Bulldog Nation turns up its nose at Shreveport

(Independence Bowl)

(Independence Bowl)

Admittedly, most UGA fans aren’t too thrilled about the Dogs spending the postseason in Shreveport, but I’m thinking this is probably the least enthused I’ve ever seen the Georgia fan base about a bowl game.

The latest indication is the wince-inducing report in the Athens Banner-Herald that not only does UGA still have about 5,000 unsold tickets to the Independence Bowl, but some of the nearly 6,900 that have been sold so far have gone to Texas A&M fans. The paper reports that after the Aggies sold out their allotment of 12,000 tickets, the school’s athletics Web site encouraged A&M fans to buy tickets at Georgiadogs.com. “Let’s MAROON out the Georgia allotment,” is how they put it.

Tim Cearley, UGA’s director of ticket operations, confirms to the ABH that “a lot of the stuff that we’ve mailed out in the past few days has had Texas mailing addresses on them,” though he makes an attempt to save face by adding: “but we do have a lot of alums out there, too.”

Of course, travel time for Aggies fans to Shreveport is a lot less than for Dogs fans. And it doesn’t help that the game is on the Monday after Christmas; a weekend date probably would be selling a bit better among the UGA faithful.

Still, there’s no denying the malaise in the Bulldog Nation concerning this game. The years when any bowl was considered a reward at season’s end are long gone in these parts. We’ve frankly become spoiled by all those New Year’s Day games Mark Richt’s teams have played in. So any minor bowl would be a disappointment. And the fact that it’s the former “Weedeater Bowl” in the nonexciting location of Shreveport just makes it worse.

There’s no doubt that just about any of the other bowls parceled out to 7-5 SEC teams this year would be selling better among those in red and black. But when you lose to Kentucky at home, this is what you get.

Some have expressed concern that a weak showing of Georgia fans at the game in Shreveport will hurt UGA in future years when it comes to bowl selection. In other words, that it will indicate we don’t “travel” well.

But I wouldn’t worry too much about that. I think bowl officials are savvy enough to know that Georgia fans view the Independence Bowl differently from other bowls. The fact that Florida is having trouble selling out its allotment for the Sugar Bowl looks a lot worse in comparison.

And Dogs fans can take comfort in the fact that at least this game isn’t played on blue turf.

355 comments Add your comment

Reality

December 22nd, 2009
5:31 pm

Fair to say, “bulldog crowd” or “bulldog folks” or “bulldog followers” or “bulldog people.” A stretch to say, “bulldog village” or ‘bulldog hut.” But please, realize that there certainly is no “bulldog nation.”

Reality

December 22nd, 2009
5:32 pm

How about “bulldog group?” Or even, “bulldog pack?”

Reality

December 22nd, 2009
5:32 pm

Wow, I’m having too much fun with this!

Old Dawg

December 22nd, 2009
5:34 pm

The combination of a bad economy and poor season can’t help ticket sales for this bowl game. It’s no surprise that Florida fans aren’t flocking to the Sugar Bowl. I’m sure the loss in the SEC Championship Game has cut into their excitement. And Florida’s economy is REALLY in the dumps.

If players returning next year don’t learn a lesson from their lack of discipline and poor play on defense then they’ll have a similar bowl to attend after next season!

Independence Bowl Is Sold Out...

December 22nd, 2009
5:34 pm

Congrats to Georgia fans nationwide for selling out the Independence Bowl in Shreveport just 7 days. Bama’s fan base could not do it in 2006 or 2007. Nice job Evans and Richt.

Kirk Heirbstreet Biased Anti-Georgia Reporter

December 22nd, 2009
5:36 pm

How in the world does Oklahoma NOT win their conference Big 12 Champ, and DOES get invited to the Natl Champ, and Georgia does not win in 2007, and does NOT get invited? ESPN Kirk Heirbstreet Bias.

Shreveport 2009, Natl Champs 2010

December 22nd, 2009
5:41 pm

Just like Bama visited Shreveport in 2007 and the Independence Bowl was their Springboard to the Natrl Champ in 2009, Georgia will rub the mystical Shreveport magic and go on to the Natl Champ. Oklahoma found the magic dust was in Shreveport in 1999, when they went on in 2000 to become Natl Champs.

Some say the climate has a magical effect, others say it’s the water from a local body of water, yet others believe it’s magic is related to the spirit of the La. fans. Somehow, Shreveport has become, for both Oklahoma and Bama, springboard for the National Champions. There is a magic in Shreveport.

We loooooooooooooooooooooooooove Shreveport!!!!

Alabama Jack

December 22nd, 2009
6:01 pm

To the dawg weinie wagger who posted under my handle at 2:59 PM. Just because we have shared your sister don’t mean we share my handle. BTW, she says I am better although she calls you a model – model – a small representation of the real thing.

DamnGoodDawg!

December 22nd, 2009
6:08 pm

Hey, North Avenue Trade School, Tech won last year by 3 points and they got rings. Geek!

Southside Drug Rep

December 22nd, 2009
6:08 pm

We had a down year fans. GET OVER IT. I still smile at 30-24. 2009 was a HORRID year with the lousy Tech fans. I just wish they had beaten Miami before we put our almost annual beatdown on them. And to Hell With Auburn just because.

Shreveport CoC

December 22nd, 2009
6:17 pm

There are plenty of tickets available for the Independence Bowl

http://www.independencebowl.org/TicketOrderForm.html

Advocare V100 Independence Bowl 2009
Online Ticket Ordering has Ended!
Tickets for Events that have not yet begun
may still be purchased at that Event’s Box Office,
or in person at the Independence Bowl Foundation Office at 401 Market Street.
Call the Independence Bowl Foundation Office at 318.221.0712 for details.
The University of Georgia may still have game tickets available: 877.542.1231.

Bremen Dawg

December 22nd, 2009
6:19 pm

I was planning on going but the game is on a Monday. I can’t get anybody to take off for two days of work to go. You are right, just no one is excited about going.

Fredo

December 22nd, 2009
6:33 pm

Who cares? Just win!

how2fish

December 22nd, 2009
6:52 pm

Mr. Thomas Anthony the game is a sell out per the chairman of the bowl committee..you are a benighted moron of the 1st class just like Alabama Jack and reality..and the Bull Dog Nation owns the Bugs this year last year and forever…yes reality even when your ACC “Champs” we own that Buggish Ass now you and the rest of fans attending the Orange Bowl aka World Biggest Tickle Pile have a great time watching CPJ get out couched once again..just like the UGA game.

BobDawg

December 22nd, 2009
7:14 pm

The funny thing is that before the season started, I predicted that the Dawgs record would be 8-4. I only missed by one game, but the way we got to 7-5 made it seem much worse.

As for the Independence Bowl itself, it just seems so “small-time” compared to what we have gotten accustomed to for our post-season. The stadium itself has the look of a large high school stadium. The whole bowl system needs to be scrapped in favor of a playoff, but that’s a different topic for a different day.

Even the time of the game and the network carrying the game scream “SMALL POTATOES”. The game will be played at 5:00 pm on the Monday after Christmas, which is just another work day to most of us. Further, the ESPN family is televising 24 bowl games this year and only two of them are on ESPN2 – The Independence Bowl and the International Bowl featuring South Florida vs. Northern Illinois!

Things have GOT to get better next year!!!

Snoop Dawg

December 22nd, 2009
7:31 pm

Brudda Dawgs,

If you drink the Preacha Man’s koolaid all year, then you will most definitely wind up with a hangover in Shreveport next Tuesday morning… As a matter of fact, you will wind up with the same headache no matter where you are. Come to think of it, your head will hurt until Preacha Man and the Water Girrrrrl are packed up and on their way to the Sunshine State with all those $$$ Millions of UGA money stuffed in their clothes…
Told you so…

Atticus

December 22nd, 2009
8:21 pm

I agree with Todd. Just because A&M has sucked for 20 years and are fired up doesn’t mean I should lend credence to a bull—- system. College football is a joke and I will pay for games in Athens or and SEC title game but that is it. Not for exhibition season when the games mean nothing and it involves taking two days off and spending $500. What a joke.

Shreveport CoC

December 22nd, 2009
8:47 pm

We have a different definition of sellout in Shreveport. You can still get tickets.

Y’all come visit us.

Advocare V 100 Independence Bowl declared a sellout
Posted: Dec 14, 2009 8:06 PM EST
Updated: Dec 14, 2009 8:06 PM EST
2009 ADVOCARE V100 INDEPENDENCE BOWL OFFICIALLY A SELLOUT

Shreveport, La. – The 2009 AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl was declared a sellout on Monday, it was announced by bowl officials.

Texas A&M will face Georgia in the 2009 AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl on Monday, Dec. 28 at 4 p.m. on ESPN2 with Ron Franklin, Ed Cunningham, and Quint Kessenich calling the game.

The sellout marks the first for the Independence Bowl since the 2003 game between Arkansas and Missouri on New Year’s Eve. Limited tickets are available through the University of Georgia Athletic Ticket Office by calling 706-542-1231 or toll free at 877-542-1231. Tickets are also available online at http://www.georgiadogs.com. Area Brookshire’s and Super 1 Foods still have limited amounts of tickets but calling ahead is recommended.

buzz

December 22nd, 2009
10:05 pm

What the land of superior fan support hasn’t sold their 6,900 tickets? Pot equals kettle. LMFAO

tiger7_88

December 22nd, 2009
10:22 pm

“Auburn guaranteed 30,000 tickets sold to the Outback Bowl”

Well, this statement does have the advantage of making the fickle and unsupportive thUGa fan base feel better about itself and the pathetic bowl to which they were selected.

It has, however, the disadvantage of being untrue.

But whatever makes you feel better when you say your prayers at night, little fella.

Excited

December 22nd, 2009
11:54 pm

Im going and I am really excited about it. Its our first game without Martinez. People should be thrilled.

Independence Bowl Is Sold Out...

December 23rd, 2009
12:59 am

Good job selling this Indep Bowl in Shreveport out in 7 days flat. Bama couldn’t do in 2006 or 2007. Nice to be in an elite level above Bama.

Realist.

December 23rd, 2009
5:36 am

I’m going to set the record straight. I’m tired of Tech fans bragging about South Beach and Dawg fans boo-hooing about Shreveport.

Now Tech fans can brag about their season all they want to. Your high school wishbone or whatever they want to call it was good but not good enough to beat Miami or UGA and barely got past Wake Forest and Clemson the second time. Having that been said, You cannot win your Bowl game without a run defense. Plain and simple. And if you think your going to beat Iowa, then Tech Fans are more delusional than I thought.

UGA fans are so spoiled because they are not playing on New Year’s day. Get over it. When you’ve had the season you’ve had, where did you expect to play? When the coaching staff doesn’t make the necessary changes until it’s too late, you get what you deserve. The win over Tech was a “Save Face” win, nothing more. And to think that was going to up your chance for a better bowl was also delusional, In my opinion, I don’t think UGA will beat TAMU. Now I’m only going by what I know about UGA and the TAMU – Texas game. TAMU has a mobile QB and mobile QB’s give UGA defense fits. Just saying.

I’m a UGA fan, but more important, a fan of football.

Topp Dogg

December 23rd, 2009
8:30 am

Mikey =Transgender female=GT fan

Dawglegright

December 23rd, 2009
9:55 am

There will be more than the allotment of Dawgs in Shreveport despite all of the good excuses for not going (and there are plenty). Buying tickets through the university will get you the worst seats in the stadium for a premium price. You are better scalping at the game and get better seats below face.

Weather, Monday game, miles to travel, lousy city, bad season for Dawgs….

Dawgs would (as ussual) sell out more than there share for any of the other bowls that were options (B-ham, Memphis, Nashville and especially Tampa).

James-You need to see a counselor. You have some deep issues.

Who are these guys?

December 23rd, 2009
9:59 am

Texas A&M will face Georgia in the 2009 AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl on Monday, Dec. 28 at 4 p.m. on ESPN2 with Ron Franklin, Ed Cunningham, and Quint Kessenich calling the game.

For such a great match up I would have thought Herbstreit, Corso, May and Holtz would have been at the game

G

December 23rd, 2009
10:21 am

Of course we are disapointed with the season but we still support the team and look forword to playing the Aggies. And we are not upset that we don’t have a D cordinator yet , although the wait is killing us. Don’t you think that since it is so quit on the cordinator search means that we are getting Smart or Bumpas , someone playing in a BCS game. Bill your starting to sound like Schultz!

gHH

December 23rd, 2009
10:49 am

UGA dominates TECH in series …. 60-39-5

DSGB

December 23rd, 2009
10:50 am

It’s funny to hear all these Tech fans talk about how much fun they are gonna have in Miami. The majority of them will probably head straight to their hotel rooms after the game so that they can log on World of Warcraft and try to obtain their level 3 Dragon Sword. You guys are so laughable. I would rather be in Shreveport with people who are actually sociable in the real world than any other place that was over run by the NERD HERD!!

Shreveport--Home of 2009 Natl Champs

December 23rd, 2009
11:31 am

Don’t forget Bama was in the Indep Bowl in Shreveport in 2007 and in the Natl Champ in 2009.

We looooooooooooooooooooooooooove Shreveport.

Dog Fan in Dalton

December 23rd, 2009
12:48 pm

What is the deal with the UGA ticket office? I ordered a pair of Ind. Bowl tickets for myself and my son. The tickets I got are in the nose-bleed section. If UGA is not selling out its tickets, why are they holding back the good tickets?

Shreveport--Home of 2009 Natl Champs

December 23rd, 2009
1:04 pm

Bulldog Nation thumbing it’s nose at Shreveport? Huh, the Bowl is sold out. Bama couldn’t sell it out in 2006 or 2007. Bulldog Nation all over the country bought the tickets up. The Bowl is SOLD OUT YA’LL. Way to go Dogs on ANOTHER Bowl sell-out. Nobody does Bowl games in the SEC better than Georgia. And don’t forget, Bama was in the Indep Bowl in 2006 & 2007 and now in the Natl Champ in 2009, Oklahoma in Indep Bowl and Shreveport in 1999, and Natl Champs in 2000.

Shreveport–the Home of 2009 Natl Champs, Bama

Stinger

December 23rd, 2009
3:09 pm

Why buy tickets when Motel 6 is giving them away if you stay there and promise to stay for the entire game? You can’t leave in the 3rd quarter like most of you usually do.

Stinger

December 23rd, 2009
3:11 pm

DSGB, are you saying you rather hang out with the rednecks?

Daisy Mae

December 23rd, 2009
3:18 pm

Fire all the Circus Clowns. You should be playing in THE BIG TOP TENT. This team and coaches alike are a bunch of slackers. BOBO the BOZO needs to go. Maybe after two more years of playing poorly, we will clean house and that is exactly what it is coming to. How do you think you are going to be any better next year? Do you think the kid from Lassiter High will pull you thru? Head Circus Clown CMR should have been fired. You need to start seeking out a new HC now, because the way it looks with the DC nobody wants to come to this train wreck anyway.

DSGB

December 23rd, 2009
3:19 pm

^^ any day of the week…

Tron Carter

December 23rd, 2009
4:08 pm

The Reality is that tech fans are more delusional than the skin suit wearing guy from Silence of the Lambs. You talked shart all year and up to the game and then you got your stingers handed to you at the Joke by Coke Bobby Dork Stadium (what we left of it – see front page picture). We own you massengills. While many of us may not want to travel to a turd bowl on a Monday night in rural Louisianna, no one will even watch your joke bowl game of the mighty ACC “champs” on TV. It takes free food just to get your fanbase to a home game. Everyone knows that you and your conference are a joke and that you don’t even have a majority fanbase in your own city.
You are irrelevant, but I do enjoy your pain. You were humiliated by us and are still talking trash.
30-24 BBBWWWAAAAAHHHHAAAAAA

Independence Bowl Is Sold Out...

December 23rd, 2009
7:11 pm

Turning up their nose at Shreveport? The Bowl is sold out. Hello. Bama couldn’t sell the Indep Bowl in Shreveport out in 2006 or 2007. Georgia’s fan support rocks.

Call it Like It Is

December 23rd, 2009
10:37 pm

This is so funny as GA did not deserve a bowl bid this year as they STINK!

Enough Said!

ozzfest

December 24th, 2009
9:01 am

I am a season ticket holder, and yeah it would be cool to play in Pasadena or Miami, but we are playing a HIGH QUALITY OPPONENT…I have been to games in College Station and there is no SEC stadium (I have been to all of them.) that can match Kyle Field.

Every once in a while you have a subpar season, but I am more excited about playing TEXAS A&M that I have been about playing Michigan State, Purdue…again,or Wisconsin…again in a New Years Day game; and this am GOING TO THE GAME!

Give ‘em hell you HAIRY DOGS!

Chuck

December 24th, 2009
11:30 am

Come on UGA fans support your team and coaches (at least the ones still there) plenty of goods seats still available. Whaaa haaa haa

JacketFan

December 24th, 2009
5:16 pm

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((45-42))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! #1 Team in the Nation HAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Forbes Rank's Georgia's $90 Million Football Program #3

December 24th, 2009
8:08 pm

Georgia raked in over $90 million, $43 million profit. Georgia college football is ranked #3 out fo 120 teams, over $90 million value by Forbes.

http://www.forbes.com/2007/11/20/notre-dame-fooball-biz-sports-cx_ps_1120collegeball.html

Shreveport Mayor

December 24th, 2009
10:48 pm

UGA fans—if you visit Shreveport for the Indepedence Bowl, please remove all of your tailgate trash and do not dump garbage from your trailers as you leave town. Shreveport is a clean city.

Paserv2

December 24th, 2009
10:52 pm

elviskl,
You are more happy about where we’re going than where your team is going.
How pathetic is that?

Tech BLOWS

December 24th, 2009
11:45 pm

and Reality, you defined country, not nation. Dont flatter yourself. A nation is a group of people with common interests, it isnt constricted geographically.

Billboy

December 25th, 2009
11:02 am

Hey AU…Those Jackets beat you when we had Reggie Ball and Gomer as a coach….that speaks volumes….

Billboy

December 25th, 2009
11:05 am

And let me clear the air…
We acknowledge that you have won 60 percent of the games…
We also know that you have won 8 out of 9…
Congrats…
Now lets move on shall we as there is a new Coach in town who you are 1-1 against…and I doubt that you will win to many more against CPJ…we will win a BCS Championship before y’all do…

Billboy

December 25th, 2009
11:18 am

Gawd soooo much to pick from here…Unrealistic….you keep calling it the High School Offense allll day for all I care….Eric Z said the same thing last year. Call it what ever you want to…I call it 20 wins in two season with one more to go. I actually had a UGAG fan try and tell me that we were going be a worse team becasue we were losing Gomer’s players. Once our defense is settled and CPJ gets his players we are going to be a power for a very long time…

Also I have HAD it with the SEC greatness stuff…the SEC is UA, Florida and MAYBE LSU…the rest of the league is FAR inferior…

And yes I know that UGAG beat Tech but its a rival game. My hope for 2010 is that we are both 11-0 and yall are randked 1 and we are 2 and that we go into Sanford Stadium…you know the place that most Dog fans cant find cause they have never been anywhere near Athens…beat yall 63-7…now that would be fun…

LOL!!

December 25th, 2009
7:19 pm

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