It’s official: UGA vs. Central Florida in Liberty Bowl
It’s official. Georgia will play in the Liberty Bowl on Dec. 31.
What became apparent eight days ago became official late this afternoon, when the Liberty Bowl formally announced that Georgia will play in the New Year’s Eve game in Memphis. The opponent will be Central Florida, coached by former Georgia Tech coach George O’Leary.
The game will kick off at 3:30 p.m. and be televised by ESPN.
Georgia’s invitation to the Liberty had been expected since the Bulldogs clinched bowl eligibility by beating Georgia Tech on Nov. 27. In an interview about an hour after that game, Liberty Bowl executive director Steve Ehrhart made it pretty clear his bowl intended to invite the Bulldogs (6-6).
The only thing that could have derailed the Dogs’ invitation might have been if the SEC had not put two teams in BCS bowls.
Central Florida clinched its berth in the Liberty Bowl on Saturday by beating SMU 17-7 in the Conference USA championship game. The Knights are 10-3 and ranked No. 24 in this week’s coaches poll.
The Liberty Bowl will feature two dynamic young quarterbacks: Central Florida freshman Jeff Godfrey and Georgia redshirt freshman Aaron Murray. They rank Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, in the nation in passing efficiency among freshmen this season — Godfrey at 165.28 and Murray at 162.72. Murray has passed for 2,851 yards and 24 touchdowns, Godfrey for 2,042 and 13 touchdowns. Godfrey also has 546 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.
Georgia is in a bowl game for the 14th consecutive season.
This will be the Bulldogs’ third trip to the Liberty Bowl and their first in 23 years. The Dogs lost to N.C. State 14-7 in the 1967 game and defeated Arkansas 20-17 in the 1987 game on John Kasay’s 39-yard final-play-of-the-game field goal.
While head coach at Georgia Tech from 1995-2001, O’Leary faced Georgia seven times, posting a 3-4 record vs. the Bulldogs. His Tech teams won three in a row against Georgia from 1998-2000. In the only meeting of an O’Leary-coached Tech team vs. a Mark Richt-coached Georgia team, the Bulldogs won 31-17 in 2001.
Check back to AJC.com for a full report on the local and national bowl picture later tonight.
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401 comments Add your comment
LA-DAWG
December 5th, 2010
10:30 pm
Are Tickets to the Liberty Bowl $14.00?
Jill
December 5th, 2010
10:31 pm
They should have the TOILET BOWL with the worst two college teams and have it sponsored by procter and gamble..
BUBBA GUMP
December 5th, 2010
10:36 pm
Whoopee………………I can’t wait for this barn burner lol
Bo Bo Richter
December 5th, 2010
10:36 pm
I understand the game will be flooded with scouts from the North Korean Football League. This is big.
AJ is really excited and said to be working out with Terrell Owens.
Bo Bo Richter
December 5th, 2010
10:41 pm
This just in from the Memphis Tattler…….On line scalpers are asking .25 cents for 50 yard sideline seats and .05 cents for the cheap seats.
At those exhorbadent prices there have been no takers.
Sports Agent
December 5th, 2010
10:41 pm
I already have a deal to buy AJ Greens Liberty Bowl Jersey…..I am getting a collectors set from UGA’s tour of forgettable bowl destinations.
just5cents
December 5th, 2010
10:41 pm
Although I am not a graduate, I have made a financial contribution for 6 years running into the athletic association so if I say Bobo needs to go and maybe even Richt next year, I put my money where my mouth and heart are located.
Alphare
December 5th, 2010
10:43 pm
Liberty sounds so freakie. Go Shrevenport!
icedawg
December 5th, 2010
10:44 pm
Wasn’t Elvis a DAWG?
Bo Bo Richter
December 5th, 2010
10:44 pm
If the ball rebounds off a UCF helmut and lodges in the face mask of AJ’s helmut is that a legal catch?
Just how we drew it up.
William C Smith
December 5th, 2010
10:48 pm
Firstly, I must admit I am an Auburn fan. However, if A. J. Greene had played the entire season I believe you would have won the east. Mark Cuban wants to start a college football organization outside the NCAA.
I only hope he is successful. It is time college football stopped allowing slavery of the players for the benefit of the elite IE coaches.AD’s, TV networks.
THE TRUTH
December 5th, 2010
11:10 pm
WAAAH!! WAAAH! ALL I HEAR ARE WHINING BITCHES! WAR DAMN EAGLE!!
UCF_01
December 5th, 2010
11:10 pm
UCF plays legitimate student-athletes, not the illiterate thugs and bozos at UGA.
I would love to see UCF kill the dawgtards.
BufordKing
December 5th, 2010
11:11 pm
HOLY CRAP!!!!
TO ILLUSTRATE HOW INSIGNICANT THIS BOWL IS, ESPN DID NOT MENTION THIS GAME ON THEIR BOWL SELECTION SHOW.
THANKS COACH RICHT – YOU HAVE TOOK TO DAWGS TO AN INCREDIBLE HIGH – BUT NOW YOUHAVE BEEN CAUGHT ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL – GOING CEO – AND DANG NEAR DESTROYING A PROUD FOOTBALL PROGRAM.
AWESOME – PLAYING UCF.
THIS REALLY SUCKS.
Marcus
December 5th, 2010
11:12 pm
Have godfrey check in with the other winning teams Georgia has played? Hint: They all bat Murray, 100% of them. Murray lost to every single team he qb’d against this season.
Central Florida will have a field day against the choke prone qb Murray.
Zoe
December 5th, 2010
11:17 pm
Good news for dawg fans looking for action. The Memphis bowling alley will be open 24/7 while they’re in town.
Ellroy
December 5th, 2010
11:18 pm
Georgia’s in a dad gum Bowl? Wow, I thought we dun blue it, with all that losin & all.
Frank
December 5th, 2010
11:20 pm
Another top 25 team for Georgia to lose, I mean, play.
Tim D.
December 5th, 2010
11:20 pm
“I would love to see UCF kill the dawgtards.”
Don’t worry, they will. That bozo punk Murray will throw five interceptions.
Buckeye
December 5th, 2010
11:20 pm
It’s 29 degrees in Memphis.
Enjoy Bowl Season!
Eddie
December 5th, 2010
11:21 pm
I recommend getting by Graceland when you’re in Memphis.
Rod
December 5th, 2010
11:22 pm
Can’t wait for some Memphis BBQ, Blues and rock and roll.
Panda
December 5th, 2010
11:22 pm
i guaranantee you Central Florida’s QB has got to better than Georgia’s QB. murray will throw for 3 or 4 interceptions, get sacked 8 times, and fumble two more times.
EYERACE
December 5th, 2010
11:23 pm
It’s always about the trenches. No idea of the size of the linemen for both sides but how the lines match up is the clue as to the game’s outcome. There are two “proxy” bowls this year and the Liberty is one. O’Leary takes a proxy team against an old rival. Also, Spurrier takes his proxy team against Florida State.
Ollie
December 5th, 2010
11:24 pm
Uh oh, I checked the record of the Central Florida team, it’s another winning record. Bad news Georgia fans. Murray has lost to all winning teams so far.
Buckeye
December 5th, 2010
11:24 pm
Ha! Sugar falling from the sky in Columbus. Another BCS for a top tier program. Bring it on, Petrino.
Rod
December 5th, 2010
11:24 pm
Buford king, Yes espn did have segment on the UGA and UCF in selection show.
woobangers
December 5th, 2010
11:25 pm
How many times has UGA gone undefeated in the last 10 years….NONE…how many times has AUBURN gone undefeated in the last 10 years…2. UGA gets better talent but somehow Auburn coaches up their talent and manages to win more games. Time for a change in Athens.
Manuel
December 5th, 2010
11:26 pm
How many of Richt’s thugs will be arrested before the game?
Factor that into your point spread!
Darren
December 5th, 2010
11:29 pm
“Can’t wait for some Memphis BBQ, Blues and rock and roll.”
Hope you enjoy it, since the dawgs will suck in the game.
Rod
December 5th, 2010
11:29 pm
Any UGA fans post in the Blogs around here except me and Season ticket holder? LMAO, At least it is obvious.
Meg in Cedartown
December 5th, 2010
11:31 pm
UGA, WINNER OF THE FULMER CUP AND THE CESSPOOL OF THE SOUTH.
Ollie
December 5th, 2010
11:32 pm
UCF’ Defense is #18 in the country. top 10 rushing defense. pass defense pretty good too.
In case you’re wondering, yes, UCF’s rush offense is #25, going up against UGA’s #58 rush defense.
Rod
December 5th, 2010
11:33 pm
Looks like UGA fans have to much class to bother even reading the AJC.
GT
December 5th, 2010
11:39 pm
HAHA… uga is going to lose this game. You could barely beat us with our backup qb!
UGA the Dog
December 5th, 2010
11:39 pm
Give me Liberty or Death!
Snake Plissken
December 5th, 2010
11:40 pm
UCF home uni’s are pretty sharp looking. Don’t know what the problem is with playing this team. Sure were happy to play Louisiana-Lafayette, Idaho State, Vandy, Colorado, and the like. Take the 15 practices and get ready for Coastal Carolina, New Mexico State, Vandy and the rest of the schedule next year. Hey it is what it is…dang lucky to be going anywhere.
Elv
December 5th, 2010
11:41 pm
Georgia will be singing the blues soon.
Gene
December 5th, 2010
11:42 pm
Spend 14 practices getting ready for 2011, and the last practi session on UCF.
Buckeye
December 5th, 2010
11:42 pm
UGA the Dog,
Appears you need to go back and take remedial history again. Check your quotes.
Tommy
December 5th, 2010
11:45 pm
I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences of too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it.
Thomas Jefferson
jasont13
December 5th, 2010
11:48 pm
Marcus! Your a moron. Godfrey has better stats than Murray? He threw the ball 90 less times, has 800 fewer yards passing, 11 fewer TD passes but has the same amount of interceptions. HMMM. Godfrey has 23 total TD’s, Aaron Murray has 28. The only thing Godfrey has done better is run the ball, thats it. Don’t give me this on third down passes in the third quarter versus an opponet with…. On and On. You sound stupid.
jasont13
December 5th, 2010
11:50 pm
GT, your an idiot as well. He is not your back up QB. He is your starting QB. Sorry your “starting QB” had to throw and interception and break and arm.
jasont13
December 5th, 2010
11:53 pm
Hey Tech fans before you start mouthing off about UCF you should know that they only lost to NC State by 7 points not 17! Oh and O’Leary has a losing record to UGA too.
knightfan
December 5th, 2010
11:56 pm
Damn another FLA team for you “fan” (we all know none of you went to UGA) go to lose too…Just know we arent excited about playing a team that lost to Colorado. We wanted UF but hey we’ll take a garauntedd win over an SEC* team any day.
*-used loosely due to you inability to be actually relevant in the SEC.
KappaDawg
December 6th, 2010
12:16 am
@UGA Alumnus: I agree, we will have up and down years. Hopefully, the “Dream Team” recruits will see there are plenty of holes to fill and that they all can play early and often…just ask Alec Ogletree. If we can get a great class from GA, we will see a substantial upswing in wins and back to the Top 10. Bobo needs to be less predictable and passive and another year of the 3-4 defense will realize a significant increase in pressure and takeaways. Hopefully the NFL will lock out forcing Green and Houston to stay another year and our prospects for next year will be tremendous.
UGA nation….Keep the Faith!!!
Gatorade
December 6th, 2010
12:17 am
In what world do people complain about playing a team ranked in the top 25. The audacity of a program 6-6 to bash a team ranked significantly higher is unbelievable. Starting to sound like Gator fans up there in Athens. Punks.
RealDawg
December 6th, 2010
12:23 am
BTW…lmao at all these Mickey Mouse college folks on here talking smack. 2-23 against BCS teams. You have yourself a fine program.
Hunker Down
December 6th, 2010
12:32 am
Gotta say wished we had more in the win column but as an early blogger mentioned it was still some very exciting football this season. This team night go down with a medicocre record but I feel the team is better than the record indicates. Worst defeat was by 18 points to AU who will be playing for NC. Average loss this season was single digits, a little less than 9 points. Average victory was by a little over 31 points. If someone looked strickly at the season of total points scored compared to points allowed and did not know our record they would probably think we had a great football team based strickly on that statistic.
Good luck in the Liberty and Go Dawgs!
Dirty Dawg
December 6th, 2010
12:38 am
Actually O’Leary didn’t beat Georgia, the officials did…seems to me there was Jasper’s non-fumble, and a couple of fumbles by the Tech QB that were not called…that would be three.