(Author’s Note: It has been a busy week for me, so I am only just posting this, and I apologize for the delay. Last Saturday, when I was in Athens for the homecoming game, I was able to put my immense blogger street cred to good use by scoring an exclusive postgame interview with the Georgia Bulldogs’ new mascot, Uga VIII. Unfortunately, it took me several days to transcribe the tape, but I believe the result is worth the wait. Here now, without further ado, is the exclusive Dawg Sports interview with Uga VIII.)

Dawg Sports: It’s been a whirlwind year here in Bulldog Nation, what with Uga VII’s passing, Russ’s service as interim mascot, and all the turmoil surrounding the Georgia athletics program. Now that you are on the job, what should we expect to see from your administration, and what steps will you take to reverse our decline?

Uga VIII: Woof. Woof woof. Woof, bark, woof woof woof. Sniff.

Dawg Sports: Well said. If I may follow up, though, are you at all concerned that such an approach would risk a backlash from rival programs?

Uga VIII: Bark, bark bark bark. Woof bark, bark woof, woof? Woof woof, woof woof bark. Bark, bark woof, bark woof!

Dawg Sports: All right, fair enough. Tell us a little about the dog behind the sweater. When the collar comes off, and Uga is off duty, what is Big Bad Bruce like during his down time?

Uga VIII: Woof bark, bark bark woof bark bark; bark bark, woof woof bark woof bark. Sniff. Woof.

Dawg Sports: Finally, tell me a little bit about your game day experience. What’s it like to be Uga on the field in Sanford Stadium?

Uga VIII: Bark bark bark woof. Pant, pant. Slobber, lick. Snore.

My thanks go out to Uga VIII for taking the time to speak with me.

Go ‘Dawgs!