Dawgs and Chickens kick at 4:30pm on 9/7

Not big news. But now it's easier to plan that weekend's tailgate.

The Bulldogs’ showdown with South Carolina on Sept. 7 in Sanford Stadium will kick at 4:30 p.m and be shown nationally on ESPN.

The SEC announced the schedule for the first three weeks of the season.

Georgia’s season-opener at Clemson on Aug. 31 was previously announced for 8 p.m. on ABC.

The Bulldogs have the first of two open dates on Sept. 14. 

 And didn't the 2011 game kick at 4:00 or 4:30pm too?

Kolton Houston named to Lombardi Award watchlist

Hey. A Dawg can dream can't he? #freeKoltonHouston

........

July 10th, 2014

The Football Writers Association of America named Georgia tackle Kolton Houston to the Lombardi Award watchlist yesterday. The award is given annually to the nation's most outstanding lineman or linebacker. Last year Chris Burnette was named to the watchlist which also recognizes its winner for their discipline on and off the field. Georgia's only winner was David Pollack in 2003. Houston is one of nearly 100 players named for the 44 year old award which will begin narrowing the list down in November. The award will be presented in December by the Rotary Club of Houston.

(photo credit: Radi Nabulsi)

Just a year ago this would have seemed impossible. Houston was sitting in NCAA purgatory, waiting for his levels of norandrolone to meet acceptable levels. Norandrolone is a steroid that was put into Houston's body while in high school after shoulder surgery. The steroid has been trapped in his shoulder ever since, leading Huston to try numerous alternative treatments to rid himself of the steroid. Despite evidence that he was not continuing to use the drug and that it wasn't providing any unnatural benefit, the NCAA continued to force Houston to sit, even as his story gained national attention.

Just as it seemed the lineman from Buford GA would never be able to play college football, Georgia Strength and Conditioning coach Joe Tereshinski had an impromptu and private meeting with NCAA president Mark Emmert. The summit lasted an entire week and neither party has come forward with any details of the events that took place, other than to say that Emmert now has acceptable form for a squat. And that Mr. Houston's eligibility was restored, effective immediately.

After working into the rotation for the LSU game (and sealing the edge on the winning touchdown run by Keith Marshall), Houston really came on strong and bolstered Coach Friend's offensive line through numerous nagging injuries. Before the Florida game Houston was named the starter and celebrated the personal milestone by playing all 82 snaps and keeping Aaron Murray's jersey clean throughout. All in all it was more than enough to justify Houston and the Athletic Department's long fight for his eligibility. Fans, coaches and players alike were thrilled.

Georgia opens its season on August 30th in Athens against Clemson. It is expected that Kolton Houston, now a senior who's unique and tormented past is firmly in the rear view mirror, will start at right tackle. And Georgia fans wouldn't have it any other way.

Monday's Meatloaf - of hop pellets and a lead foot

Until yesterday my memory of homebrewing went a lot like this: walk into obscure mid-1990's brew supply store, walk past all the wine-making crap to the back corner, grab some ingredients according to a recipe I found on the internet in a book mom had given me for Christmas, get really excited, convert the kitchen into a sticky mess, listen to the wife complain about the smell while you smile uncontrollably at the thought of all that Miller Lite you're not going to have to drink now, finish the batch and laboriously bottle it all up, then come to the realization that although it's better than a Coors Banquet beer, it's still not close to what I had anticipated in the back corner of the mid-1990's brew supply store.

Rinse with sterilization solution and repeat.

Yes, until yesterday. Sunday July 14th the inaugural batch of Beaver Dawg Brew boiled to perfection. And while it did so, Nama, Cord and myself were able to drink really good beer...and talk about football...and grill meat...and drunkenly discuss the intricacies of the George Zimmerman case...and drink really good beer...and talk about the recipe Cord found on the internets...and eat grilled meats...and plan out the fermentation process.

I'm sorry your tailgate this fall won't be nearly as hoppy as ours Reader. But if you stumble by maybe we'll give you a taste. Cheers!

Today's Ingredients
- Another successful Dawg Night is in the books. And Dyshon Sims' commitment is the talk of the town.
- Speaking of Sims, Blutarsky recaps why Saban will have to use a cellular device to sell his one year plan to the St. Pete prospect.
- DavetheDawg evaluates the current class of commits and asks you what position would best round it out.
- Tyler has a theory as to why UGA is not preparing billboards touting Murray for Heisman. Have to say I agree. Individual attention is the last thing our quarterback wants. Or needs. All good things...

Not what Archie meant by "I twins right
formation" Johnny. Not at all.

- As Manziel was nursing his acute illness massive hangover this weekend, I couldn't help but wonder how his erratic behavior will affect the sports betting odds in A&M games this fall. Will people lose confidence in his ability to lead on the field?
- Confession: I didn't watch that shark movie y'all. But LSUFreek makes me wish I had.
- With Media Days looming this week, Paschall tells us the focus is not on the rear view.
- Hey look, I made the #NoleNationDraft!! (h/t Hale)
- Lastly, this was a great read by Weiszer on the current landscape for gay athletes, both at UGA and across the country.

Dear Officer Myers,

It was great meeting you along highway 64 a couple weeks ago. I apologize for arriving at your speed trap so hastily. The family was eager to get to the beach and the pressure was sitting squarely on my shoulders. Or the gas pedal under my right flip flop as the case may be.

We had a chance to meet so many nice people while in your neck of the woods. I wish you had the same opportunity. No, really I do.

There was the gentleman in the tank top using his knees to steer his Dodge Ram while he used his two thumbs to text his buddy. Undoubtedly it was something of vital importance, such as how much Coors Light he had consumed in the 7-11 parking lot. Or perhaps to ask which finger he'd blow off with an M-80 the next night during their Fourth of July celebration. I'm just glad we didn't allow our car to interfere with the weaving of his truck, and the trailer he was using to haul his jet skis. And his Coors Light. And his

Then there was the gal holding a cigarette with her left hand while scratching off her lottery tickets with her right. I'm no math major Officer Myers, but I believe that leaves her with less than one hands to steer her Expedition as she weaved in between cars. You would've loved to meet her...assuming you could've forced your vehicle up to a speed fast enough to catch up to her. Word of caution, watch out for flying butts. And used cigarettes.

Anyway. I hope my transgression didn't ruin your July 4th holiday. After you served me with my summons and we parted ways, suddenly my daughters were quite adept at shouting out the speed limit changes from the back seat. If they had only found the time to assist 30 minutes before you asked me to roll down my window we would've never met.

And I'd be a couple hundred dollars richer. Perhaps that nice lady could loan me some cash from her scratch off winnings.

Sincerely, 
Bernie, the guy in the UGA cap

Indoor practice facility...Richt don't need no stinking indoor practice facility!!

As the weather hampered the start of one of the most important recruiting events of the year, I had prepared to hear all manner of complaints about not having a dry place to retreat to.

Turns out, you can recruit without one of those things. How about that!

Friday Misery - FIFTY days to smell Howard's crotch

It happens once a summer. And no, I'm not talking about the neighborhood pool closing because some Baby Momma let her little turdling in the pool with a diaper full of completely processed strained peas and carrots. Because that happens three times each summer. Minimum. But at least her phone battery has never died while updating BookFace with selfies of her in her WalMart shades and a hat that could put Rhode Island in a full solar eclipse.

Thank God for that!

No, I'm talking about that moment when you get the feeling that college football is actually, certainly and irrevocably close. It's near. Not at the top of the driveway, but motoring around in an actual vicinity. You can smell it, taste it and feel it. You might even be able to hear it. But don't try and show off and say you can see it, because that's bullshit. We all know it.

Hey Coach Ford...that's not a tiger.

Yes, I'm close enough now that I can smell the Dabo infused false bravado from the IPTAYers. It's a mixed chorus of the following:

• WE BEAT LSSSSUU!
• I just saw Sammy Wakkins y'all! At the Bi-Lo!
• Cain't believe it was one of our own what broke that rock. One of our OWN Cletus!!
• I hate Georgia! They're south a here right?
• WE BEEEEAT LSSSSSUUUU!!
• We don stand no chance of beating Georgia. I'd bet my tractor on it.
• Shuddup y'all. It's a Danny Ford F-150 commercial....

I love em like family, honestly. But they wear orange and there's some things I just can't understand. But more on that in the coming fifty days.

How do we pass the time you ask? Well, you can start by ordering T Kyle King's new book about the series between Georgia and Clemson, Fighting like Cats and Dogs. I just printed off my form in less time than it took Butler's kick to travel the 60 yards to paydirt. This is a series that many newcomers don't understand to its full depth. These two teams have seen many great games. Including what may be one of the greatest games in the history of college football. I have it on good authority that this book is great for us old timers that have seen a fight or two at Sanford as well as Death Valley. But it's even better for younger fans that may need a few lessons to catch up before August 31st.

That last link will take you to a write up I did on the 1984 contest between the Dawgs and Tigers. It even includes a picture (courtesy of Ron...GATA!) of a somewhat heated exchange between Danny Ford and Vince Dooley as they met at midfield. I'll be adding plenty more about this series in the coming days. But in the mean time, here's some more links.

• Munson's memorable call from the 1984 game, "The stadium is worse than bonkers!!"
• Red Flags over Clempson
• GATA Pollack, a look back at the 30-0 drubbing in 2003
• Bubba n' Earl ask to renew the rivalry
• And, just for shits and giggles, Howard's Rock...vandalized...by a Chickenshit Tiger.

Go Dawgs y'all!

Dawg Night under the lights!

In February the talk, despite a successful class of talented athletes, was that Richt and his staff had missed out on some key recruits, particularly in the state of Georgia. As over 80 of the nation's top (rising senior) recruits descend on Athens this evening for the annual Dawg Night, Richt already has 12 commitments and eight of those are from Georgia.

Shakenneth Williams of Macon

The 2014 class only has room for 10 or so more players. Of course, a lot can happen before next February when a commitment becomes either a signature or a broken promise. But a lot could happen tonight as well. News could come in the form of a commitment, even from a younger 2015 prospect. Dallas Warmack, a junior offensive tackle of Atlanta, is said to be close to making a decision. So is defensive tackle Trenton Thompson of Albany. I'd be a little surprised if Richt didn't end the evening with these two talented big guys on his side of the ledger.

Most eyes will be on the 80 or so 2014 prospects though. And Lorenzo Carter of Norcross is arguably the biggest. He's a lean for Muschamp and the Gators. So you can bet Grantham will be in the ear of this five star defensive end. The staff certainly doesn't want to let yet another talented in state prospect like Carter slip away over one of Georgia's borders. Especially from Norcross after losing out to Alvin Kamara on Signing Day in February.

Another star to watch will be a wide receiver out of Macon, Shakenneth Williams. He's very proud of his offer from Richt, which he received last month. He too could be waiting for the lights at Sanford Stadium to make things official. After all, he said it was the one offer he was hoping to get.

But the real news for Georgia fans continues to be the event itself. Dawg Night has become one of the nation's premier prospect camps and usually gathers some headlines with the number of recruits that make the trip (this year it looks like 300 players will attend, mostly from the state of Georgia) and from the commitments it garners.

Richt is certainly pleased with the event's growth. Hopefully he and his staff are smiling even wider later tonight.

Georgia's secondary full of questions

Aschoff has been ranking each team by position in the SEC, and the Dawgs' secondary come in the lower half. It's a ranking based on two things: who's gone and the youth that is left. Still, there's no questioning the raw talent.

8. Georgia: The Bulldogs lost a ton of production here, but defensive coordinator Todd Grantham is excited by the talent his youngsters have, especially safety Tray Matthews, who might already be one of the top players at his position in the SEC. He covers a lot of ground, has great instincts and hits with the best of them. There's "old man" Damian Swann, who excelled as both a nickel and boundary corner last year. He's now the guy at corner. Sophomore "Star" Josh Harvey-Clemons might be the most talented player in the secondary and he'll work at both safety and linebacker in certain packages. Sophomore Sheldon Dawson left spring as the other starting corner, and the coaches are excited about his potential, while talented early enrollee Reggie Wilkerson will miss the season after suffering an ACL injury. Sophomore Devin Bowman should help at corner, along with true freshman Shaq Wiggins, a former ESPN 150 member. 

All in all it's a group that will be thrown into the fire August 31st. And I think Aschoff for providing the kind of commentary I would prefer our defense read this off season.

DawgNation draft analysis

So the guys at ESPN did a draft for the all-time Dawgs. There's a sneak peak at the first couple rounds below. I think you need to be a subscriber to see the rest. But I'm declaring Schlabach the winner, getting Walker, Champ, Pollack, and Greene in the 4th.p
Studs.

"Juggling" Murray and Mason

Emerson has some suggestions for Richt's staff as we near the August heat and preparation for the season opener. Some of it is easy stuff like situational kicking/going for it in lieu of Marshall Morgan's expected absence. There's also a valid point made about how to handle the safety position while Harvey-Clemons sits.

But this hits even closer to home.

3. Don’t force Hutson Mason into games

Mark Richt has said Mason has earned the right to play, but has also said it won’t be a David Greene-D.J. Shockley arrangement. Good. What’s the happy medium? Not to be callous, but it shouldn’t keep Richt up at night. Aaron Murray has proven his worth and there’s no reason to mess with an offense that works. Mason, by virtue of his willingness to take the redshirt, has put himself in line to be the unquestioned starter as a senior. He’s also the unquestioned first guy in if something happens to Murray. That should be enough, and Georgia isn’t under any obligation to give him anything more.

That last sentence is on the money. Will be interesting to see if Richt feels the same way and does less juggling than he did with Greene-Shockley and more managing.

Coach Richt has lost control of Toby Johnson's back flips

We are certain to see a leaner, more agile defensive front this season. And this video Shaq Wiggins posted to Instagram last night proves it - CLICK HERE. 


On the one hand, watching that makes me even more eager to see what this less obese and more athletic front can do this fall. On the other hand, I'd rather not see potential starters like Johnson and Jay Rome doing acrobatics. Surely Jimmy Williamson and his band of merry men have some law against this sort of thing. I mean, they weren't even wearing shirts.