1: Georgia football defeated Notre Dame 23-17 in 2019
Georgia football has never lost to Notre Dame, so it was epic when the Irish came to Athens for the first time in history.
The Dawgs won 23-17, and while that isn’t the biggest victory, Georgia persevered and got a victory over a ranked opponent. There is a narrative that head coach Kirby Smart’s teams don’t play well in these games, but Georgia silenced that noise against the Irish.
Another top-10 showdown between two unbeaten teams and Notre Dame had confidence coming into it. However, Georgia wouldn’t lose this game in Athens, and the Dawgs played with a chip on their shoulder.
Jake Fromm went 20-of-26 for 187 yards and one touchdown in this game, and that lone score was huge as he connected with Lawrence Cager for a 15-yard pass in the fourth quarter to give them the lead and come out victorious. D’Andre Swift led the Dawgs with 18 carries for 98 yards and one score. Cager finished the game with five catches for 82 yards.
Notre Dame gave the Dawgs a tough fight, but Georgia had more depth, and it was the home field advantage that helped the defense get the job done.
This game was the loudest I’ve ever heard at Sanford Stadium. Like the 2007 Auburn game, the stands shook when the fans got loud. Not to mention, the university unveiled its new impeccable stadium lighting.
Being able to cut the lights, flicker them like a strobe light, and then turning that entire stadium red for the fourth quarter light-up Sanford moment was jaw-dropping.
The fans lost their marbles at that point too, and it showed Georgia football could produce an epic game atmosphere. That lighting the Dawgs put in place sets the tone for games, and it’s one of the best upgrades they made.
With Smart changing the game atmosphere, the sheer loudness, and a big win over Notre Dame to stay undefeated against them, it is the most epic home victory since the 2000 season.
Georgia football set a standard that night, and it’s one we all expect for home games now, and that is something the Dawgs needed to make the game day experience that much better.