Old Rivals Meet Again 'Between the Hedges'

August 30, 2002 | Football

Aug. 30, 2002

By PAUL NEWBERRY AP Sports Writer

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) - Georgia and Clemson used to have quite a rivalry. As far as their players are concerned, it's ancient history.

Many of them were still in middle school when these schools - only about an hour's drive apart - last met in 1995.

They certainly don't remember some of the classic matchups from the 1980s.

"I never really followed it," said Georgia backup quarterback D.J. Shockley, born in 1983. "I've been looking up a few things about it. During two-a-days, they showed us a little bit of rivalry tapes from back in the days. We watched it as a team so we'd know what to expect."

No. 8 Georgia, beginning a season of huge expectations, opens against Clemson on Saturday night. At least among the old-timers, this should rekindle some passionate memories.

In 1980, Georgia defeated the Tigers 20-16 en route to an unbeaten season and the national championship.