A Dog fan’s memorable night in enemy territory
Reshad Jones celebrates a terrific interception. (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
Saturday night’s Georgia-Georgia Tech game was memorable for me for more than just the unexpected result.
It was the first football game I’d attended at Grant Field since I was a teenager.
Generally, I’ve avoided the campus of the school that pretentiously likes to call itself “the Institute.” I’d been to a few concerts at the old stadium over the years and took the kids to a couple of Atlanta Beat games, but when it came to football I preferred not to mix with the folks in gold and white (and blue, the often forgotten Tech color). I can proudly say I’ve never given their athletic association a penny’s income.
But my son decided back in September to take me to this year’s Tech game as a birthday present. I have to admit that the way the season had transpired, I wasn’t exactly looking forward to the game, but I figured it would be an interesting experience. Different, at least.
That was the case right from when we arrived at our gate. I’d never been patted down before entering a football game.
Once we made it up to our seats in the upper deck of the North end zone stands, mostly among folks in red and black, I marveled at two things: First, the view of the nighttime Atlanta skyline was pretty spectacular. And second, how could a school of engineers come up with such a poorly designed stadium? The thing looks like it was just pieced together, with no thought about easy access from one side to the other.
One plus about our location was that the Redcoat Band, located diagonally across from us in a corner of the other end zone stands, could be heard just fine all night, while the Tech band down below us, looking as silly as ever in those all-white uniforms, couldn’t be heard at all where we sat. My son noted before the game that there weren’t as many red shirts as two years ago, when it looked nearly 50-50, but there was still a good representation of UGA fans and we fortunately had plenty of occasion to make noise.
I liked that Tech showed the seniors on the big video screen, introducing themselves and telling their favorite memory from their time with the Jackets. (Predictably, more than half cited last year’s win in Athens, all reciting the score as if it were engraved on their rings or something.) But the silly poses struck by many members of the team in frequent video clips of them clowning around in sweats and urging the fans on seemed kind of cheesy. And the Tech band still has the dorkiest announcer I’ve ever heard.
I thought the folks running the game took a big chance after pregame warm-ups, letting the two teams come face to face at midfield, jumping up an down with only a thin line of coaches and officials between them. That easily could have gotten out of hand. There was a little shoving at the end of the game, but despite the hatred between the two programs, I also noticed throughout the night players helping opponents up off the ground and patting the helmet of someone on the other team after a play, which brought home the fact that many of the Bulldogs and Jackets grew up with each other and played together in high school.
So a Georgia-Georgia Tech game is sort of like a family squabble. OK, a pretty dysfunctional family.
And in the end, as my brother Tim noted when I called him after the game, Saturday night’s game turned out to be a pretty nice birthday present. One of the best I’ve ever received, in fact.
Some other random thoughts about Georgia’s win over Tech …
Georgia’s offensive line finally lived up to its preseason hype Saturday night. It was great to see the Dogs’ backs racking up yardage like in days of old, but it also made you sigh and wonder why it took so long this season to get the running game on track. And what the season could have been like had that aspect of Georgia’s game come together sooner. Or if the Dogs hadn’t had such a turnover problem all season. Take away the last-minute loss to LSU and the four second-half turnovers against Kentucky, and you’d have the pretty decent 9-3 season that so many folks predicted. …
It’s a good thing the Dogs got off to such a fast start against the Jackets, as the offense sputtered somewhat in the second half, having to resort to kicking field goals too many times thanks to uninspired play-calling in the red zone. And the poor tackling that killed Georgia last season occasionally reared its ugly head on Tech’s successful scoring drives. Vance Cuff particularly had a hard time subbing for the injured Brandon Boykin in that regard. But as I said last night, the middle of the defensive line was magnificent. And that one-handed pick by Reshad Jones was spectacular.
An entire quarter of Mark Richt football without a pass? Who’da thunk it?
Georgia’s special teams play continued to be spotty, particularly on kick coverage, and Blair Walsh had an up and down night, getting three touchbacks but also kicking one out of bounds. I felt sorry for him that he wasn’t able to ice the game with that 55-yard field goal attempt, but the three that he made provided the margin of victory, so he definitely should join Washaun Ealey and Caleb King on the list of the evening’s Bulldog heroes.
The running game, the most productive of the Mark Richt era, was the story of the night, but Joe Cox nearly had a beautiful long touchdown pass to Rantavious Wooten. The ball was perfectly placed; it just wasn’t caught, one of a couple of drops the Dogs had in the game.
All in all, it was the most satisfying win of the season, and not just because it was over the Jackets. Let’s hope that Richt and Mike Bobo aren’t just single-game converts to the running game. It’s still the best way to dominate in college football.
And when you can run the ball better than the No. 2 rushing attack in the country, what could be sweeter than that?
Well, how about this: Tech and Clemson are meeting for the ACC title. Clemson lost Saturday to South Carolina. Tech lost to Georgia. And Georgia beat South Carolina. As the Dogs’ Michael Moore facetiously asked in a postgame Tweet, doesn’t that make Georgia the real ACC champion?
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260 comments Add your comment
jdub
November 29th, 2009
7:41 pm
A hollow victory for the Dawgs: now you’re stuck with Bobo and Willie.
Decatur Dawg
November 29th, 2009
7:42 pm
Thanks Shards 1967 for your comment. Looks like we are in a pissin’ contest with poor CCrider……he just can’t get enough. I seem to remember several “fringe” tecksters coming up with some classy acts of their own: A banner welcoming GA to the field by the Tech cheerleaders back in the 80’s – Welcome to UGA, the cesspool of the south. How about: covering the GA logo in Athens several years back while their 3 piece band was playing. These “fringe” techies were actually students and band members and the list could go on and on. But really, what does it matter now: 30-24! Nuff said!
ccrider
November 29th, 2009
7:43 pm
Thanks Decatur Dawg; I knew one of you would pop his little racist head up. I appreciate your giving a name to the very type of fans that act like that at ballgames. So, there you are folks, “Decatur Dawg Fans” We’re Racist and proud of it” GO DAWGS
45ACP
November 29th, 2009
7:49 pm
jdub I believe willie and bobo just beat you.
45ACP
November 29th, 2009
7:52 pm
However, on this night, Georgia was physically superior and, at times, dominant, shoving Tech around its own field. On this night, Georgia adopted the personality of Georgia Tech, blowing open huge holes for Washaun Ealey and Caleb King, en route to a season-high 339 yards on the ground. Had Mark Richt known he’d get that long-awaited breakout effort from his kids, he’d have tried to get Tech on the schedule twice in 2009.
ccrider
November 29th, 2009
7:52 pm
Don’t worry Decatur Dawg: I will leave you and “your kind” to revel in your win, but when you go be sure you don’t leave without your Hood and Robe the Good Ole Boys won’t let you in without them!
Billy Jack could fight
November 29th, 2009
7:55 pm
45ACP…..good come back….but please tell me you’re perplexed on the CWM issue..??? I know I am….
Decatur Dawg
November 29th, 2009
7:55 pm
Still can’t get enough I see. Poor ccrider, still hangin’ around to get in the jabs. Racist! My, my – if your story was not so pitiful and painted with such a Big brush someone might believe it. I don’t. Oh and by the way, my head is not that little. Hang around a little longer so we can enjoy your descriptive prose and prolong your agony until its time to T it up next Saturday in Tampa. Still I wonder: if it was so bad as you describe in your “story”, why didn’t you just go get a stadium official and have your say right then? I guess that didn’t cross your mind in the heat of the moment. Now you choose to go back in your memory of what happened and add a few more saucy comments the day after……typical! Like I said earlier: Oh! Boo Hoo!
takedowndawg
November 29th, 2009
8:00 pm
Yes, many of our pro- Georgia blogs have been snippy, and yes, pissy(like on you) toward many of our fellow Georgia Techer fans and supporters. But, for the most part, Tech supporters you have, in my opinion, been obnoxious. I do realize that it has been a long dry spell for you in our rivalry game. But, you know what is said about pi…. in the wind. The wind DOES change direction from time to time. Yes, I know that we need to be mindful of that same FACT. I will be pulling for You against our neighbor state school next weekend. Coach Johnson is doing a good job with your school. Go DAWGS!!!!!
7-5 stinks...come on man
November 29th, 2009
8:11 pm
12-2
Orange Bowl
……………….YOU WISH.
7-5 stinks...come on man
November 29th, 2009
8:14 pm
A pitiful record of 7-5
is nothing to jump up and down about, …….come on man!
Porty
November 29th, 2009
8:20 pm
I curious Bill if you know how petty and unprofessional your blog sounds? Grow up.
Dawgs
November 29th, 2009
8:27 pm
Hey CCRIDER – just so you know. I too sat in the North Stands. Two Tech fans sat directly behind me. One insisted on using the F word after every play – despite the fact that my two young sons were right in front of him. He too chewed tobacco – which he continuously spat on my wife’s seat. He didn’t bother to use a cup. When I insisted he stop, he spewed enough four letter words to make a sailor blush. He was in the Georgia section to cause trouble – nothing more, nothing less. It’s college football. It’s not Sunday morning church. Don’t paint the whole fan base with one brush. I don’t.
Tell it like it is
November 29th, 2009
8:30 pm
GT defence–The worst in collage football but they still allmost beat the pathedic bulldogs.
ccrider
November 29th, 2009
8:42 pm
Decatur Dawg: I know you don’t want anyone to believe that happened, it makes you feel better about your life, that’s fine live in the land of denial. I just hope for people like you, that when the S**t hits the fan, the people that are deserving of the actions are in the line of fire, not the ones that just want to go to a game and cheer for their team.
AltamahaDawg
November 29th, 2009
8:43 pm
Do you think it has occured to any of the dumbass tech fans that in order to be offended by any of this, THEY actually had to be in here to read it.
Charlotte Dawg
November 29th, 2009
8:46 pm
I’m a rambling wreck from terrorist tech and a helluva infidel!
The pictures of the GT fans did not disappoint. I thought I was watching a United Nations meeting on CSPAN.
God…you can’t lose to Poindexter and the Taliban so I’m so glad we didn’t! I look forward to the would of, could of , should of dance.
ccrider
November 29th, 2009
8:47 pm
Dawgs: good try at making up a story to rationalize your fans behavior, ONLY one problem, there isn’t a Georgia section in the North Stands, so you’ll have to be more creative and informed the next time you write a fake retort. Oh, If you had read my original blog at 6:22 pm, you would have seen I didn’t Broad brush, just a certain element of the UGA fanbase
Bullgator
November 29th, 2009
8:49 pm
With Christmas soon approaching, I can think of a fitting place for both of your programs, “The Island of the Misfit Toys”, as you’re both a ways from being taken seriously.. But congrats to the Dogs for representing the conference well…Go Gators…
bugsquacher
November 29th, 2009
8:49 pm
Hey Bill, 1st its great to be a GA Bulldog! Second the ACC championship has lost much of its luster…. #12 vs #24….what a joke! All Ive got to say is…. hey tech, shut the hell up! Play in a real conference.
ccrider
November 29th, 2009
8:50 pm
Charlotte Dawg: Decatur Dawg already left for the Klan meeting, hurried up or you will miss the cross burning!
bugsquacher
November 29th, 2009
8:51 pm
Oh, almost forgot…. hey saint simons,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, 30-24….hahahahah,,,,,,,, choke on it…. you nerd
Charlotte Dawg
November 29th, 2009
8:54 pm
ccrider,
No. We decided to go burn your Obama shirt instead. I wish the very worse on all you a$$holes!
Burns doesn’t it….you know…having such a great season and then losing to us…nobody will remember the other stuff.
Oh and please make t-shirts with all the 2009 scores…I’ll be looking for the one on NOvember 28th, hahahahahaahahahaha.
Good luck on your…..AAAAAAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA….NEVER MIND!
Snellville Jacket
November 29th, 2009
8:57 pm
One thing’s for sure – the rivalry is back. A few years ago, all of you Dawg fans wouldn’t have been quite so happy about a win over Tech!
45ACP
November 29th, 2009
9:05 pm
Snellville Jacket – A win over the Jackets is always a good thing.
It’s just that there have been a few Jacket bloggers on here all year long rubbing salt in the wound from last year. Makes this victory all the more sweeter.
30 – 24.
Dawg85
November 29th, 2009
9:06 pm
Hey 7-5
Congrats on going to the ACC Championship and finishing the regular season at 10-2. And also the loss to Georgia.
Diehard Tech Fan
November 29th, 2009
9:08 pm
Congratulations to the Dawgs from a Tech fan who hates losing to GA as much as anyone. You beat us and outplayed us. The best team won (this year). We sat directly behind the GA team on the 45 and even talked with some Dawg fans throughout the game. When it was over we shook hands, “good game”, etc. We all agree on one thing: College football is king! We both have good coaches we should all be proud of. Good luck! A Tech Fan Forever!
junkyardog76
November 29th, 2009
9:20 pm
Took one year to figure out Johnson. Wonder how many years he stays at this school.
AltamahaDawg
November 29th, 2009
9:27 pm
Lets take a vote: which story is more likely?
1. a couple of college boys dropping the F-bombs and taunting the visiting fans.
or
2. a family of 6 obviously country bumpkins, pays out all that money, makes the trip into dowtown Atlanta to be at a college football game, at an opponent’s stadium (that was televised). Then unabashed starts shouting the N-word several times despite being in the middle of a crowded public event. Oh yea, and were so rude to an older couple, they had to get up and leave.
Diehard Tech Fan
November 29th, 2009
9:34 pm
Those fans that did that (Tech or GA) should have been escorted to the exit.
Richt's emotion yesterday
November 29th, 2009
9:40 pm
How can we get that type of fire from Mark Richt at every game? From yelling at the Tech player out of bounds to the pre 4th quarter speech — rarely is CMR that fired up and I think it carried over to the team. Despite the 3 fumbles I saw a focused team REALLY trying to not make the mistakes that have killed us this (and last) year. Why does it take an entire season to develop? I almost hate to suggest it but there will be a swagger in whatever bowl we play in…similar to 07 but with much less prestige…
UGA'91
November 29th, 2009
9:41 pm
I am happy and relieved that we won the game and banished Saint Simons to the silent abyss. However, I hope Dawg fans don’t act like that jerk for the rest of the year. We should rub it in this month and get ready to get back to dominating next year. I think this new philosophy of running to set up the pass is going to take us far. Go Dawgs.
duke
November 29th, 2009
9:45 pm
Is Paul Johnson’s offense called the triple option or the triple chin? Willie Martinez is Paul Johnson’s Daddy…..Saint Simons….30-24…suck it.
45ACP
November 29th, 2009
9:46 pm
AltamahaDawg – #1 with a bullet.
30 – 24
Sweet Home Alabama
November 29th, 2009
9:49 pm
Bulldogs ,you still stink,we will put a beat down anytime you want it.you got my word on it.
First we are going to spank those redneck gators,although they are not as redneck as the dogs..
Richt's emotion yesterday
November 29th, 2009
9:51 pm
Alabama folks calling people rednecks…my you are looking rather black there, mr. kettle
45ACP
November 29th, 2009
9:54 pm
Sweet Home Alabama – You have never been to Florida.
45ACP
November 29th, 2009
9:55 pm
The Gators will beat Alabama.
Please copy and save this post for next weekend.
Rupe
November 29th, 2009
9:56 pm
Suddenly the “old” Georgia team showed up last night. Where were they before? But last night they played w emotion for the first time in a long time. The Tech stadium is actually pretty cool – but then I think Sanford was better w the trestle and the bridge.
Doyle Hargraves was a mutt
November 29th, 2009
10:11 pm
But Bill, I thought this game didn’t mean anything to UGA. Now I read that there was a countdown clock to the GT game in ButtSmear for the past year along with numerous signs and pictures. You are SUCH a goober.
Doyle Hargraves was a mutt
November 29th, 2009
10:13 pm
PHIL….TCU or Cincy would wipe the field with UGAY
Icon
November 29th, 2009
10:18 pm
Amen, Larry, Amen. I have a passing interest in the the hypocrisy of College football and the whole corrupt system. At least the NFL is honest about their greed. I do like to see both Georgia and Georgia Tech win as a local resident.
But, by far, quite a lot of Georgia fans are just obnoxious little snots whenever they see an opportunity to act out. Really, kids, High School ended for a lot of you a L O N G time ago. Grow up and act like you have just a little bit of class.
LSUtiger
November 29th, 2009
10:39 pm
It sounds to me like ccrider made that story up. Every year there is some outlandish story that someone makes up about the other team to try to make them look bad. I have been to tech stadium and those are by far the worse behaving fans I have ever seen. I read in a sports magazine where the tech fans were voted the “#1 Most Obnoxious Fans” and I saw in person why. I am happy the UGA beat you guys.
Moon Pie
November 29th, 2009
10:53 pm
7-5 hurts
good job Brownie
November 29th, 2009
10:55 pm
I am happy Ole Miss beat LSU
TJ
November 29th, 2009
10:59 pm
Funny how I haven’t heard any talk of UGA getting our players rings with “30-24″ on them. I guess when you are a winning program, winning just doesn’t seem so ring worthy unless you win the NC or conference championship.
ccrider
November 29th, 2009
11:06 pm
LSUtiger: I’m surprised you don’t believe it. It’s probably a common occurence in your world. Oh, by the way when was the lst time LSU played at Grant Field or do you just go to random football games, and what magazine was thatand which real UGA fan are you Charlotte “the Racist” Dawg or Decatur Dawg?
GT IS A 4TH RATE HIGH SCHOOL TEAM
November 29th, 2009
11:06 pm
HAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHA AND MORE HAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHA
GT IS A 4TH RATE HIGH SCHOOL TEAM
November 29th, 2009
11:08 pm
GT A LOSER TO A HURTING 7-5 TEAM — MOON PIE HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAH, AND MORE HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA FOREVER AND EVER
BuLLdawg
November 29th, 2009
11:10 pm
Enter your comments hereJeff Sagarin BCS Poll has ranked UGA Number 17.
Kenneth Massey BCS Poll has ranked UGA Number 18.
USA Today Coaches’ Poll has ranked UGA Number 33.
Anderson – Hester Seattle Times Poll has ranked UGA Number 24.
BCS Poll has ranked UGA Number 28.
BCS Computer Polls have ranked UGA Number 24.
There are now no ACC teams ranked in the AP Poll nor Coaches’ Poll Top 10. Georgia Tech is no longer the top-ranked ACC team; Virginia Tech is Number 11 in both the Coaches’ Poll and AP Poll.
Clemson dropped out of the USA Today Coaches’ Poll Top 25.
SEC has Florida Number 1 in both Coaches’ and AP Polls. AP Poll has Alabama Number 2, and USA Today Coaches’ Poll has Alabama Number 3.
BCS has Florida Alabama Number 1 and Number 2.
UGA is projected for $5.6 million dollar Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against the top-ranked ACC team Virginia Tech, again pitting the top non-BCS ACC team against the 5th best SEC team.
Tennessee is projected for $3 million dollar Outback Bowl in Tampa against Wisconsin.
Nebraska who has not played any team in the BCS Top 33 except for 1 Loss to Number 11 Virginia Tech plays Texas to see if the BCS would pit Alabama Florida for both The SEC Championship Game and the BCS National Championship Game. A Nebraska win could bring that game up for the 1st time pitting 2 teams from the same conference in the BCS National Championship Game. Root for Nebraska, but they haven’t beat any team in the BCS Top 33.
Tennessee is Number 46 in the BCS Poll (UGA Number 28.) Tennessee beat no team in the BCS Top 25, no team in the USA Today Coaches’ Poll Top 25 and no team in the AP Poll Top 25.
ACC is 9-11 against BCS conferences.
SEC is 10-4 against BCS Conferences.
SEC 10-4 is by far the best of any conference against BCS Conferences, as no Conference has more wins against BCS Conferences and no Conference is close to the SEC Winning Percentage against BCS Conferences.
SEC is 31-6 against all 1-A teams. This, too, is by far the best of all conferences.
No BCS Conference team lost to any 1-AA team, except the ACC who Lost not once but twice to 1-AA teams.
SEC out of conference is 42-6 by far the best in the nation of all conferences.
ACC does not have a winning record against The SEC, The Big XII, the Big Ten (11), nor the PAC-10.
ACC is 2-5 against SEC this season so far.
There are only 2 conferences with top-ranked teams, The SEC with the Top 2 and the Big XII with 1 of the Top 3. After that, all the weenie conferences are ahead of every ACC team, every PAC-10 team, and every Big Ten (11) team.
TCU, Cincinnati, and Boise State are all 3 ranked ahead in every poll of every ACC team, every PAC-10 team, and ahead of every Big Ten (11) team.
ACC does not even have a Top 10 ranked team, again. None.
The same as it is every year.
Average BCS Ranking of every team in every conference shows SEC Number 37, Big East Number 40, PAC-10 Number 41, ACC Number 48, Big Ten (11) Number 50 and the Big XII dragging up the rear at Average BCS Ranking of Number 51.
Big XII is really really really really bad.
Notre Dame is 6-6 against a soft soft soft schedule. Notre Dame beat no Top 25 team in any poll. Just imagine losing to BCS Ranked Number 83 Michigan. Notre Dame’s best win is over BCS Ranked Number 56 team, Nevada for God’s sake.
TCU played a really soft schedule. They will obviously lose if they play any reasonable opponent.
Oregon. Thank Oregon of the PAC-10 for Losing to Boise State for why Boise State will take away the BCS at large bid from the ACC.
UGA SoS is Number 6 in the nation with the win over Number 12 Georgia Tech.
Tennessee vols SoS is Number 44 in the nation with the win over Number 28 UGA.
Georgia Tech SoS is Number 48 in the nation with the win over Number 11 Virginia Tech; yet Virginia Tech is ranked AHEAD of Georgia Tech in both the USA Today Coaches’ Poll and Virginia Tech is ranked ahead of Georgia Tech in the AP Poll.
4th best SEC team is UGA in the BCS Rankings at Number 28.
4 SEC East teams are 7-5 tied for 2nd in the SEC East behind Florida. 2 of those have a losing record in The SEC Kentucky and South Carolina. South Carolina is ranked way ahead of Tennessee vols at Number 31 in the USA Today Coaches’ Poll which the vols are not in, and Number 35 for South Carolina in the BCS Poll. Tennessee vols are Number 46 in the BCS Poll because the vols beat no team ranked in the Top 25 of the polls. South Carolina beat no team in the Top 25 of the polls either, but South Carolina has far better wins than Tennessee vols with South Carolina’s win over Ole Miss and win over Climpsum Farmers to ruin the ACC Chumpionship Game with UGA’s major assistance dropping Number 12 Georgia Tech from any discussion of anything this morning.
SEC Rankings 2009 :
1.Florida 12-0. BCS # 1.
2.Alabama 12-0. BCS # 2.
3.LSU 9-3 BCS Number 13.
4.UGA 7-5 vs # 6 SoS and BCS # 28.
5.Arkansas 7-5 BCS # 30.
6.Ole Miss 8-4 vs # 59 SoS BCS # 33.
7.South Carolina 7-5 BCS # 35.
8.Mississipppi State 5-7 vs. # 1 SoS and BCS Number 44.
9.Tennessee vols 7-5 vs # 44 SoS and BCS Number 46.
10.Auburn 7-5 BCS # 48.
11.Kentucky 7-5 BCS # 51.
Ole Miss could get a better bowl bid than UGA at 8-4, but when you see SoS # 59 for Ole Miss and # 6 for UGA at 7-5, the nod goes to UGA.
UGA gets the 4th Bowl bid in The SEC. Clearly.
Every AJ-C sportswriter picked Georgia Tech. I picked GA to beat Tech and South Carolina to beat Clemson, relegating the ACC Chumpionship Game to nothingness.