60
Distance, in yards, of Kevin Butler's game winning field goal against Clemson in 1984.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
Road Trip Memories - LSU/New Orleans 2008
As the summer days drag on, I am finding myself spending lots of time day dreaming about how awesome the start of a new football season will be. The only other things I can think about are the memories I have from each game last year.
The 2008 season was the first time I have ever attended every game (home, away, and the bowl game). It is no small feat generally, but with a trip to Arizona and back to back games at LSU and Jacksonville, it was a deep commitment.
The first memory I'll share is from when our good friend C-matt and I stayed in New Orleans after the LSU game in Baton Rouge. C-matt and I did not return to Atlanta after the LSU game. Instead, we stayed in New Orleans for two more days before driving straight to Florida for the Georgia-Florida game.
On the Sunday night following the victory in Baton Rouge (and after everyone else in our crew had left for Atlanta), C-matt and I were downing hurricanes from Pat O'Briens while watch some great jazz music next door at Preservation Hall.
Towards the end of the final of the three performances that night, an older gentleman (approx 65-70), began talking to C-matt and I while the band was taking a break between songs. Seeing our Georgia polos, he began telling us that he lives in Florida, but is from New Orleans and is an LSU grad.
After discussing the previous day's game, he pointed over to his son sitting just outside the room where the music was being played. He began to tell us how his son was a Florida alum, and was absolutely "A TYPICAL GATOR!" By "A TYPICAL GATOR," he meant his son was an overly arrogant Florida alum and Orlando resident who couldn't give a shit less that he was at a historic venue listening to what many consider the best jazz performances in New Orleans.
"He's just A TYPICAL GATOR! He couldn't care less!," the old man continued to say, "And my daughter, she went to Florida State! She has two degrees, and may by smarter than me, but SHE'S WORTHLESS! Florida State, aw SHE'S WORTHLESS!"
At this point in time, this old gentleman became my hero.
Eventually, his son came over and began talking to us. "I just bring my dad here to appease him everytime we're back in New Orleans. Old man is crazy in his age, ya know?"
"Uh, yeah, whatever," I replied as I was amazed at the arrogant douchebaggery of this Gator grad. It is even more amazing that I was amazed at his arrogant douchebaggery. I mean, he was a gator.
After a few minutes, the son went back outside where he sat down and typed on his blackberry and continued his many ways of douchebaggery.
"TYPICAL GATOR! Look at him! Sitting there and couldn't give a shit where he is! A TYPICAL GATOR."
After meeting the son, we toasted the old gentleman and agreed with him that his son was "A TYPICAL GATOR", and we thanked him for coining the "TYPICAL GATOR" phrase.
That old LSU fan was dead on about Florida fans and their typical attitude of not caring about anything that doesn't relate to themselves or Gator University.
Eventually the show ended, the old man left, and the rest of the night became a blur (it was New Orleans).
But, C-matt and I will always remember running into the old LSU grad at Preservation Hall, and his "TYPICAL GATOR" son.
The 2008 season was the first time I have ever attended every game (home, away, and the bowl game). It is no small feat generally, but with a trip to Arizona and back to back games at LSU and Jacksonville, it was a deep commitment.
The first memory I'll share is from when our good friend C-matt and I stayed in New Orleans after the LSU game in Baton Rouge. C-matt and I did not return to Atlanta after the LSU game. Instead, we stayed in New Orleans for two more days before driving straight to Florida for the Georgia-Florida game.
On the Sunday night following the victory in Baton Rouge (and after everyone else in our crew had left for Atlanta), C-matt and I were downing hurricanes from Pat O'Briens while watch some great jazz music next door at Preservation Hall.
Towards the end of the final of the three performances that night, an older gentleman (approx 65-70), began talking to C-matt and I while the band was taking a break between songs. Seeing our Georgia polos, he began telling us that he lives in Florida, but is from New Orleans and is an LSU grad.
After discussing the previous day's game, he pointed over to his son sitting just outside the room where the music was being played. He began to tell us how his son was a Florida alum, and was absolutely "A TYPICAL GATOR!" By "A TYPICAL GATOR," he meant his son was an overly arrogant Florida alum and Orlando resident who couldn't give a shit less that he was at a historic venue listening to what many consider the best jazz performances in New Orleans.
"He's just A TYPICAL GATOR! He couldn't care less!," the old man continued to say, "And my daughter, she went to Florida State! She has two degrees, and may by smarter than me, but SHE'S WORTHLESS! Florida State, aw SHE'S WORTHLESS!"
At this point in time, this old gentleman became my hero.
Eventually, his son came over and began talking to us. "I just bring my dad here to appease him everytime we're back in New Orleans. Old man is crazy in his age, ya know?"
"Uh, yeah, whatever," I replied as I was amazed at the arrogant douchebaggery of this Gator grad. It is even more amazing that I was amazed at his arrogant douchebaggery. I mean, he was a gator.
After a few minutes, the son went back outside where he sat down and typed on his blackberry and continued his many ways of douchebaggery.
"TYPICAL GATOR! Look at him! Sitting there and couldn't give a shit where he is! A TYPICAL GATOR."
After meeting the son, we toasted the old gentleman and agreed with him that his son was "A TYPICAL GATOR", and we thanked him for coining the "TYPICAL GATOR" phrase.
That old LSU fan was dead on about Florida fans and their typical attitude of not caring about anything that doesn't relate to themselves or Gator University.
Eventually the show ended, the old man left, and the rest of the night became a blur (it was New Orleans).
But, C-matt and I will always remember running into the old LSU grad at Preservation Hall, and his "TYPICAL GATOR" son.
The Countdown 2009: 61 Days to Go
61
Carries by running back Caleb King during his freshman year in 2008. He had 95 yards on 12 carries in the season opener vs. Georgia Southern and scored first career touchdown against Central Michigan.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
The Countdown 2009: 62 Days to Go
62
Jersey number for Charley Trippi. Trippi won the Maxwell Award in 1946 and went on to be the #1 overall pick in the NFL draft.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Happy 4th!
Happy Birthday America!!! To everyone in the Bulldawg Nation and across the country, have a safe and fun Fourth of July.
God bless the USA and the Georgia Bulldogs!
God bless the USA and the Georgia Bulldogs!
The Countdown 2009: 63 Days to Go
63
Number of solo tackles by Rennie Curran in 2008. The Bulldog junior lineback had 115 total tackles last season.
Friday, July 3, 2009
The Countdown 2009: 64 Days to Go
64
Winning perecentage for Coach Glen "Pop" Warner during his two years on the Georgia sideline. The legendary coach is know for a number of innovations that changed the game, include the spiral pass and the single and double wing formations.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
The Pig that Brought a Championship
With the Independence Day holiday this weekend, I thought it fitting to share the story of how a a stolen pig that was cooked at a players' party in 1980 could have cost the Dawgs dearly but ended up uniting the team for its National Championship run. I had never heard this story until I ran across it in a book the other day, so while some of our readers may know this one, I hope you enjoy hearing it again.
The Story of the Purloined Pig
Back during the Vince Dooley years, players on the Georgia football team celebrated the end of spring practice by throwing a team only party known as Seagraves. The team came together and basically celebrated by drinking as much beer as they could (according to Scott Woerner, the team had 127 cases and 8 kegs at the 1980 party.) In 1980, five senior players decided they wanted to not only have beer but serve food at the party as well. Because they were short on money, they decided the best way to get food for the party would be to steal a sow from the University Research Center.
The senior players (All-American Scott Woerner, Defensive Captain Frank Ros, rover Chris Welton, and linemen Nat Hudson and High Nall, set out to steal the pig. Using a bow and arrow, Nall managed to shoot a nearly 400 pound sow and it took the entire effort of all five of them to get the pig out of the pen. They slow roasted the pig and served it at the party , much to the delight of the rest of the team. Their plan had worked perfect and they almost got away with the whole thing.
In true "Lord of the Flies" fashion, they mounted the head of the dead pig on a stick. When the party was over, a couple of freshman decided it was a good idea to bring the head to campus, where it ended up at the feet of some un-expecting students near the dorm. The freshman players were going to get nailed for the whole event, but Ros and Woerner decided to turn themselves in. Dooley and Russell were pissed, as you can imagine, and the players nearly were kicked off the team.
Instead of kicking them off, they were forced to work for Dooley that summer while not being on scholarship. The players performed a number of tasks, including painting the brick fence near the practice field...twice. All this during what was recorded as the hottest summer Athens has ever experienced. By the time the season rolled around and the story had reached the papers, they were using it as a rallying point for the season. As Erk Russell said, "Hugh and Frank, all of them, were in positions of leadership on that team, and darn if I don't think it was a bond for everything. Now that may seem far-fetched to you, but it doesn't to me. Right off the bat, they had something in common. It drew people together and the team, too."
Who would have known that a college prank of stealing a pig from the University would be a catalyst for a national championship season. Can you imagine what would happen if something like this happened today?
* You can read the full story, along with many others about the 1980 team in Vince Dooley's book, Tales from the 1980 Bulldogs.
The Story of the Purloined Pig
Back during the Vince Dooley years, players on the Georgia football team celebrated the end of spring practice by throwing a team only party known as Seagraves. The team came together and basically celebrated by drinking as much beer as they could (according to Scott Woerner, the team had 127 cases and 8 kegs at the 1980 party.) In 1980, five senior players decided they wanted to not only have beer but serve food at the party as well. Because they were short on money, they decided the best way to get food for the party would be to steal a sow from the University Research Center.
The senior players (All-American Scott Woerner, Defensive Captain Frank Ros, rover Chris Welton, and linemen Nat Hudson and High Nall, set out to steal the pig. Using a bow and arrow, Nall managed to shoot a nearly 400 pound sow and it took the entire effort of all five of them to get the pig out of the pen. They slow roasted the pig and served it at the party , much to the delight of the rest of the team. Their plan had worked perfect and they almost got away with the whole thing.
In true "Lord of the Flies" fashion, they mounted the head of the dead pig on a stick. When the party was over, a couple of freshman decided it was a good idea to bring the head to campus, where it ended up at the feet of some un-expecting students near the dorm. The freshman players were going to get nailed for the whole event, but Ros and Woerner decided to turn themselves in. Dooley and Russell were pissed, as you can imagine, and the players nearly were kicked off the team.
Instead of kicking them off, they were forced to work for Dooley that summer while not being on scholarship. The players performed a number of tasks, including painting the brick fence near the practice field...twice. All this during what was recorded as the hottest summer Athens has ever experienced. By the time the season rolled around and the story had reached the papers, they were using it as a rallying point for the season. As Erk Russell said, "Hugh and Frank, all of them, were in positions of leadership on that team, and darn if I don't think it was a bond for everything. Now that may seem far-fetched to you, but it doesn't to me. Right off the bat, they had something in common. It drew people together and the team, too."
Who would have known that a college prank of stealing a pig from the University would be a catalyst for a national championship season. Can you imagine what would happen if something like this happened today?
* You can read the full story, along with many others about the 1980 team in Vince Dooley's book, Tales from the 1980 Bulldogs.
The Countdown 2009: 65 Days to Go
65
Points allowed by the 1950 Bulldogs in 12 games. Despite allowing only an average 5.4 points a game, the Bulldogs finished with a record of 6-3-3.Wednesday, July 1, 2009
The Countdown 2009: 66 Days to Go
66
Number of Bulldogs selected as All-Americans, including three-time All American David Pollack.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)