Saw this from the Hargrett Library and thought it would make for a Good Friday post heading into the long weekend:
Mine was the LSU game in 1991, where Greg Talley and Larry Ware started the game but we saw flashes of Hearst and Zeier that game, before Zeier was named the starter against Clemson later that year (that was my second Georgia game when we beat the 6th ranked Tigers the same night the Braves clinched the Division. What a way to get inducted into football games in Sanford.
The LSU game was exciting, hyped up, and there was an all out fist fight after the game right outside the stadium where some LSU fan got laid out and it was my first initiation into alcohol leading to poor life choices. I should’ve learned the easier way.
Anyway, what was your first Georgia game?
Auburn at UGA 1969.
My memory is that Talley started the Clemson game but Zeier entered in the second quarter and threw a TD pass to Hastings at the end of the second quarter to give us a halftime lead we never relinquished. Zeier did start the next week at Ole Miss.
You’ve got a better memory that I do. I thought Zeier had the start but I forgot they were still mixing it in that game.
I think Zeier did start vs Clemson. I think Talley’s last start was at Alabama.
Don’t take my word for it. Search “Georgia v Clemson 1991 football: on YouTube and you can see both the starting lineup and the first snap of the game with Talley at QB.
I remember the crowd chanting “Talley Sucks” until Zeier came in & led the Dawgs to the promised land. That was a great day all around…Braves clinch & the Dawgs took an arrogant Clempson to the woodshed.
My first was Alabama ’90. Kanon Parkman kicked a field goal to put us up 18-17 with a couple minutes left. Later, the ending became one of my favorite Munson calls when Chuck Carswell picked one off to end ‘Bama’s drive.
“CARSWELL INTERCEPTED! CARSWELL’S HEADED THIS WAY! CARSWELL SAVED OUR FANNY!”
Ha! That’s awesome. I thought the ol man was gonna jump thru the tv screen when Carswell caught that ball. What a great football name too – Chuck Carswell. Or at least it played well w Munson’s growl.
Mine was the next week – vs East Carolina. And I think those were 2 of the 3 games they won all year. It was kind of our introduction into the ability to get tickets ya might say. They had a qb named Blake who went to Cincy and a big ol’ TE and gave us fits all day. And yes, I still have the ticket stub and yes, I miss ticket stubs.
And JP, I was at that Clemmins game too – what a day w the Braves and all. As I recall they played the ending of the Dodgers/Giants game on radio to show the Braves clinching and then we headed into the stadium.
First game was Georgia-Mississippi State in Jackson in 1974. We had moved to the Jackson area a year or so earlier. I don’t really remember it other than we got beat.
My first game that I really take credit for was Georgia-Auburn in Athens in 1981. Dawgs grind Auburn into dust behind Herschel. I knew at that time Georgia would be on my college list as an 8th grader. That day pretty much made up my mind I didn’t want to be anywhere other than Athens.
Cool. Up until recently, I lived about a half mile from that stadium in Jackson for about 20 years, referred to as the Fondren neighborhood. Still have a house for sale there if you know any med students looking for a great place walking distance to UMC! LOL!!!
Auburn game in either ‘93 or ‘94. I forget the even/odd thing as far as what would have made it a home game because they’ve jacked it up so bad the last few years. Auburn was real good. We were not so hot. It was a long day but a really pretty fall day in Athens.
94 was at Jordan Hare and we tied Bowdens team in that game, 23-23. I’ve told this story before but it was after the debacle in Gainesville where Florida killed us and someone from the Redcoats nailed Goff in the head with one of those old wax coke cups full of water. We thought the AA was going to pull our funding and Goff showed up to practice, started by asking who threw it because he might bring them on the team as a quarterback. He jokes about it, apologized for the performance, and promised us that the team was going to do something we’d never forget in the next game against Auburn. God bless him, he did just that. As soon as the game ended we high tailed it out of Auburn because the memory of the water hoses weren’t that far back to realize the natives would be restless after ending Auburn’s streak.
That’s awesome. It was ‘93 then. My sister was a student by that point and had Herman Bell, an offensive lineman, and Jeff Thomas, a receiver, in one of her classes. She talked about what a nice guy Bell was I remember. James Bostick and Stephen Davis ran all over us that day.
1996 in Columbia, SC
I don’t remember specifics, just that we lost.
First home game was 2001 vs Kentucky. Fred Gibson set a record that day. Most rec yds in a game, and he was a freshman
1986 vs. the famed juggernaut, Richmond Spiders. I think it was homecoming. We walked to the game, as we did for many after, from my grandparent’s house on Milledge Terrace.
Kentucky 1981 Herschel 33 for 129 and a touchdown.
1985 vs Baylor. It was my freshman year and I went with my father and brother who are no longer here, great memory.
I don’t remember mine, it would have been a “band day” when I was in high school from ‘84-‘88.
My first as a student was game 1 of Dooley’s last season, I don’t know who we played. I was in redcoats and definitely had sensory overload for half that season.
Oh, and JP, you should read my reply to you in your post the other day about “who you are”.
I did. Next time you reach out to James, if you still do, tell him the “troglodyte” says hi and he can tell you exactly who I am. I miss tha Mr crotchety old asshole. I think he’s in Tallahassee or somewhere in Florida teaching. Got his PhD focusing on rehabilitation after his struggles with TBD, but that guy was always sharp as a tack with wit.
Also, regarding the quality of the Redcoats, I think the 90s version of ourselves would’ve been louder, more enthusiastic. Can’t put my finger on it, but it feels like this version is more polished and professional, like a symphony showed up to play fight songs. Also liked our 90s unis better than the current Star Wars iteration that they wear.
I just wish I could hear ANY version of the Redcoats.
#turnofftheshittymusic
Agreed, Could not say it any better.
1978 vs. Ole Miss. Willie McClendon and company dominated the rebs 42-3 and I was hooked for life. Jeff Pyburn was the starting qb that day.
1981 Dawgs 27 – Cal 13. Tailgated by the Pharmacy School. South Georgia bred, so South Campus tailgate. On the way to the stadium one of the fellas from Ag Hill (AGR) slipped me my first taste of Beam & Coke, lol. Also, the cheerleaders came by and kissed us on the cheek. Didn’t wash the lipstick off for probably a week. Herschel seemed to run a 6 yd sweep right or left every play.
Years later (circa ’97), I was in San Francisco with some Dawgs at a bar in Pacific Heights. The owner saw our Bulldog gear and asked if we were from Georgia. We said yes. He told us he played football for Cal and Georgia beat their asses. He said after the game some of the Georgia players rolled up on their hotel, “Took us out, got us drunk and got us laid”! Said drinks were on him and had us go on stage to call the Dawgs (to crickets, btw).
All in all – a good game
My first was 1976 opener against Cal. My next two games were also that season, against Cincinnati and the Nerds.
UGA vs UCLA opening game of ’83. First game post Herschel. Charlie Dean pick 6 with 1:06 left to save us. Rained so hard at halftime you couldn’t even see the band playing on the field. A Classic!
It was a Kentucky game in the late 60’s or early 70’s. It was probably late 60’s since I was young enough then that I didn’t have the attention span to take in the game. I remember walking the campus, though.
We used to go to the Freshman Tech-Georgia game quite often, because it was in Atlanta, and tickets were easier to come by.
There were other early games I remember. Went to the 1973 Peach Bowl against Maryland. Seem to remember Sylvester Boler was a force at linebacker. We went to the second Peach Bowl at Bobby Dodd Stadium in 1969. It was miserable weather. Went to see Miami play at Tech in 1968. Ted Hendricks (the mad stork) was a wrecking ball at defensive end. This is where I learned to pull against Tech no matter the opponent. My father taught me well.
First game as a student that I remember was against LSU in 1979. We were 2-2 and LSU was 3-1 and ranked 13th coming in. Dawgs won and the stadium was rocking. I remember celebrating in the student section next to the band until everyone had cleared out.
Funny story about those season ticket booklets like in your picture. My dad said he and my mom were invited to a game in the 50’s by another couple. The husband of the other couple asked the wife if she had the tickets and she said yes.
They got to the gate and she had torn four tickets out of one book. She had to go back and get the other ticket. 😀
I think it was 1990 and don’t remember who. We just moved to a little town called Social Circle, and my dad got to know Jimmy Payne through work. He gave us some passes to the now gone grassy corner near the bridge.
Now the game I do recall was the tickets Jimmy gave us to the 10 year anniversary game for the national champs. Did not realize when we were given the tix, but turned out they were Jimmy’s tickets so mom and I actually sat with the team, and I was directly behind Erk. I was still too new to Georgia to know the royalty I was sitting with, but I’ll always remember it. RIP Jimmy Payne. Great guy. DGD.
Well this is going to date my 78 year old butt. My first UGA game was the game where Fran Tarkenton beat Auburn for the SEC Championship. My Uncle lived in Athens and my parents and I drove to Athens to see him and his family. Well it was a Saturday in the fall and my uncle asked my father if he wanted to go to the UGA game. My father was a diehard Tech fan but he loved football so we went. They got some tickets and that was the first time I ever set foot on the campus. It was in the 50’s and I was young.
That’s a great memory!
My dad and uncle grew up in Athens. My uncle (the younger of the two) played Gray-Y ball in Sanford Stadium, and claimed he played with Tarkenton. I know they were the same age, so I guess it’s possible.
My first game I bought a field pass of a liquor store worker on West Broad. Got to watch Georgia beat Clemson in the first game night game in Sanford Stadium. The Bulldogs had difficulty moving the ball, with Herschel Walker having only 11 carries for 20 yards.
Defensive struggle:
The game was a defensive battle, with a limited total of 490 yards of offense.
Key plays:
Kevin Butler kicked two field goals, including one before halftime.
Georgia recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown.
Interceptions by Terry Hoage and Nathaniel Taylor helped seal the win.
Herschel Walker’s impact:
Although injured, Walker still played and his presence as a decoy disrupted Clemson’s defense.
Significance of the game:
Clemson was the defending national champion.
Georgia was ranked #7 and Clemson was ranked #11 going into the game.
The game was a rematch of the 1981 game where Clemson handed Georgia their only regular-season loss.
This victory for Georgia was seen as a revenge game and set the tone for their undefeated regular season.
Despite the win, Georgia went on to lose to Penn State in the Sugar Bowl
That loss to Pedo State in the Sugar Bowl crushed me. I was convinced we were the best team in the country until that game.
I remember Herty Field.
Okay, grandpa. Time for bed. LOL
If you haven’t read it, “Ghosts of Herty Field” is a great book about the beginnings of Georgia football.
My buddy (and Ranger Russ’s friend) designed the fountain at Herty Field.
1977 vs Kentucky in Athens. I was seven and saw the Dawgs get pummeled 33-0, (a probation year for the loaded Cats) but do remember my Dad telling me what a big deal it was to have the Prince of Wales honored at halftime. Part of me wants to say this was not my first game, however, as I recall going to a Clemson game either in 77 or 78, (why did we play them back to back years in Athens?).
I also fondly remember the souvenir stands at Sanford stadium back in the 70s. Offerings included shakers and pennants of the visiting team along with my favorite, lucky rabbit’s feet key chains!
Sitting in the student section near mid-field in 1984 as a UGA freshmen. The Dawgs vs. Clemson when Butler kicked one from a hundred thousand miles to win it. I remember the kick clearing the upright and then kissing and hugging complete strangers. When the celebration settled down, I was 3 rows below my seat on the metal bleachers. I became a diehard UGA football fan for life that day.
1982 Georgia–. Ole Miss. The first time I saw the great one in person as well as my first SEC game! The thing I remember most other than Dawgs methodically dismantling an outmanned Rebel squad were the visiting fans on the opposite corner of the field–a small army of game Rebel fans all of whom it seemed wore blue button down shirts and red ties! I was young and naive enough to be stunned at all the “drankin'”. I recall sitting down and catching a strong smell of liquor–looked behind me and a couple of rows back was a 40’s/50’s matron with a handle of bourbon in plain sight pouring drinks and passing ’em down! I was blown away by the experience. Really a glorious day and a perfect introduction to Sanford Stadium!.
Went with my Dad to UGA vs. Baylor. 1985. Had the stub and the program forever.
First game was 1967 Liberty Bowl against NC State. They had a hot shot QB named Jim Donnan. My 2nd oldest brother was a redshirt for Georgia but was allowed to dress out for the game. NC State won 14-7, I think. Georgia had a 98 yard drive from the 1 to the 1 but got stopped on 4th and goal.
First home game was 1968 Houston which wound up a 10-10 tie after Jim McCullough kicked a field goal to tie it up. But the best part was the experience. My brother was now a sophomore, though he seldom played in his years at Georgia. But he was able to get me on the sideline as a “trainer”. So I was an 11-year-old wearing a tee shirt to my knees that said Trainer. Great experience being on the same sideline as Bill Stanfill, Jake Scott, etc al.
First game was 1974 against Tony Dorsett and Pit. Erks kind of game, 7-7 tie. Been going ever since!
I can read the test post on Jetpack but cannot comment. I can do either on the blog.
*can’t
Four hours later the test post is still up on jetback still gone on the blog.
My first game was 9-15-73. UGA vs Pitt. They had a freshman running back named Tony Dorsett playing his first college game. I wonder what ever happened to him? He seemed like he had a promising future.
Early 60s, Georgia vs Miami, old Orange Bowl Stadium, Rakestraw vs Mira at QB. Set an Orange Bowl recorded for total passes in the game by the two QBs, 25 by each, didn’t know at the time I would become a UGA student.
84 Bulter 60 yarder against Clemson. I moved here that year and went to the Regional Finals at Rupp (where Illinois got robbed) The Rose Bowl (where the Illini got boat raced by the Rick Neuheisel led UCLA Bruins) and the Olympics when the Russian bailed and thousands of tickets became available. All-in-all and incredible sports year!
My first game was the 1991 season opener against Western Carolina. I was 13 and my stepdad and I walked from downtown where we lived to the game up Lumpkin. You could still park on Lumpkin at that time. My next game was Clemson that same year. I also went to the Auburn game later that season.