The Red and Black

Issue date: 8/29/08 Section: First & Goal

Media Credit: FILE Uga VI, shown here in a file photo, passed away June 27 in his home in Savannah. He was the winningest Uga in Georgia history. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: FILE Uga VI died prematurely before he could retire and pass along his duties as mascot during the "passing of the bone." [Click to enlarge]

Come Saturday, a new member of the Uga bloodline will be christened in front of his first crowd of 92,000 screaming fans and begin his pursuit of the excellence that his predecessor, the winningest Uga ever, embodied so well.

Uga VII will make his first appearance between the hedges and officially become the newest piece of the Bulldog nation.

With the first pictures of the chosen one scheduled to be released today, the anticipation of just who this bulldog will be will wane before reaching a climax at Saturday's kickoff.

It's been a process long in the making.

"When we found out (Uga VI) passed, we were shocked because it's not something you think about, it's not something you think would happen, especially not when you're here," wide receiver Michael Moore said.

The passing of an Uga legend hasn't stopped the optimism and anticipation for Uga VII, however.

"(Quarterback Matthew Stafford) said something about it," wide receiver Kris Durham said. "We were sitting at home and he was like 'man, Uga VI died, aw man. But you know what? It's going to be Uga VII.' I was like 'Come on.'"

And whether you wear No. 7 for Georgia like Stafford or not, that's where the mourning ends and the fun begins.

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Like everyone else, Georgia players don't quite know what to expect from the newest Uga.

"You never know, this Uga might be a little crazy, he might be aggressive," defensive tackle Jeff Owens said laughing. "You never know, he might be going after everybody, fans and everything."

That might be a little extreme, but, when asked, other players weren't afraid to offer what they would look for in a Bulldog mascot.

"I'd probably get the biggest one. The biggest, ugliest, meanest one. I'm not going for the pretty one," Moore said.

"I'd go for the sleek, fit Bulldog. Because, you know, that's my style," said freshman kicker Blair Walsh.

As far as names go, those asked each had something a little different in mind:

Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo: "'Win 'em all Uga.' Or 'Good Luck Uga.'"

Defensive end Roderick Battle: "Oh man. That's a tough question. Can't think of anything … hopefully 'Crystal Ball Uga.' That'd be cool. 'Uga that won a lot of championships.'"

Durham: "I don't know. I'd probably name him something after (Larry) Munson."

Moore: "I don't know. I really don't know. Everything's so new around here, so I guess it'd be 'The New Georgia' or something like that. 'The New Uga.' Because everything around here is just so different now that we got the preseason No. 1 … Everything's kind of changed around here, the pressure's a little higher, everyone's more aware of what's going on now.

Walsh: "Oh man. If I could give this one a nickname … I'm gonna go with 'Showtime.' Showtime with this one. Because that's what it's time for us to do. Show what we are. 'Showtime' on this one."

Owens: "I wanted to name it Juju just because it's like Uga, it's something unique. Uga is unique. Uga? What does Uga stand for? What does Juju stand for? I'll just tell you it's my initials."

Whether Owens knew it or not, one dictionary defines "juju" as "a charm or amulet with special powers." And that may be just what Georgia needs.

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