2008 Woodie Awards
Last two matchups against Vols 'freaky'
TYLER ESTEP
Issue date: 10/10/08 Section: First & Goal
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Last year in Knoxville, Tennessee jumped out to a 28-0 halftime lead over Georgia, going on to win 35-14.
The year before that, it was the second half that spelled doom for the Bulldogs, with the Vols scoring 37 to get the 51-33 win.
And last week, it was Alabama's turn to dominate a half against Georgia. The Crimson Tide jumped out to a 31-0 lead in the first 30 minutes of play.
Three years, three halves and three losses. In many ways, when 2-3 Tennessee comes to Athens Saturday, it will have to be a redemption game for the 10th-ranked Bulldogs.
"I think it's a big game, period," said senior defensive back Asher Allen. "Just because we realize it's an SEC East game and also just understanding that we're always going to get their best. I've been here the two years that we've lost, the last two years that we've played them. They've put up some points."
And that they have. The Volunteers have tallied 86 points against Georgia in their last two matchups. That's almost twice the 47 that the Bulldogs, favored in both games, have managed.
"The second half in '06, it was kind of, I don't want to say freaky, but the way we went into halftime, we were up by a lot and I guess we just relaxed," said linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, who won't see action Saturday after spraining an MCL against Alabama.
"And last year it's like we never started. We're looking at those two years and we don't want to have the same outcome."
"They definitely bring their A-game," said senior receiver Mohamed Massaquoi. "Without a shadow of a doubt they bring their A-game and come ready to play. They have a mental edge."
Massaquoi was quick to clarify that he didn't mean "edge" in the sense of an advantage, but more in the sense of a strong mental focus. But what does that really say about Tennessee-a team with a losing record that struggled to beat Northern Illinois last weekend and is sitting at the bottom of the SEC, but has managed to embarrass Georgia, regarded as one of the best programs in the country, two years in a row?
"There's definitely no chance we're going to overlook Tennessee," linebacker Rennie Curran said.
"We know where they stand (record-wise), but we know what kind of team they are and we know how they feel about us and our whole entire program. There's no question that they don't like us and they're going to bring their A-game."
Curran tallied seven tackles in the '07 edition of Georgia-Tennessee, helping him earn his first start against Florida two games later.
That game featured a first-quarter end zone celebration and the season turnaround Georgia was looking for. The Bulldogs didn't lose another game.
As far as an '08 turnaround goes, this week will have to mark the beginning.
"I believe that we've got a bright future ahead of us," coach Mark Richt said. "This game is huge as far as how our season is going to be remembered."
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