Georgia to Face Texas Longhorns in the 85th Annual Sugar Bowl
ATHENS - The University of Georgia will represent the Southeastern Conference and play Big 12 runnerup Texas in the Allstate Sugar Bowl scheduled for Jan. 1, 2019, in New Orleans.
Kickoff for the game between the fifth-ranked Bulldogs (11-2) and the Big 12 Longhorns (9-4) is scheduled for 8:45 p.m. ET and be televised on ESPN. This will be the fifth all time meeting between the programs.
Georgia has made nine appearances in the Sugar Bowl – more than the Bulldogs have played in any other post-season game. Georgia’s last appearance in the New Orleans game was Jan. 1, 2008, when the ‘Dogs defeated Hawaii, 41-10.
“This will be an outstanding experience for our coaches, players, and fans,” said UGA head coach Kirby Smart. “Most of our coaches and none of our players have had the opportunity of a Sugar Bowl trip and I’m especially proud for our seniors who have worked so hard over the last 12 months. It also presents a great opportunity for our fans who have been so supportive of our team throughout the season. I had the opportunity to coach in a couple of Sugar Bowl games and experienced outstanding hospitality, a dynamic city and first class competition. It also represents a great challenge playing a team like Texas who has been one of the country’s most accomplished programs in college football history.”
“We look forward to representing the Southeastern Conference in the Allstate Sugar Bowl—a game with one of the richest traditions in post-season college football history,” said UGA J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Greg McGarity. “Georgia and the Sugar Bowl have been linked together since the 1940’s and returning to New Orleans again also makes this an extremely gratifying opportunity. We are very excited for our players, coaches, and fans. Playing in the Allstate Sugar Bowl against such a quality team and program will be a memorable experience.”
Georgia and Texas have met on four previous occasions: Jan. 1, 1949 Orange Bowl, Texas 41-28; September 21, 1957 in Atlanta, Texas 26-7; Sept. 20, 1958 in Austin, Texas 13-8; and Jan. 2, in the 1984 Cotton Bowl, Georgia, 10-9.
This will be Georgia’s 55th bowl game appearance including last year’s national championship game—fourth most of any team in the country. The Bulldogs’ all-time bowl record is 31-20-3. This is the 22nd consecutive season the Bulldogs have earned a bowl appearance, which ranks as the second longest active streak in the country.
Georgia’s senior class is 42-11 in their career with three bowl wins (TaxSlayer, AutoZone Liberty, Rose), two SEC Eastern Division championships, 2017 SEC title, 2017 College Football Playoff national runnerup, and pending trip to the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
Georgia’s previous Sugar Bowl appearances:
Jan. 1, 1947, defeated North Carolina, 20-10
Jan. 1, 1969, lost to Arkansas, 16-2
Jan. 1, 1977, lost to Pittsburgh, 27-3
Jan. 1, 1981, defeated Notre Dame, 17-10
Jan. 1, 1982, lost to Pittsburgh, 24-20
Jan. 1, 1983, lost to Penn State, 27-23
Jan. 1, 2003, defeated Florida State, 26-13
*Jan. 1, 2006, lost to West Virginia 38-35
Jan. 1, 2008, defeated Hawaii, 41-10
* played in Atlanta due to Hurricane Katrina