Like always, reconvening in Sanford Stadium and Athens for the home opener is an absolute blast. You catch up with friends and fellow fans that share the same never wavering love for the Dawgs. And of course, when the football being played on Dooley Field is at such a high level, life really doesn’t get any better.

This past Saturday unfolded as expected. The win was secured very early and Coach Smart and his staff had the opportunity to get a bunch of playing time for the youngsters on the 2024 team.

Hooray for all of the above, but it is now time to focus on this Saturday’s road trip to Kentucky. The Wildcats were thoroughly thumbed in their home stadium by Shane Beamer’s Gamecocks. Needless to say, the vibe in Lexington this week has to be filled with bitterness. Getting shellacked by South Carolina was certainly not expected.

However that means nothing for Saturday night’s game in Lexington. You can bet the dean of SEC coaches, Mark Stoops will have his team ready to right the ship versus the No. 1 Dawgs. The respect Coach Smart pays Stoops and his physical brand of football is something I always enjoy at the Monday presser the week of the Georgia-Kentucky games.

I fully expect the game with the Cats to be a lot like the Clemson game, where both teams exchanged punts early on rather than being too aggressive and allowing any unnecessary turnovers. This will be particularly important for the Bulldogs, who certainly don’t want the scene at Kroger Field to go bonkers because of something careless.

This issue of Bulldawg Illustrated will certainly get you ready for the Dawgs versus the Cats. The city of Lexington is very underrated in my opinion. There’s always a ton to do there and the Kentucky football faithful are great supporters of their program. I have to admit, I don’t really love the Wildcats coming off a bad loss and having not beaten the Dawgs in the last 14 games/years.

But thankfully one thing the Bulldog Nation can count on these days is that no Kirby Smart team will overlook their opponent. So look out Cats … here comes the Dawgs.

Please enjoy this issue. The BI camera captured nearly 80 photos from the Tennessee Tech weekend. Smiles everywhere. Like I said above, it was so awesome to be back with so many Bulldog brethren. And this week’s Proust Q&A participant, Reece Cohen, is my kind of fella. He loathes the Gators and loves a good Old fashioned cocktail. I’m thinking my Lexington roadie crew may enjoy a few of these along the bourbon trail in the Commonwealth.

Finally, I would like to end with a special UGA tribute and award that occurred at the Tennessee Tech game … the Don Leebern, Jr. Truehearted Bulldog Award. Mr Leebern is missed by many because he was a heckuva man and a great supporter of all things Georgia, including Bulldawg Illustrated.

Georgia Football Lettermen Jim Baker and Mack Guest along with J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Josh Brooks presented an award never bestowed before, The Donald M. Leebern Jr. Truehearted Bulldog Award, to Donald M. Leebern, Jr.

Mr. Leebern lettered in football at UGA in 1957, 1958 and 1959. He served on the Athletic Board and was Chairman of the Board of Regents. He was devoted and loyal to the University in both academics and athletics his entire lifetime. He was especially supportive of the Georgia Football Lettermen in every way. He was a Truehearted Bulldog through and through.

This Donald M. Leebern Jr. Truehearted Bulldog Award was presented to his five grandchildren in his memory … Donald M. Leebern IV, Lily Leebern, Lawson Leebern, Christopher Shadburn and Nicholas Shadburn.

One last programing note, our next issue of BI comes out the week of the Alabama game. See you in Lexington … look out Cats … here come the Dawgs!!