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[su_spacer size=”40″] Hooray Bulldog fans, our team has found a little positive momentum … and boy don’t things feel a whole lot better?
[su_spacer size=”40″] I will be the first to admit that I was a little bummed heading into the Auburn game. Like so many, I drank the preseason Kool-Aid and had visions of the College Football Playoff dancing around in my head. In fact, I made a wager with a buddy that our 2015 team would be 10-0 heading into this week’s game versus Georgia Southern.
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Obviously, I’m out some cash, but I must say I’m very impressed with how this team and their coaches have responded the last few weeks. Sure, Kentucky and Auburn aren’t very good this year, but that’s what many of us have said about our own team. Nonetheless, they stuck together and kept fighting and now have an opportunity to win 10 games, if they beat Georgia Southern, Tech and their bowl opponent.
[su_spacer size=”40″] However, let’s not get ahead of our-selves.
[su_spacer size=”40″] As Jeff Dantzler points out in his column on page 5, our state brethrens from south Georgia, would love nothing more than slaying Goliath on Saturday night. And don’t kid yourself… the Eagles have plenty of talent to pull it off. More importantly, they have an offense that’s going to have success moving the football. Our defense must rise to the occasion and force field goal attempts. And our offense will need to score some points or things will get very interesting.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Thankfully, after our team’s performance on Saturday on the plains, Jeremy Pruitt will no doubt have his defense amped up for the challenge. On the other side of the ball, Brian Schottenheimer’s offense found some sparks thanks to getting Isaiah McKenzie heavily involved. The Human Joystick was the hero of the Auburn game because of his punt return, but what he added to our struggling O was much more important in my opinion. Having #16 in the mix, put another playmaker on the field, which certainly only made the likes of Malcolm Mitchell and Sony Michel even better.
[su_spacer size=”40″] And can I get an AMEN for our Special Teams … AMEN! Great job at Auburn fellas, let’s make it two games in a row on Saturday night.
[su_spacer size=”40″] While the football is sure to be entertaining that evening, there are a couple other special happenings that should make you want to arrive to Sanford Stadium plenty early. Not only will our outgoing seniors be recognized, both Russ and Que will be on hand for a very special collar ceremony.
[su_spacer size=”40″] I called Charles Seiler this past week and asked him about the rareness of having two dogs on hand. He said this would be the 9th time it has occurred. And in typical Seiler style his response to the question of what all is involved with bringing two dogs to Athens, he quipped, “well we just take both dogs.” Good stuff indeed!
[su_spacer size=”40″] Saturday night really is going to be special as we get to thank Uga IX “Russ” and see the youngster Que earn his new title of Uga X. For more on our mascots, don’t miss our junior writer Hamilton Culpepper’s article on page 15. And it goes without saying, a huge thank you to all the Seilers for their awesome part in preserving the legacy of college football’s best mascot.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Finally before I wrap things up, please also check out Rob Sherrell’s Hoop Dawgs’ season preview on page 16. I certainly encourage you and your family to come to Athens this winter and support both Coach Fox and Coach Taylor’s basketball teams.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Also, there’s something very special to my heart happening this week in the Golden Isles as the PGA tour once again plays at Sea Island in the RSM (formerly McGladrey) Classic. With an expanded field, which will include play on both the Plantation and Seaside courses, this year’s classic is going to be spectacular. I encourage you to do what Cheri and I are doing . . . be on the coast on Thursday and Friday for golf and back to the Classic City for our seniors, our mascot and our team on Saturday. It should be a blast, but of course must be highlighted with a victory over the Eagles.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Keep the positive mo rolling … Bulldog Nation. Go Dawgs!
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