University of Georgia Athletics
No. 5 Georgia to Host Vanderbilt on Saturday
October 14, 2002 | Football
Oct. 14, 2002
No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs (6-0, 3-0 SEC)
vs. Vanderbilt (1-5, 0-3 SEC)
Complete Game Notes in PDF Format
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Date: Oct 19, 12:30 pm
Site: Athens, Ga. Stadium: Sanford (86,520)
Radio: Georgia Radio Network (WNGC-FM 106.1 Athens, 750 AM Atlanta) Larry Munson, Scott Howard, Loran Smith, Neil Williamson
National Television: JP-TV (Dave Neal, Dave Rowe and Dave Baker)
TV Replay: CSS-TV (Tues. @ 8 pm in Athens on Ch. 95; Wed. @ 8 pm in Atlanta on Ch. 33)
Internet Game Day Live: georgiadogs.com
Send a "Georgia-Vanderbilt" e-card
Pollack and Greene played PeeWee's together
Projected BCS Standings (10-14)
2002 Depth Chart
2002 Georgia Schedule
Up Close: UGA VI
Georgia in the Polls
Georgia's NFL Bulldogs
2002 Georgia Schedule
National Ranking: #5 AP, #5 Coaches, #9FW
Aug. 31 Clemson (ESPN) W, 31-28
Sept. 14 @South Carolina (CBS) W, 13-7
Sept. 21 Northwestern State W, 45-7
Sept. 28 New Mexico State W, 41-10
Oct. 5 @ #22 Alabama (CBS) W, 27-25
Oct. 12 #10 Tennessee (CBS) W, 18-13
Oct. 19 Vanderbilt (JP) TBA 12:30 pm ET
Oct. 26 @ Kentucky TBA
Nov. 2 %Florida (ESPN) 7:45 pm ET
Nov. 9 Ole Miss TBA
Nov. 16 @ Auburn TBA
Nov. 30 Georgia Tech TBA
%Jacksonville, Fla.
Georgia Quick Facts
Website: www.georgiadogs.com
Location: Athens
Colors: Red & Black
Nickname: Bulldogs
Enrollment: 32,400
Conference: Southeastern
Home Field: Sanford Stadium (86,520)
Athletic Director: Vince Dooley
Head Coach: Mark Richt
Alma Mater: Miami, Fla. ('82)
Record at School (Years): 14-4 (2nd)
Overall Record (Years): 14-4 (2nd)
2002 Team Record (SEC): 6-0 (3-0)
Vanderbilt Quick Facts
Website: www.vucommodores.com
Location: Nashville, Tenn.
Colors: Black & Gold
Nickname: Commodores
Enrollment: 6,241
Conference: SEC
Home Field: Vanderbilt (41,221)
Athletic Director: Todd Turner
Head Coach: Bobby Johnson
Alma Mater: Clemson ('73)
Record at School (Years): 1-5 (1st)
Overall Rec. (Years): 61-41 (9th)
2002 Team Record (SEC): 1-5 (0-3)
Did You Know?
Georgia's all-time record for games played on Oct. 19th is 8-5-2 including 3-3-1 against Vanderbilt.
The 1996 Georgia-Vanderbilt game was played on Oct. 19th in Athens, and Georgia won 13-2 after leading 3-2 at the half. Freshman OL and Athens native Randall Swoopes' older brother Ronnie is a redshirt freshman CB for Vanderbilt.
Georgia Story Lines This Week
*For the ninth time in school history, Georgia has started a season 6-0. The other sizzling starts came in 1927 (9-0), 1931 (6-0), 1933 (7-0), 1942 (9-0), 1946 (11-0), 1971 (9-0), 1980 (12-0) and 1982 (11-0).
*The last time Georgia won six in a row during a season was 1992 and that team finished up 10-2 after a Citrus Bowl win over #15 Ohio State. The last time the Bulldogs won seven in a row during a season was 1983 and that team ended up 10-1-1 after a Cotton Bowl win over #2 Texas. *Fifth-ranked Georgia aims for its first 7-0 start since 1982 when the Bulldogs went undefeated during the regular season. Then, the SEC champion and top-ranked Bulldogs fell to #2 Penn State 27-23 in the Sugar Bowl.
*Saturday's game will be Homecoming and Georgia owns a 62-16-2 record in these games. Vanderbilt was the last team to beat the Bulldogs on Homecoming, posting a 43-30 victory in 1994. Also, it was the last time Vanderbilt beat Georgia in the series.
*Saturday's game will be televised by Jefferson Pilot Sports, the network's first appearance in Athens since last year's Kentucky game which Georgia won 43-29. The Bulldogs are 16-3 in games televised by JP-Sports.
Georgia-Vanderbilt Series
*The 63rd meeting in the 109 year-old series with Georgia owning a 43-17-2 edge.
*Current Streak: Georgia has won the last seven meetings and is 23-5 at home against VU.
*Biggest Georgia Win/Loss: 45: 45-0 in 1976 in Athens; 47: 47-0 in 1901 in Nashville.
*Record at Home: 23-5; Record at Sanford Stadium: 22-3
*Longest Winning Streak: 11 (1974-1984); Longest Losing Streak: 4 (1901-1912)
*Last 10 Meetings: 9-1; *Games Decided by 7 Points or Less: 7-7-2
*Last Meeting: Oct. 13, 2001 in Nashville, Tenn.: Georgia 30-14. David Greene threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns to lead then No. 19 Georgia past Vanderbilt 30-14. The Bulldogs built a 21-0 advantage by the second quarter. Vanderbilt managed 436 yards of total offense in the game but missed out on a handful of scoring opportunities. The Commodores were stopped on fourth-and-goal at the Georgia 1 in the first quarter, missed a short field goal and fumbled at the Georgia 2 in the second half. Georgia's Fred Gibson enjoyed a fine day with six catches for 106 yard including a 58-yard TD reception on a third and 19 play in the second quarter.
*Last Meeting in Athens: Oct. 14, 2000: Georgia 29-19. The Bulldogs scored 26 of their 29 points after Commodore miscues including a blocked PAT return, a fumble and three interceptions. Georgia cornerback Tim Wansley scored eight points on a blocked PAT return and a 62-yard interception return for a touchdown. Vanderbilt led the 14th-ranked Bulldogs 13-9 after the first quarter behind a strong passing attack from Greg Zolman who completed 28 of 42 passes for 334 yards on the day. Georgia's first touchdown came on a 67-yard reception by Terrence Edwards from Quincy Carter. It still ranks as Edwards' longest career catch. The Bulldogs surged ahead to a 23-16 half-time lead, and the teams combined for just three field goals in the second half.
Last Week's Game Recaps:
Georgia Tops Tennessee 18-13 Sixth-ranked Georgia defeated 10th-ranked Tennessee 18-13 in front of a sellout crowd of 86,520 in Athens.
The Bulldogs carried a shutout to the final quarter, leading 18-0 before a furious comeback attempt by the Volunteers. Georgia's special teams played a huge role. Sophomore Reggie Brown blocked a punt that resulted in a safety, senior Boss Bailey blocked a field goal, junior Billy Bennett hit three field goals and senior Jonathan Kilgo averaged 46.4 yards on seven punts.
With 1:33 remaining, Georgia put the game away when freshman Tony Milton scampered 25 yards on a fourth-and-2 play from the Volunteer 35-yard line. It was Georgia's longest offensive play of the day. Senior Terrence Edwards set the Bulldog mark for Career Receiving Yards (2,450) after recording 112 yards on seven catches.
MTSU Rallies Past Vanderbilt
Dwone Hicks' two-yard run with 52 second remaining lifted the Blue Raiders past Vanderbilt 21-20 in Nashville. It was the second straight win over the Commoroders for MTSU. Trailing 14-3 at the half, Vanderbilt came back and eventually took a 20-14 lead with 8:30 to play following a three-yard touchdown run by quarterback Benji Walker. However quarterback Andrico Hines led MTSU on a nine-play, 53-yard drive that was capped by Hicks' touchdown run.
Walker, who was making his first career start for the Commodores, completed 13 of 23 passes for 107 yards with two interceptions and ran for 70 yards and one touchdown. Walker started in place of Jay Cutler, who was suspended by coach Bobby Johnson for a violation of team rules.
Current Stat Leaders
GEORGIA
Rushing: Musa Smith: 110 for 512 yards, 3 TDs, Long of 32
Passing: David Greene: 105x181, 1,245 yards, 10 TDs, 6 INTs
Receiving: Terrence Edwards: 27 for 361 yards, 5 TDs
Punting: Jonathan Kilgo: 33 punts, 40.7 avg., Long of 53
Kicking: Billy Bennett: 9x10 FGs, Long of 47, 20x20 PATs
Tackles: Boss Bailey: 62 tackles (31S, 31A)
VANDERBILT
Rushing: Kwane Doster: 67 for 355, 2 TDs, Long of 26
Passing: Benji Walker: 19x23, 155, 0 TDs, 2 INTs
Receiving: Dan Stricker: 22 for 293 yards, 4 TDs
Punting: Greg Johnson: 29 punts, 45.4 avg., Long of 65
Kicking: Greg Johnson: 6x8 FGs, 16x16 PATs
Tackles: Hunter Hillenmeyer: 56 tackles (33S, 23A)
Georgia Holds Slight Edge in Points off Turnovers
Georgia has scored 34 points off 13 turnovers while opponents have 28 points off 14 Bulldog turnovers. Georgia has run out the clock three times after recovering turnovers.
Clemson: Georgia got a TD off 1 turnover; Tigers converted 3 Bulldog turnovers into 2 TDs.
USC: Georgia got a TD off 4 turnovers; Gamecocks got no points off 2 Bulldog turnovers.
NW State: Georgia got no points off 3 turnovers; Demons got no points off 3 Bulldog turnovers.
N.M. State: Georgia got 2 TDs off 2 turnovers; Aggies got a TD off 2 Bulldog turnovers.
Alabama: Georgia got a FG off 2 turnovers; Alabama got a TD off 3 Bulldog turnovers.
Tennessee: Georgia got a FG off 1 turnover; Tennessee got no points off 1 Bulldog turnover.
Gibson A Threat on Grass and the Hardwood
*Fast Facts on Fred Gibson: A 6-4, 190-pound sophomore native of Waycross, Ga. On the Biletnikoff Award "Watch List"
*Team-high 24 receptions for 376 yards, 1 TD on a twisting, falling on his back into the endzone grab covering 42 yards @ #22 Alabama.
*Team-high 628 all-purpose yards.
*2nd in Bulldog career record book for Most 100+ Yard Receving Games with 7 in only 15 career games played, and he didn't have a catch in his first three.
*First time he touched a football this year, he returned a kickoff 91 yards for a TD against Clemson in the season opener. It was the first time since 1990 that a Bulldog returned a kickoff for a TD
*Team-high 188 all-purpose yards in 13-7 win at South Carolina including 6 rec. for 116 yards and 2 KO Ret. for 72 yards.
*Plans to play basketball again after football (18 games in 2001, 4.9 pts/g, 1.1 reb./g)
All-America Standout Jon Stinchcomb Anchors The Line
*Fast Facts on OT Jon Stinchcomb: A 6-6, 297-pound senior native of Lilburn, Ga.
*Two-time Academic All-American
*On the "Watch List" for the 2002 Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award
*Jersey and picture on display at the College Football Hall of Fame as one of the 10 players to watch for this year's major awards. Exhibit titled "Race for the Pantheon"
*Current team co-leader in Most Career Bulldog starts with 39 (including bowl games) along with senior guard Kevin Breedlove and that ranks T9th in school history
Greene Directs Bulldogs to 6-0 Start
Fast Facts on David Greene: A 6-3, 227-pound sophomore native of Snellville, Ga.
*Career Record of 14-4 as Georgia starter including 6-0 on opponent's home field, winning at sixth-ranked Tennessee, #21 Ga. Tech, #22 Alabama, Ole Miss, South Carolina and Vanderbilt.
*Four 4th quarter comebacks (Clemson, @#22 Alabama in 2002; @#6 Tenn., Kentucky in 2001)
*CBS Player of the Game in win over #22 Alabama, Georgia's first-ever victory in Tuscaloosa
*Tied School Record with 4 TD Passes in 45-7 win over Northwestern State
*Led Georgia to a pair of scoring drives in 13-7 road win over South Carolina
Smith Churning Out Tough Yards
*Fast Facts on Musa Smith: A 6-2, 226-pound junior native of Elliottsburg, Penn.
*Had 19 carries for 29 yards plus 2 catches for 8 yards in win over #10 Tennessee
*First RB to rush for more than 100 yards against #22 Alabama this year, Had 21 carries for 126 yards and 1 TD in win over the Crimson Tide
*12 carries for 79 yards and 2 TDs plus 2 rec. for 14 yards in win over New Mexico State
*Career-high 27 carries (103 yards) in 13-7 win at South Carolina.
*Georgia's top rusher and receiver in season-opening win over Clemson (23 rushes for 105 yards and 4 receptions for 16 yards).
*Frustrating season in 2001 due to osteitis pubis, a condition in which stomach and groin muscles tear away from the pubic bone.
*Currently on maintenance program to strengthen groin and abdominal muscles. Also does extra stretching before and after practice including whirpool and ultrasound.
Edwards Aims to Catch Another Receiving Record
*Fast Facts on Terrence Edwards: A 6-0, 171-pound senior native of Tennille, Ga.
*Biletnikoff Award "Watch List," Currently with 22 Rec. for 288 yards and team-high 4 TDs
*Owns the Georgia Career Receiving Yard Record (2,450), TD Reception Record (24) and Most Games with 100 Yards Receiving (8).
*Ranks second in Georgia history for Receptions (172), Needs 11 catches to set new Reception Record.
*Has caught a pass in 40 of 41 games he has played (counting bowl games). The 2001 Florida game snapped a 30-game streak.
Bulldog Record Book Watch
Pass Receptions for Career
182 Brice Hunter 1992-95
172 Terrence Edwards 1999-
Most 100-yard plus Receiving Games: Career
8 Terrence Edwards (1999-
7 Fred Gibson (2001-
7 Brice Hunter (1992-1995)
5 Hines Ward (1994-97)
5 Hason Graham (1992-1994)
5 Juan Daniels (1993-1996)
The Bite to Go With The Bark
Despite losing six players to the NFL, the Georgia defense has played a huge role in the 6-0 start by the Bulldogs.
*2nd in SEC and 10th nationally in Scoring Defense (15.0 pts/g)
*3rd in SEC and 18th nationally in Total Defense (299.2)
*1st in SEC in Red Zone Defense (57%, 8-14)
Also, they have scored two TDs. Against South Carolina, sophomore DE David Pollack stripped/intercepted a Cory Jenkins pass in the endzone for a TD.Also, junior rover Kentrell Curry provided a 78-yard interception return for a TD, the ninth longest in school history.
Young Secondary Earning
Their Stripes
Junior CB Bruce Thornton is the only returning player in Georgia's secondary of a year ago after the other three members were all NFL draft picks. Safety Terreal Bierria (4th Rd.) suits up for the Seattle Seahawks while rover Jermaine Phillips (5th Rd.) and cornerback Tim Wansley (7th Rd.) are with Tampa Bay.
The 2002 secondary is ranked seventh in the SEC in pass defense (193.7 yards/game) however opponents have passed for just five touchdowns while the Bulldog defense has six interceptions.
Four interceptions belong to the secondary including two by junior ROV Kentrell Curry, his latest a 78-yard return for a touchdown against New Mexico State. Junior CB Decory Bryant has one interception, forced a fumble and has four pass breakups.
Redshirt freshman FS Thomas Davis ranks eighth on the team with 28 tackles and his interception against #22 Alabama secured the victory. Sophomore FS Sean Jones ranks fourth on the team in tackles with 38 including a team-high 12 in the win over #10 Tennessee.
Freshmen Linemen in the Fire
True freshman linemen Darrius Swain has started at nose tackle the last three games while true freshman Kedric Golston started the first three there before moving over to DT behind junior Johnathan Sullivan. Golston had a career-high six tackles and a fumble recovery in the win over #10 Tennessee.
In less than a year's time, Golston went from a hospital bed with a severe leg injury to a big contributor for the Bulldogs. Last September, he broke his right femur in an automobile accident. Post-operative complications followed, and he was in intensive care for almost two weeks. Then on Aug. 20, Coach Richt informed the 6-4, 285-pound freshman he had been promoted to first team nose-tackle and maintained that starting spot for the first three games.
In his debut against Clemson, Golston, who still has a rod and pin in his leg, collected four tackles (3 solo) and one for a loss of two yards. He was the first true freshman nose tackle to start since 1994 when Travis Stroud lined up against Northeast Louisiana in game three and remained the starter the rest of the season.
Meanwhile, Swain had a career-high 7 tackles (3 solo, 4 assist) and one QB pressure against New Mexico St. He followed that with another seven tackle effort against NW State and notched his first interception. Against #22 Alabama, Swain had his first fumble recovery.
Pollack Becomes A Force on The Defensive Line
*Fast Facts on David Pollack: A 6-3, 264-pound sophomore native of Snellville, Ga.
*Team-high 7 Sacks for minus 32, 18 QB-Pressures, 10 Tackles for a Loss, 7 Pass Breakups and is 3rd on team with 46 tackles...Also seen action at fullback this season
*In win against #10 Tennessee: 2 Sacks, 7 Tackles, Forced a fumble, 1 QB-Pressure
*In win against #22 Alabama: Blocked a field goal, 8 tackles, 1 sack, 8 QB-Pressures
*Collected 2 sacks, 3 tackles for a loss, forced a fumble, 6 tackles in win vs. New Mexico State
*Named SEC Defensive Player of the Week and CBS-TV Player of the Game in 13-7 win over South Carolina after 1 Interception Return for a TD, 1 Fumble Recovery at the Georgia 2-yard line, Career-high 14 tackles.
*With 12 seconds in the game and SC at the Georgia 2, forced QB to an early pitch and then the Gamecock fullback fumbled which the Bulldogs recovered to secure the victory.
*In win against Clemson: Tallied 8 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2 QB-Pressures and 2 Pass Breakups...Saw action on offense as a fullback for the final plays including the clinching fourth-and-1 conversion from the Georgia 38 with 40 seconds left in the Bulldogs' 31-28 win.
*Signed with Georgia out of Shiloh High as a FB/DL and hoped to play offense during his career. After numerous injuries on the defensive line in 2001,he spent his first year with the defense.
*Spends about two periods each day in practice with the offense.
Senior Linebackers Answer the Call
Seventh-ranked Georgia had led #22 Alabama all afternoon in Tuscaloosa, a place Georgia had never won in seven previous visits. Then Alabama's Charlie Prepah's 35-yard interception return for a TD gave Alabama a 25-24 lead with 8:24 remaining in the game. The Bulldogs failed to score on their next possession but pinned the Crimson Tide at their own 13-yard line. With 5:27 left, Bulldog head coach Mark Richt went to his two senior linebackers, Boss Bailey and Tony Gilbert, and told them it's in your hands, we need the football back. "Lead us."
Georgia's defense stopped Alabama on three plays and following a 15-yard punt return by Damien Gary, Georgia had first and 10 at the Alabama 34. The Bulldogs advanced to the 15 and then Billy Bennett's 32-yard field goal gave Georgia a 27-25 win.
Boss Bailey
*Fast Facts on Boss Bailey: A 6-3, 229-pound senior native of Folkston, Ga.
*Butkus and Lombardi Award "Watch List"
*Current team leader in tackles with 62 (31 solo, 31 assist); Had 11 in win over #10 Tenn.
*Served as a team captain vs. Clemson, South Carolina and Alabama
*Led team with 10 tackles in 27-25 road win over #22 Alabama
*Led team with a career-high 14 tackles in Georgia's 31-28 season-opening win over Clemson on Aug. 31., and he earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He recorded 9 solo stops, 5 assists, registered 1 sack for a loss of 16 yards plus had 1QB hurry and 1 pass breakup. Bailey's sack in the fourth quarter helped set up Georgia's game-tying touchdown.
*Against South Carolina, tied his career-high with a team-high 14 tackles (6 solo and 8 assist).
DID YOU KNOW?
Since 1995, a member or members of the Bailey family from Folkston, Ga., can be found on fall Saturdays playing for the Bulldogs. Boss Bailey is the younger brother of 1998 All-America defensive back Champ Bailey (1996-98). Champ was the No. 1 draft choice of the Washington Redskins in 1999. The oldest Bailey is Ronald, also a DB, who played for Georgia from 1995-97. Also, there's junior CB Kenny Bailey, a cousin of the Bailey trio. He played in seven games last year with 151 all-purpose yards as a RB before being moved to defense in the spring.
Tony Gilbert
*Fast Facts on Tony Gilbert: A 6-0, 244-pound native of Macon, Ga.
*Butkus Award "Watch List"
*Aiming to become only the second Bulldog in history to lead the team in tackles three straight seasons (Ben Zambiasi 1975-77)....Currently 2nd this year behind Boss Bailey with 48 tackles.
*Served as a team captain in all six games this season
*Collected 9 tackles (4.5 for a loss) and 3 QB-Pressures in 27-25 road win over #22 Alabama
*Led Bulldogs with 8 tackles and 1 sack in win over New Mexico State
*Led Bulldogs with 8 solo stops, two for a loss and a sack in win over Northwestern State
*Had 12th career game with 10+plus tackles, registering 11 in road win over South Carolina
*Tallied only 4 tackles in season-opener versus Clemson due to right ankle injury that forced him to miss the second half
*Became eighth Bulldog in history to lead the team in tackles two straight seasons with 96 in 2000 and 99 in 2001. All eight have been linebackers. The others are Zambiasi (1975-77), Nate Taylor (1979-80), Tommy Thurson (1981-82), Knox Culpepper (1983-84), John Brantley (1986-87), Randall Godfrey (1992-93) and Greg Bright (1996-97).
Gary Among SEC Leaders in Punt Return Average
The Bulldogs rank 2nd in the SEC and 7th nationally with a 17.2 punt return average. Junior Damien Gary ranks 2nd in the SEC and 11th nationally in punt return average at 15.7. He has 20 returns for 314 yards and 1 TD (a 71-yard return vs. New Mexico State). For his career, Gary ranks fourth in school history in punt return yards with 828. The elusive Gary has brought excitement to this part of the game.
"I don't think anyone's going for popcorn on punt returns," said Georgia coach Mark Richt. "Damien's doing a great job of making the initial people miss."
Damien Gary's Punt Return Totals
Year G Ret. Yds. Avg. TD LG
2000 11 27 226 8.4 0 20
2001 10 23 288 12.5 1 72TD
2002 6 20 315 15.7 1 71TD
Totals 27 70 828 11.8 2 72TD
Bulldog Career Punt Return Yards
1. 1,077 Scott Woerner (1977-80)
2. 1,014 Chuck Carswell (1988, 90-91)
3. 946 Buzy Rosenberg (1970-72)
4. 828 Damien Gary (2000-)
5. 787 Jimmy Harrell (1981-84)
Bennett Earning His Place Among Georgia's Top Kickers
*Fast Facts on PK Billy Bennett: A 5-8, 165-pound junior native of Athens, Ga.
*2002 SEC leader in FG% at 90.0 (9-for-10), T1st in PAT% (20-for-20) and ranks 2nd in the SEC in Scoring for Kickers with 7.8 average (47 pts in 6 games)
*SEC Special Teams Player of the Week after scoring 10 points in win over #10 Tennessee with 3 FGs (27-, 44- and 47-yarder) and a PAT
*SEC Special Teams Player of the Week for game vs. #22 Alabama: Drilled game-winning 32-yard FG with 38 seconds left in 27-25 road win, Georgia's first-ever victory in Tuscaloosa in 8 trips. Scored 9 points in the game.
*Nailed game-winning 43-yard FG with 5:19 left in 31-28 season-opening win over Clemson *Owns Career FG% of 80% (39-for-49) including 13-for-15 from 40-49 range and 98% on PATs (78-for-80)
*Made 92% of FG in the 4th quarter or later in his career (11-for-12), 4-for-4 as a freshman in 2000, 4-for-5 as a sophomore in 2001 and 3-for-3 in 2002
Career Highlights Include...
*Set Georgia record and tied SEC mark making 6 FGs in the 31-17 win at #21 Ga. Tech in 2001, the 19 points was also a Bulldog record for a kicker and ranked in a tie for 2nd in SEC history
*Drilled a career-best 55-yarder in 34-23 win over Arkansas in 2001, the longest by a Bulldog since 1984 when Kevin Butler made a 57-yarder vs. Ga. Tech
Billy Bennett's Career Fourth-Quarter Field Goals (11-for-12)
2000
Vanderbilt 30-yarder. Leading 26-19 at the 12:48 mark Georgia wins 29-19
@#22 Auburn 19-yarder. Trailing 23-20 with 41 seconds left Forces OT
*OT: 25-yarder. Takes 26-23 lead, Auburn get a TD to win 29-26
Ole Miss 49-yarder. Leading 29-14 at the 10:40 mark Georgia wins 32-14
2001
#21 S.C. 27-yarder. Trailing 7-6 at the 3:17 mark S.C. answers, wins 14-9
@#6 Tennessee 31-yarder. Trailing 17-14 at 5:44 mark Georgia wins 26-24
#6 Florida (Jax.) 31-yarder. Trailing 17-10 at 14:54 mark No Good. Florida wins 24-10
#24 Auburn 43-yarder. Trailing 17-14 at 8:28 mark Auburn wins 24-17
@ #21 Ga. Tech 45-yarder. Leading 28-17 at 6:56 mark Georgia wins 31-17
2002
Clemson 43-yarder. Game tied 28 all at the 5:19 mark Georgia wins 31-28
@ S.C. 25-yarder. Leading 10-7 at the 2:54 mark Georgia wins 13-7
@#22 Alabama 32-yarder. Trailing 25-24 with 38 seconds left Georgia wins 27-25
Kilgo Pinning Them Deep
*Fast Facts on punter Jonathan Kilgo: A 6-2, 203-pound senior native of Silver Creek, Ga.
*33 Punts for 40.7 yard Avg. (35.9 Net Avg)
*9 Punts Inside the 20, 4 Punts for 50+yards
*5 Punts for 40.0 Avg., 1 inside the 20 in Georgia's 27-25 win @ #22 Alabama
*Helped pin USC deep in its own territory for most of the second half in Georgia's 13-7 win in Columbia. Had 3 punts downed inside the 20 and SC's average starting fielding position was the 15 yard line.
*Owns a 42.1 career average (150 punts/6,319 yds.), ranks fourth in school history.
*First Bulldog punter to average 40+ yards a punt for three consecutive seasons since Bobby Walden (1958-60). Kilgo and Walden are the only Bulldogs to do this in records dating back to 1950. No Bulldog has ever done it four straight years. Net average in 2001 was an SEC-best 40.5 and ranked 3rd nationally.
*As a freshman in 1999, had first career punt blocked and returned for a TD (Central Florida) but none since, a stretch of 39 games.
Bulldog Record Book Watch
Punting Average -- Career
43.2 Chip Andrews 1983-84
42.8 Bobby Walden 1958-60
42.8 Cris Carpenter 1985-86
42.1 Jonathan Kilgo 1999-
Coaching Duties for Special Teams
Punt Coverage: David Johnson, Brian VanGorder, Willie Martinez
Punt Returns: Jon Fabris
Kickoff Coverage: Jon Fabris
Kickoff Returns: David Johnson
Extra Points/Field Goals: Neil Callaway, Rodney Garner and Mike Bobo
Not Just a Safety Dance
This season, Georgia's special teams have provided three touchdowns, two blocked field goals and two blocked punts.
The latest big plays came in the 18-13 win over 10th-ranked Tenessee as sophomore Reggie Brown blocked a punt which resulted in a safety and a 2-0 lead and later Boss Bailey owner of a Bulldog record 46-inch vetical leap, blocked a field goal.
Against Clemson, sophomore Fred Gibson returned a kickoff 91 yards for a score. Gibson's kickoff return for a touchdown was the first by a Bulldog since 1990. Against Northwestern State, sophomore Sean Jones blocked a punt and junior Bruce Thornton scooped it up and returned it 12 yards for a touchdown. It marked the first time since 1998 that Georgia had returned a blocked punt for a touchdown. Against New Mexico State, junior Damien Gary got his second career punt return for a touchdown, racing one back 71 yards for a score.
SANFORD STADIUM SELLOUTS CONTINUE IN 2002, PLAN TO INCREASE CAPACITY NEXT SEASON TO 91,780 APPROVED
Georgia's average home football attendance of 86,520 ranked sixth best in the country for the 2001 season according to NCAA statistics. All 2002 games are sold out as well.
*Georgia sold out all six home games in 2001.
*Sixth-place finish marks the 15th time in the last 20 years that Georgia has ranked among the nation's top six teams in average home attendance.
*The 19th time in the last 20 years the Bulldogs have finished among the top seven teams.
*On Friday, Sept. 20, 2002, a proposal to add 5,260 seats to Sanford Stadium was approved by the University of Georgia Athletic Board of Directors at its regular quarterly meeting in Athens.
*Seats to be added in one location above the existing North side upper deck. Also, plan would provide space for up to 27 private club boxes which could come later in subsequent phases of the project.
*Estimated cost of the expansion is $21 million and is part of a $32 million project approved by the Board for facility construction and improvements.
*Also included are construction of a $2 million "All-American Club," a private club area on the second level of the east end of the stadium; $2 million stadium press box renovation; $2 million renovation of the football locker room area at the Butts-Mehre Building; $750,000 for construction of a football "Hall of Fame" on the second level of the Butts-Mehre Building; and $4.2 million for improvements to the women's softball complex.
Georgia leads the SEC in Red Zone Defense with opponents scoring just 57 percent of the time.
On Offense: Vs. Clemson, UGA was 2-for-2 (2TDs); Vs. SC, UGA was 2-for-3 (2 FGs, 1 Fumble); Vs. NWS, UGA was 5-for-8 (5 TDs, 1 INT, 1 Fumble, 1 Let Clock Exp.); Vs. NMSt., UGA was 4-for-5 (4 TDs, 1 MFG); Vs. Bama, UGA was 3-for-3 (2 FGs, 1 TD); Vs. Tennessee, UGA was 2-for-3 (FG, TD, 1 Let Clock Exp.)
Inside 20 TD% Score% TD (Rush/Pass) FG *No Points
UGA 24 times 54% 75% 13 (4R, 9P) 5 6 (3TO, MFG, 2C)
Opp. 14 times 43% 57% 6 (4R, 2P ) 2 6 (2 TO, 2 MFG, 1 D, 1 BFG)
Inside 10 TD% Score% TD (Rush/Pass) FG *No Points
UGA 12 times 58% 92% 7 (2R, 5P) 4 1 (1TO)
Opp. 10 times 60% 60% 6 (4R, 2P) - 4 (2TO, 1D, 1 BFG)
*No Points due to: BFG=Blocked FG; MFG=Missed FG; TO=Turnover; D=Downs; C=Clock Exp.
No Time for the Pine
Overall, nine true freshmen saw action in the season opener against Clemson. Along with defensive lineman Kedric Golston (started) and Darrius Swain, the others included Tony Taylor (LB), DeMario Minter (DB), running back Tyson Browning (special teams), Tim Jennings (DB), Bartley Miller (OL), Josh Brock (OL) and Max Jean-Gilles (OL) all made their debut. The latest freshmen to see action have been receivers Bryan McClendon and Mario Raley against New Mexico State.
Shockley on the Mend, Could Be Back This Week
Georgia had experimented with playing two quarterbacks in its first two games this season, however sophomore David Greene has seen a majority of the action since redshirt freshman D.J. Shockley broke a bone in his left foot against South Carolina. In the USC game, Shockley was 0-for-3 and rushed for 23 yards before the injury in the fourth quarter. He broke the fifth metatarsal bone in his left foot while running with the football. A surgical screw was inserted into the left foot (out-patient surgery) on Sept. 17 by team orthopedic surgeon Dr. Robert Hancock at St. Mary's Hospital in Athens. Shockley has been out since then but could be back for the Vanderbilt game on Oct. 19. On the year, Shockley is 3-for-7 with 50 yards passing and 1 TD. He has 9 rushes for 27 yards and 1 TD.
Greene, the SEC Freshman of the Year in 2001, has been head coach Mark Richt's starter throughout his career and owns a 14-4 mark in that role. Senior QB Cory Phillips, who has appeared in 15 games with four starts in his career, has served as the number two QB since Shockley's injury. Phillips saw action versus Northwestern State and New Mexico State. He is 3-for-6 with 48 yards passing and one TD.
Georgia Among All-Time Bowl Leaders
Georgia is one of the top six bowl teams of all time with 37 appearances in post-season play. The Bulldogs have played in 18 different bowl games, the most of any team in the country.
Georgia has played in a post-season bowl game in each of the past five seasons, the longest stretch in school history. From 1980-89, Georgia played in 10 consecutive bowls, highlighted by three straight trips to the Sugar Bowl in 1980-81-82.
School App. Wins
Alabama 51 29
Tennessee 42 23
Texas 41 19
Nebraska 40 20
Southern Cal 40 25
GEORGIA 37 19
Penn State 36 23
Oklahoma 35 22
*3 tied with 33 -
(*LSU, Michigan and Ohio State)
Bulldogs Team Up to Build Habitat House
This past summer, the members of the Georgia football team partnered with HomeBanc Mortgage and Re/Max Associates of Athens to build a Habitat for Humanity House. The house was the first ever constructed with the help of a university football program. The ground breaking ceremony took place April 13 and construction continued through the summer. The project was completed Aug. 3 with a dedication ceremony for the new owner.
Georgia players, coaches, managers, trainers and videographers worked on the house, performing such tasks as building the floor system, erecting the interior and exterior walls, painting and landscaping. The construction project was part of head coach Mark Richt1s philosophy of developing the whole person including academics, athletics and community service.
Former Georgia linebacker John Brantley, a sales manager for HomeBanc, who has worked on Habitat for Humanity projects in the past, talked with Richt prior to a home game when he was an honorary captain. The idea evolved from there and the Bulldogs went to work.
Serving It Up, Family Style for a Party of Eight
There are some familiar names around the Georgia program again this year, as has been the case for several years. The Bulldogs have successfully recruited players whose brothers or fathers have taken the field for the red and black. This year, the eight families include:
BAILEY: Senior LB Boss Bailey is the younger brother of 1998 Georgia All-American DB Champ Bailey (1996-98). Champ was the No. 1 draft choice of the Washington Redskins in 1999 and made All-Pro by 2000. Also, the eldest Bailey, Ronald, was a cornerback for the Bulldogs from 1995-97. Junior CB Kenny Bailey is a cousin of the Bailey trio.
EDWARDS: Senior WR Terrence Edwards is the younger brother of former Georgia RB Robert Edwards (1993-94, O96-97), a first round draft choice of the New England Patriots. Currently, Robert is in the Miami Dolphins camp attempting a comeback after a severe knee injury.
McCLENDON: Freshman WR Bryan McLendon is the son of former Georgia standout RB Willie McClendon (1976-78), who was captain of the 1978 squad and the SEC Player-of-the-Year that season. He went on to play professionally with the Chicago Bears.
STINCHCOMB: Senior OT Jon Stinchcomb is the younger brother of former Georgia All-America OT Matt Stinchcomb (1995-98), a first round draft choiceof the Oakland Raiders in 1999.
TAYLOR: Freshman LB Tony Taylor is the son of former Georgia standout linebacker Nate Taylor (1979-82) who was a member of the 1980 national championship squad and part of three SEC Championship teams.
TERESHINSKI: Freshman QB Joe Tereshinski III is a third generation Bulldog. His father, Joe Jr. (1974-76), was the starting center on Georgia's 1976 SEC champion Sugar Bowl team while his father, Joe Tereshinski Sr. (1942, O45,'46) was a member of Georgia's 1942 Rose Bowl championship squad as well as the 1946 SEC and Sugar Bowl championships teams.
TOWNS: Senior SE Kirby Towns is the son of former Georgia player Bobby Towns (1957-59) and grandson of Forrest "Spec" Towns (1935-38). Bobby played for the NFL1s St. Louis Cardinals while Spec was a gold medalist in track (120-yard hurdles) at the 1936 Olympics.
SWOOPES: Freshman OL Randall Swoopes is the son of former Georgia standout DT Ronnie Swoopes (1974-77) who earned All-SEC honors and was a member of the 1976 SEC championship squad plus was defensive captain his senior year.
Tallying Up the Ws
Georgia looks to extend its school record for consecutive seasons with at least eight wins. The streak began in 1997 and finds the Bulldogs 11th nationally in winning percentage in this span.
Tipping the Scales
Back in 1993, senior offensive tackle Bernard Williams at 6-9, 310 pounds became the first full-time Georgia starter to weigh more than 300 pounds. For the first time in school history, Georgia's starting offensive line averages more than 300 pounds (6-4, 301). Last year1s starting group checked in at 6-4, 290. In fact, Georgia has 13 members of the 300-pound club this season including 10 offensive linemen.
They are Matt Adcock (6-4, 300), Kevin Breedlove (6-2, 300), George Foster (6-6, 322), Max Jean-Gilles (6-4, 365), Daniel Inman (6-7, 302), Alex Jackson (6-4, 335), Kareem Marshall (6-5, 328), Antonio Mercier (6-5, 303), Dennis Roland (6-9, 301) and Randall Swoopes (6-2, 310). Foster returned to action this season in the Alabama game. A dislocated wrist from an auto accident in August caused him to miss the preseason through the first four games.
The defense is represented by linemen, Gerald Anderson (6-2, 335), Darrius Swain (6-2, 316) and Ken Veal (6-1, 311).
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