Georgia football: Top five games played at Sanford Field (1911-1928)

Here is part two of the best games played at each of the home stadiums of Georgia football. This one’s for the original Sanford Field.

In 1911, Georgia football left the cozy confines of Herty Field for the wide open and more spectator friendly Sanford Field. This move changed Georgia football forever because the grandstands and location away from the center of campus attracted more than just students to the games.

Football games were now more than just a campus function, they were high-class entertainment in the city of Athens. The stadium wasn’t as glamorous as others, a fact that led to its demise in 1928. But it hosted many great Georgia football teams, including a SIAA and a National Champion. It also hosted many great games. Here’s a list of the five best games on old Sanford Field.

5. 1928 vs. Tulane

The highest scoring game on our countdown came on October 27, 1928 when the Tulane Green Wave traveled to Athens. Georgia opened the day with a quick score following a 40-yard run by Harvey Hill, who later passed the ball to Herb Maffett for a touchdown on Georgia’s next possession to give the Bulldogs a 14-0 lead.

Tulane scored on a pass of their own late in the second quarter to cut the lead to 14-7 at halftime. The Greenies received the ball to start the second half, but they fumbled and Maffett picked it up and ran the ball in for a touchdown to extend the lead to 20-7.

But Tulane answered with a big drive and an end-around that put them down just 20-14. Georgia’s defense stepped up after that to preserve the victory.

The close win over Tulane ended up being the last great victory seen on Sanford Field. Georgia’s last home game of the year was a 13-12 loss to LSU. The Bulldogs played one game on Sanford Field in 1929, a loss to Oglethorpe in the season opener. Sanford Stadium opened a week later with Georgia upsetting Yale.