Georgia Football: Bulldogs Gator Bowl Bound
By Danny Bishop
The Georgia Bulldogs will meet Nebraska in the TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl at noon on New Year’s Day in Jacksonville.
The two teams met in the Capitol One Bowl last January with the Dawgs winning 45-31. Aaron Murray threw five touchdown passes in the game that ended up being his final bowl appearance for the Bulldogs.
Georgia enters the game with an 8-4 record following a dramatic overtime win over Georgia Tech.
“I couldn’t be more excited for our team and especially our seniors with the opportunity to play in the TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl which has long been one of the premier games on January 1st,” said coach Mark Richt. “It will be an opportunity to return to the city we visit briefly each Fall but this time it will be a completely new opportunity to spend time and enjoy the attractions of a dynamic southern city. We’re also looking forward to the challenge of playing a quality opponent with the rich tradition of Nebraska. They’ve had an outstanding season and I’m sure will bring their best to Jacksonville.”
Nebraska is 8-4 after losing two of their final three games, both at home against Michigan State and Iowa. Nebraska has not beaten a ranked team this season.
The game will be televised on ESPN2.
The Bulldogs have made three previous trips to the Gator Bowl. Georgia and Maryland tied, 20-20, in the January 1st, 1948 game; The ‘Dogs defeated North Carolina, 7-3, in the December 31st, 1971 Gator Bowl; and Georgia defeated Michigan State, 34-27, in the January 1st, 1989, game. The win over Michigan State was the final game coached by Vince Dooley.
The Dawgs will be making their 49th appearance in a bowl game. Georgia currently has a 27-18-3 record in bowls. This will be the Bulldogs’ 13th straight bowl appearance under Coach Mark Richt and 17th consecutive overall.
Members of The Georgia Bulldog Club will receive the number of tickets to the bowl they requested during the pre-order process with Hartman Fund contributors receiving priority on ticket assignment based on their cumulative score. Members of The Georgia Bulldog Club who have not yet placed an order to TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl may order tickets at this time, however they will not be assigned based on priority but in the order which they are received.
All tickets will be shipped via US Postal Service Priority Mail the week of December 16th.