Advertisement

Georgia Football: nine-game winning streak in opening games on the line Saturday

Max Tolbert
Max Tolbert

Dawn of the Dawg

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)

Did you know the last time Georgia football lost an opening game was against Clemson in 2013? The Dawgs currently have a nine-game winning streak in opening games. Furthermore, the Dawgs have a 17-game winning streak that they are looking to make 18 straight this Saturday.

I am unsure if that is the longest winning streak for opening games, but it is impressive. Even more impressive is that Georgia has not lost a home opener since 1996, when they were upset by Southern Mississippi. Times have changed since then for Georgia football. Many readers probably remember the dark decade of the ’90s regarding Georgia football. All I have to say is, thank goodness I never had to live that.

Georgia has won 17 week-one home games in a row since 1997. Some of those teams are FCS or lower-level groups of five teams. But, there have been some big-name teams that have rolled into Athens week one and lost. Clemson has done it twice and lost both times; Oklahoma State and Bosie State have lost in Athens week one. When you look through the streak, it is a fairly impressive feat that the Dawgs have pulled off.

Also, this will be Georgia football’s first week one home game since 2018. That’s five seasons without a week one home opener. Five seasons? 2018 feels like last year! I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but when I counted on my fingers how many years ago 2018 was, I could not believe it!

Anyway, the streak should continue for at least another year. The Dawgs should go on to win 18 in a row, 10 week-one games in a row, and winning 18 week-one home openers in a row. When they say these are the glory years of Georgia football, they aren’t lying!  The record of winning 18 week-one home openers in a row should not be in jeopardy until 2026. The Dawgs in 2024 open with Clemson in Atlanta, and in 2025 open with UCLA in the Rose Bowl. It’s nice not having to sweat out a record for another two years. I’m sure we, as a fan base, will be sweating out other streaks in the near future.

How to Watch Georgia vs. UT-Martin

  • Date: Sept. 2. 2023

  • Game time: 6:00 pm EST

  • TV:  SECNetwork+

  • Location: Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium

  • Live stream on fuboTV

Max Tolbert

Max Tolbert

I recently graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism. As a third-generation university graduate, being a Dawg runs deep in my veins. Growing up, my love for sports was undeniable. Whether it was watching games or getting involved in playing them, sports have always been a significant part of my life. As a lifelong Dawg fan, I've experienced the pain and misery of the most heartbreaking ways to lose. Thats all we knew till 2021; heartbreak. I currently live in the shadow of the iconic Sanford Stadium. With my wife and adorable newborn baby.