, Stafford was among Texas' most highly-recruited prospects coming out of the 2005 season.

Stafford (7) drills during an early Bulldogs spring practice in Athens March 4, 2006. He was not slated to be the starter for the 2006 season.

But the question of whether the freshman QB would redshirt or not was answered in the fourth quarter against Western Kentucky September 2, 2006, when he became the first true freshman Bulldog QB to start since Quincy Carter in 1998 and the first out of high school to start since Eric Zeier in 1991.

Life on the field against Georgia's biggest SEC foes, including Tennessee, never proved easy for No. 7. Stafford was 1-1 vs. the Vols as a starter, losing 35-14 in 2007 and winning 26-14 in 2008.

Against archrival Florida, Stafford posted a 1-2 record, defeating the Gators 42-30 in 2007.

One SEC team Stafford dominated, however, was Auburn, going 3-0 against the Tigers from 2006-08.

And against the Dogs' in-state rival, Georgia Tech, Stafford notched a 2-1 record.

Among Stafford's many career highs at Georgia: 21 games with 200 or more yards passing including three 300-yard passing games and one 400-yard passing game.

Stafford had one of those career days throwing for 309 yards vs. Tennessee in 2008.

Stafford also quarterbacked UGA to a 3-0 bowl record in his three years as a starter. In 2006, he led UGA over Va. Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, QB'ed Georgia past Hawaii for the Sugar Bowl crown in 2007 and capped the 2008 season with a win over Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl.

And lest Dogs fans forget, he led the team's much-ballyhooed first-ever "blackout" game vs. Auburn at Sanford Stadium Nov. 10, 2007.

When Georgia entered the 2008 season ranked No. 1 nationally, Stafford and teammates were instant media darlings.

Four games into the 2008 season, UGA's hopes for an unbeaten season ended with a 41-30 loss to Alabama. The Dogs lost the No. 1 ranking and worked to salvage the season. But losses to Florida and Georgia Tech turned '08 into a disappointing campaign for junior QB Stafford and the team.

And so now, Georgia fans prepare to say goodbye to Knowshon Moreno (24) and Matthew Stafford (7), one of the many dynamic duos to have graced the space Between The Hedges that fans won't soon forget.

1/15

After leading Georgia to a 24-12 win over Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl, Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford announced his decision to skip his senior season to enter the NFL Draft. Reports have Stafford going No. 1 overall to Detroit.

Today's Gallery Headlines

NYE revelers ring in 2026 watching Digital Drone Peach in the Sky

PHOTOS: Atlanta welcomes 2026 with fireworks, drone show

Photos of AJC’s final run

PHOTOS: The final print run of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

123125 sugar bowl parade

PHOTOS: Sugar Bowl Parade

aajc 123025 team media day sugar bowl

Photos: Georgia football players, coaches during Sugar Bowl team media day

More Galleries

Atlanta Falcons vs Los Angeles Rams

PHOTOS: Falcons defeat Rams for third straight win

aajc 122925 sugar bowl arrivals

PHOTOS: Georgia arrives at team hotel for Sugar Bowl

Georgia Tech BYU Football

PHOTOS: Georgia Tech battles BYU in Pop-Tarts Bowl

gainesville, thomas county central

PHOTOS: Thomas County Central pummels Gainesville for 5A state title