Georgia football countdown to kickoff: 46 days to go

The 2018 Georgia football season begins in 46 days.

Over 70 years, Georgia football had one of the best teams in the history of college football. In 1946, the Dawgs went 11-0. and won the SEC Championship. Along the way, Georgia defeated four ranked teams and a defending National Champion.

But the team is often forgotten about when mentioning the greatest in the sport’s history. That’s because a tie between Army and Notre Dame meant they split the consensus National Championship. Despite being the only major conference team with a perfect record, only one poll awarded Georgia with the 1946 National Championship.

The 1946 team featured another great Wally Butts passing attack. Sophomore John Rauch completed 49 of his 93 passes for 797 yards with 14 touchdowns and only four interceptions. Maxwell Award winner Charley Trippi added 692 yards on 42-of-78 passes with six touchdowns and only two interceptions. Trippi also rushed for a team leading 800 yards and nine touchdowns. He added 120 receiving yards with four touchdowns as well. His totals for 1946 were 1,612 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Other stars from the 1946 team were:

• John Donaldson: 331 rushing yards, 187 receiving yards, nine touchdowns.
• Eli Maricich: 403 yards of total offense with four touchdowns.
• Charles Smith: 311 rushing yards, 86 receiving yards, six touchdowns.

On defense, Georgia smothered opponents. Teams playing Georgia averaged just 113 passing yards a game and completed less than a third of their passes. The running game wasn’t any better at 128.2 yards per game and three yards per carry.

Next: Georgia, Auburn and the college football Mecca of Atlanta

In 46 days, that is success that Georgia football hopes to replicate again. The style of play is much different. The Dawgs might not have a superstar like Trippi in 2018. But They do have a stellar team capable of winning the SEC Championship and a National Championship. The 1946 team was in the middle of an SEC Championship dynasty. Hopefully, the 2018 Dawgs can help start a new one.