2007 Georgia Bulldogs football team

NCAATeamFootballSeason
Year=2007
Team=Georgia Bulldogs


ImageSize=125
Conference=Southeastern Conference
Division=East
ShortConference=SEC
CoachRank=3
APRank=2
BCSRank=
Record=11-2
ConfRecord=6-2
HeadCoach=Mark Richt
OffCoach=Mike Bobo
DefCoach=Willie Martinez
OScheme=
DScheme=
StadiumArena=Sanford Stadium (92,746)
Champion=Co-SEC East Champion
BowlTourney= Sugar Bowl
BowlTourneyResult=W 41-10

The 2007 Georgia Bulldogs football team competed on behalf of the University of Georgia in American football against teams from other colleges and universities. The Bulldogs tied for first place in the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) but lost a tie-breaker with the University of Tennessee. The team finished its season by defeating the University of Hawaii Warriors in the 2008 Sugar Bowl. This was the Georgia Bulldogs' seventh season under the guidance of head coach Mark Richt.

Preseason

Two key players from the 2006 season, defensive end Charles Johnson and running back Danny Ware, decided to leave school early to enter the NFL draft. [*cite web | url=http://www.georgiadogs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=40673&SPID=3571&DB_OEM_ID=8800&ATCLID=736088| title=Juniors Charles Johnson, Danny Ware To Declare For NFL Draft | accessdate=2007-01-05| date =2007-01-01 | format=HTML | publisher=UGA Sports Communications| language=English] Another junior, defensive back Paul Oliver, considered a move to the NFL, but decided to return to the Bulldogs for his senior year. [*cite web | url=http://www.georgiadogs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=40673&SPID=3571&DB_OEM_ID=8800&ATCLID=741620| title=UGA Cornerback Paul Oliver Will Return for Senior Season | accessdate=2007-01-05| date =2007-01-03 | format=HTML | publisher=UGA Sports Communications| language=English] Despite coming back for his senior year, Paul Oliver became academically ineligible and decided to enter the supplemental draft. [*cite web | url=http://www.georgiadogs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=40673&SPID=3571&DB_OEM_ID=8800&ATCLID=897217| title=UGA Cornerback Paul Oliver Ineligible For '07 Season | accessdate=2007-01-05| date =2007-01-03 | format=HTML | publisher=UGA Sports Communications| language=English]

Rankings

chedule and results

Before the season, CNNSI.com ranked the 2007 UGA schedule the 14th hardest in the country.Steve Megargee, [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/ncaa/06/19/schedules.top25/index.html Top 25 toughest schedules] , SI.com/Rivals.com, June 21, 2007.] CFB Schedule Entry
date = September 1
time = 6:45 pm
w/l = w
nonconf = yes
homecoming =
rank = 13
opponent = Oklahoma State
opprank =
site_stadium = Sanford Stadium
site_cityst = Athens, GA
gamename =
tv = ESPN2
score = 35-14
overtime =CFB Schedule Entry
date = September 8
time = 5:45 pm
w/l = l
homecoming =
rank = 12
opponent = South Carolina
opprank =
site_stadium = Sanford Stadium
site_cityst = Athens, GA
gamename =
tv = ESPN2
score = 16-12
overtime =CFB Schedule Entry
date = September 15
time = 1:00 pm
w/l = w
nonconf = yes
homecoming =
rank = 25
opponent = Western Carolina
opprank =
site_stadium = Sanford Stadium
site_cityst = Athens, GA
gamename =
tv = CSS
score = 45-16
overtime =CFB Schedule Entry
date = September 22
time = 7:45 pm
w/l = w
away = yes
rank = 21
opponent = Alabama
opprank = 20
site_stadium = Bryant-Denny Stadium
site_cityst = Tuscaloosa, AL
gamename =
tv = ESPN
score = 26-23
overtime = OTCFB Schedule Entry
date = September 29
time = 1:00 pm [The Sept. 29 game against Mississippi at Sanford Stadium will kick off at 1 p.m. It is not being televised.|http://www.macon.com/166/story/139357.html]
w/l = w
homecoming =
rank = 16
opponent = Ole Miss
opprank =
site_stadium = Sanford Stadium
site_cityst = Athens, GA
gamename =
tv =
score = 45-17
overtime =CFB Schedule Entry
date = October 6
time = 3:30 pm
w/l = l
away = yes
rank = 11
opponent = Tennessee
opprank =
site_stadium = Neyland Stadium
site_cityst = Knoxville, TN
gamename =
tv = CBS
score = 35-14
overtime =CFB Schedule Entry
date = October 13
time = 6:00 pm
w/l = w
away = yes
rank = 23
opponent = Vanderbilt
opprank =
site_stadium = Vanderbilt Stadium
site_cityst = Nashville, TN
gamename =
tv = ESPN2 [ [http://www.georgiadogs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=40673&SPID=3571&DB_OEM_ID=8800&ATCLID=1253223 ESPN2 To Televise Georgia-Vanderbilt Football Game Oct. 13 - GeorgiaDogs.com—Official Athletic Site of the University of Georgia ] ]
score = 20-17
overtime =CFB Schedule Entry
date = October 27
time = 3:30 pm [ [http://www.sportsline.com/cbssports/schedules/page/collegefootball Schedules - CBSSports.com ] ]
w/l = w
away =
neutral = yes
rank = 19
opponent = Florida
opprank = 11
site_stadium = Jacksonville Municipal Stadium
site_cityst = Jacksonville, FL
gamename = The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party
tv = CBS [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/schedules?week=9&season=2&year=2007&groupId=80 ESPN - NCAA College Football Schedule, College Football Schedule, NCAA Football Schedule ] ]
score = 42-30
overtime =CFB Schedule Entry
date = November 3
time = 1:00 pm
w/l = w
homecoming = yes
nonconf = yes
rank = 10
opponent = Troy
opprank =
site_stadium = Sanford Stadium
site_cityst = Athens, GA
gamename =
tv =
score = 44-34
overtime =CFB Schedule Entry
date = November 10
time = 3:30 pm
w/l = w
rank = 10
opponent = Auburn
opprank = 17
site_stadium = Sanford Stadium
site_cityst = Athens, GA
gamename = Deep South's Oldest Rivalry
tv = CBS
score = 45-20
overtime =CFB Schedule Entry
date = November 17
time = 12:30 pm
w/l = w
homecoming =
rank = 9
opponent = Kentucky
opprank = 20
site_stadium = Sanford Stadium
site_cityst = Athens, GA
gamename =
tv = LFS
score = 24-13
overtime =CFB Schedule Entry
date = November 24
time = 3:30 pm
w/l = w
nonconf = yes
away = yes
rank = 7
opponent = Georgia Tech
opprank =
site_stadium = Bobby Dodd Stadium
site_cityst = Atlanta, GA
gamename = Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate
tv = ABC
score = 31-17
overtime =CFB Schedule Entry
date = January 1
time = 8:30 p.m.
w/l = w
nonconf = yes
homecoming =
away =
neutral = yes
rank = 4
opponent = Hawaiokinai
opprank = 10
site_stadium = Louisiana Superdome
site_cityst = New Orleans, LA
gamename = Sugar Bowl
tv = Fox
score = 41-10
overtime =

Game notes

Oklahoma State

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Oklahoma State
R1=7
R2=7
R3=0
R4=0
Home=#13 Georgia
H1=14
H2=7
H3=7
H4=7Sophomore quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 234 yards and two touchdowns as the Bulldogs cruised past the Cowboys from the Big XII in a much-hyped season opener. Georgia won its first game of the season for an 11th consecutive season.

outh Carolina

Linescore Amfootball
Road=South Carolina
R1=7
R2=3
R3=3
R4=3
Home=#12 Georgia
H1=0
H2=3
H3=3
H4=6The Gamecocks took a 7-0 lead on their first drive of the game and used stifling defense to hold off the Bulldogs the rest of the way. It was Georgia's first loss in the series since 2001, and the team's fifth consecutive loss to SEC East opponents, dating back to the 2006 season.

Western Carolina

Linescore Amfootball|K
Road=Western Carolina
R1=3
R2=6
R3=0
R4=7
Home=#25 Georgia
H1=3
H2=21
H3=14
H4=7After a slow start, the Dawgs exploded for 42 points in the final three quarters to bounce back with a win over the 1-AA Catamounts. Freshman running back Knowshon Moreno rushed for 94 yards on 13 carries.

Alabama

Linescore Amfootball
Road=#21 Georgia
R1=7
R2=3
R3=7
R4=3
R5=6
Home= #20 Alabama
H1=0
H2=3
H3=7
H4=10
H5=3In a virtual must-win situation, the Dawgs avoided an 0-2 start in SEC play by escaping Bryant-Denny Stadium with an overtime win. Matthew Stafford connected with senior wide receiver Mikey Henderson on the Bulldogs' first play from scrimmage in OT for the winning score.

Ole Miss

Linescore Amfootball
Road= Ole Miss
R1=7
R2=3
R3=7
R4=0
Home= #16 Georgia
H1=0
H2=17
H3=7
H4=21Running backs Thomas Brown and Knowshon Moreno combined for 270 yards rushing as the Bulldogs punished the hapless Rebels for their third consecutive win. In contrast to their current five-game losing streak against the SEC East, Georgia had now won five in a row against Western division opponents.

Tennessee

Linescore Amfootball
Road= #11 Georgia
R1=0
R2=0
R3=7
R4=7
Home= Tennessee
H1=7
H2=21
H3=7
H4=0Georgia suffered its worst loss since the 2003 Southeastern Conference championship, a 34-13 loss to LSU, and coach Mark Richt's first loss at Tennessee. The Bulldogs had barely won their last three games at Neyland, Tennessee's home stadium. Oh, and Moreno struggled greatly! [ [http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/recap;_ylt=AoJ2AZrwtU7naqfgcy58T7M5nYcB?gid=200710060071 NCAA Football - Georgia Bulldogs/Tennessee Volunteers Recap Saturday October 6, 2007 - Yahoo! Sports ] ]

Vanderbilt

Linescore Amfootball
Road= #23 Georgia
R1=7
R2=0
R3=7
R4=6
Home= Vanderbilt
H1=3
H2=14
H3=0
H4=0Senior kicker Brandon Coutu drilled a 37-yard field goal as time expired to give Georgia its second road win of the season, both coming on the game's final play. The Dawgs outscored Vanderbilt 13-0 in the second half to rally from a 17-7 halftime deficit.

Florida

Linescore Amfootball
Road= #11 Florida
R1=7
R2=10
R3=7
R4=6
Home= #19 Georgia
H1=14
H2=7
H3=7
H4=14Behind Knowshon Moreno's 188 yards (3 touchdowns) and Stafford's 223 yards passing (3 touchdowns), the Dawgs ended their hex against the rival Gators, who had won 15 of the last 17 games in the series. The game was also notable for a controversial end-zone celebration following Georgia's touchdown on their opening drive, in which the entire team rushed the field.

Troy

Linescore Amfootball
Road= Troy
R1=10
R2=0
R3=10
R4=14
Home= #10 Georgia
H1=7
H2=17
H3=10
H4=10Knowshon Moreno had another huge game, rushing for 196 yards and three touchdowns, as the Bulldogs avoided a post-Florida hangover with a 10-point win over the pesky Trojans from the Sun Belt.

Auburn

Linescore Amfootball
Road=#17 Auburn
R1=3
R2=7
R3=10
R4=0
Home=#10 Georgia
H1=10
H2=7
H3=14
H4=14Georgia had their way in The Deep South's Oldest Rivalry for the second consecutive year behind a balanced offensive attack, with 237 yards passing from Matthew Stafford and 180 combined yards on the ground. The Tigers allowed their most points in a game for the entire season to Georgia for the third straight year.

Kentucky

Linescore Amfootball
Road= #20 Kentucky
R1=10
R2=0
R3=3
R4=0
Home= #9 Georgia
H1=0
H2=7
H3=14
H4=3The Dawgs had to shake off the rust after falling behind 10-0 early and did just that by scoring 24 of the game's final 27 points to complete the SEC schedule at 6-2. Georgia ran their winning streak over the Wildcats in Athens to 15 games.

Georgia Tech

Linescore Amfootball
Road= #7 Georgia
R1=3
R2=13
R3=7
R4=8
Home= Georgia Tech
H1=0
H2=14
H3=0
H4=3Georgia tied a school-record with its seventh-consecutive win in the series of their rivals from Atlanta. Thomas Brown ran for 139 yards, unlike Moreno, who struggled severely. The Georgia defense allowed just 12 completions on 32 pass attempts by the Yellow Jackets.

Postseason

ugar Bowl

NCAAFootballSingleGameHeader
Name=2008 Sugar Bowl


Date=January 1, 2008
Year=2007
Visitor School=University of Hawaii at Manoa
Visitor Name Short=Hawaii
Visitor Nickname=Warriors
Visitor Record=12-1
Visitor

Visitor Coaches=10
Visitor BCS=10
Visitor Coach=June Jones
Visitor1=3
Visitor2=0
Visitor3=0
Visitor4=7
Visitor Total=
Home School=University of Georgia
Home Name Short=Georgia
Home Nickname=Bulldogs
Home Record=11-2
Home

Home Coaches=4
Home BCS=5
Home Coach=Mark Richt
Home1=14
Home2=10
Home3=14
Home4=3
Home Total=
Type=bg
Stadium=Louisiana Superdome
City=New Orleans, Louisiana
Odds=Georgia by 9.5 cite web |url=http://cfn.scout.com/2/711237.html |title=2008 Sugar Bowl - Georgia vs. Hawaii |author=Fiutak, Pete |accessdate=2008-01-02 |date=2007-12-27 |work=Scout.com]
MVP=Marcus Howard
Anthem=
Halftime=Both school bands, AllState Sugar Bowl Band
US Network=FOX
US Announcers=Thom Brennaman and Charles Davis cite web |url=http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=750671 |title=Rivals.com Bowl Viewer's Guide |author=Fox, David |accessdate=2007-12-17 |date=2007-12-13 |work=Rivals.com]

Georgia controlled both sides of the line of scrimmage and completely outmanned the undefeated Western Athletic Conference champs from the beginning of the game to the end. The Bulldogs' previously unheralded defensive end Marcus Howard dominated the Warrior offensive line and was named the game's Most Valuable Player. This is only the second time a Defensive player has been named MVP in the sugar bowl's history. The last time a defensive player was named MVP was in 1951, Walt Yowarsky, who played Tackle for Kentucky.

Source:cite web | url=http://uga.rivals.com/boxscore.asp?Game=26307| title=Rivals.com Game Summary| publisher=| language=English | format=HTML | accessdate=2007-01-05

Final Ranking

The Associated Press final poll lists the Bulldogs ranked 2^nd- the highest ranking since December 6, 1982 and the highest final season ranking since the National Championship year of 1980 [ [http://www.georgiadogs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=46724&SPID=3571&DB_OEM_ID=8800&ATCLID=827418 Poll History - GeorgiaDogs.com—Official Athletic Site of the University of Georgia ] ] . Buoyed by three first place votes, the Bulldogs barely outpaced the third ranked USC program. [ [http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/appoll.htm Usatoday.Com ] ] 2007 marks the eleventh consecutive final AP poll which the Bulldogs ranked in the top 25, the current longest active streak. The Bulldogs have been ranked 30 times in the final poll including 14 Top-10 and 9 Top-5 rankings.

The USAToday final poll lists the Bulldogs ranked 3rd - which ties the highest ranking ever in that poll (set in the final 2002 poll).

Post-Season All-Star Games

Players

Coaching staff

The 2007 Season is Coach Richt's seventh season at Georgia. Neil Callaway, Georgia's offensive coordinator from 2001 to 2006, left at the end of 2006 to become the head coach at University of Alabama at Birmingham. Richt named former UGA quarterback Mike Bobo as the new offensive coordinator. [cite web | url=http://www.georgiadogs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=40673&SPID=3571&DB_OEM_ID=8800&ATCLID=727566 | title=UGA QB Coach Mike Bobo Named Offensive Coordinator| accessdate=2007-01-05| date =2006-12-19 | format=HTML | publisher=UGA Sports Communications| language=English] Bobo took over play calling responsibilities during the Georgia Tech game as well as in the 2006 Chick-fil-A Bowl. Callaway also served as the offensive line coach. Stacy Searels, offensive line coach at LSU from 2003 to 2006, was named to the same position at Georgia to replace Callaway. [cite web | url=http://www.georgiadogs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=40673&SPID=3571&DB_OEM_ID=8800&ATCLID=742680 | title=LSU's Stacy Searels Named Offensive Line Coach At UGA| accessdate=2007-01-16| date =2007-01-06| format=HTML | publisher=UGA Sports Communications| language=English]

Related pages

*Georgia Bulldogs football
*Georgia Bulldogs football under Mark Richt
*Southeastern Conference
*University of Georgia

Footnotes

References

*cite web | url=http://www.georgiadogs.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=40678&SPID=3571&DB_OEM_ID=8800&KEY=&Q_SEASON=2007 | title=Football - 2007 Schedule| accessdate=2007-01-04| year =2006 | format=HTML | publisher=georgiadogs.com | language=English
*cite web | url=http://www.georgiadogs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=46724&SPID=3571&DB_OEM_ID=8800&ATCLID=528032 | title=Past and Present Assistant Coaches | accessdate=2007-01-04| year =2006 | format=HTML | publisher=georgiadogs.com | language=English