The Plains Busters - Brock Bowers and Oscar Delp
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VS.<br />
the PLAINS BUSTERS!<br />
BROCK BOWERS AND OSCAR DELP
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UGA V. AUBURN<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED<br />
IN THIS ISSUE<br />
VOLUME 21 NO. 7<br />
END OVER END GRAB!<br />
OSCAR DELP HAS ONLY ONE GEAR<br />
PHOTO BY: GREG POOLE/BI<br />
SPORTS<br />
GEORGIA vs AUBURN<br />
PLAYERS TO WATCH | 14<br />
THE FIVE | 18<br />
FROM THE INTERN: CLAY WATKINS | 20<br />
A VIEW FROM … AUBURN | 22<br />
ROSTER | 24<br />
OUR TEAM<br />
SOCIAL<br />
GAMEDAY PHOTOS | 27<br />
PROUST Q&A: SEAN GOLDSMITH | 40<br />
MORE SPORTS<br />
STATS THAT MATTER | 43<br />
FROM THE FIELD | 44<br />
BUTLER’S PLAYERS OF THE GAME | 45<br />
JD’S TOP 12 | 46<br />
EDITOR: Vance Leavy<br />
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Cheri Leavy<br />
MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR: Greg Poole<br />
CHIEF SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR: Jeff Dantzler<br />
ART DIRECTOR: Stacey Nichols<br />
SALES: Caroline Kinney<br />
SPORTS: Jeff Dantzler, Cal Gosslee, Greg Poole,<br />
Coby Serina, Clay Watkins<br />
MULTIMEDIA SUPPORT: Hamilton Culpepper<br />
PHOTOGRAPHY: Greg Poole, Rob Saye,<br />
Blane Marable<br />
COVER: Rob Saye<br />
COLUMNISTS: Hamilton Culpepper, Loran Smith,<br />
Kevin Butler, Caroline Champion<br />
DELIVERY: John Cook, Wright Cook, Rob<br />
Freeman, Anna French, Scarlett French, Flynn<br />
Kelly, Caroline Kinney, John Kinney, Eleanor<br />
Morgan, Henry Morgan, James Morgan, Jack<br />
Sawyer, Cullen Sewell, Henry Stokes, Champ<br />
Vance<br />
ISSUE 7: AUBURN<br />
September 26, 2023<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 6 ISSUE SEVEN • AUBURN
MEKHI MEWS<br />
WIDE RECEIVER #87<br />
LORAN SMITH:<br />
ON MEKHI MEWS<br />
Associate Director, UGA Athletic Association<br />
Public Relations & Development<br />
Mekhi Mews was beside himself when he got the news that he<br />
would be offered preferred walk-on status to play for the Georgia Bulldogs. “I<br />
couldn’t wipe the smile off my face for weeks,” he said. A native of Grayson,<br />
Georgia, Mekhi is an honors graduate from Central Gwinnett High <strong>and</strong> expects<br />
to excel on both the football field <strong>and</strong> in the classroom.<br />
A Redshirt sophomore, getting to play at UGA has been a lifelong dream,<br />
<strong>and</strong> the attention he is getting is inspiring him to be the best he can be, packing<br />
a powerful punch with his 5-8, 185-pound frame. Speed <strong>and</strong> quickness are<br />
invaluable assets which he displayed in the Ball State game when he returned a<br />
kickoff for 47 yards, <strong>and</strong> then a punt for 69 yards <strong>and</strong> a touchdown. Already,<br />
he has 300 all-purpose yards. He has brought a lot of smiles to the coaching<br />
staff <strong>and</strong> now his exciting play is bringing smiles to the faces of all Dawg fans.<br />
ON MEKHI:<br />
HAIRLINE STRIPE STANDING BULLDOG POLO - NINE IRON<br />
ON TJ:<br />
FOURS UP ROPE HAT, BIRDIE STRIPE POLO, CLASSIC FIVE POCKET PANT<br />
146 E CLAYTON ST<br />
ATHENS, GEORGIA
FROM THE<br />
EDITOR<br />
VANCE LEAVY<br />
EDITOR IN CHIEF<br />
‘Who you gonna call’ for the Aubie roadie ahead? … the <strong>Plains</strong> <strong>Busters</strong>!<br />
C<br />
ongratulations<br />
Bulldog Nation as we have all survived<br />
four straight home games in Athens. And an even bigger<br />
heap of praise for everyone that resides in the Classic<br />
City, whom I know were most joyous when they waved<br />
goodbye to their last house guests on Sunday (even if it’s just for<br />
a week).<br />
I’m just having a little fun with what the last month was like,<br />
but the real news is that our back-to-back defending national<br />
champion Bulldogs shove off for their first roadie this Saturday<br />
sporting a perfect 4-0 record. Woof, Woof, Woof!<br />
In case you don’t know much about college football, our Dawgs<br />
will certainly have their h<strong>and</strong>s full as the Deep South’s Oldest<br />
Rivalry commences for the 128th time between the Georgia<br />
Bulldogs <strong>and</strong> the Auburn Tigers.<br />
It’s always a helluva battle with Aubie, which is why (for our<br />
cover) I went with two of Georgia’s strongest lunch pail players,<br />
tight ends <strong>Brock</strong> <strong>Bowers</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Oscar</strong> <strong>Delp</strong>. <strong>The</strong>se two guys<br />
personify physicality, thus my dubbing them the <strong>Plains</strong> <strong>Busters</strong><br />
(Auburn, Alabama’s unofficial nickname is <strong>The</strong> Loveliest Village On<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Plains</strong>, taken from a line in the poem <strong>The</strong> Deserted Village by<br />
Oliver Goldsmith).<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is plenty to talk about regarding the game, but I first<br />
want to give Kirby Smart a tip of the hat for establishing a new<br />
Southeastern Conference record for most victories through 100<br />
games (with Georgia’s 49-21 win over UAB).<br />
Coach Smart isn’t into accolades, but the names he surpassed<br />
with this record are epic …<br />
Kirby Smart: 85-15<br />
Nick Saban: 84-16<br />
Steve Spurrier: 83-16-1<br />
Bear Bryant: 81-12-1<br />
Way to go Kirby!<br />
Back to Saturday’s game with Auburn. And who better than Jeff<br />
Dantzler (page 10) to remind the Georgia faithful the damage<br />
the Tigers have done to our Bulldogs during various junctures<br />
of the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry. For the diehards, it will be<br />
painstaking reading, but I implore you to get through JD’s<br />
column as a reminder of the importance of our fan base being<br />
loud <strong>and</strong> proud in Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday afternoon.<br />
You know those Tigers or War Eagles or <strong>Plains</strong>men or whatever<br />
they are calling themselves this week would love nothing more<br />
than to storm the field after stopping the Bulldogs current 21<br />
straight win streak. Don’t let it happen Dawgs. Let’s join our (the)<br />
<strong>Plains</strong> <strong>Busters</strong> in being ready for the opening kick on Saturday.<br />
Our sports in this issue of BI should certainly get you lathered<br />
up for the Aubie battle at h<strong>and</strong>. Speaking of Dantzler, I hope our<br />
readers have enjoyed his new “<strong>The</strong> Five” (page 18) feature this<br />
UNTIL NEXT TIME BLAZE!<br />
PHOTO BY: GREG POOLE/BI<br />
season. Each week he keeps coming up with obscure nuggets of<br />
information that are always insightful <strong>and</strong> entertaining, which,<br />
funny enough, pretty much describes JD to a T (obscure, insightful<br />
<strong>and</strong> entertaining). And our UGA interns are doing a great job this<br />
season with their From the Intern column. This issue, Clay Watkins<br />
(page 20) provides solid data to dispute the Georgia offense<br />
naysayers, while also giving a few keys for Georgia to extend the<br />
Dawgs current record over Auburn to 16 out of 19.<br />
Without a doubt the Tigers are overdue for a victory, so “who<br />
you gonna call” Bulldog Nation? … the <strong>Plains</strong> <strong>Busters</strong>!!<br />
On the social front, the BI camera also survived the fourth<br />
straight home game in fine fashion. Have fun checking out our<br />
fan photos on pages 27-38. Also, enjoy getting to know Sean<br />
Goldsmith in our Proust Q&A (page 40). I love that the hero Sean<br />
chose was music producer extraordinaire, Rick Rubin. If you aren’t<br />
familiar with Rubin <strong>and</strong> love music, then do yourself the favor of<br />
watching the May 29, 2023 CBS 60 Minutes interview. <strong>The</strong> dude is<br />
groovy <strong>and</strong> brilliant.<br />
That’s going to do it for me. I need some rest for the War Eagle<br />
journey ahead, which must end in some serious the <strong>Plains</strong><br />
busting. See you in Jordan-Hare, Go Dawgs!!<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 8 ISSUE SEVEN • AUBURN
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FROM THE<br />
booth<br />
JEFF DANTZLER<br />
@jeffdantzlerTV<br />
It’s been all Georgia lately, but the Tigers are forever a Bulldogs’ nemesis<br />
From 1983 through 1990, Auburn<br />
won seven of eight meetings<br />
with Georgia. Thank you Steve<br />
Boswell <strong>and</strong> Wayne Johnson<br />
Between the Hoses in 1986. From 1977<br />
through 2001, the Tigers record at Sanford<br />
Stadium was 11-2.<br />
No school has taken more from Georgia<br />
for a longer period of time than Auburn.<br />
Now those three losses to Auburn’s<br />
biggest rival in the 2010s cost the<br />
Bulldogs a national championship, a shot<br />
at two others <strong>and</strong> a pair of Southeastern<br />
Conference crowns.<br />
But Auburn has doled out some<br />
heartache for a long time.<br />
In 1942, coming off a 75-0 rout of<br />
Florida, the Bulldogs lost their only game<br />
of the year, falling to the Tigers. Georgia<br />
rebounded to steamroll the Yellow Jackets<br />
for the program’s first ever Southeastern<br />
Conference title, <strong>and</strong> then beat UCLA in<br />
the Rose Bowl to finish 11-1. <strong>The</strong> Bulldogs<br />
were consensus national champions,<br />
voted No. 1 in a majority of polls, but<br />
not undisputed. <strong>The</strong> biggest poll, the<br />
Associated Press, named Paul Brown’s<br />
9-1 Ohio State Buckeyes the national<br />
champions.<br />
Because of that loss to Auburn.<br />
Arguably the most highly anticipated<br />
game in Sanford Stadium history came in<br />
1971. Both the Bulldogs <strong>and</strong> Tigers were<br />
undefeated. As was Alabama. Georgia had<br />
Andy Johnson at quarterback, Auburn<br />
had Pat Sullivan. And wide receiver Terry<br />
Beasley. On a picturesque Saturday, with<br />
tickets being scalped for $100 for a single<br />
- in 1971 - it would be Auburn’s day. Andy<br />
<strong>and</strong> Jimmy Poulos led the Dogs to an<br />
incredible win over the Jackets <strong>and</strong> Gator<br />
Bowl triumph over Vince Dooley’s brother<br />
Bill’s North Carolina Tar Heels. 11-1, but no<br />
SEC championship.<br />
Georgia came into the 1983 game 8-0-1,<br />
ranked third, riding a 24-game home<br />
winning streak, <strong>and</strong> 23-game SEC winning<br />
streak. <strong>The</strong> last SEC loss, <strong>and</strong> the last home<br />
loss, you guessed it, came to the Tigers<br />
in 1979. Auburn was 8-1 <strong>and</strong> No. 4. <strong>The</strong><br />
Bulldogs scored late <strong>and</strong> got an onsides<br />
kick, <strong>and</strong> it was rocking Between the<br />
Hedges, with Larry Munson, masterful the<br />
year prior on the plains, delivering one of<br />
his greatest calls in a loss. “Hang on to your<br />
shoes everybody, here we go again!”<br />
But Auburn led by Bo Jackson won 13-7.<br />
A victory over the Jackets <strong>and</strong> the<br />
unforgettable 10-9 Cotton Bowl triumph<br />
over undefeated, second-ranked Texas<br />
pushed Georgia to 10-1-1 <strong>and</strong> No. 4 in the<br />
l<strong>and</strong>. But there would be no SEC title, <strong>and</strong><br />
no shot at another national championship<br />
because of the Tigers.<br />
Oh, for those three.<br />
From 1978-1983, Georgia went 33-2-1<br />
in the SEC. All the blemishes coming to<br />
Auburn. Wins over the Tigers would have<br />
meant an outright or shared with Alabama<br />
SEC championship six years in a row.<br />
BEAT AUBURN!<br />
PHOTO BY: ROB SAYE/BI<br />
Losses to the Tigers in 1987 <strong>and</strong> 1988 cost<br />
Georgia SEC championships.<br />
When it comes to sporting “villains” of<br />
your favorite team, Pat Dye, a Georgia<br />
All-American, who coached Auburn to its<br />
1980s resurgence was always at the top of<br />
my list. Still is.<br />
Jim Donnan’s once-beaten Dogs were<br />
soaring in 1997, beating Florida for the<br />
first time in eight years. But Auburn won<br />
in Athens. Georgia finished 10-2 <strong>and</strong> in the<br />
top ten, but a win over the Tigers, <strong>and</strong> who<br />
knows?<br />
Mark Richt’s once-beaten Dogs <strong>and</strong><br />
Tommy Tuberville’s undefeated Tigers<br />
were both in the top five in 2004. Auburn<br />
was better that year, winning 24-6 en<br />
route to a perfect season. <strong>The</strong> next year,<br />
Georgia fell to Auburn 31-30 in one of the<br />
all-time heartbreaking losses Between<br />
the Hedges. At that point, Auburn led the<br />
all-time series by five, <strong>and</strong> the cumulative<br />
point differential in the Deep South’s<br />
Oldest Rivalry was one. Yes, one point.<br />
Heartache.<br />
If you would have told me that night,<br />
or back in the 80s when I was really into<br />
Georgia football, what would happen<br />
in this gr<strong>and</strong> rivalry, I never would have<br />
believed it. Georgia turned the tables.<br />
Starting with a major upset at Jordan-Hare<br />
Stadium in 2006 <strong>and</strong> continuing through<br />
back-to-back national championships, the<br />
Bulldogs have beaten Auburn 15 times in<br />
18 meetings.15 of 18, incredible!<br />
Amongst the highlights, the 2007<br />
Blackout victory in Athens, <strong>and</strong> a shutout<br />
on the <strong>Plains</strong> in 2012.<br />
Auburn’s three wins over that period<br />
came from three great teams. In 2010,<br />
Auburn beat Georgia <strong>and</strong> won the<br />
national championship. In 2013, the Tigers<br />
beat Georgia on <strong>The</strong> Prayer at Jordan-Hare,<br />
won the SEC <strong>and</strong> played for the national<br />
title. In 2017, Auburn “beat the dog crap”<br />
out of Georgia. 40-17 was the final.<br />
But there would be a rematch.<br />
For the first time, Georgia <strong>and</strong> Auburn<br />
played in the SEC Championship Game<br />
with the conference crown <strong>and</strong> a College<br />
Football Playoff berth on the line. <strong>The</strong><br />
Bulldogs prevailed 28-7 to capture the SEC<br />
title <strong>and</strong> punch a ticket to the Rose Bowl<br />
<strong>and</strong> the CFP.<br />
Since that glorious day in Atlanta,<br />
the Bulldogs have beaten Auburn six<br />
consecutive times <strong>and</strong> now lead the all<br />
time series by seven, 63-56-8. While Kirby<br />
Smart has Georgia soaring, the Tigers have<br />
turned to Hugh Freeze, in his first season<br />
at the Auburn helm. He’s the program’s<br />
third head coach of the 2020s - not<br />
counting the interim Cadillac Williams,<br />
Freeze’s top assistant.<br />
Freeze is the lone active SEC coach to<br />
have won his team’s last head to head<br />
meeting with Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs. In<br />
2016 when Freeze was at Ole Miss, the<br />
Rebels rolled past Georgia 45-14 that<br />
Saturday in Oxford.<br />
Now Freeze’s Tigers try to take down the<br />
champs <strong>and</strong> turn the tables back their way<br />
in this epic series.<br />
“It’s gonna be rocking,” Kirby Smart said<br />
of Jordan-Hare Stadium.<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 10 ISSUE SEVEN • AUBURN
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FROM THE INTERN: CLAY WATKINS PG. 20 | A VIEW FROM … AUBURN PG. 22 | ROSTER PG. 24<br />
AIR BECK!<br />
CARSON GETS OVER THE<br />
TOP WITH THE HELP OF HIS<br />
TEAM MATES<br />
PHOTO BY: ROB SAYE/BI<br />
SPORTS<br />
GEORGIA VS AUBURN<br />
GAME TIME: 3:30 P.M. ET<br />
CHANNEL: CBS<br />
GEORGIA VS AUBURN<br />
BY: JEFF DANTZLER<br />
Now the gauntlet begins for the two-time reigning national<br />
champions of college football.<br />
Ancient rivals Georgia <strong>and</strong> Auburn battle Saturday afternoon at<br />
Jordan-Hare Stadium. <strong>The</strong> top-ranked Bulldogs improved to 4-0<br />
with an 49-21 win over UAB this past weekend. Georgia is 1-0 in<br />
the Southeastern Conference, beating South Carolina 24-14 two<br />
weeks ago in Athens. Auburn is 3-1, 0-1 in the league, falling to<br />
Texas A&M 27-10 in College Station this past week.<br />
For the Bulldogs, this is the first of seven straight SEC games<br />
before the regular season finale against the Yellow Jackets. For<br />
Auburn, it’s the second of seven success SEC showdowns.<br />
This past week, Kirby Smart coached his 100th game at Georgia,<br />
<strong>and</strong> now has a career record of 85-15. Over a 100-game period<br />
for SEC coaches, Smart now has the best winning percentage<br />
<strong>and</strong> most victories in the history of the league.<br />
Carson Beck had a strong game through the air with All-<br />
American do-everything tight end <strong>Brock</strong> <strong>Bowers</strong> shining. <strong>The</strong><br />
John Mackey Award winner (nation’s top tight end) from a<br />
year ago went over 100 yards for the game against UAB, which<br />
pushed him over the 2,000-yard career receiving yardage mark.<br />
A pair of special teams turnovers, an interception <strong>and</strong> another<br />
near pick marred the victory over the Blazers. Those are the kind<br />
of mistakes Georgia can’t afford on the plains Saturday.<br />
Auburn fell behind Texas A&M 6-0 in the first quarter, then<br />
fought back to make it 6-3 at intermission. <strong>The</strong> Aggies took<br />
control with a pair of third quarter scores to grab a 20-3 lead<br />
heading into the fourth quarter. <strong>The</strong> Tigers again fought back, as<br />
Eugene Asante made the big play, returning a fumble 67 yards<br />
for a touchdown, cutting the A&M advantage to 20-10. But the<br />
Aggie defense stood strong <strong>and</strong> Texas A&M was able to deliver<br />
a final touchdown in the closing minutes. <strong>The</strong> Tigers struggled<br />
through the air, completing 9 of 23 passes for 56 yards.<br />
It’s the 128th renewal of the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.<br />
Georgia leads the all-time series 63-56-8, winning six straight<br />
going back to the 2017 Southeastern Conference Championship<br />
Game, <strong>and</strong> 15 of the last 18 meetings.<br />
Georgia comes in having won 37 of the past 38 games <strong>and</strong> is<br />
riding a school record 21-game winning streak. <strong>The</strong> victory over<br />
the Blazers extended Georgia’s current college football best<br />
home winning streak to 22 in a row.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Bulldogs sit atop the college football world, but as Smart<br />
always points out, “humility is just a week away.” And you know<br />
the Tigers will come out snarling, trying to add to this rivalry’s<br />
upset-laden history.<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 13 ISSUE SEVEN • AUBURN
BULLDOGS TO WATCH<br />
BY: COBY SERNIA<br />
TRAY SCOTT (DL) - Against Texas A&M, the Auburn O-line allowed seven<br />
sacks <strong>and</strong> 15 total tackles for loss. At this point, Georgia appears to be put less<br />
emphasis on sacks. Instead, they spend more time into planning <strong>and</strong> structuring<br />
pressures. However, it’s a good sign that a group with similar talent like the<br />
Aggies was able to get it done against Auburn. With that being said, Coach Scott<br />
should be instrumental in making it a tough day for the War Eagles offensive<br />
line. Scott is the ember responsible for the uncontrollable fire that is the Georgia<br />
defensive line, <strong>and</strong> they’re hoping to leave Auburn scorched on game day.<br />
ARIAN SMITH (WR #11) - It’s hard not to talk about Smith <strong>and</strong> his nationally<br />
acclaimed straight-line speed. In turn, that means it’s hard to cover Arian Smith.<br />
As the designated big play guy, Smith isn’t targeted as often as everyone else,<br />
but when he is, it’s something special to watch. Over the course of his career at<br />
UGA, he’s averaged about 30 yards a catch. And to be frank, Smith still has to<br />
cross T’s <strong>and</strong> I’s to dot as a receiver, so what better moment is there than in the<br />
Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry?<br />
TRAY SCOTT<br />
D-LINE COACH<br />
PHOTO BY: GREG POOLE/BI<br />
RARA THOMAS (WR #5) - Size-wise, RaRa Thomas should have the<br />
upper h<strong>and</strong> in this matchup against the Tigers. His height advantage isn’t too<br />
remarkable, averaging just an inch taller than Auburn’s starting outside corners,<br />
but coming in at 200 pounds, he has a great advantage being bigger. Auburn’s<br />
D.J. James <strong>and</strong> Nehimiah Pritchett weigh 164 <strong>and</strong> 184 pounds, respectively, so<br />
you can do the math there. Add to the fact that against South Carolina, Georgia’s<br />
most recent SEC tussle this season, Thomas was targeted twice for 42 yards,<br />
serving as a legitimate contributor in meaningful play for the Dawgs.<br />
XAVIER TRUSS (OL #73) - With Amarius Mims out recovering from ankle<br />
surgery, it looks like the Dawgs have found their next right tackle in Xavier Truss.<br />
He’s by no means new to the position having played there in high school before<br />
transitioning into a more interior role in college. Regardless of his history playing<br />
on the interior in college, Truss brings more than enough size to the tackle<br />
position for the Dawgs. At 6-7, 320-pound, he moves very well in space. Georgia<br />
fans can trust Truss heading into Auburn this weekend.<br />
RARA THOMAS<br />
WIDE RECEIVER<br />
WARREN BRINSON (DL #97) - For a guy with a ton of personality, he’s had<br />
a quiet– but sneaky good– season thus far. A senior who is starting for the first<br />
time in his college career, Brinson has shown that he is quite an effective pass<br />
rusher. In the past Brinson has shown flashes here <strong>and</strong> there, but now with a<br />
legitimate role in the defense, you can really see him start to put it together. Last<br />
week against UAB, he got his first sack of the year, but Brinson’s been impacting<br />
PHOTO BY: GREG POOLE/BI<br />
BY JEFF DANTZLER<br />
In Georgia’s thrilling 19-14 victory at Auburn in 1982,<br />
Herschel Walker raced for a 59 yard touchdown <strong>and</strong><br />
the Bulldogs defense “hunkered down one more<br />
time” to stymie the Tigers.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Bulldogs upset Auburn 20-16 on the plains in<br />
1986, with Wayne Johnson the “surprise” starter at<br />
quarterback <strong>and</strong> linebacker Steve Boswell sealing<br />
the victory with a late interception.<br />
In 2012, the Bulldogs beat Auburn 38-0 at Jordan<br />
Hare Stadium en route to an 11-1 regular season,<br />
Georgia’s first shutout on the <strong>Plains</strong> since a 28-0<br />
SEC title clinching win in 1976.<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 14 ISSUE SEVEN • AUBURN
quarterbacks all season. In Auburn’s loss against TAMU, the<br />
Tigers let up seven sacks. It wouldn’t surprising to see Brinson<br />
getting a few more sacks on game day.<br />
KAMARI LASSITER (CB #3) - Kamari Lassiter is arguably<br />
the most underrated cornerback in college football right<br />
now. Having spent his first year (last year) starting opposite<br />
of DGD Kelee Ringo, it’s underst<strong>and</strong>able how he could be<br />
a bit overshadowed. But now, as the leading corner for the<br />
Dawgs, it just doesn’t make sense. Lassiter is a physical corner<br />
who isn’t afraid to get his jersey dirty. He hits like a safety <strong>and</strong><br />
covers just as good as the next guy; Lassiter is just plain good<br />
at what he does. Do yourself a favor <strong>and</strong> watch out for No. 3<br />
on the Dawg’s defense.<br />
XAVIER TRUSS<br />
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN<br />
PHOTO BY: GREG POOLE/BI<br />
XAVIAN SOREY (LB #18) - Sorey, similar to fellow<br />
linebacker Smael Mondon, is taking on a defensive role<br />
similar to the likes of Quay Walker when he was playing for<br />
the Dawgs. Sorey can line up in the middle of the defense one<br />
play <strong>and</strong> then put his h<strong>and</strong>s in the dirt to rush the passer on<br />
the next. <strong>The</strong> versatility of this young man is special. Sorey is<br />
finally getting to play with his roommates Smael Mondon <strong>and</strong><br />
Jamon Dumas-Johnson <strong>and</strong> he isn’t taking it for granted.<br />
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 15 ISSUE SEVEN • AUBURN
TIGERS TO WATCH<br />
BY: CLAY WATKINS<br />
HUGH FREEZE (HC) - Freeze was a major offseason hire for an<br />
Auburn Football program that was desperately looking for a leader to<br />
return the Tigers to college football glory. <strong>The</strong> newly appointed head<br />
coach has experience coaching in the SEC at Ole Miss before being<br />
dismissed due to non-football reasons. Freeze is known for his explosive<br />
offense <strong>and</strong> has already proven to be a solid recruiter. Auburn <strong>and</strong> Freeze<br />
will be looking for a program altering win in the Deep South’s Oldest<br />
Rivalry.<br />
PAYTON THORNE (QB #1)- A major point of weakness for the 2022<br />
Auburn Tigers was their inability to find success at the quarterback<br />
position. Newly appointed head coach Hugh Freeze looked to the<br />
transfer portal to grab Michigan State product, Payton Thorne in hopes<br />
of changing that. Through the first four games of the season, Thorne has<br />
shown his dual-threat ability, passing for 561 yards <strong>and</strong> four touchdowns,<br />
HUGH FREEZE<br />
HEAD COACH<br />
while adding 106 yards on the ground for two touchdowns. Thorne will<br />
look to bounce back from a difficult game in A&M to upset the Bulldogs.<br />
PHOTO BY: AUBURN ATHLETICS<br />
JAY FAIR (WR #5) - Fair has quickly become Thorne’s favorite target.<br />
Through four games, Fair has tallied 184 yards <strong>and</strong> two touchdowns<br />
for the Tigers in 2023. Fair is one of the quickest players on the Auburn<br />
offense, as well as in the SEC, having run a sub 4.4 40-yard dash while in<br />
high school. Allowing for Fair to utilize his speed in open space will be<br />
critical for the Tigers’ offense to gain momentum against Georgia.<br />
JARQUEZ HUNTER (RB #27) - Hunter is a physical back who<br />
possesses great speed <strong>and</strong> can break explosive plays if allowed the<br />
opportunity to get to the second level. Hunter scored a freakish<br />
touchdown late in the game against the Bulldogs last season <strong>and</strong> poses<br />
a threat to the Bulldogs’ defense. <strong>The</strong> Auburn running back has rushed<br />
for 143 yards <strong>and</strong> one touchdown so far in 2023. He looks to add to those<br />
numbers against the Bulldogs.<br />
JAYLIN SIMPSON (DB #36) - Simpson is a St. Simons Isl<strong>and</strong><br />
PAYTON THORNE<br />
QUARTERBACK<br />
Frederica Academy graduate who has become an instrumental part of the<br />
Tiger defense. So far, Simpson leads the Tigers in interceptions with three.<br />
Simpson’s exceptional ball skills <strong>and</strong> explosiveness will be something<br />
PHOTO BY: AUBURN ATHLETICS<br />
BY JEFF DANTZLER<br />
Auburn’s 1983 SEC Championship Team is one of<br />
the greatest in school history, posting an 11-1 record,<br />
capped with a 9-7 victory over MIchigan in the<br />
Sugar Bowl <strong>and</strong> No. 3 national ranking.<br />
Here are Tim Hudson’s stats for the 1997 Auburn<br />
College World Series team: In 67 games, the All-<br />
American hit.396 with 18 homers <strong>and</strong> 95 RBIs <strong>and</strong><br />
went 15-2 on the mound with a 2.97 ERA.<br />
All-Southeastern Conference running back Tre<br />
Mason had a record breaking day in Auburn’s 2013<br />
SEC Championship Game victory, rushing for 304<br />
yards <strong>and</strong> four touchdowns on 46 carries.<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 16 ISSUE SEVEN • AUBURN
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Carson Beck needs to be warry of when passing in Jordan-<br />
Hare. Don’t be surprised if Auburn sends him on a few blitzes<br />
from the secondary as well.<br />
EUGENE ASANTE (LB #9) - Asante is a talented<br />
linebacker for the Tigers who possesses a long frame <strong>and</strong><br />
good speed. This Tiger has all the traits you want in a<br />
linebacker with good body control, sure downfield tackling,<br />
<strong>and</strong> quick reaction to running plays. Asante is currently the<br />
Tigers’ leading tackler with 28 total tackles, 12 more than<br />
the next Tiger. This past Saturday, Asante took a scoop <strong>and</strong><br />
score to the house for 67 yards for Auburn’s only touchdown<br />
against Texas A&M. <strong>The</strong> Auburn linebacker will need another<br />
career day to slow down Georgia’s offense.<br />
JAYLIN SIMPSON<br />
DEFENSIVE BACK<br />
MARCUS HARRIS (DL #50) - Auburn’s defensive<br />
lineman racked up five total tackles this past Saturday in<br />
College Station. <strong>The</strong> senior is tied for the lead in sacks for the<br />
Tigers with two through four games. Harris is one of Auburn’s<br />
more capable pass rushers from the interior defensive line,<br />
something Sedrick Van-Pran <strong>and</strong> Georgia’s guards will need<br />
to h<strong>and</strong>le come Saturday.<br />
PHOTO BY: AUBURN ATHLETICS<br />
champions<br />
i n r e a l e s t a t e<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 17 ISSUE SEVEN • AUBURN
THE<br />
FIVE<br />
Georgia vs. uab<br />
BY: JEFF DANTZLER<br />
VINCE DOOLEY<br />
PHOTO BY: UGA ATHLETICS<br />
1. Incredible early 80s Athletes - <strong>The</strong>re was a period in the early<br />
1980s when some of the most transcendent athletes of all time played for<br />
the University of Georgia Bulldogs <strong>and</strong> Auburn Tigers. At the top of the list,<br />
<strong>and</strong> I’m cutting this off at four, because if I don’t, I’ll go 50 deep <strong>and</strong> still<br />
leave off some gems, heroes, <strong>and</strong> well respected arch nemesis. Herschel<br />
Walker <strong>and</strong> Dominique Wilkins at Georgia, Bo Jackson <strong>and</strong> Charles Barkley<br />
at Auburn. Phenomenal. My most cherished Georgia-Auburn game ever was<br />
the 1982 victory on the <strong>Plains</strong> when the Bulldogs <strong>and</strong> Larry Munson were<br />
masterful in an unforgettable 19-14 victory that clinched a third straight SEC<br />
championship. Sugar was falling from the sky.<br />
2. <strong>The</strong> tie-ins - Vince Dooley <strong>and</strong> Erk Russell went to Auburn. Pat Dye went<br />
to Georgia. <strong>The</strong> cross-school alma mater battles added a little extra flair to those<br />
enormous match-ups from the 1980s. Dye was a great player at Georgia, but<br />
did more damage to his alma mater at Auburn’s head coach, including a run of<br />
seven Tiger wins over an eight year period from 1983-1990. Dooley clinched all<br />
six of his Southeastern Conference championships against Auburn, with five of<br />
them coming on the <strong>Plains</strong>. Russell was the last four-sport letterman at Auburn<br />
- football, tennis, baseball <strong>and</strong> basketball. Shug Jordan once was the head<br />
basketball coach <strong>and</strong> an assistant football coach at Georgia - sharing an office<br />
with Dan Magill - before embarking on his highly successful career at Auburn.<br />
Amongst his star players at Auburn, Vince Dooley. <strong>The</strong> mentor <strong>and</strong> pupil would<br />
have many memorable battles in the 1960s <strong>and</strong> 1970s.<br />
3. War Damn Eagle - My friend Mark Parkman who went to Georgia <strong>and</strong><br />
worked for Claude Felton is a television dynamo. He ran Olympic Broadcasting<br />
for over two decades, <strong>and</strong> is one of the absolute best in the business. A<br />
die-hard Bulldog fan from Carrollton, Mark took the intriguing cross-over<br />
Georgia-Auburn rivalry to another level - an international Olympic level. During<br />
a planning meeting for the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games, a group of<br />
producers <strong>and</strong> organizers talked about wanting an eagle to fly into the stadium<br />
<strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong> on the field. Parkman the Bulldog asked if they had the bird. When<br />
informed they did not, he said, “Well I might know where you can find one.”<br />
Low <strong>and</strong> behold, Auburn’s War Eagle had an incredible Olympic showing at<br />
the Opening Ceremonies. Parkman said: “I was able to put aside my long-held<br />
upbringing to do what was best for the country, <strong>and</strong> I did have a lot of pride<br />
when I saw that damn bird flying into the stadium.” Patriotism. HBTD, WDE, God<br />
Bless America.<br />
4. Auburn Supper Club - One of the most famous Southeastern<br />
Conference watering holes <strong>and</strong> hangout spots was the Auburn Supper Club.<br />
Membership usually required. <strong>The</strong>y stayed open until the last person left. Back<br />
in the day, after both teams were done with spring practice, some Georgia<br />
players were there with some high school friends who played for Auburn. In the<br />
latrine of the Supper Club, a couple of Auburn students recognized one of the<br />
Georgia st<strong>and</strong>outs, <strong>and</strong> numbers weren’t looking good. Until one of Auburn’s<br />
hulking offensive linemen walked in <strong>and</strong> bellowed, “hey, back off, they’re with<br />
me.” Crisis averted. Some have seen the sun rise on gameday.<br />
5. KB - What would <strong>The</strong> Five be without a Kevin Butler story? When Georgia<br />
beat the Tigers 31-21 to clinch the 1980 SEC title, Butler was on an official<br />
recruiting visit to Auburn. Well, he was ab<strong>and</strong>oned by his hosts, who probably<br />
didn’t take long to figure out that he would be succeeding All-American Rex<br />
Robinson as Georgia’s next kicker. <strong>The</strong>y may or may not have been at the<br />
Supper Club, but Butler was ab<strong>and</strong>oned in the middle of the night on a dark,<br />
desolate road with nothing but trees <strong>and</strong> stars above. He survived. And signed<br />
with Georgia. On his next trip to Auburn, the Dawgs would “hunker down one<br />
more time.”<br />
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 18 ISSUE SEVEN • AUBURN
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During the late second<br />
quarter of the UAB game,<br />
a friend of mine told me,<br />
“every play should be<br />
a touchdown.” He wasn’t being<br />
100% serious, but he certainly was<br />
mirroring the frustration that many<br />
Dawg fans have felt over the course<br />
of the first four games. It’s no secret<br />
that Georgia has not dominated<br />
teams the way they have over<br />
the past few years. It’s certainly<br />
frustrating, but it’s reality. Georgia has<br />
set such a remarkably high st<strong>and</strong>ard<br />
for what success means to the team<br />
that anything shy of complete <strong>and</strong><br />
utter demolition of the opposition<br />
seems to be a failure.<br />
Even though the Bulldogs have<br />
not reached their potential early<br />
in the season, there are many<br />
positives to take away. Against UAB,<br />
Georgia was 6 of 6 in the redzone,<br />
an area the Bulldogs struggled with<br />
mightily against South Carolina.<br />
Carson Beck threw for 338 yards <strong>and</strong><br />
accounted for four touchdowns.<br />
<strong>Brock</strong> <strong>Bowers</strong> had nine receptions<br />
for 121 yards <strong>and</strong> two touchdowns.<br />
Daijun Edwards also added two<br />
touchdowns on just 12 carries.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se numbers would suggest<br />
that Georgia was dominant, but<br />
self-inflicted wounds prevented<br />
the Dawgs from putting the game<br />
away early.<br />
Georgia missed two deep shots<br />
to wide open receivers. Beck flat<br />
out missed Jackson Meeks on the<br />
first deep ball, <strong>and</strong> Arian Smith was<br />
unable to adjust on another. Both<br />
should’ve been touchdowns, but<br />
the Bulldogs failed to capitalize.<br />
<strong>Brock</strong> <strong>Bowers</strong> put the ball on the<br />
ground once, but fortunately for<br />
the Bulldogs, the ball rolled to<br />
the sideline. On special teams,<br />
both Mekhi Mews <strong>and</strong> Dillion Bell<br />
coughed the football up, both times<br />
recovered by the Blazers. Late in<br />
the game, Gunner Stockton’s pass<br />
was intercepted to cap off a threeturnover<br />
night for the No. 1 team in<br />
the country.<br />
On the defensive side of the<br />
football, Georgia allowed UAB<br />
to reach its end zone on three<br />
occasions. UAB had plenty of early<br />
down success dumping the ball to<br />
their tight end in the flat for chunk<br />
yards. <strong>The</strong> Blazers were able to gain<br />
a remarkable 20 first downs against<br />
Georgia’s defense. However, the<br />
Bulldog defense was left in short<br />
field situations multiple times due to<br />
turnovers.<br />
It appears that Georgia is still<br />
looking for someone to fill the void<br />
left behind by Jalen Carter <strong>and</strong><br />
Nolan Smith, who were the type<br />
of players who allowed Georgia<br />
to get pressure on a quarterback<br />
without the need for risky blitzes<br />
<strong>and</strong> pressures. Mykel Williams has<br />
been Georgia’s top pass rusher – <strong>and</strong><br />
he is more than capable of being<br />
Georgia’s next great defensive<br />
lineman – but Williams was unable<br />
to suit up due to illness. Warren<br />
Brinson had an excellent sack from<br />
the interior defensive line on a third<br />
down in the first quarter. Brinson<br />
appears to be separating himself<br />
on the interior of the defensive line<br />
as he has been one of the more<br />
effective players with his interior<br />
pass rush. Coach Smart believes in<br />
a committee approach along the<br />
line, but Georgia will need some<br />
dominate play from that position<br />
group to reach their lofty goals of<br />
another championship.<br />
Unfortunately for Mike Bobo<br />
distractors, the man called a really<br />
good game. Go rewatch the tape.<br />
Georgia’s errors were due to failed<br />
execution on well-designed,<br />
explosive plays <strong>and</strong> because<br />
of turnovers on special teams.<br />
Regardless, Georgia found a way to<br />
get <strong>Brock</strong> <strong>Bowers</strong> the ball almost<br />
double-digit times. <strong>The</strong>y were 10<br />
of 13 on third downs, <strong>and</strong> (finally)<br />
aggressive early in the game. <strong>The</strong><br />
play calling was less conservative,<br />
which needs to continue heading<br />
into the SEC slate.<br />
Looking ahead to this coming<br />
week, Georgia faces an always<br />
motivated Auburn team coming off<br />
a tough loss. <strong>The</strong> Tigers are dealing<br />
with significant offensive struggles,<br />
particularly at the quarterback<br />
position, <strong>and</strong> are coming off a<br />
performance where their offensive<br />
line was dismantled. Auburn’s<br />
quarterbacks combined for 56 yards<br />
between three players, <strong>and</strong> the Tiger<br />
offense put up just 200 total yards.<br />
Auburn’s only touchdown of the<br />
game was a Eugene Asante fumble<br />
recovery to the house for 67 yards.<br />
Despite Auburn’s struggles on<br />
offense, Jordan-Hare Stadium<br />
is one of the most challenging<br />
environments in college football,<br />
<strong>and</strong> the team from the <strong>Plains</strong> has no<br />
shortage of hatred for UGA. Don’t<br />
worry Auburn fans, the feeling is<br />
mutual. Hugh Freeze is certainly<br />
looking for a program altering win,<br />
<strong>and</strong> Georgia has flaws that can be<br />
exposed.<br />
Georgia will have to play stout<br />
against the run, as that is Auburn’s<br />
identity. Texas A&M held Auburn’s<br />
leading rusher, quarterback Payton<br />
Thorne, to -34 yards. Sacks count in<br />
this statistic, but Thorne was unable<br />
to use his legs to make plays. Robby<br />
Ashford, Throne’s back-up, suffered<br />
the same fate, finishing with only<br />
four yards through the air <strong>and</strong> 25 on<br />
the ground. A&M brought the house<br />
through blitzes all game, <strong>and</strong> Auburn<br />
was incapable of finding a solution.<br />
When the Bulldogs take the field<br />
at Jordan-Hare on Saturday, it is vital<br />
that they start fast on both sides<br />
of the ball. In these kinds of rivalry<br />
games, statistics get thrown out<br />
the window. Auburn’s defense is<br />
extremely physical, <strong>and</strong> they have<br />
enough talent around the team to<br />
give Georgia problems in a hostile<br />
environment. With that being said,<br />
the Bulldogs are undoubtedly the<br />
far superior team. Play like it <strong>and</strong><br />
keep this championship team rolling<br />
down the tracks to another SEC title.<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 20 ISSUE SEVEN • AUBURN
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ninety Georgia years Alumni) of combined are made experience, of. With over we<br />
• LONG-TERM RENTALS<br />
work ninety hard years to get of you combined the results experience, you expect. we<br />
• PROPERTY MANAGEMENT<br />
work hard to get you the results you expect.<br />
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ST. SIMONS ISLAND • SEA ISLAND • BRUNSWICK<br />
ST. SIMONS A leading ISLAND real estate • team SEA in Coastal ISLAND Georgia • BRUNSWICK<br />
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Ch<strong>and</strong>ra Kendall<br />
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CRS<br />
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Ch<strong>and</strong>ra RealtorKendall<br />
ABR, CRS GRI<br />
Teri Moore Tina Fallon Karen Mumford Nancy Phelan Freddy Stroud Desiree Varnedoe Sarah Broyles<br />
Teri<br />
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Moore Chrissy<br />
Realtor<br />
Johnston Tina Fallon<br />
Realtor Elizabeth Smith GRI<br />
Desiree Varnedoe<br />
Broker<br />
Sarah Broyles<br />
Rental Manager Emily Wages Rental Freddy Agent Stroud<br />
Realtor Teri Moore Realtor Tina Fallon Realtor Karen Mumford Marketing Nancy Phelan Rental Manager Freddy Rental StroudAgent<br />
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Broker Rental Manager Rental Agent
Andy Burcham, the voice of the Tigers <strong>and</strong> one<br />
of the best broadcasters in the Southeastern<br />
Conference, once again takes his time to give<br />
us some insight into the Deep South’s Oldest<br />
Rivalry. Andy calls Auburn football, men’s<br />
basketball <strong>and</strong> baseball. He is the latest in a<br />
long line of outst<strong>and</strong>ing Tiger announcers,<br />
including Jim Fyffe <strong>and</strong> Rod Bramblett.<br />
BY JEFF DANTZLER<br />
A VIEW FROM ...<br />
Auburn<br />
WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON<br />
THIS AUBURN TEAM?<br />
Still working on an offensive<br />
identity. Great running back room.<br />
Payton Thorne had his best game<br />
versus Samford, including 123<br />
rushing <strong>and</strong> a pair of touchdowns.<br />
Wide Receivers are a work in<br />
progress. Both sides of the ball are<br />
dealing with injuries heading into<br />
the Texas A&M game.<br />
HOW HAS HUGH FREEZE<br />
BEEN RECEIVED BY THE<br />
TIGER FAITHFUL?<br />
Auburn sold out of season tickets<br />
for the first time in school history.<br />
Every game is a sellout with the<br />
exception of Mississippi State<br />
<strong>and</strong> New Mexico State. As I write<br />
this, literally there are less than<br />
1,000 total tickets left for NMSU,<br />
as the State game has now sold<br />
out. <strong>The</strong> Auburn Family is very<br />
excited about the direction of the<br />
program under Hugh Freeze.<br />
THE WIN AT CAL WAS<br />
GUTSY AND TOUGH, DO<br />
YOU THINK THAT CAN BE<br />
VIEWED AS A POTENTIAL<br />
CORNERSTONE VICTORY?<br />
Remains to be seen at this point.<br />
Auburn’s offense sputtered<br />
until the final touchdown drive.<br />
Auburn had three fumbles <strong>and</strong><br />
an interception. <strong>The</strong> defense was<br />
asked time <strong>and</strong> again to come<br />
up big <strong>and</strong> it did. <strong>The</strong>re were<br />
approximately 10,000 Auburn fans<br />
in their orange on the west coast.<br />
I believe the cornerstone win is<br />
coming in an SEC game.<br />
CAN YOU TALK ABOUT<br />
THE EXCITEMENT<br />
LEVEL AND THIS GAME<br />
AT JORDAN-HARE AT<br />
3:30/2:30, WE EXPECT IT<br />
TO BE ROCKING ON THE<br />
PLAINS!<br />
It’s the oldest rivalry in the Deep<br />
South. Georgia is the two-time<br />
defending national champions.<br />
This game sold out the moment<br />
the date it was announced. Yes,<br />
Jordan-Hare Stadium will be<br />
rocking.<br />
WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON<br />
GEORGIA?<br />
Two-time defending national<br />
champions. Smothering defense<br />
<strong>and</strong> an offense that continues to<br />
improve. Talent all over the field.<br />
Kirby Smart has built a force in<br />
the SEC.<br />
Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler A small sampling of menu items ...<br />
WHERE SMART DAWGS<br />
EAT AND DRINK!<br />
Oysters Rockefeller<br />
Baked with a topping of spinach, celery, <strong>and</strong> onion<br />
Classic Crawfish Etouffee<br />
Rich Creole stew of crawfish tails served over rice<br />
Crab Cakes<br />
Lump crab sautéed <strong>and</strong> served over stewed corn<br />
with remoulade<br />
Stuffed Filet<br />
Stuffed with bleu cheese <strong>and</strong> port wine sauce.<br />
Served with potatoes <strong>and</strong> chef’s vegetables.<br />
Carpetbagger<br />
Topped with fried oysters <strong>and</strong> bernaise sauce.<br />
Served with potatoes <strong>and</strong> chef’s vegetables.<br />
Seafood Jambalaya<br />
Redfish, oysters, shrimp <strong>and</strong> crawfish over a<br />
chicken <strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong>ouille jambalaya<br />
TAILGATE MENU AVAILABLE<br />
420 MACON HWY | ATHENS | 706-548-3359<br />
GEORGESLOWCOUNTRYTABLE.COM<br />
Did you know that George’s owner<br />
Reggie DiSante was a protégé of<br />
Harry Bissett’s founder George<br />
Davis? Come <strong>and</strong> experience many<br />
of the classics from those glory days<br />
of the ‘80s, ‘90s <strong>and</strong> ‘00s!<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 22 ISSUE SEVEN • AUBURN
2023 georgia bulldogs numerical roster<br />
Provided By UGA Athletics - Subject To Change<br />
No. Name Pos. Cl. Ht. Wt. Exp. Hometown (Previous School) No. Name Pos. Cl. Ht. Wt. Exp. Hometown (Previous School)<br />
0 ^Troy Bowles ILB Fr. 6-0 220 HS Tampa, Fla. (Jesuit HS)<br />
0 #Roderick Robinson II RB Fr. 6-0 240 HS Imperial, Calif. (Lincoln HS)<br />
1 Nyl<strong>and</strong> Green DB RSo. 6-1 185 1VL Covington, Ga. (Newton HS)<br />
1 Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint WR Sr. 6-2 195 3VL Pompano Beach, Fla. (St. Thomas Aquinas HS)<br />
2 Kendall Milton RB Sr. 6-1 220 3VL Fresno, Calif. (Buchanan HS)<br />
2 Smael Mondon ILB Jr. 6-3 225 2VL Dallas, Ga. (Paulding County HS)<br />
3 Kamari Lassiter DB Jr. 6-0 180 2VL Savannah, Ga. (American Christian Acad.)<br />
3 Andrew Paul RB RFr. 5-11 218 SQ Dallas, Texas (Parish Episcopal School)<br />
4 <strong>Oscar</strong> <strong>Delp</strong> TE So. 6-5 245 1VL Cumming, Ga. (West Forsyth HS)<br />
4 #AJ Harris DB Fr. 6-1 190 HS Phenix City, Ala. (Central HS)<br />
5 #Rara Thomas WR Jr. 6-2 200 TR Eufaula, Ala. (Miss. State/Eufaula HS)<br />
5 #Raylen Wilson ILB Fr. 6-1 225 HS Tallahassee, Fla. (Lincoln HS)<br />
6 Daylen Everette DB So. 6-1 190 1VL Norfolk, Va. (IMG Academy)<br />
6 #Dominic Lovett WR Jr. 5-10 187 TR Belleville, Ill. (Missouri/East St. Louis HS)<br />
7 Marvin Jones Jr. OLB So. 6-5 250 1VL Sunrise, Fla. (American Heritage HS)<br />
7 #Lawson Luckie TE Fr. 6-3 240 HS Norcross, Ga. (Norcross HS)<br />
8 #Joenel Aguero DB Fr. 5-11 205 HS Lynn, Mass. (St. John’s Prep)<br />
9 Jackson Meeks WR Jr. 6-2 205 2VL henix City, Ala. (Central HS)<br />
9 #Justyn Rhett DB Fr. 6-0 190 HS Las Vegas, Nev. (Bishop Gorman HS)<br />
10 Jamon Dumas-Johnson ILB Jr. 6-1 245 2VL Hyattsville, Md. (St. Francis Academy)<br />
10 #Tyler Williams WR Fr. 6-3 205 HS Lakel<strong>and</strong>, Fla. (Lakel<strong>and</strong> HS)<br />
11 Arian Smith WR Jr. 6-0 185 3VL Bradley, Fla. (Lakel<strong>and</strong> HS)<br />
11 Jalon Walker ILB So. 6-2 245 1VL Salisbury, N.C. (Salisbury HS)<br />
12 Julian Humphrey DB RFr. 6-0 190 1VL Webster, Texas (Clear Lake HS)<br />
12 <strong>Brock</strong> V<strong>and</strong>agriff QB RSo. 6-3 210 SQ Bogart, Ga. (Prince Ave. Christian School)<br />
13 #Zeed Haynes WR Fr. 6-1 170 HS Philadelphia, Pa. (North Penn HS)<br />
13 Mykel Williams DL So. 6-5 265 1VL Columbus, Ga. (Hardaway HS)<br />
14 David Daniel-Sisavanh DB Jr. 6-2 185 2VL Woodstock, Ga. (Woodstock HS)<br />
14 Gunner Stockton QB RFr. 6-1 215 SQ Tiger, Ga. (Rabun County HS)<br />
15 Carson Beck QB Jr. 6-4 220 2VL Jacksonville, Fla. (M<strong>and</strong>arin HS)<br />
15 ^Daniel Harris DB Fr. 6-2 175 HS Miami, Fla. (Gulliver Prep HS)<br />
16 C.J. Madden OLB RFr. 6-4 240 SQ Ellenwood, Ga. (Cedar Grove HS)<br />
16 Jackson Muschamp QB Jr. 6-2 190 SQ Columbia, S.C. (Hammond School)<br />
17 #Anthony Evans III WR Fr. 5-11 165 HS Converse, Texas (Judson HS)<br />
17 Dan Jackson DB Sr. 6-1 200 2VL Gainesville, Ga. (North Hall HS)<br />
18 C.J. Smith WR RFr. 6-3 190 SQ Apopka, Fla. (Mount Dora HS)<br />
18 Xavian Sorey ILB RSo. 6-3 220 2VL Campbellton, Fla. (IMG Academy)<br />
19 <strong>Brock</strong> <strong>Bowers</strong> TE Jr. 6-4 240 2VL Napa, Calif. (Napa HS)<br />
19 Darris Smith OLB So. 6-5 240 1VL Baxley, Ga. (Appling Co. HS)<br />
20 Sevaughn Clark RB Sr. 6-1 215 2VL Dawsonville, Ga. (Dawson County HS)<br />
20 JaCorey Thomas DB So. 6-0 200 1VL Orl<strong>and</strong>o, Fla. (Boone HS)<br />
22 Javon Bullard DB Jr. 5-11 195 2VL Milledgeville, Ga. (Baldwin HS)<br />
22 Branson Robinson RB So. 5-10 220 1VL Canton, Miss. (Germantown HS)<br />
23 De’Nylon Morrissette WR So. 6-1 200 1VL Stone Mountain, Ga. (North Cobb HS)<br />
23 Tykee Smith DB Sr. 5-10 205 1VL Philadelphia, Pa. (WVU / Imhotep Inst.)<br />
24 Malaki Starks DB So. 6-1 205 1VL Jefferson, Ga. (Jefferson HS)<br />
25 E.J. Lightsey ILB RFr. 6-2 223 IVL Fitzgerald, Ga. (Fitzgerald HS)<br />
26 Collin Drake QB RSo. 6-1 195 SQ Ennis, Texas (Ennis HS)<br />
26 #Sam M’Pemba OLB Fr. 6-3 2 45 HS Olivette, Mo. (IMG Academy)<br />
27 Sam Bush QB Fr. 5-11 185 HS Athens, Ga. (Athens Academy)<br />
27 ^Chris Peal DB Fr. 6-1 190 HS Charlotte, N.C. (Providence Day School)<br />
28 Walter Blanchard WR Fr. 6-1 195 HS Columbus, Ga. (Brookstone)<br />
29 Luke Bennett WR RFr. 5-11 175 SQ Blackshear, Ga. (Pierce County HS)<br />
29 #Gabe Harris Jr. OLB Fr. 6-4 245 HS Thomasville, Ga. (IMG Aacdemy)<br />
30 Daijun Edwards RB Sr. 5-10 201 3VL Norman Park, Ga. (Colquitt County HS)<br />
30 Terrell Foster ILB RFr. 6-1 220 SQ Kennesaw, Ga. (IMG Academy)<br />
31 Grant Briscoe WR RFr. 6-3 190 SQ Carrollton, Ga. (Carrollton HS)<br />
31 ^Kyron Jones ATH Fr. 6-0 200 HS Charlotte, N.C. (Charlotte Christian HS)<br />
32 Chaz Chambliss OLB Jr. 6-2 250 2VL Carrollton, Ga. (Carrollton HS)<br />
32 Cash Jones RB RSo. 6-0 182 1VL <strong>Brock</strong>, Texas (<strong>Brock</strong> HS)<br />
33 #C.J. Allen ILB Fr. 6-1 235 HS Barnesville, Ga. (Lamar County HS)<br />
35 Jacob Fleming DB RFr. 5-11 190 SQ Atlanta, Ga. (Westminster Academy)<br />
35 #Damon Wilson II OLB Fr. 6-4 235 HS Nokomis, Fla. (Venice HS)<br />
36 Colby Smith DB Sr. 5-10 175 SQ Danielsville, Ga. (Pres. College/Madison Co. HS)<br />
37 Izayah Reeves WR RSo. 5-11 175 TR Long Isl<strong>and</strong>, N.Y. (Charleston/Monocan HS)<br />
38 Patrick Taylor DB Jr. 6-0 175 SQ Johns Creek, Ga. (Johns Creek HS)<br />
39 Parker Jones DB RFr. 5-11 165 SQ Albany, Ga. (Deerfield-Windsor School)<br />
39 Collin Lark DB Jr. 6-0 198 HS Dallas, Texas (Dallas Jesuit HS)<br />
39 Miles Thornton RB RFr. 6-0 195 SQ Tyrone, Ga. (S<strong>and</strong>y Creek HS)<br />
41 Denton Shamburger DB RFr. 6-0 185 SQ Atlanta, Ga. (Westminster School)<br />
41 ^Len’Neth Whitehead RB Jr. 6-2 220 TR Athens, Ga. (Tennessee/Athens Academy)<br />
42 Graham Collins ILB Jr. 6-2 215 SQ Atlanta, Ga. (Holy Innocents Episcopal School)<br />
43 Marek Briley WR Fr. 6-3 205 HS Buford, Ga. (North Gwinnett HS)<br />
43 Ali Hall DB RFr. 6-1 201 TR Jacksonville, Fla. (GMC/Westside HS)<br />
44 Cade <strong>Brock</strong> TE Jr. 6-0 250 SQ Subligna, Ga. (Darlington HS)<br />
44 #Jordan Hall DL Fr. 6-4 320 HS Jacksonville, Fla. (Westside HS)<br />
45 Jacob Hardie RB RFr. 5-9 180 SQ Olney, Md. (Our Lady of Good Counsel)<br />
46 George Vining WR Sr. 6-0 205 SQ Macon, Ga. (Tattnall Square Academy)<br />
47 Sam Shurtleff OLB Jr. 6-4 230 TR Watkinsville, Ga. (Nebraska/Oconee County HS)<br />
47 Will Taylor WR Fr. 6-3 190 HS Milton, Ga. (Cambridge HS)<br />
48 Joseph Daniels RB Gr. 5-10 188 SQ John’s Creek, Ga. (Indiana/Roswell HS)<br />
48 Cooper Johnson TE RFr. 6-4 220 SQ Cumming, Ga. (West Forsyth HS)<br />
49 Luke Collins OLB RSo. 6-2 245 SQ Birmingham, Ala. (Birmingham Prep)<br />
51 Will Snellings SN Fr. 6-2 220 HS Fayetteville, Ga. (Whitewater HS)<br />
52 Christen Miller DL RFr. 6-4 305 IVL Ellenwood, Ga. (Cedar Grove HS)<br />
53 Dylan Fairchild OL RSo. 6-5 315 1VL Cumming, Ga. (West Forsyth HS)<br />
54 ^Kelton SmithJr. OL Fr. 6-4 330 HS Columbus, Ga. (Carver HS)<br />
55 #Jamaal Jarrett DL Fr. 6-5 350 HS Greensboro, N.C. (Grimsley HS)<br />
55 Jared Wilson OL RSo. 6-3 310 2VL Winston-Salem, N.C. (West Forsyth HS)<br />
56 Micah Morris OL RSo. 6-6 330 1VL Kingsl<strong>and</strong>, Ga. (Camden County HS)<br />
56 William Mote SN Sr. 6-2 230 3VL Hoover, Ala. (Spain Park HS)<br />
57 #Monroe Freeling OL Fr. 6-7 310 HS Isle of Palms, S.C. (Oceanside Collegiate Acad)<br />
58 Austin Blaske OL Jr. 6-5 310 2VL Faulkville, Ga. (South Effingham HS)<br />
59 ^Bo Hughley OL Fr. 6-7 280 HS Fairburn, Ga. (Langston Hughes HS)<br />
60 Henry Peagler OL Fr. 6-3 290 HS Blackshear, Ga. (Pierce County HS)<br />
63 Sedrick Van Pran OL Jr. 6-4 310 3VL New Orleans, La. (Warren Easton HS)<br />
65 Amarius Mims OL Jr. 6-7 340 2VL Cochran, Ga. (Bleckley County HS)<br />
66 Aliou Bah OL RFr. 6-5 320 SQ Memphis, Tenn. (IMG Academy)<br />
66 Jonathan Washburn SN RSo. 6-2 230 SQ Ringgold, Ga. (Heritage HS)<br />
67 Clinton Barlow DL Fr. 6-5 310 HS Charlotte, N.C. (Charlotte Catholic)<br />
68 Chris Brown OL Jr. 6-5 300 SQ Savannah, Ga. (Isl<strong>and</strong>s HS)<br />
69 Tate Ratledge OL RSo. 6-6 310 1VL Rome, Ga. (Darlington School)<br />
70 #Joshua Miller OL Fr. 6-4 300 HS Chesterfield, Va. (Life Christian Academy)<br />
71 EARNEST GREENE III OL RFR. 6-4 320 SQ LOS ANG, CA (ST. JOHN BOSCO HS)<br />
72 ^JAMAL MERIWEATHER OL FR. 6-6 287 HS BRUNSWICK, GA. (BRUNSWICK HS)<br />
73 XAVIER TRUSS OL SR. 6-7 320 3VL W. WARWICK, R.I. (BISHOP HENDRICKEN HS)<br />
74 DREW BOBO OL RFR. 6-5 305 SQ AUBURN, ALA. (AUBURN HS)<br />
76 MILES JOHNSON OL JR. 6-5 320 SQ BLUE RIDGE, GA. (FANNIN CO. HS)<br />
78 CHAD LINDBERG OL JR. 6-6 325 2VL LEAGUE CITY, TEXAS (CLEAR CREEK HS)<br />
78 NAZIR STACKHOUSE DL SR. 6-3 320 3VL STONE MOUNTAIN, GA. (COLUMBIA HS)<br />
79 GUS GAMMAGE OL FR. 6-5 306 HS CEDARTOWN, GA. (DARLINGTON SCHOOL)<br />
80 BRANDON MOODY WR JR. 5-7 1 65 TR MONROE, GA. (BERRY COL./MONROE AREA HS)<br />
81 DAVID LALAIAN TE FR. 6-4 225 HS MONROE, GA. (MONROE AREA HS)<br />
82 LOGAN JOHNSON WR RSO. 5-6 155 SQ B OGART, GA. (PRINCE AVE. CHRISTIAN)<br />
83 COLE SPEER WR SO. 5-11 185 1VL CALHOUN, GA. (CALHOUN HS)<br />
84 LADD MCCONKEY WR JR. 6-0 185 2 VL CHATSWORTH, GA. (NORTH MURRAY HS)<br />
85 DREW SHEEHAN TE SR. 6-2 240 SQ WOODSTOCK, GA. (KENN ST. / WOODSTOCK HS)<br />
86 DILLON BELL WR SO. 6-1 210 1VL HOUSTON, TEXAS (THE KINKAID SCHOOL)<br />
87 MEKHI MEWS WR RSO. 5-8 185 1VL GRAYSON, GA. (CENTRAL GWINNETT HS)<br />
88 #PEARCE SPURLIN III TE FR. 6-7 2 30 HS ROSEMARY BEACH, FLA. (S. WALTON HS)<br />
89 BRAXTON HICKS WR JR. 6-2 195 SQ TIGER, GA. (RABUN COUNTY HS)<br />
90 TRAMEL WALTHOUR DL SR. 6-3 270 3VL HINESVILLE, GA. (HUTCHINSON CC/<br />
LIBERTY CO. HS)<br />
91 ^PEYTON WOODRING PK FR. 5-10 175 HS LAFAYETTE, LA. (ASCENSION EPISCOPAL HS)<br />
92 LIAM BADGER PK RSO. 6-0 170 TR CUMMING, GA. (KENNESAW STATE/<br />
WEST FORSYTH)<br />
92 BRETT THORSON P SO. 6-2 220 1VL MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA<br />
(PROKICK AUSTRALIA)<br />
93 WILL HATTAWAY PK FR. 6-0 185 HS EVANS, GA. (LAKESIDE HS)<br />
93 TYRION INGRAM-DAWKINS DL RSO. 6-5 280 2VL GAFFNEY, S.C. (GAFFNEY HS)<br />
94 HENRY BATES PK RFR. 5-11 170 SQ WAYCROSS, GA. (WARE COUNTY HS)<br />
94 JONATHAN JEFFERSON DL RSO. 6-3 295 2VL DOUGLASVILLE, GA. (DOUGLAS COUNTY HS)<br />
96 ZION LOGUE DL SR. 6-5 310 3VL LEBANON, TENN. (LEBANON HS)<br />
97 WARREN BRINSON DL SR. 6-4 305 3VL SAVANNAH, GA. (IMG ACADEMY)<br />
98 NOAH JONES P RSO. 6-0 165 SQ CAIRO, GA. (CAIRO HS)<br />
99 JARED ZIRKEL PK JR. 6-3 185 1VL KERRVILLE, TEXAS (TIVY HS)<br />
#2023 EARLY ENROLLEE; ^JUNE 2023 ARRIVAL<br />
PRONUNCIATIONS<br />
ALIOU BAH............................... UH-LOO BAH<br />
AUSTIN BLASKE............................... BLAS-KEE<br />
TROY BOWLES.........................................BOWLS<br />
JAVON BULLARD...............................JUH-VAHN<br />
CHAZ CHAMBLISS...........................CHAM-BLISS<br />
SEVAUGHN CLARK..........................SUH-VAUGHN<br />
DAVID DANIEL-SISAVANH............. SIS-UH-VAHN<br />
JAMON DUMAS JOHNSON.....JUH-MAHN DO-MAS<br />
DAIJUN EDWARDS...........................DAY-ZYAHN<br />
DAYLEN EVERETTE.............................. DAY-LYNN<br />
TERRELL FOSTER.................................TUH-RELL<br />
NYLAND GREEN...................................NY-LUND<br />
ZEED HAYNES..............ZEED RHYMES WITH SEED<br />
BO HUGHLEY..................................... HUGH-LEE<br />
TYRION INGRAM-DAWKINS..............TY-REE-AHN<br />
JAMAAL JARRETT...................................JUH-MALL<br />
KYRON JONES.........................................KYRUN<br />
DAVID LALAIAN...........................LUH-LAY-LEE-IN<br />
KAMARI LASSITER........................KUH-MARH-EE<br />
E.J. SIGHTSEY................................... LIGHT-SEE<br />
ZION LOGUE............................... ZI-ON LOWGUH<br />
MEKHI MEWS......MUH-KAI LIKE “NEWS” WITH AN “M”<br />
AMARIUS MIMS...................... UH-MARE-EE-US<br />
SMAEL MONDON................RHYMES WITH SMILE,<br />
.....................................RHYMES WITH LONDON<br />
DE’NYLON MORRISSEETTE...............DE-NYE-LUN<br />
SAM M’PEMBA...........................EM-PEM-BUH<br />
IZAYAH REEVES..............................EYE-ZAY-UH<br />
RODERICK ROBINSON......................ROD-ER-RICK<br />
MARCUS ROSEMY-JACKSAINT.....ROSE-UH-MEE<br />
DENTON SHAMBURGER.................. SHAM-BURGER<br />
SAM SHURTLEFF....................................SHIRTLUFF<br />
XAVIAN SOREY........ EGG-ZAY-VEE-AHN SORE-EE<br />
NAZIR STACKHOUSE......................... NAH-ZEER<br />
MALAKI STARKS..........................MAL-UH-KAI<br />
JACOREY THOMAS.............................JUH-COREY<br />
RARA THOMAS......................................RAH-RAH<br />
BROCK VANDAGRIFF......................VAN-DUH-GRIFF<br />
JALON WALKER..................................... JAY-LUN<br />
TRAMEL WALTHOUR........................... TRUH-MEL<br />
..........................WALL-THOUR (SOUNDS LIKE ‘OUR’)<br />
LEN’NETH WHITEHEAD.......................... LEN-NEETH<br />
MYKEL WILLIAMS.................................MY-KELL<br />
DAMON WILSON..................................DAY-MUHN<br />
RAYLEN WILSON.................................... RAY-LYNN<br />
JARED ZIRKEL..................................... ZER-KUL
PROUST Q&A: SEAN GOLDSMITH PG. 40<br />
SOCIAL<br />
georgia - uab photos: PG. 27 - 38<br />
(front) Leslie Anderson, Stephen Anderson, John Williams, Mary Margaret Williams, Mitch Sheppard,<br />
Brannen Sheppard; (back) Emery Anderson, Milledge Anderson, Hadden Williams, Ruth Williams, Pierce,<br />
Sims, Mitchell Sheppard<br />
PHOTO BY: VANCE LEAVY/BI<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 25 ISSUE SEVEN • AUBURN
Sonja Disante, Reggie Disante, Grace Bartlinski, Ed Bartlinski,<br />
Dylan Sergent<br />
GEORGIA- 49, UAB - 21<br />
Ben Br<strong>and</strong>enburg,<br />
Don Br<strong>and</strong>enburg<br />
Wes Wilbanks, Avery Wilbanks<br />
Gracie Garrett, Elizabeth Howell, Finley Freeman, Evin Carvell<br />
Addie Belle Becker, Ashley Becker<br />
Ken Cook, Cyndi Riekel<br />
ULLA JOHNSON + HUNTER BELL<br />
AMANDA UPRICHARD + STAUD<br />
MISA + DOLCE VITA + RAMY BROOK<br />
MOTHER + SOFTWAVES + CELIAB<br />
LOVE THE LABEL + MARIE OLIVER<br />
RAG & BONE + SEA NY + KREWE<br />
195 COLLEGE AVENUE<br />
ATHENS, GA<br />
706.543.0702<br />
Phillip Walker, Lilla Walker, James Hester, Stacy Stephens,<br />
Carey Stephens, Michelle Beckum<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 27 ISSUE SEVEN • AUBURN
SOCIAL<br />
FAN SHOTS<br />
Meredith Kahlstorf,<br />
Katherine Culpepper,<br />
Erik Kahlstorf<br />
Valorie Koziol, Caroline Koziol,<br />
Mary Emma Coates, Amy Coates<br />
John Parker, Emily Dantzler, Cheri Leavy, John Ellington, Daniel Mosseri,<br />
S<strong>and</strong>ra Kate Ellington<br />
GEORGIA- 49, UAB - 21<br />
Lacy Sinkwich, Frankie Sinkwich,<br />
Frank Sinkwich<br />
Olivia Butler, Cathy Butler,<br />
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 28 ISSUE SEVEN • AUBURN
VISIT ATLANTA’S AWARD-WINNING SHOWROOMS<br />
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SOCIAL<br />
FAN SHOTS<br />
Lyn Hill, Drew Hill, Spooner Phillips,<br />
Denise Phillips<br />
Ravi Patel, Stephen Amolegbe,<br />
Lauren Baker<br />
Johnny Millsap, Jasmyn Millsap,<br />
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Lacy Sinkwich, Carrie Shephard,<br />
Caroline Kinney, Cheri Leavy<br />
GEORGIA- 49, UAB - 21<br />
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Caleb Wilds, Robby Danner<br />
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Mack Floyd, Durham Harris,<br />
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Kevin Floyd, Dexter Harris<br />
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 30 ISSUE SEVEN • AUBURN
SOCIAL<br />
FAN SHOTS<br />
Alex Petersons,<br />
Philip VanHall<br />
Ford Neel, Barbara Dye,<br />
John Neel<br />
Wade Stephens, Wynn Stephens,<br />
Ami Stephens<br />
Cara Butler, Drew Butler,<br />
Bridget Butler<br />
GEORGIA- 49, UAB - 21<br />
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Matt Mangas, Kelly Mangas,<br />
Marissa Kelly, Charlotte Stokes<br />
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 32 ISSUE SEVEN • AUBURN
SOCIAL<br />
FAN SHOTS<br />
Kamel Paul, Charlene Paul,<br />
Elisa Paul<br />
Lexi Harrell,<br />
Hunter Stovall<br />
Larry Faulkner, Steve Welchel, Emilia Trajos,<br />
Shannon Yates, Robi Yates<br />
Ashley Luke,<br />
Carrie Lee<br />
GEORGIA- 49, UAB - 21<br />
Maddi Claire Mobley,<br />
Audrey Claire Hogg,<br />
Claire Seeger<br />
Katy Fleming Wilkins<br />
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 34 ISSUE SEVEN • AUBURN
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 35 ISSUE SEVEN • AUBURN
SOCIAL<br />
FAN SHOTS<br />
Jordan Horne, Carter Horne,<br />
Tyler Horne<br />
Jeff Sentell, Br<strong>and</strong>on Adams Ray Yarbrough, Laura Yarbrough Matt Griffies,<br />
Sarah Ellen Griffies<br />
Jeff Miller, Palmer Miller<br />
Bryce Johnson,<br />
John Kinney<br />
Jeffrey Burrell, Tamara Roulhac,<br />
Jason Simpsona<br />
John Kasay, Kevin Butler<br />
GEORGIA- 49, UAB - 21<br />
Jason Doonbos, Wes Rogers, Spence Johnson,<br />
Keith Newberry<br />
Robert Lee, Lisa Lee, Dallas Lee<br />
Charlie Moorefield, Presley Burson, Taylor Moorefield,<br />
Carter Gleaton, Elle Manley, Riley Davis<br />
Parker Middleton, Bella Cicora, Jack Stanfill, Jenna Burke, Sam Read, Ryan Fagan,<br />
Cooper Burke, Julian Penzes<br />
Chloe Chapman, Jordan Cole, Zoe Smith, Amiya Evans<br />
Lee Chisolm, Rebecca Chisolm Julie Kidd, Jennifer Trapnell Sean Kulberg, Barbara Rizzo,<br />
Greg Rizzo<br />
Gena Knox, Georgia Mae Knox,<br />
Genevieve Knox, Bickley Knox,<br />
David Knox<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 36 ISSUE SEVEN • AUBURN
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 37 ISSUE SEVEN • AUBURN
SOCIAL<br />
FAN SHOTS<br />
Luci Furlow, Rinne Furlow, Ellie Jones, Colleen Jones,<br />
Jennifer Jones, Ella Jones<br />
GEORGIA- 49, UAB - 21<br />
Ed Greenway <strong>and</strong> family<br />
David Mackey, Reagan Johnson, Sydney Chambers,<br />
Hannah Chambers, Powell Steele<br />
David Wolff, Tammie Wolff, Caroline Wolff, Mary Camilla Kennedy,<br />
Alison Knox, Bryan Knox<br />
(front) Amelie Lyvers, Stancil Chesser, (back) Avery Dean,<br />
Grace Willimon, Lola Rooker, Louise Yates, Mary Ford Massey<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 38 ISSUE SEVEN • AUBURN
Q&A<br />
PROUST<br />
COMPILED BY: CAROLINE CHAMPION<br />
FAMILY: Dr. Alison Ward (wife), Paloma (dog)<br />
HOMETOWN: Augusta, Georgia<br />
CURRENT TOWN: Atlanta, Georgia<br />
WHAT YEARS AT UGA: 2002-2005<br />
SCHOOL/DEGREE: Terry/Management<br />
PROFESSION: Co-founder of <strong>The</strong> Zero Proof – Adult, NA<br />
Beverage Company<br />
WHAT LIFE LESSONS DID YOU LEARN WHILE AT<br />
UGA?<br />
It all comes to an end! I loved my time at UGA – truly some of<br />
the best years of my life. I remember walking out onto North<br />
Campus after my last final, realizing this chapter was closed…<br />
<strong>and</strong> it was time to take the next step.<br />
WHAT PROFESSOR DID YOU MOST ADMIRE?<br />
I can’t remember his name, but I had a business professor that<br />
was a very successful businessperson himself. He would start<br />
every class by asking what the energy level of the classroom<br />
was (holding his h<strong>and</strong> at various heights). He brought great<br />
energy, he cared about the students <strong>and</strong> he brought fantastic<br />
real-world experience to the classroom. If anyone reading this<br />
remembers his name, reach out!<br />
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST<br />
ACHIEVEMENT?<br />
I spent my entire career at one company. And I stepped down<br />
from a lucrative, executive position there to start something<br />
from scratch. It was a big leap, but I haven’t regretted it once.<br />
WHO ARE YOUR HEROES IN REAL LIFE?<br />
I’ve always wanted to meet Rick Rubin (he’s the big music<br />
SEAN GOLDSMITH<br />
producer). That guy seems to have it figured out. He lives in<br />
Malibu, meditates all the time, makes great music. And he’s<br />
made some of the greatest albums in history across genres –<br />
Slayer, Kanye West, Red Hot Chili Peppers. He just seems like a<br />
really cool guy who is doing what he was put on this earth to<br />
do. He’s tapped in!<br />
WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF PERFECT HAPPINESS?<br />
Nothing I love more than a day off lounging around with my<br />
two girls - Alison <strong>and</strong> Paloma.<br />
WHAT IS YOUR MOST MARKED CHARACTERISTIC?<br />
I bounce my shoulders when I laugh. And I have a dry sense of<br />
humor.<br />
WHAT DO YOU MOST VALUE IN YOUR FRIENDS?<br />
Consistency.<br />
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT<br />
YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE?<br />
I’m always trying to work on empathy.<br />
FAVE SOCIAL MEDIA AND WHO TO FOLLOW?<br />
@atlscoop. It’s a great account to follow for some of the<br />
more interesting things that are happening around Atlanta.<br />
Whenever our partners from overseas come visit Atlanta, I get<br />
them to follow @atlscoop, so they can keep a pulse on their<br />
home base in the US.<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 40 ISSUE SEVEN • AUBURN
FROM THE FIELD PG. 44 | BUTLER’S PLAYERS OF THE GAME PG. 45 | JD’S TOP 12 PG. 46<br />
A WHOLE LOT OF MASS!<br />
TATE RATLEDGE SHOWS HIS PRESSING<br />
ABILITY IN HOISTING ROCK SOLID<br />
BROCK BOWERS<br />
PHOTO BY: ROB SAYE/BI<br />
MORE<br />
SPORTS<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 41 ISSUE SEVEN • AUBURN
Cue the<br />
Confetti …<br />
Logo Colorways<br />
Tickets for Summit<br />
2024 are on Sale Now!<br />
THESE CAN BE USED<br />
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Sea Isl<strong>and</strong>, Georgia <strong>and</strong> Beyond<br />
January 30 - February 1, 2024<br />
#CONNECTCOLLABORATECREATE!<br />
Co-Founders Whitney<br />
Long <strong>and</strong> Cheri Leavy<br />
celebrate over a decade<br />
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Southern C (events +<br />
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<strong>The</strong> Southern Coterie is a vibrant community of<br />
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JOIN THE SOUTHERN C | EST. NOVEMBER 2011<br />
THESOUTHERNC.COM
STATS THAT<br />
MATTER<br />
GEORGIA – 49, S. UAB - 21<br />
BY: COBY SERINA<br />
A look back at what decided the game between Georgia <strong>and</strong> UAB.<br />
Mike Bobo put up his best game this year against the UAB Blazers<br />
with 49 points securing a 28 point win. In the process, he <strong>and</strong> the<br />
offense compiled numbers that should have all the stat crunchers<br />
out there salivating. But at the same time, it doesn’t necessarily feel<br />
like they have full arrived. Accounting for the disparity in talent<br />
across the board <strong>and</strong> the fact that the Georgia Bulldogs are the No. 1<br />
team in the country,<br />
188<br />
49 points, 581 points, <strong>and</strong> 31 total first downs is<br />
almost expected against any school not recognized as a Power Five<br />
program. But the numbers don’t just fall from trees. Someone has<br />
to go out <strong>and</strong> scheme them. <strong>The</strong>n, another 11 guys have to go out<br />
<strong>and</strong> execute said scheme, <strong>and</strong> that’s just what we saw (for the most<br />
part) this past Saturday night against the Blazers. <strong>The</strong>re were times<br />
where the offense didn’t execute to expectations, but on the other<br />
h<strong>and</strong>, there were times where the offense did almost everything<br />
they needed in order to move the ball <strong>and</strong> score. It’s an interesting<br />
situation with Georgia’s offense. No one feels confident enough<br />
to say that this offense is great. But objectively, if you look at the<br />
numbers, they show that the offense isn’t struggling to the extent<br />
some may feel. Taking into account the number of injuries this team<br />
has endured, the stats are almost impressive – especially in the<br />
rushing department.<br />
337<br />
Here we go! Carson Beck’s play has left Georgia fans conflicted<br />
as to whether or not they can get behind this guy, but after a<br />
night of 337 passing yards <strong>and</strong> three touchdowns, the decision<br />
has got to be a bit easier now, right? <strong>The</strong> offense isn’t completely<br />
there yet. Beck isn’t either, however every game Kirby tells us the<br />
goal is to get better, <strong>and</strong> that’s something that Beck appears to<br />
be doing. Yes, he did leave some plays on the table, but getting<br />
past the 300 mark is a feat worthy of respect in <strong>and</strong> of itself. He’s<br />
not an emotional guy in any way, but a performance like that<br />
has to instill some confidence in him. Maybe that’s just the type<br />
of confidence he needs to unleash the deep ball like everyone<br />
desire from him.<br />
3<br />
Taking a step away from the offense to draw attention to Tykee<br />
Smith here. In the four games Georgia has played this season,<br />
Tykee Smith has managed to sneer three interceptions – two of<br />
which came off tipped passes. More important than the picks is<br />
the fact that these plays<br />
337<br />
are propelling Tykee Smith’s stock up the<br />
charts. It’s great to see, especially from a fifth-year senior who’s<br />
been waiting his turn. Having transferred from West Virginia<br />
<strong>and</strong> having endured multiple injuries, you can’t help but to love<br />
Smith’s story. It’s a great day for Georgia when he makes a play,<br />
<strong>and</strong> here’s hoping that he again finds the ball against Auburn.<br />
ATTORNEYS AT LAW<br />
DELL MCGEE<br />
PHOTO BY: GREG POOLE/BI<br />
188<br />
What this statistic really should be is 188 rushing yards despite<br />
three starting caliber running backs being out. Branson Robinson,<br />
Roderick Robinson <strong>and</strong> Kendall Milton couldn’t contribute to last<br />
Saturday’s rushing attack, but Coach Dell McGee still found a way.<br />
<strong>The</strong>ir absence has led to the emergence of Daijun Edwards <strong>and</strong><br />
Dillon Bell h<strong>and</strong>ling things in the backfield. Over the past two<br />
games, Edwards has been the bell-cow taking most of the reps at<br />
back. Edwards was responsible for a third of the total rushing yards,<br />
going for 66 <strong>and</strong> averaging 5.5 yards per carry. Georgia has also<br />
turned to shifty wide receiver Dillon Bell to get the playmaker some<br />
carries at running back.<br />
3<br />
120<br />
<strong>The</strong> face of the offense, <strong>Brock</strong> <strong>Bowers</strong>, did what <strong>Brock</strong> <strong>Bowers</strong> does<br />
this past weekend catching 9 of his 9 targets for 120 yards <strong>and</strong><br />
two touchdowns. If that stat line isn’t impressive enough, a good<br />
number of his catches were caught right near the line of scrimmage,<br />
meaning he was doing his due diligence tossing defenders aside<br />
<strong>and</strong> extending plays. <strong>The</strong> only thing <strong>Bowers</strong> didn’t do was run the<br />
ball in his signature jet-sweep fashion. His performance against UAB<br />
was his best of the season <strong>and</strong> foreshadows what’s to come against<br />
Auburn.<br />
WE ARE LOCAL.<br />
WE ARE GEORGIA.<br />
WE ARE BULLDAWGS.<br />
706-354-4000<br />
bbga.com<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 43 ISSUE SEVEN • AUBURN
FROM THE<br />
field<br />
BY GREG POOLE<br />
This past Friday afternoon, I was thinking about Georgia’s “slow<br />
starts” <strong>and</strong> the upcoming game with UAB. <strong>The</strong> one positive about<br />
those crowd-hushing doldrums is their short duration, primarily<br />
limited to the opening quarter. <strong>The</strong> question that followed for<br />
me was … if the team is able to snap out of the doldrums for the<br />
second half, then why not for the opening kickoff?<br />
Now, it’s early Sunday morning (after the UAB game0; was<br />
that a slow start? I think I have to call it slow-ish, but much of<br />
that feeling could result from several missed opportunities in<br />
the passing game. However, Georgia tight end <strong>Brock</strong> <strong>Bowers</strong><br />
thought the UAB performance was a better effort:<br />
“We came out <strong>and</strong> took a few shots. We started out pretty hot,<br />
except for a few hiccups. I’m pretty happy about it.”<br />
If <strong>Bowers</strong> is “pretty happy,” maybe we should reflect on UAB<br />
<strong>and</strong> the current season. Most teams would be in serious trouble<br />
facing the challenge of starting the season undefeated through<br />
its first four games with so many starters <strong>and</strong> contributors<br />
sidelined with injuries. <strong>The</strong>n there is the problem of replacing<br />
the former Dawgs from those national championship teams<br />
currently playing on Sunday.<br />
Injuries are the story of Georgia’s season at this point. Xavier<br />
Truss started at right tackle against UAB after taking most of<br />
his snaps this season at left<br />
guard, while Dylan Fairchild<br />
filled in at guard. <strong>The</strong>se<br />
moves resulted from Amarius<br />
Mims’ injury last Saturday.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Dawgs had already lost<br />
Kendall Milton, Roderick<br />
Robinson, <strong>and</strong> Javon Bullard.<br />
Ladd McConkey has not<br />
seen the field in 2023, <strong>and</strong><br />
Mykel Williams was sick <strong>and</strong><br />
missed the game. Georgia’s<br />
undefeated status after four<br />
games in 2023 is due to the<br />
fantastic depth that Smart<br />
<strong>and</strong> Company has stockpiled<br />
in Athens. “Next man up” is<br />
the reality at UGA.<br />
PRODUCTIVE<br />
OFFENSE!<br />
DESPITE INJURIES,<br />
MIKE BOBO’S<br />
NUMBERS ARE SOLID<br />
PHOTO BY: GREG POOLE<br />
Now, the focus switches to the Dawgs’ oldest rival <strong>and</strong> the<br />
string of seven straight SEC contests. Auburn, coming off a loss<br />
to Texas A&M, will be primed to record the upset in front of a<br />
capacity crowd on the <strong>Plains</strong>. But Auburn’s juice will be nothing<br />
new to the Bulldogs; Georgia gets everyone’s best shot. <strong>The</strong><br />
back-to-back defending national champions deserve no less.<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 44 ISSUE SEVEN • AUBURN
KEVIN BUTLER’S<br />
PLAYERS OF THE GAME<br />
COMPILED BY JEFF DANTZLER<br />
OFFENSIVE PLAYER<br />
<strong>Brock</strong> <strong>Bowers</strong> - the junior tight end from Napa Valley never<br />
ceases to amaze the Bulldog Nation. <strong>Brock</strong> <strong>Bowers</strong> will go<br />
down as one of the greatest players in Bulldog history. His<br />
play challenged the team to reach for higher success <strong>and</strong> that<br />
is what happened. Carson Beck targeted <strong>Brock</strong> three times,<br />
more than any other receiver, <strong>and</strong> <strong>Brock</strong> responded with nine<br />
catchers for 121 yards <strong>and</strong> two TDs. <strong>Bowers</strong>’ yards after the<br />
catch were physical , showing tremendous balance <strong>and</strong> an<br />
effort we haven’t seen since maybe Herschel Walker. <strong>Brock</strong> has<br />
the power to get into the end zone <strong>and</strong> all Carson needs to do<br />
is get the ball to BB!<br />
DEFENSIVE PLAYER<br />
Xavian Sorey, Jr. - the 6-3, 220-pound sophomore linebacker<br />
from Campbellton, Florida is really starting to come into his<br />
zone. <strong>The</strong> sophomore played at a high-level against UAB,<br />
recording six tackles <strong>and</strong> five solos, which was challenging<br />
since the Blazers tried to attack through the air most of<br />
the day. <strong>The</strong> development of yet another linebacker at the<br />
University of Georgia is becoming expected with the long<br />
list of linebackers that are now in the NFL. As a sophomore,<br />
Xavian is making great strides as a leader on the defense <strong>and</strong><br />
I can’t tell you how valuable that will play for the University of Georgia<br />
through the rest of the season. Xavian is an athletic, big, strong ‘backer<br />
<strong>and</strong> a Damn Good Dawg. His physicality will definitely be needed in<br />
Auburn this weekend.<br />
SPECIAL TEAM PLAYER<br />
Peyton Woodring - the freshman kicker from Louisiana is my special<br />
teams player of the game due to a tough week in practice <strong>and</strong> a perfect<br />
performance in the UAB game. Making seven of seven extra points may<br />
not seem like a big deal, but for the freshman who has had a tough start<br />
to his career, his focus <strong>and</strong> execution were back to par this week. <strong>The</strong><br />
coaching staff <strong>and</strong> his teammates have the confidence in him <strong>and</strong> they<br />
believe he can work through his challenges <strong>and</strong> Saturday against UAB he<br />
took that first step with a very consistent performance. Peyton is our guy<br />
<strong>and</strong> we need him as we go deep into the SEC. Kicking can sometimes<br />
drive the fans crazy, but consistency is the key to success <strong>and</strong> Peyton is<br />
on his way.<br />
UNSUNG DAWG OF THE WEEK<br />
PARENTS - that’s right parents! Against UAB, many sororities <strong>and</strong><br />
fraternities at UGA celebrated parents weekend, which provided<br />
extra support for the UGA football program. Without the support of<br />
the parents, Sanford Stadium would not be full every week, <strong>and</strong> the<br />
students would not have an opportunity to three-peat. So many things<br />
happen on a game day weekend, but to be able to enjoy one of the best<br />
college football runs in history with your parents is truly a weekend to<br />
remember. Once again, my Unsung Hero goes to all of the proud parents<br />
that support our students <strong>and</strong> our student athletes at the best university<br />
in all of America. Go Dogs! Go parents!<br />
GO DAWGS!<br />
2022 National Champions<br />
OUR LOCATIONS:<br />
corners<br />
edge<br />
3981 Atlanta Hwy Ste 8/9<br />
Loganville, GA 30052<br />
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 45 ISSUE SEVEN • AUBURN
MORE SPORTS<br />
FOOTBALL<br />
TOP 12<br />
JD’S<br />
BY: JEFF DANTZLER<br />
We head into the fifth <strong>and</strong> final weekend of September, as the regular<br />
season will be one-third over. This past weekend featured eight<br />
meetings between undefeated teams <strong>and</strong> six top 25 versus top 25<br />
showdowns. It was a tremendous weekend of football, highlighted by<br />
Ohio State’s victory at Notre Dame <strong>and</strong> the Florida State comeback at<br />
Clemson. <strong>The</strong>re are a lot of conference tilts on tap this Saturday, <strong>and</strong><br />
the smell of upsets may be in the late summer/early autumn air.<br />
1. GEORGIA - <strong>The</strong> Bulldogs improved to 4-0 with a<br />
win over UAB this past weekend Between the Hedges.<br />
Georgia has won 37 of its last 38 games. Now the Dogs<br />
hit the road for the first time this season, taking on 3-1 Auburn<br />
Saturday afternoon at Jordan-Hare.<br />
2. FLORIDA STATE - <strong>The</strong> Seminoles have two of<br />
the most impressive wins of the season, <strong>and</strong> a couple of<br />
narrow escapes. Florida State didn’t lead until overtime<br />
in the 31-24 victory at Clemson. Florida State is off this week, then<br />
welcomes in Virginia Tech.<br />
3. TEXAS - <strong>The</strong> Longhorns were clicking against<br />
Baylor, cruising to a 38-6 win over the Bears. Baylor has<br />
been a thorn in the Horns’ side. <strong>The</strong> Kansas Jayhawks<br />
head to Austin Saturday, Texas is 4-0 <strong>and</strong> dreaming big.<br />
4. MICHIGAN - <strong>The</strong> Wolverines took care of Rutgers<br />
31-7 in the Big Ten opener. Jim Harbaugh is back on<br />
the sidelines for Michigan. Next up is once powerful<br />
Nebraska in Lincoln, as Michigan tries to make it 5-0 <strong>and</strong> 2-0.<br />
5. OHIO STATE - <strong>The</strong> Buckeyes pulled out an<br />
incredible victory over Notre Dame. <strong>The</strong>y will be off this<br />
week, <strong>and</strong> then host Maryl<strong>and</strong>. It’s all Big Ten games<br />
the rest of the way. Ohio State already has a conference win over<br />
Indiana in Week One in Bloomington.<br />
6. NOTRE DAME - It was a devastating loss for<br />
the Irish, who fell to Ohio State 17-14 in the closing<br />
seconds. Now comes another big test. Maybe not as big<br />
as the Buckeyes, but Duke is good. Just ask Clemson. It will be a<br />
hot ticket in Durham.<br />
7. UTAH - <strong>The</strong> Utes have put together a very nice hit<br />
list this season, <strong>and</strong> they have done it without their<br />
starting quarterback. Utah beat UCLA 14-7 this past<br />
weekend to make it 4-0, 1-0 in the PAC soon to be 2. Friday night,<br />
Utah goes to Oregon State in a big one.<br />
8. WASHINGTON - <strong>The</strong> Huskies overpowered Cal<br />
59-32 to improve to 4-0 on the season. <strong>The</strong>ir offense is<br />
dynamic, going over 50 twice, <strong>and</strong> hitting over 40 in<br />
the other two games. Washington heads to Arizona this Saturday.<br />
9. SOUTHERN CAL - <strong>The</strong> Trojans beat Arizona<br />
State 42-28. Southern Cal hits the road against the<br />
week, taking on Colorado, which was trampled by<br />
Oregon last week, in Boulder. <strong>The</strong> USC offense is explosive. <strong>The</strong>re<br />
is work to be done on defense.<br />
10. ALABAMA - <strong>The</strong> Crimson Tide bounced back<br />
with authority, beating Ole Miss 24-10. A lot of rat<br />
poison was sprinkled <strong>and</strong> the reports of the demise of<br />
the stampeding pachyderm was greatly exaggerated, at least for<br />
a week. Bama is at Mississippi State Saturday.<br />
11. LSU - <strong>The</strong> Tigers edged Arkansas 34-31 at Tiger<br />
Stadium this past Saturday. LSU hits the road Saturday,<br />
playing Ole Miss in Oxford. <strong>The</strong> Rebels just lost at<br />
Alabama. <strong>The</strong>y can score, <strong>and</strong> there is old history between these two.<br />
12. OREGON - <strong>The</strong> Ducks, in the national spotlight,<br />
absolutely pummeled Colorado 42-6. <strong>The</strong> PAC-12 is<br />
loaded <strong>and</strong> Oregon is one of the conference’s best<br />
teams. <strong>The</strong> Quack Attack hits the road this week,<br />
heading to struggling Stanford.<br />
Grab a<br />
Big<br />
on the way to a<br />
victory on the <strong>Plains</strong>!<br />
athens • watkinsville • auburn • lawrenceville<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 46 ISSUE SEVEN • AUBURN
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