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Georgia vs. Georgia Tech 2023
Georgia vs. Georgia Tech 2023
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VS.<br />
<strong>Beat</strong> <strong>Tech</strong>
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UGA VS. GEORGIA TECH<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED<br />
IN THIS ISSUE<br />
VOLUME 21 NO. 14<br />
RING THE TD BELL - DILLON BELL<br />
GOES OFF ON ROCKY TOP!<br />
PHOTO BY: GREG POOLE/BI<br />
SPORTS<br />
GEORGIA VS GEORGIA TECH<br />
PLAYERS TO WATCH | 14<br />
THE FIVE | 18<br />
FROM THE INTERN: CLAY WATKINS | 20<br />
A VIEW FROM ATLANTA | 22<br />
SOCIAL<br />
GEORGIA GIRLS: BRANDY MARTIN | 28<br />
TENNESSEE GAMEDAY PHOTOS | 30<br />
GEORGIA WOMEN WHO GIVE LUNCHEON PHOTOS | 36<br />
TOUCHDOWN CLUB OF ATHENS PHOTOS | 37<br />
PROUST Q&A: PAUL CLAXTON | 40<br />
MORE SPORTS<br />
FROM THE FIELD | 42<br />
BUTLER’S PLAYERS OF THE GAME | 44<br />
STATS THAT MATTER | 45<br />
JD’S TOP 12 | 46<br />
OUR TEAM<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, Greg Poole, Coby Serina,<br />
Clay Watkins<br />
MULTIMEDIA SUPPORT: Hamilton Culpepper<br />
PHOTOGRAPHY: Greg Poole, Rob Saye,<br />
Blane Marable<br />
COVER: Rob Saye<br />
STUDENT SPORTS EDITOR: Clay Watkins<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 14: GEORGIA TECH<br />
November 21, 2023<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 6 ISSUE FOURTEEN • GEORGIA TECH
DAN JACKSON<br />
DEFENSIVE BACK #17<br />
LORAN SMITH:<br />
ON DAN JACKSON<br />
Associate Director, UGA Athletic Association<br />
Public Relations & Development<br />
Dan Jackson, known to his teammates as “Dirty Dan”, has been a great<br />
Georgia walk on success story. Following a red shirt year in 2019, he became a<br />
starter at safety in 2021. A native of Gainesville, he came up with his second<br />
career pick in the South Carolina game. He overcame an injury last season<br />
<strong>and</strong> found his way back into the lineup. On his cellphone today he has his most<br />
memorable video of a sensational play which came about in the championship<br />
game against Alabama in Indianapolis. A Tide defender racing to get to Kelee<br />
Ringo literally blew up Dirty Dan who placed himself between the defender<br />
<strong>and</strong> Ringo. An avid hunter from Gainesville, he literally grew up watching <strong>and</strong><br />
listening to broadcasts of Georgia games.<br />
ON DAN:<br />
FOURS UP ROPE HAT, SOLID STANDING BULLDOG PERFORMANCE POLO,<br />
CLASSIC FIVE POCKET PANTS<br />
ON TJ:<br />
TRIPLE STRIPE STANDING BULLDOG PERFORMANCE POLO,<br />
CLASSIC FIVE POCKET PANTS<br />
146 E CLAYTON ST<br />
ATHENS, GEORGIA
FROM THE<br />
EDITOR<br />
VANCE LEAVY<br />
EDITOR IN CHIEF<br />
There are only a few things greater than a Rocky Top trouncing <strong>and</strong> those<br />
are spending time with family <strong>and</strong> friends at <strong>Thanksgiving</strong> <strong>and</strong> beating <strong>Tech</strong>!<br />
Traveling to Knoxville is always a favorite of mine. From<br />
the Vols Navy on the Cumberl<strong>and</strong> River to the roar inside<br />
Neyl<strong>and</strong> Stadium, the UT experience (besides the awful<br />
flow getting to our seats) is always one of the best in<br />
the Southeastern Conference. And it doesn’t get any better than<br />
when our Bulldogs put a beat down on the home team. How Bout<br />
Them Dawgs!<br />
Beyond the amazing people watching in Knoxville, typically<br />
you can also count on a few confrontations with their rowdy fans.<br />
While I had a couple of those this go-round, I never lost my cool<br />
because I knew what was coming from Kirby <strong>and</strong> Company.<br />
A blowout that I won’t soon forget … Dawgs 38 Vols 10.<br />
I picked these photos (by BI’s Greg Poole <strong>and</strong> Rob Saye) to run<br />
on this page because they vividly<br />
display how this Georgia team plays<br />
football every time they take the<br />
field. Look at the focus in the eyes<br />
of Brock Bowers <strong>and</strong> Kendall Milton.<br />
And you just have to love the<br />
gang tackling by our Dawgs’ nasty<br />
defensive. The aspect about this<br />
team that is so admirable is they<br />
never take plays off. Instead they<br />
physically wear down the other<br />
PHOTOS BY: ROB SAYE/BI<br />
team almost to submission.<br />
Then there is the stellar<br />
quarterback play that Carson<br />
Beck continues to deliver week<br />
after week. Neyl<strong>and</strong> Stadium was<br />
absolutely rocking after the Vols<br />
offense hit pay dirt on the first<br />
series of the game. However, the<br />
deafening noise supplied by the<br />
home crowd didn’t phase Carson’s<br />
focus one bit. Instead, he sliced <strong>and</strong><br />
diced the Tennessee defense to the<br />
PHOTOS BY: ROB SAYE/BI<br />
tune of an 80% completion rate.<br />
That’s getting it done, sports fans.<br />
Ok, by now, BI’s Jeff Dantzler is<br />
probably reading this note <strong>and</strong> is<br />
getting absolutely petrified over my<br />
glowing words. It is Georgia <strong>Tech</strong><br />
week, after all. And nothing gets JD<br />
more rattled <strong>and</strong> worried than the<br />
excruciating long week leading up<br />
to the game. He absolutely loathes<br />
<strong>Tech</strong>. And the thought of losing to<br />
them is simply too much for him<br />
to h<strong>and</strong>le. His family <strong>and</strong> friends<br />
do our best to get him through the<br />
week. But at the end of the day, the<br />
only cure for him is a victory by the<br />
Dawgs over the enemy.<br />
Unfortunately for JD, back in<br />
July, I predicted Georgia being<br />
undefeated at this point of the<br />
PHOTOS BY: GREG POOLE/BI<br />
season. And I told him the <strong>Tech</strong><br />
game was the one I was most worried about. I’m pretty sure he<br />
may have spit-up his drink by my assessment.<br />
My rationale is pretty simple.<br />
The Jackets clearly have a solid coach in Brent Key, who has<br />
his players committed to playing the game of football the way<br />
it is supposed to be. Sound familiar? And last year, the severely<br />
outmanned Jackets team outplayed our Dawgs in the first<br />
quarter. And finally, the fact that Georgia <strong>Tech</strong> has not won<br />
in Atlanta since 1998 is definitely my biggest concern about<br />
Saturday’s game. Oh yeah, <strong>and</strong> it’s going to be played at night.<br />
Oh boy, it sure is going to be long week for JD’s wife, Emily.<br />
Good luck!<br />
While my feelings haven’t changed that this <strong>Tech</strong> team <strong>and</strong><br />
game greatly concerns me, I look<br />
at these photos (on this page)<br />
<strong>and</strong> find a whole lot of comfort. I<br />
know this team will not look past<br />
<strong>Tech</strong> on Saturday night. That’s<br />
not how they roll. Instead, they<br />
are going to bring it from the<br />
opening whistle <strong>and</strong> find out if<br />
<strong>Tech</strong> really is ready for the big<br />
machine that’s red <strong>and</strong> black. Go<br />
Dawgs, Sic’em!<br />
As I’ve already mentioned, the<br />
week leading up to playing <strong>Tech</strong><br />
does take forever (particularly<br />
for poor ole’ JD), so enjoy this<br />
issue of BI to help make the time<br />
pass quicker. We have lots of fan<br />
photos in this issue <strong>and</strong> there is<br />
nothing but smiles on the faces<br />
from the lucky folks that got to<br />
see the Tennessee trouncing.<br />
Finally, since it’s <strong>Thanksgiving</strong><br />
week, I would like to thank all our<br />
advertisers <strong>and</strong> readers. It is your<br />
support that inspires everyone on<br />
the BI staff to produce a worthy<br />
magazine for the Bulldog Nation.<br />
Thank you. And to everyone<br />
on our team, Cheri <strong>and</strong> I can’t<br />
send enough gratitude to your<br />
commitment to BI. Thanks so<br />
much!<br />
Alright, enough of the<br />
pleasantries, enjoy Turkey Day<br />
<strong>and</strong> get your game faces on for<br />
The Flats on Saturday night. The<br />
<strong>Tech</strong>ies will be ready, buzzing like<br />
pesky Bees, so let’s get to Bobby<br />
Dodd Stadium early <strong>and</strong> let our<br />
Georgia team feel our support <strong>and</strong><br />
love. And then let’s get down to<br />
business <strong>and</strong> let the big Dawg eat.<br />
See you there … <strong>Beat</strong> <strong>Tech</strong> <strong>and</strong> Go<br />
Dawgs!!<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 8 ISSUE FOURTEEN • GEORGIA TECH
SWAT THOSE YELLOW<br />
JACKETS!<br />
BULLDOG BRUNCH<br />
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FROM THE<br />
booth<br />
JEFF DANTZLER<br />
@jeffdantzlerTV<br />
The ‘biggest one of them all” has arrived with multiple streaks<br />
on the line … don’t look past the Jackets, don’t let up Dawgs!<br />
<strong>Tech</strong> is coming after the Dogs.<br />
Be ready.<br />
Just ask the head coach on<br />
The Flats, who has done an excellent job<br />
quickly rebuilding the Yellow Jackets<br />
football program.<br />
“There’s one thing I want to make sure<br />
everyone in this room underst<strong>and</strong>s, <strong>and</strong><br />
everyone associated with Georgia <strong>Tech</strong><br />
underst<strong>and</strong>s,” Brent Key said when he<br />
was introduced as the Yellow Jackets new<br />
head football coach last December. “We<br />
have an opponent in this state that we<br />
will work 365 days a year to defeat, we<br />
will work 365 days a year to dominate.<br />
When we wake up in the morning, our<br />
goal is to dominate our opponent.”<br />
Key played on the offensive line at <strong>Tech</strong><br />
during a highly successful run of success<br />
for the Yellow Jackets from 1997-2000. In<br />
those latter three years, 1998-2000, <strong>Tech</strong><br />
beat Georgia three successive seasons.<br />
Had there been replay, Joe Hamilton’s<br />
fumble would have been called <strong>and</strong> given<br />
to Georgia, <strong>and</strong> Bulldogs would have won<br />
in 1998. Had there been replay, Jasper<br />
Sanks would have been ruled down on<br />
the one. And even though Al Ford <strong>and</strong><br />
his crew ruled it a fumble, Georgia should<br />
have been awarded a safety, as the <strong>Tech</strong><br />
player who picked up a loose ball that<br />
obviously should have been blown down<br />
<strong>and</strong> dead went backwards into the end<br />
zone. Then in 2000, the Jackets rolled past<br />
the Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium.<br />
Since then, Georgia is 18-3 against <strong>Tech</strong>,<br />
<strong>and</strong> it should be 21-0. Double digit leads<br />
were blown in 2008 <strong>and</strong> 2016. There was<br />
the infamous squib kick in 2018.<br />
The 1998 heartbreaker, Kirby Smart’s<br />
final game at Sanford Stadium as a<br />
Georgia player, <strong>and</strong> the 2008 loss both<br />
ended seven game Bulldog winning<br />
streaks in the series. The longest winning<br />
streak in the history of the series is eight.<br />
Yes, <strong>Tech</strong> won eight straight against<br />
Georgia from 1949 through 1956, the<br />
infamous drought. It was the lowest of<br />
times against the most bitter of enemies<br />
during the worst decade in Georgia<br />
history.<br />
Thank goodness I wasn’t alive then. Or<br />
in 1927. Georgia was 9-0 <strong>and</strong> ranked No.<br />
1. A win over <strong>Tech</strong> would have clinched a<br />
Rose Bowl berth <strong>and</strong> undisputed national<br />
championship. But <strong>Tech</strong> beat Georgia.<br />
In 1980, Hall of Fame coach Vince<br />
Dooley brought in one of the last living<br />
members of that 1927 team to address<br />
his 10-0, top-ranked Southeastern<br />
Conference champion Bulldogs.<br />
“Don’t let them do to you what they did<br />
to us,” was the message. “There’s not a day<br />
that goes by that I don’t think about that<br />
loss that day.”<br />
Georgia won 38-20 to post an 11-0<br />
regular season <strong>and</strong> then beat Notre Dame<br />
17-10 in the Sugar Bowl, earning the<br />
undisputed national championship.<br />
There might be some teams that<br />
Georgia fans enjoy beating more, but<br />
make no mistake, there is no team that<br />
it hurts more to lose to. They always<br />
have been <strong>and</strong> always will be, Georgia’s<br />
biggest rival. It’s in-state pride, bragging<br />
rights <strong>and</strong> the happiness of a fan base.<br />
When the Jackets beat Georgia,<br />
Christmas trees don’t go up, the<br />
springtime flowers don’t smell as nice,<br />
the beaches of summer aren’t as pretty<br />
- especially in St. Simons where there<br />
will be some more old gold <strong>and</strong> white<br />
sightings coming out of the woodwork -<br />
<strong>and</strong> that next season is filled with angst<br />
of doing everything to make sure it<br />
doesn’t happen again.<br />
Paul Johnson <strong>and</strong> his triple option<br />
offense dealt the Bulldogs those three<br />
heartbreaking losses in ‘08, ‘14 <strong>and</strong> ‘16 -<br />
all at Sanford Stadium. Georgia has won<br />
11 in a row at what is now Hyundai Field.<br />
The last loss at Bobby Dodd Stadium/<br />
Grant Field was the infamous 1999<br />
Al Ford/Jasper Sanks game when the<br />
Bulldogs were cheated. Georgia had<br />
also won at <strong>Tech</strong> in 1991, 1993, 1995 <strong>and</strong><br />
1997. So that’s 15 out of 16 in Atlanta for<br />
the Bulldogs against <strong>Tech</strong>.<br />
Most <strong>Tech</strong> fans would rather Georgia<br />
lose than the Yellow Jackets win<br />
throughout the season. They certainly,<br />
as rival fans do, took great delight at<br />
Georgia’s heartbreaking losses - to<br />
Alabama in particular - as the Bulldogs<br />
pursued college football’s ultimate glory.<br />
Series swing <strong>and</strong> shift. What the Jackets<br />
did to Georgia, the eight in a row, <strong>and</strong><br />
then three straight from 1961 through<br />
1963, after Georgia had won four in a<br />
row … those were the darkest of days<br />
for the Bulldogs. In fact, in 1961, Georgia<br />
actually played Mississippi State at Grant<br />
Field at night. The hope was it would be<br />
a crowd boost <strong>and</strong> easier for Bulldog fans<br />
in Atlanta to attend.<br />
Can you imagine?<br />
As a lifelong Georgia fan, the Kirby<br />
Smart dynasty has been a dream come<br />
true. The building blocks start with<br />
winning at home <strong>and</strong> winning in the<br />
state. Well, Georgia has won 25 in a row<br />
at Sanford Stadium, <strong>and</strong> five straight<br />
over the Jackets en route to back-to-back<br />
national championships <strong>and</strong> six straight<br />
top ten finishes with six successive major<br />
bowls. The two teams didn’t play in the<br />
2020 Covid Year due to Southeastern<br />
Conference policy. Georgia would have<br />
been a heavy favorite that year.<br />
We all know what’s on the line Saturday<br />
night.<br />
Georgia is trying to climb to the<br />
mountaintop again, while the hungry<br />
Jackets are making a climb of their own.<br />
There’s nothing they’d revel in more than<br />
crushing Georgia’s dreams.<br />
1927.<br />
Don’t look past, don’t let up Dawgs.<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 10 ISSUE FOURTEEN • GEORGIA TECH
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THE FIVE PG. 18 | FROM THE INTERN: CLAY WATKINS PG. 20 | A VIEW FROM ATLANTA PG. 22<br />
SPORTS<br />
GEORGIA VS. GEORGIA TECH<br />
GAME TIME: 7:30 P.M. ET<br />
CHANNEL: ABC<br />
IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS, CARSON<br />
BECK AND KIRBY SMART!<br />
PHOTO BY: ROB SAYE/BI<br />
GEORGIA VS GEORGIA TECH<br />
BY: JEFF DANTZLER<br />
This will be the first night game at <strong>Tech</strong> between the old<br />
in-state rivals since a 30-24 Georgia upset win in 2009. The last<br />
nine games in the series have kicked off at noon.<br />
It will be quite a scene under the lights for two teams coming<br />
in with a lot of momentum.<br />
<strong>Tech</strong> beat Syracuse 31-22 this past Saturday to improve to 6-5<br />
on the season <strong>and</strong> clinch bowl eligibility. The Yellow Jackets<br />
have won three of their last four.<br />
The Bulldogs head in with a record of 11-0. The two-time<br />
reigning national champions have won 44 of the last 45 games,<br />
<strong>and</strong> aim for a third successive undefeated regular season.<br />
Georgia is in the midst of an incredible run of success in the<br />
Kirby Smart era. The Bulldogs have won 28 consecutive games,<br />
equaling the record for an SEC team. Alabama won 28 straight<br />
from 1978-1980 in the Bear Bryant glory days. Gene Stallings<br />
Crimson Tide won 28 in a row from 1991 through 1993. A win<br />
over the rival Yellow Jackets would establish a new st<strong>and</strong>ard.<br />
Last week’s triumph at Tennessee was Georgia’s 27th<br />
consecutive regular season Southeastern Conference victory, as<br />
the Bulldogs capped a third straight undefeated league mark.<br />
The last team in the conference to post three straight perfect<br />
league records was Georgia from 1980 through 1982.<br />
The Bulldogs have posted 38 consecutive regular season<br />
victories <strong>and</strong> have won 14 true road games in a row.<br />
Georgia has won five straight in the series with the Yellow<br />
Jackets <strong>and</strong> 11 in a row against <strong>Tech</strong> at Bobby Dodd Stadium.<br />
<strong>Tech</strong> has had an outst<strong>and</strong>ing turnaround under Brent Key’s<br />
watch. He took over as the interim head coach on The Flats last<br />
season after the Yellow Jackets got off to a 1-3 start. <strong>Tech</strong> went<br />
4-4 the rest of the way, <strong>and</strong> he was hired as <strong>Tech</strong>’s head coach.<br />
At his introductory press conference, he talked about working<br />
365 days a year to dominate Georgia. He’s certainly done a<br />
good job, leading the Jackets to bowl eligibility <strong>and</strong> a shot at<br />
clinching a winning record this season. This season will mark<br />
<strong>Tech</strong>’s first postseason berth since Paul Johnson’s final season<br />
in 2018.<br />
There is so much on the line for the Bulldogs, <strong>and</strong> there is<br />
nothing that the Yellow Jackets would like better than spoiling<br />
their arch-rivals’ perfect season <strong>and</strong> surge into a bowl game<br />
with a 7-5 mark.<br />
Meanwhile Georgia tries to build on an incredible historymaking<br />
run in the battle for the state championship, the game<br />
legendary Hall of Fame Bulldogs coach Vince Dooley always<br />
called, “the biggest game of them all.”<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 13 ISSUE FOURTEEN • GEORGIA TECH
SPORTS<br />
FOOTBALL<br />
BULLDOGS TO WATCH<br />
BY: COBY SERINA<br />
STACY SEARELS (OL COACH) - “Physical” was one of the first words<br />
Coach Kirby Smart use to describe this Georgia <strong>Tech</strong> team. We all know<br />
physicality starts in the trenches, <strong>and</strong> with <strong>Tech</strong> you can see it in their defensive<br />
front. Their starting defensive lineman all weigh in at about 300 pounds, so<br />
Searels <strong>and</strong> his crew should be in for a treat trying to game plan to keep Carson<br />
Beck clean. Beck is on an 11 game streak of throwing for over 250 yards, so the<br />
Dawgs will surely be looking to keep that one alive as they take on their wellhated<br />
in-state rivals.<br />
STACY SEARELS<br />
OFFENSIVE LINE COACH<br />
PHOTO BY: GREG POOLE/BI<br />
DILLON BELL (WR #86) - Dillon Bell is coming off a career game against<br />
the Volunteers, scoring two touchdowns — one receiving <strong>and</strong> one passing (yes,<br />
you read that right)—<strong>and</strong> catching five passes for 90 yards. He’s had a slow past<br />
couple of weeks after starting the season playing running back while the likes<br />
of Daijun Edwards <strong>and</strong> Kendall Milton were out with injury, but it’s all starting to<br />
come together for the sophomore pass catcher. Something to note is that both<br />
Ladd McConkey <strong>and</strong> RaRa Thomas are not guaranteed to play against Georgia<br />
<strong>Tech</strong> this weekend, so that means more opportunity is headed Bell’s way. He’s<br />
a do-it-all receiver, <strong>and</strong> he proved that last week in Knoxville, so fans should be<br />
confident that Bobo has a plan for him heading into this weekend’s matchup.<br />
DAIJUN EDWARDS (RB #30) - Georgia’s leading rusher <strong>and</strong> arguably the<br />
most talented healthy running back should be primed to have a day against the<br />
Yellow Jackets, who just so happen to be ranked dead last in the ACC in terms<br />
of rushing defense. In 11 games this season, Georgia <strong>Tech</strong> has allowed 2,446<br />
total rushing yards. That’s about 222 yards on the ground per game, <strong>and</strong> for<br />
bonus points, they allow runners to average about 5.3 yards per carry. That stat<br />
just about lines up with Edwards’ season average of 5.4. Edwards, alongside the<br />
rest of the Georgia backfield, shouldn’t have a hard time padding the stat sheet<br />
against these guys.<br />
DOMINIC LOVETT (WR #6) - With Ladd McConkey questionable, that<br />
may open up more opportunities in the slot or for the likes of Dominic Lovett.<br />
He has proven himself as one of Georgia’s leading receivers this year <strong>and</strong> should<br />
have one more regular-season opportunity against an objectively less talented<br />
Georgia <strong>Tech</strong> team. He only saw one reception for nine yards last week against<br />
the Volunteers, but the fact that Dillon Bell was able to have a career game after<br />
a little drought just shows that anything can happen with this Georgia offense.<br />
CJ ALLEN<br />
LINEBACKER<br />
CJ ALLEN (LB #33) - “Shades of Nakobe Dean.” That’s all you have to think<br />
about when you see No. 33 take the field on defense. He has really stepped up<br />
to the plate these past two weeks in Jamon Dumas-Johnson’s absence, <strong>and</strong> he’s<br />
offering a different set of skills too. Against the Volunteers, Allen had a key pass<br />
breakup on third down that forced a punt <strong>and</strong> got Georgia another possession.<br />
PHOTO BY: GREG POOLE/BI<br />
BY JEFF DANTZLER<br />
In the Bulldogs 38-20 victory over the Yellow<br />
Jackets in 1980, All-American tailback Herschel<br />
Walker had a clinching 67-yard touchdown run <strong>and</strong><br />
set the NCAA freshman rushing record.<br />
On the first play from scrimmage of the Bulldogs<br />
44-7 victory over the Yellow Jackets at Grant Field<br />
in 1981, Buck Belue connected with Lindsay Scott<br />
for an 80-yard touchdown pass.<br />
Legendary Hall of Fame coaches Vince Dooley <strong>and</strong><br />
Bobby Dodd squared off three times, with Dooley’s<br />
Bulldogs winning all three meetings over Dodd’s<br />
Yellow Jackets from 1964-66.<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 14 ISSUE FOURTEEN • GEORGIA TECH
The true freshman is really coming into his own toward the<br />
end of his first season with the Dawgs, <strong>and</strong> that trend should<br />
continue against the Yellow Jackets.<br />
TYKEE SMITH (DB #23) - At this point, you can say that<br />
he was probably snubbed for the Jim Thorpe Award c<strong>and</strong>idacy<br />
because Tykee Smith is probably one of, if not, the best slot<br />
corners in all of college football. His physicality <strong>and</strong> attitude<br />
when pursuing the ball are unmatched, <strong>and</strong> he has the<br />
numbers to prove it too. Smith leads the team in tackles <strong>and</strong><br />
interceptions with 56 <strong>and</strong> four on the season. In what will be<br />
his last regular-season game wearing the red <strong>and</strong> black, you<br />
can bet your bottom dollar that Smith will be doing whatever<br />
it takes to get to the ball.<br />
TYKEE SMITH<br />
DEFENSIVE BACK<br />
JALON WALKER (LB #11) - Coming into the season,<br />
almost everyone thought it was going to be Mykel Williams,<br />
but by now, it’s safe to say that Georgia’s best pass rusher is<br />
Jalon Walker. He has elite get-off <strong>and</strong> really knows how to get<br />
around a tackle to try <strong>and</strong> contact the quarterback. Walker<br />
has the most sacks of any Georgia defender that plays with<br />
their h<strong>and</strong> in the dirt <strong>and</strong> should hope for success against<br />
number six passing offense in the Atlantic Coastal Conference<br />
in Georgia <strong>Tech</strong>.<br />
PHOTO BY: GREG POOLE/BI<br />
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 15 ISSUE FOURTEEN • GEORGIA TECH
SPORTS<br />
FOOTBALL<br />
YELLOW JACKETS TO WATCH<br />
BY: CLAY WATKINS<br />
BRENT KEY (HC) - Key picked up as the Yellow Jackets’ interim head coach<br />
midway through the 2022 season after Geoff Collins’ disastrous tenure in<br />
Atlanta. After an impressive job last season, <strong>Tech</strong> elected to promote Key to<br />
full-time head coach. In his first full season, the Yellow Jackets have seen much<br />
improvement, gaining bowl eligibility <strong>and</strong> securing multiple monumental<br />
upsets against Miami <strong>and</strong> North Carolina. None would be bigger than knocking<br />
off the top-ranked Bulldogs, however, <strong>and</strong> Key will give it his best shot to secure<br />
the rivalry victory.<br />
BRENT KEY<br />
HEAD COACH<br />
PHOTO BY: GEORGIA TECH ATHLETICS/<br />
DANNY KARNIK<br />
HAYNES KING (QB #10) - After struggling tremendously at the quarterback<br />
position in 2022, Georgia <strong>Tech</strong> went to the transfer portal to grab former Texas<br />
A&M quarterback, Haynes King. After a slow start, the dual-threat quarterback<br />
has accounted for 26 touchdowns in the air while adding on seven more on the<br />
ground. King has led Georgia <strong>Tech</strong> to multiple impressive upset wins in 2023 <strong>and</strong><br />
will be looking to continue that trend against the Bulldogs. King’s default this<br />
year has been turning the football over. The quarterback has more interceptions<br />
than games played with 15 so far this season. Watch out for King this Saturday<br />
trying to get it done both through the air <strong>and</strong> on the ground against the<br />
dominant Dawgs’ defense.<br />
JAMAL HAYNES (RB #11) - Haynes is the leading rusher on the Yellow<br />
Jacket team so far this season, with 141 carries for 850 yards <strong>and</strong> seven<br />
touchdowns. The sophomore from Loganville, Georgia, is an extremely<br />
impressive back who can break runs into the second level for explosive plays.<br />
The running back is equally impressive catching passes out of the backfield,<br />
having the fifth most receptions <strong>and</strong> receiving yards on the team. Expect Haynes<br />
to be a critical part of the Georgia <strong>Tech</strong> offense that the Bulldog defense will<br />
need to be well aware of Saturday night.<br />
ERIC SINGLETON JR. (WR #13) - Singleton Jr. heads into Saturday’s<br />
matchup as Georgia <strong>Tech</strong>’s leading receiver in 2023, accounting for 43 catches<br />
for 610 yards <strong>and</strong> six touchdowns. Although just a freshman, Singleton Jr. has<br />
certainly not played like one. The receiver possesses elite speed, thriving in both<br />
catch <strong>and</strong> run situations, on top of being able to get behind defenders for the<br />
deep ball. If <strong>Tech</strong> is planning on spoiling the Bulldogs’ season, Singleton Jr. will<br />
have to make multiple explosive plays.<br />
HAYNES KING<br />
QUARTERBACK<br />
JAYLON KING (DB #14) - St<strong>and</strong>ing at 6’1”, King is a uniquely tall defensive<br />
back <strong>and</strong> has been a stud on the outside for the Yellow Jackets this season. So far<br />
through 2023, King has been the most productive corner for the Yellow Jackets,<br />
PHOTO BY: GEORGIA TECH ATHLETICS/<br />
DANNY KARNIK<br />
BY JEFF DANTZLER<br />
One of the Yellow Jackets most successful major<br />
league baseball players ever is Jason Varitek, who<br />
was the catcher for the Boston Red Sox World Series<br />
champions of 2004 <strong>and</strong> 2007.<br />
Mark Price was a st<strong>and</strong>out basketball player on the<br />
flats in the 1980’s, who went on to a 13 year NBA<br />
career, highlighted by four appearances in the NBA<br />
All-Star Game for the Cavs.<br />
Calvin Johnson was a record-setting All-American<br />
wide receiver for the Yellow Jackets from 2004<br />
through 2006 who then starred for the Detroit Lions<br />
as a six-time Pro Bowl selection.<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 16 ISSUE FOURTEEN • GEORGIA TECH
having accumulated 60 tackles along with four interceptions.<br />
Entering his fifth <strong>and</strong> final season for <strong>Tech</strong>, King will be looking<br />
to knock off the Bulldogs for the first time.<br />
KYLE EFFORD (LB #44) - Efford is just a redshirt<br />
freshman, but the linebacker has been one of the most<br />
impressive Yellow Jackets so far through the 2023 season.<br />
Efford is coming off a strong performance against Syracuse<br />
this past weekend, having led the team with 11 tackles.<br />
Georgia loves to utilize the middle of the field in their passing<br />
game, which will require the young linebacker’s coverage<br />
skills to be tested. Efford will be looking to impress in his first<br />
edition of “Clean, Old Fashioned Hate.”<br />
KYLE KENNARD<br />
DEFENSIVE LINE<br />
KYLE KENNARD (DL #9) - The junior from Atlanta,<br />
Georgia, is far <strong>and</strong> away <strong>Tech</strong>’s most impressive player at<br />
getting to the quarterback. Through 11 games, Kennard has<br />
compiled six sacks, three <strong>and</strong> a half more than the next closest<br />
Yellow Jacket. As the Georgia offensive line looks to continue<br />
to impress, they will have a difficult challenge awaiting them<br />
in Kennard. Don’t be surprised if the Dawgs challenge the pass<br />
rusher’s ability to stop the run this Saturday.<br />
PHOTO BY: GEORGIA TECH ATHLETICS/<br />
DANNY KARNIK<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 17 ISSUE FOURTEEN • GEORGIA TECH
THE<br />
FIVE<br />
Georgia vs. GA <strong>Tech</strong><br />
BY: JEFF DANTZLER<br />
SHELTON AND TENA STEVENS<br />
AT 2015 SENIOR GALA<br />
PHOTO BY: ROB SAYE/BI<br />
1. Jackets Offensive Attack - A big reason for the turnaround on<br />
The Flats under Head Coach Brent Key’s watch is a rejuvenated offense.<br />
A unit that struggled across the board following the departure of Paul<br />
Johnson has been successful on the ground <strong>and</strong> in the air. The offensive<br />
coordinator is former Georgia analyst Buster Faulkner. So he knows the<br />
Bulldogs. Quarterback Haynes King is having an excellent season. He’s<br />
accurate <strong>and</strong> has shown the ability to hit the deep pass. Just ask Miami.<br />
He has an impressive group of receivers. Six different Yellow Jackets<br />
have at least one reception for a minimum of 44 yards. On the ground,<br />
Jamal Haynes <strong>and</strong> Dontae Smith lead a potent rushing attack. Both<br />
Haynes <strong>and</strong> Smith, as well as King, average right at six yards per carry. The<br />
Georgia defense will have to be dialed up for a multiple attack, led by a<br />
quarterback who can throw <strong>and</strong> run.<br />
2. Big Play Defense - The Jackets have come up with turnovers<br />
<strong>and</strong> negative yardage plays in their biggest wins this season. Now that’s<br />
a common formula for teams that win, <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tech</strong>’s got a bunch of play<br />
makers. That includes Jaylon King, who ranks amongst the Atlantic Coast<br />
Conference’s leaders in interceptions, pass breakups, fumble recoveries<br />
<strong>and</strong> tackles. Kyle Kennard leads the Jackets in Tackles for loss <strong>and</strong> sacks.<br />
You can bet the Jackets will try <strong>and</strong> take some chances, roll the dice to<br />
get to the quarterback <strong>and</strong> force turnovers.<br />
3. Turnover <strong>and</strong> Kicking Game - We all know that turnovers <strong>and</strong><br />
the kicking game are the fastest path to an upset. Georgia must win both<br />
of these phases. It will be a different feel under the lights in Atlanta, <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>Tech</strong> will be primed to pull off the prime time upset in the first night<br />
game between these two in Atlanta since 2009. Can Georgia protect the<br />
football, while forcing the Jackets into some negative yardage plays <strong>and</strong><br />
a turnover or two? A fake punt, a pooch kick, a surprise onsides, a fourth<br />
down gamble, all of this is on the table for the Yellow Jackets.<br />
4. The Crowd - In my lifetime, there has always been a healthy amount<br />
of Red at Grant Field/Bobby Dodd Stadium/Hyundai Field. On Georgia’s<br />
last two trips in particular, in 2019 <strong>and</strong> 2021, the crowd was at least 75%<br />
Bulldogs. Will that be the case Saturday night? Or will the <strong>Tech</strong> faithful<br />
show up in full force, feeling the Saturday night upset <strong>and</strong> the potential<br />
to spoil Georgia’s aspirations?<br />
5. Shelton Stevens - He embodied the fundamental principle of<br />
“not for self, but for others” in immaculate fashion. Shelton Stevens is one<br />
of the few people that no one ever heard a bad thing about. For many<br />
years, he was the Executive Director of the Sports Network at Children’s<br />
Healthcare of Atlanta. A friend to all, a loyal Bulldog <strong>and</strong> Braves fan, for so<br />
many of us in the sports business, Shelton was the face of the wonderful<br />
organization Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The Governor’s Cup will be<br />
decided Saturday night, a trophy that morphed when the NCAA did away<br />
with J.V. Football following the 1993 season. Georgia <strong>and</strong> the Jackets<br />
used to play a Freshman Football Game every <strong>Thanksgiving</strong> at Grant<br />
Field, battling for the Governor’s Cup, with all the money benefitting<br />
Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital. The motto, Strong Legs Will Run, That<br />
Weak Legs May Walk. Shelton loved his family <strong>and</strong> his friends. He loved<br />
to help people. He embodied the very spirit of the organization he so<br />
impeccably represented. Shelton Stevens passed away earlier this year.<br />
He was a great man, beloved by all. His loss has left a void, but that hole is<br />
filled daily by his wonderful spirit <strong>and</strong> memory.<br />
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 18 ISSUE FOURTEEN • GEORGIA TECH
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We stepped on their (the<br />
Volunteers) face again …<br />
In the wise words of the<br />
legendary Bulldog radio<br />
announcer, Larry Munson,<br />
“We just stepped on their<br />
face with a hobnail boot <strong>and</strong><br />
broke their nose; we just crushed<br />
their face.” The Dawgs went into<br />
Neyl<strong>and</strong> Stadium, one of the most<br />
hostile environments in the entire<br />
country, <strong>and</strong> dismantled a good<br />
Tennessee football team. Unlike a<br />
year ago, this game didn’t warrant<br />
the same amount of hype <strong>and</strong><br />
media attention as it did when the<br />
Volunteers overtook the Bulldogs<br />
as the top-ranked team in the<br />
country. The two rivals faced off in<br />
a battle of undefeated teams, with<br />
the winner essentially clinching the<br />
SEC East <strong>and</strong> a ticket to Atlanta, <strong>and</strong><br />
as we all know, Stetson Bennett<br />
<strong>and</strong> the Georgia Bulldogs prevailed<br />
gloriously on their way to a second<br />
national championship.<br />
This season, Tennessee ended<br />
any hopes of making it back to<br />
Atlanta when the Volunteers<br />
were slaughtered in Columbia,<br />
Missouri just a week prior to<br />
the Dawgs coming into town.<br />
Questions were asked, <strong>and</strong><br />
rightfully so, about the mindset<br />
<strong>and</strong> mentality of Tennessee<br />
football, having any hope of a<br />
conference championship out<br />
the window. The Bulldogs were<br />
also in an interesting position,<br />
having clinched a ticket to Atlanta<br />
for the SEC Championship. The<br />
Dawgs, theoretically, could have<br />
lost the game against Tennessee,<br />
but with victories over Georgia<br />
<strong>Tech</strong> <strong>and</strong> Alabama, there was<br />
still a high probability they<br />
would be in the College Football<br />
Playoff as a one-loss conference<br />
champion. Kirby Smart was<br />
transparent that the Bulldogs had<br />
a disappointing week of practice,<br />
<strong>and</strong> complacency seemed to be<br />
the Dawgs’ biggest threat.<br />
Once Georgia took the field, any<br />
doubts were cast aside. Take away<br />
the first play of the game, <strong>and</strong> the<br />
Dawgs ended the contest with<br />
a 38-3 run. This Georgia offense<br />
continues to make its case that<br />
they are the best offensive unit<br />
in America, having yet another<br />
dominant performance. Through<br />
the air, Carson Beck did what he’s<br />
done all season: throw for over<br />
250 yards <strong>and</strong> account for three<br />
touchdowns. His performances<br />
for this Georgia offense have<br />
been astounding, <strong>and</strong> his<br />
consistency allows Mike Bobo to<br />
call seemingly perfect games.<br />
One thing Coach Kirby Smart<br />
always references is winning<br />
collectively. The Bulldogs had<br />
multiple players, particularly<br />
receivers, pick up injuries requiring<br />
others to step up. Dillion Bell <strong>and</strong><br />
Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, two<br />
of the hardest working <strong>and</strong> most<br />
respected Bulldogs, did just that,<br />
accounting for three touchdowns,<br />
keeping the Dawgs’ passing game<br />
churning with no drop-off in<br />
production.<br />
On the defensive side of the<br />
ball, Georgia was dominant yet<br />
again. Coach Smart touched<br />
on the difficulties of defending<br />
Tennessee’s offense, admitting<br />
that it is one of the toughest<br />
to prepare for. The Volunteers<br />
spread their receivers out on the<br />
sideline, effectively opening up<br />
the entire field for both the pass<br />
<strong>and</strong> run game. This required the<br />
Bulldog front seven to win their<br />
battles in order to defend the<br />
run, <strong>and</strong> in the passing game,<br />
Georgia’s defensive backs have to<br />
play one-on-one man coverage.<br />
After Jaylen Wright’s 75-yard<br />
touchdown, the Georgia defense<br />
allowed just 55 yards rushing<br />
to the Volunteers. Through the<br />
air, Milton struggled to gain any<br />
momentum all game, ending the<br />
matchup with only 147 passing.<br />
As the Dawgs wrapped up SEC<br />
play undefeated for the third time<br />
in three years, they turn their<br />
attention to the Georgia <strong>Tech</strong><br />
Yellow Jackets, where they will<br />
travel to Atlanta to compete in<br />
“Clean, Old Fashion Hate.” <strong>Tech</strong><br />
comes into the game 6-5, having<br />
shown improvement in the first<br />
full season of Brent Key.<br />
Due to Georgia’s dominance<br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>Tech</strong>’s irrelevance, this<br />
historic rivalry tends to get lost<br />
in the media coverage, especially<br />
when the Bulldogs have a<br />
championship to play for in two<br />
weeks. Make no mistake; Coach<br />
Kirby Smart despises Georgia<br />
<strong>Tech</strong> <strong>and</strong> underst<strong>and</strong>s that they<br />
have a team capable of causing<br />
trouble, having already pulled off<br />
multiple upsets this season.<br />
The Dawgs, for the first time<br />
since 2013, will face <strong>Tech</strong> at a<br />
time other than noon. Georgia<br />
will be under the lights in the<br />
national spotlight as they take<br />
on the Yellow Jackets in Bobby-<br />
Dodd. The Bulldogs have an<br />
opportunity to go undefeated<br />
during the regular season for<br />
the third consecutive season,<br />
<strong>and</strong> with Georgia <strong>Tech</strong> st<strong>and</strong>ing<br />
in their way, expect Georgia to<br />
underst<strong>and</strong> the significance of the<br />
rivalry <strong>and</strong> perform accordingly.<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 20 ISSUE FOURTEEN • GEORGIA TECH
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for the Dawgs!<br />
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It’s full of detours, pitfalls, <strong>and</strong> roadblocks. To some,<br />
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Wiley Ballard of the Yellow Jackets Sports Network<br />
gives us his insights on Saturday night’s showdown<br />
SPORTS A VIEW FROM ...<br />
between <strong>Tech</strong> <strong>and</strong> the Bulldogs. Wiley is a tremendous<br />
young announcer, known primarily for his work with<br />
Yellow Jackets baseball <strong>and</strong> his work on the Atlanta<br />
Braves Network. He’s a good friend <strong>and</strong> we greatly<br />
appreciate his insight.<br />
BY JEFF DANTZLER<br />
Atlanta<br />
TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT<br />
BRENT KEY HAS HAD ON<br />
THE PROGRAM.<br />
Well considering Georgia <strong>Tech</strong><br />
went just 10-28 under former head<br />
coach Geoff Collins, Key’s impact<br />
has been massive. With Saturday’s<br />
win over Syracuse, Georgia <strong>Tech</strong><br />
is now 10-9 since Key took over<br />
<strong>and</strong> will compete in their first bowl<br />
game since 2018. One of the most<br />
promising developments under<br />
Coach Key’s watch this season has<br />
been the offensive improvement.<br />
The Yellow Jackets are averaging 32<br />
points per game, its best mark in<br />
five years. Dual-threat quarterback<br />
Haynes King. a Texas A&M transfer,<br />
leads the ACC with 26 passing<br />
touchdowns <strong>and</strong> ranks second<br />
among ACC quarterbacks in rushing<br />
yards per game.<br />
TAKE US THROUGH THE<br />
INCREDIBLE COMEBACK<br />
WINS OVER MIAMI AND<br />
NORTH CAROLINA.<br />
The victory over No. 17 Miami will<br />
live on in the memories of Georgia<br />
<strong>Tech</strong> fans for years to come. It wasn’t<br />
so much the “who, what, when<br />
<strong>and</strong> where” but the “how.” <strong>Tech</strong><br />
played one of its best defensive<br />
games of the season but appeared<br />
to be destined for defeat in the<br />
final minute. The Yellow Jackets<br />
were out of timeouts <strong>and</strong> Miami<br />
had a fresh set of downs leading<br />
20-17. Miami regrettably decided<br />
to run the football instead of take<br />
a knee. Georgia <strong>Tech</strong> linebacker<br />
Paul Moala forced a fumble which<br />
gave <strong>Tech</strong> the football back on<br />
their own 26 with 26 seconds left.<br />
A 30-yard completion to Malik<br />
Rutherford got the Yellow Jackets<br />
into plus-territory but still out of<br />
range for a field goal. After a spike<br />
to stop the clock at :09, King raced<br />
out of the pocket <strong>and</strong> hurled a deep<br />
ball to Alabama-transfer Christian<br />
Leary who scored a go-ahead<br />
touchdown with one second left.<br />
The Yellow Jackets went into full<br />
delirium while Miami suffered an<br />
inexcusable defeat. Three weeks<br />
later Georgia <strong>Tech</strong> hosted No. 17<br />
North Carolina <strong>and</strong> quarterback<br />
Drake Maye, a projected first round<br />
selection in the upcoming NFL<br />
Draft. Despite falling 14-0 after one<br />
quarter, the Yellow Jackets roared<br />
back with a 24 point out-burst in<br />
the second period to cut the Tar<br />
Heels’ lead to 28-24 at halftime.<br />
North Carolina stretched their lead<br />
back to double-digits twice in the<br />
second half, but a 22-point fourth<br />
quarter carried the day for <strong>Tech</strong> in a<br />
46-42 win. Ultimately the win was<br />
a cathartic experience for the <strong>Tech</strong><br />
fans who had experienced far too<br />
many recent defeats at Bobby Dodd<br />
Stadium over the last five years.<br />
WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON<br />
GEORGIA?<br />
My take on the Bulldogs hardly<br />
differs from everyone else. Georgia<br />
hasn’t lost a game in two years <strong>and</strong><br />
has built a roster envied by every<br />
other college program <strong>and</strong> perhaps<br />
even a few NFL teams. Personally<br />
I’m happy for Carson Beck. It was<br />
going to be a difficult assignment<br />
stepping in for Stetson Bennett,<br />
especially with such little in-game<br />
experience entering 2023. However<br />
it appears he’s demonstrated the<br />
ability to lead Georgia’s offense<br />
without issue. Furthermore the<br />
defense continues to be the class of<br />
college football.<br />
WHAT DO THE YELLOW<br />
JACKETS NEED TO DO TO<br />
DEFEAT THE BULLDOGS?<br />
<strong>Tech</strong> will have to play their best<br />
game of the season. Of course I<br />
think anyone facing off against<br />
the Bulldogs this year would say<br />
the same. I do think the offense<br />
will have to do the majority of<br />
the heavy-lifting given the Yellow<br />
Jackets’ deficiencies in stopping the<br />
run. Georgia <strong>Tech</strong> opponents’ have<br />
averaged 222 yards per game on<br />
the ground this year <strong>and</strong> they will<br />
be tested again this Saturday. But<br />
it’s not only imperative that <strong>Tech</strong><br />
score, they must also possess the<br />
football to shorten the game <strong>and</strong><br />
give the defense a chance to rest. In<br />
the games <strong>Tech</strong> has lost this year, a<br />
common theme has been lopsided<br />
margins in time of possession.<br />
WHAT DO YOU LOVE<br />
MOST ABOUT COLLEGE<br />
FOOTBALL?<br />
So much has changed in our sport<br />
over the last few years, some of<br />
it good <strong>and</strong> some of it bad. But<br />
the one thing that has remained<br />
consistent is the heart, desire <strong>and</strong><br />
passion of the student-athletes.<br />
There’s something you can’t<br />
replicate about 18 to 22 yearolds<br />
competing with their hearts<br />
on their sleeves, their emotions<br />
so sincere <strong>and</strong> earnest. I know<br />
the college football world has<br />
transformed drastically <strong>and</strong> will<br />
continue to do so, but so long as<br />
these young people are at the<br />
core of our game I think we’ll be<br />
just fine.<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 FOURTEEN • GEORGIA TECH
Located In Beautiful North Georgia Mountains<br />
Tallulah Falls<br />
CAMP<br />
Established in 1933<br />
GEORGIA<br />
Established in 1898<br />
CHATTOOGA<br />
Camp Chattooga<br />
FOR GIRLS<br />
A C<br />
Athens FOR BOYS Y Camp<br />
FOR BOYS<br />
Emphasis on Christian values | Located on 600 acres<br />
Separate boys <strong>and</strong> girls facilities<br />
One week sessions | Resident & Day Camps<br />
Traditional & Adventure programs<br />
“Where God <strong>and</strong> good times are friends”<br />
www.ayccamps.org
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 Oscar Delp 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 Brock 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 Brock Bowers 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 Brock, Texas (Brock 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 Brock 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<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 24 ISSUE FOURTEEN • GEORGIA TECH
Local bank.<br />
Total service.<br />
95 th Anniversary<br />
www.fabt.bank<br />
Yes, we offer all the latest online banking services <strong>and</strong> the latest in<br />
mobile technology — but we also emphasize the importance of building<br />
stable long-term relationships while providing helpful support to our<br />
customers each <strong>and</strong> every day.<br />
For almost a century, we’ve been building much more than a bank.<br />
We’ve been building a community.<br />
Go Dawgs…Stomp the Yellow Jackets!<br />
Clay Malcom<br />
Portfolio Manager<br />
Craig Meeks<br />
President<br />
Jarrod Prickett<br />
Executive VP, Chief Lending Officer<br />
L<strong>and</strong>on Heath<br />
Portfolio Manager<br />
NMLS# 2375792<br />
NMLS# 419258<br />
NMLS# 509039<br />
NMLS# 2375775
GEORGIA WOMEN WHO GIVE LUNCHEON PHOTOS PG. 36 | PROUST Q&A: PAUL CLAXTON PG. 40<br />
SOCIAL<br />
GEORGIA-Tennessee: PG. 30-35<br />
Blackberry Farm Dawgs - Beau Brearton, Robert<br />
Goeas, Charlie Sagely, Owen Katz, Ryan Katz, Amy<br />
Katz, Cara Katz, Bryce Wilson, Taylor Norton, Madison<br />
Houlberg, Alli Toci<br />
PHOTO BY: VANCE LEAVY/BI<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 27 ISSUE FOURTEEN • GEORGIA TECH
GEORGIA GIRLS<br />
SOCIAL<br />
2.<br />
Georgia Girls<br />
BRANDY KRISTEN MARTIN<br />
Cheri Leavy’s rapport with her favorite tastemakers <strong>and</strong><br />
UGA Alumnae brings you plenty of doggone good inspiration!<br />
Foundation:<br />
NAME: Br<strong>and</strong>y Kristen Martin<br />
FAMILY: I have been married to my wonderful<br />
husb<strong>and</strong>, Mark Martin, for 28 <strong>and</strong> a half years.<br />
Our two lovely daughters are currently attending<br />
Ole Miss, <strong>and</strong> we couldn’t be prouder. Our eldest, 1.<br />
Channing Martin Davis, has graduated with a<br />
degree in Integrated Marketing +Communications,<br />
<strong>and</strong> recently married Reagan Davis, a graduate<br />
of the University of Southern Mississippi. Currently,<br />
she is back at Ole Miss taking classes. Our youngest,<br />
L<strong>and</strong>ry Kate Martin, is a Junior majoring in early childhood<br />
education.<br />
HOMETOWN: Commerce, Georgia<br />
CURRENT TOWN: Commerce, Georgia<br />
WHAT YEARS AT UGA: 1997-2000<br />
SCHOOL/DEGREE: College of Family <strong>and</strong> Consumer Sciences,<br />
Furnishings <strong>and</strong> Interiors Major<br />
PROFESSION: I was what they call a non-traditional student when I<br />
enrolled at UGA. On the day of my graduation, I sat in Sanford Stadium,<br />
beaming with pride – pregnant with our first child <strong>and</strong> celebrating my<br />
fifth wedding anniversary. Even then, I had an entrepreneurial spirit <strong>and</strong><br />
knew that I wanted to be an interior designer. This career choice allowed<br />
me to achieve my dreams of being a working mom <strong>and</strong> the class mom of<br />
my dreams. Working for myself allowed me to create my own schedule<br />
making it possible for me to attend class parties, dance recitals, field trips<br />
<strong>and</strong> ball tournaments. Fast forward to 2021, when my youngest child<br />
went off to college, <strong>and</strong> I signed the lease on a storefront with my college<br />
best friend, Erin Eisele Gilmer. This was my chance to achieve another<br />
Inspo:<br />
lifelong dream – to open my own<br />
shop. God gave it to me when I<br />
needed it. From the beginning, Erin<br />
<strong>and</strong> I have worked hard to create<br />
a unique shopping experience for<br />
our customers, sourcing fresh <strong>and</strong><br />
exciting lines not previously available<br />
in Athens. Our shop, The Avenue,<br />
offers a constantly evolving selection<br />
of gifts, home accessories, furnishings,<br />
lighting, collegiate <strong>and</strong> sorority offerings.<br />
Most importantly, we pride ourselves on the<br />
full-service interior design we offer, which is at<br />
the heart of The Avenue. As we celebrate our second<br />
anniversary, we are exp<strong>and</strong>ing into the space next door, excited to continue<br />
to grow <strong>and</strong> improve. I love meeting new people <strong>and</strong> sharing our vision<br />
with each person that walks through our door. Our hard work has paid off,<br />
<strong>and</strong> The Avenue has quickly become Athens’ premier shopping destination.<br />
I’m eager for you to stop by <strong>and</strong> experience it for yourself!<br />
BOOK: The Well-Watered Woman by Gretchen Saffles. We take on so<br />
many things in life with an “I got this” attitude. It’s when you give it to<br />
God that you see things really getting done. Changing that mindset is<br />
a daily exercise that I have to practice, this book has been a wonderful<br />
companion in that.<br />
MAGAZINE: I pour through shelter magazines daily but what I really love<br />
is Garden & Gun. Probably not what you were expecting.<br />
INSTAGRAM: I follow so many people <strong>and</strong> pages but my go to<br />
whenever I open the app is my family.<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 28 ISSUE FOURTEEN • GEORGIA TECH
3.<br />
BRAND: Schumacher. Period. (1)<br />
FASHION DESIGNER: I am really loving Holly Shae.<br />
(2) She is adorable, her clothes are fabulous, <strong>and</strong> her<br />
holiday line is completely decadent.<br />
INTERIOR DESIGNER: Kelly Wearstler. It’s the black<br />
<strong>and</strong> white for me. The bold <strong>and</strong> unexpected decisions.<br />
Makes for interesting <strong>and</strong> invigorating interiors.<br />
CHEF: John Currence. What can I say, the food is just<br />
too good every time we go to Oxford.<br />
HISTORICAL FIGURE: Diana, Princess of Wales. (3)<br />
QUOTE:<br />
It won’t always be easy, but<br />
it will always be worth it.<br />
Athens + UGA:<br />
DESCRIBE ATHENS IN FIVE WORDS OR LESS:<br />
Energetic, haunting, historic, Bulldawg Nation.<br />
RESTAURANTS AND BARS: Last Resort, Taqueria<br />
Del Sol, Chuck’s, Jittery Joes.<br />
SHOPS: Plain Jane Designs, I have been shopping with<br />
Jane for nearly 20 years, following her from one location<br />
to the next. She is the epitome of a warm southern<br />
welcome. Onward Reserve, having a great<br />
place to shop for the men in my life is priceless.<br />
Having Suzanne there to guide you through<br />
your purchases, even better. The Elephant<br />
Trunk. Charm is who introduced me to Bailey<br />
Boys <strong>and</strong> Strausburg 23 years ago. Every<br />
chance I get since, I stop in for a shower gift or I<br />
send someone her way. Everything else, I shop<br />
at The Avenue, of course, it truly is my favorite.<br />
ATHENS/CAMPUS LANDMARK:<br />
Dawson Hall, so many great memories were<br />
made in that studio with those friends.<br />
MEMORY WHILE IN SCHOOL:<br />
Designing a room for Christmas at Callenwold,<br />
watching the filming of Road Trip from the<br />
third floor of Dawson Hall, going to New York<br />
City as a member of the P<strong>and</strong>ora yearbook<br />
staff, Georgia Florida, obviously, <strong>and</strong> a trip<br />
to Dallas, Texas for the International Home<br />
builders show the January of my senior year,<br />
where I soon found out I was expecting. Good<br />
times.<br />
PROFESSOR/CLASS:<br />
Ian Harding, he brought a little something<br />
different to our program. He was genuinely<br />
interested in our ideas <strong>and</strong> was just as quick to<br />
support them. He got excited with us <strong>and</strong> that<br />
was invaluable to students trying to find their<br />
footing in the word.<br />
GAMEDAY RITUAL/PLAN: Tailgating was<br />
so much easier back then. Our friend group<br />
would take turns parking our cars in lots along<br />
Lumpkin the night before a home game to<br />
secure a spot for the next day’s festivities.<br />
Tailgate Recipe:<br />
I ran across this recipe in the September<br />
1998 issue of Southern Living. I still have the<br />
magazine with its stained <strong>and</strong> wrinkled pages<br />
from years of making the tortellini.<br />
Fried Peppercorn Ranch Tortellini<br />
INGREDIENTS<br />
2 9 ounce packages refrigerated cheese-filled<br />
tortellini<br />
1 24 ounce bottle peppercorn ranch dressing,<br />
divided<br />
1 Tablespoon onion powder<br />
1 Tablespoon garlic powder<br />
1⁄2Tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes<br />
2 Large eggs<br />
2 Cups fine dry breadcrumbs<br />
1 Cup mild chunky salsa<br />
1 Cup chopped fresh cilantro<br />
2 Cups vegetable oil, for frying<br />
DIRECTIONS<br />
Cook tortellini according to package<br />
directions; drain <strong>and</strong> cool. Whisk together 2<br />
cups dressing, onion powder, garlic powder,<br />
red pepper flakes <strong>and</strong> eggs in a large bowl<br />
until blended. Add tortellini, <strong>and</strong> let st<strong>and</strong> 10<br />
minutes. Drain <strong>and</strong> dredge in breadcrumbs;<br />
place on baking sheet. Chill at least 1 hour.<br />
Stir together remaining dressing, salsa <strong>and</strong><br />
cilantro; chill. Pour oil into a Dutch oven; heat<br />
to 375°F. Fry tortellini, in batches, until golden<br />
brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve with dip;<br />
garnish with cilantro, if desired.<br />
NOTE: To make ahead, fry tortellini according<br />
to directions; drain <strong>and</strong> place on baking sheet.<br />
Keep warm in 200F oven for 2 hours.<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 29 ISSUE FOURTEEN • GEORGIA TECH<br />
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Jimmy Rector, Tracy Carmony<br />
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GEORGIA - 38, TENNESSEE - 10<br />
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The Rushmore offers catered<br />
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The three-level house has several<br />
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 30 ISSUE FOURTEEN • GEORGIA TECH
Wats Dorris, Crawford Grow, Bo Stephens, Hank Stephens,<br />
Stacy Stephens, Carey Stephens<br />
Brian Fuller, Katie Smith, Morgan Reid, Tori Levitan, Tyler<br />
Chambers, Jordan Rowe, Natalie Marlowe, Dylan Marlowe,<br />
Tracy Carmony, Mark Carmony<br />
Terry Graham, Greg Ehlers, Harvey Elerson, Tom Stovall,<br />
Tom Mann, Chris Redding , Trey Elerson, Chase Creasy<br />
Regan Walsh, Nick Lanctot, Vance Leavy, Cheri Leavy, Kelly Call,<br />
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LOVE THE LABEL + MARIE OLIVER<br />
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Melanie Brooks, Shavon Martin, Nick Martin, Carmen Dill<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 31 ISSUE FOURTEEN • GEORGIA TECH
SOCIAL<br />
FAN SHOTS<br />
David Sailors, Eric Gordon, Robert Hancock<br />
Wats Dorris, Crawford Grow, Hampton Johnson<br />
Peyton Manning, Dolly Parton<br />
Lee Smith, Sabrina Smith<br />
GEORGIA - 38, TENNESSEE - 10<br />
Bill Ard, Heather Ard, Georgia Lynn Ard Jonathan Young, Davis Young, Kelley Young, Derrick Wolfe Bray M<strong>and</strong>erson, Bray M<strong>and</strong>erson<br />
ATTORNEYS AT LAW<br />
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 32 ISSUE FOURTEEN • GEORGIA TECH
FAN SHOTS<br />
SOCIAL<br />
Mike Cabe, Joseph Sconyers Briana Stelmachers, Ryan Stelmachers Cheri Leavy, Cameron Bealll<br />
Charlie Spalding, Chris Daniels, Tucker Compton, Justin Daniels Jokita Miller, Orett Miller Earnest Greene, Pamela Greene<br />
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nce<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 33 ISSUE FOURTEEN • GEORGIA TECH
SOCIAL<br />
FAN SHOTS<br />
Okeefe McCarver, Icelyn McCarver , Derrick Logue, Antuon Logue<br />
Larry Gaither, Sue Gaither<br />
Melissa Eisele, Auden Eisele<br />
GEORGIA - 38, TENNESSEE - 10<br />
Fred Sutton, Jr, Natasha Mews,<br />
Chance Mews, Lafonte Morris<br />
Don Clerici, Kimberly Clerici, Leah Cox, Allie Cox<br />
Logo Colorways<br />
Allen Miller, Garrick Stiles, James Drinkard,<br />
Mike McMillen, Jeb Bradberry<br />
THESE CAN BE USED<br />
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on Sea Isl<strong>and</strong>, Georgia set for<br />
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 34 ISSUE FOURTEEN • GEORGIA TECH
FAN SHOTS<br />
SOCIAL<br />
Hillary Luckie, Eric Thomas<br />
Smael Mondon Sr, Dissa Mondon, Asti Sims,<br />
Siraye Tchatcha, Yann Mondon<br />
Craig Karamanian, Gabe Karamanian,<br />
Chris Delp, Mary Delp<br />
Alex Miller, Caroline Miller<br />
Tom Call, Kelly Call, Cheri Leavy, Vance Leavy<br />
Irenous Elangwe, Jamesia Bullard, Shonda Bullard,<br />
James Bullard<br />
Fredrick Barnett,<br />
Brittney Barnett,<br />
Drew French,<br />
Natalie French,<br />
Anna French,<br />
Scarlett French,<br />
Allen French,<br />
Kelly Blount<br />
Josh Brooks, Lillie Brooks<br />
Phil Nichols, Lisa Nichols, Makayla Gonter,<br />
Eric Gonter, Laurie Cooper, Wayne Cooper<br />
Billy Healan, Carla Healan, Scott Smith<br />
Shellie Sullivan, Julie Cates, Baxter Cates<br />
Heena Patel, Danny Elliott,<br />
Rajeeyah Howard.<br />
Devin Lowery<br />
Mary Beth Smart, Kirby Smart, Weston Smart<br />
Jack Marbut, Bill Robertson, Drew Brunson,<br />
Winston Cowart<br />
Brittney McConkey, Mary Matter, Preston<br />
Shields, Nicole Martin, Laine McConkey,<br />
Mary Delp, Chris Delp, Hinton McConkey,<br />
Gage Winkler, Hayden Hulett<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 35 ISSUE FOURTEEN • GEORGIA TECH
SOCIAL<br />
FAN SHOTS<br />
Mary Alice Cochran, Erika Lane,<br />
Angie Lewis<br />
Christine Anderson, Allison Gerber<br />
GEORGIA WOMEN WHO GIVE LUNCHEON<br />
M<strong>and</strong>y Culpepper, Helen Mills,<br />
Elizabeth Richards<br />
Kem Mixon, Ali Gant,<br />
Anne Beckwith<br />
Bonney Shuman, Lauren Cook,<br />
Kim Stamper<br />
Yancey Surber, Stephanie Powell<br />
Courtney Ayers, Andrea Parris,<br />
Jill Walton<br />
<strong>Happy</strong> Hour<br />
4-6 PM<br />
Sunday-Friday<br />
310 Redfern Village<br />
Saint Simons Isl<strong>and</strong>, GA 31522<br />
www.gnatsl<strong>and</strong>ing.com<br />
912-638-7378<br />
200 Redfern Village | Saint Simons Isl<strong>and</strong>, GA 31522<br />
(912) 634-0073 | www.bubbagarcias.com<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 36 ISSUE FOURTEEN • GEORGIA TECH
FAN SHOTS<br />
SOCIAL<br />
Mark Maxwell, Matt Brinkley<br />
TOUCHDOWN CLUB OF ATHENS<br />
Featuring Tom Rinaldi, Tony Black, UGA Baseball HC Wes Johnson<br />
Loran Smith, Tom Rinaldi<br />
Wade Ellis, Charlie English,<br />
Henry Shurling<br />
Hamilton Culpepper, Tom Rinaldi,<br />
Hank Crawford<br />
Jim Hyatt, Tom Dailey<br />
James Dantzler, Brian Hawver, Roy Drinkard<br />
Welcoming New<br />
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 37 ISSUE FOURTEEN • GEORGIA TECH
SOCIAL<br />
FAN SHOTS<br />
Patty Dailey, Joseph Gorman,<br />
Christa Hyatt McKenzie Flack, Tony Flack, Erica Flack Bob Shields, Ted Deidter, Jeb Bradberry<br />
Tom Ellerbee, Bill Hallman<br />
Kevin Knight, Wes Johnson, Chris Lakos<br />
Hank Crawford, Mack Guest,<br />
Hamilton Culpepper<br />
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 38 ISSUE FOURTEEN • GEORGIA TECH
FAN SHOTS<br />
SOCIAL<br />
Patricia Ricome, Zach Fisher,<br />
Harrison Norman<br />
Hank Smith, Chloe Pendleton, Tom Rinaldi, David Johnston,<br />
Annika Sorrow<br />
Scott Woodall, Jeff Sherman<br />
TOUCHDOWN CLUB OF ATHENS<br />
Featuring Tom Rinaldi, Tony Black, UGA Baseball HC Wes Johnson<br />
Cade Slaughter, Fain Slaughter Mike Cheek, Gary Hill Jeb Bradberry, Bobby Poss, Arthur Steedman<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 39 ISSUE FOURTEEN • GEORGIA TECH
Q&A<br />
PROUST<br />
COMPILED BY: CAROLINE CHAMPION<br />
NAME: Paul Claxton<br />
FAMILY: Wife: Paula Parker Claxton (UGA “98) <strong>and</strong> children: Parker<br />
Claxton, Polly Claxton<br />
HOMETOWN: Vidalia, Georgia<br />
CURRENT TOWN: Claxton, Georgia<br />
WHAT YEARS AT UGA: 1986-1992<br />
PAUL CLAXTON<br />
SCHOOL/DEGREE: Terry College of Business/ BBA “92<br />
PROFESSION: Professional Golfer <strong>and</strong> Head Golf Pro at Richmond<br />
Hill Golf Club<br />
ACCOLADES: 1991 Captain UGA Team, 1991 Georgia State Amateur<br />
Winner, 2 Time All-American at UGA, 2 Time Winner on Korn Ferry Tour,<br />
2021 Georgia Senior Open Winner, 2021 Winner Sr. PGA Professional<br />
Championship.<br />
WHAT LIFE LESSONS DID YOU LEARN WHILE AT UGA?<br />
Always play by the rules. Golf teaches you many life lessons …<br />
especially honesty, integrity, <strong>and</strong> patience.<br />
WHAT PROFESSOR DID YOU MOST ADMIRE?<br />
I had a lot of great professors, but I don’t remember their names. My<br />
UGA but my golf coach, Coach Dick Copas was the most influential. He<br />
was a father figure to me <strong>and</strong> my other teammates.<br />
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST<br />
ACHIEVEMENT?<br />
Besides my marriage <strong>and</strong> two children, I would have to say my greatest<br />
accomplishment would be going to UGA as a WALK ON <strong>and</strong> becoming<br />
a Two Time All America while at UGA. Also, making it to the PGA Tour<br />
from Vidalia, Georgia with very little formal training in golf.<br />
WHICH HISTORICAL FIGURE DO YOU MOST IDENTIFY WITH?<br />
Abraham Lincoln.<br />
WHO ARE YOUR HEROES IN REAL LIFE?<br />
The brave men <strong>and</strong> women that serve our country.<br />
QUOTE TO LIVE BY:<br />
“Make more money than you spend.”<br />
WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF PERFECT HAPPINESS?<br />
Playing good golf, good food, <strong>and</strong> spending quality time with my<br />
family.<br />
WHAT IS YOUR MOST MARKED CHARACTERISTIC?<br />
Resilience.<br />
WHAT DO YOU MOST VALUE IN YOUR FRIENDS?<br />
I value honesty most in my friends.<br />
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF,<br />
WHAT WOULD IT BE?<br />
My putting stroke!<br />
WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE WRITERS?<br />
Tom Clancy for sure. His books <strong>and</strong> movies are entertaining <strong>and</strong> based<br />
on real life events.<br />
FAVE SOCIAL MEDIA AND WHO TO FOLLOW?<br />
I am old school, I don’t do social media.<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 40 ISSUE FOURTEEN • GEORGIA TECH
BUTLER’S PLAYERS OF THE GAME PG. 44 | STATS THAT MATTER PG. 45 | JD’S TOP 12 PG. 46<br />
ROCKY TOP SILENCER,<br />
MARCUS ROSEMY-JACKSAINT!<br />
PHOTO BY: ROB SAYE/BI<br />
MORE<br />
SPORTS<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 41 ISSUE FOURTEEN • GEORGIA TECH
FROM THE<br />
field<br />
BY GREG POOLE<br />
GEORGIA - 38, TENNESSEE - 10<br />
Tennessee <strong>and</strong> its sea of orange-clad fans were supremely<br />
confident they could play with the Dawgs, keep the game close <strong>and</strong><br />
steal a win. After all, Josh Heuple is heralded as a master of offensive<br />
football who can game plan for any opponent, right? The lead up<br />
to Saturday’s game reminded me of the old Mike Tyson quote,<br />
“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”<br />
Georgia’s defense gave up its signature early score, then<br />
delivered Tyson’s punch in the mouth <strong>and</strong> assorted other body<br />
parts. The Knoxville contest was not as close as the score might<br />
indicate. After giving up that customary early score, the Dawg D<br />
clamped down on the upstarts in orange <strong>and</strong> rolled up 38 points<br />
to Tennessee’s single field goal. Coach Smart had his charges<br />
hunker down <strong>and</strong> run the ball in the fourth quarter while<br />
subbing liberally. The game was effectively over at the end of<br />
the third quarter, <strong>and</strong> UGA rolled through the remaining period<br />
while Vol fans fled the scene en masse.<br />
Ain’t nothing finer in the l<strong>and</strong> than a sad, dejected Tennessee<br />
fan... unless it is an equally distressed <strong>Tech</strong>ie.<br />
Kirby Smart continues to warn us about the resurgence on<br />
The Flats, <strong>and</strong> Saturday, the annual renewal of Good Old-<br />
Fashioned Hate kicks off in Atlanta - at night. <strong>Tech</strong> is 6-5 on<br />
the year, but they are more talented than in the recent past.<br />
More importantly, they will come out of the chute wholly<br />
focused on their remaining season goal - beating Georgia.<br />
It seems to me that this rivalry matchup, s<strong>and</strong>wiched<br />
between Tennessee <strong>and</strong> Alabama in the SEC Championship,<br />
has all the making of a classic trap game for Georgia. There<br />
are tons of instances of powerful teams losing focus <strong>and</strong><br />
then losing games to lesser foes. The Dawgs have one<br />
tremendous antidote for complacency stalking the practice<br />
fields - Kirby Smart. As I write this in Knoxville, I can already<br />
hear his amplified voice bursting from the loudspeakers<br />
that propel his encouragement <strong>and</strong> “suggestions” for several<br />
blocks beyond the boundaries of the practice field.<br />
The Dawgs will be ready—first, the state championship<br />
before turning their attention westward.<br />
GO DAWGS!<br />
2022 National Champions<br />
OUR LOCATIONS:<br />
3981 Atlanta Hwy Ste 8/9<br />
Loganville, GA 30052<br />
678-691-9009<br />
875 Flat Shoals Rd Ste 140<br />
Conyers, GA. 30094<br />
770-648-6310<br />
500 Great Oaks Dr.<br />
Monroe, GA 30655<br />
678-635-5236<br />
1959 Barnett Shoals Rd.<br />
Athens, GA. 30605<br />
706-850-6397<br />
www.cornersedgebutchershoppe.com<br />
Follow us on Facebook: @CornersEdgeButcherShoppeOfAthens<br />
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Winder, Ga. 30680<br />
678-963-9879<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 42 ISSUE FOURTEEN • GEORGIA TECH
KEVIN BUTLER’S<br />
PLAYERS OF THE GAME<br />
COMPILED BY JEFF DANTZLER<br />
Each week, College Football Hall of Fame Bulldog legend Kevin<br />
Butler picks his Players of the Week. And this season, he will also<br />
name an Unsung Dawg of the Week. Kevin is one of the most<br />
decorated players in Georgia <strong>and</strong> Chicago Bears history, <strong>and</strong><br />
each week co-hosts The Bulldog Brunch from The Hilltop Grille in<br />
Athens.<br />
OFFENSIVE PLAYER<br />
Carson Beck - When we signed him out of Florida, he was the<br />
player of the year. After Saturday’s performance, give him another<br />
state, the state of Georgia. Carson Beck has developed into a<br />
legitimate Heisman contender. His performance Saturday was a<br />
culmination of 10 games, helping to develop a young offense,<br />
<strong>and</strong> produce points at a record pace. Carson‘s numbers Saturday<br />
were 25 of 30 for 298 yards <strong>and</strong> three TDs. This has become his<br />
norm. He has led the Bulldogs to an undefeated SEC record <strong>and</strong><br />
the No. 1 ranking in every poll. After we beat Georgia <strong>Tech</strong> this<br />
week, Carson will be on the national stage to make his Heisman<br />
nomination, the most prestigious nomination of all.<br />
DEFENSIVE PLAYER<br />
CARSON BECK FIGHTS FOR EXTRA<br />
YARDS FOR HIS DAWGS!<br />
PHOTO BY: GREG POOLE/BI<br />
Tykee Smith - The senior from Philadelphia is one of the best<br />
defensive backs in college football. His superior ability to cover any<br />
sized wide receiver is unmatched in the SEC. Not only is Tykee a<br />
tremendous DB that can cover these wideouts, his physicality is also<br />
unmatched. The Vols had to rely on their receivers to move the ball,<br />
but Tykee shut them down in a very physical fashion. He recorded 10<br />
tackles with eight solos, which proves my point… the man can tackle.<br />
Our defensive secondary will get tested as we step into the playoffs<br />
<strong>and</strong> the SEC championship game but rest assured Tykee Smith …<br />
that’s a man among boys. So, you boys better get ready!<br />
SPECIAL TEAM PLAYER<br />
Mekhi Mews - He only gets talked about if he drops the ball, so<br />
we haven’t been talking about him. Let’s talk about Mews now! He<br />
did not drop one ball in a pivotal SEC showdown with the Vols in<br />
Knoxville. He was left with a tough task having to catch punts from<br />
Tennessee’s ambidextrous Australian punter, yet he passed with<br />
flying colors. Catching the ball is his first job as a punt returner, <strong>and</strong><br />
with our offense being so productive, a catch is all that needs to be<br />
made. Make the catch - win the game!<br />
UNSUNG HERO(S) OF THE GAME:<br />
Peyton Manning <strong>and</strong> Dolly Parton - The Vols tried to upset the<br />
No. 1 team in the nation, <strong>and</strong> they sent out a former quarterback<br />
<strong>and</strong> a country star with two huge goals on Saturday: bring in the<br />
rock ‘n’ roll Hall of Famer <strong>and</strong> singing the Vols to victory. From that<br />
point on, we had the Vols right where we wanted them … not<br />
focused. Although it was fun to see two superstars out on the field,<br />
we knew that was going to be the last good thing we saw from<br />
Tennessee. That held true except for the first 11 seconds. Dolly<br />
<strong>and</strong> Peyton gave us more than 11 seconds, <strong>and</strong> that’s more than<br />
enough time in Knoxville. We own that town <strong>and</strong> now Dolly too!<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 44 ISSUE FOURTEEN • GEORGIA TECH
STATS THAT<br />
MATTER<br />
GEORGIA - 38, TENNESSEE - 10<br />
BY: COBY SERINA<br />
A look back at what decided the game between Georgia <strong>and</strong> Tennessee.<br />
9 FOR 13<br />
Kirby Smart said it best after beating the Volunteers. He mentioned that<br />
third downs have been the “difference” for his team this year. The Dawgs<br />
lead the country in third-down conversion rate with their ability to move<br />
the chains 58.06% of the time — essentially, you can expect them to<br />
convert a third down six times out of ten. Georgia doesn’t run a highflying,<br />
explosive type of offense; they just move the ball, stay on the field<br />
by converting third downs, <strong>and</strong> execute in the red area to finish drives.<br />
The Dawgs’ ability<br />
53<br />
to move the ball, in general, has impressed, especially<br />
because Carson Beck is more of a pocket passer. However, against the Vols,<br />
he got it done multiple times with his own legs, showing that he’s willing to<br />
get the job done by any means necessary.<br />
8-0<br />
Defeating the Vols broke a streak <strong>and</strong> kept up a couple more in the process.<br />
With the Volunteers’ loss at Neyl<strong>and</strong> Stadium, Tennessee’s fourteengame<br />
home win streak was broken; the last team they lost to at home<br />
was also Georgia. And with the Dawgs closing SEC play with a victory in<br />
Knoxville, they move to eight-<strong>and</strong>-oh in conference play, marking the third<br />
consecutive season of pitching a perfect record against SEC opponents. On<br />
top of all that, Georgia has now tied Alabama’s record for the longest SEC<br />
team win streak at 28 straight. They’ll look to break the record with a win<br />
against <strong>Tech</strong> this upcoming weekend.<br />
80%<br />
Tennessee was another great opportunity for Carson Beck to show off what<br />
he can do when the ball is in his h<strong>and</strong>s, <strong>and</strong> what he did was complete 24<br />
of his 30 passes for an 80% completion rate on the day. He consistently<br />
delivers games with a 70%-80% completion rate, give or take 300 yards,<br />
<strong>and</strong> gets a touchdown or two. This year, Beck has proven himself to be one<br />
of the best passers in the country, but it doesn’t feel like he’s getting<br />
enough attention for it. It’s because Smart says that the Georgia defense<br />
makes it to where Beck doesn’t need to sling it for 500 yards a game<br />
because more often than not they’re holding opponents to around 20.<br />
Regardless, Beck is definitely making the most out of his opportunities.<br />
3 FOR 3<br />
Smart said after the game that in order to beat Tennessee, you have<br />
to win 67% of those 50/50 balls, <strong>and</strong> Georgia won all of them. Three of<br />
three, to be precise. Kamari Lassiter, Malaki Starks, <strong>and</strong> Javon Bullard can<br />
be credited for stopping the chunk plays that Tennessee thrives off of;<br />
those plays are a big part of that team’s identity. The fact that Georgia<br />
was able to cover those deep shots in a clean manner without any<br />
penalty speaks to the skill <strong>and</strong> discipline of the defense.<br />
18<br />
One of the biggest plays of the game was when Georgia decided to<br />
employ some trickery <strong>and</strong> by having Dillon Bell throw an eighteen-yard<br />
halfback touchdown pass to Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint — a very similar<br />
play to Kenny McIntosh’s touchdown pass to A.D. Mitchell in the 2021<br />
Orange Bowl. There were plenty of questions from fans when Georgia<br />
decided to go with Mike Bobo as their offensive coordinator, but he’s<br />
done more than enough to silence the critics, <strong>and</strong> calling that play was<br />
a good example of the kind of decision-making that Bobo brings to the<br />
254<br />
table. Tennessee had just scored on their opening drive, <strong>and</strong> Georgia’s<br />
first response was a field goal. The defense gets another stop. The<br />
offense gets the ball, <strong>and</strong> they cap off their second drive with a trick<br />
play where a receiver/running back throws a touchdown pass, <strong>and</strong> the<br />
momentum officially shifts Georgia’s way as they continue to pile on<br />
points. Bobo is the answer.<br />
A Better Healthcare<br />
Experience<br />
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memory of their daughter Merrie Kaplan. Merrie was born with a rare genetic condition,<br />
Williams syndrome, yet she lived life to the fullest.<br />
She was a huge fan of her beloved University of Georgia Bulldogs, collected friendships<br />
of all ages, doted on animals, <strong>and</strong> from a young age loved Santa Claus <strong>and</strong> everything<br />
the Christmas season is about.<br />
Support the Merrie Christmas Project that (in four years) has helped 2,569 children <strong>and</strong><br />
1,417 adults families (in the Macon area) experience a Christmas who otherwise would<br />
not. The program provides food, holiday decorations <strong>and</strong> gifts to families in need.<br />
How Can We<br />
Help?<br />
• Premier In-Home Care Services<br />
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Donate online at<br />
cfcga.org.fund/merrie<br />
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BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 45 ISSUE FOURTEEN • GEORGIA TECH
MORE SPORTS<br />
FOOTBALL<br />
TOP 12<br />
JD’S<br />
BY: JEFF DANTZLER<br />
It’s the final weekend of the regular season, as we always hammer<br />
home, it flies by, just goes by so fast. Well it is the best week of the<br />
campaign, all the big rivalries <strong>and</strong> showdowns. There’s Michigan-<br />
Ohio State, Georgia versus the Jackets, Clemson-South Carolina,<br />
Florida-Florida State, the Iron Bowl, the Bowl, the Civil War, the<br />
Apple Cup, what a Saturday. A lifetime’s worth of memories,<br />
happy or misery, will be made. And for the contenders, it’s a must<br />
win Saturday, or dreams are shattered.<br />
1. GEORGIA - The Bulldogs are an impressive 11-0<br />
after a 38-10 victory at Tennessee. Kirby Smart’s<br />
program has won 44 of the last 45. Georgia takes on the<br />
arch rival Yellow Jackets on Saturday night in Atlanta, aiming for a<br />
third straight unbeaten regular season.<br />
2. OHIO STATE - The Buckeyes defense was stellar<br />
once again, as they took care of Minnesota 37-3. Wide<br />
receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is having a terrific season.<br />
Now comes the super showdown with the Wolverines in Ann<br />
Arbor.<br />
3. WASHINGTON - The Huskies continue to find a<br />
way to win. In the rain <strong>and</strong> chill of Corvallis, Washington<br />
pulled out a white-knuckling 22-20 victory over Oregon<br />
State. Washington takes on Washington State in the Apple Cup<br />
Saturday. It’s at home. 12-0 looms.<br />
4. MICHIGAN - The Wolverines came up with a<br />
tough win at Maryl<strong>and</strong>, which generally scares the<br />
Big Ten heavyweights. Now the stage is set. Even with all of the<br />
controversy swirling around the program, Michigan is 11-0 <strong>and</strong><br />
hosts Ohio State in the biggie.<br />
5. FLORIDA STATE - The Seminoles, after falling<br />
behind North Alabama 13-0, won 58-13. But Florida<br />
State quarterback Jordan Travis suffered a terrible leg injury. He<br />
has had a fantastic season. The ‘Noles will get Florida’s best shot<br />
Saturday in the swamp.<br />
6. TEXAS - The Longhorns survived another tough<br />
challenge at a place where a lot of upsets have<br />
happened through the years. Texas beat Iowa State<br />
26-16. Texas tangles with Texas <strong>Tech</strong> in Austin, aiming to stay in the<br />
playoff picture.<br />
7. ALABAMA - The Crimson Tide took care of<br />
Chattanooga to make it 10-1 on the season, winning for<br />
a ninth straight time. Now it’s the Iron Bowl at Auburn,<br />
<strong>and</strong> the Tigers have been playing well the second half of the<br />
season. Alabama is rolling <strong>and</strong> thinking big.<br />
8. OREGON - The Ducks jumped all over Arizona<br />
State, grabbing a 42-0 halftime lead. They cruised to a<br />
victory to make it 10-1. Now comes the big one against<br />
Oregon State in the civil war. Oregon is still alive in the playoff race,<br />
with Saturday, obviously, a must.<br />
9. MISSOURI - In what was arguably the game of<br />
the day, <strong>and</strong> one of the best in the SEC all year, Mizzou<br />
edged Florida 33-31. Harrison Mevis <strong>and</strong> Luther<br />
Burden headlined the heroes. Next up is a trip to Fayetteville to<br />
take on Arkansas for a shot at a major bowl.<br />
10. OLE MISS - The Rebels pulled away from<br />
Louisiana-Monroe <strong>and</strong> chalked up a win to make<br />
it 9-2 on the season. Now comes one of the most<br />
intense rivalries in all of college football. It’s the Egg Bowl against<br />
Mississippi State Thursday in Oxford.<br />
11. LOUISVILLE - The Cardinals clinched a berth in<br />
the ACC Championship Game with an exciting 38-31<br />
victory over Miami. Next up is the in-state battle with<br />
the Kentucky Wildcats in Louisville. The Cards are putting together<br />
one of their best ever seasons.<br />
12. TULANE - The Green Wave - with that awesome<br />
logo - are in position again to grab that Group of Five<br />
berth in one of the major bowls. Tulane beat Florida<br />
Atlantic 24-8 last week. There’s some heavy lifting to do. Next up<br />
are the UTSA Roadrunners in New Orleans.<br />
Heaven on a Bun<br />
BEAT TECH!<br />
athens • watkinsville • auburn • lawrenceville<br />
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 46 ISSUE FOURTEEN • GEORGIA TECH
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