University of Georgia Athletics
October 21, 2002 | Football
Oct. 21, 2002
Complete Game Notes in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Date: Oct. 26, 3:30 pm
Site: Lexington, Ky. Stadium: Commonwealth (67,530)
Radio: Georgia Radio Network (WNGC-FM 106.1 Athens, 750 AM Atlanta or Listen to Larry Munson at the Georgia - Kentucky game on 88.5 FM for the in-stadium low-power FM broadcast) Larry Munson, Scott Howard, Loran Smith, Neil Williamson
National Television: CBS-TV (Verne Lundquist, Todd Blackledge, Jill Arrington)
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-Kentucky" e-card
Pollack and Greene played PeeWee's together
BCS Standings (10-21-02)
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) W, 48-17
Oct. 26 @ Kentucky (CBS) 3:30
Nov. 2 %Florida (ESPN) 7:45 pm ET
Nov. 9 Ole Miss TBA
Nov. 16 @ Auburn TBA
Nov. 30 Georgia Tech TBA
%Jacksonville, Fla.
Did You Know?
Georgia senior fullback Braxton Snyder is a native of Lexington, Ky., and a graduate of Henry Clay HS. The Wildcats have nine Georgia natives on their roster. Georgia's all-time record for games played on Oct. 26th is 7-7-1 including 5-1 versus Kentucky. The one loss to the Wildcats came in 1996, Kentucky's last win in the series, 24-17 in Lexington.
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): 15-4 (2nd)
Overall Record (Years): 15-4 (2nd)
2002 Team Record (SEC): 7-0 (4-0)
Kentucky Quick Facts
Website: www.ukathletics.com
Location: Lexington, Ky.
Colors: Blue & White
Nickname: Wildcats
Enrollment: 32,549
Conference: SEC
Home Field: Commonwealth (67,530)
Athletic Director: Mitch Barnhart
Head Coach: Guy Morriss
Alma Mater: TCU ('73)
Record at School (Years): 7-11 (2nd)
Overall Rec. (Years): 7-11 (2nd)
2002 Team Record (SEC): 5-2 (1-2)
Georgia Story Lines This Week
*For the eighth time in school history, Georgia has started a season 7-0. The other splendid starts came in 1927 (9-0), 1933 (7-0), 1942 (9-0), 1946 (11-0), 1971 (9-0), 1980 (12-0) and 1982 (11-0).
*Fifth-ranked Georgia aims for its first 8-0 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 to finish 11-1.
*Prior to this Saturday's showdown, Georgia's best record heading into a game against Kentucky was 6-0 (1971, 1980 and 1982) and the Bulldogs maintained their perfect mark. In 1971, Georgia won 34-0 in Athens. In 1980, it was Georgia 27-0 in Lexington, and in 1982, Georgia won 27-14 in Lexington. Georgia's last eight-game winning streak came in 1982.
*Georgia heads into the Kentucky game without starting tailback Musa Smith and flanker Fred Gibson due to left thumb injuries. Both are slated to have surgery on Tuesday.
Georgia-Kentucky Series
The 56th meeting in the 63-year-old series which dates back to 1939. Georgia owns a 43-10-2 edge in the series.
Current Streak: Georgia has won the last five and is 20-6 in Lexington.
Biggest Georgia Win/Loss: 42: 48-6 in 1945 in Lexington; 33: 33-0 in 1977 in Athens
Longest Winning Streak: 10 (1978-1987); Longest Losing Streak: 2 (1949-1956)
Last 10 Meetings: 9-1; *Games Decided by 7 Points or Less: 14-6-2
Last Meeting: Oct. 20, 2001 in Athens: #17 Georgia 43-29.
Georgia enjoyed a Homecoming win as David Greene threw for a career-high 364 yards and 3 TDs with freshman Fred Gibson setting a Bulldog record with 201 receiving yards on nine catches and a pair of TDs. Greene was 22-of-36 through the air while Verron Haynes rushed for 86 yards on 18 carries plus caught three passes for 73 yards. After a quick 7-0 lead, the Widcats came roaring back to take a 22-7 advantage midway through the second quarter. The Bulldogs tied the game at 22 with 11:58 remaining in the third quarter after a 21-yard run by Greene and a successful two-point conversion.
Kentucky answered as Jared Lorenzen (22-for-36, 364 yards, 3 TDs) capped a 13-play, 65-yard drive with a 1-yard plunge to give the Wildcats a 29-22 edge. Georgia responded with another game-tying touchdown drive and then took the lead for good on a 56-yard TD pass from Greene to Gibson with 14:09 in the fourth quarter. Georgia added one more TD on a five-yard run by Haynes for the final margin.
Last Meeting in Lexington: Oct. 21, 2000: #12 Georgia 34-30
An aerial assault by both squads resulted in 1,058 yards of total offense, and when the smoke cleared, Georgia emerged the winner. Former walk-on Cory Phillips, making his first career start for the injured Quincy Carter, tied a Bulldog mark by throwing for four TDs. Phillips was 20-for-38 for 400 yards while UK's Jared Lorenzen was 39-for-58 for 528 yards, the most every by a Bulldog opponent. Georgia overcame a 13-0 deficit in the second quarter and trailed by three at the half. The Bulldogs then scored 17 unanswered points and took their first lead, 27-20, with 23 seconds to play in the third quarter. With the score tied at 27, Phillips hit Terrence Edwards for a 27-yard TD pass early in the fourth quarter, and the Bulldogs held on for the win.
Last Week's Game Recaps:
Georgia Tops Tennessee 18-13
Fifth-ranked Georgia enjoyed its finest offensive performance of the season, posting a 48-17 Homecoming win over Vanderbilt in front of a sellout crowd of 86,520 in Athens.
The Bulldogs scored on their first eight possessions (6 TDs, 2 FGs) before punting for the first and only time with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter. Georgia rolled up 606 yards of total offense, the most since a record 667 versus Southern Miss in 1993. QB David Greene (20-for-23, 319 yards, 2 TDs plus ran for another), SE Terrence Edwards (7 Rec., 163 yards, 1 TD) and RB Musa Smith (14 rushes, 102 yards, 2 TDs) led the offensive attack. Defensively, David Pollack added another highlight with a blocked punt, Georgia's fourth this season, and his SEC-leading eighth sack. Quarterback D.J. Shockley (7-for-9, 94 yards, 1 TD) returned after missing the last four games due to a broken bone in left foot.
Kentucky Gets A Big Road Win
Jared Lorenzen threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns to rally Kentucky past Arkansas 29-17 in Fayetteville. Derek Abney returned a punt 86 yards for a touchdown, and the Wildcats added a couple more touchdowns in a 29-second span following turnovers to post 20 points in the third quarter. The rally erased a 10-9 half-time deficit.
Mike Williams intercepted Arkansas quarterback Matt Jones' pass attempt on the first play of the third quarter to ignite the comeback. On the next play, running back Artose Pinner scampered in from 12 yards out to give the Wildcats a 16-10 lead. The Wildcat defense forced the Razorbacks to punt on their next possession.Then, Abney returned the punt for another score to make it 22-10 and the lead held the rest of the way.
Current Stat Leaders
GEORGIA
Rushing: Musa Smith: 124 for 614 yards, 5 TDs, Long of 32
Passing: David Greene: 125x204, 1,564 yards, 12 TDs, 6 INTs
Receiving: Terrence Edwards: 34 for 524 yards, 6 TDs
Punting: Jonathan Kilgo: 34 punts, 40.9 avg., Long of 53
Kicking: Billy Bennett: 11x12 FGs, Long of 47, 26x26 PATs
Tackles: Boss Bailey: 72 tackles (37S, 35A)
KENTUCKY
Rushing: Artose Pinner: 164 for 781 yards, 7 TDs, Long of 55
Passing: Jared Lorenzen: 125x206, 1,521 yards, 17 TDs, 3 INTs
Receiving: Aaron Boone: 24 for 405 yards, 5 TDs
Punting: Glenn Pakulak: 35 punts, 44.9 avg., Long of 64
Kicking: Taylor Begley: 6x9, Long of 49, 16x21
Tackles: David Johnson 47 tackles (35S, 12A)
Georgia Holds Slight Edge in Points off Turnovers
Georgia has scored 34 points off 14 turnovers while opponents have 28 points off 14 Bulldog turnovers. With big leads this season, Georgia has run out the clock three times and turned it over on downs once after recovering turnovers.
Clemson: Georgia got a TD off 1 TO; Tigers converted 3 Bulldog TO into 2 TDs.
USC: Georgia got a TD off 4 TO; Gamecocks got no points off 2 Bulldog TO
NW State: Georgia got no points off 3 TO; Demons got no points off 3 Bulldog TO
N.M. State: Georgia got 2 TDs off 2TO; Aggies got a TD off 2 Bulldog TO
Alabama: Georgia got a FG off 2 TO; Alabama got a TD off 3 Bulldog TO
Tennessee: Georgia got a FG off 1 TO; Tennessee got no points off 1 Bulldog TO
Vanderbilt: Georgia got no points off 1 TO; Georgia had no TO
INSIDE THE NUMBERS...Bulldogs in the SEC
Several Bulldogs rank among the top three in the SEC in the following categories: Receptions/Game: Terrence Edwards, 2nd, 4.86
Receving Yards/Game: Terrence Edwards, 2nd, 74.9
Passing Efficiency: David Greene, 3rd, 139.2
Punt Return Avg: Damien Gary, 3rd (14.7) and 21st nationally
Scoring (Kicking): Billy Bennett, 2nd overall, 1st among Kickers, 59 pts, 8.4 Pts/g
FG and FG PCT: Billy Bennett, 1st, 91.7% (11-of-12)
PAT Kicking PCT: Billy Bennett: T1st (100%) at 26-for-26
Sacks (as of Oct. 19): David Pollack, 1st, 8, Will Thompson, T2nd, 4
Tackles for Losses: David Pollack and Tony Gilbert, T1st, 10
QB-Pressures: David Pollack, 1st, 18; Johnathan Sullivan, 2nd 17
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 40 (including bowl games) along with senior guard Kevin Breedlove and that ranks T8th in school history.
Shockley Returns Against Vanderbilt
Georgia had experimented with playing two quarterbacks in its first two games this year, however sophomore David Greene saw a majority of the action after redshirt freshman D.J. Shockley broke a bone in his left foot against South Carolina. In the USC game, he broke the fifth metatarsal bone in his left foot while running with the football. Shockley missed the next four games before returning to action against Vanderbilt on Oct. 19.
On the year, Shockley is 10-for-16 with 144 yards passing and 2 TDs. He has 13 rushes for 31 yards and 1 TD.Senior QB Cory Phillips, who has appeared in 16 games with four starts in his career, served as the number two QB while Shockley was injured. Phillips saw action versus Northwestern State, New Mexico State and all three played in the Vanderbilt game. Phillips is 4-for-7 with 61 yards passing and one TD.
Greene Directs Bulldogs to 7-0 Start
Fast Facts on David Greene: A 6-3, 227-pound sophomore native of Snellville, Ga.
*Career Record of 15-4 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)
*Razor-sharp in 48-17 win over Vanderbilt, 20-for-23, 319 yards, 2 TDs
*CBS Player of the Game in 27-25 win over #22 Alabama, Georgia's first-ever victory in Tuscaloosa
*Tied School Record with 4 TD Passes in 45-7 win over NW State
*Led Georgia to a pair of scoring drives in 13-7 road win over S. Carolina
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 team-high 34 Rec. for 524 yards and 6 TDs
*Ranks 2nd in SEC in Rec. Yards/Game (74.9) and Rec./G (4.86)
*Owns the Georgia Career Receiving Yard Record (2,613), TD Reception Record (25) and Most Games with 100 Yards Receiving (9).
*Ranks second in Georgia history for Receptions (179), Needs 4 catches to set new Reception Record currently held by Brice Hunter (182 from 1992-1995).
*Has caught a pass in 41 of 42 games he has played (counting bowl games). The 2001 Florida game snapped a 30-game streak.
Milton To Make 1st Career Start at Tailback with Smith Injured
*Fast Facts on Tony Milton: A 5-10, 200-pound redshirt-freshman native of Tallahasse, Fla.
*Appeared in all 7 games this season with 28 rushes for 127 yards; 3 Rec. for 26 yards
*Had one of Georgia's biggest carries of the season, picking up 25 yards on a 4th and 2 play at the Tennessee 35 late in the fourth quarter that clinched Georgia's 18-13 win over #10 Tennessee
*Career-high 8 carries for 21 yards plus 2 Rec. for 23 yards in 48-17 win over Vanderbilt
*A 1998 graduate of North Florida Christian School in Tallahassee, originally signed with Syracuse but as a partial-qualifier opted not to attend and worked for two years. At one point, worked at a hotel as a caterer and lived out of his car before moving in with his former prep coach Scott Queen who helped persuade Coach Richt to give Milton a second chance.
*Signed with Georgia but was redshirted in 2001 after a series of setbacks including pulled hamstring, shoulder surgery and stress fracture in his left leg. Coach Richt on Milton: "He has the chance of being a tremendous success story...he really wants to get a degree...he wants to be somebody."
Smith Sidelined for Kentucky Due to Thumb Injury
*Fast Facts on Musa Smith: A 6-2, 226-pound junior native of Elliottsburg, Penn.
*14 rushes, 102 yards, 2 TDs in win over Vanderbilt but injured left thumb; Will miss UK game
*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.
Year G/GS Att. Yds. TD LG Rec. Yds. TD LG
2000 9/2 75 300 5 40 2 -7 0 -3
2001 9/5 119 548 6 49 10 87 0 17
2002 7/7 124 626 5 32 13 108 0 26
Totals 25/14 318 1474 16 49 25 188 0 26
Thumb Injury Sidelines Gibson for Kentucky Game
*Fast Facts on Fred Gibson: A 6-4, 190-pound sophomore native of Waycross, Ga. On the Biletnikoff Award "Watch List"
*25 receptions for 411 yards, 2 TDs, 663 all-purpose yards but is slated to miss the Kentucky game due to a thumb injury that happened during the Vanderbilt game
*2nd in Bulldog career record book for Most 100+ Yard Receving Games with 7 in only 16 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.
The Bite to Go With The Bark
Despite losing six players to the NFL, the Georgia defense has played a huge role in the 7-0 start by the Bulldogs.
*2nd in SEC and 10th nationally in Scoring Defense (15.3 pts/g)
*4th in SEC in Total Defense (312.4)
*1st in SEC in Red Zone Defense (58.8%)
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 and Making Big Plays
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 6th in the SEC in pass defense (188.6 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 5 pass breakups. Redshirt freshman FS Thomas Davis has 2 fumble recoveries, ranks eighth on the team with 32 tackles and his interception against #22 Alabama secured the victory. Sophomore FS Sean Jones ranks fourth on the team in tackles with 45 including a team-high 12 in the win over #10 Tennessee. Jones and Davis have each blocked a punt. True freshman CB Tim Jennings got a start against Vanderbilt and made 5 tackles and returned a kickoff 25 yards
Freshmen Linemen in the Fire
True freshman linemen Darrius Swain has started at nose tackle the last four 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. He started 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.Meanwhile,Swain had a career-high 7 tackles (3 solo, 4 assist) and one QB pressure against New Mexico St and followed that with a seven-tackle effort against NW State plus notched his first interception. Against #22 Alabama, Swain had his first fumble recovery.
Pollack's Play Wreaks Havoc for Opponents
*Fast Facts on David Pollack: A 6-3, 264-pound sophomore native of Snellville, Ga.
*SEC leader with 8 Sacks for minus 38, 18 QB-Pressures, 12 Tackles for a Loss
*Ranks 2nd on team with 53 tackles, 7 Pass Breakups...Also seen action at fullback this season
*In win vs. Vanderbilt, in the first half only, Blocked a punt, made 7 Tackles, recorded 1 Sack
*In win over #10 Tennessee: 2 Sacks, 7 Tackles, Forced a fumble, 1 QB-Pressure
*In win over #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 72 (37 solo, 35 assist);
*Five games this year with 10+ tackles including 11 in win over #10 Tennessee and blocked a field goal attempt; Team-high 10 tackles in wins over Vanderbilt and at #22 Alabama *Served as a team captain vs. Clemson, South Carolina, Alabama and Vanderbilt
*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 3rd this year with 51, trailing Boss Bailey (72) and David Pollack (53)
*Served as a team captain in all 7 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 3rd in the SEC and 9th nationally with a 16.1 punt return average. Junior Damien Gary ranks 3rd in the SEC and 21st nationally in punt return average at 14.7. He has 23 returns for 339 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 853. 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 7 23 339 14.7 1 71TD
Totals 28 73 853 11.7 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. 853 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 92.0 (11-for-12); 1st in the SEC in Scoring for Kickers with 8.4 average (59 pts in 7 games), T1st in PAT% (26-for-26)
*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% (41-for-51) including 13-for-15 from 40-49 range and 98% on PATs (84-for-86)
*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
Who is Where on Game Day?
ON THE FIELD: Mark Richt, Neil Callaway, Brian VanGorder, John Eason, Jon Fabris, Rodney Garner
UP IN THE BOOTH: Mike Bobo, Dave Johnson and Willie Martinez
Kilgo Pinning Them Deep
*Fast Facts on punter Jonathan Kilgo: A 6-2, 203-pound senior native of Silver Creek, Ga.
*34 Punts for 40.9 yard Avg. (36.2 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 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 (151 punts/6,367yds.), 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
Going for the Block
This season, Georgia's special teams have provided 3 touchdowns, 2 blocked field goals and 4 blocked punts. The 1999 squad was the last team to have a penchant for blocks, getting four punts and three field goals.
David Pollack had the latest block as he blocked a punt against Vanderbilt. 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.
Inside the Red Zone in 2002
Georgia leads the SEC in Red Zone Defense with opponents scoring just 58.8 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.); Vs. Vanderbilt, UGA was 6-for-7 (4 TDs, 2 FGs, 1D)
Inside 20 TD% Score% TD (Rush/Pass) FG *No Points
UGA 31 times 55% 77% 17 (7R, 10P) 7 7 (3TO, 1MFG, 2C, 1D)
Opp. 17 times 47% 59% 8 (6R, 2P) 2 7 (2 TO, 3 MFG, 1 D, 1 BFG)
Inside 10 TD% Score% TD (Rush/Pass) FG *No Points
UGA 16 times 56% 94% 9 (2R, 5P) 6 1 (1TO)
Opp. 12 times 67% 67% 8 (6R, 2P) - 4 (2TO, 1D, 1 BFG)
*No Points due to: BFG=Blocked FG; MFG=Missed FG; TO=Turnover; D=Downs; C=Clock Exp.
Uga through the years...
Years Record Titles Bowls
Uga I 1956-66 53-48-6 1959 SEC Champs 2
Uga II 1966-71 42-16-3 1966, '68 SEC Champs 5
Uga III 1972-80 71-32-2 1980 NCAA Champs
1976, '80 SEC Champs 6
Uga IV* 1981-89 77-27-4 1981, '82 SEC Champs 9
Uga V 1990-99 65-39-1 5
Uga VI 1999- 30-12 3
*UGA IV missed four games during the 1986 season due to an injury. His brother Otto filled in and went 3-1.
Up Close: UGA VI
Uga VI, now in his fourth season after being thrust into the role following his father's retirement during the 1999 season. In a memorable pregame "passing of the bone" ceremony at the 1999 South Carolina contest, Uga VI officially took the reins as Georgia's mascot. At the time of his coronation, the one-year-old pure white English Bulldog outweighed his father by 11 pounds, tipping the scales at 55 pounds. He is registered with the American Kennel Club as Uga V's Whatcha Got Loran.
This past summer, UGA VI stayed busy. He made a trip to Washington D.C. on a private jet with athletic director Vince Dooley and Coach Mark Richt as UGA VI was the guest of honor at a UGA reception for Georgia congressmen. Also due out this year, a video on the history of all the UGA mascots and a book chonicling the home life and travels of all the UGA mascots titled "Damn Good Dogs."
DID YOU KNOW?
UGA VI's predecessors are buried in the marble vaults near the main gate in the embankment of the South stands. For more on the history of the mascots, see pages 386-388 in the Georgia football media guide.
Digging Up Bones
For the second straight year, the Bulldogs are awarding bone decals for their helmets based on solid play (white ones) and outstanding academic work (black bones). Last season, it marked the first year since the Vince Dooley era (1964-88) that the Bulldogs got special decals for their helmets. Under Dooley, the Bulldogs earned white stars for good play.
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. Against Vanderbilt, Jennings and Brock made their first career starts.
Vote For College Football's Ten Greatest Players
A company called Intersport is producing a one hour special for CBS Sports this fall, 'Dell Presents College Football's Ten Greatest Players.' The program will air at 1:30pm, ET, on Friday, November 29. Fans will be able to vote for their favorite players by going to CBS Sportsline.com from September 23-Nov. 28. Several Bulldogs are on the ballot.
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 year's 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).
| |
