University of Georgia Athletics
Georgia Hosts Kentucky in Final Home Game of 2005
November 14, 2005 | Football
Nov. 14, 2005
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Georgia-Kentucky Series
On Saturday, Georgia (7-2, 5-2 SEC) and Kentucky (3-6, 2-4 SEC) meet for the 59th time since 1939 with the Bulldogs leading the series 46-10-2.
For the second time in three years, Georgia will be looking to claim the SEC Eastern Division title if it can post a win over the Wildcats.
In 2003, Georgia concluded the SEC regular season with a 30-10 win on Nov. 22 and in doing so won a share of the division title. However, Georgia had to beat Ga. Tech in Atlanta the following week to insure its trip to the Georgia Dome for the SEC title tilt. That year, Georgia, Florida and Tennessee all finished with a 6-2 league mark and the tiebreaker came down to the team ranked highest in the BCS.
The Bulldogs have won eight straight in the series with UK's last win coming in 1996 in Lexington. Last year, the Bulldogs recorded a 62-17 victory in the Commonwealth. In that contest, Georgia posted its largest margin of victory and points scored in the Mark Richt era. Bulldog Thomas Brown enjoyed a productive day with 130 yards rushing and 3 TDs while D.J. Shockley had 2 TD passes to Sean Bailey.
And speaking of points, one final look back at Auburn's 31-30 win over Georgia reveals that it was the fourth most points scored by the Bulldogs in a loss, and three of those contests have been against Auburn in Athens. In 1999, Georgia fell in overtime to Ga. Tech 51-48 in Atlanta; in 1997, Auburn beat Georgia 45-34; in 1995, Auburn beat Georgia 37-31.
Now back to the UK game, for only the fourth time in the history of the series, the two teams will face each other outside the month of October.
In 1942, the Bulldogs and Wildcats, in just the third meeting ever between the two teams, played on Sept. 19 in Louisville, Ky. Georgia won that day 7-6. The past two matchups have been in November.
A couple of former Wildcat signal-callers posted record numbers versus the Bulldogs in 1999-2000. In 1999 (34-30 Georgia win), UK's Jared Lorenzen passed for 528 yards (39-for-58, 2 TDs) which was the most ever against the Bulldogs. In second place, the 421 yards compiled by Wildcat Dusty Bonner in a 1999 shootout won by Georgia 49-34. In that contest, Wildcat tight end James Whalen caught 4 TD passes, the most ever by a Bulldog opponent.
Farewell to the Seniors
Georgia's seniors will be playing in their final home game at Sanford Stadium Saturday. The Class of 2005 will go down in Bulldog history as one of the most successful in terms of wins, bowl victories and final national rankings. The Class of 2005 owns a 41-8 record including 3-0 in bowl games.
Also, 13 of the seniors are on track to graduate in December: Gerald Anderson, Greg Blue, John DeGenova, Mike Gilliam, Lee Jackson, Brian Jordan, Bryan McClendon, Dennis Roland, Ryan Schnetzer, D.J. Shockley, Jamario Smith, Russ Tanner and Will Thompson.
They Wrote It...
"Losses have been few and far between for Georgia under Mark Richt. Back-to-back losses as rare as the pinkest slab of meat at a ritzy steakhouse. After a 7-0 start to the season, ninth-ranked Georgia dropped its second straight game for the first time since 2001 on Saturday night as John Vaughn drilled a 20-yard field goal with six seconds to play to lift No. 15 Auburn to a 31-30 victory at Sanford Stadium. As depressing as following up a loss to Florida with another to the Tigers is for Georgia fans, don't put a fork in the Bulldogs' SEC championship hopes yet."
- Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner-Herald, Nov. 13, 2005
Silver Anniversary of Championship
The 2005 season marks the 25th anniversary of Georgia's national championship team that posted a perfect 12-0 mark. The 1980 team culminated the season with a 17-10 win over Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl. A reunion will be held at the final home game (Nov. 19) versus Kentucky.
Head Coach Mark Richt
In 2005, he has led Bulldogs to a 7-2 mark...Current streak of three straight years with a top 10 finish in the national rankings, a first for the Bulldogs since the 1980-83 seasons...Final ranking of 6th (Coaches), 7th (AP) after going 10-2 in 2004...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 and Stats
Georgia in the Top 25 Polls in 2004/2005
At 7-2, Georgia is #14 in the polls this week. The Bulldogs were ranked in the top 10 in at least one of the national polls every week during the 2004 season. In fact, Georgia's #3 preseason ranking in 2004 was the best since the 2002 SEC Champion squad was a consensus #3 in the final polls after going 13-1 and winning the Nokia Sugar Bowl. DID YOU KNOW? After going 10-2 in 2004, Georgia secured its third straight top 10 finish, something they hadn't done since 1980-83.
| 2005 | Aug. | Sep. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | |||||||||||||||
| pre. | 6 | 11 | 18 | 25 | 2 | 9 | 16 | 23 | 30 | 6 | 13 | 20 | 27 | 4 | Final | |||||
| AP | 13 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 9 | 14 | ||||||||
| Coaches | 13 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 9 | 14 | ||||||||
| Harris | NP | NP | NP | NP | 7 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 9 | 13 | ||||||||
| FWAA | 14 | NP | NP | NP | NP | NP | 4 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 9 | |||||||||
Offense
Steady Shockley Returns
Senior D.J. Shockley, the SEC's top-rated passer, made a solid return against Auburn. He got injured in the first half against Arkansas and then missed the Florida game.
- Named to 11-man AFCA National Good Works Team
- Leads SEC, 12th nationally in Pass Efficiency (154.0)
- Finalist for Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award; Semifinalist for Maxwell Award
- Owns a 7-1 career record as a starter
- 20-for-36, 304 yds,2TDs, 40 yds rushing vs. #15 Auburn
- Led Georgia to its first road win over a top 10 team since 2001 as Bulldogs beat #8 Tennessee in front of 108,470; Went 16-for-27 for 207 yards; Had 51 yards rushing; Forced UT to jump offsides four times
- Against MSU, set career highs, going 21-for-36 for 312 yards
- Established records in his collegiate debut as a starter; Accounted for a school record six touchdowns (five passing, one rushing) and tied the school mark for TD passes in the 48-13 thrashing of #18 Boise State
As a three-year backup to the nation's all-time winningest quarterback in David Greene, Shockley entered the 2005 season with 26 games and no starts. Here's a look at his career numbers.- 2002-04: 67-133 for 967 yards, 10 TDs, 4 INTs; 329 yards rushing, 76 atts., 3 TDs.
- 2005: 115-200 for 1,842 yards, 14 TDs, 4 INTs; 255 yards rushing, 53 atts., 3 TDs
- Total: 182-333 for 2,809 yards, 24 TDs, 8 INTs; 584 yards rushing, 129 atts., 6 TDs
Behind Shockley, there is junior Joe Tereshinski III. He helped preserve a 23-20 win over Arkansas (5-for-9, 91 yards). The following week, he made his first career start, 14-10 loss to #16 Florida in Jacksonville. He scored Georgia's lone TD (the first of his career) against the Gators on a 9-yard reception from sophomore RB Thomas Brown! For the season as well as his career, he is 21-for-44 for 307 yards, 0 TD, 2 INTs. While his time at QB has been limited, the third generation Bulldog (all have won SEC titles) has seen plenty of action on special teams as the personal protector on punts and even long snapped during his career (Clemson in 2003 and 2005 Outback Bowl vs. Wisconsin).
Big Targets Have A Chance To Make Plays
Junior tight ends Leonard Pope and Martrez Milner have combined for 38 catches for 659 yards and 5 TDs. They have accounted for 28% of Georgia's receptions. The next highest percentage by an SEC TE duo is Kentucky at 18%.
- The 6-8, 250-pound Pope,leads the team with 27 rec. (400 yards; 2 TDs); He could become the first Bulldog TE to lead the team in receiving since 1989 when Kirk Warner had 30 catches for 404 yards and 1 TD.
- The 6-4, 250-pound Milner, ranks 4th with 11 rec. and 259 yards; 2 TDs.
The Bulldogs have utilized a talented tight end duo just about every year since 1997. Several of these former Bulldogs now star in the NFL including three who have been on Super Bowl teams. In fact, Jermaine Wiggins and Ben Watson have won championships with the New England Patriots.
1997: Wiggins, Larry Brown: 31 of 209 rec. (15%), 4 TDs
1998: Wiggins & Brown: 56 of 190 rec. (29%), 3 TDs
1999: Randy McMichael, Jevaris Johnson: 65 of 221 rec. (29%), 5 TDs
2000: McMichael & Johnson: 43 of 181 rec. (24%), 1 TD
2001: McMichael & Watson: 35 of 204 rec. (17%), 2 TDs
2002: Ben Watson: 31 of 257 (12%), 3 TDs
2003: Watson, Robert Brannon, Pope & Milner: 29 of 274 (11%), 2 TDs
2004: Pope & Milner: 29 of 201 (14%), 6 TDs
2005: Pope & Milner: 38 of 138 (28%), 4 TDs
The Sum Of All Rushers
Georgia's rushing offense ranks 3rd in the SEC (167.7 yds./g) and the Bulldogs leading the pack include sophomores Thomas Brown and Danny Ware plus senior QB D.J. Shockley. The 2005 ground attack is on pace to be the best in the Mark Richt era.
2001 1,878 yards: Leader: Verron Haynes (126 for 691 yds, 7 TDs); 8-4 final rec.
2002 1,954 yards: Leader: Musa Smith (260 for 1,324 yds, 8 TDs); 13-1
2003 1,889 yards: Leader: Michael Cooper (156 for 673 yards, 6 TDs); 11-3
2004 1,882 yards: Leader: Thomas Brown (172 for 875 yards, 8 TDs); 10-2
2005 1,509 yards: Leader: Thomas Brown (110 for 560 yards, 3 TDs); 7-2
The most impressive effort of the year came in the road win over then #8 Tennessee when they gained 198 yards against the nation's fourth ranked rushing defense.
- Five current Bulldog tailbacks have started a game (Brown, Ware, Kregg Lumpkin, seniors Tyson Browning and Tony Milton).
- Brown gained 73 of his yards at #8 UT by carrying the ball all nine times on a nine-play drive capped by an 18-yard scamper to make it 27-7.
- Ware notched his first 100-yard game of the year and fifth of his career when he gained 109 yards on 13 attempts vs. La.-Monroe.
- Brown ran for a career-high 144 yards on 20 carries with 1 TD vs. USC. It was his fifth career 100-yard game.
- In the win over BSU, the trio of Brown, Ware and Lumpkin combined for 82 yards on 19 carries, however the leading rusher was Shockley (5 rushes for 85 yards, 1 TD).
Redshirt freshman fullback Brannan Southerland has garnered praise for his play as a first-year starter. He has proven to be a solid blocker, short-yardage runner and capable option out of the backfield. Junior starting fullback Des Williams was lost for the year with a torn pectoral muscle in summer workouts. DID YOU KNOW? For the last eight years, Georgia has had a different rushing leader. Thomas Brown could become the first Bulldog to end this stretch since Robert Edwards led the Bulldogs in 1996-97.
Paving the Way
The starting lineup of tackles Daniel Inman and Dennis Roland, guards Max Jean-Gilles and Nick Jones and the center rotation of Russ Tanner and Ryan Schnetzer have a combined 153 career starts.
- Anchor the Bulldogs who ranks 2nd in the SEC in Total Offense (408.1 ypg), 2nd in Passing (240.4) and 3rd in Rushing (167.7 ypg).
- Allowed only 14 sacks in 246 pass attempts; Ranks 1st: Fewest in the SEC.
- Three Bulldogs have earned SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week Honors a total of five times: (Roland vs. USC; Inman vs. La.-Monroe & Vandy; Jean-Gilles vs. #8 UT & Arkansas.)
- Helped offense tally 198 yards rushing on 42 attempts at then #8 UT who was ranked fourth nationally in rushing defense at 67.2 ypg.
Massaquoi Emerging As Reliable Threat
Freshman Mohamed Massaquoi (24 rec., 347 yds, 2 TDs) has come on strong in the second half of the season and ranks third on the team in reception and yards. He made his first start in game seven against Arkansas (3 rec., 40 yards) and posted a breakout performance against #15 Auburn in game nine with a career-high six catches for 108 yards and 1 TD. It was the best game by a Bulldog receiver this season. He notched his first career TD against Vanderbilt, a diving six-yarder on 3rd and goal.
The last freshman to lead the Bulldogs in receiving was Terrence Edwards in 1999 (Georgia freshman record 53 rec., 772 yds, 9 TDs).
Senior Bryan McClendon is second on the team with a career-high 25 rec., 383 yards and 2 TDs. He made one of the biggest catches of the season against South Carolina. He caught a 27-yard strike from D.J. Shockley on 3rd-and-22 from the Georgia 8 yard line late in the game that resulted in a first down and helped clinch the win. His first career TD reception came in the road win over Vanderbilt this year. It was his 38th career catch. The 37 catches without a TD was the most by a Bulldog in records dating back to 1974! It took McClendon just two more catches to get his 2nd career TD, this one an 11-yarder from Shockley against Arkansas.
DID YOU KNOW? Massaquoi, McClendon, Sean Bailey and Kenneth Harris have combined for 15 catches that have covered 25+ yards. McClendon, Bailey and Harris have four apiece while Massaquoi has three.
Defense
Junkyard Dawgs
Secondary coach Willie Martinez was promoted to defensive coordinator for 2005 and the defense is as good as ever. Since 2001, a total of 17 former Bulldog defenders have moved on to the NFL (6 off the 2001 team, 4 from 2002, 3 from 2003 and 4 from the 2004 squads).
| Year | Scoring Def. | NCAA Rank | Total Def. | NCAA Rank | TO Margin | NCAA Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 18.9 pts/game | 17th | 361.5 yards | 49th | +1 | 53rd |
| 2002 | 15.1 pts/game | 4th | 303.5 yards | 15th | +8 | 32nd |
| 2003 | 14.5 pts/game | T2nd | 276.9 yards | 4th | +11 | 14th |
| 2004 | 16.5 pts/game | 9th | 288.9 yards | 8th | -2 | t73th |
| 2005 | 15.7 pts/game | 10th | 313.0 yards | 21st | +9 | 14th |
Look Who's Tackling
The pundits felt the 2005 Bulldog defense would slip with the loss of first-rounders David Pollack and Thomas Davis and second-rounder Odell Thurman and coordinator Brian VanGorder to the NFL. However, this year's unit, led by junior DE Quentin Moses and senior safety Greg Blue are having All-Star seasons. Blue is a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award while Moses has been the SEC Lineman of the Week twice this year (MSU & Vandy). Blue is closing on a career-best tackles. He's got a team-leading 71 stops after getting 80 last year, 2nd only to Davis' 81.
2004
David Pollack: 12.5 sacks, 17.5 TFL
Thomas Davis: 81 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 INT
Odell Thurman: 65 tackles, 3 sacks, 11 TFL
2005
Quentin Moses: team-high 8 sacks, 14.5 TFLs
Greg Blue: team-high 71 tackles, 2 INTs
*Tony Taylor, Jarvis Jackson: Combined 60 tackles, 2 sacks, 6.5 TFL
Inside The Scoring Defense
Georgia's Scoring Defense now ranks 10th nationally at 15.7 after the Bulldogs allowed 31 points to #15 Auburn. The Tigers and LSU in the 2003 SEC Championship game (34) are the only two to score 30+ against Georgia in the Mark Richt era. In both instances, the team's registered a defensive TD in collecting a win over the Bulldogs.
Here's a few notes on how the 2005 opponents have scored.
Boise St. (13): UGA led 38-0 before BSU scored
South Carolina (15): An INT Return for a TD
La.-Monroe (7): Recovered onside kick to start 2nd half and compiled a 53-yard TD drive
Miss. State. (10): A field goal on its opening drive; A late fourth-quarter TD with Georgia up 23-3
#8 Tennessee (14): INT Ret. set up 1-yard TD drive; A 24-yard TD pass on final play of the game
Vanderbilt (17): 3 scoring drives of at least 50 yards including a 12-play, 80-yard drive that took 5:54.
Arkansas (20): 3 scoring drives of at least 45 yards and had one 4-play drive of zero yards that resulted in a FG
#16 Florida (14): Two scoring drives on its first two possession (14 points on 121 yards) then shutout the final three quarters and gained just 141 more yards.
#15 Auburn (31): 506 yards of total offense; A 92-yard drive to start the game and a 77-yarder to win the game
Taylor Is The Nucleus of the Linebackers
The Georgia linebacking corps, now under the direction of John Jancek, started six different trios during the 2004 season and no player started every game. This season, it has been more of the same. Junior Tony Taylor, who missed all of 2004 with a knee injury, is the nucleus in the middle.
Taylor led the Bulldogs with 13 stops against #15 Auburn. It was his third career double-digit tackle peformance including the first this season. He was leading the linebackers in tackles until he injured his elbow in the first half against then #8 Tennessee and missed the next two games. He returned for the Florida contest and made six stops and recovered a fumble at the Georgia 6 yard line.
The Bulldogs have used the same starting lineup at linebacker in only three games this season (sophomore Brandon Miller-SLB, Taylor-MLB and junior Jarvis Jackson-WLB). Miller, Taylor, Jackson and Danny Verdun Wheeler have all missed games this year due to various ailments. Still, Jackson (53 stops), Verdun Wheeler (45 stops) and Taylor (42 stops) rank 3rd, 4th and 5th on the squad in tackles.
Jackson returned to a starting spot versus then #8 Tennessee and responded with eight tackles. He sustained a thumb injury versus USC on Sept. 10th, had surgery Sept. 13th and returned for some action against Miss. State on Sept. 24th. While he was out, Verdun Wheeler, who led the linebackers with nine starts last year, moved back in to a starting role. Against La.-Monroe, he posted a then career-high 11 tackles. Verdun Wheeler posted a career-high 13 tackles to lead the Bulldogs in the win over Arkansas. Miller missed the Florida game with an ankle injury, and he saw limited action against Auburn. Georgia's reserve linebackers who have seen some action include redshirt freshman Dannell Ellerbe, true freshman Marcus Washington, junior Olaolu Sanni-Osomo and senior Jamario Smith.
Oskie! Bulldogs Garnering Picks
Georgia had just five interceptions in 2004, the fewest in records going back to 1948. The Bulldogs have 12 INTs this year. Senior CB Tim Jennings has eight career INTs. The newest member of the starting secondary, junior Tra Battle, a one-time walk-on and high school QB, is having his finest season. He is tied with Jenning and Blue with two INTs. Battle ranks second on the team in tackles with 58.
"GTBB" = Get The Ball Back
*Tra Battle, *Greg Blue and Tim Jennings: 2 each; Paul Oliver, *DeMario Minter, Tony Taylor, *Dannell Ellerbe, *Thomas Flowers, Paul Oliver: 1 each; *Career first
Special Teams
Coutu Earns Scholarship; Semifinalist for Groza
Sophomore walk-on Brandon Coutu leads the SEC in Scoring and ranks 12th nationally with 88 points. During the Nov. 5 off week, Georgia coach Mark Richt informed him he would be placed on scholarship starting in January. His lastest bit of good news came on Nov. 8 when he was named a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award (nation's top place kicker).
- Made 7-for-8 from 40-49 yards this season and 1-3 from 50+yards this season.
- Made 20-of-25 FG (80%) this season and 22-28 FG Atts. (79%) in his career
- Also 25-for-25 in PAT attempts this year and 31-for-31 in his career
- Career-high 14 points in the win over La.-Monroe (3 FGs, 5 PATs), and he nailed a career-best 58-yard field goal. The 58-yarder is the longest in school history without a tee (The NCAA did not allow a kicking tee after the 1988 season) and the third longest overall. It was the longest since Kevin Butler's SEC record-tying and Bulldog record 60-yarder to beat Clemson in 1984. Coutu's field goal was the longest made by an SEC kicker since Butler's against the Tigers.
- Tallied 12 points in the season-opening win over Boise State, 2 FGs, 6 PATs.
Until the final FG in the Georgia-Georgia Tech matchup last season, sophomore Andy Bailey had taken every attempt for the Bulldogs. However, Coutu got a chance against the Jackets in the fourth quarter and booted a 44-yarder to help Georgia to a 19-13 win. Coutu had handled kickoff duties all year. He was 1-for-2 in field goals at the Outback Bowl.
In 2004, Bailey ended up as the fourth-highest scorer in the SEC with a 7.1 average (78 points). He was 14-of-20 FGs including making a career-long 46-yarder versus Kentucky. Senior snapper Brian Jordan is in his third year as a starter while senior Lee Jackson is again the holder and backup punter. Jordan recovered a fumble after a Bulldog punt in the La.-Monroe game.
Longest Field Goals in Georgia Bulldog History
60 Kevin Butler vs. Clemson in 1984*
59 Kevin Butler vs. Ole Miss in 1982
58 Brandon Coutu vs. La.-Monroe in 2005
58 Allan Leavitt vs. Vanderbilt in 1976
*Shares SEC Record: Fuad Reveiz (Tenn. vs. Ga. Tech in 1982); Chris Perkins (Fla. vs. Tulane in 1984)
GEORGIA RECORD BOOK: Top Single Season Marks
FG Att. FG Made Most Pts. Kicking
*38 Billy Bennett, 2003 *31 Billy Bennett, 2003 131 Bennett, 2003
33 Billy Bennett, 2002 26 Billy Bennett, 2002 130 Bennett, 2002
28 Kevin Butler, 1984 23 Kevin Butler, 1984 94 Butler, 1981
27 Kanon Parkman, 1993 20 Brandon Coutu, 2005 92 Butler, 1984
26 Kevin Butler, 1981 92 Parkman, 1993
25 3 including Brandon Coutu 91 Parkman, 1994
*NCAA, SEC Record 88 Coutu, 2005
KICKER COMPARISON
Former Bulldog All-SEC place-kicker Billy Bennett (2000-03) ranks second in NCAA history among kickers with 409 points. Coutu has passed Bennett's performance from his sophomore season.
Coutu in 2005 (9 games): 88 points, 20-for-25 FG, LG-58; 28x28 PATs
Bennett in 2001 (12 games): 85 points, 17-for-25 FG, LG-55; 34x34 PATs
Flowers Leads Georgia Return Men
Sophomore Thomas Flowers serves as the Bulldog punt returner again this season while seniors Tyson Browning and Bryan McClendon have been the primary kickoff returners.
Thomas Flowers Punt Return Avg. 13.2 (22 for 291 yards, 1 TD)
- Ranks 3rd in the SEC, 13th nationally
- 54-yard Punt Ret. for TD at #8 Tennessee; 1st one allowed by UT in 4 years
- SEC Special Teams Player of Week for effort at Tennesse (2 punt ret. for 66 yards), The TD gave UGA 20-7 lead in 4th quarter
- Led the SEC in 2004 and 12th nationally with a 15.1 average.
- 15.1 avg. in 2004 ranked 2nd best in school history behind Scott Woerner (15.7 in 1980).
- Georgia ranks 3rd in the SEC in punt returns (13.2) but 9th in kickoff returns at 20.0 yards/return.
On kickoffs, Browning posted a fine performance versus Arkansas (3 ret., 90 yards including a career-best 52 yarder). For the year, Browning now averages 23.3 yards (9 for 210). McClendon is averaging 19.2 yards on five returns.
Bulldog Blocks and Special Teams TDs
Georgia has blocked 11 Punts, 8 Field Goals and 2 PATs in the Richt era and converted them in to 74 points.
2005: Blocked 1 Punt and turned it in to 7 points.
2004: Blocked 2 Punts and turned them in to 7 Points.
2003: Blocked 4 FGs, 2 Punts,1 PAT and turned them in to 17 points.
2002: Set School record: Blocked 5 Punts, 4 FGs, turned them in to 40 points.
2001: Blocked 1 Punt, 1 PAT and turned them in to 3 points.
Current Bulldogs who have blocked a punt or field goal include:
Tyson Browning: Blocked a punt vs. Vanderbilt in 2005
Kedric Golston: Blocked a PAT vs. LSU in 2003 SEC Championship Game
Bryan McClendon: Blocked a punt vs. Georgia Tech in 2003
The Bulldogs have 8 Special Teams TDs in the Richt era plus a safety.
Current Bulldogs who have a Special Teams TD include:
Thomas Flowers: 54-yard punt return at #8 Tennessee in 2005
Tyson Browning: 72-yard punt return vs. Georgia Southern in 2004
Ely-Kelso Pins Them Deep; Semifinalist for Ray Guy Award
Junior punter Gordon Ely-Kelso, a native of Athens, Ga., continues to be a strength in Georgia's special teams. He is one of 10 semifinalists for the Ray Guy Award which goes to the nation's top punter. He has a 42.9 overall avg (37 for 1,587 yards).
- The Bulldogs rank second in the SEC in Punting with a Net Average of 38.5 (LSU is first at 40.5).
- Ranks 2nd in the SEC with 46% of his punts landing inside the 20 {I20} (17-of-37).
- In the 17-15 win over South Carolina, he had 5 punts for a 44.8 avg. with a 60-yarder and 4 I20.
- In the 27-14 road win over then #8 Tennessee, he had 6 punts for a 42.5 avg., with three I20 including one at the 1 and one at the 2.
- In the 23-20 win over Arkansas, he had 6 punts for a 48.2 avg., with 4 I20.
- Against then #16 Florida, he had 3 punts for a 49.3 avg.
- Against #15 Auburn, he had 5 punts for a 40.8 avg. with 1 I20.
Ely-Kelso's Career: 156 punts, *6,277 yards, 40.2 avg., 50 Punts Inside 20
*The 6,277 yards ranks 7th best in school history.
Other Items of Note
A Winning Legacy
The 2005 Georgia senior class owns a 41-8 career record, including 3-0 in bowl games. The best four-year record was by the Class of 1983 that went 43-4-1 including a national championship (1980) and three straight SEC titles (1980-82). The Class of 1983 went 2-2 in bowl games.
Georgia's only senior class to go 4-0 in bowl games was the Class of 2000 under former head coach Jim Donnan. That group included current Pro Bowl stars Marcus Stroud (Jaguars) and Richard Seymour (Patriots) and won two Outback Bowls, one Peach Bowl and the O'ahu Bowl.
This year's group of seniors could become just the second class to finish ranked in the Associated Press Top 10 four consecutive years along with the group from 1983. The Class of 2004 went 42-10 and went 3-1 in bowl games. They finished in the top 25 all four years and top 10 their final three years.
Overtime Facts
Since overtime was first used in 1996, the Bulldogs have been involved in five of these games including twice in bowl games.
Current Bulldog head coach Mark Richt is 1-0 in overtime, winning the 2004 Capital One Bowl 34-27 over then 12th-ranked Purdue.
1996 (Nov. 16): Georgia d. #20 Auburn 56-49 in 4OT in Auburn, Ala.
1999 (Nov. 27): #20 Ga. Tech d. #16 Georgia 51-48 in Atlanta
2000 (Jan. 1): #21 Georgia d. #19 Purdue 28-25 to win Outback Bowl (Tampa)
2000 (Nov. 11): #22 Auburn d. #14 Georgia 29-26 in Auburn, Ala.
2004 (Jan. 1): #11 Georgia d. #12 Purdue 34-27 to win Capital One Bowl (Orlando)
Overtime Game Tidbits
- The 1996 UGA-Auburn game in Auburn was the first in SEC history to go to overtime.
- The 1999 UGA-Ga. Tech game in Atlanta, Kendrell Bell blocked Luke Magnet's first 38-yard field goal in overtime but since it was third down and the Yellow Jackets recovered, they got to kick it again and this time he made a 38-yarder. Overall, the teams combined for a Georgia record 1,097 yards of total offense. Georgia had the first possession in OT and a Quincy Carter pass was intercepted in the endzone.
- Against Purdue at the 2000 Outback Bowl in Tampa, Georgia set a record for the largest comeback in bowl history along with in school history as it once trailed 25-0 in the second quarter. Purdue missed a 43-yarder in OT and then Hap Hines made a 21-yarder for the win.
- In the 2000 UGA-Auburn game in Auburn, it marked the 1st time in 9 years that the home team won. Georgia got a 25-yard FG from Billy Bennett in OT but the Tigers answered with a TD for the win.
- Georgia built a 24-0 lead only to see Purdue cut it to 14 by halftime and then tie it at 24-all with nine seconds left. In overtime, Kregg Lumpkin plunged in from one yard out for the go-ahead TD and then the Bulldog defense held as Tony Taylor intercepted a pass on fourth and goal at the four.
Bulldog Game Captains
BSU: Dennis Roland, OT and D.J. Shockley, QB (offense), Gerald Anderson, NT (defense), DeMario Minter, SCB (special teams); Honorary Captain: Charlie Dean, Safety (1981-83)
USC: Max Jean-Gilles, OG (O), Quentin Moses, DE and Greg Blue, FS (D) and Tony Taylor, MLB (ST); Honorary Captain: Jimmy Harper, QB (1952-55)
ULM: Russ Tanner, C and Bryan McClendon, SE (O), Tim Jennings, CB (D) and Mike Gilliam, CB (ST); Honorary Captain: Ronnie Harris, CB (1981-82)
MSU: Ryan Schnetzer, C (O), Greg Blue, FS (D), Kedric Golston, DT (D) and Brian Jordan, SN (ST)
UT: D.J. Shockley, QB (O), Greg Blue, FS & Kedric Golston, DT (D) and Bryan McClendon, SE (ST)
VU: Max Jean-Gilles, OG (O), Kedric Golston, DT and DeMario Minter, SCB (D), and Gordon Ely-Kelso, P (ST)
UA: TBA, Honorary Captain: Tommy Lawhorne, LB (1965-67)
UF: Max Jean Gilles, OG & Dennis Roland, TT (O), Will Thompson, DE (D) and Tyson Browning, RB/KOR(ST).
AU: D.J. Shockley, QB (O), Kedric Golston, DT & Tim Jennings, WCB (D) and Greg Blue, FS (ST); Honorary Captain: Scott Williams, TE (1981-84)
UK: TBA; Honoray Captain: Dicky Clark, DE (1974-76), 1976 Def. Captain
Points Off Turnovers
Georgia has scored 53 points off 18 turnovers in 2005 while its opponents have just 13 points off 9 Bulldog miscues. Georgia is 2nd in the SEC and ranks 5th nationally with a +9 Turnover Margin. Georgia's defense is tied for first in the SEC (UF) with 10 interceptions while the 18 turnovers has passed last year's output.
Last year, the Bulldogs ranked 6th in the SEC with a -2 Turnover Margin. In 2004, Georgia scored 58 points off 17 turnovers while opponents managed 46 points off 19 Bulldog turnovers.
#18 Boise St.: UGA converts 4 INTs, 2 Fumbles in to 24 points; BSU got no points off 1 Bulldog Fumble.
S. Carolina: UGA converts 2 INTs in to 3 points; USC got 6 points off 2 Bulldog INTs.
La.-Monroe: UGA converts 1 INT, 3 Fumbles in to 20 points; ULM got no points off 2 Bulldog Fumbles.
Miss St.: UGA converts 1 INT, 1 Fumble in to 3 points; MSU got no points off 1 Bulldog Fumble.
#8 Tenn.: UGA converts 1 INT, 2 Fumbles in to 3 points; UT got 7 points off 1 Bulldog INT and 1 Fumble.
Vandy: UGA converts 1 INT in to 0 points (end of game, downs) VU got no points off 1 Bulldog INT.
Bulldogs on Watch Lists For National Awards
Bednarik Award, Bronko Nagurski Award: Quentin Moses, DE
Bednarik Award: Greg Blue, FS
Butkus Award: Tony Taylor, LB
Doak Walker Award: Thomas Brown, Danny Ware, RB
Draddy Trophy: D.J. Shockley, QB (semifinalist)
Lou Groza Award: Brandon Coutu (semifinalist)
Maxwell Award: D.J. Shockley, QB (semifinalist); Thomas Brown, RB; Leonard Pope, TE;
George Munger Award: Mark Richt (semifinalist)
Outland Trophy: Max Jean-Gilles, OG
Jim Thorpe Award: Greg Blue, FS (semifinalist)
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award: D.J. Shockley, QB (Finalist)
John Mackey Award: Leonard Pope, TE
Ray Guy Award: Gordon Ely-Kelso, P (semifinalist)
