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Oct. 9 was just about as perfect a day for football as you could ask for. The skies were clear and blue. The morning air crisp, warming up to a perfect 72 degrees at kickoff. And shortly after the kickoff, order began to be restored to the universe.
The Bulldogs won the toss and deferred. The Dawgs kicked off to the Vols, gave up one measly first down and forced a punt, denying the opponents a touchdown on the opening drive for the first time in a month.
Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo then pulled the right plays out of a new hat. Our freshman quarterback marched the good guys down the field, turned a quarterback scramble into a 35-yard touchdown and for the first time in a month, the Dawgs had the lead to start the game.
For a few hours, all was right with the world.
The Dawgs were not perfect, but finally the tipped balls and fumbles seemed to bounce to the guys in red. The secondary blew some coverages and the O-line missed some blocking assignments, but there were more positives than negatives on this Dawgs' Day Afternoon.
After all the heartbreak and disappointment in the last month, I had almost forgotten how wonderful college football could be. Our head coach and team leader, Mark Richt, led his team onto the field for the first time in his 10-year tenure.
Richt even broke through the cheerleaders' banner with no problems, just as if he had practiced doing it all week. This was all prompted by a lady caller's suggestion on his call-in radio show. She obviously had a Ph.D. in persuasive communications.
The Dawgs got a pre-game pep-talk from former linebacker and honorary captain Boss Bailey. He told the team they weren't playing ball the way ball should be played at Georgia. And on this Saturday, they did.
We beat Tennessee from the opening kick through the hour. When it was over, the Dawgs had beaten the Vols 41-14.
I know this wasn't a typical Tennessee team, but it was the same one that beat Louisiana State for 60 minutes, only to lose on a penalty as time ran out.
This same LSU team beat Florida in the Swamp Oct. 9, on a patented Les Miles trick play in the final seconds. I feel Gator Smackdown buddy Eric Corbett's pain. And, I've felt it for the last month. I want some of that lucky Mojo juice that Miles is drinking.
And this same Florida team was dominated by the seemingly unbeatable Alabama team that in turn was taken to the woodshed by the South Carolina Lamecocks the same day.
This same South Carolina team beat my Dawgs a month ago when the Dawgs fumbled away the go-ahead score and the game at the goal line.
This SEC soap opera of wins and losses proves the Dawgs were the best 1-4 team in the land.
The Dawgs are a good team with a bad record right now, and after such a fantastic win last Saturday, we are now the best team in the land with a 2-4 record. With six games left in the season, a winning record will be an uphill battle.
Today the Dawgs take on the Vanderbilt Commode-Doors for homecoming. Today is also the day that our new Uga will be introduced to the world, and we say goodbye to good old Russ, our loyal temporary replacement. Maybe this brand new Dawg will be the start of a brand new winning streak.
It was great to be a Bulldawg on Saturday night. Order has been restored to the universe, and all is right with the world - at least for a week.
Gooo Dawgs, sic 'em! Beat Vandy! Woof, woof, woof.
Trey Dennard is a 1987 graduate of the University of Georgia and a diehard Bulldogs fan.
Scoreboard
Last week
Georgia 41, Tennessee 14
This week
Vanderbilt at Georgia
More smackdown
Eric Corbett on the Gators, page 3.
Bulldogs
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