Tag: uga news

Georgia football mascot ‘Uga’ will not be on sidelines for 2020 season

Georgia football’s iconic mascot ‘Uga’ will not be on the sidelines for Georgia football games in 2020 due to COVID-19 protocols.

Due to COVID-19 protocols, Georgia’s beloved mascot ‘Uga’ will not be in attendance on the sidelines for the 2020 football season.

This is the first time an Uga will not be present on the sidelines for a home game since November 21, 2009 when Uga VII died unexpectedly just two days prior.

Uga X took over for Uga IX on November 21, 2015.

“It’s my understanding the SEC and NCAA consider the field a ‘bubble,’ and the only people allowed in the bubble are essential,” said Charles Seiler, Uga X’s handler and owner. “As of now, no dog on the field.”

This is truly some sad news as many Bulldog fans know that players and fans both harness their energy through the white English bulldog.  Uga is a massive fan attraction that will be missed dearly during the 2020 season.

We wish Uga many bones and treats during his leave of absence, knowing he will be between the hedges on Saturdays in spirit.

Are Jamie Newman and George Pickens the next Matt Stafford and AJ Green for UGA?

Comparing Georgia football’s Jamie Newman and George Pickens to former UGA stars Matthew Stafford and A.J. Green.

Among all the doubt and speculations surrounding the 2020 college football season, there are still some exciting things Georgia football fans have to look forward to.

One of those things is the Jamie Newman to George Pickens connection.

Last season, Pickens put college football on notice as a true freshman…

In 2019, Pickens caught 49 passes for 727 yards and eight touchdowns, which included a dominating performance in the Sugar Bowl against Baylor where he caught 12 passes for 175 yards and a touchdown.

PFF (Pro Football Focus) rated Pickens as the best true-freshman receiver in the country. Keep in mind that was in a run-dominated offense which included quarterback Jake Fromm’s pedestrian deep ball.

Enter Jamie Newman..

According to PFF, Newman, a transfer from Wake Forrest, graded as the third best quarterback in the country last season. Newman was second behind Heisman winner Joe Burrow in throws into tight windows and throws beyond 20 yards.

The combination of Newman’s accurate deep-ball with Pickens’ hands and catch-radius is going to be a scary situation for opposing defenses in 2020.

The duo reminds me of a couple of Bulldog greats, Matthew Stafford and A.J. Green.

Back in 2008, the Stafford to Green combo was one of the best in the country.

As a freshman, Green caught 56 passes for 963 yards and eight touchdowns on his way to SEC-Freshman of the Year honors and Stafford went on to be the No. 1 pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.

Yes, the bar is set a bit high and maybe Newman to Pickens won’t be as dominant as Stafford to Green.

However, with new offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s passing game don’t be surprised if the duo has a record year for the Bulldogs offense.

Georgia football target Kamar Wilcoxson de-commits from Florida

For a second time, Kamar Wilcoxson has taken a step back from his commitment to Florida.

For a second time, Kamar Wilcoxson has taken a step back from his commitment to Florida. The four-star athlete, a projected defensive back, originally pledged to the Gators in 2018 before de-committing in April 2019 only to re-commit three months later.

Wilcoxson is ranked the 12th overall ATH in the 2021 recruiting cycle and the state of Florida’s 31st-ranked prospect as per 247Sports.

Just this week, the Sunshine State standout told Sports Illustrated he was “solid in [his] commitment” to Dan Mullen, Todd Grantham and company. He’s since entertained Alabama and Ohio State fans’ tweets before officially announcing his intention to back off of Florida.

Though Ohio State is the current favorite to secure Wilcoxson’s services, the IMG Academy transfer originally from Lilburn, Georgia has been extended a scholarship offer from Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs. It’s one of the high schooler’s 30 total D1 offers.

The first of many came from a coach presently employed by Smart. Georgia faithful may be interested in knowing that current Dawgs’ secondary coach Charlton Warren held the same position in Gainesville at the time Wilcoxson initially committed to Florida.

With rapport in Athens and plenty of time before both December’s early signing period and February’s National Signing Day, expect Wilcoxson to make at a few trips to northeast Georgia.

Georgia football picks up commitment from in-state DE

Georgia’s 2021 recruiting class has new pledge.

Georgia’s 2021 recruiting class has new pledge. Four-star strongside defensive end Jonathan Johnson announced his commitment to the Bulldogs via Twitter.

The junior out of Douglasville’s Douglas County High School stands 6’4″ and weighs north of 250 pounds, making him a candidate to be an edge rusher or, with hypothetical gained weight, can easily transition to an interior defender if needed.

Recruiting analyst Barton Simmons of 247Sports recently appraised as a “big bodied defensive end that is a good candidate to kick down to an interior defender. Thick frame and not overly long.”

Jefferson told Rivals.com:

“I’m a Georgia boy, so UGA is the perfect fit for me.”

The addition of Jefferson gives the Dawgs their fourth pledge in the 2021 cycle, along with quarterback Brock Vandagriff, defensive back David Daniel, and defensive tackle Marlin Dean, all of whom are ‘Georgia boys’ as well.

Decade in review: How Georgia football performed against rivals

From the beginning of the 2010 to 2019, the Georgia Bulldogs posted over a .500 winning percentage against each of their rival programs.

We’ve reached the end of college football’s 2019 regular season. From the beginning of the 2010 regulation schedule to the culmination of the current year’s, the Georgia Bulldogs posted a .500 or better winning percentage against each of their rival programs.

The Dawgs won eight and lost two against in-state rival Georgia Tech, earning the past three Governor’s Cups in a row.

They went 8-3 vs. Auburn, including a victory in the 2017 SEC Championship Game, winning the past three meetings consecutively.

They posted a record of six wins and four losses vs. Florida, also winning three meetings in a row.

The Bulldogs went 8-2 in matchups against Tennessee, again with three successive wins.

Georgia’s worst rivalry record of the decade comes against South Carolina. The Bulldogs split 10 games against the Gamecocks, accumulating five wins and five losses.