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BU L L D AWG Issue 6 - Oklahoma State

From the Editor Finally the moment has arrived where all the talk comes to an end.

All the gurus from ESPN to the AJC have anointed the Mighty Gators rulers of the earth in 2009. All the other teams in the country are simply playing for second place if you believe folks like Kirk Herbstreit and Mark Bradley.

And I guess, if you’re a realist, you must admit that a program that has won two national titles in three seasons, that also has most of its starters returning, is certainly deserving of the high accolades and praise. And because of that, Florida must be considered the frontrunners this season.

Bravo Sir Urban and Timmy T. Let me tip my hat to you and your colorful orange and blue faithful. Your run has been exceptional.

However my kudos stop there because like everyone in the Bulldog Nation, I’ve had enough of you. And in a few months, I look forward to a rubber match of AliFrazer proportions.

Round one went to those dancing Dawgs in 2007, which was rightfully paid back last season, with a two timeout Urban Meyer cherry on top. Oh won’t Halloween be fun by the banks of the St. Johns River?

However that clash is many moons away and now it’s time to get ready for a rare opening game on the road for our boys in red and black.

BI

contents

Go west young man.

Come Friday, the team will board jets heading to a place where certainly almost none of them have ever been. However they won’t be alone, as tens of thousands of fans in the Bulldog Nation aren’t going to miss a chance to see what a Big 12 conference school and its fanbase is all about.

I know one thing is for sure, Okie State must be mighty proud of themselves to be charging an astronomical $100 per ticket to enter the newly renovated Boone Pickens Stadium.

Speaking of the ultra-billionaire energy tycoon, I tried earlier in the year to secure an interview with him for this issue of Bulldawg Illustrated. I do believe in what Pickens is preaching and thought Georgia folks would enjoy some space not only dedicated to his plan, but also his love of Oklahoma State.

However Pickens gave BI the snub, so now I’m hoping the Dawgs return the favor by spoiling his stadium dedication. It’s time for some T. Boone for the Bulldog Nation as our cover displays.

Without question, Coach Richt and company will have their hands full with the Cowboys. They can throw and run the ball with great success. However as Jeff Dantzler points out, it’s the Cowboys special teams that could cause the most problems.

However much like the Georgia D, I think last year’s failures will prove to be an awesome motivator once the ball goes in the air for the Bulldogs’ special teams unit. I expect nastiness in all phases and can’t wait for that first bone-jarring hit or spectacular play that will signify what this 2009 team is all about.

Now normally in this issue each year, I make a season prediction. However this year, I have decided to let my actions speak for themselves. I stand by my prediction that the Dawgs will lose one of the first three games.

However that didn’t faze me enough from making hotel reservations in Pasadena beginning on January 6, 2010.

And I won’t be checking out until the 9th because I don’t expect to get much sleep on the 7th or 8th.

Perhaps I truly have finally lost my mind.

But for whatever reason, I think this team is going to defy what all the experts say about their talent level and prove that a championship is won when an entire group is united on all fronts.

On this page is a photo I took of Rod Battle at Picture Day a few weeks ago. To my dismay, Battle held up the number one sign, which is always the kiss of death as far as I’m concerned. However I loved that he stood by his statement, when I asked him whether he was really that confidant. I then told him I had made reservations in California and demanded that he and his defensive brethren not make a fool out of me.

There you have it. The 2009 season begins on Saturday. Can’t wait to see how it all unfolds. Will I fall on my fanatical sword or ride the dream-season donkey all the way to Cali?

FYI … 61 days until kickoff in Jacksonville!

SWEEPSTAKES SWEEPST TA TA AK KES

WINNERS ISSU ISSUE UE #6

6

21

6 Sigma Nu opens new house

15 JD’s Top 25

Both student and alumni brothers showed up in droves to celebrate the fraternity’s return to River Road.

Like most, Dantzler has the Gators leading the pack. And has the Dawgs at #24.

8 Georgia-Oklahoma State preview

18 Hartman Fund football kickoff

Jeff Dantzler sets the stage for what it will take for a Dawgs’ victory in Stillwater.

Always a great crew each year at the Athens Country Club.

11 Expanded gameday coverage Several more hours, including The BI’s Jeff Dantzler.

Murray Poole returns with his annual season series featuring top Dogs and the foundation in their life.

13 Greater Piedmont Touchdown Club

22 Gruff & Grump

Another full season of doing nothing for this catfish eating, football loving crew.

These guys are always upbeat at this time of the year.

Here’s to hoping it continues all season long!

Publisher Cha Cha Cha Publishing Editor Vance Leavy Editorial & Ad Director Cheri Leavy Sports Editor Jeff Dantzler

Public Relations Director Andrew Miller Sales & Marketing Kelley Blanton Jeanne Dodd Austin Keeble Andrew Miller Holly Stanfill

21 Bulldawg Leader: Joe Cox

Sports Murray Poole Layout/Design Vance Leavy Student Interns Mary Boyce Hicks Ryan Scates

Ad Design Cheri Leavy Andrew Miller Tech Support Chris Lee Cover Design Vance Leavy

Columnists Carlton DeVooght Al Hickson Reg Murphy Eddie Roche Rob Sherrell Chad White Web Maven Cheri Leavy Issue 6 - Oklahoma State, September 1, 2009 - Credits: Chris Collins Photography, Georgia Sports Communications, SEC Sports.com

FOR ADVERTISING: call Andrew Miller - 706-248-8053 or andrew@bulldawgillustrated.com

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Bigtime openers good for Dawgs Most of Georgia’s greatest teams have opened their seasons against a quality, big name opponents. There are different theories for different coaches. Some like Pete Carroll of Southern Cal and Florida’s Urban Meyer like playing a lightweight before taking on a tough foe. Other coaches prefer playing a quality foe. Georgia’s legendary hall of fame coach Vince Dooley always said “you know a lot more about your football team, win or lose, when you play a quality opponent in the opener.�

That thinking certainly goes for the Bulldogs in 2009.

Leading off one of nation’s most challenging schedules is ninth-ranked Oklahoma State, led by a sensational trio of skill players with All-American honors littering national awards watch lists.

Mark Richt’s sterling 30-4 road record at the Bulldog helm will be put to one of its sternest tests. In addition to Georgia’s eight annual Southeastern Conference affairs, the Bulldogs play three teams (the Cowboys, Arizona State and Tech) from BCS leagues – a first for an SEC school since college football expanded to a 12-game regular season slate. It’s a schedule filled with landmines, and a victory in the opener would be a huge first step for the 13th-ranked Bulldogs, who enter this season with far less hoopla than a year ago when Georgia was the consensus preseason No. 1.

If the Bulldogs do beat the Cowboys, that’s no guarantee of a BCS bowl and trip to the SEC Championship Game – after all Florida returns one of the greatest college football players ever and its entire defensive two deep. But if Georgia can cry victory in Stillwater, it’s certainly a good sign.

Georgia’s national and SEC champions of 1942, led by Heisman winner Frank Sinkwich, Charley Trippi and George Poschner, nipped Kentucky 7-6 in a game played in Louisville. The Bulldogs would famously go 11-1, rout Florida 75-0, pummel second-ranked Tech 34-0 and then down UCLA 9-0 to win the Rose Bowl.

Trippi, Johnny Rauch, Jack Bush and Joe Tereshinski led Wally Butts second SEC championship team, as the perfect 11-0 Bulldogs won every game by double digits, capped with a 20-10 Sugar Bowl victory over North Carolina.

Georgia, named national champions in one poll, rolled Clemson 35-12 in the season opener.

In 1948, the SEC champion Bulldogs didn’t play a big name foe in the opener, but nipped tough Chattanooga 14-7.

It would be 11 years until the Bulldogs would win another SEC title. Georgia opened the 10-1 campaign of 1959 with a 17-3 victory over Alabama, headed by second year coach Bear Bryant.

Year three of the Dooley era opened with a heart-stopping 2017 win over conference foe Mississippi State in Jackson. The 1966 season ended with a 10-1 record, SEC title and No. 4 national ranking.

In 1968, star-studded Georgia tied Tennessee in Knoxville 17-17 and went on to win the SEC title with an 8-0-2 record. The Bulldogs should have won at Neyland

Stadium. It was the first year that the clock stopped after first downs, and with the Volunteers down 17-9 on the closing drive, Tennessee got a bunch of extra time then scored on a controversial TD and tied it with a twopointer.

With Andy Johnson leading the way, Georgia went 11-1 in 1971. The Bulldogs opened with a 56-25 romp over Oregon State of the PAC-10 and their 300-pound coach Dee Andros, who looked like a giant pumpkin in the Beaver Orange.

Another SEC championship came in 1976, as the Junkyard Dawgs enjoyed a stellar 10-1 regular season that began with a 36-24 victory over Cal and the Golden Bears high octane passing duo of Joe Roth and Wesley Walker.

Georgia just missed out on the SEC title in 1978, going 9-1-1.

The Dogs opened the year with a 16-14 win over Baylor, led by AllAmerican linebacker Mike Singletary.

The 43-4-1 Golden Era of the early ‘80’s featured season openers with Tennessee, Tennessee, Clemson and UCLA. Herschel Walker burst upon the scene in Knoxville, leading the 1980 national champions to a stirring 16-15 victory over the Vols.

Georgia began its SEC title defense with a 1981 season-opening 44-0 pounding of Tennessee.

The most highly anticipated opener in Georgia annals came between the hedges on Labor Day Night 1982, with the 1980 national champion Bulldogs topping 1981 national champion Clemson 13-7, despite Walker forced to limited duty wearing a cast protecting a broken thumb. Georgia would go 11-0 and win a third straight conference title.

In 1983, Georgia went 10-1-1, opening the season with a thrilling 19-8 victory over UCLA and quarterback Rick Neuhisel. The Bulldogs wrapped up the campaign ranked No. 4 in the land.

Georgia’s great 13-1 SEC championship team of 2002 opened the season with a 31-28 victory over Clemson. The Bulldogs of Mark Richt finished No. 3 nationally.

The following year, Georgia fell in the SEC Championship Game, but went 11-3 and finished No. 6. Georgia began its season with a 30-0 pasting of Clemson in Death Valley.

Capturing its last SEC title in 2005, Georgia opened the season with a 48-12 mauling of highly touted Boise State between the hedges.

This season’s opening game foe Oklahoma State kicked off the 2007 campaign in Athens, and the Bulldogs rolled 35-14. Georgia went on to finish No. 2 nationally with an 11-2 mark.

Again, nothing is exact, but history clearly indicates that a vast majority of Georgia’s SEC championship campaigns and elite seasons have begun with victories over big time, name programs.

Oklahoma State certainly qualifies for the part.

Now it’s up to the Bulldogs of 2009 to try and continue the trend by starting a treacherous trail with a signature victory.

Dawgs -27, ‘Pokes - 25

Bulldawg Illustrated

POOLE SHOTS

By Murray Poole

Will Saturday join other great road wins?

Without question, Mark Richt is facing the toughest season-opening opponent in his nine-year tenure at Georgia when the Bulldogs tangle with the 9th-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys Saturday in Stillwater.

Not only in Richt’s time in Athens but the matchup with OSU at newly-renovated Boone Pickens Stadium will be the first time Georgia has opened the season against a top-10 ranked team on the road since way back in 1968, when the Bulldogs tied No. 9 Tennessee 1717 in Knoxville.

So the intensity level on the Oklahoma State campus this Saturday should be off the chart as the 13th-ranked Bulldogs attempt to slow down a Cowboys’ offensive attack that appears to be as explosive as anyone’s in the country.

This game, in fact, looks so attractive on paper that it has triggered my mind to recall some of Georgia’s greatest-ever victories on the road … at least, the ones I was fortunate enough to be able to attend.

First of all, let’s throw out the Bulldogs’ big wins down through the years in Jacksonville. That’s supposed to be a neutral site for Georgia even though the Bulldogs’ record against the Gators the past 20 years might indicate otherwise and isn’t played on the opposing team’s campus.

It surely doesn’t take me over one second to recall the game that I unequivocally make the Bulldogs’ greatest road victory ever.

That would be on Sept. 6, 1980 when a freshman tailback named Herschel Walker rallied Vince Dooley’s eventual national champion Bulldogs to a come-from-behind 16-15 over the host Tennessee Volunteers before 95,000-fans in Knoxville … then the largest crowd in the history of Southern collegiate football.

And the most intriguing thing about that game for me personally was that, 24 hours prior to the kickoff at Neyland Stadium, I didn’t even know that I would be attending it. But on the Friday evening of Sept. 5, as I was covering the Glynn Academy-Brunswick High season opener as sports editor of The Brunswick News, I encountered Frank Inman upon entering the press box at Brunswick’s old Lanier Field. Inman, the former Richmond Academy head coach and offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator under Dooley at Georgia, had only the year before assumed the athletic director position for Glynn County Schools.

“We’ve got an extra seat on the plane to Knoxville tomorrow if you would like to go,” said Inman to me. Of course, I didn’t have to think about Inman’s invitation very long to reply in the affirmative.

Since I had been on the sidelines nearly a year earlier to witness the final game of Herschel Walker’s glorious high school career at Johnson County, I thought what could be better than to see his collegiate debut with the Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium.

So after hastily arranging to secure a working press pass with the Tennessee sports information department, it was off to the land of the Smoky Mountains and the much anticipated opening-game clash with the Vols.

Needless to say, every Bulldog eye in the stadium was on Herschel as he went through the pre-game warm-ups with the rest of the team.

Wearing his new No. 34 jersey -- he wore 43 in high school but that

www.bulldawgillustrated.com

number was taken at UGA Walker certainly looked the part of a future superstar, what with his 6-2, 220pound physique. And everyone knew of the sprinter speed his muscular legs harnessed.

But for a good portion of the game, it looked as if the anxious UGA faithful were only going to see Herschel in the pre-game warmups. But after seeing action on only a couple of plays in the first half, the third quarter was truly to evolve into the coming-out party for Herschel Walker.

When the Bulldogs fell behind the Volunteers 15-2 in that quarter, things were getting desperate for the University of Georgia and I’m sure Dooley and his assistant staff had this collective thought: “Heck, what have we got to lose, let’s throw Herschel in there!” The rest, as you know, is college football history. Herschel ran flat over future NFL star Bill Bates to score his first touchdown on a 16-yard thing of beauty (leaving Larry Munson to scream his famous call into the mike, “My God! a freshman!”), and then Herschel came back early in the fourth period to tie the game on a 9-yard run. Rex Robinson then drilled his second extra-point kick to complete the Bulldogs’ amazing 16-15 comeback win.

Just the dramatics of Georgia’s thrilling win that night coupled with the introduction of likely college football’s greatest-ever running back, has to always put the 1980 Tennessee game at the top of the list when you’re talking about the Bulldogs’ greatest-ever road victories.

But other sterling road triumphs I’ve witnessed while covering the Bulldogs have to be mentioned here as well. Such as: the 27-24 win at Georgia Tech in 1997 (Mike Bobo-to-Corey Allen in the corner with 8 seconds left); the 24-21 win at Auburn in 2002 which launched the Bulldogs toward their first SEC title in 20 years (David Greene-to-Michael Johnson in the corner on 4th-and-15 with just over a minute to play); the 137 victory in 2002 at South Carolina when David Pollack literally took the ball out of the quarterback’s hand in the end zone); the 30-0 season-opening win over Clemson in 2003 at Death Valley, memorable just because of the Bulldogs’ unexpected total domination of the Tigers that day in their own backyard, and last year’s dismantling of LSU when the Dogs hung 52 points on the Tigers at their fabled Tiger Stadium.

And just three spine-tingling road wins I wasn’t able to attend would have to be the 28-24 1971 win over Georgia Tech in Atlanta (Andy Johnson’s heroics and Jimmy Poulos over the top with 14 seconds to play); the famous “hob-nail boot” 26-24 win over Tennessee in 2001 (Greene to Verron Haynes with 5 seconds left), and the stirring 26-23 overtime win over Alabama at Bryant-Denny in 2007 (Matthew Stafford to Mikey Henderson for 25 yards on the Bulldogs’ first offensive play of OT).

Heck, there were so many nailbiting Georgia wins on the road under coaches Butts, Griffith, Dooley, Goff, Donnan and Richt down through the years, you could make your own lengthy list without including a single one of the games I’ve mentioned above.

Let’s hope, come late Saturday afternoon on the Oklahoma plains, we can throw another huge UGA road win onto these lists.

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Orson Charles

Georgia-Oklahoma State Preview

Bryan Evans Photos by Chris Collins

By Jeff Dantzler BULLDAWG ILLUSTRATED In one of the most highly anticipated openers of the Mark Richt era, No. 13 Georgia takes on explosive Oklahoma State, ranked ninth, as the Cowboys christen their newly renovated stadium before a nationally televised audience. Las Vegas has Oklahoma State favored by six points, marking the first time Georgia has opened the season on the road as an underdog, since the miserable 1990 campaign that began with an 18-13 loss at LSU and ended with a 4-7 record.

While the Bulldogs open arguably the most daunting schedule in the country having to replace Knowshon Moreno and Matthew Stafford, the first tailback and quarterback selected in the NFL Draft, Oklahoma State returns one of the nation’s most potent trios of skill position players.

Zac Robinson and Dez Bryant are a premier aerial duo and Kendall Hunter is one of the country’s top tailbacks. Robinson, a senior, was overshadowed by Big XII South rival signal callers Sam Bradford of Oklahoma and Colt McCoy from Texas, both Heisman finalists. But the mobile, strong armed quarterback was every bit as impressive last season, breaking the school single season passing record and moving into the top spot for career total offense at Oklahoma State.

Bryant is Robinson’s favorite target. The consensus first team All-American’s 19 touchdown receptions ranked second nationally, and Bryant was in the top three of the NCAA statistics in four statistical categories – including receiving yards, punt returns and scoring.

Hunter was an All-American a year ago, joining the ranks of Cowboy greats Barry Sanders and Thurman Thomas, after compiling 1,555 yards a year ago to lead the Big XII. Georgia’s defense faces a stiff challenge out of the gate.

Defensive coordinator Willie Martinez’s stop unit took a lot of criticism for its performance down the stretch last year. The Bulldogs surrendered 49 points to Florida, 38 to Kentucky and 45 to Tech. But the special teams, which also horrible in a squeaker win at Auburn, was every bit the equal – if not greater – culprit, in addition to a pair of critical interception returns against the Gators and Yellow Jackets. An incredible rash of injuries struck Georgia last season. Both lines of scrimmage were hit particularly hard and the nearly two dozen season-ending injuries clearly had an enormous trickledown effect on the special teams.

So while the offense faces the daunting challenge of replacing Stafford, Moreno and star re-

ceiver Mohammed Massaquoi, a second round selection, the defense and kicking game must show marked improvement if the Bulldogs are to contend for the Southeastern Conference title and/or continue the nation’s longest streak of 12 straight seasons of eight or more wins.

Tackles Geno Atkins and Jeff Owens, lost in the first quarter of last season’s opener, anchor the middle of the defense. Outside linebacker Rennie Curran is one of the nation’s top defenders and combines with the strong group of tackles to give Georgia a potentially strong front seven. The biggest question mark will be at defensive end, where for the first time in the 2000s, the Bulldogs didn’t have an all-star performer.

One of the most respected coordinators in the business, Martinez has coached the secondary since 2001 and littered the NFL and all-star lists with standout players. But last season, the secondary struggled. ReShad Jones was the only defensive back who had an interception.

Wounded pride and an infusion of young, hungry talent could key a 2009 defensive turnaround.

But what about the offense?

The line could be outstanding. Stacy Searels was an outstanding hire by Mark Richt and he’s done an outstanding job with a young unit the last two years. This season’s front has talent, depth and experience.

Led by the phenomenal sophomore A.J. Green, Georgia should, despite the loss of Massaquoi, be strong at receiver. But the question marks abound at quarterback and tailback.

Veteran fifth-year senior Joe Cox steps into the leading role behind center. His career highlight came as a freshman in 2006, directing a thrilling last minute victory drive over Colorado. If the Bulldogs can establish a strong running game, Cox should be strong throwing off of play-action. Richard Samuel won the starting job at tailback after a strong preseason camp.

The young 18-year old sophomore will be backed up by shifty 5-8, 170 redshirt sophomore Carlton Thomas. Behind Cox is sophomore Logan Gray and true freshman Aaron Murray.

This Georgia team has more question marks, primarily because of the loss of offensive firepower, than any in the Richt era. This could be the toughest opener and most challenging schedule of his nine year tenure.

Last season the Bulldogs were under the intense glare of the preseason No. 1 national ranking. A year later, Georgia is a six point underdog in Stillwater. Richt, one of college football’s winningest coaches, knows how to get it done on the road. Under his watch, the Bulldogs are 30-4 in opposing teams’ stadiums.

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Bulldawg Illustrated

Rowdy Cowboys

Scouting report

By Murray Poole BULLDAWG ILLUSTRATED

ranked 109th among 119 Division I-A teams) and surrendering 28.1 points per game, the Cowboys are coming in with a new mindset this season under new coordinator Bill Young, who was The Georgia defense may not face a team all season that at Miami last season. Behind the play of shutdown corner Cox possesses more offensive weapons than do the Bulldogs’ season- and fellow DBs Terrance Anderson, Lucien Antoine and Victor Johnson, the OSU secondary, at least, promises to be much opening opponent Saturday, the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Yes, that includes the defending national champion Florida stingier this season. Increased blitz packages installed by Young should greatly help the OSU defense’s performance.

Gators, whom the Bulldogs encounter on HalIt’s no wonder that Oklahoma State fans, loween in Jacksonville. aware of their team’s explosive offensive arseThe No. 9-ranked Cowboys of Mike nal, are feeling pretty confident yeah, even Gundy (he of the “I’m a Man” tirade) sported cocky about their team’s chances against the the most balanced offense in the country last Dogs on Saturday. season when they rushed for 3,191 yards and “We’re going to beat Georgia within an passed for 3,149 en route to a 9-4 record and inch of their lives,” one Cowboy fan boldly with eight starters returning on offense, Oklapredicted. homa State appears poised to better those Said another, “If we start blowing UGA marks in 2009. out, should our team treat them how Florida In senior quarterback Zac Robinson, jundid last season and just start toying around ior wide receiver Dez Bryant and junior tailwith them or should we be classy? Not saying back Kendall Hunter, the Cowboys have three we are going to blow them out. Just asking if of the very top skill players in the nation to it were to happen.” throw at Willie Martinez’s Georgia defense Sat“Georgia fans have no idea what is waiturday (3:30-ABC-TV) in Stillwater. Robinson OSU coach, Mike Gundy ing for them in Stillwater,” exclaimed still an(6-3, 218) threw for 3,064 yards and 25 touchdowns last season while completing 65 percent of his other long-time Oklahoma State supporter. “Georgia may not passes. The nimble-footed quarterback also ran for 562 yards play better when at home, but OSU does, and this year the Cowand eight scores last season. The high-jumping, sure-handed boys are doing it with a top 15 team. Many Bulldog fans like to Bryant (6-2, 220) pulled in 87 passes for 1,480 yards and 19 shout, ‘We heard all the same stuff from Hawaii.’ Guys, OSU isn’t touchdowns in 2008, and Hunter (5-8, 197) rushed for 1,555 Hawaii. They are a BCS team ranked well inside the top 15 in the yards and 16 touchdowns. The Sporting News has labeled country, and you are headed to their house.”

One Cowboy fan was confident the much-maligned OklaRobinson and Bryant, who also excels as a kickoff and punt returner, as the top quarterback-receiver combo in the nation this homa State defense will step up to the plate against the Bulldogs this weekend. season.

“I’m feeling optimistic about our defense,” he said. “I think In addition to those three, another force the Bulldogs must contend with Saturday is senior cornerback Perrish Cox (6-0, we will surprise everyone. I foresee us causing disruptions with 198), a superb kick returner who had 895 yards in kickoff re- their passing timing, especially with a new quarterback. My preturns last season while averaging right at 30 yards per return. In diction is that we hold Georgia to 17 or less.”

The Bulldogs and Cowboys will be staging only their fourth his career at OSU, Cox has taken back four kickoffs for touchdowns, one more than Heisman winner Barry Sanders did dur- meeting Saturday, with Georgia having won all three previous matchups, including a 35-14 win over OSU in the 2007 season ing his glorious career with the Cowboys.

Defensively, Oklahoma State doesn’t look quite as potent. opener in Athens.

But after yielding 267.7 passing yards a game in 2008 (which

#1 Dez Bryant, WR 6-2, 220 Jr. Lufkin, Texas Teaming with Zac Robinson to give Oklahoma State one of the most dynamic passing attacks, Bryant was a consensus first team All-American selection a year ago, ranking in the top three nationally in four statistical categories. The speedy phenom hauled in 19 touchdown passes a year ago, the second best total in the country, while averaging 113.9 yards per game, placing third in the final NCAA statistics. Doubly dangerous on special teams, Bryant averaged 17.9 yards per punt return, third best in the land. His 9.69 points per game was the country’s second best tally. Bryant has scored 27 touchdowns in 25 career games. One of the most accomplished players in Cowboy history, Bryant was a freshman All-American in 2007, a Biletnikoff Award finalist in ’08 and was the Big XII Special Teams Player of the Year. #24 Kendall Hunter, TB 5-8, 197 Jr. Tyler, Texas Over shadowed by Zac Robinson, Dez Bryant and the Cowboys powerful passing attack, Hunter had a monster 2008 campaign, and rounds out one of college football’s top trio of skill players. Oklahoma State has a great history of standout tailbacks, highlighted by Barry Sanders and Thurman Thomas.

Hunter is arguably the ‘Pokes best since those legendary AllAmericans. Hailing from the same hometown as the “Tyler Rose,” all-time Texas Longhorn legend Earl Campbell, Hunter led the Big XII in rushing a year ago with 1,555 yards, earning All-American honors by the Football Writers Association. Hunter is tough to bring down and boasts serious quicks. Like Sanders, his diminutive stature allows Hunter to “hide” behind the Cowboys big linemen. He’s tough for tacklers to find. #11 Zac Robinson, QB 6-3, 218 Sr. Littleton, Colorado He plays in the same division with reigning Heisman winner Sam Bradford and Heisman finalist Colt McCoy, but Zac Robinson takes a backseat to no one as one of college football’s elite signal callers. A 2008 Manning Award Finalist and Davey O’Brien Award Semifinalist, this gunslinger became Oklahoma State’s career leader in total offense after throwing for 3,064 yards and running for 562 a year ago. Robinson is the NCAA’s fifth ranked career active passer and ranked fifth nationally in passing last season. Robinson is a big time big play threat,. With Bryant as his star target, Robinson completed 24 passes of 30 or more yards and three runs that covered more than 20. He headlines one of the top skill position trios in all of college football and is the trigger man for one of the nation’s deadliest attacks.

- Jeff Dantzler

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A view from Stillwater

By Jeff Dantzler BULLDAWG ILLUSTRATED Dave Hunziker, the voice of the Cowboys, took some time to talk with Jeff Dantzler about the Bulldogs and Cowboys.

How does this trio of skill position players compare to some of the best that Oklahoma State has had (like Mike Gundy, Thurman Thomas and Hart Lee Dykes)?

It's very difficult to compare players from different eras because the game is so different and because I didn't see Gundy, Dykes, and Sanders every day as I do these players. Zac Robinson and Mike Gundy are very different...Robinson is a run/pass quarterback where Mike was a fine drop back passer. Sanders is as good as any that ever played the game, but Hunter is a shifty back that's sneaky fast. Bryant is the best I've ever seen anywhere. He can catch anything within a zip code of his body, has amazing body control, and huge hands that allow him do make plays that leave you shaking your head. Bryant appears to be on his way to becoming a big-time NFL receiver.

How does Zac Robinson compare with Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy? Zac Robinson is a very different player than those guys. He's a true dual threat as he can hurt you with his arm and his legs on every down. He doesn't have the arm of Sam Bradford, but he's very, very smart and makes the correct throws. He doesn't try to do things that he's not capable of.

His presence in the running game really complicates an already difficult situation for opposing defenses as they try to stop the run and give extra attention to Dez Bryant.

How important is this opener for Oklahoma State on a national stage?

This opener is huge for Oklahoma State on all fronts, national and local. It's being called the biggest non-conference home game in school history and I agree with that assessment. Last year, the Cowboys beat Missouri in Columbia when the Tigers were ranked #2. But that was a good matchup for the Cowboys in that Missouri was a spread team that relied on speed. The Cowboys were beat up in the bowl game physically by Oregon, a loss that stung the squad not because of the opponent, but because the Ducks really took it to the Cowboys physically. The players have vowed never to let that happen again. So Georgia, with its tremendous tradition and national profile, will bring a team to Stillwater that is an almost polar opposite of Oklahoma State: a big, physical team that comes right at you. A win over a very good and very physical Bulldog team would give the Cowboys enormous confidence and credibility nationwide, because this is the type of team that has typically given OSU trouble.

How important is the Georgia game in terms of building the Cowboys confidence for the biggies later in the year with Texas and Oklahoma?

See the answer to number three. OU and Texas are different that Georgia in terms of philosophy, but to beat a powerful squad in week one would certainly help the Cowboys down the line. If OSU beats Georgia, there's a very good chance that the Cowboys will be 7-0 when Texas comes to Stillwater on Halloween. That could result in the toughest ticket ever for an Oklahoma State football game when the Longhorns visit Boone Pickens Stadium.

How important is this season for Oklahoma State?

To use a poker reference, it's not all-in, but it's close. The Cowboys went heavily to the junior college ranks two years ago (Feb. 2008 signing class) because they knew that 2009 could be a huge year for Oklahoma State. At least six of those JC transfers will play prominent roles, primarily on defense. They've continued to recruit well and have a very strong list of early committments for next

February. But there could be as many as 14 senior starters on the field for the opener against the Bulldogs. Two of those are lock first-round NFL draft choices (Russell Okung, senior OT, and Dez Bryant, junior WR, assuming Dez leaves early). There are two or three other seniors that will probably be drafted. The point is: this is by far the most talented team that the Cowboys have had in my eight years here. Mike Gundy has done a tremendous job in raising the talent level. For example, just four Cowboys have been drafted in the last four years, and only one has been taken higher than the fourth round (TE Brandon Pettigrew, 1st round this year to Detroit). It's probable that at least four Cowboys will be selected next spring, and that's a conservative estimate.

The Cowboys will have talent next year, but it won't be the proven, high-level talent that they have now. There are eight home games this year, and Oklahoma State will probably be favored in all of its road games except the regular season finale at Oklahoma. All four non-conference games are in Stillwater. So this is the year everyone has been waiting for. The problem is, Texas and Oklahoma will be national title contenders, which means that the best team in OSU history could finish third in its division. And you can hear the groan from Cowboy fans all the way to Athens...

Do the Cowboys need to beat Texas and/or Oklahoma this year?

The fact is, beating OU in Norman will be tough, regardless of what is on the line. The Cowboys have a better shot at topping Texas in Stillwater. It's been the series of heartbreaks for OSU. Last year, the Cowboys had a last second throw to the end zone fall incomplete against the then topranked Longhorns in Austin. It was Oklahoma State's first loss. Two years ago, OSU led Texas 3514 entering the 4th quarter and lost 38-35 in Stillwater. The Cowboys led 35-7 in the second quarter in Austin in 2004 and lost. One could argue that the Pokes are due to beat the 'Horns.

Is Mike Gundy, who was a great player in Stillwater, held in high regard by the fan base?

Mike Gundy is certainly a favorite son here. He had a reputation as a tough, confident undersized quarterback who wouldn't back down from anyone and had the skills to back it up. He has coached in the same way. He wants to offer the best of everything to his players but expects high performance in return. He still has a presence in the OSU record books, but current quarterback Zac Robinson has surpassed many of his marks. The fans appreciate his loyalty to OSU, and his attitude that this is his "New York Yankees job" with no intentions to leave. It used to be hard for Oklahoma State to retain top coaches (both head coaches and assistants), but that's changed in recent years. Boone Pickens generosity has helped change the landscape of Cowboy football and OSU athletics as the football program now has the resources it needs to succeed.

What has T. Boone Pickens meant to Oklahoma State?

Boone Pickens has forever changed Oklahoma State and the way that Cowboy fans and OSU alumni perceive their school. There was a serious inferiority complex here several years ago when the entire athletic department struggled financially and the stadium was an eyesore (the joke was that you needed a tetanus shot to go in the stadium because of all the rust). Boone Pickens' gifts have resulted in a total transformation of the football stadium and support facilities, and football experts say that the OSU facilities may be the best in all of football, both college AND PRO. The fact that Mr. Pickens gave the money immediately, and not over a long-time span, allowed Oklahoma State to immediately build its facilities and do so without the massive debt that other schools endure for the sake of renovations. OSU fans, because of Boone Pickens, now believe that great things can happen here. No one felt that way 10 years ago. Mr. Pickens has been very, very generous to his alma mater and hopes to see high-level success in football in his lifetime.

Thanks to his gifts, the resources and facilities are in place for that to happen.

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Gameday coverage expanded with new additions to broadcast team Georgia Sports Communication and Bulldawg Illustrated

By Murray Poole BULLDAWG ILLUSTRATED Go to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France and you’re liable to run into fans of the Georgia Bulldogs. Visit Fairbanks, Alaska in the summertime and you’re apt to see several guys wearing red and black caps that sport the big “G.�

It seems, these days, the Bulldawg Nation goes world-wide and now, thanks to a unique partnership of the University of Georgia Athletics Association and North Carolina-based ISP Sports, Bulldog fans from everywhere will be getting increased exposure to not only Georgia football but, all the other sports on campus as well.

The deal hashed out by Georgia and ISP (International Sports Properties) is an extremely lucrative one for the university as ISP Sports will pay $92.8 million over eight years for a wide range of UGA marketing and media rights. “The overall deal is a fantastic deal for Georgia,� said Alan Thomas, UGA’s associate athletics director for external operations, “but the great thing that goes with it, beyond dollars and cents, is the creation of this opportunity to tell more stories. We want at times to be able to control our own messaging but also to be able to tell the whole story of our athletics program.�

With the new arrangement, there will be an expanded football radio broadcast, beginning this coming season. On game days, the Georgia Tailgate Show on the Bulldogs’ network will run for four hours, instead of three, and a two-hour post-game call-in show will also continue. Joining play-by-play broadcaster Scott Howard, color analyst Eric Zeier, and Tailgate Show co-hosts Loran Smith and Neil “Hondo� Williamson on the new broadcast team will be veteran radio personality and Bulldawg Illustrated columnist and writer Jeff Dantzler, former Bulldog All-America and All-Pro placekicker Kevin Butler, former standout Georgia quarterback David Greene and WSB-TV sports director Chuck Dowdle.

Dowdle will conduct the post-game locker room interviews, Dantzler and Butler will cohost the new first hour of the pre-game show from the new Hotel Indigo in downtown Athens, and the two will also host the post-game call-in after home games. For the road games, Dantzler will team with Greene on the pre-game and post-game shows. Smith will continue with his sideline reporting. In related programming, Dantzler and Butler will also host the Sunday morning Bulldog Brunch radio call-in show, which will now run an extra 30 minutes from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and be available to all Georgia network affiliates. Howard will continue hosting the Monday Night Bulldog Hotline show with Georgia head coach Mark Richt, and Dowdle will con-

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tinue as host of the Sunday “Inside Georgia Football� television program with Richt which will be aired on Fox SportsSouth at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and be available to all the over-the-air Fox affiliates. “This all started with our deal with ISP,� said Thomas. “They have a plethora of experience in broadcasting and this is just a unique situation which enables us to get more Georgia athletics out to everyone. “Georgia football has listeners all over the state,� said Thomas, “but one of the best markets we have is on Game Day because people are right here on campus. We’ve got 92,000 people waiting for Georgia to play and we want to give them as much Georgia football as we can. Like I said, this campus turns into one of the biggest markets in the state that day.�

Thomas said he’s extremely excited about Georgia’s newly-revamped broadcast team and says the Bulldawg Nation should be as well. “When Eric came in, it was the first time we’ve had a former Georgia player in a long time,â€? he said. “Eric played for Coach (Ray) Goff and nobody has a better perspective of a game than a former quarterback. Kevin Butler is a guy who played on some of Georgia’s great teams in the ‘80s and had a fantastic professional career,â€? said Thomas. “He’s seen football at all levels. David (Greene) brings to the team a different perspective in that he is the first former player under Coach Richt to join the broadcast ‌ he’s been in that locker room and again brings that quarterback’s perspective. And Jeff (Dantzler) is a guy who maybe knows the most about Georgia football history, right in there with Dan Magill and Claude Felton. Jeff will be a really good pairing with Kevin and David. And Chuck Dowdle will do the post-game interviews in the locker room.

Chuck is always there doing his TV interviews and Coach Richt’s TV show anyway.� “I’m really excited about it,� said Butler. “I think my working with Jeff is a good mix, for both of us.� “A lot is new but also, a lot hasn’t changed,� emphasized Thomas. “Loran and Hondo will still be there for the pre-game show and Eric and Scott will be on there, too. And with the entire broadcast, we’re only expanding an hour from what it was before on Game Day.�

What Thomas is extremely proud of in the new broadcast arrangement is the Georgia athletic department’s newly-launched, revamped Web site, georgiadogs.com “It will be much more video coverage, everything from how the volleyball team is doing to football practice updates, comments from the coaches and so forth. In other words, all things Georgia. It will be like a ‘Georgia SportsCenter.’ And there will be a significant amount of free content on there.�

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Dawg Days - Atlanta

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Picture Day

Coach Richt and Alex Rogers

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Jeff Dantzler’s Top 25 This is a royal ranking with big boys littering the top five to 10 in all the polls. Florida is trying to win a third national title in four years. Southern Cal is aiming for an eighth straight trip to the BCS. Oklahoma and Ohio State have played for a combined seven national titles (winning a total of two) in the 2000s. Texas plays an embarrassingly easy schedule. It’s pretty good odds that the two teams that play for the national title will come out of this group.

— Jeff Dantzler

1. Florida – The Gators have won two of the last three national championships, and they return Tim Tebow and their entire defense. Florida has never had an undefeated season, so this is the last big hurdle for the program to clear and end a second straight decade of amazing excellence. Remember, Florida had never won an SEC Title before Steve Spurrier’s arrival in 1990.

2. Southern Cal – If the Trojans can win at Ohio State, then all they’ll have to do is take of business in the PAC-10. Without Mark Sanchez and with solid teams at Oregon, Oregon State and Cal, that won’t be a gimme.

3. Texas – The winner of the Red River Shootout will be right in the mix for the BCS Championship Game, as was the case last year, when the loser actually played for it. Can Texas find a tailback to compliment Colt McCoy? 4. Ohio State – Terrell Pryor should be the best offensive player in the Big Ten (11), and much like USC in the PAC-10, the Buckeyes recruit the top material in their league year after year. If Ohio State can get past USC, a return to the BCS Championship Game could be in the cards.

5. Oklahoma – Like McCoy and Tebow, Sam Bradford chose to return to school. Like Texas and Florida, the Sooners are rejoicing. Oklahoma must retool its offensive line, but the backfield is dynamite and the defense should be very good.

6. Ga. Tech – Paul Johnson has the Yellow Jackets and with the ACC and what is not a typically daunting Georgia on the schedule, Tech has a chance to make a BCS run. Johnathan Dwyer and Morgan Burnett are two of the country’s best players.

7. LSU – Buoyed by their blowout win over Ga. Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, the Tigers carry some momentum in 2009. LSU has been dynamite in odd numbered years. The Tigers won the SEC in ’01, the national title in ’03, played for the SEC Championship in ’05, and won the national title in ’09. Getting Charles Scott back greatly buoyed their championship chances.

8. Alabama – Nick Saban has the Bama faithful in a frenzy. The 12-0 start had the Houndstooth Elephants reliving the glory days of the 1960s and ‘70s. Losing Andre Smith and having to work in a new quarterback probably means a run at the big prize won’t happen, this year. But the Tide will be right there with LSU and Ole Miss in the fight for the SEC West. Freshman tailback Trent Richardson could be great.

9. Oklahoma State – Zac Robinson and Dez Bryant will put up a lot of points and a lot of yardage. How good will the defense be.

The Cowboys gave up an average of 44 points over its last four games. They’ll know a lot more after opening the season with the Dawgs in Stillwater. It’s too bad for Oklahoma State and Texas Tech that they play in the Big XII South with Texas and the Sooners.

13. Ole Miss – Can the Rebels handle the hefty expectations? And they’ll have to do so after losing two of the best linemen in the nation, first round picks Michael Oher (left tackle) and Peria Jerry (defensive tackle).

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14. Boise State – This is as safe a top 25 pick as you’ll find. No matter who the coach, quarterback or proposing tailback is, the Blue Turf Broncos always seem to win 11, 12 or 13 games. It’s too bad they aren’t in the same league with Utah, BYU and TCU. 15. Brigham Young – When BYU has a four year senior starting quarterback, the Cougars are a great bet to win the league. The last four times that’s happened, BYU has won the WAC or Mountain West. Both Utah and TCU visit Provo.

16. Oregon – Mike Belotti moved upstairs and is now Oregon’s athletic director. Chip Kelly takes over as head coach and he has a talented team to work with. The Ducks used to be a laughing stock, but since Rich Brooks took them to the Rose Bowl following the 1994 campaign, Oregon has been one of the PAC-10’s best programs.

17. Nebraska – Bo Pellini has the Big Red faithful hopeful and excited after nine wins and a Gator Bowl victory over Clemson. Keep in mind, ten years ago, that would have been the Cornhuskers worst season in three decades and the sky would be falling.

18. Utah – Twice in the last five years, the Runnin’ Utes have posted an undefeated season and won a BCS Bowl. No other school can say that they have done both of those in the same year on two occasions.

Expect Utah and BYU to battle for the Mountain West with TCU in the picture.

19. Florida State – As always the Seminoles have a lot of talent. The legendary Bobby Bowden would love one last run at glory, and it’s too bad that again the school has NCAA issues to deal with. A decade ago, who would have ever thought that Florida State would be looking up in the ACC. 20. Cal – The Golden Bears have shown the propensity to have mediocre seasons when they’re expected to have good ones. The top half of the PAC-10 is very strong and Cal figures to be one of the top challengers to USC’s run of seven straight conference championships.

21. Houston – The Cougars figure to put up a bunch of points led by quarterback Case Keenum. Conference USA always gives a pretty good team to put up a great record, especially if they’ve got a standout in the backfield.

22. TCU – Gary Patterson just churns out 10-win seasons. He’s right there with Pete Carroll, Mack Brown, Mark Richt, Urban Meyer and Jim Tressell when it comes to chalking up double digit victory campaigns.

TCU is a team that is always a threat to bust the BCS, if the Horned Frogs can handle BYU and Utah.

10. Penn State – Thanks to the kid from Iowa for making that kick so Penn State didn’t give the Big Ten (11) another sham appearance in the national title game. Joe Paterno has his quarterback Daryll Clark and tailback Evan Royster back to lead the way for the league’s likely runner up.

23. Arkansas – The Razorbacks have a very difficult schedule, but Bobby Petrino’s team made big strides down the stretch last season and should be improved in 2009 thanks in large part to highly touted Michigan transfer quarterback Ryan Mallett.

11. Virginia Tech – The Hokies are thinking that if they go undefeated, they need quality non conference wins to get in the national championship game. Virginia Tech opens the season with Alabama in the Georgia Dome and hosts Nebraska.

24. Georgia – One of college football’s best programs of the last 12 years lost a great deal of talent to the NFL and faces arguably the toughest schedule in the country. In addition to the SEC grind, the Dogs get Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Arizona State and Ga. Tech in Atlanta.

12. Oregon State – Florida and Oklahoma are both big fans of the Beavers, who handed Southern Cal that September loss, keeping the Trojans out of the BCS Championship Game. Jacquizz Rodgers has some juice at tailback.

25. Louisiana Tech – Derrick Dooley is a tremendous coach – you can take young out of it. His Bulldogs beat Mississippi State and topped Northern Illinois to win the Independence Bowl. Watch out Auburn, La. Tech visits the plains to open the season.

www.bulldawgillustrated.com

15

Hartman Fund football kickoff - Athens Country Club

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(left-right) Sonny Seiler, Arnett Mace, Swann Seiler and Sarah Story

(left-right) Claude Williams, Barbara Hartman and Dave Muia (left-right) Mark Richt, Delois and Lewis Gainey

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16

Bulldawg Illustrated

Jeff Dantzler’s five keys to stampeding in Stillwater 1. Limit Big Plays – Oklahoma State is one of the nation’s most explosive offensive teams, picking up yards in big chunks with the pass and run. Zac Robinson completed 24 passes of at least 30 yards a year ago and his favorite target Dez Bryant is a weapon through the air and on punt returns, ranking third nationally with an average of 17.9 per. Kendall Hunter led the Big XII in rushing in 2008, chalking up 1,555 yards, meaning defenses can’t just lay back and worry about the pass. Plus Robinson moved well, though he has been plagued by a tweaked hamstring in the preseason. For Georgia to win, the defense must make Oklahoma State “work” for their scores. Often times, teams that score big points on big plays get impatient offensively when they’re slowed down in tight games. That’s when defenses can turn the tables and produce gamechanging plays.

2.

Pressure Zac Robinson – This one’s obvious. If Robinson has plenty of time to

back, and a physical ground attack will open up the play-action passing game for Joe Cox and Georgia’s talented receiving corps led by super sophomore A.J. Green. Carlton Thomas could be a multi dimensional weapon out of the backfield. The Southeastern Conference is the fastest and most physical league in the land. If the Bulldogs can take the fight to the Cowboys will a powerful running game, the fourth quarter should belong to Georgia. Under Mark Richt’s watch, the Bulldogs are 37-3 when a tailback runs for over 100 yards.

4.punts,Conquering the Kicking Game – Good kickoffs, coverage, quality returns, not turning the ball over and making field goals … the Dogs need to do it all.

Down the stretch, after a slew of injuries had beaten down the Bulldogs depth, Georgia struggled mightily on special teams. Drew Butler, son of the greatest college football kicker ever, takes over as the full time punter. He’ll be angling for serious hang-time to limit Bryant’s effectiveness on punt returns. In season openers, special teams miscues can make the difference. Richt has said that most every true freshman will play, largely to give the Dogs more punch and speed in the kicking the game.

throw, then the Bulldogs are in big trouble.

Throughout the 2000s, Georgia had been able to generate a pass rush with a bevy of standout defensive ends – until last season. The Bulldogs defensive interior could potentially be one of college football’s best. But the ends remain a question Embrace mark, particularly since potential sophoRennie Curran the Atmosphere – more star Justin Houston must sit out the first This is one of the most two games. Jon Fabris has done a terrific job highly anticipated coaching the position, and he’s pushing for imgames ever played in proved pressure from the edge. Senior Rod Battle Stillwater. Yes, Texas and has had a good preseason camp and fellow senior Oklahoma have rolled in for some big ones, but this is a Marcus Washington moved to end from middle linephoto by Chris Collins royal program from the Southeastern Conference to open backer, as the Dogs hope to find another Marcus Howard. a promising season for the Cowboys. Georgia has shown But that move and verbal commitments from five defensive ends should certhe ability to rise to the challenge in hostile environments, tainly send a message to players at the position. The Dogs don’t want to have while compiling a record 12 season run with at least eight victories. One of to blitz too often, so obviously pressure from up front is the key. Plus Robin- the most staggering statistics for college coaches, Richt’s Bulldogs are 30-4 in son is dangerous with his feet, so the ends will have to contain. opposing teams’ stadiums. The newly renovated stadium, funded by billionaire oil tycoon and energy pioneer T. Boone Pickens, will be raucously rockLead with the run – Georgia’s offensive line should be a primary ing. But the Bulldogs won in Knoxville in 2005, Auburn in ’06, Tuscaloosa in strength, and they’ll be leaned on heavily as the Bulldogs have a huge transi- ’07 and LSU a year ago. This would be another nice pelt to add to the imtion in the backfield. The hard-running Richard Samuel is the starter at tail- pressive collection of road victims.

5.

3.

6

degrees of the bulldawg nation

be sure you see every issue of bulldawg illustrated... you don’t want to miss your former girlfriend or your sorority sister’s daughter or your neighbor’s son on the golf team RU \RXU ROG URRPPDWH¶V GDXJKWHU¶V QHZ ¿DQFH RU \RXU EXVLQHVV SDUWQHU¶V VRQ¶V WDLOJDWH FUHZ \RX JHW WKH SLFWXUH \RX ZLOO NQRZ VRPHRQH

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17

SPONSOR

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Q: Who is your favorite player on the current UGA roster and why?

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TRIVIA CONTEST Last issueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s TRIVIA question and answer:

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Jason Wood of Augusta, GA

This issueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s question:

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Q: What makes you a true Bulldog?

A: Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m an alumni and my family all went to UGA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; even my grandmother. I own a white English Bulldog named Walker and I have a UGA tattoo.

Q: What is the most memorable play you have experienced in person?

A: David Greene and his play action ball fake against Auburn.

Q: Which one of our rivals do you enjoy beating the most and why?

A: Florida because it is great to be a Gator Hater!

Q: What makes your tailgating scene so special?

A: Good friends, food, tunes and spending a few hours getting ramped up for the game!

FANS OF THE WEEK Branndon Veale of Warner Robins, GA Q: Other than Herschel, who is your favorite Bulldog and why? $ 1R TXHVWLRQ %LOO\ %HQQHWW ZDV WKH GHĂ&#x20AC;QLWLRQ RI ´&OXWFKÂľ :KHQ the tiny number 30 lined up behind the ball he put me at ease in intense situations. Kickers are overlooked so much in football, but if I was to put the game in any Dawgâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hands (or foot) it would be Billy Bennett!

Q: Who is your favorite player on the current UGA roster and why?

A: A.J. Green. He is going to be an impact player in the coming season of rebuilding where a lot of people are counting us out.

Q: What makes you a true Bulldog?

A: To put it simply, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not a bandwagon fan. It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter if we go 0-12 or win it all, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be bleeding red and barking loud!

Q: What is the most memorable play you have experienced in person?

A: In 2007 the only seats I could get to the cocktail party was in the FL student section. When 0RUHQR VFRUHG WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW 7' DQG WKH ZKROH WHDP WRRN WKH Ă&#x20AC;HOG IRU FHOHEUDWLRQ PH DQG P\ buddy Chris cheered loud in an extremely hostile territory.

Q: Which one of our rivals do you enjoy beating the most?

A: I think every dawg fan gets the most enjoyment out of beating FL. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think an explanation is in order.

Q: What makes your tailgating scene so special?

A: As a business owner, I cannot make it to as many games as I used to. So most of the year now days I get together with 200 of my closest friends and make Kippers Sports Grill the biggest Dawg House in Warner Robins!!!

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18

Bulldawg Illustrated

Celebrity golf tournament

(left-right) Cicero Lucas, O’Neill Willams and Gail Williams

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(left-right) Jeff Bell, Darryl Huckaby and Liz Bell

(left-right) Linda Purks, John Purks, Grace Taylor, Cator Hartley and Benita Nelson (left-right) Dave Venghaus, Suzanne Yoculan, Ray Goff and Cicero Lucus

(left-right) Eve Haanio, Flo Perry, Brenda Stancil and Diana Falletta

(left-right, front row) Chase Drew, Mike Cheesman, Dawn Tibbles, Brittani Minnish, Amy Gibson, Matt Erdmann and Sean Floyd (left-right, back row) Chad Razey, Grant Casper, Mike O'Malley, Chuck Lambert and Marc Beechuck

(left-right) Lisa Price, Ted Price, Pam Shockley, David Shockley, Michelle Femiano, Mike Femiano, Sam Dabbs, Sam Marra and Jean Anne Marra

(left-right) Hank Randolph, Lauren Schuster, Stan Hunt, Tom Strickland, Dan (left-right) Stan Berg, Scott Woerner, Jim VandenBerg Rogers, Suzanne Yoculan and Bubba Wadley

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(left-right) Pam Shockley, Suzanne Yoculan, Ginny Tomlinson , Theresa Johnson, Nicole Gray

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19

COLLEGE FOOTBALL CONJECTURE

By Jeff Dantzler

Need a mobile QB in SEC, watch out for Dooley’s Dogs In a new Bulldawg Illustrated feature, Dantzler will spotlight some insightful commentary from his various shows and we’ll preview some of the major games and top stories of the week.

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Since 1998, the SEC has produced five quarterbacks who have been the number one overall pick in the NFL Draft: Peyton Manning, Tim Couch, Eli Manning, JaMarcus Russell and Matthew Stafford. This quintet started at their schools for 14 years and won one SEC title (Peyton Manning led Tennessee to the 1997 conference championship).

Since 1998, the SEC has produced five national champions. Of the five primary signal callers – Tee Martin (Tennessee, 1998), Matt Mauck (LSU, 2003), Chris Leak (Florida, 2006), LSU (Matt Flynn, 2007) and Florida (Tim Tebow, 2008) – the highest pick was Martin, a fifth rounder in the 2000 draft. Obviously, this could change greatly as Tebow is back for his senior season.

Hall of Fame coach Jim Donnan Donnan’s take on this staggering stat: “Go get yourself a mobile quarterback. The defenses are so fast in the SEC, it’s a huge plus to have somebody who can move around. A mobile quarterback makes it very tough for defenses to play man coverage. When those corners have their backs turned or are covering a deep route, a good running quarterback can really hurt a defense.”

960 the Ref co-host, Chris Brame’s take on the Fighting Irish and the possibility of a great record: “For all of this talk about Notre Dame’s schedule being soft and that’s why they’re going to win 10 games, they’re essentially playing the same schedule they did a year ago when they went 7-6.

This would be an easy schedule if Oklahoma or Texas was facing it, but this is Notre Dame. And this is not 1977 Notre Dame.”

Marquee Match-ups Premier SEC Showdown Alabama vs. Virginia Tech For the second straight season, Alabama kicks off its campaign in the Georgia Dome against one of the ACC’s best. A year ago, the Crimson Tide served notice and crippled Clemson’s season out of the gates with a 34-10 thrashing of the Tigers in Atlanta. It figures to be a tougher assignment this year. Even though the Hokies lost tailback Maurice Evans for the season with a knee injury, Frank Beamer’s club still figure to right there with the other ACC Tech as the top challengers for the conference title. Bama meanwhile must replace its super All-American left tackle bulldozer Andre Smith and quarterback John Parker Wilson. In Nick Saban’s third year at LSU, the Tigers lost the 2002 season opener to the Hokies in Blacksburg. It probably won’t be easy, but Bama should pull this one out in Atlanta. Keep an eye on Crimson Tide true freshman tailback Trent Richardson, who could be one of the SEC’s best.

Will they be back in the ACC? Miami vs. Florida State For two decades, this was often the biggest game in the country. But both Miami and Florida State have fallen a couple of rungs on the latter. The primary beneficiaries have been the rest of the ACC – Virginia Tech, Boston College, Wake Forest and Ga. Tech have all been in recent conference title games – and Florida. The Gators have dominated the sunshine state in recruiting, capturing two of the last three national championships and earning the No. 1 spot in this year’s preseason poll. Florida State appears closer to being back in the top ten than the Hurricanes, but both teams still have plenty of athletes who can run, especially on defense.

SEC Upset Alert Auburn vs. Louisiana Tech Gene Chizik had better have the Tigers ready. Derrick Dooley has Louisiana Tech sky high after leading the Bulldogs from Ruston, La. to an 8-5 record that included a win over Mississippi State and bowl victory. Auburn should be good on defense, but the Tigers have some serious question marks at the skill positions. Expectations in the loveliest village on the plains haven’t been this low since the Doug Barfield era.

Jeff Dantzler on the air throughout the football season: *With Chris Brame, hosts a show from 4-6 every Monday through Friday on Athens SportsRadio 960 the Ref, www.960theref.com.

•BusterSports.com, hosting a series of shows with hall of fame coach Jim Donnan, legendary broadcaster and former coach Mike Gottfried and the highly successful former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville. *Hosts pre and postgame shows, as well as the “Bulldog Brunch” on Sunday’s following Georgia games from 10 a.m. until noon, Georgia Bulldogs Radio Network.

20

Bulldawg Illustrated

Bulldawg Leader: Joe Cox

By Murray Poole BULLDAWG ILLUSTRATED Joe Cox thinks back to his high school days at Independence High in Charlotte, N.C. and when, during his junior season in 2003, he took the field as Independence’s starting quarterback for the first time.

“It was my first high school start and I really was just excited,” said Cox. “It was my first chance to play after Chris (Leak) had left and I think our whole team really just wanted to show that we could still be a good team without Chris Leak.”

That, the Independence team did. After Leak went on to future greatness at the University of Florida, Cox performed so superbly at the QB position the next two seasons that his team went a perfect 31-0 and captured the school’s fourth and fifth consecutive state championships.

Teaming with former Georgia standout Mohamed Massaquoi, Cox threw for a North Carolina state record 66 touchdowns during his senior year.

But after Independence’s two Parade All-Americans signed with Georgia, Cox found himself fighting a game of patience rather than playing in a game against the Bulldogs’ Southeastern Conference rivals.

He was redshirted during his true freshman season in 2005 and then with highly-touted and also Parade All-America Matthew Stafford assuming Georgia’s starting quarterback reins in 2006, Cox would see minimal playing time as Stafford’s backup over the next three football seasons.

But, then, there were several exciting moments for this likable redhead in the times that Cox did come off the sidelines and replace Stafford. In 2006, with the Bulldogs trailing visiting Colorado 13-0 in the fourth quarter and the Georgia offense going nowhere, Cox came in to spell Stafford and promptly drove the Bulldogs to two touchdowns in a thrilling 14-13 comeback victory. After hurling his first touchdown pass, a 23-yarder to fullback Brannan Southerland, Cox then led the Bulldogs on the winning five-play, 43-yard drive which was culminated by Cox’s 20-yard scoring strike to tight end Martrez Milner with just 46 seconds remaining.

For that sterling performance, in which he completed 10-of-13 passes for 154 yards and the two touchdowns, Cox was named The Sporting News College Football Player of the Week and SEC Freshman of the Week.

And one week later, Cox was to draw the starting assignment for Georgia as the Bulldogs traveled to face Ole Miss. But after the sharp performance against Colorado the previous week, Cox struggled a bit against the Rebels, leaving it up to Stafford to spark the Bulldogs to a 14-9 victory in Oxford.

Cox admittedly looks back on that start during his redshirt freshman year with mixed emotions.

“The Ole Miss game, I knew I was starting but then, knowing we (he and Stafford) were

going to rotate every two series, I really didn’t even consider it a start,” Cox said. “It was just a situation where you’ve got to take advantage of what you’ve got.”

But now, as we flash forward to Joe Cox’s senior season at UGA, comes the start this Saturday afternoon that is overshadowing all the previous moments that he has jogged onto the field as a starting quarterback.

Cox has waited five years for the national collegiate spotlight and at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in Stillwater, Okla., he will have it as Cox leads the No. 13-ranked Bulldogs against the No. 9-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys in an ABC-TV attraction.

Joe Cox has to almost pinch himself when he contemplates the moment he has been waiting for ever since he set foot in Athens has finally arrived.

“I expect it to be an awesome experience … my last season, my first start (as the Bulldogs’ full-time starting QB), my big chance coming in my senior season … I just want to make good memories of all of it this year,” he said.

With the Cowboys re-dedicating their newly-expanded Boone Pickens Stadium in the opener against Georgia, Cox fully knows the stage he and the Bulldogs will be walking onto Saturday.

“It’s going to be the same thing like we face every Saturday (in the SEC),” said Cox. “Especially it being an away game, it’s always a loud, crazy atmosphere.

We just need to be able to communicate with each other on offense and deal with it. This is something we always practice for and we’re looking forward to it,” he said. “It will be an exciting place to play.”

Cox, aware that all the preseason talk has centered around Oklahoma State All-America candidates Zac Robinson (QB) and Dez Bryant (WR), is expecting a very tough challenge from the Cowboys’ defensive unit. “I expect them to be jacked up,” he said. “They know people want to talk about their offense all the time, and I’m sure they have something to prove. They’ll be playing with a chip on their shoulders and be out to show the nation they play defense out there, too.”

Looked upon as Georgia’s top team leader this season by all of his fellow Bulldogs, Cox knows what he wants to accomplish during the course of the 2009 season and, it’s not a bunch of individual statistics for himself.

“When this is over,” Cox said, “I want people to just remember my name and say I was a good Dog. The main thing, I want to be a good leader for this team and leave the program in good hands for the next group of seniors. Our object is to win ball games but, at the same time, I want coaches and the younger guys to be able to pull on to what I did … what I and the senior class did together. Then as they’re getting ready for their senior season, they will hopefully look back and say, ‘we’d like to accomplish the same thing’ as our group did.”

The Foundation: Deirdre Cox

By Murray Poole BULLDAWG ILLUSTRATED The most excited and anxious Georgia fans sitting in the stands at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla. this Saturday will be Buster and Deirdre Cox, the parents of Bulldogs’ No. 1 quarterback, Joe Cox. The Coxes know better than anyone all the work their son has put in, the patience he’s shown these past five years while waiting to assume the reins of the Georgia offense. Here, in this question-andanswer with Bulldawg Illustrated, Deirdre Cox gives the Bulldog Nation a special insight into the Georgia player wearing the No. 14 jersey: Parents/Guardians names: Buster and Deirdre Cox. Siblings’ names and ages: Allison, 30; Charlie, 28.

In your opinion what is the number one attribute that makes Joe a leader?

I don’t think Joseph expects anything from anyone else that he doesn’t expect from himself.

What was your nickname for Joe growing up?

Oddly enough, Joe is his nickname. I’ve always called him Joseph, and his brother and sister do a little of both. But most of his aunts and uncles still call him Joseph.

Best childhood story?

There’s probably not a special story that stands out but rather something he said to us when he was about five years old. He told his dad then, “I’m ‘borned’ knowing how to fish.” And he started fishing in a little creek back of our house. Joseph went back there with a little Snoopy fishing rod about three feet long … that’s where he started dropping a line in the water and has been doing so ever since. Joseph said years later, “y’all didn’t let me use a real hook.” At 2years-old, we were not going to give him a real hook.

We just gave him one with a little rubber weight on it.

What do you think he has gotten most out of his time at Georgia?

Aside from his great education, I think the No. 1 thing is that Joseph has made wonderful friends at UGA, and he has talked to us several times how great his teammates are, how they’ve become such great friends and all the experiences he’s had with them.

His single best football play ever as a Bulldog?

You know it has to be the Colorado game (in 2006) when he came in when they were behind. He threw that pass to Brannan Southerland who took it in and then threw to Martrez Milner in the end zone for the winning touchdown. I remember the Georgia players then had that big pile-on in the end zone and

www.bulldawgillustrated.com

Joseph didn’t quite know what to do. He really hadn’t practiced it and sort of just fell into the group. We told him it was a wimpy pile-on, and we still laugh about it to this day.

Can you tell the Bulldawg Nation a few unique things about Joe outside of football?

Everybody knows about his passion for fishing but what everybody doesn’t know is that Joseph was quite an artist growing up. Initially, he would come home and watch cartoons and draw in front of the TV. Initially, it was sports figures, college or professional, and he then moved on to designing athletic shoes. He always thought that what he could design would be one step above Nike … at least in his mind.

The style they would come out with, Joseph would tweak it and customize it.

Can you discuss the pride you have in Joe attending and playing football at Georgia?

Great pride! I guess the biggest thing for us is that we’re glad Joseph didn’t mope when he wasn’t playing but continued to work hard for the day he would play. I think he thought that day would come and that he’d be ready for it. It’s always been his desire to play for a top-notch college program and now, Joseph is living his dream.

What is the nicest thing he has ever done for you?

Joseph has always been a fun child to be around.

He wasn’t a child that gave me a hard time as a teenager, and has always been respectful of me. And, as a parent, you couldn’t ask for much more than that.

What is your most entertaining story involving the passionate Bulldog fan base?

As a freshman, Joseph met a passionate young fan, a little fan who was about 6-years-old from Adel.

His name is Ryan Fitzgerald. Ryan came up to us at the Dog Walk and introduced himself and told us he was looking forward to Joseph playing at Georgia.

And ever since that day, he’s been at the Dog Walk and always finds us and waits for Joseph to come through and gives him a high-five. It’s the most heartwarming fan story I know. Ryan decided he was going to be Joseph’s No. 1 fan early on, even when he wasn’t receiving any playing time. That’s pretty loyal as far as I’m concerned. Ryan has sent Joseph letters and pictures he has drawn.

What has Coach Richt meant to your young man’s life?

Mark leads by example and as a parent you couldn’t ask for a better mentor for your child than that. When Coach Richt visited us in recruitment and we had a chance to talk with him, we felt real comfortable trusting Joseph to him for the five years he was going to be at Georgia.

21

GRUFF & GRUMP

By Chad White and Al Hickson

Can you be that team? We say yes

HONOR A FELLOW BULLDOG The UGA Alumni Association believes there is no time like the present to celebrate exceptional alumni and their successes.

That is why we are proud to present the 100 Best Bulldog Businesses, an annual list of the 100 fastest growing businesses that are owned or operated by UGA Alumni.

Nominations will continue to be accepted through September 30, 2009. A banquet honoring the top 100 will be held in January 2010 in Atlanta.

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HEEALING ALING A HO OSPITAL SPITAL Hospitals, like other businesses, b can get Southeast sick. i k In I 2001, 2001 the h Sou S utheast h G Georgia i Health H lh diagnosed System was diagnose ed with a life-threatening illness. It was losing more m than $13 million year. per year r. later, Just twelve months la terr, the hospital intensive earning emerged from intensiv ve care ear ning annual million! profits of over $11 m illion!

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22

The 2009 football season opens up in grand mid-west fashion as the Dawgs travel to Stillwater for the opening of T. Boone Pickens’ state-of-the-art stadium for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. This is a big game for both schools in one of the few marquee matchups across the country with a nationally televised audience tuning in to see which team just might be legit.

This is a critical season for the Dawgs. Are we the perennial power we want to be or are we something different? Do we reload when stars graduate and players leave early or do we have to wait a couple of seasons for more superstars to come along? Come January, those questions will be answered. Today, it is anyone’s guess.

Oklahoma State has the most talked about and supposedly potent offense in the entire country, anchored by returning QB Zac Robinson and arguably the nation’s most gifted WR Dez Bryant, a near-certain NFL first rounder, who has game-breaking abilities. These two hooked up for nearly 1,500 yards through the air with 19 TD passes last year and will be looking to expose UGA’s pass defense. The Cowboys also feature a stud RB in Kendall Hunter and a large offensive line who average over 300 lbs and will look to attack the Dawgs.

Our defense will certainly have their work cut out for them.

As much heat as our defensive coordinator has caught over the years throughout the Bulldawg nation, media and certainly here within these lines, he has a chance to answer back this season with a strong stable of defensive players and a number of tough games.

The three interior D-lineman of Jeff Owens (returning from a season ending injury last year), Kade Weston and Geno Atkins are the best trio since Marcus Stroud, Richard Seymour and Jonathan Sullivan and should eliminate running lanes up the middle and be able to put pressure on the opposition and get the ends freed up for a better pass rush, which was virtually non-existent last year for the defense. Justin Houston has looked like a new man throughout the preseason and seems to be the missing link for a DE crew that struggled last year to pressure opposing quarterbacks. Unfortunately, he won’t be suiting up against the Cowpokes due to some off-season issues and we will be leaning on Rod Battle and Demarcus Dobbs to step up the first two games.

Our linebacker corps is solid with experienced vets Darius Dewberry, Akeem Dent, Darryl Gamble and field mouse Rennie Curran, who can cover from sideline to sideline, holding it down. The starting safeties also have plenty of experience with Reshad Jones and Bryan Evans getting the majority of looks with talented redshirt freshman Bacarri Rambo also getting thrown into the mix. The tools are in-place on the defensive side of the ball. It’s now up to the execution of the players and the strategy of the coaches to get back to that defensive swagger that once roamed the sidelines. Do we have what it takes? We are certainly more than talented enough. The rest will be up to Coach Martinez and the other coaches on his side. Can these coaches lead this superstar talent to the results we need? Time will tell.

The question at running back for the Dawgs seems to have been answered well by Richard Samuel in the preseason. He has separated himself from the other competitors. Caleb King is still nursing a hamstring injury from the preseason which should create more opportunities for backup freshman Carlton Thomas and Dontavius Jackson to get some experience. The Dawgs should be able to run the ball

against the Cowboys as they match-up well against their defensive line.

But Joe Cox has to make some plays through the air for the Dawgs to win in Stillwater. The passing game has to get going since this game might end up being a good-ole fashioned shootout. Cox should be ready and has shown good form with his past performances and has plenty of options to spread the ball around to. AJ Green certainly is the go-to guy with a combination of great speed, hands and jumping ability. And a number of other targets including veteran Mike Moore, Israel Troupe and freshmen Tavarres King, Rantavious Wooten and Marlon Brown also likely will see some action. The tight end position is a bright spot with an exciting freshman Orson Charles getting in the mix with Aron White.

Once again, the tools are here for a successful offense.

We’re hoping that the special teams can get their act together with better overall kick coverage and the ability to put kickoffs into the back of the end zone on a consistent basis.

These seasonal worries sound like they might be fixed with Coach Richt deciding to put studs on the special teams with an emphasis on future freshman playmakers and the possible emergence of Brandon Bogotay, who has shown practice ability to send the ball deep.

These little intangible things can pay big dividends in terms of field position.

The schedule doesn’t get any easier after this week, with a tough stretch of games against the Gamecocks, who always play us close, Arkansas, who we play on the road after a likely physical game, Arizona State and LSU. Getting off to a good start in Stillwater should give the Dawgs a blast of confidence and set up well for this run. The eyes of the nation will be square on the Dawgs opening weekend. Time to make our mark on the mid-west.

No excuses. We can’t stomach another season of Coach Richt explaining all the nuances of difficulties arising when certain things don’t go our way.

“We don’t like to make excuses but….(excuse)” is just that, an excuse.

Please, no more of that. We can’t stomach watching plays happen with our playmakers looking on and not getting the ball. Put the best team on the field at all times. Snap the ball, or kick it, and see what happens. We feel good about our chances if we can find our toughness. Toughness is something we sorely lacked last year.

Time to answer boys. Are you tough enough? Are you tough enough to handle things when something goes wrong? Rest assured the season won’t go exactly as planned. Are you tough enough to get through it? Will you bow up when the pressure mounts or will you crumble and cower and tell Mark Bradley and DawgPost and the others how hard it is?

Are you going to fly to Jacksonville and handle Tebow and his band of clowns or will you get mauled because he is the greatest college football player in two decades and you just aren’t good enough? Will we talk about slaying the beast the first Monday of November or will you force us to discuss moving the game out of Florida because you can’t get it done in such an unfair environment?

If you think this is a challenge to every piece of football player and man you are, well, it is.

It is up to you now. What will it be? Be tough. Be proud. Be the Dawgs we all pine for and dream about, the ones that used to play in Sanford earlier this decade. Are you that team? Can you be that team? We say yes. What say you?

GATA Dawgs!

Bulldawg Illustrated

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