The Countdown 2011: 85 Days to Go

The Emergency Quarterback: Hines Ward and the 1995 Peach Bowl

Hines Ward is one of the greatest receivers to patch passes in Sanford Stadium. His 149 career receptions for over 1,900 yards puts him among the leaders in school history. But Ward's numbers may have been even better had he not been called on to perform other roles during his Georgia career. In addition to receiver, Ward also played running back. But in the 1995 season, he returned to his high school position of quarterback.

Starting quarterback Mike Bobo and backup Brian Smith were injured and Ward moved from emergency quarterback to starter. Georgia faced Virginia and while they would lose the game 34-27, Ward put on an amazing performance. The Dawgs rallied from a 24-6 deficit, Ward completed 31 of 59 passes for 419 yards. He had 469 yards of total offense. Here is a video that appeared as part of ESPN's Year of the Quarterback earlier this year:

The Countdown 2010: 17 Days to Go

17) Hines Ward, All Everything, #19 (1994-1997)

Hines Ward, a Damn Good Dawg, came to the University of Georgia in 1994 a heavily recruited athlete and undersized quarterback. When he left in 1997, his name was all over the Bulldog record books and entrenched in the hearts of Dawg fans everywhere as one of the most versatile offensive threats in UGA's history.

A graduate of Forest Park High School south of Atlanta, Ward was a consensus prep All-American and two time Clayton County Offensive player of the year. He found a role as a reserve QB before splitting time and later starting games at Tailback. In the 1995 season, Mike Bobo became the starting QB while former CB Robert Edwards took over the RB position and Hines moved to Flanker. He couldn't get comfortable there as Bobo and back-up QB Brian Smith were soon lost to injury forcing Ward's move back to QB. While he struggled in early starts, his 413 yards passing against Virginia in the Peach Bowl kept UGA in the game before a Kickoff Return for a TD from the Cavilers doomed the Dawgs.

1996 Marked the start of the Jim Donnan era in Athens, and while team results were mixed, Wards was outstanding catching 52 passes for 900 yards for All SEC honors. He would help lead the 1997 squad to a 10-2 record and top 10 finish, including memorable wins over Florida, Georgia Tech and Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl.

For his career, he had 3,870 all purpose yards (rushing, receiving, and returning), good for second all time in the Georgia record books behind Herschel Walker. His NFL career has been well documented after being a 3rd round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers. His 895 receptions, 10,947 yards and 78 receiving TD's on Football's biggest stage are Fall of Fame worthy on their own, but when you add 2 Super Bowls, one Super Bowl MVP, endless highlights of helmet jarring blocks, and his philanthropic efforts, you get the idea of how special Hines Ward is and how his grit, determination, heart and hard play are what make him a legendary Georgia Bulldog and truly unique NFL player, both on and off the field.

B 'n E Readers Declare Hines Ward Greatest UGA Receiver

73 People voted in our poll this week that asked the question, "Who is the greatest receiver in Georgia History?" With 30 votes (41%) the winner was Hines Ward. Here are the full results:

1- Hines Ward - 30 Votes (41%)

2 - Terrence Edwards - 16 votes (21%)

3 - AJ Green - 14 votes (19%)

4 - Lindsay Scot - 8 Votes (10%)

5 - Someone Else / Charley Whittemore - 5 votes (6%)

Thanks to everyone who voted!!!

Who is the Greatest Receiver in Georgia History?

Chip Towers of the AJC recently asked the question, "Who is the greatest QB in Georgia History?" David Greene was the winner of the online poll in a landslide. I thought it would be interesting to see who Dawg fans feel is the greatest receiver in Georgia history. Here is a brief look at some of the candidates:

Charley Whittemore (1968-1970)

Led the Bulldogs in receiving for three years in a row, Whittemore was a great receiver during a time when Georgia ran for more yards than it passed for. During his three year career, Whittemore had 114 receptions for 1,680 yards and 11 touchdowns. Those numbers are good enough for 11th all time in receptions, 10th in yards, and 11th in touchdowns.

Lindsay Scott (1978 -1981)

Scott and Amp Arnold were the main targets for Buck Belue during his career at Georgia. Lindsay Scott led the Dawgs in receiving in three of his four years on campus. For his career, he had 131 receptions (7th all-time) for 2,098 yards (5th all-time). Of course, Lindsay Scott is most fondly remembered for this play, the greatest play in Georgia football history:

Hines Ward -(1995 -1997)

By far the most successful Georgia wide receiver at the NFL level, Hines Ward played not only receiver but also running back and quarterback while in Athens. His career total of 3,870 all-purpose yards is second all-time in Bulldog history to only Herschel Walker. He was the Dawgs leading receiver 1996 and 1997 and for his career had 144 receptions for 1,965 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was named to the All-SEC team his final season in 1997 with 55 receptions and 6 touchdowns.

Terrence Edwards (1999 - 2002)

Terrence Edwards completed his Georgia career with an SEC Championship season in 2002. He left the Dawgs as the SEC's all-tme leading receiver (though he was later passed by Vanderbilt's Earl Bennett). For his career, Edwards had 204 receptions for 3,093 yards and 30 touchdowns (all Georgia records). He is remembered for some amazing plays (such as the one below) but also remembered for the key drop for what would have been a game-tying touchdown against Florida in 2002. Edwards has gone on to have a successful career in the Canadian Football League.

AJ Green (2008 - ?)

After only his freshman season at Georgia, Green is well on his way to becoming a Georgia legend. In 2008, Green led the SEC in receiving yards (963) and in receiving touchdowns (8). He finished 5th in the league with 56 receptions and was named to the All-SEC team and the Freshman All-American team. With senior Mohamed Massaquoi and his 58 receptions and 8 touchdowns gone, Green will be the main target for the Bulldogs in 2009.

I know there are many others that could be included in this list, such as Andre Hastings and Brice Hunter, but I wanted to keep the list to five. Please take our poll and leave your thoughts in the comments section.

GO DAWGS!!!

Former Dawgs in the Super Bowl

The upcoming Super Bowl XLIII match up between the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers will feature three former Georgia Bulldogs.

Tight end Leonard Pope had a key catch during the Cardinals game winning drive as they beat the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship.

Linebacker Arnold Harrison and receiver Hines Ward are members of the Pittsburgh Steelers team who is looking for its second championship in the last four years. Hines Ward was the MVP of the Steeler's Super Bowl XL victory over the Seattle Seahawks.

Good luck to these Damg Good Dawgs in Super Bowl XLIII.