When quarterback David Greene was redshirted as a Georgia freshman in 2000, he watched Georgia Tech beat the Bulldogs for the third consecutive season. That matched the Yellow Jackets’ longest winning streak in the series since the 1950s. Georgia has gone 11-1 against Tech since 2001 (including wins in all four games started by Greene), 18-4 since 1991 and 37-12 since 1964. Greene recalls UGA’s most recent losing streak against the Jackets and discusses the importance of the series.

Growing up in Gwinnett County, I was very familiar with both schools. Having gotten recruited by both, I was familiar with (then Georgia Tech coach) George O’Leary and (then offensive coordinator) Ralph Friedgen. They had a great thing going on at Georgia Tech. That was back in the Joe Hamilton days and the George Godsey days. Georgia was really a team that had a lot of talent, but was finding ways to lose that ballgame. There was obviously a lot of heartburn in Athens about three straight losses to Tech. People were not excited about that in Athens, to say the least.

Going through the recruiting process, I had seen a couple of the losses (in 1998 and 1999). I knew when I came to Georgia that was a must-win game, one you’ve got to find a way to win and get things turned around. I experienced it my redshirt year first-hand, being on the sidelines for another tough loss (in 2000 in Sanford Stadium). I remember George Godsey ran one 50 (actually 33) yards up the middle on our defense. All 11 starting guys on that defense went pro, and George Godsey somehow found a way to run one (33) yards on us. And I remember we threw it 50-something (actually 62) times that game. I remember it was kind of a miserable day.

When coach (Mark) Richt came (to Georgia in 2001), the Tech game was a huge one. It was just a good team victory for us, not anything real flashy. We made enough plays to get the W. … The next year, it was a blowout. We were playing really the best football we played the whole time I was at Georgia. Even though we had the SEC Championship game the following week, Tech is not a game you look past. I think fans probably were going, “Well, let’s just get ready for the SEC Championship.” Nah, nah, nah. One of the reasons you come to Georgia is to beat Tech.

We always had a lot of respect for Georgia Tech. Obviously, both schools don’t like each other, but that’s the way it is supposed to be in a rivalry.

When you come to Athens as a player, that’s a game you’re supposed to win. It’s not a game you’re just supposed to play well and hope everything works out. That’s a game when you suit up you’re expected to find a way to get a W. … (Going 4-0 as a starter against Tech in 2001-04) is something I take a lot of pride in, growing up here in Georgia and living in Gwinnett County now.