University of Georgia Bulldogs Football at Sanford Stadium
The Dawgs play in Athens, Georgia at the Sanford Stadium, which opened in 1929. Privet bushes encircle the field, giving rise to the saying that, at Sanford, games are played "between the hedges." The mascot is perhaps the most recognizable in college football: Uga, pronounced "ugg-uh," the English bulldog with the spiked collar and jersey. Georgia's long-standing gameday traditions are warmly beloved, particularly the "Glory, Glory" solo, played just before kickoff. In a silent stadium, a lone trumpeter from the school's Redcoat Band sounds the first few notes of the "Battle Hymn" from the southwest corner of the upper deck, sending chills up many thousands of spines. If you're looking to tailgate, try Myers Quad, just south of Sanford Stadium. There's also tailgating in North Campus, next to downtown Athens' historic district. Festivities begin several hours before kickoff. Historically minded tailgaters can set up their tents on Herty Field, where UGA home football games were once played.
University of Georgia Bulldogs Football History
Georgia may not get the attention of its compatriots in the Southeastern Conference, but it's among college football's truly elite programs. Pop Warner, one of the fathers of modern football, coached there. Herschel Walker, one of the most exciting players the college game has ever seen, played there. Some great football has gone down over the years between the hedges of Sanford Stadium.
The Bulldogs' high point was almost certainly the three seasons of the Walker era, from 1980 to 1982. As a freshman in 1980, Walker began the season as the team's third-string running back. He quickly went supernova, scoring twice in a comeback victory over Tennessee in the season opener. By the end of the year, he'd racked up four 200-yard rushing games, and Georgia had gone undefeated and untied — the consensus national champion. (The Bulldogs also won the 1942 championship.) Over the next two seasons, Georgia, then coached by the legendary Vince Dooley, won 21 games and lost only three.
The Bulldogs have found similar success recently, winning the CFP National Championship game in back-to-back years during the 2021 & 2022 seasons.
