Eat Mor Peach...Beat The Buckeyes!

stetson bennett’s heisman coverage, pgs. 52,53
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GEORGIA VS. OHIO STATE
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED
IN THIS ISSUE
CFP SEMI PEACH PREVIEW
HOORAY 2022 SEC
CHAMPIONS!
PHOTO BY: ROB SAYE
BULLDAWG ILLUSTRATED
years
SPORTS
BULLDOGS TO WATCH | 14
BUCKEYES TO WATCH | 16
FIVE KEYS | 18
DAWG BONES | 20
A VIEW OF THE CFP - SEMI PEACH BOWL | 22
SOCIAL
UGA VS LSU SEC CHAMPIONSHIP FAN PHOTOS | 26
DAWG HOUSE RSM CLASSIC PHOTOS | 42
TOUCHDOWN CLUB OF ATHENS PHOTOS | 48
PROUST: MALCOLM MITCHELL | 50
MORE SPORTS
STETSON HEISMAN FINALIST | 52, 53
WHADDAYA GOT LORAN? | 52, 53
BOWL BONANZA | 54
THE HAMMYS | 56
HOOPS PREVIEW | 58
FROM THE FIELD | 60
BUTLER’S PLAYERS | 61
STATS THAT MATTER | 62
OUR TEAM
EDITOR: Vance Leavy
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Cheri Leavy
MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR: Greg Poole
CHIEF SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR: Jeff Dantzler
ART DIRECTOR: Stacey Nichols
SALES: Caroline Kinney
SPORTS: Jeff Dantzler, Greg Poole, Coby Serina,
Clay Watkins
MULTIMEDIA: Hamilton Culpepper,
Caroline Schlabach
PHOTOGRAPHY: Greg Poole, Rob Saye,
Blane Marable, Carter Horne
COVER PHOTOS: Greg Poole, Ohio State Athletics
COLUMNISTS: Hamilton Culpepper,
Loran Smith, Caroline Champion
DELIVERY: John Cook, Wright Cook, Rob
Freeman, Anna French, Scarlett French, Flynn
Kelly, Caroline Kinney, John Kinney, Lynn
McLanahan, Eleanor Morgan, Henry Morgan,
James Morgan, Jack Sawyer, Cullen Sewell,
Henry Stokes, Champ Vance
CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW :
December 14, 2022
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 6 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

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FROM THE
EDITOR
VANCE LEAVY
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Life is stellar for our 2022 SEC Champions team and Stetson
Bennett being a Heisman Trophy finalist, but now the next
step has arrived to ‘Eat Mor Peach’ and Beat the Buckeyes!
A
fter a few weeks since our last issue, it
is great to be back in my chair putting
the final touches on our last issue
of 2022. And, man oh man, I have a ton of
awesomeness to report and rejoice about to
everyone who loves the Red and Black.
So here we go …
I will get to Stetson Bennett’s terrific Heisman Finalist honor shortly,
but the game of football is all about the team, so our Dawgs winning
the 2022 SEC Championship must be celebrated first. What a season
and what an electric scene inside Mercedes Benz Stadium a few
Saturdays ago!
Dawgs 50 Tigers 30 … 13-0 record … No. 1 seed in the 2022 CFP
Playoff … Woof, Woof, Woof!
I’m not going to lay-on the accolades too thick because the duty
that lies nearest for these 2022 Dawgs (and their faithful fans) is
focusing on the Ohio State Buckeyes, who will arrive to Mercedes
Benz Stadium on December 31 with an enormous chip on their
shoulders after being throttled by Michigan (in their own stadium) to
end their regular season.
Does that scenario sound familiar?
It should because the 2021 Dawgs met a similar fate last season when
Alabama took them to the woodshed in the SEC Championship. Like
the Buckeyes (of this season), our team still made the CFP Playoff and
used the previous bitter defeat to make history and win a national
championship for the first time in 40 years.
It is for this reason (on our cover) that I had some fun with Chick-fil-
A’s (the Peach Bowl sponsor) highly successful marketing campaign.
‘Eat Mor Peach’ is a rally message to everyone in the Bulldog Nation.
Be prepared because the Buckeyes are going to come out swinging
with everything they have. But that is completely okay, as long as our
team and fans want and earn more peach by the end of what should
be a helluva game.
‘Eat Mor Peach!’
Beginning with Jeff Danzler’s excellent column (page 10) about
seizing championships when the opportunity arises to our entire
Sports section (starts page 13), our sports guys’ content will certainly
get you juiced for the 8 p.m. New Year’s Eve slugfest at the Benz. Boy
that place is going to be nuts!
Finally, our sports section ends with ESPN’s Mark Schlabach
generously lending his time to participate in our “A View From” Q&A
(page 22). Yes, Mark is a UGA grad, but his dedication to reporting
facts is why he is one of the best in the business. As you will read,
Mark singled out both Kirby Smart and Stetson Bennett for not
getting enough credit for the job they both did with the challenges
of this 2022 team. Great stuff, Mark … thanks so much!
Ok, now I get to dedicate some space to my fellow 912 area code
brethren, Stetson Bennett IV. Whoa, talk about a phenomenal story
that just keeps getting better and better.
My own relationship with the Bennett family actually parallels
Bulldawg Illustrated’s beginning 20+ years ago. Because they hailed
from Blackshear and Cheri and I from St. Simons, we ended up on the
same flights heading to Georgia road trips. A lot of times the Bennett
family would be the first photo I took for our popular fan photos of
that weekend’s game.
Now we have come full circle 20 years later and Stetson IV (and his
family) just experienced the honor and jubilation of being a 2022
Heisman Trophy finalist. What a proud moment for not only him and
his family, but everyone in the Bulldog Nation. And to no surprise, Stet
handled all the pomp and circumstance with tremendous poise just like
he does when leading his team on the field.
Enjoy our coverage of Stet’s Heisman weekend beginning on page
51. Both BI photographer Rob Saye and columnist Loran Smith were
on hand in New York City. Loran put it best …
“There are a couple of things to remember about Stetson. He is
unflappable. He has a defining equanimity in his makeup. He is not troubled
by criticism and before we chide the Heisman voters, let’s remember that his
own fan base was entrenched with doubting Thomases.”
Thanks so much Stet for the memories and your dedication to the
University of Georgia. And we so look forward to you leading your
team to ‘Eat Mor Peach’ and beat the Buckeyes.
Switching gears, I’ve said this hundreds of time (in this space), but
no issue of Bulldawg Illustrated is complete without perusing our
Social section (beginning on page 25).
We have fan photos from the SEC Championship win to the
Dawghouse at the RSM Classic to the final 2022 Touchdown Club of
Athens meeting. Happy Dawg fans are everywhere on those pages
and what an honor it is for all of us at BI to capture those and display
them to our readers.
Then on pages 46, your heartstrings are sure to be pulled when
reading about Athenian Sara Hughes Bucket List triumph made
possible by the graciousness of the UGA Spike Squad. Sara’s
courageousness in battling cancer over the last five years has been
ELITE. And I know you will find Mimi Culpepper’s (BI’s Hammy
Culpepper’s younger sister) story about Sara and the Spike Squad so
moving. Thanks MiMi for a doing a great job and like your bro, you
have great talent with words.
Finally in our Social section, don’t miss our Proust Q&A with Malcolm
Mitchell (page 50). Malcolm is as cool as it gets and how awesome
that he credits so much of his success to Mark Richt. Two Damn Good
Dawgs there, for sure.
As is often to the case with a big issue of BI, I’m running short of
space. Our More Sports Section (beginning on page 51) is loaded
with a ton of goodie from JD’s Bowl Bonanza to Hamilton Culpepper’s
annual awards “The Hammys” to Clay Watkins’ look at the four
principles of Mike White’s Hoop Dawgs. Coach White promised me his
players would play defense and I’m so excited to report he is a man of
his word, so I encourage our fans to support his team.
Ok Bulldog Nation, I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and
I look forward to all of us reconvening at the CFP-Semi Peach Bowl. It’s
going to be an epic New Year’s weekend in Atlanta. The goal is simple …
‘Eat Mor Peach,’ so our team advances to the championship in L.A. That
will then mean a BI Natty Preview EXTRA issue coming out Jan. 4, 2023.
Let’s do this thing … ‘Eat Mor Peach’ … Beat the Buckeyes … Go Dawgs!!
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Georgia’s history has shown that championship runs are not
guaranteed, which is why seizing the opportunities is a must
JEFF DANTZLER
@jeffdantzlerTV
When Kirby Smart became
the Head Football Coach at
the University of Georgia, he
shared a goal and vision with
the Bulldogs loyal, passionate, hungry fan
base - be the best program in the country.
Now in his seventh season at the helm
of his beloved alma mater, the Georgia
Bulldogs sit atop the college football
world. Reigning national champions,
Georgia is 13-0, Southeastern Conference
kings of 2022, winners of 31 of the past 32
games, and bound for the College Football
Playoff semifinal against mighty Ohio
State in CFP-Semi Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl.
These are the good old days for the sons
and daughters of Georgia. There have of
course been golden eras for the Bulldogs
before - most notably the fabulous 40s
and the Early 80s. But this sustained
greatness is unprecedented.
Dating back to Smart’s second season
at the Georgia helm in 2017, the
Bulldogs have set records and milestones
unprecedented in Bulldogs lore.
The ultimate highlight is the 2021
National Championship, Georgia’s first,
after some near misses and the closest
of calls, since 1980. The postseason
hit-list was incredible. The Bulldogs beat
Michigan 34-11 in the Orange Bowl
semifinal (the Wolverines have the most
wins in college football history) and
then exercised the demons in a 33-18
victory over Alabama In the National
Championship Game, avenging the lone
loss of the season, which came in the SEC
title tilt.
Over the summer, Smart was emphatic
that the Bulldogs would not be hunted.
Indeed, these Bulldogs of 2022 have made
their own history.
For the first time in program annals,
Georgia posted back-to-back undefeated
regular seasons.
The conference title is Georgia’s second
under Smart’s watch, along with the 2017
SEC Championship Game victory over
Auburn en route to the College Football
Playoff. The 2022 SEC title is the Bulldogs
14th overall, which is the second most of
any program. Alabama has 29. Tennessee
has won 13, the Bulldogs breaking a tie
with the Volunteers, and LSU has 12.
Bear with me on exact win totals, as there
are some to hash out, but Georgia has also
moved into the top ten in College Football
Division 1-A (FBS) history for all-time
victories.
When it comes to records and milestones,
the company you keep speaks volumes.
Georgia’s back-to-back 8-0 regular season
conference marks has been accomplished
only twice before. Since the SEC split into
divisions and league teams began playing
eight conference games annually in
1992, only Steve Spurrier’s Florida Gators
and 1995 and 1996 and Nick Saban’s
Alabama Crimson Tide (with Smart the
defensive coordinator) in 2008 and 2009
accomplished the feat.
That’s some sporty company for Kirby’s
Canines.
This trip to the Chick-Fil-A Peach marks
Georgia’s sixth straight major bowl
bid. That extends a program high. The
Bulldogs went to four straight major
bowls from 1980 to 1983. Even if Ohio
State beats the Bulldogs worse than the
John Heisman’s Yellow Jackets clubbed
Cumberland 222-0, Georgia will extend
another high mark and be ranked in
the top 10 for a sixth straight year. The
Bulldogs finished in the top ten (top five
to be exact) while going 43-4-1 from
1980 through 1983. Georgia also had
four successive top 10 finishes from 2002
to 2005.
The record and win streaks against
the historic rivals is superb and
unprecedented. Smart and his wife Mary
Beth, a superb basketball player for
Andy Landers Lady Bulldogs, are lifelong
Bulldog fans who have the same passions
and roots as all Georgia fans.
These are some numbers that everyone
who bleeds Red and Black can be quite
fond of:
Since 2017, when Smart’s Bulldogs took
flight, Georgia has beaten the Yellow
Jackets five straight times, winning them
all by at least 23 points. Their new coach,
the third that Smart’s Bulldogs have
beaten, has vowed to work 365 days a year
to dominate Georgia.
Smart’s Bulldogs have won five of the
last six against Florida, and three different
Gator coaches.
Starting with the 2017 SEC
Championship Game victory, Georgia has
won six in a row against Auburn, which is
moving on to its third head coach - plus
the interim Carnell “Cadillac” Williams -
over this stretch.
Smart has led the Bulldogs to six
successive victories over Tennessee, with
three different head coaches.
Then there are the Blue Bloods.
Along with beating Michigan and the Tide
en route to the national championship last
year, the Bulldogs beat Oklahoma in the
2018 Rose Bowl in the CFP, and beat Notre
Dame in 2017 and 2019.
Dare To Be Great! Why not us?
Well here we are, the Bulldogs making
dreams come true.
It’s a second straight season in the
College Football Playoff, and third trip
since 2017. As a side note, the Bulldogs
were fifth after the SEC Championship
Games of 2018 and 2019, inside of the top
four heading into those contests where
Georgia lost to No. 1 Alabama and No. 1
LSU.
Awaiting is one of Georgia’s toughest
challenges of all time.
These Buckeyes, with eight national
championships, 39 Big Ten titles, the
second most victories (behind arch
rival Michigan) and highest winning
percentage in college football history, are
loaded and undoubtedly loving a rare
underdog role in Atlanta. Ryan Day has
led Ohio State to the playoff three times
in four years, including the title game in
2020, where the Buckeyes lost to Alabama.
The Scarlet and Gray are aiming to upset
No. 1 Georgia in the Peach State and then
potentially avenge that loss to Michigan
with the big prize on the line in Los
Angeles.
Though neither of these programs
show any signs of straying from the elite,
these opportunities are rare and difficult
to come by. You never know. After the
heartbreak of Pitt and Penn State, no
Georgia fan thought it would take so long
to get back.
Now here we are again under Smart’s
watch, and the Bulldogs have a shot at
another win for the ages.
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 10 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

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DAWG BONES PG. 20 | A VIEW OF THE CFP - SEMI PEACH BOWL PG. 22
SPORTS
No. 1 INDEED...
JALEN CARTER!
PHOTO BY: ROB SAYE
GEORGIA VS. OHIO STATE
GAME TIME: 8 P.M.
CHANNEL: ESPN
GEORGIA VS OHIO STATE
BY: JEFF DANTZLER
Georgia and Ohio State square off New Year’s Eve in the Chick-
Fil-A Peach Bowl College Football Playoff Semifinal. It will be just
the second ever meeting between these two storied programs.
The Bulldogs beat the Buckeyes 21-14 on New Year’s Day 1993 in
the Florida Citrus Bowl.
Both Georgia and Ohio State have held the No. 1 ranking at
times this year. These are two exceptionally talented teams, led
by veteran quarterbacks C.J. Stroud at Ohio State and Stetson
Bennett at Georgia, both Heisman Trophy finalists. There are a
plethora of All-American, All-Conference and future National
Football League draft choices who will suit up on New Year’s
Eve. And you can bet, with the stakes so high for these dynamic
teams and loyal and passionate fan bases, the atmosphere
promises to be epic.
This is the most highly anticipated game of the season.
Since the College Football Playoff began in 2014, Ohio State
has been a regular in the field, headlined by capturing that 2014
national championship with victories over Alabama in the Sugar
Bowl and then Oregon in the title game. This will be the Buckeyes
fifth playoff appearance, behind only Alabama’s seven and
Clemson’s six.
Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day, in his fourth season at the helm
in Columbus, has carried on Ohio State’s tremendous success.
This year’s team is 11-1, losing only to Michigan in the regular
season finale. His first team in 2019 won the Big Ten title, then
lost to Clemson in the semifinal. The Buckeyes of 2020 advanced
to the national title game, falling to Alabama. A year ago, Ohio
State went 11-2 and won the Rose Bowl. Now they are back in
the CFP for the third time in Day’s tenure.
Reigning national champion Georgia is in the playoff for the
third time in the last six seasons under the watch of head coach
Kirby Smart. Georgia rolls into the battle with the Buckeyes with
a 13-0 record, defeating LSU in the Southeastern Conference
Championship Game on December 3rd. The Bulldogs, who
have won 31 of the last 32 games, will be making their third
appearance in Mercedes Benz-Stadium this season. Smart’s Dogs
opened the campaign with a 49-3 victory over Oregon in Atlanta,
and then beat the Bayou Bengals 50-30 for the SEC crown.
A standout All-SEC safety, Smart has led his beloved alma mater
to an unprecedented era of success. The Chick-Fil-A Peach is
Georgia’s sixth straight major bowl game, and no matter what
happens the rest of the way, the Bulldogs assured a sixth straight
top ten national finish.
The ultimate goal is, of course, the national title. Around
midnight, when the calendar turns, that dream will still be alive
for one of these teams.
Big Ten champion Michigan, 13-0 on the year, takes on 12-1
TCU in the Fiesta Bowl in the other semifinal. The winners will
advance to the National Championship Game on January 9 at
SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 13 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

SPORTS
FOOTBALL
BULLDOGS TO WATCH
BY: COBY SERINA
KIRBY SMART (HEAD COACH) - Kirby Smart is on a tear, and
he’s not resting until he’s on the stage come January 9 in Los Angeles.
Immediately after winning the SEC Championship title, he was back
on the recruiting trail flying across the country to close the deal with
various high school seniors. Once he touches back down in Athens, it’s
straight back to choppin’ wood because out of the three teams Georgia
could have faced in the CFP Semi-Final, Ohio State is arguably the most
daunting. Kirby and his crew will need to take out all the stops to put a
lid on C.J. Stroud and the Buckeye offense. Expect it to be an emotional
night as Smart looks to extend what has already been a historic season.
KIRBY SMART
HEAD COACH
PHOTO BY: GREG POOLE
BROCK BOWERS
TIGHT END
PHOTO BY: GREG POOLE
STETSON BENNETT (QB #13) - Immediately after beating LSU
in the SEC Championship, Stetson Bennett told the media that the
national championship was the next goal. Ohio State is just an obstacle
to that goal, a really tough obstacle at that. But Bennett has the Benz
advantage over the Buckeyes. He’s thrown 48 for 60 for 642 yards and
is responsible for seven touchdowns in his two games there this year.
Bennett had his fair share of haters, but there’s not much that can be
said about that kind of production. Georgia’s favorite super senior is
primed and set to drop the ball in Atlanta on New Year’s Eve.
BROCK BOWERS (TE #19) - Brock Bowers is the most electric
player on the Georgia offense. Point, blank, period. Admittedly Bowers
has been on and off throughout the season, but when he’s on, he’s on.
The Mackey Award winning tight end has had two games with over 120
receiving yards. Against LSU in the SEC title game he caught 6 passes
for 81 yards and a touchdown. That’s the Brock Bowers that the Dawgs
are going to need to keep up with Ohio State’s CJ Stroud and Marvin
Harrison. This one could end up being a shootout, and if it is Bowers
better be ready for his name to be called.
LADD MCCONKEY (WR #84) - There was some worry
surrounding Ladd McConkey’s health after he was pulled from the
SEC Championship game, but that move seemed more precautionary
than out of actual necessity. The third-year wideout should be fine by
the time New Year’s Eve. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken will be
counting on it. McConkey is a key cog in Georgia’s offensive machine.
His versatility in the pass and ground game gives Monken options
that they wouldn’t have otherwise. McConkey’s averages of 13.2 yards
per catch and 20 per carry will be essential when the Dawgs face the
Buckeyes in the Benz.
JALEN CARTER (DL #88) - Two words describe Jalen Carter’s
impact: difference maker. He and CJ Stroud should be well-acquainted
on game day, but by no means will they be friends. In his limited time
Carter has amassed three sacks, the most impressive of which came
against LSU when Carter slipped into the backfield and lifted his victim
up with just one arm. Now that kind of display isn’t guaranteed, but
if money is on the line, betting on a projected top-5 NFL Draft pick in
Jalen Carter, isn’t a bad bet.
LADD MCCONKEY
WIDE RECEIVER
PHOTO BY: GREG POOLE
CHRIS SMITH (DB #29) - A lot of times the linebacker is referred
to as the “quarterback of the defense,” but at Georgia that leadership
role falls upon the shoulders of fifth-year senior Chris Smith. They say
big players make big plays in big moments and that’s just how Smith
played against LSU. In the SEC title game he ran a blocked field goal
back 96 yards for a touchdown, caught an interception and made
multiple tackles.. The Dawgs will obviously need Smith to bring this
production into the Peach Bowl, and there’s no reason to doubt that
he will. Chris Smith is the cornerstone of the 2022 Georgia defense. The
world will be reminded of that come New Year’s Eve.
BY JEFF DANTZLER
When Georgia defeated the Buckeyes 21-14 on New
Year’s Day 1993 to win the Florida Citrus Bowl, All-
American tailback Garrison Hearst scored two TDs
and was the MVP of the game..
Georgia defeated the University of Cincinnati
Bearcats 24-21 in the Chick-Fil-A Peach on New
Year’s Day 2021, with Jack Podlesny hitting the goahead
field goal in the closing seconds.
In Kirby Smart’s final game as a player for Georgia,
the Bulldogs defeated the Virginia Cavaliers 35-33
in the Peach Bowl, rallying back from a 21-0 first
half deficit.
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 14 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

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The Bridge Run also includes a walk and a family-friendly festival,
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SPORTS
FOOTBALL
BUCKEYES TO WATCH
BY: CLAY WATKINS
RYAN DAY (HC) - Day is in his fourth season coaching the
Buckeyes. In his time in charge, Day has managed to put together
an impressive 42-5 record. Despite having one of the best head
coaching records in college football, Day has received serious criticism
questioning whether Ohio State’s recent success is due to “being born
on third base” having inherited a successful program that was rebuilt
by Urban Meyer. Regardless, Day is in charge of a top-4 team with
one of most prolific offenses in the nation. His Buckeyes look to derail
Georgia’s perfect season come New Year’s Eve.
RYAN DAY
HEAD COACH
PHOTO BY: OHIO STATE ATHLETICS
C.J. STROUD (QB #7) - Stroud has put together another
outstanding campaign throwing for 3,340 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 6
interceptions. Stroud possesses a cannon of an arm and for the second
straight year was a Heisman trophy finalist. The quarterback is looking
to avenge a difficult loss to their archrival, the Michigan Wolverines, and
will look to salvage Ohio State’s season by taking down the top ranked
Dawgs.
MARVIN HARRISON JR. (WR #18) - Marvin Harrison has
patiently waited his turn in the best receiving room in the country. After
a phenomenal Rose Bowl performance on New Year’s Day this past
January, Harrison has stepped up as Stroud’s number one target. The
talented receiver has 72 receptions for 1,157 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Slowing down the Buckeyes’ offense will start with limiting Harrison’s
touches.
MARVIN HARRISON JR.
WIDE RECEIVER
PHOTO BY: OHIO STATE ATHLETICS
LATHAN RANSOM
SAFETY
PHOTO BY: OHIO STATE ATHLETICS
EMEKA EGBUKA (WR #2) - Egbuka is another uber-talented
player in that Ohio State receiving room. The sophomore receiver is just
behind Harrison in his production with 66 receptions for 1,039 yards
and 9 touchdowns. The former 5-star recruit from Washington has elite
body control with the ability to make contested catches with ease. He
also possesses break-away speed. Georgia’s secondary will have their
hands full preventing explosive plays from Egbuka.
TYLER EICHENBERG (LB #35) - Eichenberg is the heartbeat of
the Ohio State defense. The linebacker has racked up 112 tackles this
season and played against Michigan with multiple broken bones in
both his hands. Despite being regarded as one of the best linebackers
in the nation, Eichenberg was not named as a finalist for the Butkus
Award – given to the nation’s best linebacker. Eichenberg looks to
prove the voters wrong by leading a talented Buckeyes’ defense to a
national championship.
LATHAN RANSOM (S #12) - The junior safety from Tucson, Arizona
is putting together an impressive season where he has accumulated 65
total tackles. Ransom is a physical defensive back that is not afraid to
come down in the box and hit opposing players. He is instinctual and
can fit various defensive schemes. Todd Monken will certainly be aware
of where Ransom lines up in the secondary as Georgia looks to create
explosive plays down the field.
BY JEFF DANTZLER
The Greatest Golfer of all time, “The Golden Bear”
Jack Nicklaus won the 1961 NCAA championship for
Ohio State, and went on to capture an astounding 18
professional majors.
Legendary track and field star Jesse Owens won eight
individual NCAA titles at Ohio State, and then went on
to remarkably capture four gold medals at the 1936
Berlin Olympic Games.
The only player to win two Heisman Trophies, Ohio
State All-American tailback Archie Griffin captured
the award in 1974 and 1975, and was the first player to
start in four Rose Bowls.
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 16 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

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BLOCK THAT KICK, NAZIR
STACKHOUSE... AND THE BENZ
WENT BOOM!
PHOTO BY: GREG POOLE
BY JEFF DANTZLER
FIVE KEYS
FOR A DAWGS VICTORY
TURNOVERS - Georgia has been up and down with turnovers this season. Like any
team, when the Bulldogs have won the turnover battle, the nation’s top-ranked team
1has been tough to beat. When the Dogs have struggled with turnovers, they have been
vulnerable. The Missouri game certainly comes to mind. If a team goes plus-two, it figures
to make the difference in who wins. In the Bulldogs previous two games at Mercedes-Benz
Stadium this season, Georgia won the turnover battle against Oregon in the season-opening
49-3 victory over the Duck, and in the 50-30 SEC Championship Game triumph over LSU.
PRESSURE STROUD - The Buckeyes strong-armed quarterback CJ Stroud has all the
talent and accolades. Much like Bryce Young of Alabama a season ago, this will be one of the
2best quarterbacks the Bulldogs have ever faced. The Buckeyes team captain leads the nation
in touchdown passes and passing efficiency. He has a fleet corps of receivers who make teams pay
for their miscues. Georgia must make him uncomfortable, and force the issue with Stroud. If he has
a lot of time to throw, then Georgia, as any team could be, is in big trouble.
DON’T GET BEAT DEEP - You know the names of the quarterbacks, receivers and
connections that have dealt the Bulldogs heartbreak through the years in games of this
3magnitude. For so many, it started with Dan Mario and Pittsburgh. In the heartbreakers of
heartbreakers, too often through the years, Georgia has given up the critical big scoring pass. That
was not the case in the National Championship Game last season against Alabama, as the Bulldogs
Kelee Ringo returned an interception for a touchdown in Georgia’s famed 33-18 victory over the
Crimson Tide. Keep those Buckeyes in front. Georgia has been very good at making it difficult for
teams to put up points this year.
4
MAXIMIZE POSSESSIONS - Ohio State can run it and throw it. The Buckeyes score,
and they have athletes who make the game-changing plays on defense and teams. They
score. Georgia is going to have to put up points. Likely 28 at a minimum, even with the
Bulldogs’ great defense. Getting the ball to the top and most feared players, with excellent play
up front, is where it all begins. In the SEC Championship Game, Stetson Bennett was finding
Brock Bowers, Darnell Washington and Ladd McConkey. Then the run game truly shined. Move
those chains, and capitalize. It’s going to take touchdowns, but if they aren’t there, it’s a must to
get three points.
COUNTERPUNCH - Just as the Bulldogs did while running the gauntlet of the
Southeastern Conference, when Ohio State makes big plays and gets on the scoreboard, it’s
5vital to answer back and turn the tables. Georgia did a tremendous job of striking back in the
SEC Championship Game, most notably with a first half scoring drive after LSU had tied the game
at 7-7, and in Jacksonville after Florida had drawn within 28-20. Emotions will be running high and
the Mercedes Benz Stadium will be rocking. The Bulldogs are going to take a lot of big shots from
the Buckeyes. Answer, call-and-raise, capitalize.
2022 IS OUR
OYSTER ...
TIME TO EARN ANOTHER PEARL!
GO DAWGS!!
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 18 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

welcomes
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to our new office in
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Ed Ferguson
Managing Director/Investments
Branch Manager
Portfolio Manager – Solutions Program
(706) 247-8248
ed.ferguson@stifel.com
Dick Ferguson
Managing Director/Investments
Portfolio Manager – Solutions Program
(706) 247-8250
dick.ferguson@stifel.com
Karen Miley, CFP ®
Client Relationship Manager
(706) 247-8249
karen.miley@stifel.com
Main: (706) 247-8246
Fax: (706) 247-8247
Toll-Free: (866) 370-7254
www.fergusonwealthadvisors.com
394 Milledge Avenue, Suite 106
Athens, Georgia 30605
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated | Member SIPC & NYSE | www.stifel.com

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THE DAWG BONES
GEORGIA VS OHIO STATE
BY CLAY WATKINS
CLOSE OUT 2022 WITH
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DAWG BONES OFFENSE: EVEN
This is a compelling matchup of potent offenses that operate in
numerous different ways. Ohio State relies on their dynamic wide
receivers to stretch the field and create explosive plays. Georgia likes
to establish the run game in order to open up their passing offense
through tight end involvement. In 2022, Georgia is averaging 491 total
yards per game compared to Ohio State’s 492 total yards per game. Ohio
State averages more yards passing while Georgia averages more yards
rushing. Whichever team is able to best execute its offense in the red
zone will have the edge.
DAWG BONES DEFENSE: GEORGIA
The Dawgs’ defense is only allowing an average of 12 points per game
compared to Ohio State’s defense which allows an average of 19
points per game. Georgia is extremely physical up front with excellent
linebacker and safety play. Ohio State’s defense is vastly improved from
last year’s underperforming unit. This is due in large part to the work
of highly respected, first-year defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. Ohio
State’s defense was exposed against Michigan giving up numerous
explosive plays through the air and on the ground.
DAWG BONES SPECIAL TEAMS: GEORGIA
An underrated piece of college football dominance is special teams play.
Jack Podlesny recently was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Year.
He has converted 23/26 field goal attempts on the season while making
all of his extra points. Brett Thorson (named to SEC Freshman Team) has
also proven to be a weapon as a punter averaging 45 yards a punt with
a long of 75. Ohio State’s Noah Ruggles is having a great season as well,
having converted 15/17 field goal attempts. Jesse Mirco, the Buckeyes’
punter, has almost identical statistics to fellow Aussie Brett Thorson, as
he is also averaging 45 yards per punt with a long of 77. Pod’s experience
and his impressive prior performances in Mercedes Benz Stadium gives
the Dawgs the edge.
DAWG BONES COACHING: GEORGIA
Coach Smart has put together another outstanding campaign as
Georgia’s lead man, which rightfully garnered him SEC Coach of the Year.
Despite losing 15 players to the NFL and some to the transfer portal,
Coach Smart has relied on a healthy level of experience and plenty of
youth to fill the void left by last year’s championship team. Coach Day
would probably be the first to tell you that this season did not go as
planned for the Buckeyes. Despite starting the season 11-0, the Buckeyes
failed its biggest test against Michigan. Day will have his team ready, but
the coaching edge belongs to the Dawgs.
DAWG BONES OVERALL: GEORGIA
The Dawgs have shown throughout the 2022 season that they are the
most complete team in the nation. They have demonstrated their ability
to win games through the air and on the ground while also imposing
their will on the defensive side of the ball. Ohio State comes into this
game looking to prove to college football that, despite not playing in
a conference championship game, they are worthy of competing for a
national championship. Ohio State certainly has the talent and ability to
win this football game, but simply put it’s Georgia’s game to lose.
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 20 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

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BY JEFF DANTZLER
A VIEW OF THE CFP-SEMI PEACH BOWL...
My old friend Mark Schlabach offers his insights into the Georgia-Ohio State battle in the Chick-Fil-A
Peach Bowl. Mark is an award-winning senior writer for ESPN and the author of dozens of books. He is a
star. Mark and his wife Heather, both Georgia graduates are the parents of three children: Carolina and
Jane, both of attend Georgia, and avid Bulldog fan Jack, an eighth grader.
WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON OHIO
STATE?
I think they’re one of the three or four most
talented teams in the country, along with Georgia,
Alabama and USC. I was surprised by how Michigan
completely ran past the Buckeyes in the Horseshoe.
I thought Ohio State’s defense had made dramatic
improvements under new coordinator Jim
Knowles, who did terrific work in his previous stop
at Oklahoma State. But Michigan’s receivers were
running free, and the Wolverines made about four
big plays to break the game open. Ohio State’s
offense is explosive, and it will be better if tailbacks
Miyan Williams and TreVeon Henderson are healthy.
CJ Stroud is good but Georgia’s defense can rattle
him like Michigan did.
WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON GEORGIA?
I don’t think Kirby Smart is getting enough
credit for the reloading job he and his staff put
together this year. I think it’s gotten to the point
where it’s maybe expected at Georgia, kind of
like it is with Nick Saban at Alabama and Dabo
Swinney at Clemson when the Tigers were rolling.
But to replace 15 NFL draft picks, including five
first-rounders on defense, as well as defensive
coordinator Dan Lanning isn’t easy. Georgia’s
offense is better than it was last year, even without
some injured receivers. The Bulldogs didn’t look
great in a few games like Kent State, Mississippi
State and Kentucky, but they rose for the games
that mattered.
WHAT DO THE BUCKEYES NEED TO
DO TO WIN?
I think Ohio State will try to have some balance on
offense, but it’s going to come down to Stroud’s
ability to find receivers Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka
Egbuka and Julian Fleming. The Bulldogs caught
a big break in that Jaxon Smith-Njigba won’t play
in the game. He’s probably OSU’s most explosive
receiver, but missed pretty much the entire season
because of a bad hamstring injury. He’s skipping
the College Football Playoff and is starting to
prepare for the NFL draft. Harrison is going to be
a tough matchup for Georgia cornerback Kelee
Ringo, who has made some big plays but also
struggled with his consistency.
WHAT DOES GEORGIA NEED TO DO
TO WIN?
Georgia needs to run the ball and open up the
play-action passing game. OSU had some big
breakdowns in the secondary against Michigan.
Georgia can hit some vertical plays, especially
if Arian Smith and AD Mitchell are healthy. I
don’t think people who aren’t that familiar with
Georgia’s program have given Stetson Bennett IV
enough credit for his production, given how thin
the receiver corps was this season. If Georgia can
get Kenny McIntosh and Kendall Milton going,
Bennett’s job will be easier.
WHO WINS MICHIGAN-TCU?
I love the TCU story. Sonny Dykes is one of the
best guys in the coaching profession. I’m glad he
found success at TCU after struggling at Cal. That
just wasn’t a good fit. I was very impressed with
Horned Frogs quarterback Max Duggan in the Big
12 championship game, even though his team
lost. I’m not sure there’s a tougher player in the
country this season. He runs like Tim Tebow and
throws better than him. That being said, I think
Michigan probably has too much of an advantage
on the line of scrimmage. The Horned Frogs
struggled in short-yardage situations against
Kansas State, and it won’t be any easier against
the Wolverines. Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh
also deserves a ton of credit for replacing his best
players and defensive coordinator.
December is so chaotic, are we going to get a
more workable “timeline” for signing day(s), portal,
declaring for the NFL, etc. any time soon?
I sure hope so. It was a hectic week going from
the CFP and bowl game announcements right
into the transfer portal. The transfer portal is
already a broken system. It isn’t working like it
was intended to be. There were more than 1,000
players enter the portal in the first 48 hours. I’ll
guess that 65% of them won’t find new homes.
The 45-day window to find new teams is too long
and puts too much pressure on coaches. I couldn’t
imagine trying to manage an 85-man roster right
now. When you look at the number of players
who entered the portal from the same teams, and
I’m talking about schools like Arkansas, Florida,
Maryland and Texas A&M, there seems to be some
weeding-out going on as well. I don’t think many
of those players went into the portal by choice.
WHAT IS THE FINAL SCORE IN
ATLANTA?
Georgia 34, Ohio State 24. See you in Los Angeles.
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 22 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

The only thing I love
more than Real Estate,
is GEORGIA FOOTBALL!
Let’s game plan your
REAL ESTATE
needs together!
SCAN ME!
Christina Hammond | Associate Broker, SRES, Property Manager
824 S Milledge Ave. Athens, GA 30605 | O: 706.850.4636 | C: 706.255.4731

RSM CLASSIC PHOTOS PG. 42 | TOUCHDOWN CLUB OF ATHENS PHOTOS PG. 48 | PROUST: MALCOLM MITCHELL PG. 50
SOCIAL
sec championship FAN PHOTOS PG. 26-40
Bessie Winston, Grace Hackett, Chip Hackett, Claire Hackett
PHOTO BY: VANCE LEAVY
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 25 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

SOCIAL
FAN SHOTS
Sharon Smart, Sonny Smart
Barber Wilson, Will Easterlin,
Mary Beth Easterlin
Leon Hall, Quenon Smith, Joey Kendrick,
Corey Dortch
Kara Cannon, Ann Cannon,
Christie Cannon
Perry Langton, Karen Langston
Jeremy Wood,
Megan Wood
Tessa Reams, Katie Hardison,
Brook Miller
Brian Garrett, Flynn Miller,
Tyler Reams
SEC CHAMPIONSHIP
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 26 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

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Robbie McCorkle, Tom Murray, Bo Stephens, Aaron Murray,
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Jeff Wernick, Tommy Williams, Jason Landress,Trent Thacker,
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Diana Durham, Austin Stripling, Jay Prince, Matt Forgione
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Elizabeth Weeks, Thom Leonard
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 27 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

SOCIAL
FAN SHOTS
Ben Koelbl, Amanuel Koelbl, Daniel Koelbl
Cary West, Kelly West
Todd Gemes, Lizzie Gemes, Kate Gemes
SEC CHAMPIONSHIP
Steven Haugabook,
Sally Haugabook
Matt Jones, Matt Wilkes, Mike Rutherford,
Chris Gaillard
Sarah Kate Call, Meredith Brown, katlyn Williams, Addylee Holmes,
Bryant Burroughs, Sydney Field, Addie Lee, Colleen Shepard,
Crew Phillips
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 28 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

We
Athens.
Thank you for making our first year in Athens so successful!
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Equal housing opportunity. If you have an existing brokerage relationship, this is not intended as a solicitation. All data believed to be accurate but not warranted.

SOCIAL
FAN SHOTS
Eliza Price, Gwen Van Ingen,
Collins Fowler
Chip Milner, Nancy Milner
(clockwise) Melissa Rutherford, Vance Leavy, Charlie Rutherford,
Ryan Rutherford, Matt Ades, Al Hickson, Jeff Miller, Pruitt Miller,
Angela Hickson, Eli Ades, Cheri Leavy
SEC CHAMPIONSHIP
Kayla Greer,
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Kevin Scurry, Halo Scurry,
Briana Scurry
Tyler Brabenec, Carly Griffies, Adam Ellender, Gray Ellender,
Julia Edwards, Sarah Moss
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and shops in Five Points.
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 30 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

SOCIAL
FAN SHOTS
Drew Jones, Gracie Jones, Andrew Jones, Ridley Williams
John Holmes, Hal Greer, Jenny Greer, Charlotte Helmig,
Harry Greer, Eli Greer
SEC CHAMPIONSHIP
Kyria McIntosh, Richard
McIntosh, Edward Thomas,
Calvin Keaton
Deanna Galyon,
Terry Dunaway
Katie MacGinnitie,
Andrew Waguespack
De’Anthony Bishop, Sahera Bader,
Crystal Ashbourne, Corey Ashbourne
REAL ESTATE Southern Style
LISA M.
LANGFORD
(706) 340-2242
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DUNN
(706) 614-7360
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go dawgs!
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 32 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

FROM THE
BETTER BURRITO
TO THE
BEST FOOTBALL TEAM
Congratulations on going
to the championship!
GO DAWGS, SIC ‘EM!
1860 Barnett Shoals Rd | 1739 S. Lumpkin St | 1180 Prince Ave

SOCIAL
FAN SHOTS
Cat Hires, Lindsey Cheek Murphey, Sarah
Persinger Sailor, Suzanne Yoculan Leebern,
Megan Roberts, Emily Schilds ,Rachel Schick,
Jana Jackson Hunter, Stacey Cook Lacy
Laura Wilfong,
Bobby Wilfong,
Lee Gilbert
Brian Kemp, Joel Arline
SEC CHAMPIONSHIP
Caroline Tolleson, McLain Tolleson,
Matthew Tolleson, Matt Tolleson
Chris Gareau, Marie Gareau, Jason Hodge, Allison Hodge, Jay
Cook, Caroline Kinney, Catherine Marti, Lauren Cook, Jon Marti
Deja Baker, Elijah
Osteen, Nikki Baker
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 34 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

Life’s better
with brick.
Proud Supporter of Georgia Football!
GG DDwwss
McDonough Showroom
170 Westridge Industrial Blvd.
McDonough, GA 30253
770-914-9280
VISIT OUR SHOWROOMS
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1984 Tobacco Road
Augusta, GA 30906
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SOCIAL
FAN SHOTS
Jason Lefkowitz, David Lefkowitz,
Larry Berrong, Carolyn Berrong,
Lori Lefkowitz
Gracie Hill, Cade Priester, Mitch Bowman, Chad Battle,
Brandon James, Abbie Davis, Taylor Buffington, Caleigh
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Jennifer West, Emmeline West
Bubba West, Vassa Cate
David Preston,
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SEC CHAMPIONSHIP
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 36 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

CHEERING ON THE DAWGS. LET’S BEAT THE BUCKEYES.

SOCIAL
FAN SHOTS
Meir Palma, Justin Mercee
Joe Jackson Maureen Jackson,
Lanny Allgood, Kate Allgood
Garner Crow, Jett Hartley,
Ali Kalayjian, Weldon
Kolker, Abby Boyan
SEC CHAMPIONSHIP
Amanda Kirk, Will Kirk, Robby Kirk
Anne Marie Willis, Andrea Squire Jones, Amy McCrory Brown, Natalie Smith Childs,
Christine Dieterle Thomas, Christy Falcon Parker
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 38 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

SOCIAL
FAN SHOTS
Lee Garrett, Lisa Garrett, Kristen Wieler, Tuck Wieler
Jonathan Quon, Hammy Culpepper
Lindsay Scott, Rob Saye, Buck Belue
SEC CHAMPIONSHIP
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 40 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 42 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 45 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

ulldawg Bucket List
Mimi Culpepper and Sara Hughes on the Spike Squad
Almost five years ago, my best friend, Sara Hughes,
started an unexpected battle against cancer. She was
diagnosed with metastasized lung cancer that had
spread to her pelvis. Spring of 2018, Sara was admitted
to M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas and underwent a full
reconstruction of her pelvis. This is where the Bulldawg Bucketlist
was created. Sara spent the summer of 2018 learning to walk
again in hopes of achieving her goal of walking into Sanford
Stadium unassisted on opening day of the Georgia football
season. She fiercely tackled this goal remarking, “I did it proudly
and confidently but if I was completely honest when I achieved
that goal, I knew it was time for a bigger goal.” She overcame any
obstacle in her way and fulfilled her second and bigger goal of
making it to every home game of the 2018 season. Two items on
the Bulldawg Bucket-list had officially been checked off.
Flash forward to the 2021 Georgia Football season, Kirby asked
the fans to be “ELITE,” and Sara rose to the occasion by not letting
her cancer interfere with her love for Georgia football. Consistent
with her fighting attitude she stated “Everytime cancer tries to
make a comeback and score, I’ve put my helmet and pads on and
headed back on the field to work on the winning game plan.”
College Gameday was coming to Athens for the Arkansas game,
and Sara set a new goal. She asked me to help her make this
dream come true, and I was all in. We stayed up late Thursday night
making signs and posted them all over social media trying to get
the College Gameday hosts’ attention. David Pollack got word of
Sara’s story and contacted her inviting her to meet him at College
Gameday. The morning of the game we were up with our signs
at Meyers Quad at 5:45 a.m. Before sunrise the cloudy morning
and red stadium lights created an eerie red fog over Meyers Quad
that only intensified our excitement for the day. A crowd started
forming around someone making their way to us. David Pollack
walked out of the crowd and straight to Sara introducing himself.
We were speechless to say the least. Sara gave Pollack one of her
SaraSmile bracelets that he still wears to this day. We took a quick
picture with David Pollack, and another Bulldawg Bucket-list item
was checked off.
BY: MIMI CULPEPPER
Sara Hughes’
Bulldawg
Bucket List
When the Dawgs secured a spot in the National Championship
game, Sara knew she had to be there. Going to the Natty was
enough for her, but she was overjoyed when the team, “… went
above and beyond to secure a win.” The National Championship
game was a great way to end the unforgettable season for Sara.
Sara mentioned to me at the beginning of this 2022 season
that she wanted to add being a member of the Spike Squad to
her Bulldawg Bucket-list. Sara has been hit with a few setbacks
since the beginning of the season. She related to our starting
quarterback stating, “Stetson, I know what it’s like to throw an
interception and feel defeated. I also know what it’s like to have
your team rally around you and believe in you like your teammates
believed in you [last] season.” Sara’s team rallied to make this
remarkable experience possible. When I told Sara we were going
to be in the Spike Squad for the Georgia Tech game, I thought I
would never see her smile bigger than she did in that moment.
I was proved wrong on Saturday when I saw the smile on Sara’s
face as she was watching the Dawgs run out of the tunnel with
her spike pads on. Our amazing host and member of the Spike
Squad, Emmeline West, took us through a full day of being part
of the Spike Squad. The whole squad was so welcoming and
accommodating to Sara and me. They helped us paint up, taught
us the Spike Squad traditions, celebrated with us, and kept
mentioning how appreciative they were to have us there. Towards
the end of the first half of the game Sara looked at me with that
bigger than life smile, and I knew this Bulldawg Bucket-list item
had amounted to more than she could have ever imagined.
This memorable game would not have been possible without
the incredible members of the Spike Squad. The Squad is trying
to raise money to send members to away games. Please donate
generously to their foundation because they deserve the world
after the amazing day they created for Sara and me.
www.spikesquadboosterclub.org
Sara Hughes, David Pollack and Mimi
Culpepper at ESPN Gameday
Emmeline West and Mimi
Culpepper on the Spike Squad

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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 48 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 49 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

PROUST
Q&A
BY: CAROLINE CHAMPION
QUOTE TO LIVE BY:
Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can do what
others can’t. -Jerry Rice
WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF PERFECT HAPPINESS?
MALCOLM MITCHELL
NAME: Malcolm Mitchell
FAMILY: Jasmine and Oakley
HOMETOWN: Valdosta, Georgia
CURRENT TOWN: Atlanta, Georgia
WHAT YEARS AT UGA: 2011-2015
SCHOOL/DEGREE: Bachelors in Communication Studies
PROFESSION: Author, Founder/CEO of Share the Magic
Foundation, Super Bowl Champion.
ACCOLADES: Super Bowl champion, Georgia Author of the
Year (x2), American Promise Award Recipient, UGA 40 under 40,
Atlanta Business Chronicle 40 under 40, National Allstate Good
Works Team Captain, SCLC President’s Award Recipient.
WHAT LIFE LESSONS DID YOU LEARN WHILE AT UGA?
Through access and exposure to information ones scope of
understanding is widened drastically. If I can see more, I can
believe more. If I can believe more, I can achieve more.
WHAT PROFESSOR DID YOU MOST ADMIRE?
Mark Richt, Head Coach. Coach Richt was able to forego popular
opinion and focus intently on developing well-rounded men not
just athletes. That approach had a great impact on my life.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST
ACHIEVEMENT?
Finding comfort in the unknown.
WHICH HISTORICAL FIGURE DO YOU MOST IDENTIFY
WITH?
Kobe Bryant. His approach to life was simple: Be my absolute best
in everything that I do or attempt to do.
WHO ARE YOUR HEROES IN REAL LIFE?
My mom, Pratina Mitchell. Her sacrifice is admirable and I hope to
replicate her faith and work ethic.
Complete acceptance of what I’ve gone through, where I
currently am, and where I hope to be in the future.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST
ACHIEVEMENT?
Oakley Grand Mitchell- my son.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST MARKED CHARACTERISTIC?
Curiosity.
WHAT DO YOU MOST VALUE IN YOUR FRIENDS?
Transparency.
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT
YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I think growing up with a father would have helped me better
understand that men can cry too. I believe that would’ve made
me more empathetic.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE WRITERS?
Kurt Vonnegut because of his whimsical delivery on catastrophic
topics. Langston Hughes because of his ability to capture his
feelings in the moment and distribute them in a way they last
forever.
FAVE SOCIAL MEDIA AND WHO TO FOLLOW?
I’m not a huge fan of social media.
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 50 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

BOWL BONANZA PG. 54 | THE HAMMYS PG. 56 | HOOPS PREVIEW PG. 58
MORE
SPORTS
AN EPIC AND DESERVED HONOR FOR STETSON BENNETT AND HIS FELLOW HEISMAN TROPHY FINALISTS,
MAX DUGGAN, C.J. STROUD, CALEB WILLIAMS
PHOTO BY: ROB SAYE
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 51 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

STETSON BENNETT IV
2022 HEISMAN
LUKE BENNETT, OLIVIA BENNETT, DENISE BENNETT,
STETSON BENNETT IV, STETSON BENNETT III, KNOX BENNETT
TROPHY FINALIST
Congrats No. 13 and thanks for always
bringing glory to ol’ Georgia!
BY: LORAN SMITH
KIRBY SMART,
STETSON BENNETT
STETSON BENNETT III WITH
COUSIN AMY ARMSTRONG
STETSON BENNETT III,
STETSON BENNETT IV,
LELAND BARROW
MATT LEINART,
STETSON BENNETT
STETSON BENNETT, MAX DUGGAN, C.J. STROUD,
CALEB WILLIAMS
PHOTOS BY: GEORGIA FOOTBALL INSTAGRAM,
HEISMAN TRUST, JOHN PARKER, ROB SAYE
New York – Stetson
Bennett has been
upsetting apple
carts and breaking
icons throughout his athletic
career. That was foremost in my
thoughts as I arrived at the press
headquarters at the Marriott
Marquis last Saturday. I was aware
of the odds against him winning
the prestigious Heisman trophy
but was also aware that the odds
were against him.
Too small, not enough
accumulation of stats for him to
win the biggest individual prize
in college football. The Heisman
voters are persuaded by cannon
arms and over the top statistics.
Stet’s statistics are just not
fashionable with Heisman voters.
There is much regional
influence. Naturally, I was hoping
that this would be another
occasion when Stetson would be
the underdog that prevailed.
The kid who played games all
his life behind the pharmacy in
Blackshear where he grew up,
the boy, who, when not playing
games, fished the Satilla River, a
real swamp rat who forever had
Georgia on his mind. He is one
who preferred to drive a dusty
pickup truck, with trash askew on
the console and in the back of the
truck. Mud on the fenders of his
trusty companion.
However, on the football field,
he was as tidy and buttoned up
as one could expect when it came
to quarterback play. Whenever
there was a breakdown in the
swamp, Stet IV could jerry rig
and keep going. It was the same
on the football field. He could
improvise, turn a broken play into
a touchdown. That does not show
up on a stat sheet.
Everything he did growing up
enhanced hand eye coordination.
He developed quick feet, the
better to hop out of a tackler’s
grasp, make a lineman twice his
size endure frustration and biting
the dust more often than not.
That he got to New York, that
he was a finalist is something
that should be accompanied by
generous high fives. You can’t
blame the Heisman voters. His
own constituency was slow to
embrace him.
Caleb Williams, whom Georgia
recruited hard, may go on to NFL
greatness which is not forecast
for Stetson although none other
than Georgia’s Fran Tarkenton
has gone on record saying that
he believes Stetson can play
on Sunday. “He can do what
quarterbacks must do and that is
to make plays,” Tarkenton says.
What if the NFL doesn’t work
out? Well, I see Stetson being the
toast of the state. One can only
imagine what his life would be
like if he affiliates with a sales and
marketing career. He won’t need
to print business cards. Perhaps,
he might consider a coaching
career. A lot of quarterbacks
make good coaches. Stetson is
creative, inventive, and blessed
with good communication skills.
Above all, he has patience
and humility. He grew up where
the work ethic was as revered
as catfish and hushpuppies on
a Saturday night with country
music forming a compatible
atmosphere.
When Peyton Manning, the
favorite, did not win the Heisman
in 1997, he returned home from
New York and told his family that
the Heisman Trophy discussion
was over. He chose not to dwell
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 52 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

in the past, to avoid carping about
something he had no control over—
but to look ahead. Look at Peyton
now.
Not sure what Stetson’s future
will be, but the unfinished business
in his life is far more important than
winning the Heisman trophy. If he
can lead his team to another national
championship that would be more
valuable than a dozen Heisman
trophies.
There are a couple of things
to remember about Stetson. He
is unflappable. He has a defining
equanimity in his makeup. He is not
troubled by criticism and before
we chide the Heisman voters, let’s
remember that his own fan base was
entrenched with doubting Thomases.
Fans in another era when baseball
was our national pastime, preferred
the hitting prowess of Babe Ruth over
the genius of Ty Cobb who could beat
you in more ways that any man who
ever played the game. That has a lot to
do with him becoming the first player
elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame.
Let’s not lose sight of how big it
was for Stet to become a finalist. That
had Georgia on the national stage
during a peak recruiting time. After
all, Stetson has always been keen on
bringing glory to ol’ Georgia. Selah!
ROB SAYE, STETSON BENNETT
HOLLY ROWE,
STETSON BENNETT
LORAN SMITH
STETSON BENNETT, MAX DUGGAN, C.J. STROUD,
CALEB WILLIAMS
Ring in the New Year with a
and BUST
THE BUCKEYES!
athens • watkinsville • auburn • lawrenceville
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 53 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

JEFF DANTZLER’S
BOWL BONANZA
BONUS BLITZ
LAS VEGAS BOWL
December 17 - 2:30 P.M.
FLORIDA VS. OREGON
STATE
Las Vegas
ESPN
It is the first year of the Billy Napier era in
Gainesville, and the Gators are bound for Sin
City with a 6-6 record, 3-5 in the Southeastern
Conference. Florida needs a win to avoid a
second straight losing season, and losing
record in four of the previous ten years.
Last season, Florida went 6-7, and 2-6 in
the league. That’s a 5-11 conference record
the last two seasons. The Gators are always
talented, and their fans certainly feel they
should have won at least eight or nine games.
Motivation will be a big question mark for this
one. Oregon State heads in with a record of
9-3. Their losses came to Southern Cal, Utah
and Washington, two of those by a field goal.
The Beavers would love to get to 10-3 and
knock off a big name SEC foe.
GASPARILLA BOWL
December 23 - 6:30 P.M.
MISSOURI VS. WAKE
FOREST
Tampa, Florida
ESPN
Eli Drinkwitz’s Tigers got to 6-6 and bowl
eligible with a thrilling 29-27 win over
Arkansas in the regular season finale. Missouri
has played in a lot of close games. Four of
the Tigers five losses came by seven or fewer
points, including the near miss upset attempt
in Columbia, where Georgia pulled out a 26-
22 win on October 1. Mizzou is attempting to
maximize touches for highly touted freshman
do everything receiver Luther Burden, a big
play maker and the Tigers most high profile
recruiting pickup arguably since they joined
the SEC in 2012. Wake Forest checks in at
7-5, but what stings is losing four of the last
five, including a two-point heartbreaker to
North Carolina and three point setback at
Duke. Sam Hartman has broken a lot of Riley
Skinner’s passing records in Winston Salem.
CAMELLIA BOWL
December 27, NOON
GEORGIA SOUTHERN VS. BUFFALO
Montgomery, Alabama
ESPN
The Eagles had their share of ups and downs
this season, like a vast majority of teams
across the country. The highs were mighty
high, including a thrilling 45-42 victory
at Nebraska (if someone would have told
you 40 years that would happen someday,
it would not have been believable), and a
51-48 topping of Appalachian State to get
the berth in Mobile. Jared Benko, a Georgia
graduate, is an outstanding young athletic
director, and there are high hopes with head
football coach Clay Helton. A bowl win over
Buffalo would be a big lift. The Bulls started
the season 0-3, won five in a row, then lost
three straight. A 23-22 victory over Akron got
Buffalo to the bowl eligibility win total.
LIBERTY BOWL
December 28 - 5:30 P.M.
ARKANSAS VS. KANSAS
Memphis, Tennessee
ESPN
Like so many teams in the SEC, the Razorbacks
are thinking “what if?” That line between
8-4 and 10-2, and 8-4 and 6-6 is so thin. The
Razorbacks lost three games by two points
and one game by three points. Arkansas
deserves credit for playing a really tough non
conference schedule, including Cincinnati,
BYU and Liberty, which upset the Hogs 21-19.
Arkansas got SEC wins over South Carolina,
Auburn and Ole Miss. Kansas has been one
of college football’s worst programs. A 5-0
start got the Jayhawks a lot of notoriety, but
they lost six of their last seven. Sam Pittman is
an excellent motivator, and the Liberty Bowl
in Memphis figures to be packed out with
Arkansas fans “calling the Hogs.”
TEXAS BOWL
December 28 - 9 P.M.
OLE MISS VS. TEXAS
TECH
Houston
ESPN
This is another “what could have been” team
in the SEC. The Rebels were in contention
to win the SEC West, and had a golden
opportunity to take down Alabama. But they
didn’t. After that heartbreaker, the Rebels
got smoked at Arkansas and lost the Egg
Bowl 24-22 to Mississippi State, falling to 8-4.
That game is almost always one of the most
exciting of the season. Auburn reportedly
made advances for Lane Kiffin, but he’s still
at the helm in Oxford. The Red Raiders are
coming in hot, winners of three straight,
including a 51-48 victory over Oklahoma in
Lubbock. Last season, Texas Tech smoked
Mississippi State 34-7 in the Liberty Bowl,
now Ole Miss is the target.
CHEEZ-IT BOWL
December 29 - 5:30 P.M.
FLORIDA STATE VS.
OKLAHOMA
Orlando, Florida
ESPN
These two programs have produced a lot
of hardware through the years and squared
off in some big time games, most notably,
three Orange Bowls. All won by the Sooners,
including the 18-17 classic on 1/1/81 (a very
special day), and the 13-2 game on 1/3/2001
which delivered Bob Stoops and Josh Heupelled
Oklahoma the national title. FSU won the
first meeting in the 1965 Gator Bowl, with
the Sooners taking the last six. Florida State
is trending up under Mike Norvell’s watch.
The ‘Noles won their five, lost three in a row,
then won four straight. They bookended the
campaign with wins over LSU and Florida.
Not bad. The Sooners, since that great Stoops
team in 2000, have been one of college
football’s giants. They are 6-6 though, and
there are questions in Year One of the Brent
Venables era.
ALAMO BOWL
December 29 - 9 P.M.
TEXAS VS.
WASHINGTON
San Antonio, Texas
ESPN
Very quietly, Washington, which has the
second best record in the history of the PAC-
12, put together a 10-2 record. Kalen DeBoer
has the Husky faithful optimistic. Washington
won its last six games to post a 10-2
record, highlighted by wins at Oregon and
Washington State. There figures to be a high
interest level for both teams in this one. Steve
Sarkisian is in his second season in Austin.
The biggest take away this year was the near
miss 20-19 loss to Alabama in Week Two. The
Longhorns are 8-4. They beat Oklahoma and
Kansas State, and lost all four games by seven
or fewer points. The Alamo Bowl is usually
one of the best on the schedule and this year
should be no exception.
GATOR BOWL
December 30 - 3:30 P.M.
SOUTH CAROLINA VS.
NOTRE DAME
Jacksonville
ESPN
This will be a hot ticket in Jacksonville. There
is no team in the country that closed the
regular season with two more impressive
victories than the Gamecocks, who blew
away Tennessee and then beat Clemson at
Death Valley. Both Orange teams’ playoff
dreams were dashed. Notre Dame started
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 54 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

0-2, and were 3-3 after a loss to Stanford.
Then the Fighting Irish caught fire, winning
five in a row. That included a 35-14 beating
of Clemson in South Bend. In the regular
season finale, Notre Dame fell to Southern Cal
38-27. Shane Beamer is in his second season
in Columbia, while it is Marcus Freeman’s
first full campaign for the Irish. He coached
the Fiesta Bowl loss to Oklahoma State last
season after Brian Kelly left for Baton Rouge.
ORANGE BOWL
December 30 - 8 P.M.
TENNESSEE VS. CLEMSON
Miami Gardens, Florida
ESPN
In what might be the orangest Orange
Bowl ever, Tennessee takes on Clemson in a
battle of twice-beatens. Oh if it weren’t for
South Carolina. The Tigers other loss was
at Notre Dame. The Volunteers other loss
was at Georgia. Clemson bounced back
from the heartbreaker to the Gamecocks
to roll past North Carolina, and amazingly
win the ACC Championship for the seventh
time in eight years. Tennessee is without
injured QB Hendon Hooker, but Joe Milton
III is very good. Cade Klubnik is the Tigers’
quarterback. The freshman has been very
good. DJ Uiagalelei is in the transfer portal.
This is a major bowl game with a major bowl
game too. The Volunteers will travel. The
Orange and Sugar Bowls were fighting to
land Tennessee.
SUGAR BOWL
December 31 - NOON
ALABAMA VS. KANSAS
STATE
New Orleans
ESPN
Playoff posturing from the twice beaten
Crimson Tide was an eye-roller to a lot of
college football fans. Not a lot of sympathy
for a powerhouse that has played in six of
the last seven national title games and has
the tremendous 2021 Heisman winner Bryce
Young at quarterback. Alabama lost a pair of
heartbreakers at Tennessee and LSU. Both,
obviously could have gone either way. As a
side note, Tennessee, like Alabama, is 10-2, and
beat the Red Elephants. The Tide also pulled
out tight contests against Texas, Texas A&M
and Ole Miss, which could have gone either
way. Kansas State knocked off TCU in the Big
XII Championship Game. If the Wildcats could
upset Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, what a close
to the season that would be.
MUSIC CITY BOWL
December 31 - NOON
IOWA VS. KENTUCKY
Nashville, Tennessee
ABC
Points and possessions will be at a premium
for this meeting between the Hawkeyes and
Wildcats. Last season, these two met in the
Citrus Bowl with Kentucky winning 20-17 to
finish 10-3. Kentucky beat Florida 26-16 early
and closed the regular season with a 26-13
win over Louisville to post a 7-5 record. Iowa
has infamously struggled mightily offensively
for much of this season. Six times this season,
the Hawkeyes have scored 14 or fewer points.
That includes three games scoring in single
digits. Iowa lost its regular season finale to
Nebraska 24-17, and also heads to Music City,
USA with a 7-5 record. It is a pretty good bet
that this one will be cold, cloudy and maybe
wet. Figure on a low scoring defensive battle.
FIESTA BOWL - CFP
SEMIFINAL
December 31 - 4 P.M.
MICHIGAN VS. TCU
Glendale, Arizona
ESPN
The winner in suburban Phoenix will play in
the National Championship Game against
either Ohio State or Georgia. Jim Harbaugh
has the Wolverines cooking. They dominated
the fourth quarter and beat Ohio State for a
second straight season en route to a second
consecutive Big Ten Championship. Michigan
lost some very good talent off last year’s
Orange Bowl team, but here they are, back
in the playoff, this time with a perfect 13-0
record. TCU, under first year coach Sonny
Dykes, had the dream season and are one
of the biggest surprises in the history of the
CFP. The heartbreaking Big XII Championship
Game loss to Kansas State did nothing
to derail their playoff hopes. Michigan is
big, tough and physical. The Horned Frogs
have found a variety of ways to win, led by
Heisman finalist quarterback Max Dugan.
RELIAQUEST BOWL
January 2 - NOON
MISSISSIPPI STATE VS.
ILLINOIS
Tampa, Florida
ESPN2
Mike Leach has the Maroon Bulldog faithful
feeling right after that thrilling 24-22 Egg
Bowl win over Ole Miss. Mississippi State is
8-4 with big play ability and an outstanding
quarterback Will Rogers. MSU’s losses were in
Baton Rouge, Lexington and Tuscaloosa and
then at home to Georgia. Certainly no shame
there. Illinois is also 8-4, and though there
is disappointment that the Fighting Illini
didn’t make it to the Big Ten Championship
Game after a 7-1 start, the feeling is that Bret
Bielema has them trending upwards. Three
straight losses by a combined 15 points
in November stings, especially the one at
Michigan. Credit Illinois for coming back at
closing out the regular season strong with a
41-3 win at Northwestern.
CITRUS BOWL
January 2 - 1 P.M.
LSU VS. PURDUE
Orlando, Florida
ABC
Brian Kelly is in his first season as LSU’s
head coach, and he took the Tigers to the
SEC Championship Game. Not a lot of LSU
fans predicted that before the season.
The upset victory over the Crimson Tide
was the season highlight. LSU was upset
by Texas A&M in the regular season finale
and then lost by 20 to Georgia in Atlanta,
falling to 9-4. It looks like the Tigers found
their next quarterback there, though, as
Garrett Nussmeier came in and played
very well against the Bulldogs after Jayden
Daniels left the game due to injury. Purdue,
meanwhile, lost to Michigan in the Big
Ten Championship Game, and is 8-5.
The Boilermakers hung around, but the
Wolverines pulled it out 43-22. Jeff Brohm
is leaving Purdue to become the head
coach at his alma mater, Louisville. Purdue
can throw the football, which gives it a
puncher’s chance to hang with the more
gifted Tigers.
COTTON BOWL
January 2 - 1 P.M.
USC VS. TULANE
Arlington, Texas
ESPN
The Trojans had played themselves into
playoff position, highlighted by impressive
victories over rivals UCLA and Notre Dame
to close out the regular season. USC
jumped out to a 17-3 lead over Utah in
the PAC-12 Championship Game, and the
Trojan faithful were thinking conference
championship and playoff. But the Utes
came back and stormed past Southern Cal
47-24. Utah has handed the Trojans both of
their losses this season. How interested will
Linocln Riley’s team be in suburban Dallas
against the Green Wave. Tulane is also 9-2.
The champions of the American garnered
a lot of early attention with a 17-10 victory
over Kansas State. Tulane avenged one
of its two losses (the other being 27-
24 to Southern Miss) in the American
Championship Game against Southern
Cal. You can bet that Tulane is excited and
aiming to post a signature program victory.
ROSE BOWL
January 2 - 5 P.M.
UTAH VS. PENN STATE
Pasadena, California
ESPN
Kyle Whittingham has done it again. Last
season, the Utes swept Utah en route to
Pasadena, now they’ve done it to Southern
Cal. They lost a shootout to Ohio State in
last year’s Rose Bowl. This time it is Penn
State. The Nittany Lions are 10-2, with the
two losses coming to College Football
Playoff participants Michigan and Ohio
State. On the fast track in the “Granddaddy
of Them All,” there have been numerous
high-scoring thrillers these last few
years. Penn State, in fact, dropped one to
Southern Cal 52-49 on January 2, 2017.
The winner of this one is a lock to be in the
top 10. If Utah could beat Penn State to
win the Rose Bowl after a second straight
PAC-12 crown, it would be an all time great
accomplishment for a program that didn’t
have a lot of accolades prior to the 21st
century.
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 55 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

WHAT’S
THE WORD
from Our Junior Journalist
HAMILTON CULPEPPER
It’s crazy to think, but this will be the eighth annual Hammys,
my assessment of college football’s best players, moments,
games, etc. The first Hammys came in 2014 and was my first
article printed in Bulldawg Illustrated. The opportunity I have
had to write for Cheri, Vance and the BI team has granted me
some of the coolest moments in not only my young journalism
career but my life in general. I wanted to take a few words to
thank everyone along the way. To my interviewees who take
time out of their day to talk to me and make my week, thank you;
to my mentors who have given me countless tips and criticism
that have only aided my writing, thank you; to my readers who
continue to support my writing, thank you; and to Cheri and
Vance, I don’t think you knew what we were getting into when
you allowed me to write for BI eight years ago, but I wouldn’t do
it any differently if I could, so thank you for letting me continue to
write, furthering my journalism career.
Without further adieu, the 2022 Hammys go to…
QB of the Year
It is without question that the quarterback play across the
country was wild. Prior to Hendon Hooker’s injury, he seemed to
have run away with the competition, but missing the remainder
of the season following the South Carolina loss harmed his
stats. The former walk-on Stetson Bennett has led his Georgia
Bulldogs to a 13-0 record and been nothing short of incredible,
but his stats aren’t head-turners in comparison to others. Last
year’s Heisman winner Bryce Young certainly looks the part with
stats but a two-loss season hurts his campaign as well. The late
surge from TCU’s Max Duggan captured the attention of many as
the Horned Frogs are in the College Football Playoff for the first
time. CJ Stroud out of Ohio State has been consistently killing it;
however, the one that steals the cake is USC’s Caleb Williams. In
his first year as the Trojans’ starter, he has thrown 37 touchdowns
with 4,075 (4th in the nation) passing yards and completed crazy
sidearm and on-the-run throws that look like Sunday Night
Football on Saturdays. So, Mr. Williams, here is your Hammy.
RB of the Year
It was a landslide for the running back of the year. Texas’ Bijan
Robinson has been nothing short of incredible. He has carried the
Longhorns offense with 1,580 (5th in the nation) rushing yards
on 280 attempts, bringing his average to 6.1 yards per carry. To
top it off, he added 18 rushing touchdowns to his stat line. Bijan
Robinson: the best running back in college football… simple.
WR of the Year
There has been one player who exceeded expectations unlike any
other at the receiver position, Jalin Hyatt from Tennessee. On the
year, he recorded 1,267 receiving yards (4th in the nation) on just
67 catches, giving him 18.9 yards per catch. He had 15 receiving
touchdowns, but his performance in the Vols upset over Alabama
sealed the receiver of the year for me. Hyatt had six receptions
for 207 yards and five touchdowns… five against the mighty
Crimson Tide!
TE of the Year
No bias here, without a doubt, Brock Bowers is the greatest tight
end in college football and second place goes to his teammate
Darnell Washington. That tight end room in Athens may be the
best position room in college football out of all position groups.
For Bowers, he has 52 receptions for 762 yards and six receiving
touchdowns. He also added three rushing touchdowns on six
carries for 93 yards. He is the X-factor for the Bulldogs and the
winner of this Hammy.
Defensive Player of the Year
Entering the season, the best player in college football and
potential No. 1 overall pick in next year’s NFL Draft was Alabama’s
linebacker Will Anderson; now, Georgia’s defensive lineman Jalen
Carter has taken the reins and earned 2022’s defensive player of
the year. He is the most dominant player in college football and
has absolutely wreaked havoc in the trenches. His stats may not
compare to a linebackers because he’s on the line, but his 29 total
tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles and two passes defended
earn him this honor, this Hammy and possibly a No. 1 overall
Draft pick.
Special Teams Player of the Year
The kicking game has been strong across the board throughout
2022. Another Dawg in Athens, Jack Podlesny, has been nearly
perfect kicking this year, but a different kicker for one of the top
four teams, Michigan’s Jake Moody, steals the cake. Moody leads
all of college football in scoring with 136 points accounted for.
He’s 100% on extra points and 81.3% on field goals. Here is your
Hammy Jake Moody.
Best Looking
I let my sister Mimi do the selection for this award, so if you
disagree, contact her. This Hammy, a.k.a Mimi, goes to Michigan’s
J.J. McCarthy. The gunslinger took over the starting job after
Michigan’s first game and has not looked back, but the girls keep
looking at him.
Uniform of the Year
The last regular season game of the year also sports the best
uniform matchup across the board. The Army/Navy game
featured two special customs that honor the men and women
in our military. Navy’s featured NASA get up gain mastery with
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 56 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

an airbrushed astronaut on each helmet… absolutely awesome
looking.
Play of the Year
In week three of the 2022 season, Appalachian State hosted Troy
and College GameDay traveled to Boone, North Carolina for the
first time, but it was the final play of the game that made the trip
worthwhile for ESPN’s flagship Saturday show. With two seconds
on the clock, Chase Brice and the Mountaineers offense were
on their own 47-yard line down 28-26. The Clemson transfer
quarterback heaved a ball from the 43 to the goalline. It fell
short to the five-yard line, but the Mountaineers’ Dalton Stroman
tipped it forward to Christian Horn who weaved right and cleared
the far side pylon … touchdown … game-winner … chaos in
Boone … Play of the Year!
Game of the Year
The anticipation, the history, the rivalry and everything in
between, the Alabama/Tennessee game was one of the craziest
college football games in recent history. Alabama secured 15
straight wins in the the Third Saturday in October rivalry, but
Heupel’s Vols and Neyland Stadium were ready to rock the Tide
this year. In a 52-49 Tennessee win, we saw Hendon Hooker throw
five touchdowns to Jalin Hyatt and pick apart that stout Bama
defense, but it still came down to a last second kick that sealed
the game for the Vols. After being tipped by the Tide defense,
Chase McGrath put just enough behind the ball to barely get it
through the uprights and all hell broke loose in Neyland. Vols fans
stormed the field, ripped down the goalposts and carried the
uprights all the way to the Tennessee River. History was made in
Knoxville on the third Saturday in October of 2022.
Coach of the Year
Coaches around the country have brought their teams
back from dismal 2021 seasons and shocked the world with
major wins, big time commitments, transfer portal success
and much more, but none have done it quite like South
Carolina’s Shane Beamer. After a 6-6 2021 regular season
the Gamecocks pulled out a win in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl
over North Carolina and carried that momentum into the
offseason. Beamer and company added former five-star
quarterback Spencer Rattler from the transfer portal and
came into 2022 with high hopes. USC started the season
1-2, however, with losses to Georgia and Arkansas and hope
seemed lost. But, the Gamecocks surged late in the year with
a 63-38 win over No. 5 Tennessee followed by a 31-30 win
over No. 8 Clemson the very next week. “Beamer Ball” swept
the nation, and Coach Beamer, you earned this Hammy.
Leavy’s Damn Good Player of the Year
There has been one man who delivers each week, one man who
led his team to an undefeated season, one man who led his
team to a conference championship and one man who currently
leads his team into the College Football Playoff as the No. 1
seed… the Mailman. Stetson Bennett IV began his career as a
walk-on but has made a name for himself winning a national
title in the 2021-22 season and earning Heisman finalist status
this year. The six-year quarterback also secured the Burlsworth
Trophy, awarded to the nation’s best player who began their
career as a walk-on. The individual hardware is not what makes
him the nation’s best player. His stats may not compare to
other quarterbacks, but they’re enough to lead a team to a 13-0
record and make him the most impactful player for one team
in college football. He is the glue for an undefeated team, the
playmaker who never ceases to amaze despite his height or
arm talent. He is the Mailman and he delivers week in and week
out, and delivered to you Stet the Jet is the Leavy’s Damn Good
Player of the Year!
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 57 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

MIKE WHITE
AT STEGMANIA
PHOTO BY: CARTER
HORNE
the 4 principles of Mike White’s Hoop
Dawgs’ program are paying off
7-3 RECORD AS OF DECEMBER 14TH
BY: CLAY WATKINS
GUARD JUSTIN HILL
PHOTO BY: GREG POOLE
GUARD KARIO OQUENDO
PHOTO BY: GREG POOLE
PHOTO BY: CARTER HORNE
TOUgHNESS
• There is no one who represents toughness more on the Hoop Dawgs
than Jaxon Etter. The former walk-on earned himself a scholarship and
has persevered through difficult years of Georgia Basketball. Etter has
been on the receiving end of 37 charges in his last 38 games and 45 in
his last 48 outings.
• Jaylin Ingram is another Bulldog who fits Mike White’s definition of
toughness. Ingram is one of five 7th year seniors in the nation. Having
spent five seasons at FAU, Ingram ranks sixth all time in scoring and
third all time in rebounds. The Madison native transferred back to his
home state Bulldogs last season but suffered a season ending injury
against Jacksonville. Ingram has displayed his grit and toughness for
the Bulldogs this season.
ATTITUDE
• The key to creating a positive and healthy culture starts with getting
players to buy in with the right attitude. Freshman KyeRon Lindsay
has made an immediate impact for the Dawgs earning multiple starts
for the Dawgs. Lindsay was a former top 100 recruit with a plethora of
offers. Instead of going to a program with a tenured head coach and
an implemented culture, Lindsay bought into Coach White’s system
and has made a significant impact for the Bulldogs.
• Terry Roberts is another transfer for who is playing his final season
for the Bulldogs. The transfer from Bradley has brought loads of
experience and grit, something Georgia needed. Roberts is leading the
Bulldogs in scoring averaging the most points per game with 14.2. The
guard’s leadership and attitude are one of the prominent factors as to
why Georgia’s culture is evolving and changing.
INTEGRITY
• Braelen Bridges’ offensive efficiency has been an integral part of Mike
White’s first season. Another transfer, the senior from Atlanta converted
on more than 63% of his field goal attempts last year which ranked 7th
nationally last year. Bridges is another Bulldog who has been able to
provide experience and leadership in White’s new system.
• Justin Hill is a junior transfer guard that is averaging 8.4 points per
game and 3.2 rebounds per game. When Mike White went out and
recruited transfers, he targeted not only certain elements in player’s
game, but also certain personality traits. Hill is one of the players who
has come to Athens and brought strong moral principles off the court
as well as solid play on the court.
LOYALTY
• Kario Oquendo embodies loyalty to the Georgia program. Last year
was a massive disappointment. Oquendo was regarded by most as the
Dawgs’ best player and could have easily left to join another program.
Instead, Oquendo withdrew his name from the portal and remained
true to Mike White and the University of Georgia.
• When talking about loyalty, Jaxon Etter must be mentioned. Despite
taking an unconventional path to becoming a meaningful player, Etter’s
dedication to the Georgia program is respected at the highest level.
Remaning Schedule
Dec 18 5:30 p.m.
Notre Dame Atlanta, Ga.
Dec 21 3:00 p.m.
Chattanooga Athens, Ga.
Dec 28 7:00 p.m.
Rider Athens, Ga.
Jan 4 6:30 p.m.
Auburn Athens, Ga.
Jan 7 1:00 p.m.
Florida Gainesville, Fla.
Jan 11 6:30 p.m.
Miss. State Athens, Ga.
Jan 14 1:00 p.m.
Ole Miss Oxford, Miss.
Jan 17 9:00 p.m.
Kentucky Lexington, Ky.
Jan 21 1:00 p.m.
Vanderbilt Athens, Ga.
Jan 25 7:00 p.m.
Tennessee Knoxville, Tenn.
Jan 28 6:00 p.m.
South Carolina Athens, Ga.
Feb 1 7:00 p.m.
Auburn Auburn, Ala.
Feb 4 8:30 p.m.
Texas A&M College Station, Tex.
Feb 7 7:00 p.m.
Ole Miss Athens, Ga.
Feb 11 12:00 p.m.
Kentucky Athens, Ga.
Feb 14 8:30 p.m.
LSU Athens, Ga.
Feb 18 6:00 p.m.
Alabama Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Feb 21 9:00 p.m.
Arkansas Fayetteville, Ark.
Feb 25 1:00 p.m.
Missouri Athens, Ga.
Feb 28 7:00 p.m.
Florida Athens, Ga.
Mar 4 1:00 p.m.
South Carolina Columbia, S.C.
Mar 8 TBA
SEC Tourney Nashville, Tenn.
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 58 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 59 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

SPORTS
FOOTBALL
FROM THE FIELD
BY GREG POOLE
GEORGIA - 50, LSU - 30
UGA became SEC Champion in Atlanta on December 3,
2020. That night Todd Monken’s offense, led by a confident
and experienced quarterback, picked LSU apart. Mr. Bennett
ended the evening with 23 completions on 29 attempts for
274 yards and FOUR touchdowns. What a performance to
end his SEC career!
It is appropriate that Stetson Bennett was invited soon after
his SEC Championship performance to the Heisman Award
ceremony in New York as one of four finalists. Of course, he
did not win the trophy, but this is an instance that produces
no losers.
As we look ahead toward the Peach Bowl and Ohio State,
what should we expect from UGA? Of course, the safe
answer is more of the same, which is precisely what we will
see. Monken and Company always have a new wrinkle for a
new opponent, but at the core of Georgia’s offense is a calm,
cold decision-maker to pull the trigger on the correct target
at the right time. At least, that is ideal, and Monken seems to
think that Bennet is close enough.
STET’S FOCUS WAS FOUR
(TDS) REALS!!!
PHOTO BY: GREG POOLE
I fully expect Georgia to make Ohio State stop the run.
Suppose Georgia can consistently gain first downs running
from scrimmage or with short passes while running OSU’s
defensive linemen and linebacker from sideline to sideline.
In that case, it will be a tough day for the Buckeyes. Of
course, the Buck’s defense will use their practice time to
adjust for the Dawgs.
There are no bad teams at the College Football Playoff
level of the game, but as I think about the upcoming
friendly environment of the Peach Bowl, I can not muster a
Munsonian level of disquiet about the game.
Dawgs roll on!
From Miami to Indy to the ATL x 3 ...
Time to Stack Another One and Punch our Ticket to LA!
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2022 SEC CHAMPS!
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 60 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

FOOTBALL
KEVIN BUTLER’S PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Each week, Georgia and Chicago
Bears Hall of Fame legend Kevin
Butler picks his Players of the
Game. A member of numerous
Halls of Fame and holder of a
slew of records, Butler co-hosts
DawgTalk on Georgia Football
Saturdays and the famous
Bulldog Brunch from the Hilltop
Grille on Sundays.
— COMPILED BY JEFF DANTZLER
OFFENSIVE PLAYER
After a tremendous performance in the SEC championship
game against LSU Saturday, my offensive MVP will go to two
people that have been consistently working to get better
every week. The Mailman, Stetson Bennett, performed like
the championship quarterback he is. Stetson was sharp and
commanding, going 23 of 29 for 274 yards and four TDs. His
leadership is unmatched in the SEC and his record proves
that. Kendall Milton has been a running back who has
worked hard and had to change his style until he got healthy.
When he is healthy, he is a force to be reckoned with. Milton
had eight rushes for 113 yards which is a 14.1 average and
unstoppable. Georgia’s offense, behind a great running game,
produced two more TDs. When Georgia’s offense is rolling,
these two players make a huge difference.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER
Jalen Carter - Jalen Carter is the most dominant defensive lineman in
all of college football. Against LSU, he was destructive and productive
to the point where LSU had no solution to stop Carter’s ability to disrupt
their office. Four tackles, with two solos, were only the beginning
of his disruption. Jalen was in the backfield of LSU more than their
quarterback. Carter had one sack and two tackles for losses, along with
one pass deflection. His stand-up of LSU’s quarterback in unison with
the No. 1 sign for the University of Georgia will forever be remembered
in Georgia Bullogs’ lore. Carter will surely be a top pick in the NFL draft
after the Bulldogs make a run for his team’s second national title. Jalen is
one-of-a-kind and we are very proud of his performance against LSU. He
is a damn good special Dawg.
SPECIAL TEAM PLAYER
Christopher Smith - No. 29 made one of the most heads up special
team plays in Georgia championship history. The senior has done it over
and over for the Bulldogs and big games. Whether it’s Alabama, Clemson,
or LSU, his leadership and heads up play resulted in an electrifying 96-
yard return of a blocked field goal against LSU. It was the game-changing
play in the first quarter that really woke the Bulldogs up and reminded
them of how to execute and score points. The blocked field goal was
huge but the heads up play by Christopher Smith and the Bulldogs
defense helped propel them to another SEC championship.
GO DAWGS!
2021 National Champions
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 61 CFP SEMI PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

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GEORGIA – 50
LSU - 30
BY: COBY SERINA
A look back at what decided the game
between Georgia and LSU.
The Georgia Bulldogs took home the SEC
Championship trophy in a fashion that not
many were expecting, but one that wound
up victorious nonetheless. A lot was learned
about this team. After beating the LSU Tigers
549
50-30, there’s a fair share of good and bad to
go and “visit the doctor” about.
Offensively, Stetson Bennett and company
were on fire. Getting it done on both the
ground and through the air exemplified
just how good this team can be when
everything is going smoothly. There’s just
something about the Benz that Bennett
likes, and he alluded to it in his postgame
press conference.
Defensively, the Dawgs left a lot on the
table. LSU may have exposed some things
in the Georgia secondary last Saturday
because they had almost anything they
wanted out there. Third down conversions
for them were like taking candy from a baby,
and Georgia ain’t no baby.
If it weren’t for a few lucky breaks that went
Georgia’s way early in the game, a win may
not have been guaranteed. Momentum was
leaning Georgia from the beginning, and
it drowned out anything LSU was trying to
get going. But while momentum is great
to have in-game, the Dawgs cannot rely on
momentum to win them another Natty.
Luckily the next game Kirby Smart and
company play will be in a couple weeks, so
they’ll have time to address whatever issues
need addressing. In the meantime here’s
a breakdown of some statistics that put
Georgia on top of the SEC.
50
This was the biggest story of the night once
the game was over. Todd Monken and the
Georgia Bulldogs put up 50 points against
the LSU Tigers. Defense isn’t the only thing
that wins 5championships in the Classic
City. The entirety of the offense had a day.
Bennett amassed 274 passing yards and
threw four touchdowns. The ground game
ran for 255 and got 2 touchdowns. Almost
every mouth was fed from an offensive
standpoint in the Benz, but the most
impressive touchdown wasn’t scored by the
offense. It was scored by special teams.
96
Don’t let the name fool you, special teams
is a very real part of the Georgia football
team, and it was proven in the Benz. On
LSU’s first field goal attempt of the day,
Nazir Stackhouse forced himself into the
backfield, put a hand up and blocked it. But
that wasn’t the end of the story. Once the
ball hit the ground almost everyone thought
the play was dead. Not fifth-year senior Chris
Smith though. After clearly thinking over the
decision, he picked it up and ran 96 yards to
the house to give the Dawgs an early lead.
549
A win is great, but a lot had to happen to get
there, and quite frankly a good bit of it was
out of Georgia’s control. If it weren’t for the
early blocked kick and lucky interception,
who knows what would have happened.
Regardless, one of the best defenses in
the nation got exposed yesterday. The
Junkyard Dawgs uncharacteristically gave
up 549 offensive yards against the Tigers.
The most they allowed previously this
season was Florida at 371. Not only were
the Dawgs outplayed, they were outgained.
The secondary needs some fixing after
LSU quarterbacks (Daniels and Nussmeier)
combined for 502 passing yards. LSU was
doing its job. Georgia just did it better.
50
5
CHRIS SMITH WITH A
ROUTINE 96-YARD BLOCK,
SCOOP AND SCORE ;)
PHOTO BY: ROB SAYE
Shifting back to the bright side of things,
Georgia was doing fine and dandy in red
zone offense. They only called on kicker
Jack Podlesny once, but if they were down
there, it was going in for the most part. Five
of Georgia’s seven touchdowns were scored
in the red area, and it could have been six
if Ladd McConkey’s touchdown pass was
two yards shorter. Hopefully whatever
groove they found themselves in versus LSU
continues into the postseason, because their
ability to score was beyond impressive given
the woes they’ve faced to this point in the
season.
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