Sunday Morning ‘Dawg Bites Wants to Feel It Again

Welcome to Sunday, Bulldog fans! It’s like Saturday, except it isn’t and your spouse may or may not be elbowing you in the ribs because you’re reading this instead of paying attention to your pastor on Zoom. That’s between you and the one above.

Yesterday was Saturday, and there was college football being played. South Alabama beat Southern Miss, UAB beat Central Arkansas, North Texas beat Houston Baptist (which is Baylor-lite), and Arkansas State was tied late in a tough one with Memphis. There were no packed stadiums, there was no pageantry with halftime bands on the field, there was little to no grandstanding for the home fans, but there was the feeling. The feeling of college football. In the fall. Helmet on helmet, pads on pads, zebras scared to make calls or scared not to call, 18 year-olds doing wondrous things and boneheaded things alike (God Bless ‘em both). It was the feeling again. I thought that this heart would never mend, to feel it again I know it is the living end.

Now on to news and notes of the Georgia Bulldog variety:

The 800 lb. pandemic in the room is the COVID-19 virus. And after all the good feels of seeing college football on Saturday TV, don’t forget that it can hit you in a second and hit hard. The University of Tennessee canceled a planned scrimmage due to lack of players. Auburn has already had to cancel practices last week due to positive testing of its players. You’re forgiven if you didn’t realize that we play Auburn Week 2, and Tennessee Week 3. This is something to watch.

Head Coach Kirby Smart is very aware of the tenuous nature of the virus and player availability:

Fingers crossed for everyone out there. The vast majority of folks are doing the right thing and following prescribed protocols. But any weak link can be exploited by this contagious virus, and schools are quick to take action to prevent further spread, or worse, exposing those who are at risk.

Newly enrolled, or something, graduate transfer QB Jamie Newman opted not to play the 2020 season due to the coronavirus. During Saturday’s presser, Kirby Smart added a tiny bit of context to the decision and Georgia’s position. Spoiler alert: Coach Smart said the smart things, and there’s nothing really revealing here. Let’s move on.

40 years ago I was practicing Mitey-Mite football and deathly afraid as I was given play-calling duties by my coach. My black jersey (Falcons) with red lettering was more closely associated with Georgia Football red jerseys than the Bartkowski-led NFL franchise. I threw about as much as Buck Belue in 1980, yet I had no Herschel Walker to toss sweep to. We were meh as a team, but 40 years ago the Georgia Bulldogs were something special. The UGAA is celebrating this anniversary by providing special content on a week by week basis. Watching old “Vince Dooley Show” episodes should be worth the price of admission.

More good news is the amount of community involvement our Georgia Football program continues to have. Mark Richt did several special things, and Kirby Smart is keeping up the momentum. A limited search didn’t turn up more, but this tweet, if true, is a Bulldog Point of Pride:

You want more good news? Ring that bell. 2017 UGA grad and Georgia Womens’ Golf alumna Harang Lee won her first professional tournament in Spain.

Speaking of golf, you’re aware that Atlanta is hosting the season-ending PGA Tour Championship, and 3 former Bulldogs make up 10% of the field. I feel this needs some context and nuance. Kevin Kisner, if you please:

I’m sure there’s more, but I’m posting this Saturday night after a long day away from the interwebs and even the TV. Forgive me, fellow ‘Dawg Fans, but feel free to sound off in the comments below and pass along what I may have missed. And as always...

GO ‘DAWGS!!!