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Game-by-game
See what’s in store for the Bulldogs’ 2024 schedule
Andy Mathis
Aug.
31
- vs. Clemson
Georgia opens the 2024 season against Clemson at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This neutral-site game will be a major test for both teams, as the Tigers look to climb the rankings while the Bulldogs look to get back on track after a tough SEC Championship loss last season.
Sept.
7
- vs. Tennessee Tech
The Bulldogs take on Tennessee Tech in Sanford Stadium, a game that should allow the team to fine-tune its schemes and give younger players valuable experience early in the season.
Sept.
14
- @ Kentucky
Georgia travels to Lexington, Kentucky for its first SEC game of the season. The Bulldogs aim to dominate early in the conference race against a formidable Kentucky squad now stunting former Georgia quarterback Brock Vandagriff and starting linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson.
Sept.
28
- @ Alabama
In arguably the most highly anticipated matchup of the regular season, Georgia visits the Crimson Tide in a rematch of last year’s SEC Championship. Head coach Kirby Smart will look to add another win against his former employer, and first-year coach Kalen DeBoer will try to get the ball rolling after former Alabama head coach Nick Saban’s retirement.
Oct.
5
- vs. Auburn
The Bulldogs host Auburn for their Homecoming game at Sanford Stadium. The storied matchup known as the “Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry” is always intense and will likely carry significant implications for the SEC standings. Georgia aims to leverage its home-field advantage and secure a crucial conference victory against a strong Auburn team. This game will be pivotal in the Bulldogs’ quest for another SEC title after nearly falling to Auburn last season.
Oct. 12 - vs. Mississippi State
Georgia hosts Mississippi State in a crucial SEC matchup at Sanford Stadium. The Bulldogs aim to assert their dominance and keep their conference title hopes alive. Mississippi State, with former Vanderbilt quarterback Mike Wright now under center, presents a daunting chal-
Georgia runs onto the field during a NCAA college football game between Georgia and Georgia Tech at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta on Nov. 25, 2023. Georgia won 31-23.
lenge. Georgia’s defense must be at its best to contain SEC opponents down the stretch, as this game is vital for maintaining momentum in the SEC race.
Oct.
19
- @ Texas
Georgia travels to Austin, Texas to face the Longhorns for the first time since its 2019 Sugar Bowl loss, where ninth-ranked Texas upset the seventh-ranked Bulldogs. With Texas officially joining the SEC this year, this game will mean that much more to these two groups that are already at a national-championship caliber level. Look for a high-scoring game as two of the best quarterbacks in football, Carson Beck and Quinn Ewers, duel it out on the gridiron.
Nov. 2 -
vs. Florida
The annual rivalry game against Florida in Jacksonville, known as the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party,” is always a highlight; however, it will mean much more to Florida fans this year after star running back Trevor Etienne transferred to the Bulldogs last offseason. A year prior, Georgia routed the Gators 43-20, and Beck threw for 315 yards and two touchdowns, so look for Georgia to put on another offensive clinic by the Saint Johns River.
Nov.
9
- @ Ole Miss
Georgia travels to Oxford to face Ole Miss in a probable top-10 matchup. This game is expected to be a high-scoring affair, with both teams showcasing potent offenses. The pressure will be on players like First Team All-American Malaki Starks to step up and lock down a solid Rebel
offensive unit helmed by potential Heisman candidate Jaxson Dart.
Nov. 16 - vs. Tennessee
In yet another crucial SEC matchup, Georgia will host Tennessee at Sanford Stadium. The Volunteers will be manned by former five-star freshman Nico Lamaleava, a dual-threat quarterback, after Joe Milton III was drafted earlier this year to the New England Patriots. This game is essential for Georgia’s pursuit of the SEC title, with divisions in the SEC officially a thing of the past.
Nov. 23 - vs.
UMass
In a non-conference game, Georgia will face the University of Massachusetts at Sanford Stadium. This matchup should provide the Bulldogs with an opportunity to finetune their strategies before the final stretch of the season. Georgia will aim to build momentum heading into the crucial end-of-season games. The Bulldogs should focus on executing their game plan efficiently and preparing for the challenges ahead.
Nov. 29 - vs. Georgia Tech
Georgia closes the regular season on Black Friday against in-state rival Georgia Tech in the highly anticipated “Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate” game. This intense rivalry is crucial for both teams, regardless of their records. The Bulldogs aim to finish the season on a high note and solidify their position for postseason play, while Georgia Tech will look to upset its rival and garner momentum for bowl play or for the next season.
PHOTO/MADY MERTENS
Position plans
What to expect and who to watch for
Andy Mathis
As the 2024 college football season approaches, Georgia is generating significant buzz as one of the top teams in the nation. The Bulldogs are projected to dominate the Southeastern Conference and make a deep run in the expanded College Football Playoff, potentially securing a spot in the national championship game.
Georgia has one of the deepest, most talented rosters in the country. Returning some of the sport’s top players at premium positions and not defending a title for the first time in a while, the Bulldogs are widely viewed as the No. 1 team. Quarterback Carson Beck leads a high-powered offense under head coach Kirby Smart, and the defense remains one of the best in college football.
“With [Nick] Saban retired, this is the best overall program in college football right now,” an anonymous SEC coach said in an Athlon Sports article in May when asked about Georgia. “If the current Ohio State staff had a national title, you might make an argument there, but entering ‘24, this is the standard.”
Offense
Georgia received a significant boost in January when Beck decided to return for another season, giving the Bulldogs one of the top returning quarterbacks in college football. Beck is coming off one of the most prolific passing seasons in school history, with 3,941 yards in his first season as Georgia’s starter, and he has an array of weapons at his disposal.
Senior slot receiver Dominic Lovett had a tremendous spring, generating buzz with his performance.
Fifth-year speedster Arian Smith also had a standout spring, while Miami, Florida transfer Colbie Young made a huge impression during spring drills.
Additionally, Georgia fans should be excited about Florida transfer Trevor Etienne at running back, who brings a missing element to the offense from last season.
The offensive line is another strength, with four starters returning, along with two other players who saw significant playing time last season. This depth and experience will be crucial in maintaining the high-powered offense that Georgia fans expect.
Defense
The defense is anchored by the return of Nazir Stackhouse and Warren Brinson, who bring invaluable experience to the line. Mykel Williams is transitioning from the defensive line to a stand-up outside linebacker role in his third season, showcasing his versatility and talent. Inside linebacker will be a strong point for the Bulldogs again, with Smael Mondon Jr. returning for his senior season, joined by Jalon Walker, C.J. Allen and Raylen Wilson, all of whom gained valuable experience in 2023.
The secondary, despite losing three starters, remains a formidable unit. True freshmen Ellis Robinson IV and KJ Bolden, both five-star additions in the 2024 class, are in contention for starting positions at cornerback and safety, respectively.
Georgia safety and First Team All-American Malaki Starks returns after a standout 2023 season with 52 tackles, three interceptions and seven pass breakups.
Specialists
Georgia’s kicking game remains intact, with Brett Thorson returning for his third season as one of the league’s most consistent punters over the past two years. The Australian was a finalist for the Ray Guy Award last season, so look for him to pick up where he left off.
Peyton Woodring, who earned the place-kicking job as a true freshman in 2023, found his groove midway through the season, and that should continue. The return game is still developing, with speedster Anthony Evans III likely to take on a more significant role.
Carson Beck (15) handles the snap during a game against UAB at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, on Sept. 11, 2021. FILE/STAFF
Peyton Woodring (91) kicks a field goal during a game between Georgia and Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, on Sept. 30, 2023. PHOTO/LANDEN TODD
Georgia defensive lineman Nazir Stackhouse (78) pumps the crowd up during the first half of a NCAA college football game between South Carolina and Georgia at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia on Sept. 16, 2023. PHOTO/LANDEN TODD
Behind the hedges
A history of Sanford Stadium’s greenery
Andy Mathis
As generations of Bulldog fans would tell you, there’s no line of shrubbery as iconic to sports as the hedges of the University of Georgia’s Sanford Stadium. The Chinese privet bushes that frame Dooley Field have seen every Georgia home game since 1929.
The hedges were removed this February for the third time in Georgia’s history. They were revitalized off-site, including a complete soil replacement, irrigation and drainage work. The hedges were replanted with the same lineage in time for the 2024 G-Day game.
Named after Dr. Steadman Vincent Sanford, a pivotal figure in Bulldog athletics, Sanford Stadium’s roots trace back to the early 20th century. Sanford’s vision was to provide UGA with a football venue that compared to its instate rival, Georgia Tech.
The catalyst for the stadium’s construction came in 1927 when Georgia suffered a controversial defeat at Grant Field, sparking Sanford’s determination to build a stadium
“bigger than Tech.”
To realize his vision, Sanford devised a unique funding strategy, inviting members of the athletic association to sign notes guaranteeing a bank loan for construction in exchange for lifetime seats. The response was overwhelming, and in 1928, construction began on the stadium with a total cost of $360,000, supported by fans and alumni.
The hedges were introduced in 1926 when a UGA employee at the Rose Bowl noticed the red rose bushes surrounding the field. In Athens, Sanford had begun constructing what he felt would become the South’s most decorated college football stadium. The employee suggested that rose bushes be planted around the field, and the idea was received well, with one change in mind. Instead, Chinese privet, given to the university by an Atlanta donor, would be planted as a result of Athens’ climate being unsuitable for rose bushes.
In 1929, the university sent the governor’s son and his ROTC instructor to Atlanta to pick up the bushes, as the ROTC truck was the only vehicle in the university fleet large enough for the job. As legend has it, the truck’s headlights went out on the way back, and the ROTC instructor was forced to crawl onto the truck’s hood to light the way, hanging on with one hand and holding a flashlight with the other while the governor’s son drove back to Athens, according to the UGA Alumni Association website.
Once the two arrived at the stadium, workers planted the hedges overnight with mere hours to spare until the game against Yale the next day. The group, however, was successful in getting the hedges planted in time and, as a result, the 1929 Georgia-Yale game was the first played in the newly-dedicated Sanford Stadium and was the largest athletic event ever held in the South at that time. Thirty thousand fans and the governors of nine Southern states
were in attendance – a fitting crowd for Georgia’s first victory between the hedges.
At around the same time, one of the biggest controversies in Georgia’s history erupted. Atlanta was selected to host the 1996 Summer Olympics, and Sanford Stadium was chosen as the venue for the soccer matches. Since a regulation soccer field measures approximately 115 yards by 74 yards, the hedges would have to be removed. At the time, former UGA football coach and director of athletics Vince Dooley knew Georgia fans were less than enthralled with the idea.
It was discovered that the hedges, however, were diseased—suffering from an infestation of nematodes, or microscopic worms—justifying their timely removal. Healthy cuttings were nurtured into full-grown hedges and returned to Sanford Stadium, where they were transplanted in a ceremony involving Dooley and other Georgia officials. The result is the current hedges, which Georgia fans lovingly call “Hedges II.”
“They’re the sons and daughters of the original hedges,” Dooley said in a 2009 interview with ESPN.
The familiar box-shaped hedge, 5 feet tall and 5 feet wide, has not only aesthetically framed the Bulldogs’ games for eight decades now but also served a practical purpose.
The hedges and the little-known metal fence embedded within have proved enormously effective at crowd control; only once in the stadium’s history have Georgia fans stormed the field and torn down the goalposts. As a result, many schools around the country have copied the idea, but the Georgia hedges tradition is not transferable.
“[The hedges] are something magical,” Dooley said in the ESPN interview. “One of the great traditions of college football.”
The iconic hedges during the second half of a NCAA college football game between Ball State and Georgia at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, on Sept. 9, 2023. Georgia won 45-3. PHOTO/MADY MERTENS
Coaching changes Get to know Georgia football’s new assistant coaches
Olivia Sayer
Georgia football had an eventful offseason. Although there was not a third-consecutive national championship parade, the Bulldogs kept busy nonetheless. Head coach Kirby Smart hired four assistants to replace coaches that received opportunities with other programs.
James Coley, wide receivers
Coley returns to Georgia’s staff as its wide receivers coach after spending four seasons at Texas A&M. In November, Coley joined Shane Beamer’s staff at South Carolina. However, it was short-lived, as Smart convinced Coley to rejoin the Bulldogs a month later. According to Beamer, the decision was not cheap for Coley due to his buyout.
“[Coley] made a decision that he felt was best for his family,” Beamer said in a news conference in March. “We collected the $450,000 and then some that we were owed for violating or leaving his contract. It allowed us to go out and hire an even better wide receivers coach in my mind.”
Coley garnered criticism at Georgia in 2019 due to his play calling. Now, his primary focus will be on recruiting and coaching the wide receivers.
Coley is widely regarded as an elite recruiter and is well-connected with the south Florida area. In his first stint with Georgia, Coley helped gain commitments from now NFL players James Cook, Tyson Campbell, Tyrique Stevenson and Kenny McIntosh, who all hail from south Florida.
Josh Crawford, running backs
Crawford, who earned his master’s degree from Georgia in 2012, joined Smart’s staff as the running backs coach in February. He is heralded as one of the state’s most successful high school coaches with stints at five storied programs.
“He’s serious,” former Georgia running back Daijun Edwards, who spent a year with Crawford at Colquitt County High School, said at the NFL Draft Combine. “He’s real militant. He’s going to be on you, and nothing gets past him.”
Crawford spent the 2023 season as Georgia Tech’s wide receivers coach, where he guided former three-star prospect Eric Singleton Jr. to a Freshman All-American nomination, prior to joining the Yellow Jackets. Crawford spent two seasons at Western Kentucky. There, his wide receivers recorded 10,339 yards receiving and 94 touchdowns.
Travaris Robinson, co-defensive coordinator and safeties
Georgia fought hard to hire Robinson, who will serve as the team’s co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach. The decision came after Will Muschamp, his predecessor, transitioned to a defensive analyst position in order to spend more time with his family.
After Nick Saban retired, new head coach Kalen DeBoer used the title of defensive coordinator in an attempt to lure Robinson back to Alabama. He interviewed for the job but decided to stick with the Bulldogs.
With coaching stops at Florida and Auburn, and alongside Muschamp at South Carolina, Robinson is familiar with SEC defensive schemes. He is also a solid recruiter and helped develop players such as Jaycee Horn, Javon Kinlaw, Brian Branch and Caleb Downs.
Donte Williams, defensive backs
Georgia hired Williams as its defensive backs coach prior to the Orange Bowl. His habits during practice are rare but align with the energetic group of players he leads.
“Yeah, I noticed that [Williams had a helmet on during practice] too,” Smart said in March. “I don’t know if that’s legal. I hope it is, since he’s got a helmet on out there like an extra player.”
Williams excels in recruiting, as showcased by Julian Humphrey’s decision to return after he considered entering the transfer portal. Williams has ties throughout the West Coast and spent the past four seasons at the University of Southern California.
A trip down memory lane
Recapping Georgia’s 2023-2024 season
Olivia Sayer
Before Georgia football takes the gridiron on Aug. 31 for its season-opening game against Clemson, here’s a look back on its 2023 campaign. The Bulldogs left their expectations of a three-peat unfulfilled but set the stage for the future.
Home, sweet home
Georgia opened the 2023 season with a couple of question marks, none bigger than the quarterback position. With Stetson Bennett out of eligibility, the Bulldogs started a new signal caller for the first time in three years, Carson Beck.
Georgia’s first four games of the season were at Sanford Stadium, allowing Beck to ease his way into the starting job. The Bulldogs rolled past their first two opponents, UT Martin and Ball State, but found themselves trailing South Carolina by 11 at the half.
Under a rainy sky, Georgia drove down the field to score its first touchdown of the game. The defense followed with a quick three-and-out, while the offense put together another drive ending in the end zone.
Beck and company began to find their groove through the running game, while the defense shut down South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler. After going 16 for 18 in the first half, Rattler finished the game 22 for 42 with two fourth-quarter interceptions.
Georgia carried the momentum of its 24-14 victory against South Carolina into a 28-point win over Trent Dilfer’s UAB squad.
A close call
In week five, Georgia traveled to Jordan-Hare Stadium for a matchup on the plains with Auburn. Facing their first road test of the season, the Bulldogs quickly found themselves in a 10-point deficit. Georgia looked destined for its first regular-season loss in three years, but the Bulldogs found their composure in front of a raucous crowd. With the game on
the line, Beck went to his safety blanket, Brock Bowers. Georgia used a no-huddle offense to put together a go-ahead drive capped off by a 40-yard touchdown by Bowers. A defensive stand then secured Georgia’s 27-20 victory.
Building momentum
Georgia followed its narrow win over Auburn with a thrashing of undefeated Kentucky. Beck had a career game, passing for 389 yards and four touchdowns, as the offense scored on all five first-half possessions.
In week seven, Georgia traveled to Nashville for a matchup with Vanderbilt. The Commodores stunned the Bulldogs with an opening drive touchdown by London Humphreys, but they found their composure with a 37-20 win. However, Georgia lost Bowers, who suffered an injury that would later require surgery.
Homecoming
An annual matchup with Florida followed the Bulldogs’ bye week. The game was a homecoming for Jacksonville-native Beck, and he delivered. With Bowers out, the quarterback turned to Ladd McConkey, who tied a career-high 135 yards receiving.
A memorable play occured on fourthand-1 when Florida attempted a direct snap to Trevor Etienne after Smael Mondon Jr. dropped him for a 2-yard loss. Georgia rolled to a 43-20 victory.
The Bulldogs then returned to Sanford Stadium for their homecoming game against Missouri. For the second straight year, the Tigers gave Georgia all it could handle. A fourth-quarter interception by defensive lineman Nazir Stackhouse helped clinch a nine-point win.
Almost too easy
Ole Miss came to Athens for Georgia’s home finale. The Rebels were highly touted, with an offense led by Lane Kiffin and quarterback Jaxson Dart. However, it was Georgia’s offensive unit that stole
the show, as the Bulldogs put up over 600 yards.
The defense, led by NFL draftees Kamari Lassiter, Tykee Smith and Javon Bullard, quieted Ole Miss’ offense. With College Gameday in attendance, the Bulldogs limited Dart to just 112 yards passing and sailed to a 52-17 victory. The game also featured the return of Bowers, who found the end zone in his last time playing between the hedges.
Georgia carried its momentum into Knoxville for a matchup with Tennessee. With the Volunteers’ loss to Missouri, the SEC East was already wrapped up. However, they still had a chance to give the Bulldogs their first loss of the year.
Tennessee scored on the first play of the game, but that was all Neyland Stadium had to celebrate. Georgia turned to its passing game, as Beck showcased his connection with Dillon Bell. The wide receiver caught and threw for a touchdown, and the Bulldogs capped their SEC schedule with a 28-point win.
Georgia traveled to Georgia Tech for its first night game at Bobby Dodd Stadium since 2009 with a gutted roster. Bowers, McConkey, Rara Thomas and Tate Ratledge included the long list of Georgia players nursing injuries.
The Bulldogs overcame self-inflicted wounds to continue their dominance over
Georgia Tech. A defensive stand preserved Georgia’s 31-23 victory.
Bad timing
Georgia entered the SEC Championship on a 29-game winning streak and began strong. The Bulldogs scored on their first offensive possession while holding Alabama on its first two. However, it went downhill for Georgia from there.
The Bulldogs committed untimely penalties, missed field goals and did not take advantage of their opportunities. The offense could not get into a rhythm beyond the line of scrimmage, while the defense had trouble stopping Jalen Milroe. The miscues culminated in a 27-24 loss.
Setting the stage
With Georgia missing the college football playoffs, many expected a number of Bulldogs to opt out of their bowl game against Florida State. However, the majority instead decided to play and finish the season strong. The Bulldogs did exactly that, as they made history with a 60-point win over the No. 5-ranked Seminoles. It was the largest margin of victory in bowl game history.
Georgia will now look to build off the momentum curated from the win when it takes the field against Clemson to begin the 2024 season.
Georgia tight end Brock Bowers (19) catches the ball with one hand during the second half of a NCAA college football game between Georgia and Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. PHOTO/LANDEN TODD
Names to know Georgia players to keep an eye out for this season
Olivia Sayer
Despite losing eight players to the NFL Draft this year and others to the transfer portal, the Bulldogs still have a plethora of athletes ready to step up. Here are some players to watch for the 2024 season.
Oscar Delp, tight end
Brock Bowers left the Bulldogs as the first player to win back-to-back John Mackey Awards and only the third Georgia player to earn three First Team All-America honors. With Bowers now playing for the Raiders, Georgia’s tight end room will be led by Oscar Delp.
Similar to Bowers, Delp brings versatility to the tight end position. He can flex out wide or work from the slot. Delp’s strong hands allow wiggle room for his quarterbacks, as evidenced by his one-handed grab against Florida last year. The rising junior
also improved his run-blocking ability, which is vital in the physical Southeastern Conference.
Malaki Starks, defensive back
Malaki Starks played like a veteran from the moment he put on a Georgia uniform. The rising junior finished his 2023 campaign as a First Team All-American by a variety of outlets. Starks is one of the returning defenders for a squad that lost Kamari Lassiter, Tykee Smith and Javon Bullard to the NFL and starting linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson to the transfer portal. Starks is very effective in pass coverage, as his speed and anticipation allow him to track down passes from opposing quarterbacks. Starks displays strong athleticism and is also a physical run defender. He will be a key player on Georgia’s defense that takes on Alabama, Texas, Ole Miss and oth er potent offenses throughout the season.
Dillion Bell, wide receiver
Dillon Bell is a swiss army knife for the Bulldogs, and his connection with quarterback Carson Beck was evident in 2023. The rising junior played in all 14 games with eight
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Georgia Tech. Against the Volunteers, he caught and threw for a touchdown. Bell’s role with the Bulldogs resembles Deebo Samuel’s with the San Francisco 49ers, as he has solid hands and is not afraid to
Dillon Bell (86) runs with the ball during a NCAA college football game between Georgia and Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Nov. 18, 2023. PHOTO/LANDEN TODD
Put me in coach
College football in the palm of your hands
Andy Mathis
After over 10 years of waiting, EA Sports College Football 25 was released on July 19 with more than 134 playable schools and thousands of athletes available to take on the gridiron.
The Bulldogs, who boast the highest-rated offense, are prominently featured throughout the game. Georgia fans can lead their team to a national championship in a virtual rendition of Sanford Stadium, complete with the electrifying atmosphere that makes Athens such a formidable place for visitors.
New gameplay features
EA Sports College Football 25 have introduced the brand new CampusIQ, a suite of features designed to provide authentic and fast-paced college football gameplay. This includes a new composure system, player fatigue mechanics and home-field advantages affecting the game’s dynamics. Bulldog fans can add a layer of strategy and challenge when facing pressure as well. The wear-and-tear system ensures that managing player health and fatigue is crucial for success.
Home-field advantages also introduce unique challenges, such as screen shaking and missing pre-play icons, making away games more daunting for visiting teams in Sanford Stadium.
Iconic atmospheres
One of the standout features of the new game is the attention to detail in capturing the unique atmospheres of college football stadiums.
Georgia’s Sanford Stadium, known for its passionate fanbase and its famous “Between the Hedges” tradition, is brought to life with intricate visuals and realistic crowd reactions that simulate the true passion of the “Georgia faithful.”
The game developers have gone to great lengths to ensure that playing at Sanford Stadium feels as close to the real thing as possible.
“Georgia, Boston College, Louisiana-Lafayette and Florida State each have tear through banners when they enter the field,” Electronic Arts’ lead senior game designer Christian Brandt said on the EA Sports website. “To mocap this, we first created a door frame to mocap the header touches like for Virginia Tech, Wisconsin, and many others. Then we hung pool noodles from the top of that. The players ran through tearing between the pool noodles to simulate the effect of ripping the banner down the middle.”
Recruiting and dynasty modes
For fans who enjoy the directional side of college football, the game offers enhanced recruiting and dynasty modes. Players can take on the role of head coach, making strategic decisions to build their program into a national powerhouse. Georgia fans can relive the excitement of winning back-to-back national championships or change the outcome of a tough SEC championship loss.
“For schools that were farther away, we requested reference materials, and over 80 schools responded, providing an average of 1,000 photos each, amounting to a staggering amount of nearly 80,000 photos to reference from,” Brandt said. “Additionally, we plan to update stadiums post launch as we receive new architecture and designs from schools so that CFB 25 is authentic to everything you see on Saturdays.”
The recruiting mode allows players to scout high school talent, pitch their program and compete with other schools to secure commitments. The dynasty mode offers a longterm gameplay experience where players can manage all aspects of their team, from game strategy to facility upgrades.
Legacy and tradition
EA Sports College Football 25 also pays homage to the rich history and tradition of college football that is so nostalgic to many players. For Georgia, this means including historic moments and legendary players that have left a lasting mark on the program. Fans can see iconic plays and celebrate the achievements of Bulldog greats as they progress throughout the game.
“From the checkerboard pattern at Tennessee, to the triple stripe layout at Boise State, we have over 170 different patterns for schools that have them in real life,” Brandt said about the game. “Each seat in the stadium was hand set up, seat by seat, to match the patterns. Also, if your school has multiple themes, those are in too.”
The game also includes a feature called “Legacy Mode,” where players can replay classic matchups and scenarios from Georgia’s storied past. This mode allows fans to relive some of the most memorable moments in Georgia’s history, providing a nostalgic trip for all.
Wally Butterfield poses for a photo with a controller while the EA College Football 25 trailer plays in the background in Decatur, Georgia on Monday, July 8, 2024. PHOTO/KAIJA ATCHISON
Hello, SEC Additions of Texas and Oklahoma highlight new era of college sports
Olivia Sayer
In front of a packed stadium in Pasadena, California, Sony Michel took the direct snap. With Jake Fromm blocking in front of him, Michel saw nothing but green grass as he crossed the goal line and punched Georgia’s ticket to the national championship. The play capped off one of the most memorable games in Georgia football history, as the Bulldogs earned a 54-48 victory over Oklahoma in double overtime of the 2018 Rose Bowl.
With Oklahoma and Texas officially joining the Southeastern Conference this year, games such as the 2018 Rose Bowl have the potential to become the norm.
“It’s the best football game I’ve ever attended,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said of the battle between the Bulldogs and Sooners. “Imagine that happening over and over and over on Saturdays in the fall.”
The additions of Texas and Oklahoma add to an already powerful football conference. The Longhorns feature one of the top offenses in the SEC with quarterback Quinn Ewers and wide receiver Isaiah Bond, while Sooner head coach Brent Venables steadied a defense that struggled under previous head coach Lincoln Riley.
Sony Michel (1) runs the ball to score the game-winning touchdown on Jan. 1, 2018 against Oklahoma at the Rose Bowl to advance to the National Championship. FILE/STAFF
Joining a conference such as the SEC could be intimidating for many programs. However, Texas and Oklahoma combined for seven of the last nine Big 12 conference championships and do not lack confidence.
“It’s definitely a different level,” Ewers said of joining the
SEC. “Like [the reporter] said, we’re everybody’s biggest game.”
With the additions of the two teams, the SEC is doing away with divisions. Rather than have the winners of the East and West face off in the SEC Championship in Atlanta, the conference will instead select the top two teams based on conference records.
The SEC opted to stick with an eight-game conference schedule, rather than the debated nine-game one. Teams received two permanent opponents with six rotating ones. Sankey said the schedule would be based on “fairness and balance” with “traditional rivalries” playing a major factor.
The Bulldogs received Florida and Auburn as their permanent opponents and will travel to Alabama, Texas, Ole Miss and others in 2024. A season-opening game against Clemson is also on Georgia’s schedule, which is one of the toughest in the country.
Despite their high-caliber opponents, the Bulldogs still have a strong chance at making the college football playoffs. The NCAA expanded the playoffs from four teams to 12. The move gives conference champions an automatic bid and opens the door for more teams with lesser records. Texas and Oklahoma joining the SEC is just the latest of moves in the “new-look” of college sports. With the expanded playoffs, bigger conferences and no more Pac-12 after dark, the new era will be unfamiliar but exciting for fans across the country.
Getting around on gameday
Navigating Sanford Stadium with a disability
Leggio
Many people flock to Sanford Stadium to cheer on the Georgia Bulldogs, but gameday can be a difficult day to navigate for Bulldog fans with disabilities.
For fans that require accessible seating, Sanford Stadium has most of its accessible seating in the 100 section of the west end zone. The area near the Gillis Bridge and under the scoreboard is also accessible for fans that require wheelchair access.
Other accessible sections can be found near sections 236, 226, 214 and up in the 605 section. Wheelchair accessible gates can be found at gates 2, 4, 6 and 8.
Sanford Stadium works to be as accommodating to fans with disabilities as possible, allowing service dogs into the stadium and providing elevators at wheelchair-accessible gates to help guests get to their desired level.
Sanford Stadium is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, requiring ramps or elevators to be in place wherever there are stairs and for bathrooms to include wheelchair-accessible stalls.
UGA recommends that fans exchange their tickets in advance for seats located in the designated accessible seating areas. This can be done by calling the UGA Ticket Office at 706-542-1231. Tickets can also be exchanged on gameday by visiting the ticket offices at Sanford Stadium. Students are asked to indicate their need for accessible seating when filling out their student ticket request.
Jake Branan, 20, who utilizes a wheelchair, has experienced Sanford’s accessible seating as a student at UGA, and stressed that the most important thing for people with disabilities to do is arrive to the stadium early.
“I actually think the stadium is pretty accessible; it just takes a while to get places because it’s so big,” Branan said in a text to The Red & Black. “Parking is easily the worst part. There’s so little disabled parking, and it’s all so far away from the stadium.”
Marjorie Rogers, a UGA alum, regularly attended games but later, due to an injury, had to use Sanford Stadium’s accessible seating, which she was disappointed with. She called on students to be more aware of the way that they affect the gameday experience of people with disabilities.
“I noticed that the students in the regular seating
stood on the bleachers rather than the floor which blocked the view of everyone sitting in the handicapped area,” Rogers said in a previous guest column with The Red & Black. “I never had to think about individuals who were handicapped. I always assumed they were being taken care of and could see the game with no problem.”
Sanford Stadium also provides accommodations for people with non-physical disabilities who may need a space for when the sights and sounds of the stadium become overwhelming. This is through the building of a sensory room as a part of the first phase of Sanford Stadium’s two-phase $68.5 million improvement. The room is located around sections 127 and 128 and is open to all fans when the stadium is operating.
“It welcomes all UGA staff, faculty, students and visitors to take a break from the excitement of a football game and recharge in their yogibo bean bag chairs or engage in its many activity panels or sensory tools,” according to the UGA’s Well-Being Resources website. “The room also offers a bubble wall that supports visual tracking, auditory awareness, relaxation and social interaction with its audience.”
The room is monitored by an attendant and has a check-in process, with first-come-first-served priority.
Tailgating, another important part of UGA’s gameday culture, can also be accessible to people with disabilities, but these are not directly facilitated by UGA staff. The quads, lawns and sidewalks on campus are all made to be accessible, providing ways for people with disabilities to navigate through campus during gameday.
The parking decks that are available on gameday all have elevators to help fans with disabilities navigate the levels of the deck. UGA buses that serve as fan shuttles between Sanford Stadium, East Deck and the Intramural Fields Deck are all equipped with ramps or lifts to be wheelchair-accessible. These shuttles run from 3.5 hours before kickoff to 15 minutes after kickoff and then for 2 hours after the game ends.
Every parking lot on UGA’s campus has a certain amount of spaces set aside for disability parking. It is recommended to park at the East Campus parking deck and take the free shuttle to Sanford Stadium. Due to uneven terrain, it is discouraged to park on the intramural fields.
The famous “Saturdays in Athens” can be very chaotic, especially for Bulldog fans with disabilities. However, campus and stadium accessibility efforts have helped gameday become an experience for most people to enjoy, regardless of ability.
Zach
Elevators sit at the east side of Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia on July 3. According to the University of Georgia Sanford Stadium policy website, the elevators are reserved for wheelchair patrons and credential holders. PHOTO/JAXON MEEKS
Park like a pro Where to park on gamedays
Savannah Celeste Scott
Finding gameday parking can be a hectic process. Here is what attendees need to know about parking both on and off campus.
On-campus parking
UGA Transportation & Parking Services offers both single-game and season parking passes that are available for purchase on the ParkMobile app. The season parking passes, which are on a first-comefirst-served basis, are available at Carlton Street and East Campus Decks, the Health/Visitors Center and E23 Park & Ride for RV parking only.
The single-day parking passes for the East Campus Road Parking Deck will be available for fans to park in for $30 via the ParkMobile app. Cash will not be accepted at parking lots.
Additionally, parking on sidewalks, grass or landscaped areas, unless directed by UGA personnel, is prohibited. Illegally parked vehicles are subject to being towed at the owner’s expense.
Gameday parking areas open at 7 a.m. on Saturdays with no entry prior to this time. Overflow parking will be available at the Intramural Fields off of College Station Road once
all the parking areas are filled at the East Campus Parking Deck.
Fan shuttles from the East Deck on River Road will start running 3.5 hours before kickoff. Shuttles from behind the Intramural Fields will begin running once overflow parking opens.
There are many lots to park in for Georgia fans within walking distance from the stadium. On North Campus, these lots include N02, N03, N04, N08, N09, N10, N12, North Deck and Tate Center. On South Campus, these include lots S01, S02, S03, S04, S05, S06, S07, S08, S09, S10, S12, South Deck and Carlton Deck. For East Campus, lots E02, E03, E04, E07, E09, E10, E11, E12 and E20 are available. For West Campus, available lots are W01, W02, W05, W06, W07, W11, W13, W16 and W17.
Off-campus parking
The bridge on Sanford Drive will be closed to through traffic beginning at 5 p.m. on Fridays, affecting both UGA and Athens-Clarke County transit routes.
Parking is available at The Classic Center, located at 300 N. Thomas St. At the center, gameday visitors can rent a spot in its parking deck less than one mile from Sanford Stadium. The center offers two season
passes, which come with either one or two spaces. Single-game parking passes are available for purchase, and any additional inventory is sold on gameday on a first-come-first-served basis.
Downtown Athens also offers parking passes on gameday for $40. There are a limited number of season passes available for preseason sale for $280, which guarantees buyers a parking spot no matter what time they arrive.Tailgating is not allowed in these decks. Downtown Athens has three parking lots off Dougherty Street, accommodating buses and RVs and allowing tailgating. Prices for these lots vary per game.
Much like the university, numerous local businesses, organizations and homeowners use the high demand for gameday parking as a means to make money. Private properties rent out parking spaces on Saturdays during home games. Property owners set the prices, so they can vary. Check with the owner about their rules for tailgating and grills. Some locals offering parking spaces for rent include Jimbo’s, the Marathon on Baxter Street and the Presbyterian Student Center on South Lumpkin Street.
From field to fork
How Athens eateries tackle gameday rush
With almost 93,000 seats in Sanford Stadium, more than 2,600 hotel rooms and nearly 200 bars and restaurants, Athens is prepared to host some of the biggest football games of the NCAA Southeastern Conference.
With such a large influx of locals, football fans and college students, it is essential for the eateries and restaurants around town to keep up with the fast-paced atmosphere of college football.
Preparation before the game
Christopher Belk, the owner and founder of Saucehouse Barbecue on West Broad Street, takes gameday preparation to a new level. During the offseason, Saucehouse operates with approximately 75 employees, but during football season, Belk said that he hires an additional 25.
On a normal weekend, cooks are expected to clock in at 7 a.m., but the Saucehouse kitchen staff arrives at 4 a.m. on a football gameday to begin cooking food for the restaurant, as well as preparing 40 to 60 catering orders.
The prep work, such as shredding cheddar for the mac and cheese and preparing the sides, usually begins on the Monday before the game, since all of the food is made from scratch.
“Everything is done in huge quantities; it takes an army,” Belk said.
Julianne Heine, a rising senior studying management information systems and international business at the University of Georgia, is a bartender at Chuck’s Fish. Chuck’s is usually open from 4-10 p.m. during the majority of the year, but during football season, the restaurant opens at 11 a.m.
Heine said that to prepare for a busy shift the restaurant schedules an additional bartender or two to have a total of three to four employees serving cocktails, beer and wine. Additionally, employees are not allowed to request weekends of home games off unless it is done months in advance.
The bartenders are tasked to squeeze lemons, limes and grapefruits to stock up on fresh juices that are used in signature cocktails.
“It takes hours and hours of prep beforehand, so we’ll
PHOTO/JAXON MEEKS
usually have eight containers of each,” Heine said. “That’s how much we use… just for one day.”
South Kitchen and Bar also prepares its craft cocktails beforehand. Alexander Cowen, a former employee of South Kitchen and Bar who is now working towards his MBA at UGA, said that he prepped various syrups and juices the night before a home game, but this was not completely out of the norm.
“The amount of prep wasn’t scaled up so much because we were already prepared for busy Saturdays,” Cowen said.
On gameday
UGA football games attract nearly 100,000 visitors to Athens every time a game is hosted in Sanford Stadium, and these numbers are reflected in the amount of business that eateries generate.
Cowen said that at South Kitchen and Bar, the rush starts “as soon as the doors open.” Despite the fast-paced environment, the increase in patrons is attractive to Cowen.
“Gamedays are the best money you make working in the service industry in Athens, Georgia,” Cowen said.
Belk estimates that anywhere from 1,000 to 2,000 people pour into Saucehouse every gameday. Saucehouse is an indoor-outdoor establishment, with a seating area and a bar inside that opens up into an outdoor area complete with picnic tables and flatscreen televisions.
“Man, it is fun. It’s energetic, exciting,” Belk said. “It’s game time for the football team, but it’s also game time for [the staff].”
Chuck’s Fish has not taken reservations in the past four years, and wait times can skyrocket to three and a half
hours, but this does little to hinder their ability to tackle the large numbers of people that visit the seafood restaurant, according to Heine. All types of people in Athens line up to eat at Chuck’s.
On the gamedays that Heine has worked, she said that one bartender is in charge of the patio bar, one focuses on drink tickets that the waiters ring up and the third will pour quick sales.
“[We] try to streamline the process,” Heine said. “[We’ll] be super busy basically the entire shift.”
Football and food
Heine said that after a shift, she has a “good feeling of accomplishment” after successfully navigating a gameday crowd alongside her coworkers.
“Working in such stressful scenarios, you are all locked in as a team,” Heine said. “The shift goes by so fast, you don’t realize it, but that’s only possible if everybody is working as best as they can.”
The success of the UGA football team has a huge impact on the amount of revenue that local Athens businesses generate during the football season.
Belk said that he saw a huge increase in sales and business when the Bulldogs went to the national championships.
“I don’t gamble on UGA football games, but it kind of feels like [I am] with the business, because when the Dawgs are doing well, we’re doing better,” Belk said. “A win for every UGA football game is also a win for our business. And honestly, it’s a win for every business in town.”
Jesse Wood
Saucehouse Barbecue located on the corner of West Broad Street and North Church Street in Athens, Georgia on July 8, 2024.
Wasting while wasted
Guinevere Grant
White boxes labeled with the ‘G’ we all know and love are commonly sighted across campus during gamedays. Lining the streets as you walk or drive by, it is an accessible way to throw away trash while tailgating or anticipating the stadium doors to finally open.
Despite this, beside every trash can after a gameday, there is garbage scattered in the University of Georgia’s greenery.
According to the UGA Athletics Association, around 1,200 trash receptacles are placed on campus before home games. Additionally, on an SEC night game, 72 tons of garbage are taken to landfills, and after a home game, 34 tons of garbage are taken.
Despite the amount of trash cans that are available, UGAAA stated that 24 hours are needed to clean campus before students can resume their schedules on Monday morning.
The new announcement of beer sales at Sanford Stadium brings concerns about the already growing environmental problems across campus.
Many universities have attempted to reduce the waste following college football games, one being UGA, through programs like the Sustainable UGA initiative. Trying to reduce the waste footprint in a city with such a huge football scene poses challenges, though.
According to the Athens-Clarke County Recycling Divi-
sion, about 300 tons of trash are brought to the ACC landfill every day. At that rate, the landfill has around 37 years left before the waste has to be outsourced to other landfills.
With a stadium that has room for more than 90,000 fans, the amount of trash cans available just aren’t enough. With recycling bins near trash bins, fans resort to throwing trash into recycling bins or on the ground when the trash bins fill up.
Walking across campus surrounded by scattered beer cans, the new menu announcement may increase this sea of litter.
One of the most noticeable things post game is the aftermath of waste filling the stadium floor. Items such as discarded food packaging, peanut hulls, paper cups and pompoms are commonly abandoned, with beer cans now an addition.
Despite UGA having about a 200-person custodial crew that comes in to clean up campus, it is often hard for them to pick up small things, and thus they remain on the ground long after the fans are gone and the game is over.
It’s easy to have fun on a gameday, but it’s important to take precautions to keep the environment safe, especially with a potential new trash problem being introduced. To represent the Bulldog nation with pride, remember to not litter, bag your trash, recycle what you can and, above all else, have respect for the campus we all love.
A fashion show or an SEC football game?
UGA gameday fashion through the years
Puff sleeves, cowboy boots, coiffed hair. This is football in the South.
Fashion has evolved since the birth of football at the University of Georgia, shaped by industry trends and the trajectory of the Bulldogs’ success.
The beginnings of football fashion
Every year, each graduating class at UGA would choose colors and publish them in the yearbook. In December of 1891, the university’s literary magazine editors chose the colors “old gold, black and crimson.” Dr. Charles Holmes Herty, a chemistry professor at UGA who organized UGA’s first football team in 1892, argued that the gold was too similar to the signature colors of the Georgia Institute of Technology.
The color was cemented in Athens when head coach Vince Dooley collaborated with artist Anne Donaldson in 1963 to create the famous ‘G’ logo for UGA, sporting the iconic black, white and red colors that we all are familiar with today.
Layering maxi skirts with long jackets was popular for football games, according to an article published by The Red & Black in 1970.
The ‘80s gave way to “power-dressing,” with items like shoulder pads and business attire emerging. Bright, bold accessories such as multi-colored socks or chunky jewelry made their way to Sanford Stadium, as noted by a Red & Black article published in 1981.
UGA football saw more minimalistic and casual wear at football games in the ‘90s; this era was characterized as “anti-fashion” by the UGA Historic Clothing and Textile Collection. A 1991 edition of The Red & Black said that two-toned blouses, patterned pleat shorts, vests and crop tops were some of the more popular fall items.
Tailgate or runway?
The 2024 NCAA football season is predicted to create new rivalries in the Southeastern Conference, as well as deepen the alliance between fashion and southern football.
Anna Cox, a rising senior at UGA studying fashion merchandising with an emphasis in brand management and a minor in business, said that the fashion at football games has continued to become dressier, and in her opinion, it has everything to do with deep-rooted Southern culture.
“A football game in the South, I don’t think it’s a leisure activity anymore,” Cox said. “It’s become [an] event. If you go to this event, then you have to find an outfit.”
To Cox, putting together an outfit for every home game can be exhausting, but she said she can “never bring herself to [wear sweatpants and a t-shirt].” Cox said that something that motivates her to show out at football games is the success of the team, which she believes has made the collective dress code for games more formal.
“When you’re really good at football and you’re always playing it, I feel like that’s what makes it a big event,” Cox said. “I have a lot of pride around UGA football, so that’s something that makes me want to get dressed up and go to these events, these games and these tailgates because I know that my team is really good.”
Football game fashion translates trends that are popular in the industry to styles in Sanford Stadium. Many clothing brands do not make football-specific clothing, and stores in downtown Athens must take a different approach to offer red and black in time for football.
fast fashion has also contributed to the fluctuating styles.
Georgia Soft Goods Education Foundation distinguished professor Greg Vessels teaches at UGA about sustainable supply chains and the manufacturing side of fashion. Vessels said that he believes the appeal of fast fashion goes hand in hand with the needs of football fashion.
“[Fast fashion] is great as a consumer because as an individual, if you’re going to a game… you want to have something different [to wear] and you’re only interested in wearing it once or twice anyway,” Vessels said.
Fast fashion companies can predict fashion trends and change its efforts to match those in a shorter amount of time than more sustainable fashion brands. According to Vessels, many fast fashion companies use “distressed fabric,” which is discounted fabric that did not successfully sell in previous years. This puts fast fashion companies at a rate of putting out new products “every two weeks,” Vessels said.
Usually, Vessels said that the process of designing fashion and putting it on the shelves can take upwards of a year, operating on a seasonal basis. However, according to Global Edge, fast fashion’s process is much quicker and creates around 52 “micro-seasons” per year. This feeds into a variety of trends that pop up throughout the year, fluctuating fashion more and more.
The 1960s ushered in new fashion trends that coincided with the new, strong branding of UGA football. Longer hemlines and A-line silhouettes seen in skirts and dresses were prominent in fashion.
An article published by The Red & Black in 1969 said that coat dresses, especially those with pleated backs, were “perfect for homecoming.”
Loose garments, glitzy disco outfits, skirts in a variety of lengths and unisex styles grew in popularity in the ‘70s.
Cox works part-time at the downtown Athens boutique Heery’s Clothes Closet. The local clothing store stocks up on black, white and red clothing items from a variety of brands before football season and markets them as gameday apparel. According to Cox, it’s up to the buyer and the merchandisers to determine how these items get promoted as school spirit items.
“The hardest part when it comes to gameday shopping is [making the clothes] into an outfit,” Cox said.
The rise of fast fashion
The fashion of football has experienced changes due to the shifting climate of the fashion industry, but the rise of
Along with having the next new fad readily available every few weeks, fast fashion has proven to be extremely affordable, especially for football season when college students want to wear a different outfit to each home game.
“Most students, including myself, cannot afford to buy $100 worth of new things for seven games,” Cox said. “So unless you want to wear something that’s in your closet, which being a girl that’s normally never the right answer, you want to order something.”
According to Cox, there are efforts to promote sustainable fashion, such as a gameday clothing swap that the Student Merchandising Association will be hosting in the fall. Additionally, many consignment shops around Athens collect gameday clothing and market it towards college students in the fall, such as Plato’s Closet.
Jesse Wood
Georgia fans cheer wearing jerseys and various hats during a college football game between Ole Miss and Georgia at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, on Nov. 11, 2023.
PHOTO/LANEY MARTIN
Seniors walk around Sanford Stadium at halftime of a Homecoming game during the 1940s-1950s, where dressy attire was in vogue at college football games. COURTESY/HARGRETT RARE BOOK AND MANUSCRIPT LIBRARY, UGA
Tailgate treats Our
Trivedi and Ellis Goud
Everyone knows one of the best parts of a football game comes before the game even begins: the tailgate. The University of Georgia hosts massive tailgates all around campus and Athens, where you can find families and friends grilling burgers, throwing back beers and indulging in a hotdog or two. Here are some of our favorite tailgate snacks to fuel up before the big game.
Burgers
If you’re planning to use a charcoal grill at your tailgate spot, bringing burgers to grill makes for an easy and tasty snack. Bring
along a spread of cheeses, vegetables and condiments to add on top and make it customizable for your family and friends. Try grilling corn with it for a side dish.
Pasta Salad
Eating a meal full of carbohydrates is important when preparing for a long day of standing in Sanford Stadium. Pasta serves as a great way to get those carbs in while eating a delicious meal. Pasta salad usually comprises of pasta, tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, dressing, spices and other added vegetables or meats.
Sandwiches
Arguably the easiest snack to make for a tailgate, sandwiches allow you to customize your meal right at the tailgate. Some popular sandwiches include peanut butter and jelly, pimento cheese, egg salad or any choice of assorted meats and cheeses. Plate it with a side of chips or some fruit, and you have yourself a meal.
Vegetable tray
You can’t go wrong with a tray of vegetables at a tailgate. It’s easy to grab and go, fuels you and is a healthy option. You can
grab a premade tray from a local grocery store or you can make a tray yourself with your favorite vegetables and dips. Some popular contenders are broccoli, carrots and cucumbers paired with dips like ranch, spinach and artichoke dip and hummus.
Pigs in a blanket
These small hot dogs wrapped in baked dough are the perfect bite-sized snack for a tailgate. Swap for sausages and dip them in maple syrup for a tailgate brunch, or bring ketchup and mustard to keep it classic. Pigs in a blanket are easily portable and can be kept warm for gameday.
Buffalo chicken dip
Arguably one of the most popular tailgating dips, buffalo chicken dip will pair with chips, crackers, pretzels, vegetables and more. This easy-to-make recipe can be made the night before or on gameday either as mild or spicy depending on preference. Add shredded cheese to the top before it is baked for a crunchy layer.
Avni
A tailgater makes a pimento cheese sandwich before a football game in Athens, Georgia, on April 13. PHOTO/SAMANTHA HURLEY
Burgers and hot dogs are a great tailgating meal. PHOTO/SAMANTHA HURLEY
Go-to guide for tailgating in Athens
Everything you need to know to make the most of gameday
Hunter Wright
From the traditional on-campus spots buzzing with school spirit to the convenient off-campus locations that offer added amenities, tailgating at the University of Georgia offers something for everyone.
Whether you’re a seasoned tailgater or new to the tradition, here are the best places, rules to know and activities for UGA tailgating.
Places to tailgate on campus
For those looking to tailgate on East Campus, parking lots along East Campus Road outside Sanford Stadium allow fans to set up next to their cars, ensuring a short walk back after the games. Spots fill up quickly, so arriving early is essential.
Myers Quad, nestled between the Myers, Mary Lyndon and Rutherford residence halls, offers a large space for lawn games and is conveniently located just over a quarter mile from the stadium, with parking available at the nearby South Deck.
North Campus provides an ideal tailgating setting with its many trees and iconic UGA landmarks, including Herty Field and the Chapel Bell, lining this section of campus.
North Campus is a half-mile walk from the stadium with parking at the North Campus Deck and side lots.
The Tate Student Center, close to Sanford Stadium, is a hub for tailgaters, offering access to air conditioning, food, drinks and restrooms, as well as the chance to listen to the band warm up before the Dawg Walk or see Uga XI.
For those seeking convenience and luxury, the Bulldogs Tailgate Club in Reed Quad just outside of Gate 3 offers customizable tailgate packages with reserved spaces only steps from Sanford Stadium. Packages include catering options and a variety of tent sizes with availability varying by game.
Guidelines and rules for campus tailgating
For tailgating at UGA’s main campus locations, tailgating setups and noise cannot begin until 7 a.m. on Saturdays, although parking spots can be secured earlier.
Only charcoal grills are allowed; open wood fires and other cookers are prohibited. Additionally, using UGA power sources is not allowed, so tailgaters must bring their own power supplies if needed.
Folding chairs are acceptable, but larger furniture, such as couches and recliners, should be left at home. Corporate tailgates are permitted only in designated areas with prior approval from Georgia Bulldog Sports Marketing. Factors that can classify a tailgate as corporate include charging for admission, hosting product giveaways or having a DJ.
For those tailgating on North Campus, tailgating can begin only five hours before kickoff. Additionally, folding tables must be no longer than six feet. Tents are allowed for tailgating on North Campus. However, kegs, generators, TVs, grills, cookers, and amplified music are not allowed.
Off-campus tailgating
For convenient off-campus tailgating, The Classic Center at 300 N. Thomas St. offers gameday parking for $50 to $60 per game or $450 for a season permit, providing an easy walk to campus and downtown.
TailGAte Station, located at 235 Oak St., features private spots available as a one-time purchase for up to 10 guests, complete with a pavilion with TVs, restrooms, a shuttle and food service, all a 10 minute walk from the stadium. Businesses along Baxter Street, which are close to campus and Sanford Stadium, generally provide more affordable parking options.
For those looking for a family-friendly tailgating experience, Campus View Church at 1360 S. Lumpkin St. offers an alcohol-free lot with a playground and restrooms, with day-of parking for $60 and season passes for $420.
NPS Athens offers various downtown lots with season permits priced according to their proximity to the stadium.
Activities while tailgating
To fully enjoy the gameday experience with fellow fans, there are several activities to keep the excitement high. Set up cornhole boards or bring a football for friendly competition. A deck of cards or a board game are also fun options while you wait for kickoff. These are great activities for getting to know other tailgaters or having fun with family members or friends.
Additionally, if music is permitted, set up a portable speaker and curate a gameday playlist.
Organize a tailgate cook-off with friends or simply relax while cooking burgers, wings or barbecue and keep a cooler stocked with beverages. Encourage your family and friends to each bring a dish for a potluck.
Show UGA pride by decorating tailgate spots with flags, banners and balloons. Wear your best Bulldog gear or paint your face to show your spirit.
Tailgating also provides a great opportunity to meet new people and bond with fellow fans, share stories, discuss game strategies and celebrate past victories.
Georgia football fans play cornhole before a game against UT Martin at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia on Sept. 2, 2023. PHOTO/MADY MERTENS
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