University of Georgia Athletics
Georgia-Florida Game Notes
October 28, 2002 | Football
Oct. 28, 2002
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2002 GEORGIA BULLDOG FOOTBALL
No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs (8-0, 5-0 SEC)
vs. No. 22 Florida (5-3, 3-2 SEC)
Date: Nov. 2, 7:45 pm
Site: Jacksonville, Fla.
Stadium: AllTel (80,000)
Radio: Georgia Radio Network (WNGC-FM 106.1 Athens, 750 AM Atlanta) Larry Munson, Scott Howard, Loran Smith, Neil Williamson
National Television: ESPN-TV (Ron Franklin, Mike Gottfried, Adrian Karsten); ESPN's College GameDay will be in Jacksonville on Saturday.
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
Georgia's Two-headed QB Doing Just Fine
Bulldogs Seeking SEC East Supremecy
Send a "Georgia-Florida" e-card
BCS Standings (10-27-02)
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, #4 BCS
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) W, 52-24
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 has combined to score 100 points in its last two games, and prior to that, the last time the Bulldogs tallied triple digits over a two-game span was 1946 (33-13 over Oklahoma A&M followed by a 70-7 rout of Furman). Georgia's all-time record for games played on Nov. 2nd is 5-5-1 including 1-0 versus Florida (1935 in Jacksonville, Georgia 7-0).
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): 16-4 (2nd)
Overall Record (Years): 16-4 (2nd)
2002 Team Record (SEC): 8-0 (5-0)
Florida Quick Facts
Website: www.gatorzone.com
National Ranking: NR in AP, #22 Coaches
Location: Gainesville, Fla.
Colors: Blue & Orange
Nickname: Gators
Enrollment: 45,937
Conference: SEC
Home Field: Ben Hill Griffin (83,000)
Athletic Director: Jeremy Foley
Head Coach: Ron Zook
Alma Mater: Miami-Ohio ('76)
Record at School (Years): 5-3 (1st)
Overall Rec. (Years): 5-3 (1st)
2002 Team Record (SEC): 5-3 (3-2)
Georgia Story Lines This Week
*For the seventh time in school history, Georgia has started a season 8-0. The other splendid starts came in 1927 (9-0), 1942 (9-0), 1946 (11-0), 1971 (9-0), 1980 (12-0) and 1982 (11-0).
*Fifth-ranked Georgia aims for its first 9-0 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.
*Georgia is 11-0-1 when it enters the Florida game undefeated or untied. In 1971, 1980 and 1982, the Bulldogs went to Jacksonvile with an 8-0 mark and recorded a victory over the Gators.
*With a win, Georgia would clinch the SEC Eastern Division title, its first since the league split into divisions in 1992. However, the Gators have won 11 of the past 12 meetings including four straight. Georgia's last win in the series came in 1997, 37-17.
*Saturday's game will be the 70th meeting in Jacksonville with the Bulldogs leading the series 38-30-1. The Bulldogs lead the overall series 45-33-2 as it dates back to 1904. The teams have played annually in Jacksonville since 1933 except in 1994 (Gainesville) and 1995 (Athens) when the series moved on campus due to renovation of the Gator Bowl now known as AllTel Stadium, home of the Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL. The Georgia-Florida game, which features a 50/50 ticket split for each school, is under contract in Jacksonville through 2006.
*The Bye Week Factor: Since 1993, Florida annually has had two weeks to prepare for Georgia, and the Gators are 8-1 in these games. Overall, the Bulldogs are 2-2 when they have an off week before facing the Gators while Florida is 10-4 in its history against Georgia.
*For the first time since Oct. 31, 1992, Georgia enters the game ranked higher in the national polls. However that year, then #20 Florida upset #7 Georgia 26-24.
Georgia-Florida Series
The 81st meeting in the series which dates back to 1904 when Georgia won 52-0 in Macon. The schools have met every season since 1926 with the exception of the 1943 season when Florida did not field a team. Georgia leads the series 45-33-2 including 38-30-1 in Jacksonville.
Biggest Georgia Win: 75 (75-0 in 1942); Biggest Georgia Loss: 40 (47-7 in 1996)
Longest Winning Streak: 7 (1904-27; 1941-48); Longest Losing Streak: 7 (1990-96)
Last 10 Meetings: 1-9; Games Decided by 7 Points or Less: 14-13-2
Last Meeting: Oct. 27, 2001 in Jacksonville, Fla.: #6 Florida d. #15 Georgia 24-10
The Gators, decked out in all blue for the first time since the 1998 Citrus Bowl against Penn State, tallied 584 yards of total offense and overcame four turnovers to post a 24-10 win. Georgia struck first on a 42-yard field goal by Billy Bennett in the first quarter. It would be Georgia's only lead as it failed to take advantage of the Gator miscues. Georgia tied the game at 10 apiece in the second quarter after a three-yard run by Jasper Sanks. However, Florida QB Rex Grossman passed for 407 yards and two TDs on the afternoon to lead the offense to the win. Grossman scored from one yard out just before halftime to give Florida a 17-10 advantage.
The Gator defense blanked the Bulldogs in the second half. Early in the third quarter, Georgia was stopped on fourth-and-two at the Florida 6 and later missed another scoring opportunity when Bennett missed a 31-yarder.
Florida's Earnest Graham (23 rushes for 131 yards), Jabar Gaffney (9 rec., 143 yards, 1 TD) and Georgia's Fred Gibson (7 rec., 131 yards) compiled impressive numbers on the day.
Last Week's Game Recaps:
Georgia Tames Wildcats 52-24
After trailing 24-21 to start the second half, fifth-ranked Georgia hammered Kentucky by scoring 31 unanswered points to post a 52-24 win in Lexington. Georgia's defense blanked the Wildcats in the second half after both team's offenses lit up the scoreboard early. Georgia had three offensive starters out due to injuries (RB Musa Smith, FLK Fred Gibson, OT Jon Stinchcomb), but the offense tallied 529 yards on 87 plays including 33 first downs.
The Bulldogs entered the game having trailed just three times the entire season but found themselves trailing three different occasions in the first quarter and again at the half. However, the Bulldogs responded with the quarterback duo of David Greene and D.J. Shockley directing the offense and senior linebackers Boss Bailey, Tony Gilbert and junior DT Johnathan Sullivan leading the defense. Greene and Shockley combined to throw a school record six TD passes including three to Terrence Edwards (5 rec., 127 yards). Georgia limited Kentucky QB Jared Lorenzen to 34 yards on 5-of-10 passes in the second half after he completed 8-of-17 for 174 yards and 2 TDs in the first half.
Gators Rest Up For Georgia
Florida enjoyed an open date following their 30-23 overtime victory over Auburn back on Oct. 19. Rex Grossman (27-for-35, 242 yards) tossed two TD passes including a 25-yarder to Taylor Jacobs in OT for the win over the Tigers. Florida is now 1-2 in OT games. Auburn had rallied from a 23-7 fourth-quarter deficit and had Damon Duval lined up for a 23-yard FG with 30 seconds left in regulation. However, Bobby McCray blocked the attempt to force OT. The Gators are 17-5 following a bye week including 10-4 versus Georgia.
Current Stat Leaders
GEORGIA
Rushing: Musa Smith: 124 for 614 yards, 5 TDs, Long of 32
Passing: David Greene: 141x236, 1,815 yards, 16 TDs, 6 INTs
Receiving: Terrence Edwards: 39 for 651 yards, 9 TDs
Punting: Jonathan Kilgo: 38 punts, 41.4 avg., Long of 53
Kicking: Billy Bennett: 12x13 FGs, Long of 47, 33x33 PATs
Tackles: Boss Bailey: 75 tackles (40S, 35A)
FLORIDA
Rushing: Earnest Graham: 142 for 637 yards, 8 TDs, Long of 63
Passing: Rex Grossman: 165x301, 2,039 yards, 13 TDs, 14 INTs
Receiving: Taylor Jacobs, 57 for 905 yards, 8 TDs
Punting: Ingle Martin: 15 punts, 41.6 avg., Long of 70
Kicking: Matt Leach: 6x9 FGs, Long of 48, 20x25 PATs
Tackles: Byron Hardman: 97 tackles (60S, 37A)
High School Reunion and Family Ties
There are a number of players from Georgia and Florida that attended the same high school while there are two Gators who had an older brother that was a Bulldog. Georgia's Will Thompson along with Florida's Nick Brooks and Kenny Parker attended Northside High School in Warner Robins, Ga. From Lake Highland Prep in Orlando, Georgia has Decory Bryant while Florida has Max Starks. From Lincoln High School in Tallahassee, Georgia has Mike Gilliam while the Gators feature a trio that includes Gavin Dickey, Chris Reynolds and Chad Tidwell.
Junior Gator linebacker Reid Fleming of Panama City is the younger brother of former Bulldog linebacker Ryan Fleming (Georgia 1998-01) and wide receiver O.J. Small of Jacksonville is the younger brother of former Bulldog wideout Tony Small (1995-98).
Georgia has six players from the Sunshine state. Along with Bryant and Gilliam, there is Alex Jackson (Quincy), Tony Milton (Tallahassee), Ronnie Powell (Jacksonville) and Max Jean-Gilles (Miami).
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, 3rd, 4.88
Receving Yards/Game: Terrence Edwards, 2nd, 81.4
Passing Efficiency: David Greene, 2nd, 141.6; 18th nationally
Punt Return Avg: Damien Gary, 4th (15.2); 15th nationally
Kick Return Avg: Fred Gibson, 2nd (25.8);14th nationally
Scoring (Kicking): Billy Bennett, T1st overall, 1st among Kickers, 69 pts, 8.6 Pts/g
FG and FG PCT: Billy Bennett, 1st, 92.3% (12-of-13)
PAT Kicking PCT: Billy Bennett: T1st (100%) at 33-for-33
(Defense Updates on Mon.) Sacks: David Pollack, 1st, 8; Pass Deflections: David Pollack, T3rd, 7
Tackles for Losses: David Pollack, 1st, 12; Tony Gilbert, T2nd, 10
QB-Pressures: Johnathan Sullivan, 1st, 19; David Pollack, 2nd, 18
GEORGIA
Category: Ranking (Avg.)
Scoring Offense: 1st (34.4) and 15th nationally
Scoring Defense: 2nd (16.4) and 12th nationally
Pass Offense: 3rd (265.8)
Pass Defense: 9th (195.2)
Rushing Offense: 10th (127.9)
Rushing Defense: 5th (124.6)
Total Offense: 5th (393.6)
Total Defense: 5th (319.9)
Kickoff Returns: 7th (20.6)
Punt Returns: 3rd (16.4) and 8th nationally
Net Punting: 5th (36.8)
Turnover Margin: 7th (-1)
Time of Possession: 12th (27:45)
Kickoff Coverage: 4th (18.8)
Florida
Category: Ranking (Avg.)
Scoring Offense: 8th (27.9)
Scoring Defense: 7th (21.6)
Pass Offense: 2nd (266.9)
Pass Defense: 3rd (157.8) 8th nationally
Rushing Offense: 8th (135.6)
Rushing Defense: 8th (162.0)
Total Offense: 4th (402.5)
Total Defense: 4th (319.8)
Kickoff Returns: 12th (16.8)
Punt Returns: 5th (12.2)
Net Punting: 12th (31.8)
Turnover Margin: 10th (-5)
Time of Possession: 11th (28:49)
Kickoff Coverage: 3rd (18.5)
Milton Delivers in First Start for the Injured Smith
*Fast Facts on Tony Milton: A 5-10, 200-pound redshirt-freshman native of Tallahasse, Fla.
*Appeared in all 8 games this season with 46 rushes for 196 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 18 carries for 78 yards in first career start, coming in 52-24 road win over Kentucky
*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."
Greene Directs Bulldogs to 8-0 Start
Fast Facts on David Greene: A 6-3, 227-pound sophomore native of Snellville, Ga.
*Career Record of 16-4 as Georgia starter including 7-0 on opponent's home field, winning at #6 Tennessee, #21 Ga. Tech, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt in 2001; at #22 Alabama, South Carolina and Kentucky in 2002
*Ranks 2nd in SEC in Passing Efficiency (141.6)
*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
*Twice tied School Record this season with 4 TD Passes in 52-24 road win at Kentucky and 45-7 win over Northwestern St. in Athens
*Combined with D.J. Shockley vs. Kentucky to set Bulldog record with 6 TD passes in a game.
Splendid Senior Season for Record-Setting Edwards
*Fast Facts on Terrence Edwards: A 6-0, 171-pound senior native of Tennille, Ga.
*Biletnikoff Award "Watch List,"
*Currently with team-high 39 Rec. for 651 yards and school-record tying 9 TDs; In his last three games, Edwards has 19 catches for 402 yards and 4 TDs
*Ranks 2nd in SEC in Rec. Yards/G(81.4), 3rd in Rec./G (4.88)
*Owns 4 Georgia Career Receiving Records: Receptions (184), Receiving Yards (2,740), TD Receptions (28) and Most Games with 100 Yards Receiving (10).
*Currently tied his own record for Most TD Catches in a Season with 9; Also had 9 in 1999 and shares this mark with Brice Hunter (1993) and Hason Graham (1994)
*Tied school record with 3 TD catches in win over Kentucky, shares mark with Don Potterfield (vs. Auburn in 1963) and George Poschner (vs. Florida in 1942)
*Has caught a pass in 42 of 43 games he has played (counting bowl games). The 2001 Florida game snapped a 30-game streak.
*CBS-TV Player of the Game for performances in wins over #10 Tennessee (7 rec., 112 yards, and at Kentucky (5 rec., 127 yards, school-record tying 3 TDs, 2 KO Ret. for 44 yards, 1 pass completion for 4 yards)
Shockley Showcases Skills as Two-QB System Returns
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 6-1, 190-pound 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 and then showcased his talents in extended play against Kentucky on Oct. 26.
Against the Wildcats, Shockley set career-highs, completing 10-of-14 passes for 102 yards and 2 TDs plus had six rushes for 32 yards. His highlights included a 16-yard keeper on third-and-inches, and he jumped over a would-be tackler and completed an 8-yard TD pass to Damien Gary.
Shockley paired with Greene to set a Bulldog mark with 6 TD passes in a game. Coach Richt after the UK game said, "I've always believed in the players, and I was hoping we would have a performance like that."
On the year, Shockley has appeared in 4 games and is 20-for-30 with 246 yards passing and 4 TDs plus 1 INT. Also, he has 19 rushes for 69 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.
Smith Hopes to Make Return Against Florida
*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; Had thumb surgery on Oct. 22 and made the UK trip, dressed out but did not play.
*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
Gibson Sidelined With Thumb Injury, May Be Back for Florida
*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 missed the Kentucky game due to a thumb injury (surgery to repair ligament tear on Oct. 22) that happened during the Vanderbilt game
*Ranks 4th in the SEC in Receiving Yards/Game at 58.7
*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.
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, 2002 consensus preseason All-American
*Named one of six Division I-A recipients of the 2002 National Football Foundation Post-Graduate Scholarships. Will receive award at the Foundation's annual College Hall of Fame banquet in New York on Dec. 10.
*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"
*Ranks T9th in school history with Terrence Edwards for Most Career Bulldog starts with 40 (including bowl games).
*Missed the Kentucky game due to left knee surgery but could be back for Florida game
The Bite to Go With The Bark
Despite losing six players to the NFL, the Georgia defense has played a huge role in the 8-0 start by the Bulldogs.
*2nd in SEC and 12th nationally in Scoring Defense (16.4 pts/g)
*5th in SEC in Rushing Defense (124.6)
*9th in SEC in Passing Defense (195.2)
*5th in SEC in Total Defense (319.9)
*1st in SEC in Red Zone Defense (57.9%)
While most of the media and fans have heard of the play of senior linebackers Boss Bailey and Tony Gilbert along with sophomore defensive end David Pollack, one Bulldog who is quietly having a big year is junior DT Johnathan Sullivan. The 6-3, 299-pound native of Griffin, Ga., is drawing his share of double teams. He leads the SEC with 23 QB-Pressures and ranks fifth on the team in tackles with 41, has 8 tackles for a loss of 33, three sacks for minus 17.
Against Kentucky, Sullivan tallied four QB-Pressures, had one sack, two tackles for a loss of 14 and made six tackles.
The best performance by the defense this season came in the second half against the Wildcats on Oct. 26. In the first half, Kentucky built a 24-21 lead over Georgia with 271 yards of total offense. In the second half, the Wildcats were shutout and managed just 101 total yards.
"It was the same team both halves, there was just a lot more communication," said Sullivan after the game.
Sullivan along with Gilbert and Bailey combined for a pair of sacks right before half-time to force Kentucky out of field goal range after they had driven to the Georgia 18. Defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder credited that series with changing the momentum of the game and sparking the Bulldog defense the rest of the way.
Bulldogs Have a Pair of Defensive TDs
The Georgia defense has scored two TDs this year. Against South Carolina in one motion, sophomore DE David Pollack stripped the football and then intercepted a Cory Jenkins pass in the endzone for a TD.
Meanwhile, junior rover Kentrell Curry provided a 78-yard interception return for a TD against New Mexico State, the ninth longest in school history.
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
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 9th in the SEC in pass defense (195.2 yards/game). Opponents have passed for 7 TDs 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 37 tackles and his interception against #22 Alabama secured the victory.
Sophomore FS Sean Jones ranks fourth on the team in tackles with 49 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. Jennings also started against Kentucky and had a career-high 7 tackles plus 1 kickoff return for 15 yards.
Freshmen Linemen in the Fire
True freshman linemen Darrius Swain has started at nose tackle in 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 9 Sacks for minus 45, 21 QB-Pressures, 13 Tackles for a Loss of 61,
*Ranks 2nd on team with 60 tackles, 7 Pass Breakups.
*His 9 Sacks is the most since 1996 when Jason Ferguson had 9 (Ranks T8th in UGA history)
*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 as a fullback.
Boss Bailey Playing Like an All-American
*Fast Facts on Boss Bailey: A 6-3, 229-pound senior native of Folkston, Ga.
*Semifinalist for the Butkus Award; On the Lombardi Award "Watch List"
*Current team leader in tackles with 75 (39 solo, 36 assist); Also 2 sacks, 4 Pass Breakups
*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.
Steady Gilbert A Force In the Middle
*Fast Facts on Tony Gilbert: A 6-0, 244-pound native of Macon, Ga.
*Aiming to become only the second Bulldog in history to lead the team in tackles three straight seasons (Ben Zambiasi 1975-77)
*Currently 2nd on the team with 60 tackles, trailing senior LB Boss Bailey (75)
*Served as a team captain in first 7 games this season
*Team-high 9 tackles, 0.5 sack in 52-24 road win over Kentucky
*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 and a sack in win over NW State
*Had 12th career game with 10+plus tackles, registering 11 in road win over USC
*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).
Senior Linebackers Answer the Call at Alabama
Oct. 5, 2002: 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.
Gary Closing In On Bulldog Punt Return Records
The Bulldogs rank 3rd in the SEC and 8th nationally with a 16.4 punt return average. Junior Damien Gary ranks 4th in the SEC and 15th nationally in punt return average at 15.2. He has 27 returns for 410 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 924. 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 8 27 410 *15.2 1 71TD *Currently 2nd best in school history
Totals 29 77 924 12.0 2 72TD behind Scott Woerner (15.7 in 1980)
Bulldog Punt Return Yards in a Season
1. 488 Scott Woerner (1980)
2. 464 Lamar Davis (1941)
3. 440 Jake Scott (1968)
4. 436 Buzy Rosenberg (1971)
5. 410 Damien Gary (2002)
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. 924 Damien Gary (2000-)
5. 787 Jimmy Harrell (1981-84)
Bennett Earning His Place Among Nation'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 92.3 (12-for-13); SEC leader in Scoring Overall and Scoring (Kickers) with 8.6 average (69 points in 8 games), T1st in PAT% (33-for-33)
*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 81% (42-for-52) including 13-for-15 from 40-49 range and 98% on PATs (91-for-93)
*Made 92% of FG in the 4th quarter or later in his career (12-for-13), 4-for-4 as a freshman in 2000, 4-for-5 as a sophomore in 2001 and 4-for-4 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 (12-for-13)
2000 (4-for-4)
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 (4-for-5)
#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 (4-for-4)
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
@Kentucky 26-yarder. Leading 42-24 at the 9:17 mark Georgia wins 52-24
Kilgo Pinning Them Deep
*Fast Facts on punter Jonathan Kilgo: A 6-2, 203-pound senior native of Silver Creek, Ga.
*38 Punts for 41.4 yard Avg. (36.8 Net Avg)
*10 Punts Inside the 20, 7 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 42.2 career average (155 punts/6,548 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
42.2 Jonathan Kilgo 1999-
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.
Bulldog Offense Starting to Post Big Numbers
In the last two games, Georgia has combined to score 100 points, defeating Vanderbilt 48-17 and then Kentucky 52-14. It marked the ninth time in school history that the Bulldogs have reached triple digits over a two-game span. Prior to this, the last time Georgia did this was 1946. Georgia defeated Oklahoma A&M 33-13 on Oct. 19, 1946 and followed that with a 70-7 win over Furman on Oct. 26. The 1946 Bulldogs, coached by Wallace Butts, finished with a perfect record of 11-0 and captured the SEC Championship and national championship in the Williamson poll. The record two-game point total is 180 set by the 1910 Bulldogs who beat Locust Grove 101-0 and then Gordon 79-0.
Georgia would have to score at least 37 against Florida to rank among the top five in school history for most points scored over a three-game span. The 1910 squad holds that mark as well, amassing 202 points while the 1944 team scored 137 to rank fifth.
Back to the two most recent games, Georgia has collected 1,135 yards of total offense, the most since 1993 when the Bulldogs had 1,187 in wins over Southern Miss and Vanderbilt. The 1993 team had a record 667 yards of total offense in a 54-24 win over USM followed by 520 in a 41-3 victory over the Commodores.
Slow Starts for Offense, But Solid Starts By Bulldog Defense
Through eight games, Georgia has scored on its first possession just three times, however opponents have not scored at all on the Bulldog defense (7 punts while Vanderbilt missed a 37-yard field goal).
The best start by the Bulldog offense this season was against Vanderbilt when it scored on its first eight possessions (6 TDs, 2 FGs). No Bulldog team had ever done that in records dating back to 1954. Georgia's defense has blanked the opponents 3 times in the first half (South Carolina, Northwestern State, Tennessee) and once in the second half (Kentucky).
Georgia Holds Slight Edge in Points off Turnovers
Georgia has scored 34 points off 14 turnovers while opponents have 28 points off 15 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
Kentucky: No turnovers Wildcats got no points off 1 Bulldog TO
Georgia Blocks This Season: 4 Punts and 2 Field Goals
6 Blocks have led to 26 points (3 TDs, 1 FG, 1 Safety and 1 Punt)
Sean Jones blocks a Northwestern State Punt on Sept. 21 1st Qtr: Blocks a Chris Stegall punt, and Bruce Thornton recovers and returns it 12 yards for a TD. Georgia extends lead to 14-0. Final: Georgia 45-7
Thomas Davis blocks a New Mexico State Punt on Sept. 28 3rd Qtr: Blocks Brian Copple punt, Georgia recovers at its own 44 and three plays later, Georgia punts. Bulldogs were leading 34-7 at the time. Final: Georgia 41-10
David Pollack blocks an Alabama FG Attempt on Oct. 5 2nd Qtr: Blocks 28-yard attempt by Brian Bostick; Georgia takes over at its own 24 and 7 plays later Georgia gets a TD to extend lead to 14-3. Final: Georgia 27-25
Reggie Brown blocks a Tennessee Punt on Oct. 12 1st Qtr: Blocks Dustin Colquitt punt, it goes out of endzone for a safety. Georgia takes a 2-0 lead. {Bulldogs forced to punt after UT kickoff} Final: Georgia UGA 18-13
Boss Bailey blocks a Tennessee FG Attempt on Oct. 12 2nd Qtr: Blocks 44-yard attempt by Phillip Newman; Georgia takes over at its own 47 and 8 plays later Georgia gets a 27-yard FG to extend lead to 5-0. Final: Georgia 18-13
David Pollack blocks a Vanderbilt Punt on Oct. 19 2nd Qtr: Blocks Greg Johnson punt and recovered at VU45: 6 plays later, Georgia gets a TD to extend lead to 31-7. Final: Georgia 48-17
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