Bulldawg issue 18, bowl preview, 2013

See you in Jacksonville!

H o s p i t a l i t y G rro oup Athens, GA

Benson’s B Benson’ ’s Hospitality H it lity Gr G Group oup wo would ould ld lik like e to to thank th k all ll the th fans f for a won wonderful nderful 201 2013 3 football se season. ason.

We W e ar are e llooking ooking fo forward rward to serving s yo you u again in n 2014!

w w w. h i - a t h e n s . c o m

Gator Bowl Bound?

M

ake Jekyll Island your home for the Taxslayer Gator Bowl. Great hotel specials are just the start. Enjoy wide open beaches, miles of bike paths, fresh seafood and great golf. All within an easy 90 minute drive to Everbank Field. Avoid the congestion and expense of Florida beach destinations. Jekyll Island is just ten minutes off I-95 and close to Jacksonville International Airport. Or fly Delta directly into the Golden Isles (BQK).

Make the most of your New Year’s Bowl Game escape. Jekyll Island is the Nearest Faraway Place.

BI

From the Editor : Vance Leavy

Well the 2013 regular college football season has come past weekend (December 14), you get a true feeling for the and gone in a flash. And while our boys in red and black didbrotherhood shared in our football program. No one wanted to n’t make it to Pasadena like we all hoped and prayed for, there’s bring the Bulldog Nation a national championship more than still a ton to be proud of in the Bulldog Nation. this senior class did. While they fell short, the optimist in you First and foremost, as our has to hope that the tenacity they showed is cover reflects, there’s nothing like what propels next year’s seniors to somebeating the Bees in Atlanta. Those thing magical. smiles you see on our players’ faces I certainly encourage all our readers to were certainly earned as they recheck out our photos from the Gala (pages bounded like true Bulldogs from a 8 and 9). And while you will see players 20-0 deficit. And for the fans, how like Aaron Murray, Garrison Smith and sweet was it to walk out of Bobby Arthur Lynch, we should also praise the Dodd seeing the dejection on the commitment of the seniors whose names same Jacket fans that were talking we might have never known. I know everyso much trash? As Jeff Dantzler one here at Bulldawg Illustrated undersays, you really can’t put up a stands what it’s like to fight your hardest Christmas tree when we lose to week in and week out during the season.

Tech. Thankfully for all of us that Thankfully, for the players and the yuletide tradition is once again safe fans, there’s still one more Georgia football for all who love the University of game in the 2013 season. I certainly hope Georgia. everyone out there is planning to represent Now, it’s time to move into the UGA accordingly and make the trip for the bowl season and for the 17th time Gator Bowl. And while I have nothing in a row our Bulldogs are included against Jacksonville, I hope the Golden Isles in the party. For some, playing in is on the top of your list for your stay. the Gator Bowl will be met with By now, we all know making the hour disappointment, which I comdrive to Jacksonville is nothing on gamepletely understand. However, this day, so go ahead and get on your laptop and 2013 team wasn’t dealt the easiest book a few days to ring in your new year in hand this season as far as injuries one of the coolest areas in the state of Georgo. Yet despite that, they scratched Jack Davis created this artwork for the Golden Isles gia. and clawed for a respectable 8-4 Bulldawg Club when Mark Richt was hired. Doesn’t it Now, it’s time for me to wrap things make you want to spend New Year’s in the Golden season. up, so as I do every issue I certainly enNow, I’m not going all homer Isles? courage you to look to our pages for plenty on you. of entertaining sports and fan coverage.

Without question, Mark Richt and his staff must do some However, since this is our last issue of 2013, I want to extend real soul-searching this a warm thank you to all our readers and advertisers. You are the off-season to determine best! This issue caps our 11th year and we certainly wouldn’t what tweaks must be be here without our staff members, so a big salute to them as made to produce a well for everything they do. sound brand of football.

Finally, while this will be our last print issue until things The talent at Georgia is crank up in 2014, I encourage everyone to keep up with all too great to continuously UGA happenings on our website. The final push to Signing have silly mistakes thwart Day 2014 is amongst us and our BI online team will certainly them from the promised guide you all the way until the first Wednesday in February. land.

Now, let’s go whip the Cornhuskers for the second year in However, when you a row and send these 2013 seniors off into the sunset as winattend the annual Senior ners. Happy Holidays to all and see you in Jacksonville (and the Gala that occurred this Golden Isles) for the new year. Go Dawgs!

Bowl Preview Cha Cha Cha Publishing Inc. Editor Vance Leavy

Creative Director Cheri Leavy

Sports Guru Jeff Dantzler

Sales Caroline Kinney, Rob Saye, Holly Stanfill

Multimedia Director Greg Poole

Sports Logan Booker, Murray Poole, Trent Smailwood

Layout/Design Cheri Leavy, Vance Leavy

Cover photos Rob Saye

Sports Photography Rob Saye

Columnists Carlton DeVooght, Rob Sherrell , Loran Smith

Interns Pierce Persons. Annie Trice

Delivery Jack Abernathy, Martin Cameron Matt Clutter, Will Hayes, Cullen Sewell Thompson Sewell, Champ Vance

Bowl Preview, December 17, 2013

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A half century ago, the University of Georgia hired Vince Dooley as the school’s head football coach. It was December 3, 1963, and the course of the Bulldogs football and athletic fortunes were steered for greatness.

At the time, no one could have imagined what would transpire.

Dooley, age 31 at the time, was not exactly a high profile hire. In fact, University President Dr. O.C. Aderhold forgot his name at the introductory press conference, and referred to Dooley as “that bright young coach.”

Nick Saban from the Miami Dolphins to Alabama this was not.

But Georgia’s new athletics director saw something special in his protégé. Joel Eaves, a successful basketball coach and administrator at Auburn, had just been hired to take over the Bulldogs athletic department, on November 22, 1963 - not exactly an insignificant date to those who know their American history. His first order of business was to get the Georgia football program back on track, and Eaves turned to that bright young coach who had headed up Auburn’s freshman team.

When Dooley came to Athens for the interview and subsequently to take the job, the Georgia’s legendary sports information director, tennis coach, Bulldog Club chief and promotional and marketing pioneer and master Dan Magill picked him up and gave strict instructions to stay in his hotel room so no one in Athens would spot him walking around town.

This was the forerunner to fans who now track tail numbers on private planes to see just who may be visiting where.

As Dooley has often recounted, “I followed coach Magill’s instructions, but I could have walked over Athens with a nametag on and nobody would have known who the hell I was.”

Georgia’s football program had fallen on hard times. The glorious days of the 1940’s, when coach Wally Butts and a bevy of legendary players like Frank Sinkwich, Charley Trippi, Johnny Rauch and Lamar “Racehorse” Davis led the Bulldogs three Southeastern Conference champions, No. 1 national rankings in both 1942 (consensus national champions) and 1946 (Williamson Poll), and victories in the Orange, Rose, Oil and Sugar Bowls, were but precious memories.

In the 1950s, Butts program slumped greatly, finishing with a winning record just twice between 1951 and 1958. There was the infamous eight game drought against Tech and four consecutive losing seasons from ’55 to ’58.

Georgia would pull things together and win the SEC crown in 1959, going 10-1 and finishing No. 5 in the land. But that would be an outlier season. In Butts’ final season of 1960, Georgia went 64. There was much infighting over who the successor would be, and the Bulldogs hired former standout player Johnny Griffith, who never had a chance. There were too many factors working against him. In his three years, the Bulldogs suffered three losing records, a 1-8 mark against Tech, Florida and Auburn and the controversy of the Butts-“Bear” Bryant Saturday Evening Post story.

When Dooley took over, Georgia had just two winning seasons in its last nine campaigns.

But with the support of Magill, fellow Bulldogs legend Bill Hartman, Eaves, and a stellar staff that featured the iconic Erk Russell and brother Bill Dooley, Georgia quickly turned things around under the watch of the bright young coach.

In his first season of 1964, which began with a 31-3 loss to Bryant, Joe Namath and Alabama in Tuscaloosa, would climax with a 7-3-1 record, wins over Florida, Tech and Texas Tech in the Sun Bowl, just Georgia’s second postseason trip in the last 14 years.

The next year, the Bulldogs beat defending and eventual national champion Alabama on the famous flea-flicker play and then won at Michigan.

In 1966, the Bulldogs went 10-1, finished No. 4 nationally and captured the first of Dooley’s six SEC championships. Two years later, the Bulldogs, featuring college football hall of famers Bill Stanfill and Jake Scott, won another. In his first five seasons, Dooley was 5-0 vs. Tech and had established himself, in a league with legendary coaches like Bryant, his mentor Ralph “Shug” Jordan at Auburn, and Ole Miss’s Johnny Vaught, as one of the SEC’s best chieftains.

There were up’s and down’s in the 1970’s, a decade highlighted by an 11-1 mark in 1971 and the 1976 SEC championship.

But as the decade drew to a close, Dooley’s career took an enormous leap.

Georgia went just 6-5 in 1979 and Eaves retired as athletic director. Dooley was hired to share the A.D.’s job for two years with Dr. Reid Parker.

Then on Easter Sunday 1980, Herschel

Walker signed with Georgia.

Headlining an amazing freshman class, that merged with a magnificent senior class and numerous other front-line players, the Bulldogs won the 1980 national and SEC championships with a perfect 12-0 record, featuring a half-dozen unforgettable victories – highlighted by Buck Belue’s 93yard touchdown pass to Lindsay Scott to beat Florida and the 17-10 Sugar Bowl victory over Notre Dame.

The Dogs would win the next two SEC titles and come oh-so-close to national championships in 1981, 1982 and 1983. Over that four year stretch, the Bulldogs were a remarkable 43-4-1, with each loss coming to a team that would finish in the nation’s top four. From 1980-83, Georgia’s football program, with Dooley and fellow future college football hall of famers Walker, Terry Hoage and Kevin Butler headlining incredibly talented and sound squads, was America’s best.

Dooley, who flirted with returning to his alma mater prior to the triumph over Notre Dame, chose to stay at Georgia and was named sole athletic director.

This is what makes Dooley’s legacy truly shine.

Though Georgia came up agonizingly short of another SEC title during his final six years as the Bulldogs football coach, the overall athletic program quickly took shape as one of America’s best. With the rise of women’s athletics and the increasing popularity of college sports, Georgia jumped to the forefront.

A man of true vision, Dooley was instrumental in the television boom of college football, spearheading the push of conferences to get control of their own deals.

Meanwhile, in house, he began to bring in the next generation of legends. His first three hires: Hall of Fame Women’s Basketball coach Andy Landers, still going strong with five Final Four’s and seven SEC championships, Hall of Fame Olympic swimming coach Jack Bauerle, still going strong with five national championships and 10 SEC crowns, and Hall of Fame Sports Information Director Claude Felton, protégé of Magill and simply the best there’s been for a very long time.

For nearly a decade, Dooley was simultaneously one of America’s premier football coaches and athletic directors.

Upon retiring from the gridiron, he would have another 16 years as Georgia’s athletics director.

The Bulldogs enjoyed tremendous success in a variety of sports. He hired hall of fame baseball coach Ron Polk, who led the Bulldogs to the 2001 College World Series and the program’s first SEC title since 1954. He then hired his son Derek’s best friend David Perno, whom he thought too young until reminded that he was older when Eaves hired Dooley. Perno led Georgia to three College World Series and two SEC titles.

Magill’s other great successor Manuel Diaz, who took over in 1989, has led Georgia to four national titles, and the program has 36 SEC crowns dating to 1971.

Dooley hired Jeff Wallace, who has coached the women’s tennis team to two national championships.

He brought in Suzanne Youculan, who won an incredible 10 national championships in gymnastics.

He hired his longtime cohort Dick Copus’s, great golf coach, counselor and even athletic trainer during a tremendous career, successor Chris Haack, who has guided the Bulldogs to two national championships and seven SEC crowns.

Several of these standout coaches are still leading Georgia to glory – Dooley’s stamp undeniable and inescapable.

Few football coaches enjoyed the kind of incredible 25 year career that Dooley did. The Bulldogs suffered just one losing season and went to 20 bowls.

Few athletic directors enjoyed the kind of incredible 25 year career that Dooley did – with nine simultaneous. Georgia’s overall athletic program was consistently amongst the top ten in America, including a No. 2 finish in 1998-99 when Bulldog teams won four national championships.

The fact that he did both is quite remarkable.

Handling it with foresight and a classic southern charm that still resonates today is equally incredible. How many people hired in 1963 still get overflow crowds and lines to autograph books at a school’s bookstore? How many people hired in 1963 hired people who continue to do incredible things at a very special place?

Eaves stuck his neck out.

And that bright young coach’s impact will never be forgotten and shall continue to shine for year’s to come in America’s greatest college town, Athens, GA.

Poole Shots

by Murray Poole

Most Memorable UGA Bowl Victories When Georgia tees it up against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Jan. 1 Gator Bowl game in Jacksonville, the Bulldogs will be attempting to improve on a rich bowl record that currently stands at 27-18-3. And this will be Georgia’s 49th bowl game − sixth most of any team in the country.

Many of those bowl victories followed Southeastern Conference championships for the Bulldogs and several of the bowl wins enabled Georgia to be ranked No. 1 in all the land, including of course consensus national championships in 1942 and 1980.

But which bowl victories have been the Bulldogs' best? And here I'm not talking only about Georgia's most prestigious holiday wins from such major venues as the Sugar, Rose, Orange and Cotton but the Bulldogs' most exciting bowl victories in some of the smaller bowls as well.

That said, when you talk about the biggest bowl wins in UGA's storied football history, you have to certainly include the Bulldogs' first bowl trip ever, on Jan. 1, 1942 when eventual Heisman Trophy winner Frankie Sinkwich and Georgia stormed over TCU 40-26 in the Orange Bowl. And you have to talk about that great 9-0 Rose Bowl win over UCLA one year later when the legendary Charley Trippi ran his way to bowl MVP honors. And what Georgia historian could ever forget the Bulldogs' 20-10 Sugar Bowl win over North Carolina, on Jan. 1, 1947 after Trippi had led the Bulldogs to a perfect 10-0 season record in the fall of '46? That Georgia team, like the 1942 squad, would also wind up No. 1 in several national polls.

Those great bowl wins by the Bulldogs were well before my time of observing Georgia play so in listing my most memorable Georgia post-season victories in this space today, I'm sticking with the bowl games I personally observed. Here are the top five − in order, from top to bottom − with one bonus one thrown in: 1981 Sugar Bowl − Georgia, 17, Notre Dame 10

Can there be any question that this was the Bulldogs' biggest bowl victory ever? The 1980 Bulldogs entered the Sugar Bowl battle against a big and powerful Notre Dame team sporting a flawless 11-0 record ... thanks to an almost miracle finish (Belue-to-Scott, of course) in Jacksonville which kept their record unblemished and vaulted the Bulldogs into the No. 1 national ranking. If you remember, Buck Belue completed only one pass that night in the New Orleans Superdome but it was a big one, his 7-yarder to Amp Arnold allowing Georgia to run out the clock and protect its one-touchdown win. A freshman defensive back named Terry Hoage blocked an Irish field goal attempt and another freshman, the dynamic Herschel Walker, ran for 150 yards on 36 carries and tallied two touchdowns on a Notre Dame defense that hadn't yielded a 100-yard rusher all season. And, mind you, Walker did much of his damage in the second half after suffering a separated shoulder. The Bulldogs' only other points came on Rex Robinson's 46-yard field goal. "I don't know how good we are but I do know we're 12-0 and nobody else is,'' Vince Dooley said after the Bulldogs had clinched the school's first-ever undisputed, consensus national title.

1984 Cotton Bowl − Georgia 10, Texas 9

Herschel Walker was gone to the new USFL during the 1983 football season but senior quarterback John Lastinger had guided the Bulldogs to a 9-1-1 season mark (only loss being to Auburn and Bo Jackson) and a No. 7 national ranking as Georgia prepared to face the undefeated, No. 2-ranked Longhorns in Dallas' Cotton Bowl, which at that time of course was one of the nation's Big Four bowls. The Bulldogs' first score came on a 43-yard field goal by Kevin Butler in the closing seconds of the first quarter but when the Longhorns carried a 9-3 lead deep into the final quarter, it appeared that unbeaten Texas was on its way to becoming national champions.

But nobody told these Bulldogs as much. After Texas muffed a Chip Andrews punt late in the fourth quarter, Georgia stunned the 'Horns with a sterling 17-yard touchdown run by QB Lastinger with just 3:22 left to play. Butler booted the winning extra point and the joke around the Bulldawg Nation to this very day is, "What time is it in Texas?" And the answer to that will forever be, "10 to 9." Later that evening in the Orange Bowl, top-ranked Nebraska was upset by No. 5 Miami 31-30, a win which vaulted the Hurricanes past the Huskers and Longhorns into their first national title.

1989 Gator Bowl − Georgia 34, Michigan State 27

Vince Dooley's final game after 25 years as the Bulldogs' ultra-successful head coach and the Bulldogs rode senior quarterback Wayne Johnson's 227 yards passing, with three touchdowns, and Rodney Hampton's 109 yards rushing to hold off an upset-minded Spartans team which got a record-breaking Gator Bowl performance from Andre Rison (9 catches, 252 yards, 3 touchdowns). But after Michigan State pulled within 34-27 with 3:49 remaining, Dooley reverted to his ball-control running game to salt the contest away. The win was the 201st of Dooley's UGA career and enabled the Bulldogs to cap the 1988 season with a 9-3 record. Also going on that night at the Gator Bowl was the suspense surrounding who Georgia's next head coach was going to be, as I detailed last week on the Bulldawg Illustrated website.

2000 Outback Bowl − Georgia 28, Purdue 25

Behind Heisman Trophy finalist Drew Brees, the Boilermakers looked as if they were going to blow the Bulldogs out of the stadium, building up a 25-0 lead in the second quarter. But then, someone sounded the wake-up alarm for the guys from UGA. The Bulldogs got a 74-yard touchdown run by Terrance Edwards, a 32-yard field goal by Hap Hines after Jamie Henderson's 49-yard interception return and a Quincy Carter TD run and two-point conversion that narrowed the gap to 25-18 in the third. Then, late in the final period, Carter capped a 94-yard drive by passing to Randy McMichael in the end zone, who pulled in the ball after it was tipped by two defenders. The PAT tied the game at 25-25 with 1:19 remaining. Then, in only the second overtime in college bowl history, Purdue missed a 43yard field goal and Georgia drove to the Purdue 2-yard line before Hines' 19-yard field goal completed the greatest bowl comeback ever.

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1998 Peach Bowl − Georgia 35, Virginia 33

Things didn't go well for the Bulldogs at the start of this game, the forerunner to today's Chickfil-A Bowl. After a scoreless first quarter, Virginia pummeled Georgia in the second period to take a 21-0 lead. But Georgia came back on an 11yard touchdown pass by Quincy Carter, a 14yard Carter TD pass to Champ Bailey, Olandis Gary's 15-yard touchdown run, another 2-yard run by Gary and then a 1-yard scoring run by Carter, which pushed Georgia up by 35-27. But the Cavs roared back and almost pulled it out, Todd Braverman's last-second field goal attempt sailing wide. Next to the Bulldogs' rally from the 25-point deficit against Purdue, this was Georgia's biggest bowl comeback win.

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2006 Chick-fil-A Bowl − Georgia 31, Virginia Tech 24

Still another exciting bowl comeback as Georgia scored 28 second-half points in the Georgia Dome to rally from a 21-3 halftime deficit. Under newly-named offensive coordinator Mike Bobo the Bulldogs got a 6-yard touchdown pass from freshman quarterback Matthew Stafford to Martrez Milner. a 3-yard touchdown run by Kregg Lumpkin, a 2-point PAT pass from Stafford to Milner, two more field goals by Brandon Coutu and a 1-yard touchdown run by fullback Brannen Southerland to complete the comeback. Senior linebacker Tony Taylor had two crucial pass interceptions to set up the Bulldogs' two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Georgia's 31 total points came against a Virginia Tech defense that had given up only 9.3 points per game during the regular season and had posted four shutouts.

So these are some of the great and thrilling UGA bowl victories I've had the privilege of observing down through the years. A few others of course could certainly be included here, such as Fran Tarkenton and the Bulldogs' 1959 SEC champions blanking Missouri 14-0 in the 1960 Orange Bowl, brother Vince Dooley topping brother Bill Dooley in the Bulldogs' 7-3 win over North Carolina in the 1971 Gator Bowl, Georgia's 17-16 squeaker over Maryland in the 1973 Peach Bowl, the Bulldogs' 33-6 mauling of Wisconsin in the 1998 Outback Bowl when Mike Bobo went an amazing 26-of-28 throwing the football with an SEC record 19 straight completions, and Richt besting his old mentor Bobby Bowden with Georgia's 26-13 win over Florida State in the 2003 Sugar.

Let's hope the Bulldogs write another winning and thrilling bowl chapter when they take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Jan. 1, 2014 in the Gator Bowl.

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2014

Preview photos by Rob Saye

By Logan Booker/BI

ith the 2013 regular season in the books, the Dawgs may consider themselves lucky to have finished with what could be considered a respectable 8-4 record. This team has suffered more major injuries to key players than any team in recent memory, but the Gator Bowl still came calling, and Georgia fans will fortunately get the chance to watch their beloved team play in a New Year’s Day bowl game. The bowl appearance will mark the 17th consecutive for the program; the longest active streak in the SEC. The opponent lined up is no stranger, as Nebraska will play opposite the boys donning Red and Black for the second consecutive season, last year resulting in a win for the Dawgs over at the Capital One Bowl. And with this year’s game being played in Jacksonville, many have dreams and ideas of spending their holidays with their loved ones and fellow Dawg fans in a fashion very similar to the annual Georgia-Florida game, taking over the south Georgia islands in what should be a great getaway!

W

Know the opponent:

This Nebraska team (also 8-4) will be very similar to the one the Dawgs saw last New Year’s Day, only minus their dual threat quarterback Taylor Martinez, who was lost earlier this season to a foot injury. This will make the Cornhuskers rely heavily on their run game, which they have been doing all season. The rushing attacking will be lead by junior Ameer Abdullah, who has carried

the ball 254 times for 1,568 yards this season, leading the Big Ten by over 100 yards. Filling in for the fallen Martinez at quarterback will be senior Ron Kellogg III, who has played every game this season, but has only seen his load pick up late in the season. On defense, the Cornhuskers are stubborn, only giving up 20 points per game, and have held several teams below their average this season.

The Offense:

With Aaron Murray out with a torn ACL, junior quarterback Hutson Mason looked very solid once he settled down in his only start against Georgia Tech a few weeks back. The bowl practice and game should be very valuable experience for what is assumed to be Mason’s starting job going into next season. Mike Bobo should open the playbook a little and allow him to gain as much game action experience as possible to wrap up the season. Also during the win over the Yellow Jackets, running back Todd Gurley proved that he is fully healthy again, taking over the overtime sessions and showing how good he can be, especially when counted on. Gurley should get his fair share of action in Jacksonville, and will likely head into the 2014 season as a legitimate Heisman watch list candidate.

The Defense:

The defense will be tested big time on their abil-

ity to stop the run, which has been their only strength of the 2013 season. Without a quarterback who can run, Nebraska will lean heavily on their running back star in Abdullah, and test the UGA linebackers al day long. With a backup quarterback taking all the snaps, the UGA secondary should not have to worry about getting picked on all day, but instead can perhaps cheat and help out with the task of containing the run game. Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham would love nothing more than to hold Nebraska to very little offensive success before he enters the offseason having to pitch to the fanbase that his unit will improve some going into next season.

How the Dawgs will win:

The theme of this answer lately has been Todd Gurley. And that will not change on New Year’s Day, as Gurley is playing perhaps the strongest he has since he arrived in Athens. With Hutson Mason still settling in at QB, the game plan should rely heavily on the run, hopefully opening up some receivers as the game progresses. But as long as Gurley is healthy and wearing pads, he will be the reason the Dawgs will not only find success, but also look good doing it. Safe travels to all those in Dawg Nation fortunate enough to make the trip, and just keep in mind while many are complaining about the matchup, that we could be Florida or Tennessee, and not be playing in a bowl at all.

Serving northeast Georgia and the Golden Isles

JD’s Dandy Dozen Bowl Preview

By Jeff Dantzler/BI Ole Miss vs. Tech Dec. 30 - 3:15 p.m.

Nashville, Tenn.

Mississippi State vs. Rice Dec. 31 - 4 p.m.

Memphis, Tenn.

Texas A&M vs. Duke Dec. 31 - 8 p.m.

Atlanta, Ga.

South Carolina vs. Wisconsin Jan. 1 - 1 p.m.

Orlando, Fla.

In what should be one of the most entertaining games of the bowl season, Ole Miss tangles with Tech in Nashville.

The Rebels need a win.

Ole Miss was sitting at 7-3, highlighted by wins over Texas and LSU. But the Rebels lost their last two, falling to Missouri 24-10 in beautiful Oxford and then dropping a 17-10 overtime thriller to Mississippi State in Starkville. Bo Wallace and the offense needs to get cranked back up. Tech is also 7-5, falling to Georgia 41-34 in double overtime for a fifth straight loss to the Bulldogs after blowing a 20-0 lead. Can the time off give the Ole Miss defense time to get ready for Tech’s potent triple option attack? Vad Lee did an excellent job throwing the football against the Bulldogs.

It was a disappointing year for Mississippi State, but the 17-10 overtime victory over Ole Miss to close out the regular season gives the Maroon Bulldogs a big lift.

That early loss to Auburn was a season-shifter on both ends to say the least.

Injuries at quarterback really hurt Mississippi State this year. But MSU can run the ball and plays physically both sides of the ball. For Rice, it has been an excellent year. The Owls won Conference USA championship Game, downing Marshall in frigid Houston. It is Rice’s first league title since capturing the 1957 Southwest Conference championship. Elvis Presley, our man Murray Poole’s No. 1 entertainer, was at the top of the charts with “Jailhouse Rock.” The Owls have an excellent offense and they’ll be ready to knock off an SEC foe and claim a bowl victory.

Johnny Manziel won the Heisman Trophy a year ago, leading the Aggies to an 11-2 mark and Cotton Bowl crown. This season, Texas A&M slumped to 84, dropping the last two games to LSU and Missouri. Duke, meanwhile, posted a 10-2 regular season mark and then got run over by Florida State in the ACC Championship Game. It’s one of those rare times when a team was just happy to be in a title tilt. David Cutcliffe has led both Ole Miss and Duke to 10-win seasons. Let that sink in. Tennessee’s record when Cutcliffe was Phil Fulmer’s offensive coordinator, was strikingly better than when he was gone. This could be a shootout. The Aggies defense is awful, their motivation may be questioned and this will almost certainly be Johnny Football’s last game in the Maroon jerseys.

The Badgers have had some nice wins over Southeastern Conference schools in Florida bowls, including victories over Auburn and Arkansas.

South Carolina posted a 10-2 record, and with a win, the Gamecocks would go 11-2 for the third consecutive campaign. Steve Spurrier has done incredible things in Columbia, highlighted by a slew of victories over royal programs and arch rivals. The 23-21 upset loss at Tennessee this year really stings though, or it would have been the Gamecocks playing Auburn for a shot at the national title.

Connor Shaw is a tough customer at quarterback and Bruce Ellington is one of the top athletes in the SEC. The Gamecocks defensive line, led by JaDaveon Clowney and Kelcy Quarles, and Wisconsin’s big and powerful offensive front will be a great match-up.

LSU vs. Iowa Jan. 1 - 1 p.m.

Tampa, Fla.

Michigan State vs. Stanford Jan. 1 - 5 p.m.

Pasadena, Cal.

Baylor vs. Central Florida Jan. 1 - 8:30 p.m.

Glendale, Ariz.

Alabama vs. Oklahoma Jan. 2 - 8:30 p.m.

New Orleans, La.

In Nick Saban’s final game as LSU’s head coach, Iowa threw a 50yard touchdown on the final play of the game to beat the Tigers in Tampa. That was nine years ago. LSU will take on the Hawkeyes without probable first round quarterback pick Zach Mettenberger, who tore his ACL in the Tigers thrilling comeback win over Arkansas. Anthony Jennings led the game-winning march and will operate behind center. LSU has better material, but again, it comes down to motivation. The Tigers played for the national title in 2011. The last two years, they have lost six games, four by four points or less. What could have been has crossed the Tiger faithful’s minds a time or two.

In a season where high octane offense, explosive plays and lots and lots of points, leave it to the “Granddaddy of them all” to deliver a meeting of teams that do it with defense first. Both can score, especially Stanford with a power-packed running attack.

But it is the two stop-units that will be the stars of the show. Michigan State’s defense and running game overwhelmed Ohio State for the Big Ten title in Indianapolis. Stanford once again burst Oregon’s bubble. The Cardinal lost a head-scratcher at Utah and fell in a tight one at Southern Cal. David Shaw has done excellent work at the Cardinal helm, keeping things rolling after Jim Harbaugh and Andrew Luck moved on to the NFL.

This is pretty simple. These two teams both had their best seasons in school history, posting 11-1 records and earning a berth in a major bowl. Baylor, which lost only at Oklahoma State, is champion of the Big XII – thanks to Oklahoma’s win over the Cowboys. Central Florida is the champion of the remnants of the old Big East, the American Athletic – at least I think that’s what they call it.

The Golden Knights lone loss was a 28-25 setback at home to South Carolina. Amongst their biggest wins was one at Penn State. They kept on winning, but had a lot of really tight ones against inferior competition.

Will Alabama care?

Will Nick Saban be their coach? If the answer to both of those is yes, then Oklahoma is in big trouble. Bob Stoops, who has done a superb job at the Oklahoma helm, making the Sooners a regular in major bowl games, questioned the bottom of the SEC before the season. Well Auburn answered that question. Now he gets a shot at Alabama and what would be one of the Sooners biggest upset wins under his watch. Oklahoma really got smoked in its two losses to Texas and Baylor, but ended the regular season in gratifying fashion with a backand-forth comeback victory at Oklahoma State.

Missouri vs. Oklahoma State Jan. 3 - 8 p.m.

Arlington, Tx.

Clemson vs. Ohio State Jan. 3 - 8:30 p.m.

Miami Gardens, Fla.

Vanderbilt vs. Houston Jan. 4 - 1 p.m.

Birmingham, Ala.

Auburn vs. Florida State Jan. 6 - 8:30 p.m.

Pasadena, Cal.

This is an old Big Eight, old Big XII shootout in the making, as Missouri and Oklahoma State both have high powered offenses. Few expected for Mizzou, in just their second season in the Southeastern Conference, to have the kind of year they did. The Tigers beat Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss and Texas A&M en route to the SEC Championship Game, where they lost the 59-42 shootout to Auburn. Dorial Green-Beckham is a great receiver and headlines a tremendous offense. Michael Sam is a big time passrusher and E.J. Gaines is one of the SEC’s top corners. Both of these teams were a win away from conference championships on the first Saturday in December. Both desperately want to avoid a two-game losing streak to mar outstanding campaigns.

The last time these two met was the 1978 Gator Bowl. It was Danny Ford’s first game as Clemson’s coach – Charley Pell had left to take the Florida job. It was Woody Hayes’s final game as the Buckeyes coach. The legendary Ohio State icon slugged Charlie Bauman after the Tiger defender came up with a game-clinching turnover and was fired the next day.

Clemson sits at 10-2, falling for a second straight season to Florida State and South Carolina. Last year, the Tigers upset LSU in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl.

They’ll be looking for another upset this season. Is Ohio State interested? The Buckeyes led Michigan State 24-17 in the second half, but lost the Big Ten Championship Game.

It’s nice that Vanderbilt gets to leave Nashville for its bowl game this season. The Commodores once again closed strong and finished 8-4 in the regular season for a second straight campaign.

Last year, the Commodores downed N.C. State in the Music City Bowl to go 9-4, winning their last seven of the 2012 season. You can do the math, Vanderbilt is a robust 15-4 in its last 19 contests.

The ‘Dores beat Georgia, Florida and Tennessee this year. Never thought you’d see that. Never. The 34-17 pounding of Florida in Gainesville was epic for the Vanderbilt faithful.

Jameis Winston won the Heisman Trophy and the Seminoles topped every foe by double digits this season. Now the ‘Noles play for their third national championship. As for Auburn, just nothing like this has ever happened. For anyone. Ever.

They got all five of Willy Wonka’s Golden Tickets. From the national title to the worst season in school history two years later to playing for the whole thing again. These two schools, from bordering states, just a short drive apart, will make their way to Pasadena to play for the national championship. Florida State has an extremely talented defense, loaded with future pros. The Seminoles have one of the nation’s top tight ends in Nick O’Leary and a stable of fast and slippery tailbacks and receivers. Auburn has an offense that isn’t too complicated to run, but is very difficult to defend. Nick Marshall can run it and throw it. Tre Mason is a dynamite tailback who had an SEC Championship Game for the ages. The big question is whether Auburn, which does have a pair of stellar pass-rushers, can slow Florida State down some. If Auburn wins, it would be an eighth straight national title for the SEC and fifth in a row for a school from the state of Alabama.

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Scouting Nebraska Location: Lincoln, Neb. Conference: Big Ten, Legends Division Enrollment: 24,445 Cornhuskers in a thumbnail: After compiling a 10-4 overall record in 2012, which included a 45-31 loss to Georgia in the Capital One Bowl, Nebraska had the returning nucleus to make a strong run at the Big Ten Conference, Legends Division title this season. However, disappointing losses to Minnesota (23-34), Michigan State (28-41) and Iowa (17-38, in season finale) erased any hopes the Cornhuskers had of accomplishing that goal. Overall, Nebraska will bring an 8-4 season record and 5-3 conference mark to Jacksonville, the identical records that the 2013 Bulldogs own. The Cornhuskers' wins this season were over Wyoming (3734), Southern Miss (56-13), South Dakota State (59-20), Illinois (39-19), Purdue (44-7), Northwestern (27-24), Michigan (1713) and Penn State (23-20, OT). The other setback came to non-conference foe UCLA, by 41-21.

A look at the Nebraska offense: As always, the Cornhuskers are a run-first football team. And, with good reason what with tal-

ented junior back Ameer Abdullah (5-9, 190) toting the ball. Abdullah, an All- Big Ten first-team selection, has run for 1,568 yards on 254 carries this season (6.2 avg.) with eight touchdowns. He averages 130.7 yards rushing per game and also is the Huskers' No. 3 pass receiver with 26 catches for 232 yards and two more scores. Quite a challenge for a Bulldog defense that had its share of troubles this season. Passing-wise Nebraska's starter from last season, senior Taylor Martinez, who went against the Bulldogs in the bowl game, was lost to the team after four games with a foot injury and stepping up in his absence have been senior Ron Kellogg, III (6-1, 220) and redshirt freshman Tommy Armstrong, Jr. (6-1, 220). Kellogg has thrown for 919 yards and six touchdowns while Armstrong has passed for 803 yards and seven scores. The Huskers' leading receivers are junior Kenny Bell (6-1, 185), with 51 catches for 566 yards and four touchdowns, and senior Quincy Enunwa (6-2, 225), with 47 receptions for a team-leading 624 yards and 10 touchdowns. Nebraska averages 32.6 points per outing, 221.7 yards rushing per game and 199.5 yards passing a contest.

A look at the Nebraska defense: Defensively, the Cornhuskers surrendered 25.3 points per game during the course of the regular season. However, they proved tough against the run, giving up just 161 yards per outing this year. Passing-wise, they allowed opponents to throw for 205.8 yards per contest. Sophomore linebacker David Santos (6-0, 225) and junior safety Corey Cooper (6-1, 215) are Nebraska's leading tacklers, each with 81 total stops, but sophomore defensive end Randy Gregory (6-6, 255) is the most damaging player for opposing offenses as he has recorded 61 tackles, including 17 tackles-for-loss and 9.5 sacks while earning All-Big Ten first team honors. Checking in with four interceptions each to lead in that category are senior cornerbacks Stan Jean-Baptiste (6-3, 220) and Ciante Evans (5-11, 190), who's also an all-conference selection.

What Cornhuskers head coach Bo Pelini says: “The Gator Bowl gives our football team the opportunity to play in a New Year’s Day bowl for a third straight season, and we look forward to the trip to Jacksonville. We had a great experience at the Gator Bowl when we played there in my first year here. We have some familiarity with Georgia having played them last year in the bowl game, but these are two different football teams. This will be a great challenge for our football team, and we look forward to the opportunity. There's a tremendous respect for Georgia on our part. Not only are they a good football program and a good team but they do things the right way. It's a first-class operation and we look at our football program much the same way they do."

Game Prediction: Pretty hard to gauge this game when you have two teams meeting for a second consecutive year in a bowl

game. Both the Bulldogs and Cornhuskers had championship aspirations this season so with the 8-4 marks they both bring to Jacksonville, their seasons have to be termed a bit of a disappointment. That said, there's nothing like kick starting 2014 with a bowl victory on New Year's Day and I have to think both Georgia and Nebraska will be ready to answer the opening whistle at high noon on Jan. 1. No question, the Cornhuskers will be primed to avenge last year's Capital One Bowl loss to the Bulldogs but with Todd Gurley running for 100-plus yards to set the stage for big things to come next fall and with Hutson Mason building on the fine passing resume he began in the win over Georgia Tech, I'll ride with Georgia to whip the Huskers once again, say by 35-28.

But if that prediction is to ring true, the Bulldog defense had better have an answer for Nebraska's outstanding running back, Ameer Abdullah. − Murray Poole

12 • Bulldawg Illustrated

Top Cornhuskers #8, Ameer Abdullah, I-Back 5-9, 190 Jr. Homewood, Ala. (Homewood H.S.)

When it comes to great tailbacks through the years, Nebraska’s alumni list rivals any school. From Roger Craig to Mike Rozier to Lawrence Phillips to Ahman Green to Rex Burkhead to Abdullah, the I-Back position at Nebraska is high profile. Abdullah has had a tremendous season, rushing for 1,568 yards and eight touchdowns on 254 carries. His averages are eye-opening – 6.2 per carry and 130.7 per game. This AllBig Ten backs also has 26 receptions for 232 yards and two touchdowns through the air. Due to injury, Nebraska has used three quarterbacks this season and this outstanding runner has been the focus of every team’s defense. Last season in Orlando, Abdullah carried seven times against the Bulldogs for 48 yards, with a long of 26, as Burkhead was the primary rusher in his final collegiate game. Abdullah was a Doak Walker Award semifinalist this year and honorable mention All-American. He has excellent vision and is a terrific rhythm back. When Abdullah gets going behind that big offensive line, the Huskers grind defenses up. #80 Kenny Bell, WR/KR 6-1 185 Jr. Boulder, Colo. (Fairview H.S.)

When standout quarterback Taylor Martinez was lost to injury, the Huskers passing quarterback took a hit, no surprise there. Big Red has some juice on the perimeter, primarily with Bell, dangerous on the perimeter and the return game. Last season in Orlando, Bell led the Cornhuskers with four receptions for 60 yards, including a 35-yarder.

His 51 receptions this year are tops for Nebraska, ad he is second on the team in receiving yards with 566 and touchdown grabs with four.

Quincy Enunwa leads the way with 624 yards and ten touchdown catches. Bell gives the Huskers some high end speed on the outside and is particularly dangerous in play-action when Abdullah is rolling.

Amongst the most dangerous kick returners in the Big Ten, Bell averages 28.3 per and has a 99-yard touchdown this season. #44 Randy Gregory, DE 6-6 255 Soph. Fishers, Ind. (Arizona Western CC/)

Known not only for their high powered option attack through the years, Nebraska had great defenses in the glory days of Bob Devanney and Tom Osborne, known under the latter’s watch as the “Black Shirts.” Neil Smith, Grant Wistrom and Trev Alberts are just a few of the All-Americans who helped the Cornhusker defense be one of the country’s best for many years. Bo Pellini, a highly successful defensive coordinator at LSU prior to venturing to Lincoln, is aiming to rebuild that greatness. Gregory is the type of player that points the Huskers in the right direction.

He is Nebraska’s big play maker on defense. Gregory impressively fills out the stat sheet. He leads the team in sacks with 9.5 for a loss of 62 yards, 17 quarterback hurries and 17 tackles for a loss of 91 yards.

− Jeff Dantzler

Jeff Dantzler’s 2013 rankings Top 10 Non-SEC - There were some big upsets the last couple of weeks of the regular season, including

Ohio State falling to Michigan State. Those upsets did give us some high profile major bowl games, pitting royal programs against one another.

Florida State – What a season it has been for the Seminoles. Florida State is loaded in every area and has wrecked the competition. It should be a great match-up with Auburn for the national title in Pasadena.

1.

Baylor – The Bears put the finishing touches on their best ever regular season by topping Texas 30-10. It’s a major bowl game vs. UCF in the Fiesta and a Big XII Championship.

Art Briles has done great things in Waco.

2.

Michigan State – There were a lot of teams pulling for Michigan State in Indianapolis, and the Spartans delivered with a beat-down of Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game. Michigan State plays excellent defense.

3.

photo by Rob Saye Ohio State – A win away from a likely berth in the BCS Championship Game, the

4.

Buckeyes suffered one of their most crushing losses ever to Michigan State in the Big Ten title game. You have to question their motivation for Clemson.

Stanford – The Cardinal was very close to a perfect season. They suffered a headscratching loss at Utah and dropped a tight one to Southern Cal. David Shaw’s team laid the wood twice to Arizona State this season.

5.

Clemson – The Tigers lone two losses were to Florida State and South Carolina. Same story as last year. It’s back to the Orange Bowl for the second time under Dabo Swinney’s watch. Clemson has star power with Tajh Boyd, Vic Beasley and lightning fast Sammy Watkins.

6.

Oklahoma – What a huge win it was for the Sooners to come back and top Oklahoma State in Stillwater. Bob Stoops has put together a tremendous record, and has the Sooners in a BCS game again.

7.

8. Oklahoma State – The Cowboys got their hearts broken in Bedlam by the rival Soon-

ers on an absolutely frigid day. It cost them a second Big XII title in three years. Oklahoma State has had a hard time getting by Oklahoma.

Oregon – When a couple of Ducks players talked about not being excited about going to Pasadena, that got taken care of in a route at Arizona. Oregon got some traction back with a thrilling win over the rival Beavers and now get a shot at Texas.

9.

10. Central Florida – Without question, it goes down as Central Florida’s greatest ever sea-

son, and the 11-1 Golden Knights are BCS bound to take on Baylor in the Fiesta Bowl.

Their only loss came by three points at home to South Carolina.

SEC 1-14 - There were some big upsets the last couple of weeks of the regular season, including Ohio State falling to Michigan State. Those upsets did give us some high profile major bowl games, pitting royal programs against one another.

Auburn – It has just not ever happened before. The roller coaster ride of the last four years and then to beat Georgia and Alabama the way they did and then to win the shootout in the Dome and then to have Ohio State lose … and now the Tigers play for it all.

1.

2. Alabama – The Crimson Tide were absolutely stunned by what happened on the

plains. They were trying to make history as the first team to win three straight undisputed national titles. That one will haunt them forever, “Punt Bama Punt” 41 years later.

3. Missouri – The Tigers have had a tremendous season, and were right there until

midway through the fourth quarter with Auburn. Mizzou doesn’t want to close out with two straight losses in a year in which they beat Georgia, Florida and Tennessee.

South Carolina – It’s life in the SEC, so many close games, that everyone but the king of the mountain “what if’s” at least one. And for South Carolina, it is the loss at Tennessee. They would’ve played Auburn for a shot at the whole thing.

4.

LSU – See above. For LSU, it was a three point loss at Georgia and a three point loss at Ole Miss. The Tigers weren’t what they usually are on defense after losing so many players to the pros. The comeback over Arkansas was a nice close to their regular season.

JD’s five keys to victory 1.

Want It – Bowl games are often decided by which team wants to be there more. Though the players on both sides may be a bit put off by a rematch – variety is the spice of bowl life after all – the Bulldogs players have to bring the fire to win for a second straight season over the Cornhuskers. Nebraska will want it. The Huskers want to even up things up in these bowl match-ups of the last two years and claim a Southeastern Conference scalp. Georgia will be in a familiar setting in Jacksonville and should have an advantage with the crowd. There’s a big difference between 9-4 and 8-5. Closing out with a three-game winning streak, and dumping Tech and Nebraska to cap it off, would be a nice way to cap off a bizarre campaign.

2.

High Octane Offense – No team in America was ravaged by injuries the way Georgia has been in 2013. The month off following the Bulldogs thrilling 41-34 double overtime victory at Tech means that the Bulldogs can heal the bumps and bruises for players not sidelined by season-ending injuries. This means a fresh and fully loaded Todd Gurley, America’s premier tailback, and plenty more practice work for quarterback Hutson Mason and Georgia’s passing attack. It will probably take a lot of points to win in Jacksonville, so the Dogs will have to keep the pedal to the metal.

3.

Nebraska got bitten by the injury bug, losing record-setting quarterback Taylor Martinez. A pair of quarterbacks have gotten a slew of snaps following the loss of Get to the Quarterback –

Martinez in the fourth game of the year. Tommy Armstrong Jr. has thrown for 803 yards, seven touchdowns and seven interceptions. Ron Kellogg III, son of former Kansas basketball standout Greg Kellogg (a member of the 1986 Jayhawks Final Four team), got the call in the regular season ending loss to Iowa. Kellogg has completed 60.6 percent of his passes, throwing six touchdowns against just three picks, while totaling 919 yards through the air. Georgia can disrupt the passing game with a strong and consistent rush. The youth-laden Bulldogs secondary has struggled throughout the year, but can close out on a strong note against the inconsistent Cornhusker passing game. Garrison Smith will look to close out his fine career in Athens on a high note and this would be a great stage for Leonard Floyd and Jordan Jenkins to issue a sign of things to come in 2014 as book-end disrupters.

4.

Contain Abdullah – There are elite tailbacks in this showdown for a second straight year.

Last season, Rex Burkhead pounded the Georgia defense for 142 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries, while Ameer Abdullah struck for 48 on seven carries as a counterpuncher. Well it is Abdullah’s show now, and you have to think that he and Gurley will be looking to out-do the other on the ground. Georgia’s run defense has had its share of struggles, but also has produced some big plays and solid performances – like in the second half of the win over Tech. If Abdullah gets cooking, the Cornhuskers will pound away against the Bulldogs front. Georgia won’t be able to completely shut him down, but can’t allow him to run wild or victory in Jacksonville will be hard to come by.

5.

Push the Kicking Game – There have been so many breakdowns in the special teams department for Georgia, it has been a major disappointment. The catastrophic plays, a return game that ranks in the bottom of the SEC and NCAA standings, to say that Georgia needs major improvement is akin to saying that Washington, D.C. has a spending problem. And this is with Marshall Morgan, first – team All-SEC kicker, who hit 18 of 20 field goals on the year. A month off gives the Bulldogs plenty of time to get work on the kicking game, perhaps at least playing it even with the Cornhuskers.

5.

6. Texas A&M – The four teams that beat the Aggies this year are Alabama, Auburn,

LSU and Missouri. Nothing to be ashamed of there. A&M was talking national title before the year, but the defense just wasn’t good enough.

7.

Vanderbilt – Like Missouri, Vanderbilt beat Georgia, Florida and Tennessee this

year. That’s a “pig’s fly” like accomplishment. Never thought we’d see that. James Franklin’s Commodores are 15-4 in their last 19 games.

8. Georgia – Oh what could have been for the Bulldogs, who were ravaged by injuries

and self-inflicted wounds. The Bulldogs got a precious overtime victory at Tech, the fifth straight for Georgia in the series, and can make it 9-4 with a win over Nebraska.

9. Ole Miss – It was a mixed bag of a year for Ole Miss – just like almost everyone in the

league. Beating Texas and LSU in the same year makes you think it would be a special year.

But Missouri dominated the Rebels and the loss to Mississippi State was crushing.

10. Mississippi State – Beating Ole Miss and earning a bowl berth was a nice end to

what was a tough year for Mississippi State. Early in the season, MSU had the game in hand, but lost to Auburn. My how things turned.

11. Tennessee –The Volunteers nearly beat Georgia and they took down South Car-

olina. But really went south after that upset of the Gamecocks. Missouri, Alabama, Auburn and Vanderbilt all put up big numbers against the Vols.

12. Florida – It was just an awful year for the Gators, who went 4-8, lowlighted by a loss to

Georgia Southern. With what Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer, there two greatest ever coaches, are doing in Columbia and Columbus, that has to raise the ire of the Florida faithful.

Arkansas – The Hogs nearly pulled off the major upset at LSU, but got turned away. After a 3-0 start, Arkansas lost its last nine and went 0-8 in SEC play. The Hogs figure to be better next year, and what Auburn did this season gives everyone hope.

— Jeff Dantzler

Kevin Butler’s players of the game Kevin Butler, former University of Georgia legendary kicker and a member of the Georgia radio broadcast team, will each week during the 2013 football season select his offensive, defensive and special teams players of the week for Bulldawg Illustrated. Here are Butler’s selections and reasons why for the Bulldogs’ 41-34 double-overtime win over Georgia Tech Nov. 30.

OFFENSE – Junior quarterback Hutson Mason, who in making his first start at quarterback in place of the injured Aaron Murray, led the Bulldogs to the big comeback victory (from 20 points down) by completing 22-of-36 passing attempts for 299 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception.

"In his first official start Hutson did an outstanding job in mounting a comeback for the ages," said Butler. "Replacing a four-year starter is no easy task but Hutson did everything needed to secure the 8th win of the season and beat Tech. After having happy feet in the first half because of a tough Georgia Tech pass rush, Hutson settled down to lead the Bulldogs to victory. He will be the man heading into the 2014 season, for a championship run."

DEFENSE – Sophomore strong safety Josh Harvey-Clemons, who was in on six tackles, had his first pass interception of the season, which he returned to the Tech 25-yard line to set up Marshall Morgan's game-tying field goal in regulation play, and also got a hand on the Jackets' deflected pass at the end of the second overtime, which fell incomplete and gave the Bulldogs the thrilling victory.

"Josh is a special player who will go down as one of the best safeties in school history," said Butler. "A great player grows from misfortunes that happen during a game and comes back stronger .... Josh did just that. His six solo tackles and a key interception spurred the defense to make huge stops in the 4th quarter and OTs. Josh is a physical player and will get stronger which will be bad news for opponents in 2014. Great job, Josh!"

13.

SPECIAL TEAMS – Sophomore place-kicker Marshall Morgan, who booted field goals of 40 and 32

14. Kentucky – The Wildcats have a long, long, long way to go. They may be a little

yards, the second enabling Georgia to tie the game at 27-27 and force the overtime periods. He also made all five of his crucial extra-point kicks.

"Marshall completed a great sophomore season," said Butler. "He connected on two key field goals against Tech, one that pulled the Dawgs to within 10 in the second period, and his second field goal tied the game at 27 in the 4th. Marshall is developing into the quality kicker that UGA has become accustomed to over the years. If we can limit our mistakes on special teams we have a placekicker that can win the game for UGA when asked to."

better next season, but the talent gap with the middle of the pack and the elite in the league is a massive one for Mark Stoops to make up.

BI

Men's tennis banquet/Manuel Diaz 25th anniversary

Gerald Kleis, Jennifer Foster, Camille Kleis, Tom Foster, Trey Carter and Sarah Carter

Allen Miller, Joe Capri, Jeff Dantzler and Trey Carter

Eric Seifert, Greg McGarity, David Dick, Bill Kopecky, Gil Gainer and Manuel Diaz

Javier Garripiz, Matt Jackson, Garrett Brasseaux, Austin Smith and Drake Berstein

Casey Key, Ben Wagland, Eric Diaz, Drake Berstein, Antonio Ruiz, Will Oliver and Javier Garripiz

Jim Childs, Jay Laschinger, Al Parker and Bobby Marienchek

Al Parker, Jack Frierson and Bobby Marienchek

Steve Martin and Mark Slonaker

The Juniorr Leaggue u of Atth hens is making n a list and checkingg it twice for

Cookies with Santa!

Sat atu turday ay, Decemb mber 14 from 10:00am m to to 1:00pm at the beau b tifful u and historic Taaylory Grady House on Prince Avenue Bring your little ones for a chance to visit with Santa!

S Photos capture u d by Winggaate Downs Photogrraphy.

Cookiies & refreshments provide i d byy The Cofffeee Shop p of Athens.

Contacct the he Juniior Leagguee of Atheens at 70066--5499--8668888 foor inf nformatioon

Dawg History in your pocket See videos of all the great moments from UGA's colorful football history on your iPhone or iPad. Re-live highlights of your favorite players and much more.

www.ugavault.com 14 • Bulldawg Illustrated

Matt Jackson, Manuel Diaz and Nacho Taboada

Antonio Ruiz and Drake Berstein

Budweiser salutes the more than 140 million American adults who have either been or used a Designated Driver.* Choosing a DD is an important part of every holiday celebration. Thanks for helping to keep our roads safe.

*Source: GFK Custom Research North America, 2013

Š2013 Anheuser-Busch, BudweiserŽ Beer, St. Louis, MO