2003 GEORGIA BULLDOG FOOTBALL No. 9/11 Georgia Bulldogs (0-0)
vs. Clemson Tigers (0-0) Date: Aug. 30, Noon ET; Site: Clemson, S.C.; Stadium:
Clemson Memorial Stadium (81,743) Radio: Georgia Radio Network (WNGC-FM 106.1
Athens, 750 AM Atlanta) Larry Munson, Scott Howard, Loran Smith, Neil Williamson
National Television: ABC-TV (Brent Musburger, Gary Danielsen and Jack Arute) TV
Replay: CSS-TV (TBA)
Georgia-Clemson Storylines *For the second year in a row and only second time
since 1982, Georgia opens the season against Clemson. The rivalry dates back to
1897 with perhaps the most exciting matchups coming between 1977-1987 when the
teams had a 5-5-1 record against each other. Nine of those 11 games were decided
by a touchdown or less and four were decided in the last 20 seconds. Last year's
matchup was more of the same with the Bulldogs Billy Bennett making a late
fourth quarter field goal while the Tigers' kick fell short. Georgia converted a
4th and 1 from its own 38 to run out the clock. Placekickers have played a huge
role in this rivalry. There was Georgia's Kevin Butler's 60-yarder with 11
seconds to go for a 26-23 win in 1984 and Clemson's David Treadwell with
game-winners in 1986 (46-yarder as time expired for a 31-28 win) and 1987
(21-20).
*Georgia could have as many as eight defenders miss the Clemson game
including four projected starters due to injuries. The starters are NT Ken Veal
(ankle sprain), DE Will Thompson (dislocated ankle), ROV Kentrell Curry (stress
fracture in leg) and S Greg Blue (knee-PCL). The defense has managed in the
past. Despite losing six players to the NFL, the 2002 defense under Brian
VanGorder helped propel the Bulldogs to their first SEC title in 20 years. They
ranked third nationally with 29 scoreless quarters, first in the SEC and fourth
nationally in scoring defense (15.1/game); allowed only a total of 31 points in
the second half over the final seven games. The 2003 squad must replace five
players who have moved to the NFL including the sixth overall player drafted, DT
Johnathan Sullivan (New Orleans).
*How will Georgia's youthful offensive line do in its first test? The 2002
starting group plus third tackle George Foster combined to start 160 games by
the end of their career. This year's top six features five sophomores and one
redshirt freshmen. They have a combined three starts, all by sophomore guard
Josh Brock. Also, the Bulldogs stocked up on offensive linemen for the future,
signing seven more this past year.
*Georgia has not lost on an opponent's home field under Mark Richt. The
Bulldogs are 8-0 in his first two seasons at the helm.
The Georgia-Clemson Series For the first time in school history, the Georgia
Bulldogs face Clemson in Clemson to start a campaign. The other eight meetings
against the Tigers to open a season all came in Athens including last year's
thriller won by the Bulldogs 31-28. Georgia leads 40-17-4 but just 7-6-2 at
Memorial Stadium and 8-9-2 at Clemson. Georgia is 6-2 in season openers vs. the
Tigers (Last time: 2002: Georgia 31-28) Current Streak: Georgia won the last
four meetings (1991, 1994, 1995 and 2002) Last Tiger Win: 1990, 34-3 in Clemson
Biggest Georgia Win: 55-0 in 1920 in Athens Biggest Georgia Loss: 36-0 in 1902
in Clemson Games Decided by 7 Points or Less: 10-7-4 Last Georgia Shutout: 1978,
12-0 in Athens Last Tiger Shutout: 1909, 5-0 in Augusta
Last Meeting in Clemson: Injuries forced Georgia reserves into starting roles
and the Bulldogs posted a 19-17 win in this 1995 matchup. Freshman Torin Kirtsey,
who was making his first career start, ran for 195 yard on 38 carries, the most
rushes by a Bulldog RB since Herschel Walker in 1982 against Vanderbilt. South
Carolina native Brian Smith, the No. 3 QB, was 13-for-22 for 156 yards and one
TD to lead the Bulldog air attack. Clemson finished with 246 yards of total
offense with 184 of that coming on the ground. Defenisvely, Georgia's Whit
Marshall tallied 15 tackles while Clemson's Leomont Evans collected 18. Also of
note, the Tigers wore 1939 throwback uniforms as part of their centennial season
celebration. The Tigers blocked three field goal attempts by Georgia and PK
Kanon Parkman.
Did You Know? For the first time since the 1996 season, Georgia will start
the season wearing black cleats. Actually, this is the third straight game for
the Bulldogs in black shoes after trading in their white cleats for black turf
shoes for the SEC Championship and Nokia Sugar Bowl matchups in domed stadiums.
Georgia won both titles. As Bike-messenger Mars Blackmon once said, "it's
the shoes."
Georgia director of strength and conditioning Dave Van Halanger was the best
man in Clemson coach Tommy Bowden's wedding. The two were college teammates at
West Virginia under Tommy's father, Bobby Bowden, from 1973-75. When Clemson's
Brad Scott left Florida State to become head coach at South Carolina in 1994,
then FSU assistant Mark Richt was named offensive coordinator for the Seminoles.
Richt remained in that role until assuming the top Bulldog post in 2001. Also,
John Eason left FSU and was Scott's assistant head coach and offensive
coordinator at South Carolina from 1995-98.
Bulldogs on the Sidelines
Georgia has a handful of players who are either out or could miss the opener.
Bulldog, Pos., Reason, Length
Will Thompson, DE, Dislocated Ankle, OUT for year
Cedric Haywood, SE, Knee-ACL, OUT for year
Marquis Elmore, DE, Ankle Sprain, OUT for Clemson game
Suspended
Tyson Browning-RB (3 games), Tim Jennings-DB (2 games), DeMario Minter-S (2
games), B.J. Fields-DB, Chris Hickman-FB, Jamario Smith-FB, Mario Raley-SE,
Bryan McClendon-FLK (1 game)
Could Miss Opener
Gerald Anderson, NT, Neck Sprain
Greg Blue, ROV, Knee-PCL
Kentrell Curry, ROV, Stress Fracture in Leg
Michael Turner, C, Shoulder Sprain
Ken Veal, NT, Ankle Sprain