UGA’s Figgins feels old when telling teammates about ‘that Sugar Bowl’
ATHENS — Bruce Figgins‘ college football career began promisingly. He started the first game of his freshman season for Georgia in 2007 and even caught a touchdown pass in his debut. A few months later, he played in the Sugar Bowl as the Bulldogs routed Hawaii to finish the season ranked No. 2 in the nation.
Seems like a long time ago, doesn’t it?
Figgins
“It seems like forever ago,” Figgins, 22, said. “We talk about it in the locker room, and I say, ‘Man, I’m too old; I got to get out of here; y’all don’t know what I’m talking about.’
“Guys are used to Memphis and Shreveport and the Capital One Bowl,” he continued, recounting the Bulldogs’ more modest postseason destinations of the past three seasons. “All bowls are nice, but I tell them, ‘Oh, that Sugar Bowl!’”
One of just two players on this spring’s roster who appeared in that Sugar Bowl –- offensive tackle Trinton Sturdivant is the other -– Figgins now finds himself adjusting to a new position in hopes of finishing his UGA career with a flourish as a fifth-year senior in the fall.
Figgins has moved from tight end, where playing time would have been scarce behind Orson Charles and Aron White, to fullback, where the starting job is open.
“It’s going well,” Figgins said. “I’m doing a lot of learning on the run. Some things are clicking; some things are a little shaky. But we’re getting it done. . . It’s my last go-round.”
Figgins, from Columbus, has played in 37 games for Georgia but has started only four — the 2007 opener against Oklahoma State, two in 2008 and one last season. (He was redshirted in 2009 after shoulder surgery.) He has caught nine passes for 83 yards and three touchdowns, including a 12-yard TD pass from Matthew Stafford in the 2007 opener.
Now listed at 6-foot-4 and 272 pounds, Figgins began the transition from tight end to fullback in December and played “a couple of snaps” at the new position in the Liberty Bowl loss to Central Florida. This spring, he is battling rising sophomore Zander Ogletree for a starting spot. One thing that hasn’t changed for Figgins: his number. He is still proudly wearing No. 89, resisting suggestions that he might want to switch to a fullback-like number in the 40s.
Figgins “is seeing the possibilities of his new role and how it could be really good for him and very good for Georgia,” coach Mark Richt said. One potential advantage, Richt noted, is that when Figgins is in the game, opponents won’t know for sure whether he will line up at fullback or tight end. “It gives them less of a clue” what’s going on, Richt said.
Figgins just wants to be in the game — and to go out with a taste of the success with which he came in.
“That was great, playing in the Sugar Bowl my freshman year,” he said. “I just want to see a championship before I leave. So I want to do my part and contribute to the team the best I can.”
– Tim Tucker, AJC
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Alabama | MrSEC.com
March 24th, 2011
11:58 am
[...] Figgins is moving from tight end to fullback.4. Figgins says the 2007 Sugar Bowl win over Hawaii “seems like forever ago.”5. Here’s a peek at how Sanford Stadium’s new video scoreboard will look.6. Kentucky [...]
Delta Stewardess
March 24th, 2011
12:07 pm
Not even close DawginLex.
DawginLex
March 24th, 2011
12:16 pm
Oh yes it is.
DELTA SUCKS
I can’t tell you the number of times I have been forced to spend the night in a Delta paid roach motel in ATL because Delta missed my connection.
DELTA SUCKS
I drive 75 miles to Louisville to fly SW to avoid Delta and to avoid Hartsfield.
JB
March 24th, 2011
12:19 pm
My point about Gators…..They better tend to their own shortcomings. We know ours. Things change, and Tebow and Meyer and that great chemistry is gone. The talent is to rich not for Gators to be great again, but at this time, they are like the rest of us, just looking at potential.
JB
March 24th, 2011
12:21 pm
Amen about Delta….A once great proud company gone to crap. Worst on time performance in the industry. I’m sure paying to tinkle on the plane is next.
Delta Stewardess
March 24th, 2011
12:30 pm
Yes DELTA is terrible. Please make sure you boycott all the things we donate money too. Please don’t be a UGA fan because we do a lot for them too.
DawginLex
March 24th, 2011
12:33 pm
Who cares about donations when you are trying to get home?
I sure don’t.
PMC
March 24th, 2011
12:37 pm
A reminder of just how lackluster that 2007 bowl season was.
Freaking awful matchups. If Georgia doesn’t completely wet the bed against Tennessee, they play for the title. Instead, they get an incredibly outmatched Hawaii team.
AltamahaDawg
March 24th, 2011
12:39 pm
The ONLY point that anybody needs to be discussing about Aaron Murray is that when Richt’s System has a QB return for his second full year, that player is night and day better, and UGA ends up having a great year.
Greene was ok his 1st year, his second year was UGA’s best in 20.
Stafford made more mistakes (as did Murray) than you can count his first year, and his second year catepolted UGA into the national spotlight.
You are an absolute fool to not think that Aaron Murray will not be outstanding this year, and he WILL be voted preseason All-SEC Qb by all of our rival’s coaches.
Tville Dawg
March 24th, 2011
12:47 pm
I gonna throw in to Aaron Murray’s corner. What separates Murray from the field is his work ethic. Haven’t we all heard how CMR has to run him out the film room. He has scrutinized all of his missed passes (not completions) to try work on his completion percentages. Murray puts in a body of work that sucessful athletes must do to improve themselves.
I failed to mention how Murray has shown leadership to his teammates. A couple of those runs last year, taking on defenders head on-those guys would walk through fire for Murray. I also suspect that Murray is part of the leadership that is trying to minimize those off-field problems.
Murray has talent and works hard. How could we ask for more?
Delta Stewardess
March 24th, 2011
12:49 pm
@AltamahaDawg Voted PRE-season All-SEC. Is that like when we were PRE-season #1 for a cup of coffee? If he doesn’t have to run for his life he could win some games that matter. Don’t forget sometimes coaches vote a certain way to mess with a kids head too. Murray has to win the 4th quarter in the big games.
1eyedJack
March 24th, 2011
12:50 pm
It’s time to create some NEW memories. Good ones! Go Dawgs!!!
Delta Stewardess
March 24th, 2011
12:53 pm
Murray’s UGA life will be riding on how the Offensive line works or doesn’t work. When we didn’t go for it in the UCF game that said VOLUMES about the O-LINE.
M & M Dawg
March 24th, 2011
12:57 pm
According to a poll of over 3000 AJC bloggers, 60% do not think Richt will win the SEC East this coming season.
It’s not a handful of skeptics, it’s 60% of AJC bloggers.
http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2010/12/13/if-uga-cant-win-the-sec-east-next-season-thats-it-for-richt/
harold
March 24th, 2011
12:59 pm
GEORGIA IS AN AVERAGE FOOTBALL TEAM. 13-12 LAST 25 GAMES. IT IS TIME FOR RICHT TO GO!
Hector
March 24th, 2011
1:02 pm
Has Muarry grown any taller?
DawginLex
March 24th, 2011
1:02 pm
a whole lot is being made about the UCF game and not going for it on 4th down and inches.
I believe Richt knew that it was going to be a tight game and that 3 points could be the difference.
He also knew they won 6 games when scoring first.
He also knew the potential psychological advantage potentially gained if they didn’t make it.
I’m not saying I agree with what he did but given how the season went, I can see why he did it.
Murray is going to be good but I honestly want to see another QB getting reps. I’m not talking the obligatory 1 series a game or 1 play a game either. I’m talking a 70/30 or a 60/40 split IF Lemay or Mason is capable.
It also protects the season from going down the tubes if Murray gets hurt.
ClinchCountyDawg
March 24th, 2011
1:05 pm
Buckeye
Don’t knock trailer park women. They all draw a check, know how to fry fish, and know how to treat a man. But, they are turned off by cute wittle sweater vests. Too Phil Donahue.
JB
March 24th, 2011
1:05 pm
M&M…………It’s why we play the games. We could win 10……….We could lose 6. I do think we will see a better prepared, more spirited Georgia team this year. These coach’s aren’t dumb or blind, they saw this team underachieve and melt down last year. We have new players playing, some new position coach’s and a new S&C program. And a HC under fire. The schedule sets up well for winning 9 or 10 games.
Delta Stewardess
March 24th, 2011
1:07 pm
DawginLex
what advantage is gained if we don’t score and they have 99 yards to score. We actually get a stop of maybe even a T.O.?
I see a HUGE advantage if we do score and coach shows he has the B..ls to WIN.
JB
March 24th, 2011
1:07 pm
welcome back harold……….your wisdom and straight forwardness have been missed.
JB
March 24th, 2011
1:09 pm
hector……………..murray/drew bree’s same height………..Can you say Super Bowl winning QB
DawginLex
March 24th, 2011
1:10 pm
delta,
I SAID I didn’t agree with the decision but given the season and the way it played out, I cans ee why he did it.
The whole thing with this team for 2011 is they are going to have to make up their minds to RUN THE DAM BALL. They have 12 guys all weighing over 300 pounds on the OL, enough running backs to carry the ball and a QB who knows how to play action fake.
There is no excuse for not becoming a run first team in 2011.
WIN WITH RICHT
March 24th, 2011
1:11 pm
1953 Dawg
Richt is the best recruiting coach in UGA history. Look at the five star quarterbacks he has signed Stafford, Murray, and Lemay from out of state. And the WRs like Green, Brown, etc. Dooley could not recruit talent like that with the type of offense he ran.
(YAWNN)
March 24th, 2011
1:12 pm
Did UGA win the National Championship in 2007?
JB
March 24th, 2011
1:14 pm
DawginLex…………….My hope is that Will Friend will make our OL as good as UAB’s against SEC’s foes, and I mean that, not a joke. That team (OL) held their own. I’m looking for improvement.
JB
March 24th, 2011
1:15 pm
( YAWNN)…………Then why are you here?
(YAWNN)
March 24th, 2011
1:17 pm
Bring some coffee to the oblivious UGA fans. No SEC Champ or Nat. Champ. You accomplished as much that season and you did last year.
DawginLex
March 24th, 2011
1:18 pm
JB
It is gonna take a change in mindset and attitude.
DawginLex
March 24th, 2011
1:20 pm
In this YAWN idiot’s mind,
11-2 #2 national ranking and clearly a team that could have beaten LSU is he same as:
6-7 #65 national ranking and loss to UCF in Liberty Bowl
Clearly an idiot.
You need help son.
Delta Stewardess
March 24th, 2011
1:20 pm
Has there been any talk on a new Uga IX or is Russ going to get a shot at winning record? I am guessing there is not a bulldog old enough for the start of the season.
Delta Stewardess
March 24th, 2011
1:22 pm
DawginLex
I can get him a jump seat ticket to Utah or Washington State.
(YAWNN)
March 24th, 2011
1:23 pm
You didnt win anything! I guarantee you UGA nation considers both of those seasons as not reaching the ultimate goal to win a national champ.
(YAWNN)
March 24th, 2011
1:24 pm
When is Hershel Walker coming back?
DawginLex
March 24th, 2011
1:25 pm
Put this in the FWIW category:
I am friends with a member of the UK coaching staff and they clearly don’t expect a repeat of 6-7 for Georgia this year.
He is expecting it to be UGA vs SC for the East with the advantage going to UGA because it is at home.
He also stated the West is loaded with Bama, LSU, MSU and Arkansas all being potential top 15 teams.
The east will be not as good in his opinion.
He is also amazed at how UGA could EVER go 6-7 with all the talent in the state.
ClinchCountyDawg
March 24th, 2011
1:26 pm
Delta Stew
My mom has a pomeranian named Sassy that could fill in until a Bulldog is installed full time.
DawginLex
March 24th, 2011
1:27 pm
The Seiler’s are loyal DAWGS but the line needs to go a different direction.
I’d get the meanest looking bulldog you can find.
Name him “Junkyard”
Let’s see how many games we can win
(YAWNN)
March 24th, 2011
1:29 pm
DawginLex – I’ll save you the heartbreak. 3rd place in the East with potential to be 2nd.
ClinchCountyDawg
March 24th, 2011
1:29 pm
(YAWNN)
In 1980, UGA was coming off a season where they won 6 games. But, they had a veteran O Line and the best high school running back in the country coming in as a freshman. Notice the parallels.
(YAWNN)
March 24th, 2011
1:32 pm
ZZZzzzZZZzzzz
Your OL was supposed to be dominant last year. What happened? Oh, UGA went 6-7 and did not score a TD against UCF! Who’s Murray throwing to again? Lots of holes all over the place.
Oh yea, I forgot. Richt is still the coach. A loser. Cant win the big ones.
DawginLex
March 24th, 2011
1:43 pm
Yawn can’t stand it because Richt is 9-1 versus your pathetic bunch
AltamahaDawg
March 24th, 2011
1:46 pm
No Delta, that is “like” when the coaches and media are asked who they think are the best players in the league and they respond.
“Don’t forget sometimes coaches vote a certain way to mess with a kids head too”
Really? hmmmmm.
Let me be straight forward. Not “like” anything. You just completely made that up.
(YAWNN)
March 24th, 2011
1:47 pm
Actually he is 2-8
Delta Stewardess
March 24th, 2011
1:50 pm
DawginLex I am mad that Richt is 2-8 against the Gators. Tech v DAWGS last years was ugly and as close as a toss-up. We don’t gain much by beating Tech, but beating the Gators is a MUST to get to the DOME.
Dogs Smell
March 24th, 2011
1:51 pm
Talk about feeling old, talk about the last time Ga played for a National Championship, most of the players parents werent even born yet!
macrotech
March 24th, 2011
1:52 pm
Championship teams are made of kids with this attitude…with respect…he’s a damn fine dawg!
Bubba J. Dawgman
March 24th, 2011
1:53 pm
I wonder how often real Bulldog players or recruits scroll through these blogs and wonder just wtf everybody on here is talking about….
Dogs Smell
March 24th, 2011
1:53 pm
Delta Stewardess
How about going back 20 years against the Gators and look at that record. Look at the recoed against UT over the past 20 years NOT VERY GOOD, then look at GA record against the SEC East over the past 5 and you will be depressedand reality will check back in !
Delta Stewardess
March 24th, 2011
1:55 pm
ALT
many times the HCs don’t do the voting for any of those rankings or players. A Lot of the time it is just somebody in the Athletic Department. Spurrier still votes for DUKE doesn’t he?
DawginLex
March 24th, 2011
2:00 pm
2011 results won’t be determined by our past.
Pressure is on Richt to win now.
All you haters are really hoping he doesn’t get things turned around. Muschamp replacing Meyer is a huge downgrade.
If Richt doesn’t win that game in 2011, he won’t get the chance to do it in 2012