Homecoming games you remember for the wrong reason
You can be pretty sure you'll never see a black helmet at Homecoming. (University of Georgia)
Most Homecoming games aren’t very memorable, and those that stick in the brain usually do so because something awful happened: The home team lost.
Thankfully, that hasn’t happened very often at Sanford Stadium, where the Dogs are 68-17-2 on Homecoming. Probably the most memorable Homecoming win to me was in 1970 against South Carolina. Instead of selling programs like usual, I was ushering in my ROTC uniform in the upper deck, the only game I’ve ever completely watched from up there. Georgia was down 21-3 in the second quarter but Athens’ own Paul Gilbert led the Dogs back for a 52-34 win. A score like that was quite a rarity in the Vince Dooley era.
My senior year at UGA we lost at homecoming to Kentucky by a score of 12-7. You tell what an ugly game that was just by the score. I actually don’t remember much about it except my Homecoming date was a girl named Eugenia.
The worst Homecoming game in my memory was the 1979 meeting with Virginia, a 31-0 losss for the Dogs. Rex Robinson has written about that “Homecoming Nightmare” on his blog. One of my uncles from Britain was visiting and we took him to that game. Fortunately, he was so impressed by the size of the stadium, the band and all the pageantry that he hardly noticed how awful the Bulldogs played.
Second worst would be the 1994 game, when Ray Goff’s Georgia team lost 43-30 to Vandy. I seem to recall the Dogs being booed pretty heavily.
The last Homecoming loss was that awful 2006 game when Georgia’s toothless defense couldn’t stop Vandy from driving down the field to kick a field goal with 2 seconds remaining and take a 24-22 victory. Ugh. I still shudder thinking about that game, which stands out in my mind as the point at which it was clear defense was no longer a strength of our program under Willie Martinez.
Which is a big part of why we’re expecting more than the usual number of empty seats at this year’s Homecoming game.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Guides
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
55 comments Add your comment
MiltonDawg
November 6th, 2009
10:48 am
For those in the N.Fulton/Forsyth county- Taco Mac, exit 14 off GA 400 will have the game on tomorrow, if anyone cares.
Cuz
November 6th, 2009
10:52 am
I was there in 79. Memories past halftime are fleeting. I said the heck with the cokes and drank the bourbon straight. We did sit til the end of the game though. And we did not boo the team nor the coaches. We did boo Virginia though.
Villa Rica DAWG
November 6th, 2009
10:53 am
Should I spend $30 to see the game?
Villa Rica DAWG
November 6th, 2009
10:54 am
4th!
Villa Rica DAWG
November 6th, 2009
10:54 am
Yes!
L-Dawg
November 6th, 2009
10:55 am
GLORY GLORY TO OLE’ GEORGIA!!!!!!
WHAT DO GEORGIA TECH “FANS”, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA “FANS” AND UGA FANS HAVE IN COMMON?? THEY ARE ALL OBSESSED WITH THEM DAWGS, AND COMING ON THIS BLOG TO TALK ABOUT THE DAWGS!!!!!
FIRE WILLIE MARTINEZ!!!!
FIRE MIKE BOBO!!!!
HIRE DAVID POLLACK!!!!
HIRE HERSCHEL TALKER AS TEAM FLUFFER!!!!!
ALL YOU WHO FEEL THAT YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO CHEER FOR YOUR TEAM/PASSION BECAUSE OF A DOWN YEAR MAKE ME SICK!!!! I WIL SCREAM “GO DAWGS” TIL THE END!!!!
GO DAWGS!!!! GET AFTER TENNESSEE TECH THIS WEEK AND KICK SOME ARSE!!!! (SORRY HERSCHEL TALKER, DOES THAT STILL MAKE ME A BLIND HOMER??)
Saint Simons
November 6th, 2009
10:55 am
Tenn Tech 77 Uga 0!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Uga accepts invitation to Carpets of Dalton Bowl!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mikey
November 6th, 2009
10:58 am
without question, 1994…
TIgerDawg
November 6th, 2009
11:06 am
Had tickets to go to the game, but I have tickets for the Clemson vs FSU game. Could not swing both of them. If any of the bandwagon fans want to give away tickets for the Kentucky game, I’d be glad to come and scream my head off for the Dawgs.
Hootie Bookems
November 6th, 2009
11:08 am
L-Dawg. Seriously Hire David Pollack? To do what? A coach? What coach would he an upgrade over exactly? It’s posts like yours that get the likes of Joe Cox riled up and make bad assesments of the intelligence level of Georgia fans.
Cuz
November 6th, 2009
11:16 am
Pollack was a heck of a gamer, but he has done nothing that would tell me he would be a great coach. And I am a Pollock fan.
Mikey
November 6th, 2009
11:19 am
Agree with Cuz…Pollack has shown no desire to coach, therefore he should not be mentioned as such.
Just because someone was a great player doesnt mean they could teach others to be one. Motivation and desire comes from within.
As If this is something to be proud of...
November 6th, 2009
11:22 am
“I was just talking to Stafford when he was here and he said, ‘Coach, you’d be amazed how similar what we’re doing and what Georgia’s doing. Every concept we ever did at Georgia, we’re doing [in Detroit]. There’s a little bit of a different language, but [the similarities] are amazing,’” Richt said.
So we’re doing things the way the WORST NFL franchise is….HOORAY!!!!
birddawg92
November 6th, 2009
11:46 am
So you do agree the D has been no good since at least 2006? And with 3 years of ensuing defensive sorriness, you still defend Mark Richt. Amazing.
http://www.saturdayinathens.com
Island Dawg
November 6th, 2009
11:51 am
As If, I was thinking the same thing when I read Stafford’s quote. So, the Lions are 1-6 running an “amazing”ly similar offense. And this is somehow a good thing?
Miss Mellie
November 6th, 2009
11:55 am
Okay, does anyone remember this…? Carter was President, and had invited Prince Charles to UGA – KY game, James Brown was the halftime show, (and if anyone has a recording of ‘Dooley’s Junkyard Dogs’, pleasepleaseplease share it…)and we lost 33-0… In front of the WHOLE WORLD.
dawgrific
November 6th, 2009
12:02 pm
Does anyone remember the rumor going around regarding the surprising 1994 thrashing at the hands of Vandy? The rumor was that a number of black players “laid down” as a form of protest against, what they thought was, an unjust selection of Homecoming Queen. Does that ring any bells, and if so, does anyone know if there was any bit of truth to that at all. I will say that the rumor of Willie Martinez being a defensive consultant for that game is not true, or at least I don’t think it was.
Cuz
November 6th, 2009
12:03 pm
Here you go Miss Mellie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YViDwVBpTn4
dawgrific
November 6th, 2009
12:04 pm
By the way Miss Mellie, I was a little boy, but I do remember that game (or at least hearing about it), and I think was I was there. I also DO have that song on my IPOD, and on a CD I have had for years.
P-Man
November 6th, 2009
12:12 pm
I remember when James Brown came to the games and sang along with the Redcoat Band’s electric squad (remember them?) whenthey played his song- Dooley’s Junkyard Dawgs!
Miss Mellie
November 6th, 2009
12:15 pm
dawgrific, you will be my new best friend if you can somehow share that with me. I was a stoodent there (back when you could get in…!)during the Herschel years and have searched high and low for the fun radio station send ups of some of the hits then. Remember ‘I Feel Like Bustin’ Loose’ became ‘I feel Like Buck Belue, Buck Belue’…?!
Cuz
November 6th, 2009
12:19 pm
Give me the ball ya’ll.
Yep, we would play Busting Loose at parties and change the words.
JB got on the cheerleaders stand in front of the band and the student section and jammed several times til the SEC banned the electric sections because we had an unfair advantage in James Brown.
RS Dawg
November 6th, 2009
12:20 pm
That year we lost HC to Ky., we also tied opening game to Pitt……. Sort of the same kind of season that is happening now
benadawg
November 6th, 2009
12:24 pm
there was once a time when rolling in to Athens, tuning the radio to the pregame music was so exciting i would have goose bumps, i couldn’t wait for Larry munson. Larry please come hunker down one more time…
Delbert D.
November 6th, 2009
12:25 pm
Cuz – you actually drank your whiskey clear? Allright!!
Miss Mellie
November 6th, 2009
12:26 pm
Cuz, I DO remember that…James Brown, FUTURE SHOCK!!! Those were great times. And I know we must have lost some games then, too, but it was so much fun it sort of didn’t matter…! They were OUR Dogs, win or lose! gooooooooooOOOOOOOOOODOGS! SIC ‘EM! WOOF!WOOF!WOOF!WOOF!WOOF!
Miss Mellie
November 6th, 2009
12:28 pm
We always had a radio with an earplug at the games so we could hear Munson… “Herschel Walker! My God, a Freshman…!” Who’s got the tunes??
Techster
November 6th, 2009
12:30 pm
BILL – the fact that you had a date your senior year is the reason why you remember that game and score! Hope you did not sport that incredibly ugly beard back then – which would explain a lot!
Grew up rooting for both Tech and Georgia. Went to homecoming games at both schools.
For UGA – The James Brown/Prince Charles Homecoming is what stands out – I was just a boy – and remember thinking it does not get any bigger than this!!!! Unfortunately – UGA lost – but it was the event that was so big.
At TECH – numerouos Homecoming games – always played DUKE! Remember all the crazy and creative mechanical homecoming floats.
GREAT MEMORIES growing up rooting for both schools! And still root for both schools except for when the teams play each other!
HOW DO I WISH GA TECH was back in the SEC!!!
To my Dawg friends – good luck this weekend – and GO JACKETS!!!
Jeremy
November 6th, 2009
12:35 pm
I lost confidence in Willie the week before the Vandy game when Erik Ainge looked like the second coming of Joe Montana when UT turned a 24-7 Dawgs lead into a 51-33 embarrassment.
DuckDawg
November 6th, 2009
12:35 pm
I think we need another Blackout.
Black out Martinez
Black out Bobo
Black out Richt
Delbert D.
November 6th, 2009
12:36 pm
Back in the day, you couldn’t get the $1 high school admission in the splinter-butt seats for homecoming, but I got to see on as an usher.
Delbert D.
November 6th, 2009
12:36 pm
See “one”, that is
DuckDawg
November 6th, 2009
12:42 pm
It’s over, the reign has to end. Richt is mediocre at best and the recruits will start to head to North Avenue if something is not done soon.
How can we expect to strengthen our program when it is this broken. I hate to say it but it is time for Richt to go. He is a good man, and a decent coach, but not a great coach. How can you explain taking a top tier team and making them average, or even worse.
I see a down hill slide, and this is only the beginning. We need a fresh start, or we can expect several more years of this.
Why would a stud from Valdosta or Waycross come to Athens to play for a 5-7 team???
Joe
November 6th, 2009
12:42 pm
WHERE IS THE BLOG CALLING OUT THE IDIOT THAT IS HEAD OF THE SEC FOR REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING TO THAT SCUM OF THE EARTH IN GAINSVILLE FOR HIS COMMENTS ABOUT OFFICIATING????????????? WHAT A JOKE THE SEC IS…HE IS LIKE SEWAGE…..
Abilene
November 6th, 2009
12:46 pm
Two words: Fire Richt.
I hope the Dawg fans at the game give Richt and Evans an earful.
RonnieGarDner
November 6th, 2009
12:47 pm
If you go to the TacoMac referenced in the first post. Be careful, I hear there are lots of gays that hang out there. I’m just saying.
Todd
November 6th, 2009
12:49 pm
Yeah, funny nothing about the GaTech alum trash that is head of the SEC doing nothing about Urban. He calls out other coaches but turns his head when it’s his bed partner. SEC is a joke.
Houn
November 6th, 2009
12:59 pm
Should schedule New Mexico womens soccer team for homecoming next year. Probably tougher than this years opponent. See video http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4628040&categoryid=2378529
DecaturDawg
November 6th, 2009
1:05 pm
Hey Duck, and others, you need to remember that UGA wasn’t a “top tier” team when CMR took over. CMR made the UGA program into a top tier program. Now that we’ve had an off year with the loss of Stafford, Moreno, and Massaquoi you want to get rid of the very same coach that made us a top tier program. Every program, even the top tier programs, have an off year and sometimes have several off years. But, CMR has earned the opportunity to turn this around and I believe that he will. Evans has pretty much said the same thing and I agree. Now, if CMR doesn’t turn it around (at least showing us that it’s headed in the right direction) by the end of next year then Evans will need to evaluate if CMR is the best solution for us going forward. But, to be calling for CMR’s head now is way too premature. CWM and CMB are a different story; we probably need to make some changes in their roles at the end of this year. A new DC is pretty much essential IMHO.
Go Dawgs! Beat the Golden Eagles!
North Ave. Trade School fan
November 6th, 2009
1:06 pm
To the Villa Rica Dog. You should absolutly spring for the game, THE TECH GAME (tickets still avaliable). From Villa Rica, Grants Toomb is a much easiler ride than Athens. You could arrive early, and stop by the Varsity for a few – sorry – dogs, onion rings and my favorite, a chocolate drink!! You might have time to pick up a program and read about a REAL football team, yes the top ten ranked JACKETS.
WTH
November 6th, 2009
1:11 pm
Hey Todd, Myer has been fined. I don’t think it head of the SEC that is a GT grad. I think it is head of the SEC officils.
GA Dawg
November 6th, 2009
1:13 pm
I have to agree with the FIRE WILLIE comment. It’s time for a change!
Sting'Em
November 6th, 2009
1:15 pm
DecaturDawg,
As a Tech alum I agree with your observations. Richt has been great for Georgia until recently and I think a lot of the problems are with the coordinators, not Richt, although Richt certainly has the ultimate responsibility. I think Richt is still a great coach, not an average one, despite many Georgia fans falling off the bandwagon. As a Jacket fan I certainly don’t mind you folks having a down year although playing ranked competition is usually in a team’s best interest, ours included.
Despite the great year that Tech is having I think the UGA/GT game this year will be closer than some people think. Both teams seem to get up for the other and I think it will be a close one. Of course, I give the edge to my Jackets!
89Dawg
November 6th, 2009
1:29 pm
My husband and I got engaged the day before Homecoming 2006. The next day we lost to Vandy. The next week we almost lost to Miss. State. We considered taking ring back.
Oh how we all long for Homecoming games against such foes like William and Mary who we were up on 56-0 at the half when I was in school.
Dooley's Cardiologist
November 6th, 2009
1:49 pm
Dawgs better win this one!!!!!! Seriously, it’s already their fault the GT-UGA game will probably be a 12:00 kickoff. If they lose this one, the game might get pushed to CSS, or even PPV!! Why must they ruin everything?
L-Dawg,
Everyone knows the real line is: “What do UGA and Tech fans have in common? Neither of them went to Georgia!!!” Get it right.
HBTD
November 6th, 2009
2:26 pm
Techster. I’m with you. I’d love to have Tech back in the SEC. Think it would be great for Tech and would provide them with a more legitimate football platform to display what looks to be one of the best offenses in the country. Would love to see how it would work in the SEC on a week end and out basis. I also think the UGA fans (of which I am one) would have a lot more respect for the tech program knowing that they play an SEC schedule. We could swap out Vandy for Tech. Sounds easy enough to me.
Palmetto State Dawg
November 6th, 2009
2:30 pm
What’s the spread on this one? Dawgs by a field goal?
DFWTX Dawg
November 6th, 2009
2:31 pm
Glad I wasn’t around for the 79 homecoming game. The homecoming game of 94 might be the most embarrasing moment for me as a UGA fan.
Anyone remember that homecoming game of 2003 against UAB? That one almost became a nightmare. But the defense, which ate lightning and crapped thunder under BVG, saved our tail that day as it frequently did back in those days.
Bill, I became convinced CWM needed to go the week before the loss to Vandy in 2006 when we lost to the Vols. 52-33 after being up 24-07 in Athens.
mexdawg
November 6th, 2009
2:39 pm
This season has been like a bad dream that won’t end.That being said if we can somehow win our remaining 4 games beating Aubarn and the dirt dobbers we can salvage this season and probally finish in the top 25.Yeah I know it’s a long shot but that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.Hey coaches and players where is the PRIDE,GET MAD and GATA.LET THE BIG DAWG EAT.
SEC
November 6th, 2009
3:05 pm
Play an SEC team on Homecoming Dawgs!!
Wise ol Dawg
November 6th, 2009
9:05 pm
The dawgs played Kentucky several years ago. Kentucky won, something like 33-6. I left at halftime, ticked off, as the dawgs did nothing right. I was almost home when the game ended and the radio said the stadium was not only quiet, but almost empty.
Abilene
November 7th, 2009
9:38 am
To all those who say that the problem at UGA is the coaching: You are correct.
To Damon Evans: Fire Richt after the Georgia Tech game, even if UGA wins (unlikely). Yes, it will play havoc with recruiting this year, but the bleeding will stop and we can start rebuilding with a winning coach, whoever that may be. And we can start being competitive at the highest levels again; i.e., the SEC championship and a BCS bowl.
Pitbull
November 7th, 2009
10:57 am
Let’s get back to Mark Richt:
Bobby Bowden said that the only hesitation he had about Mark Richt becoming a head football coach was that he might be too nice a guy for the job. I hope it is not true, but it seems to be judging from where we are at the moment.
Is he too nice of a guy to fire inept coaches including his defensive coordinator, offensive line coach, and quarterbacks coach?
Is he too nice of a guy to quit being the players’ friend and start being their authority figure that they know they better not hack off with stupid penalties, turnovers, and off the field antics?
I say “no” to each question. Familiarity breeds contempt. Donnan went soft on his players (you would have thought Quincey Carter ran the program). And Richt’s first impression of the Georgia program was and I quote “I was surprised at how soft the players were.” Thus the intense winter drills that Richt said “brought out the leaders on the team because they wouldn’t let the other players quit,”
We seem to have come full circle. But it is not too late. Sometimes being a head coach means being an arse if that is what it takes. Assistant coaches are employees (not friends) that either perform or don’t perform and you fire them if they don’t.
Players are student athletes that play disciplined football and should be more scared of their coach than of the other teams. None of this is true at UGA at the present.
It is time for Richt to quit being a “nice cool guy” and start being a “head football coach.”
I hope he does because I think he could be a great one.
Bride of ChuckyKnapp
November 7th, 2009
11:01 am
Watch ‘em lose to Tenn Tech and Kentucky and beat Auburn and GT.
BS Patrol
November 7th, 2009
1:41 pm
HBTD,
Why why would Tech lower herself to the SEC? Seriously. To play football? Tech is already stomping SEC teams right & left.
As for Richt bringing the program to elite status, with the QBs he’s had I could have won 10 games a year. Give me the $4m. He’s been on cruise control. But it’s nothing to me if you want to keep him.