Florida, 2004 - We hadn't won since '97 - even though we'd come darn close - and had lost 12 of 13. Ron Zook was on his way out and we almost blew a 21-0 lead by allowing the Gators to claw back into the contest, but it still felt good to finally get a win against a hated rival.
Hawaii, 2007 Sugar Bowl - This was a scary game for me personally. There was an aspect of redemption in this game, as I felt the Dawgs needed to win - and win big - to wash away the funk from the '05 Sugar Bowl loss to WVU. There was still an element of fear early, as Brennan and Hawai'i had been impressive all year long and were playing a style of football we traditionally struggle against. But, Marcus Howard and the D stayed on Colt all night long and UGA cruised to a 41-10 blowout.
LSU, 2005 SEC Championship - This game made me feel like Georgia truly belonged in the elite of the SEC. Sure we'd had a great '02 run, but getting back there is as important to getting there the first time if you're talking about program building. LSU had trounced us in the 2003 SECCG, but we had already avenged that with a blowout between the hedges in '04. So, this was a clean slate game against an 11-1, third ranked Tiger squad. I was terrified early that they would blast us, but we took momentum late in the first and never gave it up en route to 34-14 bruising and a second SEC championship.
Clemson, 2003 - There was a lot of pressure on Georgia after the sweet success of 2002, and this Clemson road game was the first contest of '03. Could we keep it up? Well, a 30-0 owning of the Tigers said yes. We did have some mediocre performances later in the year and lost twice to eventual national champ LSU, but somehow, that big win at Clemson made it OK. It felt like we were a premiere program again.
Florida, 2007 - This one's pretty self explanatory. A lot of it has to do with the same emotions as that '04 victory above. But, throw in the end zone dance, sacking Tebow 6 times and dropping 42 points on the Mighty Gators...now that's a victory!
Auburn, 2006 - Here's the Tigers' first appearance, but definitely no their last. 2005 had broken down into quite the disappointing season for us heading to the Plains. We were 6-4, had lost to Vandy and UK, and were facing a national title contender Auburn team. I remember I had just flown in from Texas and was watching the game with some friends in ATL; we weren't expecting much. But, the defense forced 4 turnovers ans Stafford led the way offensively passing - and rushing - as the Dawgs rolled the no. 5 Tigers, 37-15. It was the win we needed and it springboarded us to a win over Tech and a Chick-Fil-A Bowl victory.
Auburn, 2007 - For me, this game was all about swagger. It was tight until the third quarter, with Auburn leading 20-17. But the new jerseys, stadium black-out, and loosening up on the sideline just turned the whole thing around, as the D and Knowshon took over and led the way to a 45-20 rout. It was a big win we needed on the heels of that win over Florida and paved the way for the Sugar Bowl win against Hawai'i.
Tennessee, 2001 - Hobnail Boot! This game did a lot to ingratiate Richt and frosh QB David Greene to Bulldawg nation. It looked doomed late, with UT scoring on a 90+ yard screen pass to go up 24-20 with less than a minute to go. But a good return and two good plays set up P-44 Haynes over the middle and we stole a 26-24 win in Knoxville.
Georgia Tech, 2002 - This is my second favorite UGA win of all time, I think. It wasn't close, it wasn't pretty, and Tech wasn't that good, but damn it felt good to drop 51 points and 550 yards on the bees, all while holding them to one touchdown. We could do no wrong that day and Tech got nothing going, as the D knocked Suggs and Bilbo around all day and forced 5 turnovers. It was a sweet day in Sanford Stadium.
Auburn, 2002 - This was the game that brought us back. We had one loss, but - of course - it was to Florida and was threatening to keep us out of our first ever SECCG. We had to beat Auburn to lock up a trip to ATL and it looked like we were going to come up short, as the Tigers led 14-3 at the half. But Sean Jones - an often overlooked player - had 2 INT's and a crucial fumble recovery for a TD to get Georgia close late in the 4th. Down 21-17, Greene led the Dawgs down the field before failing to convert twice and then losing yards on third down to set up 4th and 15. With one last chance to win, Greene hit Michael Johnson in the corner of the endzone, and...well, MY GOD! A TOUCHDOWN!...Everyone at our apartment jumped in the air at the same time, drinks spilt, and I thought the floor would crumble beneath us, but we didn't care - we were going to ATL for the SECCG, where we won our first title in 20 years.
Every Dawg Has Its Day!
The 02 Tech game is also one of my favorites. I had to work that day, and watching the Tech fans walk up the hill that night was one of the best feelings I had at a UGA game.
ReplyDeleteI still almost cry thinking about michael johnsons catch. That was one of the more excited moments in my life and i will never forget you or any of the other people that i was lucky to be there with that night.
ReplyDeleteI was there. It was in the endzone closest to us. 4th down or not, I just knew I was in for disappointment. I sensed it. It was still a great game, though.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome list! I agree with Arooo on this one. That Auburn game was fantastic and Highland Park could barely contain us. For me, there has never been a sweeter celebration.
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