As a freshman student at UGA in the fall of 1991, I attended my first game between the hedges at Sanford Stadium on 5 October. Residing in Milledge Hall near Sanford Stadium, that evening I walked through the tailgaters in Reed Plaza on my way to the stadium. There was an electricity in the crowd (as well as dark clouds sporting lightning above me) as the Atlanta Braves had just clinched the National League West Division Title (which was a complete turnaround for the Braves who finished the 1990 season in last place). Also, rival Clemson was in town, undefeated (3-0), and ranked #6 in the country (and the previous year the Tigers thumped the Dawgs 34-3). Meanwhile, unranked UGA sported a 3-1 record and was more than a TD underdog. As I walked through my gate and saw the inside of Sanford Stadium in all its glory for the first time, I was awed and goosebumps popped all over me as many of my heroes had graced these fields before. I then glided on over to my seat on the north side and awaited the kickoff to cheer "GOOOOOOOOO DAWWWWWGGS, SIC EM, WOOF WOOF WOOF!" with more than 85,000 of my new best friends.

As it turned out, Clemson won the coin toss and elected to kick to Georgia. WR Andre Hastings fielded it and weaved his way on a big return out to the 41-yd line. On third down, QB Greg Talley hit WR Arthur Marshall for a big first down to Clemon's 35-yd line. After a 3-yd run by RB Garrison Hearst, Talley connected w/ WR Andre Hastings down to the Tigers 12-yd line, but the officials said he trapped it (instant replay disputed that, however). Stopped short on a third-down run by RB Larry Ware, PK Kanon Parkman came through w/ a 44-yd FG.

After PK Todd Peterman kicked off, UGA's special teams showed great coverage stopping Clemson just short of the 25-yd line. Dawgs defense then came through w/ a 3-and-out. From then on you knew UGA was in it and was going to make it a competitive game. On UGA's next series the offense stalled and went 3-and-out, but Scot Armstrong bailed the Dawgs out w/ a nice 47-yd punt. On Clemson's drive they moved down the field but missed a 50-yd FG. Trying to spark the offense, UGA changed QBs and brought in true freshman Eric Zeier (who was the first Dawg player in program history to early enroll in January) at 6:21 remaining in the 1st quarter. While the Dawgs running game was stuffed on 1st and 3rd downs, Zeier completed a nice pass to Damon Evans (yes, that one) on 2nd down. On the ensuing possession, UGA CB Chuck Carswell intercepted a 3rd-down pass near the sideline at the 50-yd line. At that point the Dawgs seemed to gain momentum, but couldn't take advantage of the field position and punted deep to Clemson. On 3rd down at the Tigers' 19-yd line, RB Ronald Williams broke loose up the middle for a 54-yd gain but was stripped by UGA DB Mike Jones and DB George Wynn recovered the ball at the Dawgs' 27-yd line to end the quarter. In the second quarter Clemson tied it up w/ a FG, but w/ 10 seconds left Zeier connected w/ Hastings on an 8-yd fade pass for a TD. Following Peterman's XP, UGA entered the half w/ a 10-3 lead.

On the opening drive of the second half for Clemson, they drove the field but missed a FG (their second miss of the game). On the ensuing drive UGA drove the field and scored on another Kanon Parkman FG to take a 13-3 lead. On Clemson's second drive of the half DB David Hargett forced another fumble for the Dawgs that UGA recovered. Unfortunately, Parkman missed a FG on this drive while Clemson connected on their to cut the Dawgs lead to 13-6. On the ensuing kickoff Arthur Marshall returned it past midfield to Clemson's 49-yd line. Then at 13:15 remaining in the 4th qtr, Zeier connected w/ Hastings on an inside slant for a TD. With Peterman's XP, UGA extended their lead to 20-6. Clemson then fought hard and scored on an 18-yd TD pass, however they went for 2 and missed. Thus, w/ 4:29 remaining UGA led 20-12. Clemson tried an on-sick kick, but UGA recovered the ball on the Tigers' 43-yd line. Despite the good field position, the offense wasn't able to capitalize. However, the Dawgs downed a great punt on Clemson's 5-yd line. On the Tigers drive they went for it on 4th down but missed a 1st down by inches. Then on 2nd-and-goal at the 1-yd line, RB Garrison Hearst ran it in and the Dawgs went on to upset the Tigers 27-12. UGA fans, emulating Atlanta Braves fans, then commenced to do the Tomahawk Chop in celebration.

At the end of the game as I was walking out w/ a stream of red and black fans chanting "IT'S GREAT TO BE, A GEORGIA BULLDOG! SAY IT'S GREAT TO BE, A GEORGIA BULLDOG!" I felt a natural high I'll never forget.

Georgia vs California in 1976. The Golden Bears featured star QB Joe Roth and All-american WR Wesley Walker, who went on to star with the Jets.

Joe Roth's was a very sad story. Diagnosed at some point in that season with terminal melanoma, he continued to play and passed away the following February.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Roth_(American_football)

Anyway, Cal lead at halftime, but Georgia roared back in the 2nd half for a 36-24 victory.

First two Georgia games I saw were both 7-7 ties.
Vs SCU in 1962 and vs Clemson in 1963.

First Dawg win was in 1965, the famed Fleaflicker Game over Alabama, 18-17.

JudgeLarryDawg said:

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First Dawg win was in 1965, the famed Fleaflicker Game over Alabama, 18-17.

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Now that's a game I would've like to have seen...Vince Dooley's first big win at UGA.

Btw, that season started off w/ such promise (i.e., 4-0 w/ wins against #5 Alabama then on the road vs. #7 Michigan), but didn't end so well (i.e., 6-4 w/ losses vs. unranked FSU, Kentucky, Florida, and Auburn).

I am a late bloomer. I am 49 years old, and I saw my first game in person last season vs. Kentucky. Of course, UGA rolled, 42-13. The most memorable things about that game was that...

A. It was Senior Day, and I saw a lot of awesome players recognized for their efforts as they suited up one last time between the hedges.

B. Both Chubb and Michel scored their last TDs between the hedges, and I saw this.

C. I was able to take my oldest son to his first game at 23....A tradition I hope will continue.

1954 tech game, with my uncle

airforce in 1965 we lost the late bob taylor to broken leg at fsu, that was the biggest reason it did not end well

buck80 said:

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1954 tech game, with my uncle

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Whoa, buck80....you go way back. Impressive!

buck80 said:

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airforce in 1965 we lost the late bob taylor to broken leg at fsu, that was the biggest reason it did not end well

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buck80, since I didn't start watching UGA Football until 1978, my knowledge of games, players, and coaches before then isn't as strong as I'd like. However, thanks for the history tidbit and keep them coming as I'm a sponge for the topic.

i do not post often, hell i born before indoor toilets or tv

buck80 said:

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i do not post often, hell i born before indoor toilets or tv

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LOL

Injuries mounted. RB Bob Taylor, who scored on the flea flicker, was lost for the season, I believe at FSU. Dooley was building a team but we lacked depth.
Late in the season we trailed Auburn and S the clock was winding down we drove to the shadow of Auburn's goal line and fumbled into the end zone, losing 21-19.
The afternoon and night after we defeated the reigning Rose Bowl champion Michigan Wolverines remains the wildest I have ever seen Athens. The Alabama weekend in 1976 is in second place in that category.

JudgeLarryDawg said:

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Injuries mounted. RB Bob Taylor, who scored on the flea flicker, was lost for the season, I believe at FSU. Dooley was building a team but we lacked depth.
Late in the season we trailed Auburn and S the clock was winding down we drove to the shadow of Auburn's goal line and fumbled into the end zone, losing 21-19.
The afternoon and night after we defeated the reigning Rose Bowl champion Michigan Wolverines remains the wildest I have ever seen Athens. The Alabama weekend in 1976 is in second place in that category.

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Great post JudgeLarryDawg! Keep 'em coming. I love to learn about UGA players, coaches, and games before my time.

My first game was Belue to Scott.

Lower corner, Buck rolled toward us and we saw the play run away from us.

Ugapitcrew said:

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My first game was Belue to Scott.

Lower corner, Buck rolled toward us and we saw the play run away from us.

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Man, what a play! Even today it gives me goosebumps and I get a bit choked up realizing the significance of it.

Btw, when I attended freshmen orientation on UGA's North Campus in the summer of 1991, they played that video for the audience:

Mine was the 1997 Auburn game which happened to be the game after the gator beatdown we provided a la Robert Edwards and company. My cousin and her grandmother took me and a buddy. It was my senior year of high school and I had applied to UGA. Athens was on a major high since we hadn't beaten the gators that decade. I remember being amazed at the sight of all the people. The night game was cold, the bleachers were freezing, and so was our defense. We lost a shootout something like 45-34 and the high from the week before was somewhat deflated. I, on the other hand, was excited about the possibility of returning as a student the next fall to experience that atmosphere. I had been meaning on going to GA Southern before this visit but Southern became child's play and Athens became my home for 5 years.

Dirteater Dawg said:

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Mine was the 1997 Auburn game which happened to be the game after the gator beatdown we provided a la Robert Edwards and company. My cousin and her grandmother took me and a buddy. It was my senior year of high school and I had applied to UGA. Athens was on a major high since we hadn't beaten the gators that decade. I remember being amazed at the sight of all the people. The night game was cold, the bleachers were freezing, and so was our defense. We lost a shootout something like 45-34 and the high from the week before was somewhat deflated. I, on the other hand, was excited about the possibility of returning as a student the next fall to experience that atmosphere. I had been meaning on going to GA Southern before this visit but Southern became child's play and Athens became my home for 5 years.

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Dirteater Dawg,

That was a rough game. For three quarters #7-ranked UGA played like the weather, cold [49 F] and cloudy, and found themselves down 38-14 to #16-ranked AU. Much to the chagrin of Coach Donnan and staff (who were hosting some impressionable recruits), the boo birds started voicing their opinion. Throwing caution to the wind, the Dawgs stepped it up in the 4th-quarter as QB Mike Bobo connected on 2 TD passes to WR Hines Ward and RB Robert Edwards rushed for a TD to cut the deficit to 11 points.

1992 at Jordan Har, won 14-10. Garrison played great. I sat in the middle of the AU alumni section.

Bigcalidawg said:

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1992 at Jordan Har, won 14-10. Garrison played great. I sat in the middle of the AU alumni section.

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What a nailbiter of an ending that game had:

On 2nd-and-goal within UGA's 1-yd line, Auburn's fullback ran up the gut, was stuffed, then the clock ran out to give the Dawgs the win.

My first game was the 1983 first game of the year vs. UCLA where Charlie Dean picked a pass late to seal the victory. I believe that Neuheisel was the QB for UCLA that threw the pick. Things I learned at that game: you can't take umbrellas into Sanford (I got soaked), don't drink too much warm beer at O'Malleys before a ball game (I probably don't have to explain that finding), and don't beer a drunk obnoxious lout during the game (some guy behind us was drunk and loud the whole game and when Dean made the pick, this guy jumped up to celebrate and fell, passed out in the aisle. The people he had offended all during the game kicked the ****e out of him while he was out). I started my matriculation through our fine university approx. 2 weeks later.

apmdawg said:

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My first game was the 1983 first game of the year vs. UCLA where Charlie Dean picked a pass late to seal the victory. I believe that Neuheisel was the QB for UCLA that threw the pick.

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apmdawg,

You're correct. With 33 seconds remaining in the 4th qtr and #15 UGA leading #20 UCLA 12-8, the Bruins had the ball on UGA's 31-yd line, and on 1st down Dawgs' DB Charlie Dean intercepted Neuheisel's pass at the 26 and ran it back 74 yds for a pick-6.

My first game was UGA at Clem in 2003. Remember David Greene hit Fred Gibson on a post for about 55 yards. We won 30-0.

My first game was when Darren McFadden and Arkansas came to Athens as a freshman (maybe 2005, don't remember exactly) and ran all over our defense. We won, but you knew he was going to be special.