Dawn of the Dawg
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Georgia football throwback: Three of the best matchups against Kentucky

By Payton Wilkerson

ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 16: Brock Bowers #19 tries to evade a tackle by Yusuf Corker #29 during a game between Kentucky Wildcats and Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on October 16, 2021 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Steven Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 16: Brock Bowers #19 tries to evade a tackle by Yusuf Corker #29 during a game between Kentucky Wildcats and Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on October 16, 2021 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Steven Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /
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UGA football
Oct. 27, 1997: Quarterback Mike Bobo (Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons /A) /

1997: No. 18 Georgia football 23, Kentucky 13

The 1990s were not always kind to Georgia football, but it did feature some great seasons and legendary players. 1997 was a notable example of this, as this roster featured several future NFL stars, Georgia coaches, and a pair of Pro Football Hall of Famers.

Notable names on this team included Champ Bailey, Richard Seymour, Hines Ward, Kirby Smart, Mike Bobo, Robert Edwards, and Matt Stinchcomb. Under second-year head coach Jim Donnan, these Bulldogs were looking to make some noise in the SEC.

The Dawgs started the season with a 4-0 record before getting blown out by Tennessee in Knoxville. Entering their game against Kentucky, Georgia was 5-1.

Kentucky, meanwhile, was entering 1997 with Hal Mumme as their new head coach. Mumme had previously served as the head coach of Valdosta State, and he had the task of developing sophomore quarterback Tim Couch. Couch would later become the No. 1 overall pick by the Cleveland Browns in the 1999 NFL Draft.

The Georgia running game would define this game in Athens. Running back Robert Edwards rushed for 186 yards and two touchdowns. The Bulldog defense picked off three Tim Couch passes. Two of those interceptions were by Kirby Smart, and Ronald Bailey, the brother of Champ and Boss, had a pick-six on the other.

The most memorable moment of the game came in the first quarter when a dog ran onto the field. This delayed the game for a few minutes as players, coaches, and cheerleaders tried to catch him. Larry Munson actually provided commentary throughout the entire ordeal.

Funny enough, the dog belonged to current ESPN college football analyst Mark Schlabach. At the time, Schlabach was covering the game for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and was living in Athens. Somehow, his dog had gotten loose and ended up in Sanford Stadium. You can check out his account of the humorous incident here.

With their 23-13 victory over the Wildcats, the Dawgs improv the year. They went on to beat Florida for the first time since 1989 the following week. Overall, the Dawgs would finish 10-2 with a win over Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl.

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