Tigers, Bulldogs Square Off 'Between the Hedges'
September 27, 2004 | Football
Sept. 27, 2004
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Story Headlines
UGA-LSU Series
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This is the 25th meeting with the Tigers and LSU leads the series 14-9-1. LSU won both meetings last year, 17-10 during the regular season in Baton Rouge followed by a 34-13 victory in the SEC Championship game in Atlanta.
The Tigers last visit to Sanford Stadium came in 1999, and it was a 23-22 thriller won by the Bulldogs. LSU's Josh Booty hooked up on a 39-yard TD strike to Reggie Robinson with 18 seconds left to play, and then the Tigers opted to go for the win on a two-point conversion. Georgia linebacker Will Witherspoon (now starting for the Carolina Panthers) batted away a pass to preserve the Bulldog victory. Overall, Georgia has a 5-5 mark versus the Tigers in Sanford Stadium.
Saturday's game will be only the fifth time that both teams are ranked in the AP Top 25. In 1987, #7 LSU beat #16 Georgia 26-23 in Athens while in 1998, the #12 Bulldogs edged the #6 Tigers 28-27 in Baton Rouge. In 2003, #11 LSU upset #7 Georgia 17-10 in Baton Rouge and then #3 LSU beat #5 Georgia 34-13 in the SEC Championship game.
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LSU's coaching staff features three former Bulldog captains in Will Muschamp (defensive coordinator/UGA '94), Travis Jones (defensive line/UGA '95) and Kirby Smart (defensive backs/UGA'98). Also, special teams coordinator/running backs coach Derek Dooley is the son of former Georgia athletic director Vince Dooley. Jones (1997) and Dooley (1996) were graduate assistants on former coach Jim Donnan's staff and Smart served as an administrative assistant in 1999. Derek Dooley, a 1991 Virginia alum, earned a law degree from Georgia.
The last time Georgia hosted a defending national champion was 1982 when the Bulldogs knocked off Clemson 13-7 in the first night game ever played in Sanford Stadium on Labor Day night. The Bulldogs are 10-14-2 all-time vs. defending national champions including a 5-3 record in Athens.
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Protecting The House
Georgia has won 16 straight home games, which ranks as the second longest streak in school history. The school record is 24 consecutive home wins from 1980-83. The Auburn Tigers in 2001 were the last team to defeat the Bulldogs here. After that game, Georgia beat Houston here to close out the 2001 regular season and then went 7-0 at home in 2002, 6-0 last year and 2-0 this season. The Bulldogs own an all-time mark of 282-98-11 in Sanford Stadium.
A Winner At the Controls
At 35-8 as a starter, senior David Greene is one victory away from the Bulldog record for most wins by a Georgia QB. The Bulldog record is held by 2003 College Football Hall of Fame inductee Johnny Rauch who went 36-8-1 from 1945-48. Greene has started every game in the Mark Richt era.
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Sanford Stadium Turns 75
Sanford Stadium, the fifth-largest on-campus stadium in the country (92,746), and named for the late Dr. S. V. Sanford, former president of the University and Chancellor of the University system, is marking its 75th anniversary this year.
The stadium opened on Oct. 12, 1929 when Yale University made its only trip South. Georgia won the now famous game when a young sophomore end from Macon, Vernon "Catfish" Smith, scored all 15 of the Bulldogs' points. Final score: Georgia 15, Yale 0.
Georgia is 282-98-11 all-time in Sanford Stadium.
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The Offense
David Greene Leads Returning QBs
- A 6-3, 227-pound senior native of Snellville, Ga.
- 35-8 Career Record as starter including 13-1 on an opponent's home field, winning @ #6 Tennessee, #21 Ga. Tech, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt in 2001; @ #22 Alabama, #24 Auburn, S. Carolina and UK in 2002; @ Clemson, #13 Tennessee, Vandy and Ga. Tech in 2003; @ USC in 2004;
- Six 4th Quarter Comebacks in his Career (@ USC in 2004; Clemson, @#22 Alabama, @#24 Auburn in 2002; @#6 Tennessee, Kentucky in 2001);
- Career vs. LSU: 37x85, 513 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs
D.J. Shockley
- A 6-1, 208-pound junior native of College Park, Ga.
- 18 career games with no starts; 44-for-82, 589 yards, 6 TDs, 3 INTs plus 55 rushes for 228 yards and 3 TDs
- 2003 season cut short due to knee injury after the Tennessee game, saw action in six games and ended the year 9-for-21 with 1 TD, 1 INT for 88 yards
- Broke a bone in his left foot against USC in '02, missed the next 4 games.
Joe Tereshinski III
- A 6-3, 218-pound sophomore from Athens, Ga.
- Played in 11 games in 2003, but not all at quarterback, yet to attempt a pass
- Signal-caller on Georgia's punt coverage team and on the front-line of the kick return team
- Saw his first action in the '03 opener against Clemson as a snapper and then later played quarterback. He is believed to be the first Bulldog to snap and play quarterback in the same game since Terry Henderson of Birmingham played long snapper and one play at QB against Florida in 1968.
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Injuries Hit Backs Again in 2004
For the second year in a row, the Bulldogs have been forced to have a backfield by committee due to injuries. Projected starter sophomore Kregg Lumpkin was lost for the year due to a torn ACL at the beginning of fall camp and freshman Danny Ware claimed the starting spot. Then, Ware went down against South Carolina with a bruised lung and missed the Marshall contest. Ware looks to return for the LSU game. Here's a look at the highlights of the Bulldog tailbacks this season.
Danny Ware (6-1, 212, Fr.): Ran for 135 yards and 3 TDs in debut in season opener versus Ga. Southern; First freshman running back to start at Georgia in a season opener since 1943; First Bulldog to rush for more than 100 yards since the 2003 Nokia Sugar Bowl (Musa Smith); First Bulldog to rush for 3 TDs in a game since 2001.
Thomas Brown (5-8, 185, Fr.): Leading rusher in win over Marshall with career-high 81 yards on 18 carries; Missed the USC game with hamstring injury; Had 5 carries for 19 yards and 1 TD in debut vs. Ga. Southern.
Tyson Browning (5-8, 163, Jr.): Started against Marshall with 7 rushes for 21 yards; Gained 54 yards on 11 carries versus USC. His 93-yard run-after-catch last year in Baton Rouge tied Georgia's record for longest reception.
Michael Cooper (5-11, 225, RSo.): 11 carries for 48 yards, 1 TD against Marshall;Team-high 13 carries for 61 yards against USC. In two games vs. LSU last year had 87 yards on 27 carries with a long of 14.
Tony Milton (5-11, 205, Jr.): Yet to play tailback this year after recovering from leg injury and shin splints; Saw brief action at fullback against USC.
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In 2003, the running backs rushed for 1,889 yards, the second most yards by a Bulldog squad in 11 seasons. The leaders were a pair of freshman in Cooper (a redshirt frosh) with 709 yards on 156 attempts and 6 TDs and Lumpkin (566 yards on 112 att., 6 TDs). The tailback by committee in 2003 resulted after sophomore starter Tony Milton was lost officially for the year with a leg injury in early October. Cooper and Lumpkin along with Browning (78 att., 314 yards, 2 TDs) missed games for various reasons. All three Bulldogs started at tailback during the year.
Brown and Gibson Moving The Chains
Senior receivers Reggie Brown and Fred Gibson have combined for 26 of Georgia's 48 receptions this season. However, the entire unit has just two TD catches and both of those belong to Brown. The third TD catch was by running back Tyson Browning. Against USC, Brown and Gibson combined for 10 catches for 130 yards. Brown's final catch of the night was good for a 22-yard TD and their first lead at 20-16 with 9:56 to play.
Last season, the duo accounted for 64 percent of the production at wide receiver. They combined for 85 catches for 1,215 yards and 6 TDs last season. Brown's performance in the Capital One Bowl victory over #12 Purdue (5 rec., 99 yards, 1 TD) capped his best season as a Bulldog as he led the team in receving with 49 catches for 662 yards and 3 TDs. Gibson (36 rec., 553 yards, 3 TDs), who battled hamstring and knee injuries plus a broken finger throughout 2003, remains Georgia's top big-play threat.
In two games against LSU last year Brown finished with nine catches for 133 yards and a long of 29 (plus a 35-yard rush) while Gibson had three catches for 19 yards in the championship game.
The Defense
Junkyard Dawgs
Bulldog defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Brian VanGorder, who earned the 2003 Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant coach, begins his fourth season at Georgia. He has improved the nationally-ranked Bulldog defense each year. A total of 13 former Bulldog defenders have moved on to the NFL (6 in 2001, 4 in 2002 and 3 in 2003) under his leadership.
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Hard-Hitting Safety Thomas Davis Returns
- A 6-1, 230-pound junior native of Shellman, Ga.
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2004 Highlights
- Fox Sports Net Player of the Game in 48-28 win over Ga. Southern; Team-high 11 tackles, 1 INT
2003 Highlights
- 2nd Team All-American (The Sporting News)
- Team-high 138 tackles (89 solo), 4.5 sacks.
- 9 games with double-digit tackles including 11 in the SEC Championship contest versus #3 LSU
A Look At the Secondary
While veteran safeties Thomas Davis and Greg Blue anchor the secondary, the remaining Bulldogs are very young. Junior Tim Jennings is the most experienced cornerback with 13 starts while sophomore DeMario Minter has started just four games.
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Redshirt freshmen Paul Oliver and Thomas Flowers along with sophomore Tra Battle are next in line for playing time. Junior Mike Gilliam along with freshman Kelin Johnson could see early playing time. Oliver, Flowers and Johnson all made their debut against Ga. Southern. Redshirt freshman Mikey Henderson (broken ankle) could be back later this season.
On South Carolina's final offensive drive, Jennings tipped a Dondrial Penkins pass and Oliver intercepted it to clinch Georgia's four-point win. Jennings finished with two pass breakups, while Davis and Minter both had one PBU.
All-American David Pollack "Takes One More Year"
- A 6-3, 261-pound senior native of Snellville, Ga.
- Aiming to join Herschel Walker as the only Bulldogs to earn First Team All-America honors 3 years
- Needs 3.5 Sacks to Tie Bulldog Career Record
- 7 solo tackles and 9 assists in 2 games vs. LSU
2004 Highlights:
- SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week Sept. 13
- Blocked Ga. Southern punt on its opening possession which led to an eventual TD; Forced a fumble on a sack which led to an eventual FG
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2003 Highlights:
- AFCA Coaches All-America team selection
- Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year recipient and finalist for the Lombardi Award
Linebacker Shuffle
Georgia's linebackers looked to be a strength heading in to the 2004 season, and they may still be but not without a bit of shuffling. Odell Thurman, a 6-1, 225-pound junior native of Monticello, Ga., missed the first three games due a suspension for a violation of team rules but will return against LSU. The first team All-SEC selection ranked second on the team in tackles (121) and sacks (6.5 for -45 yards) last season and led the SEC with 18.5 tackles for a loss. Tony Taylor, a 6-1, 220-pound junior native of Watkinsville, Ga., was lost for the 2004 season during last spring's G-Day game with an ACL injury. Taylor ranked fifth on the team in tackles with 82 last year. Here's a look at the linebacking group through the first three games.
SLB: Arnold Harrison: A 6-3, 237-pound graduate and native of Augusta, Ga.
- One of the emotional leaders. Tied for team-high with 11 tackles in season opener vs. Ga. Southern
- Played in all 14 games in 2003 including 10 starts with his best performance coming in the SEC Championship game versus eventual national champion LSU (8 tackles).
WLB: Danny Verdun Wheeler: A 6-2, 239-pound sophomore native of Thomson, Ga.
- Made first start of the season at WLB at South Carolina, finishing with 5 tackles and 2 tackles for loss.
WLB/MLB: Jarvis Jackson: A 6-2, 215-pound sophomore native of Atlanta, Ga.
- Solid effort against Marshall with a team-high six tackles, tying him with Thomas Davis
- At South Carolina made the second start of his career but at a different position, starting at MLB with White out due to an ankle injury. Finished with career-high 8 tackles and 2 tackles for loss.
- Made first career start at WLB in the season opener vs. Ga. Southern; Tallied 7 tackles
Derrick White: A 6-2, 247-pound junior native of Union City, Ga.
- Started at MLB vs. Ga. Southern but missed South Carolina and Marshall game with an ankle injury.
- Can play all three linebacker positions.
- Tallied 36 tackles, one sack and recovered two fumbles in 2003
OTHER LINEBACKERS TO WATCH: The Bulldogs top reserves at linebacker include sophomore Jamario Smith and true freshman Brandon Miller at SLB, who has seen playing this season on special teams.
Head Coach Mark Richt
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Mark Richt: Alma Mater: Miami, (Fla.) ('82)
UGA/Overall: 35-8 (4th season)
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Notes: Led Georgia to a pair of Top 10 finishes for the first time since 1982-83...Final ranking of 6th (Coaches), 7th (AP) after going 11-3 in 2003 including a share of the 2003 SEC Eastern Division title...Named the 2002 SEC Coach of the Year after directing the Bulldogs to the SEC title, the first for Georgia since 1982...Set a school record with a 13-win season in 2002, capped by a Nokia Sugar Bowl victory over Fla. State...In 2001, posted best record by a first-year coach at Georgia since 1920 when Herman Stegeman went 8-0-1, Richt's Bulldogs posted an 8-4 mark...Came to UGA from Fla. State (1990-2000), serving as the offensive coordinator from 1994-2000.
>> Coach Richt's Complete Bio
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Special Teams
Bailey Accounts For 27 Points On the Season
With the graduation of NCAA record-setting place-kicker Billy Bennett , the Bulldogs had a spirited preseason battle for his job between a pair of redshirt freshmen in Andy Bailey and Brandon Coutu. Bailey is the PK while Coutu handles kickoffs. They made their Bulldog debut against Ga. Southern. Junior Brian Jordan returns for his second season as the snapper.
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Bailey, a 6-2, 214-pound native of Athens, Tenn., was a part of Georgia's 2002 recruiting class. Against Ga. Southern, Bailey hit field goals of 21 and 31 yards and was 6-for-6 on PATs. He had his first career miss at USC as a 47-yard attempt was wide right. He rebounded to make a pair of 26-yarders plus added two PATs. He leads SEC kickers in scoring with 27 points (9.0 pg) and is eighth nationally with 6-of-8 FG attempts.
Coutu, a 6-0, 189-pounder out of Lawrenceville (Collins Hill HS) opened the season with a kickoff through the endzone for a touchback resulting in a chorus of cheers by the Bulldog faithful.
Block Party
Georgia's special teams play has made a dramatic impact in the success of the program under Mark Richt. Current Bulldogs who have blocked a punt or field goal or scored on a block include:
Reggie Brown: Blocked a punt against Tennessee in 2002.
Thomas Davis: Against Alabama in 2003, Jarrett Berry blocked a punt and Davis picked it up and returned it 7 yards for a touchdown. Also, Davis blocked a 44-yard field goal attempt by Kentucky. Davis blocked a punt versus New Mexico State in 2002.
Kedric Golston: Blocked a PAT against LSU in the 2003 SEC Championship game.
Bryan McClendon: Blocked a punt versus Ga. Tech in 2003
David Pollack: Blocked a punt versus Vanderbilt and a field goal against Alabama in 2002. Blocked a punt versus Ga. Southern in 2004.
Ely-Kelso Returns to Punting Duties
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Gordon Ely-Kelso returned to action at USC after he was suspended for the season opener. Ely-Kelso punted five times (2 for 50+ and 2 inside the 20) for an average of 45.2 yards plus had one go for a career-long 61 yards. He earned the SEC's Special Teams Player of the Week - the second of his career. In 2003, his player of the week award also followed the South Carolina game.
With Ely-Kelso unavailable, junior Lee Jackson got his first chance to punt as a Bulldog in the opener against Ga. Southern and had three for an average of 35.3 yards. Jackson continues to serve as the team's holder and backup punter this season.
Punt Return Job Up for Grabs
With the graduation of Georgia's all-time punt returner Damien Gary, the Bulldogs have somebody new fielding punts for the first time since 2000. From 2000-03, Gary tallied 114 punt returns for 1,253 yards and two touchdowns.
In the season opener against Ga. Southern, junior Tyson Browning's first career punt return covered 17 yards and then his second and final chance of the day resulted in an electric 72-yard scamper for a touchdown. For his efforts, Browning was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week.
After a few fumbles by Browning in the last two games, junior Tim Jennings and sophomore Sean Bailey have been getting a look with the punt return team.
For kickoffs, the Bulldogs have multiple options including Browning, junior Bryan McClendon and freshman Thomas Brown. In 2003, Browning led the team with nine for 143 yards.
Loose Ends
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Points Off Turnovers
Georgia has scored 10 points off four turnovers this season. The Bulldogs rank eighth in the SEC and 58th nationally with a +0 Turnover Margin.
In 2003, Georgia and Arkansas shared the top spot in the SEC and were 14th nationally with a +11 TO margin. The Bulldogs converted 29 turnovers in to 92 points while Georgia's opponents scored 33 points off 18 Bulldog miscues.
GS: UGA converts 2 turnovers in to 10 points; No Bulldog turnovers
SC: UGA converts 2 turnovers in to *No points; 3 Bulldog turnovers result in 7 points.
MU: UGA creates no turnovers; 1 Bulldog turnover results in no points after a goal-line stand
*Georgia ran out the clock to preserve the win at USC after a turnover.
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Setting The Tone
Here's a look at what the Bulldogs and their opponents have done in their opening possession and starting the second half this year.
GS: UGA wins toss, defers: GS: Punt (blocked); UGA: TD 2nd Half: UGA:TD; GS: Punt
SC: UGA wins toss, defers: SC: Punt; UGA: SC gets safety 2nd Half: UGA: Punt; SC: MFG
MU: UGA wins toss, defers: MU: FG; UGA: Punt 2nd Half: UGA: Fumble; MU: Downs
Bulldog Captains
GS: David Greene (Offense), Will Thompson (Defense), Reggie Brown (Special Teams)
SC: Reggie Brown (O), David Pollack and Thomas Davis (D), Arnold Harrison (ST)
MU: Max Jean-Gilles (O), David Pollack and Gerald Anderson (D), Mike Gilliam (ST)
Glory Days Return
In the history of Georgia football, the Bulldogs most glorious stretch came from 1980-83 when they went a combined 43-4-1 with one national championship (1980), three SEC titles (1980-83) and four straight final national rankings in the top six.
Since the Mark Richt era began in 2001, the Bulldogs are tied for the third most wins in the country. Georgia, Texas and Ohio State have 35 wins apiece. In that span, the Bulldogs have claimed one SEC title and two Eastern Division crowns. Georgia ended the '02 season ranked a consensus third nationally while in '03, it finished sixth in the coaches poll and seventh in the Associated Press. All signs point to another banner year in 2004 with Georgia at 3-0 and currently ranked number three.
In its last action, Georgia posted a 13-3 win over Marshall and held the Herd to 160 yards of total offense.
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