Kirby Smart, Georgia Bulldogs to Mother Nature: Thanks!
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ATHENS - With significant 2022 SEC East Division and College Football Playoff implications, it was indeed a big Saturday in Athens for Kirby Smart and the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs.
Strolling into town was the CFP number one ranked Tennessee Volunteers, bringing with them their top-ranked offense and memories of being good at football before the internet was a thing. Sanford Stadium was, as has been described, loud, electric, and historic. Yet, some moments were beyond description.
I was reminded of one moment from the 2019 Notre Dame game at Sanford. The crowd for that primetime game and matchup was also historically energized. The fans for the Notre Dame game were extremely loud all night, although things went to an entirely different level when the lights went out for a moment and then Sanford was bathed in the red glow of the new stadium lights. There was an energy that was just different.
Similarly, when the heavy rain came in the third quarter against Tennessee, things became difficult to describe. My recent UGA graduate son and I were, for whatever reason, not prepared for rain. While the harassing drizzle did not start until well after kickoff, Georgia’s defense had been pressuring Tennessee’s Heisman hopeful quarterback, Hendon Hooker, from the start.
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Just when it seemed that the crowd could not be more unhinged, or Georgia’s defense deliver any more pressure, it began to pour. My son and I went from various unsuccessful attempts to shield ourselves from the teeming rain – using the rented seatbacks at one point – to loving and embracing it.
Like seeing the red stadium lights for the first time, the Sanford vibe changed. The crowd in unison went to another level during the heaviest downpour. Drenched fans began jumping up and down, with the unbridled enthusiasm of a toddler in a puddle.
Even those that came with rain gear were now getting wet. Rain protection for fans and pass protection for Tennessee broke down together. Each time Georgia’s pass rush rained down on the once thought to be invincible Volunteer offense and sacked Hooker, the soaked crowd got wilder and wilder. This seemed to further encourage the defense, and, in turn, the defense further excited the crowd. The defense and the crowd seemed like they were part of an electric circuit.
Usually heavy rain and a three-score lead cause fans to leave in droves or at least retreat to stadium walkways to seek cover. Not against Tennessee. The rain further emboldened fans to support their Dawgs. How could they do that from the concession stands? No, Georgia’s fans would remain as close as possible to Tennessee’s offense, so they could force yet another pre-snap penalty.
To be sure, many Georgia fans had to also be wondering if any lead was safe with this high-powered, quick strike Tennessee offense. They had just witnessed a 28-3 lead against Florida quickly become a 28-20 game, albeit mostly due to a few minutes of sloppy and distracted play by Georgia, before it re-started the blowout in Gainesville. As has become apparent, however, Georgia’s players, aided by an all-world coaching staff, do not tend to make the same mistakes twice. There were no busted assignments leading to big Tennessee plays and Georgia, perhaps also taking a cue from their fans, never lost its focus or intensity.
Eventually the rain stopped, but the Bulldogs and their fans stayed at a fever pitch until the final whistle and the blowout of Tennessee was complete. It was an experience shared with my son that I will never forget, and also will have trouble describing, except to say that you had to be there.
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