Will this year mark another game for the ages in Georgia-Auburn rivalry?
Michael Bennett makes a great touchdown grab last year against Auburn. (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
As I note every year around this time, the Georgia-Auburn series is my favorite of UGA’s football rivalries.
While it’s been a rocky relationship at times, particularly when the Dawgs are playing at Auburn, the rivalry that Vince Dooley once called “feuding cousins” has always been very intertwined. Dooley went to Auburn. Legendary Tigers coach Pat Dye played at UGA. Even this year, the Dawgs face two former UGA defensive coordinators in Brian VanGorder and Willie Martinez.
But probably the biggest reason I’m partial to the Georgia-Auburn rivalry is the way the Dawgs have clinched so many SEC championships — or, in more recent times, SEC East titles — against the Tigers. And in keeping with the absurdly even nature of the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry, many of those big wins for UGA have come at Auburn, as the visiting team frequently has the upper hand.
Once again this year Georgia has a chance to clinch a division title at Auburn, which set me to thinking about a listing of 10 greatest Bulldog wins over the former Alabama Polytechnic Institute that I compiled several years ago. I was debating whether last year’s big win over the Tigers Between the Hedges deserved consideration for a place on that list.
After all, the Dawgs absolutely demolished the Tigers in that game, racking up 528 yards of offense with two running backs topping 100 yards as Aaron Murray threw four touchdown passes (including a highlight reel snag by Michael Bennett) and Georgia converted on 12 of 15 third downs while holding the Tigers to just three of 11. The Dawgs defense also had 10 tackles for loss and five sacks, with Bacarri Rambo making a terrific return for a pick 6.
Even though last year’s victory over Auburn didn’t clinch the SEC East for Georgia, I think it was such a dominating game that it deserves a place in my top 10. So it’s going to supplant the 1962 Larry Rakestraw-led win at Auburn, which was the biggest victory of coach Johnny Griffith’s short tenure at UGA.
For the enjoyment of you longtime Dawgs fans and perhaps the edification of the younger ones, here’s the rest of my list of the 10 greatest games in the series since I’ve been following Georgia football:
1959: Georgia’s 14-13 win in Athens. After a key fumble recovery by the Dogs’ Dye, who would later become head coach and athletics director at Auburn, Fran Tarkenton threw a fourth-down 13-yard touchdown pass to Bill Heron to secure Wally Butts’ last SEC championship.
1966: Georgia’s 21-13 win at Auburn. The Dogs were down 13-0 midway through the third quarter, but quarterback Kirby Moore engineered three long scoring drives to clinch Dooley’s first SEC championship.
1968: Georgia’s 17-3 win at Auburn. With Mike Cavan having a sensational sophomore season at QB and Jake Scott and Bill Stanfill the defensive superstars, the No. 5 Dogs beat the No. 12 Tigers to secure Dooley’s second SEC title. This was the game where I clearly remember realizing for the first time that Larry Munson really cared whether the Dogs won.
1982: Georgia’s 19-14 win at Auburn. A classic Georgia defensive stand secured the win with Munson pleading for the Dogs to “hunker down” one more time. After which, of course, it was “Look at the sugar falling out of the sky.”
1986: Georgia’s 20-16 win at Auburn. With starting QB James Jackson attending his grandmother’s funeral, backup Wayne Johnson got the nod and led the Dogs to a major upset over the No. 8-ranked Tigers. An interception by Steve Boswell sealed the win. The game is most notable in UGA football history, though, for Auburn officials turning fire hoses not only on those Georgia fans who had stormed the field, but the ones still in the stands, too.
1996: Georgia’s 56-49 win at Auburn. This one started out sucky, with the Dogs down 28-7. But Mike Bobo led Georgia back to tie the game and send it into four overtime periods. Robert Edwards ran for three touchdowns and Hines Ward caught nine passes for 175 yards as Jim Donnan’s Dogs prevailed in the SEC’s first overtime game.
2002: Georgia’s 24-21 win at Auburn. Another one that started out with the Dogs not looking good, as the Tigers led 14-3 at the half. Everyone remembers how this one ended, but often overlooked is the defensive performance by Sean Jones, who snagged two interceptions and a fumble recovery in addition to returning punts. Then came that thrilling fourth-down pass from David Greene to Michael Johnson with 1:25 left on the clock, giving the Dogs the SEC East title and, eventually, Mark Richt’s first SEC championship. As Munson put it: “Touchdown! Oh, God, a touchdown!”
2006: Georgia’s 37-15 win at Auburn. Nobody gave the Dogs much of a chance against the No. 5-ranked Tigers, but in perhaps Martinez’s finest hour the Georgia defense smacked AU quarterback Brandon Cox in the mouth from the get-go. Tra Battle wound up with three interceptions and the Dogs held Auburn to 171 yards of offense (all but 35 on the ground) while Georgia’s Kregg Lumpkin ran for 105 yards.
2007: Georgia’s 45-20 win in Athens. The “Blackout” game was back and forth for a while, with Auburn taking the lead midway through the third quarter before Georgia ripped off 28 unanswered points. One of the greatest games ever held Between the Hedges.
I get goosebumps just thinking about those games. Are there other Georgia wins over Auburn that stick in your memory? Meanwhile, to help get you in the mood, here’s the official trailer for this year’s game.
Got something you want to discuss concerning UGA athletics? Or maybe a question you want the Junkyard Blawg to tackle? Send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
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— Bill King, Junkyard Blawg
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101 comments Add your comment
Jborodawg
November 7th, 2012
6:57 pm
Have to admit, the ‘96 game and four overtimes was one for the ages.
Larry
November 7th, 2012
7:14 pm
I find it simply amazing that the all time W/L/T record was left out of this story.
kral
November 7th, 2012
7:20 pm
slay agator..what hoses did ya’ll want to use on your coaches last weekend after being out played by Mizzoo..or were you thinking during the game…water-board
Lon Stotts
November 7th, 2012
7:28 pm
Bill,
First of all you are a DGD if there ever was one! What’s your estimate on how many Varsity chili dogs you’ve eaten in your lifetime?
Bill
November 7th, 2012
8:17 pm
Please state your opinion. Is it just me or does Auburn’s level of talent decrease in a weak economy (like this one)? Maybe it is just coincidence. It just seems when cash flow is good the Auburn talent level rises. Tough time right now . . .
The Gator
November 7th, 2012
8:18 pm
@Bulldogs for Muschamp Lifetime Contract, you are a pathetic, envious little weasel.
No
November 7th, 2012
8:20 pm
When I was in school Pat Sullivan won the Heismann Trophy in Sanford Stadium. Now that was fun.
And to the previous poster- classless is going on the opponents field a tearing it up.
Smitty
November 7th, 2012
8:26 pm
Auburn is under maned but very dangerous….
Smitty
November 7th, 2012
8:39 pm
What is wrong with Muschamp at Florida…has good ratings and losses to Georgia…I like the guy
Hunkerdown
November 7th, 2012
9:03 pm
What a memory I have of the lack out game of 2007. My thirteen year old made his first ever trip to Sanford stadium. How was I to ever know I happened to pick the most electric game of the century. Now my son is a freshman in college but the memoires remain forever in the archives of my mind.
Neutral
November 7th, 2012
9:21 pm
Play tough for 60 minutes. Auburn can be dangerous when they try….and this game is important for so many of their players (traitors) from GA who would give anything to ruin our season.
LSU 12- Auburn 10……Enough said. Go Dawgs!!!,
rhino
November 7th, 2012
9:35 pm
I will never forget watching the 1996 game and being so frustrated watching the Dawgs not even being able to slow down the AU offense. Then UGA decided to fire up the team by trying to take a chunk out of an AU receiver’s leg. I looked at my wife and told her we would win the game and we did! UGA is not only the greatest mascot but the greatest 12th man in the country.
Gene
November 7th, 2012
9:52 pm
As an 8th grader, I attended the 1959 game in Athens. This has been a great series, frequently with the underdog ruining the other team’s season. I hope that this is a good, clean game, decided in the last five minutes of play.
Dawgballls00
November 7th, 2012
10:17 pm
Auburn rose up and played LSU tough. Don’t think for a second Auburn isnt going to show up to shatter your dreams. Line it up and treat them as if they are undefeated. Hit them in the mouth like the SEC title depends on it. One game at a time. Punish Auburn. Go Dawgs!
Denver Dawg
November 8th, 2012
12:14 am
Striker,
You just don’t get it.
What they’re saying around the SEC on Thursday (links) – Alabama – Crimson Tide News
November 8th, 2012
1:30 am
[...] Georgia* Richt describes swing-set accident that led him to consider hip surgery* Star quality: Rambo inspired by, compared to Ravens’ Reed* UGA kicker Morgan moves on from miss against Ole Miss* Bobo brushes up on former Georgia coaches now at Auburn* Georgia’s offensive line seeks to keep Aaron Murray upright against Auburn* Notebook: WR Chris Conley ready again to step up for a fallen comrade* Will this year mark another game for the ages in Georgia-Auburn rivalry? [...]
Tomás Broun
November 8th, 2012
7:56 am
Aubarn 24, Dwags 20
Another big Aubarn win over the hapless dwags.
papadawg
November 8th, 2012
8:04 am
Forget the records & rankings, take off the gloves cause it’s the DAWGS & Tigers which is always a cat and Dawg Fight
AltamahaDawg
November 8th, 2012
8:41 am
We have 3 (d-1) games left that will define the other team’s season. None of them are easy.
jaxdawgfan
November 8th, 2012
9:35 am
I predict a major upset, too. Our score will be major and the Tigles will be upset about it.
ken farrar
November 8th, 2012
10:36 am
“pregame trailer” another oxymoron
NCDawg
November 8th, 2012
11:24 am
I’ll settle for a win but I really want an epic beat down like last year. Why? Well it is Auburn and I also think style points will make the difference in getting into the BCS Championship if we can knock off Bama in the SEC championship. If we don’t look dominant against our remaining opponents then the best we can hope for is: A. All the unbeatens to get knocked off or B. An also ran BCS bowl.
Sad to think that a possible SEC champ, that knocked off the previous #1 team, would not end up in the BCS Championship. The anti SEC climate would make that probable. So Dawgs… win and win BIG.
Dawg back from Malta
November 8th, 2012
11:25 am
Track’em down just like beagles.
Go to hell you war-dam-eagles!!
Buckeye
November 8th, 2012
11:52 am
Enter your comments here
Buckeye
November 8th, 2012
11:53 am
Doubt it. Auburn is 2-7. SEC! SEC!
Bo over the top
November 8th, 2012
12:09 pm
How about the 2005 game!!!!! Now that was one for the ages!!!!!!!
Nothing to do with this weeks game but.....
November 8th, 2012
12:43 pm
One day after Robert Nkemdiche said “nothing is final” with his college situation, his coach told another media outlet that the nation’s undisputed No. 1 prospect has indeed de-committed from Clemson.
What a joke this moron is….he gets off jerking coaches around and playing games…..that UGA had him come to the Ole Miss game is even a bigger joke…this guy is a complete moron who is playing grown men (coaches) like a puppet……..WHO CARES!
Doesn't Matter
November 8th, 2012
12:44 pm
Enter your comments here
NCDawg
November 8th, 2012
2:01 pm
If you were a Clemson fan, you’d care. If you are an Ole Miss fan, you care. Nkemdiche’s Mom got to him. She wants her boys at one school for her own convenience. When you are the consensus #1 recruit you have everyone kissing your backside. It’s their own damn fault for fawning over these guys.
Mike
November 8th, 2012
2:32 pm
I find it comical that Bill King would mention the 2006 game and admit that “the Georgia defense smacked AU quarterback Brandon Cox in the mouth from the get-go”…In watching that game, I found it to be the most egregious display of unsportsmanlike conduct in football that I have ever seen…and then King has the audacity to complain about Nick Fairly…You are such a hypocrite, whiner, and UGA “tool”
NCDawg
November 8th, 2012
2:51 pm
Mike – I don’t seem to recall anyone drilling Cox’s knee or spearing him in the back. They hit him hard but it was clean… name a specific play if you think they were so terrible. I bet you can’t. I just named two… he was definitely targeting the knee to put Murray out of the game. That is what we are talking about.
Turn the tables and I bet you call what Fairley did dirty. Your homer filters prevent you from seeing the truth. Everybody but Auburn fans knew it was dirty. Everybody. No one said a thing about the 2006 game. There is how far off base you are.
RxDawg
November 8th, 2012
2:58 pm
2002 and 2007 are mine.
I was there in 2002. Miserable game…cold and windy and wet. Until the end. Oh how sweet it was.
2007 is probably the best game I’ve ever been to. I’ve been in Sanford many times. And I’ve never seen it that jacked. You just knew we were winning that day. And to have ACDC blasting as they ran out… man it was picture perfect
RxDawg
November 8th, 2012
3:01 pm
Oh I forgot about the 96 game. I was in Auburn during that, not at the game but there for the party. What’s great about that game is it was the catalyst for changing college football’s OT rules.
Bulldogs for Muschamp Lifetime Contract
November 8th, 2012
3:04 pm
the gator
Envious of what?
Richt 2
Muschamp 0
Envious of your jorts or your mullet cut?
Nah, I wear regular clothes and have regular hair
B Fowler - Class of 87
November 8th, 2012
3:17 pm
Bill : Take a look at this:
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ncaaf–georgia-s-mark-richt-only-interested-in-national-title-bids-on-terms-that-won-t-compromise-his-faith.html
This is what Coach Richt is all about.
100% on board!
Everything is still on the table.
November 8th, 2012
3:40 pm
Thanks B Fowler……great article
Ty
November 9th, 2012
7:36 am
“Game for the Ages”, Can’t you sports reporters come up with something new as a headline. Has that not been overused in each sports since the US beat the Russians in Hockey??? Fine something original.
Mayo
November 9th, 2012
8:51 am
Great picks on the best games, Bill. Some sweet memories–and some wet ones (’86). Hope ‘Dawgs have their heads and hearts in this game, go to the Ugliest village on The Plains and stomp a mudhole in these people. Let this be the worst beating that AU gets during their whole miserable season!!
Mike Franklin
November 9th, 2012
8:51 am
I live about 10 minutes from the AU campus. There is a dark cloud hanging over this fine SEC school because their beloved Tigers have had such a miserable season. They have a lot of talent but they do seem completely misdirected… if not even in chaos this year.
The Dawgs can, undoubtedly, win this with some style to make the desk-jocks at ESPN proud… but there also has to be the recognition that AU is fighting for pride now and that having a ranked Bulldogs team capture the SEC east in their house, will not go over well. They will be up for the fight.
OMG… what did I write in this comment to spur the AJC comment killer into action?
Attempt #3
Robb Dawg4
November 9th, 2012
8:54 am
Every one who thinks UGAs gonna put up an insane amount of points, you’re crazy because mark richt never runs up the score no matter who they’re playing.
Mike Franklin
November 9th, 2012
9:04 am
Bill King:
What in the heck is going on with the comments features on the AJC? I write a completely unoffensive comment and it is shot down. The same thing is happening on other blogs… using the word S*A*I*N*T*S in respect to the Falcons, leads to the same kind of result! Here, I commented to the UGA/AU game and it gets sent to the shredder as well.
This is horrible. What kind of reasoning is behind this?
NCDawg
November 9th, 2012
9:49 am
Mike Franklin – everybody complains about the filters on these blogs but it has been my experience that it just happens randomly. About 1 in every 6 posts just do not show up. I never get a message that I’ve been filtered like some people post on here. It just goes into netherspace. I had 3 posts in a row get eaten yesterday. I’m pretty sure it isn’t the filters because I don’t write anything I couldn’t say to my Grandmother. I just grin and bear it.
Mike Franklin
November 9th, 2012
9:59 am
NCDawg – Well, this has been narrowed down to specific words, just as mentioned above in respect to commenting on Falcons stories when comments contain the name of the NFL team from New Orleans. I was actually shocked at this because this team name is going to be a natural part of many comments on this subject, especially with a game coming up this Sunday. One really cannot help but question the rationality behind such censorship at the hometown newspaper of the Atlanta Falcons.
My comment on the Dawgs mentions the name of the team they play tomorrow and the fact that I live within 10 minutes of that particular university. What was the key verboten word? I have no idea but I do know I can use most any vulgarity with only minor alteration.
Final note… I have already tried calling the AJC this morning to question them on this subject… but never reached a corporeal human being. I am wondering now if I should be surprised, lol.
MIKE OLBON
November 9th, 2012
10:03 am
I WAS A SENIOR AT THE 59 GAME. IT WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN I THINK THE STUDENT STANDS WERE STILL FULL FOR 30 MIN AFTER GAME AND I NEAR LOST MY VOICE. THANKS FOR REMEMBERING FOR THIS OLE DOG. I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT GAME
Meh
November 9th, 2012
10:31 am
Two mediocre teams. Both are famous for dirty play.
It will be fun to watch one of these teams lose. Too bad they don’t allow ties anymore. Both teams deserve to lose this game.
STATESBOROBLUES
November 9th, 2012
10:39 am
My favorite uga-au memory was definitely the blackout game in ‘07. My senior year of high school, and my buddy and i drove up to Athens for the day and had a blast. Hands down the most energy I’ve ever felt at a game, and the fact that we rolled with those 4 late touchdowns put the icing on the cake. My girlfriend called during the game saying they showed aerial view of Sanford on TV, and said it was so cool looking. Lotta great players on that team too. One of the most complete squads we’ve had. Go Dawgs! To hell with Auburn.
NCDawg
November 9th, 2012
10:45 am
Meh – great of you to come on a UGA blog and offer your useless commentary. Go back to the Tech blog and make some comments where someone might actually care what you think. Oh yeah… I almost forgot… they already know they suck.
icedawg
November 9th, 2012
11:07 am
Hey, just win.
NCDawg
November 9th, 2012
11:35 am
Anybody notice that the blogs are slow this week? Did all the UGA haters decide to go on vacation? Where are all the Aubarners claiming that they are going to kick doggie arse? Where are all the Bumbly Bees? Sure there have been a few but where are the comments going 7 or 8 pages deep and 40% of the posts are from non UGA fans?
Surely they aren’t rolling over and conceding that the Dawgs are going to run the table are they? Surely there will be some drama. Man, it’s the biggest game of the year so far and the haters have gone belly up.
Will it be even slower next week? Or will all the Ga Southern folks come on here and warn us not to take their Eagles too lightly? I don’t want to even think about how abysmally slow it will be the week before Tech. Even those brainiacs can’t figure a way that their Garbage Can Scavengers can beat the Dawgs. Oh well…
Mike
November 9th, 2012
2:17 pm
@NCdawg…Here’s specific’s for you…Cox was repeatedly knocked to the ground and held there after the three picks by the mammoth defensive linemen…I know every QB takes a “shot” after a pick by the DL, but what UGA did was reprehensible…You cry about Fairly trying to take out the knees, the only problem is the facts are not on your side…He was BLOCKED into Murray…then your cheap OL attacked Fairly on the next play after he was on the ground…You look at things through “dog” colored glasses and wouldn’t see the truth if it slapped you in the face…