SEC East going to the Dawgs

Sporting News, The, Oct 16, 2000 by T.D.

Where were you in the fall of 19887

George Bush was running for president. Most of the current Georgia Bulldogs were around 8 years old. Georgia had just defeated Tennessee.

Fast forward to the fall of 2000. George W. Bush is running for president And the Bulldogs are trying to persuade the nation they're a good team after their first win over Tennessee since 1988.

As Georgia fans tore down the goal posts in Sanford Stadium after the 21-10 win, Georgia coach Jim Donnan looked more relieved than happy. Finally, the Tennessee beast had been slayed. All he heard about entering the season was the fact he was a combined 1-7 against Florida and Tennessee.

"It's a game that is without question monumental for us to get over the hurdle," Donnan says.

Pressure built after Georgia lost at South Carolina in September. That seems like 12 years ago. And in light of the way the Gamecocks have played, that doesn't look like such a bad loss. Still, Donnan was on the spot. He has to finish at least second in the SEC East.

Bulldog quarterback Quincy Carter, now an aggregate 1-6 vs. Tennessee, Florida and Georgia Tech, didn't look sharp, hitting just 8-of-17 passes for 134 yards with no touchdowns. But his most important stat was leadership. However, this was a game about defense, one that finished last in the SEC last season but overcame three Bulldog lost fumbles last Saturday.

Tennessee netted just 112 yards rushing, 136 passing and 248 overall while coughing up three turnovers. Twice the Vols were stopped on fourth-and-1 inside Georgia's 10. That was all a methodical Georgia offense needed. Credit first-year defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs, whose bend-but-don't-break scheme worked against a youthful Tennessee squad.

With the Vols' attack in check, the Bulldogs reverted to their glorious past by pounding at UT with the run. Led by Jasper Sanks, Bruce Thornton, Musa Smith and Brett Millican, the Dawgs churned out 141 yards on the ground.

That was the kind of physical football Tennessee used to squash Georgia the last nine times they met. Now it was the Bulldogs' turn. All this made former Georgia coach Vince Dooley smile as he watched from the sideline. He was the last Bulldog coach to beat Tennessee and the last to win the SEC (in 1982).

Now Georgia is in good shape to win the SEC East for the first time ever. A key two-game stretch begins October 28, when Georgia travels to Jacksonville to play Florida. After a week off, the Dawgs go to Auburn.

"It feels like a ton of weight is off our shoulders," defensive tackle Richard Seymour says. "Now when you mention Tennessee and Florida, you have to mention Georgia."

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

4

Number of times Florida State advanced inside the Miami 27 in the first half, failing to score each time.

6

Touchdowns scored by Oklahoma FB Quentin Griffin against Texas, setting a school record.

26

Yards gained by Auburn RB Rudi Johnson in the Tigers' 17-10 loss at Mississippi State. He had been averaging 143.2 yards per game.

12

Number of penalties Penn State committed in the first half of its 25-16 loss to Minnesota.

292

Yards gained by Northwester's Damien Anderson, making him the first Wildcat to top the 200-yard mark in back-to-back games.