Here's to "New" Beginnings

With the appearances made by Virginia-transfer Greyson Lambert and UAB-transfer Jake Ganus last Saturday, a historical milestone was reached in UGA football history. 

Lambert became only the second Bulldog starting quarterback in history who had previously played at another Division I program, and the first to throw a touchdown. Ganus, who is the first Georgia player to have transferred from a defunct program since Terrell Davis left Long Beach State for Athens following the 1991 season, started Saturday at one of the inside linebacker positions.

So, when was the last time the Bulldogs had two transfers arrive from other programs the same year while making immediate impact like Ganus and Lambert? 

Never—nothing even close has ever occurred in the annals of UGA football.  

A little more than four years ago, I posted Georgia's All-Time Transfers, or one-time Bulldogs who left the program for other schools. On the contrary, in the spirit of new beginnings for Ganus and Lambert, here's the Bulldogs' All-Time Arrivals team (11 position players + a kicker + some reserves + a pair of ironic honorable mentions, while excluding players from JUCOs, prep schools, and those pre-WWI players who played football at UGA while attending, say, law school after being an undergrad somewhere else):

Back- STEVE ROGERS (1977): Hailing from Jacksonville, Fla., Rogers transferred to UGA following a freshman season at the Naval Academy in 1975. As a reserve for the Midshipmen, the dual-threat quarterback was responsible for a couple of touchdowns, and was even the team's primary kick returner in the Army-Navy game—"the greatest experience of my life," according to Rogers after his transfer. Following a couple of unfortunate scrapes with the law while sitting out a season in Athens, Rogers was tangled in a quarterback competition in 1977 even more complicated than the Bulldogs' three-way race in 2015.









Rogers is one of the few Georgia players who had a newspaper article dedicated to him written by the late, great Lewis Grizzard—"The Legend of Steve Alan Rogers," which forecasted him being named the Bulldogs' starting quarterback a little over a week prior to the start of the season. In the end, Rogers was the team's second-stringer, but made starts against Alabama and Auburn before ending the '77 campaign sidelined with an injury. After a move to defensive back, Rogers returned to Coach Dooley's doghouse after another disciplinary issue, and was dismissed from the program. 
• Reserve Back: safety Chip Miller (Appalachian State '71-'73, Georgia '74-'75)

Back- TERRELL DAVIS (1992-1994): Prior to the 49ers dropping football, Davis rushed for 262 yards in just five games as a freshman at LBSU in 1991. For three years at Georgia, despite playing behind Garrison Hearst for a season, at times being injured, and perhaps underused, Davis rushed for 1,657 yards, averaged 5.2 yards per carry, had five 100-yard rushing games, caught 46 passes, and scored 18 touchdowns. A mere seven-season NFL career which is borderline Pro Football Hall of Fame-worthy, Davis' 7,607 rushing yards for an NFL career by a former Bulldog is second only behind Herschel Walker; his three AP first-team All-NFL selections is tied for the most with Champ Bailey and Richard Seymour.
• Reserve Back: tailback Olandis Gary (Marshall '94-'95, Georgia '97-'98)

Back- VERRON HAYNES (1999-2001): Arriving from the Bronx, Haynes rushed for over 300 yards at Western Kentucky as a true freshman in 1997. After transferring to Georgia and sitting out the '98 season, the fullback seldom carried the ball, but instead blocked for those that did, during the final two years of the Coach Donnan era. However, with the start of the Coach Richt regime, Haynes' role in the offense increased to where he averaged 163 rushing yards per game as the 2001 team's starting tailback the final four contests of the season. As a senior, including Georgia's bowl appearance, Haynes rushed for a team-high 823 yards, caught 20 passes and scored 10 touchdowns, including the historical "Hobnail Boot" reception, upsetting Tennessee in Knoxville.

Back- MARK VINCENT (1987): When the SMU football program was dealt the "death penalty" by the NCAA in 1986, about 50 Mustangs on scholarship found new homes, including Vincent and Shelly Anderson (see below) at Georgia. Vincent, a Texas native and two-year starter at cornerback for SMU, immediately made an impact in 1987 as a standout in the Bulldogs' secondary. In what would be his lone season at Georgia, Vincent intercepted three passes in his first five games (after intercepting just one pass in three seasons at SMU), and was honored as a member of the defense's distinguished "Junkyard Dog Club" by the fourth game of the year. Starting every game for the Bulldogs at right cornerback, Vincent finished his senior campaign with 59 tackles, including three for loss, and four PBUs. 

Notably, while transitioning from SMU to UGA in early August of 1987, Vincent said, "I'm still 100 percent SMU, but I had to find a new place to play until things get settled down [at SMU]. ... I plan on going down there [after one year at UGA] and helping get the [football] program back on its feet the right way." Only two months later, Vincent had already experienced a "slight" change of heart, demonstrating that attending the University of Georgia sure does seem to have an effect on people: "...my No. 1 choice for law school is Georgia. I love it here. I don't even think about SMU now. It's gone better than anything I could have expected. I wish I would have been here the whole time."

• Reserve Back: cornerback Dale Williams (The Citadel '77, Georgia '79-'81)

Receiver- JIMMY ORR (1955-1957): Orr started off at Wake Forest before transferring to Clemson to play basketball, In the spring of 1955, the speedster from Seneca, S.C. decided he wanted to play football, so he transferred again—this time, to Georgia. In three seasons as a Bulldog, despite playing halfback (and catching just 42 career passes for 701 yards and 5 touchdowns), Orr remarkably led the SEC in receiving as both a sophomore and senior. From 1955-1957, he also rushed for nearly 300 yards, averaged more than 22 yards per kickoff return and 18 yards per punt return (and a touchdown), intercepted a pass on defense, and averaged more than 37 yards per punt on 75 career kicks. 

The 291st pick of the 1957 NFL Draft, Orr was the 1958 NFL Rookie of the Year as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and one of Johnny Unitas' favorite targets as a standout end for the Baltimore Colts during the 1960s. Orr was essentially tops in all career receiving marks for an NFL career by a former Bulldog before being surpassed by Hines Ward.

End- BEN WATSON (2001-2003): Watson transferred to Georgia after catching 8 passes for 93 yards and a touchdown for Duke in 1999. As a member of Coach Richt's first three Bulldog teams, the Rock Hill, S.C. native made a combined 65 receptions for 852 yards and 6 touchdowns. After earning All-SEC honors as a senior in 2003, Watson was a first-round selection of the New England Patriots. Appearing in his 12th year in the league, and the third with the New Orleans Saints, Watson enters the 2015 season with the fifth-most catches (360) and fifth-most  touchdown receptions (32) in an NFL career by a former Bulldog.

• Reserve End: tight end Jermaine Wiggins (Marshall '94-'95, Georgia '97-'98)

Lineman- ALEC MILLEN (1991-1992): Signing with North Carolina out of the Marist School in Atlanta, the 6-foot-7 Millen was a member of consecutive 1-10 Tar Heel teams (1988-1989), starting at left guard in '89. Transferring and then sitting out Georgia's lowly 4-7 campaign of '90, he was a starting offensive tackle for Bulldog teams in 1991-1992 which, ironically for Millen, had a combined 19-5 record. After earning first-team All-SEC recognition as a senior, he was selected by the San Francisco 49ers early in the seventh round of the NFL Draft, but would never see the field in a regular-season game. Today, Millen is an associate pastor at a church in Pennsylvania.

Lineman- DAVE LLOYD (1957-1958): A center for Texas Tech in 1955, Lloyd was lured to Georgia by line coach Wyatt Posey, who had coached the big Texan in Lubbock before accepting an assistant job in Athens. After being a member of the Bulldogs' B-team (i.e., redshirted) for a year, Lloyd was arguably Georgia's most valuable player during the 1957-1958 seasons, often playing nearly entire games as the team's starting center, linebacker, and the kicker on kickoffs. In a time when collegiate athletes could leave school before their final year if selected in the NFL Draft following their fourth season, Lloyd decided to forego his senior campaign at Georgia after being picked 47th overall in the draft by Cleveland. Playing for the Browns, Eagles, and Lions, the Red Raider-turned-Bulldog had a successful 12-season career in the NFL.

Lineman- SHELLY ANDERSON (1987-1988): In three consecutive seasons at two schools, lineman Anderson started at three positions along the offensive line, but never at two different ones the same year. Prior to transferring to Georgia along with Vincent, Anderson started two games for SMU at right guard in 1986 after solely playing a reserve role as a freshman. As a Bulldog, he started one game at left tackle in 1987 before starting every game as a senior the next season at left guard.  

Lineman- AL FRANCIS (1957): A reserve center for Notre Dame in 1955, Francis, along with teammate halfback/end Dick Wilkins, decided to leave the Fighting Irish for Athens. After sitting out a season, Francis served as the Bulldogs' backup center in 1957 behind Dave Lloyd.

• Reserve Lineman: OL George Mrvos (Penn State '84, Georgia '87)

End- RUSTY RUSSELL (1973-1975): The son of legendary UGA defensive coordinator Erk Russell, Rusty began his collegiate career at Florida State, where he was a linebacker for the Seminoles in 1972, but did not letter. Walking on at Georgia, Russell was one of the Bulldogs' leading tacklers in each of his three seasons in Athens, while starting at three different positions: DT in '73, DE in '74, and returning to linebacker in '75. As a member of his father's "Junkyard Dogs" defensive unit as a senior, Russell was third on the squad with 90 tackles.

• Reserve End: Dick Wilkins (Notre Dame '55, Georgia '57)

Kicker- TODD PETERSON (1991-1992): The Valdosta native was used sparingly as a placekicker at the Naval Academy in 1988-1989. After transferring to Georgia and sitting out a season, Peterson missed five of his first eight field goal attempts as a Bulldog, and was benched. Regardless, his senior campaign of 1992 jump-started a brilliant placekicking career. After making 13 of 16 field goals in his final year at Georgia, Peterson kicked for six different teams in a dozen seasons in the NFL, which resulted in him being one of currently only three ex-Bulldogs to score 1,000+ career points in the league.

HONORABLE MENTION: In early January of 1987, just after Wichita State had dropped its football program, former-Shocker players defensive back Derrick Richey and fullback Eric Gilstrap drove 850 miles to Athens after being lured by the Bulldogs to transfer. However, upon their arrival to UGA after the rather lengthy trip, the two players were denied admission because of a problem with their transferable hours.

"We're going to take steps to see something like that never happens again," said Coach Dooley after the players were turned away, prompting Richey to declare, "Georgia should have checked that out before recruiting us."

Follow that Dawg!

Follow the Dawgs in 2015 on Twitter @PGarbinDT.

Reporting from the press box this season for DAWGTIME.com, FOLLOW ME @PGarbinDT for my insight and perspective (for what that's worth...) of each game this season, beginning today when the Bulldogs tangle with the ULM Warhawks.

Is UGA -35 Over ULM...

...an accurate point spread for this Saturday's game?

Introducing the About Them Dawgs! Blawg's newest advertiser, The Saturday Edge:

In the direct right panel, enter your email address and "Submit" to receive The Saturday Edge's 2015 SEC Betting Prospectus for FREE. I was personally sent a copy of this prospectus, and I can confirm the prospectus is packed with information, stats, and ATS data to assist you with prognosticating Georgia's season opener, and ALL the Dawgs' dozen or so games to follow...

PULPWOOD Previews the 2015 Season

I recently interviewed my friend, the real Andre "Pulpwood" Smith, to get his thoughts on Georgia's 2015 season. 

Pulpwood, who follows the Bulldogs religiously, thinks highly of the team for the upcoming year. In addition, he stresses speed kills, watch out for Sony Michel, no fullback dared to tell Coach Dooley he wanted to play tailback, and don't even think of mentioning "Alabama" around Pulpwood.

Speaking of the Crimson Tide, and my favorite tidbit from Pulpwood, which concludes his preview: "Georgia was whipping Alabama back in the old days when they had those ugly helmets, or no helmets—or, whatever it was..."

Although Once Forgotten, "Flan" Is Now Finally Found

Anthony (Tony) Flanagan, "The Flim-Flan
Man," Georgia's first African-American QB

Thirty years ago—almost to the day—as Georgia was opening its fall camp of 1985, Vince Dooley suddenly uttered the name of one of his former players most of the surrounding Bulldog followers had long forgotten. 

Dooley had been questioned by the media regarding whether he was going to choose Wayne Johnson or sophomore James Jackson to start under center, signifying the first time in school history an African American would be starting at quarterback for the Bulldogs.

"It is [an antiquated subject] to me," Dooley declared to reporters. "People forget about Tony Flanagan."

Yet, although it had been nearly a decade since he had left UGA, how could anyone truly forget Anthony (Tony) Flanagan, "The Flim-Flan Man," or simply "Flan"?

Between leading Southwest (Atlanta) High School (now known as Mays High) to state basketball championships as a junior and senior, Flanagan guided the Wolves to a state football title in 1973. The lanky, 6-foot-3 and roughly 200-pound quarterback could run like the wind, and had a rifle for an arm—make that, arms. Flanagan was ambidextrous, able to throw a football 70 yards on the fly with his throwing arm, and nearly 60 yards with the other.

During Southwest's perfect 13-0 campaign, Flanagan passed for 2,241 yards and 31 touchdowns, rushed for 12 touchdowns and, get this, kicked 60 PATs and two field goals. Simply listing his high school accolades would be a blog post in itself, but the fact of the matter is Flanagan was one of the most highly recruited and publicized high school athletes in the state and, still today, is considered perhaps the best amateur athlete ever to come out of the Atlanta area.

Flanagan was lured by what was reported as over 300 colleges, offering scholarships in four different sports: football, basketball, tennis, and track. In the end, he decided to sign a football grant-in-aid at Georgia, for one, since the school was close to home. But, by also signing a football scholarship—and not a grant-in-aid specifically with any of the other three sports—Flanagan had the option of being a multi-sport college athlete. Regardless, as a senior in high school, he announced he would only play basketball at UGA... at first, leaving the door open for the possibility of participating in a second sport down the road. 

After he averaged nearly 12 points and more than three rebounds per game, while leading the Bulldogs in assists both years, during his freshman and sophomore seasons on Georgia's basketball team, Flanagan finally decided to explore other avenues and went out for the football team in the spring of 1976.

The quarterback position at Georgia in 1976 was described as undoubtedly the deepest position on the team, and perhaps the deepest the Bulldogs had ever been at quarterback. Already six signal callers were jockeying for position that spring, including the top two, who were both proven seniors: Ray Goff, the starter the season before, and Matt Robinson, the starter in 1974. 

Nevertheless, after having not played organized football in about two-and-a-half years, Flanagan promptly began showing flashes that spring of the brilliance which made him a household name around Atlanta a few years before. He soon was the team's No. 3 quarterback, yet seemingly stuck behind the two immovable seniors, Goff and Robinson. 

"When Tony got comfortable on the field, he was a really good player," Steve Davis, a teammate of Flanagan's at Georgia, recently told me. Davis was Georgia's starting split end, and second-leading receiver in 1976. "Tony had a really strong arm." 

The first 3 possessions Flanagan was
a Bulldog quarterback, he directed
Georgia on drives for touchdowns.

For the G-Day spring game, Flanagan was named the starting quarterback of the Red squad, honorably coached by newspaper editor Harley Bowers; Goff the starter of the Black team, headed up by renowned sports writer Jesse Outlar (Robinson was sidelined with an injury). Late in the second quarter with the Red leading the Black, 9-3, Flanagan proceeded to direct his team on a long drive which would be the difference in the game.

Facing second and goal from the Black's 11-yard line, Flanagan rolled to his right and appeared to be trapped at the sideline by several defenders. Suddenly, he jumped in the air and out of bounds but, while still in the air, he whipped a perfect touchdown strike to Davis. 

"It was unbelievable," Davis said. "Tony threw me the ball when he was out of bounds, but his feet were inbounds when he left the ground. He probably was about five to six feet out of bounds when he finally landed."

Trailing 16-3 at halftime, Outlar would report that he approached his quarterback, Goff, to say "if he didn't get a couple of quick touchdowns his coach was going to get fired." Whereupon, Goff apparently replied, "To heck with the coach, did you see what that other quarterback (Flanagan) is doing? I'm the only one who may get fired." 

Flanagan's running and passing prowess established him as the star of G-Day, which ended in a 19-13 victory for his Red team.

By the start of the season, although remaining the Bulldogs' third-string quarterback, Flanagan was drawing nationwide attention, like from Georgia's season-opening opponent, 15th-ranked California. Cal's Mike White believed there was such a good chance of him seeing playing time against his Bears, the head coach actually spent some time game planning for Flanagan. 

Flanagan wouldn't appear against Cal; however, a week later at Clemson with Georgia leading 34-0, he was inserted late in the game and, according to Matt Robinson in my book Game of My Life:

"...this was a rather historical moment in UGA football history...Anthony made the first ever appearance for the Bulldogs by an African-American quarterback in a varsity game. Late in the game, Anthony led the offense on a long drive which resulted in a touchdown to wrap up the scoring."

At Clemson, Flanagan had also become the first Bulldog athlete to see varsity action in both football and basketball since Zippy Morocco during the late 1940s.

For the 1976 regular season, Flanagan appeared in four games, rushing for 73 yards on eight carries and completing his only pass attempt for a 16-yard gain. Against Vanderbilt, he also added another milestone to his legacy when he rushed for this 1-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter:

In the season's end Sugar Bowl, trailing Pittsburgh 27-3 and the game already decided, Dooley inserted Flanagan under center for Georgia's final offensive series, essentially indicating who was the Bulldogs' likely starting quarterback in 1977. But, any vision the head coach had of the dual-threat signal caller starting for him nine months later would not be realized.

Entrenched in a three-way quarterback battle as late as just a week prior to the start of the '77 campaign, Flanagan reportedly first stopped practicing, followed by his sudden departure from campus. After having difficulty with his studies, Flanagan had been declared academically ineligible because of an alleged grade forgery—a charge he vehemently denied. In January, he enrolled at Gardner-Webb, seeking to play both football and basketball after sitting out a year. But, Flanagan would never participate in either sport at the small college in North Carolina, and his collegiate athletic career was over.

Flanagan and Coach Dooley during the '77
Sugar Bowl vs. Pitt inside the Superdome

Flanagan resurfaced four years later at the age of 25 when it was reported he had decided to try out for the Atlanta Pride semi-pro team of the non-paying American Football Association. Roughly 1,100 individuals, including a handful of former NFL players, tried out for the Pride's meager 37 roster spots, with Flanagan emerging as the team's starting quarterback.

Passing and running with the mastery he had demonstrated years before, Flanagan guided the Pride to the league's playoffs. In late August 1982, just over a week after being responsible for four of his team's five touchdowns in Atlanta's playoff game, Flanagan was signed by Boston of the upstart United State Football League (USFL). However, during training camp prior to the start of the new league's initial season, Flanagan became ill and was cut from the team. He would soon be diagnosed with diabetes.

It's been said by those who knew Flanagan that he surely had to be disappointed that his athletic career after high school didn't quite pan out, and saddened because of the disease he endured. Still, those same people will say he never appeared disheartened or dissatisfied. In fact, Flanagan appeared to find as much pleasure in teaching sports to kids as he had discovered while playing sports himself as a youth.

For 14 years, Flanagan worked with the Atlanta Parks and Recreation Department, coaching youth sports—namely (and fittingly), football and basketball—at the John F. Kennedy Recreation Center. As a consequence of a tough lesson Flanagan had learned while at UGA, children could not play for "Coach Flan," as he was affectionately called, unless they had passing grades in school.

In 2001, after a bout with pneumonia two-and-a-half years before, and a steady decline in health, Flanagan suffered a burst blood vessel in his brain from complications from his diabetes, leading to an untimely death at the age of just 44. He left behind his wife, Rosalyn, two grown children, and a grandchild.

Less than a year after Flanagan's death, Rosalyn and supporters from old Southwest High School formed a group to lobby the City Council to rename the John F. Kennedy Recreation Center. The center, where Flanagan touched the lives of countless children, was successfully renamed in honor of the man who was still regarded as likely the greatest amateur athlete from the area. However, not long after its opening, stringent budget cuts closed the center, creating a void in the community for youth and adults, while the facility fell victim to vandals.

Rosalyn (left) and Mayor Kasim Reed (center) 
were part of a large gathering recently reopening 
the Anthony Flanagan Recreation Center in Atlanta.

Still, Flanagan's story would have a happy ending, and one certainly fitting for an individual who might have made mistakes, but learned from them to move forward and help others.

After running a campaign of reopening area recreation centers, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, along with Councilman C.T. Martin and the Department of Parks and Recreation were successful in reopening the Anthony Flanagan Memorial Recreation Center at West Manor Park in Atlanta. Just last week, there was standing room only for the reopening, brimming with a mixed crowd of former high school and UGA teammates and coaches, elected officials, community activists, and contemporaries and family members of Flanagan. In addition, the event would not have been complete without the attendance of the number of former youth under Coach Flan's direction.

And, of course, Rosalyn was there too.

It was Rosalyn who just after Flanagan's death had said, "he told me [recently] that whatever God had put him on this Earth to do, he had done it."

Furthermore, even since leaving this earth, you could say Flanagan had "done it," as well. For now, although his time at Georgia is forgotten by most, the athletic legend once known as "The Flim-Flan Man," or simply "Flan," will be remembered with the center that bares the name of "Coach Flan."

Take One: "Ummms" the Word

Last night, I was fortunate to join Greg Poole and co-host Bob Miller for the debut edition of the Bulldawg Illustrated On-Air podcast to discuss my perception of the first two days of fall camp.

I come on the air around the 9-minute mark, and they allowed me to ramble for about eight minutes. UGASports.com's Trent Smallwood joined the show after me to weigh in on the latest Bulldog recruiting news. 

As Greg mentions, hopefully this was the first of a soon-to-be second appearance by me on the show. In the meantime, I'm going to work on reducing my "Ummms" when speaking...

Do you have your PLAYBOOK?

THE GEORGIA BULLDOGS PLAYBOOK

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The 2015 UGA football season kicks off approximately just a month from now... Do you have your PLAYBOOK?

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Over 250 pages of diagrams explaining the Xs and Os, firsthand accounts from UGA players and coaches, expert analysis, archival and color photos, stats, and more in the ONLY traditionally-published book concerning Bulldogs football entering the 2015 season--THE GEORGIA BULLDOGS PLAYBOOK.

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The Coach Comes Around

Although I occasionally question its programming, the SEC Network's latest 30-second coaches commercial set to Johnny Cash's "The Man Comes Around" is outstanding. However, after seeing the commercial for the 100th time—and, that's just in the last few days—I decided the terrific tune needed a change of scenery, so to speak.

Here's my video compilation of Georgia football's last four head coaches with a heavy emphasis on the current head Bulldog of them all, and the program's most legendary, plus a couple of notable assistants, and the Man in Black in the background:

Funny, What A Touchdown Will Do

At Clemson in 1985, Peter Anderson spots what 
would be his once-in-a-lifetime touchdown—
something he could tell his grandchildren about. 

I was really happy to hear one of my favorite Bulldogs from my youth, center Peter Anderson (1982-1985), was recently chosen for induction into the UGA Circle of Honor.

Nicknamed the "Bell Cow" by Vince Dooley because he was "the one [offensive lineman] with experience and the one guy who keeps everybody going," according to the head coach prior to the start of the '84 season, Anderson was a leader and the "glue" which held together a couple of rather inexperienced offensive lines in 1984 and 1985, both of which emerged as reputable units. I was also fond of Anderson because he hailed from, of all places, New Jersey. As a kid who had barely seen outside the state of Georgia, I thought any Bulldog from such a faraway state had to be pretty cool. 

But, what really captivated me, along with other Bulldog enthusiasts of the time, about Anderson was a freakish scoring play he executed 30 years ago at Clemson. Besides a lineman scoring a receiving touchdown, perhaps the most infrequent manner in which a Bulldog has tallied points is when a lineman has scored a "rushing" touchdown, which can only occur if he first happens to recover a teammate's fumble. The accidental touchdown play is so rare, it has occurred only five times, all scored by different Bulldogs including Anderson, during the modern era of Georgia football, or for the last 75 years. 

A video compilation of these five once-in-a-lifetime touchdowns, and a description of each below:



JOHN JENNINGS (1971 vs. Ole Miss)
Against the Rebels in Jackson, Miss., Georgia tailback Ricky Lake broke off a first-quarter, 5-yard run from the host's 44-yard line, but was suddenly blindsided by a defender as he attempted to break a tackle.  The ball popped up in the air and into the awaiting arms of senior left guard John Jennings, who later said he wasn't even sure if it was legal for him to run with the ball. But, run he did, scoring on a 39-yard rumble for the first score of what would eventually be a 38-7 rout by Georgia over Ole Miss. Jennings, who was nicknamed "Pie Face" by animated teammate Bobby Poss, claimed he had never signed so many autographs when the Bulldogs' plane later landed in Athens after the game, adding, "Funny, what a touchdown will do."

"I have to believe it's an NCAA record for number of yards by an offensive guard on a touchdown run," said Dooley the following week. "I've never seen anything like it in football." Nor has anyone seen anything like it in UGA football ever since as the once-in-a-lifetime touchdown by Jennings, or what was dubbed the "Pie Face Pitch," has remained the only one of its kind—a "rushing" touchdown by an offensive lineman where the Bulldog actually ran with the ball.

MIKE WILSON (1975 vs. Kentucky)
After trailing 10-0, Georgia scored 13 consecutive points against the Wildcats in Athens, and then proceeded to recover a third-quarter fumble in Kentucky territory. Eight plays later, quarterback Ray Goff ran a keeper from the 4-yard line, fumbling just shy of the goal line into the end zone. "I thought Goff had scored," said junior left tackle Mike Wilson who, like Jennings, was also a "pie," "Moon Pie," as nicknamed by teammates, "but the ball popped out and I fell on it." Scoring what he believed was his first touchdown playing organized football, Wilson made perhaps the most critical play of the game in what eventually ended in a close 21-13 win for Georgia. After the victory, the first-timer had a bit of valuable information to share: "Us linemen don't get to handle the ball too much, you know." 

PETER ANDERSON (1985 vs. Clemson)
Trailing Clemson 13-10 in the fourth quarter of the third game of the '85 season, the Bulldogs' faced 2nd-and-4 from the Tigers' 6-yard line. Keith Henderson was given the ball on a dive, and it squirted out of the fullback's grasp at the 3-yard line and into the end zone. Center Peter Anderson came off his block, looked around, and spotted the ball sitting in front of tight end Troy Sadowski, who was oblivious to the lost ball. "I wasn't about to give it up," said Anderson, who dove on the fumble for the touchdown. "That's one I'll tell my grandchildren about," added Anderson following a 20-13 Bulldog win. "That's an offensive lineman's dream."

After 22 seasons of Dooley choosing the team's permanent captain at the end of each year, the head coach made an exception in 1985, selecting Anderson as the team captain midway through the season. Such an honor is another distinction Anderson can tell his grandchildren about, and one you can bet was partly bestowed early because of his end-zone alertness at Death Valley.
   
JON STINCHCOMB (2002 vs. Auburn)

A win over Auburn in '02 would signify a trip for Georgia to the SEC title game for the first time; however, the Bulldogs trailed 14-3 at halftime, and it actually should have been by a greater margin. Incensed, fifth-year senior and starting left tackle Jon Stinchcomb, who was the team's offensive captain for the game, gave his teammates a stirring motivational speech in the locker room at the half. The pep talk proved to be powerful, evidently even inspiring the speaker, whose awareness to pounce on quarterback David Greene's fumble into the end zone late in the third for a touchdown when trailing 21-10 would provide the winning margin of a 24-21 victory for the Bulldogs.    

According to Greene in my book, GAME OF MY LIFE Georgia Bulldogs: "From Auburn’s 4-yard line, I kept the ball on a quarterback draw but fumbled into the end zone just prior to reaching the goal line.  Fortunately for me, one of our linemen, Jon Stinchcomb, who was my roommate at the time, jumped on my fumble for a touchdown. After the game, I jokingly said that I fumbled purposely to allow my roommate to score a touchdown: I didn’t want to take all the glory myself (laughing)."

NICK JONES (2003 vs. Auburn)
During a scoreless, first-quarter affair at Georgia Tech in 2003, the Bulldogs were at it again, executing for the second time in just a little over a year one of the more unconventional ways of scoring a touchdown. This time, it was true-freshman center Nick Jones recovering the fumble for the score, but the fumbler was the same as before—quarterback David Greene, who coughed it up between the 1- and 2-yard lines. "I like to spread the wealth a little bit," said Greene of his end-zone fumble following a 34-17 win over the Yellow Jackets. "Sometimes I'll just roll the ball out there for them."

Worthy of mention, consider that Greene, arguably the greatest signal caller in UGA football history, is responsible for two of the mere three rushing touchdowns by Bulldog offensive linemen in which a quarterback "rolled the ball out there." In addition, Greene rarely "spread the wealth," fumbling just twice—one recovered by the opponent, one by Georgia—in the 15 games between his end-zone fumbles for touchdowns against the Tigers and Jackets.  

Perhaps even more notably is the inconsistent manner in which UGA officially (statistically) recorded the five unusual touchdowns. Rightfully, Jennings, Wilson, and Stinchcomb are credited with a rushing touchdown, and the number of rushing yards where the fumble was lost (39, 1, and 1, respectively) on no rushing attempts. Jones is credited with a rushing touchdown on no attempt, but in gaining no yards (when it should be a gain of 1 or 2 yards). Whereas Anderson's score, which should have been credited as 3 rushing yards and a touchdown on zero rushing attempts, was curiously not even recorded in the rushing totals, but simply recognized as a touchdown of the "other" variety. 

About the only thing consistent with all five touchdowns is winning; the Bulldogs are a perfect 5-0 when the freakish but fortunate play occurs. Therefore, as Erk Russell would say, and Brad Nessler restated, indeed, I'd rather be lucky than good.

All in the Family

I recently returned home from a week-long vacation with my wife's family, whereupon my side of the family held a weekend-long family reunion of sorts. And, if there was one thing I noticed, and such an observation is likely just another sign of me aging, as they say, the apple certainly doesn't fall far from the tree.  

I'm guessing it's like this with all families, but whether by way of actions, behaviors, mannerisms, etc., it is rather remarkable how much alike children are to their parents, and even to extended family members.

While on vacation, an intriguing article was brought to my attention regarding eight African-American brothers surnamed "Chubb" settling near Cave Spring, Georgia, as illegal slaves and before the Civil War. Yet, despite all of the obstacles they must have faced, within the next 20 years, the brothers and their families had established their very own community, Chubbtown.

And, you can probably guess what current Bulldog (photo) is a descendant of those eight determined brothers. 

Seeing Nick being mentioned in the article reminded me of the connection in characteristics between family members—my family and others—and the compelling and notable connection Chubb shares with several other of his fellow descendants.

The Chubb Football Family:

HENRY CHUBB, Nick's father

Hailing from Cave Spring, "big" Henry starred for the Darlington School in Rome as a high schooler. After being named Honorable Mention All-State as a senior in 1979—the first Tiger running back to be recognized as such in the school's history—Henry attended and played football at the Marion (Ala.) Military Institute under head coach Jim Goodman. After two years, he followed Goodman back to Georgia to be part of Valdosta State's first football program (photo). In 1982 and 1983, the first two seasons of Blazer football, Henry led Valdosta State in rushing each year, totaling 1,143 yards on 221 carries (5.2 avg.). 

AARON CHUBB, Nick's father's cousin

Aaron, a few years younger than cousin Henry from relatively nearby Rockmart, was also named Honorable Mention All-State as a high school senior (1983)—the only Rockmart HS player over an eight-season span (1980-1987) to be recognized as such. Aaron became a mainstay on Georgia's defense beginning as a redshirt freshman in 1985 (photo). From then through 1988, he started two seasons at defensive end and his senior year at outside linebacker, totaling 251 tackles, including 16 for loss (five sacks), while breaking up nine passes. Aaron ended his career ranked in the top 20 in Bulldog history in career tackles. Drafted in the 12th round by the New England Patriots in 1989, he was one of just three Georgia linebackers drafted into the NFL during the decade of the 1980s (by comparison, three Bulldog linebackers were selected in the 2013 draft alone). 

HENRY CHUBB II, Nick's half brother

"Little" Henry, or Henry II and Nick's older brother from a previous marriage by their father, was a two-way standout for Ware County HS at quarterback and defensive back. As a senior in 2004, he was recognized as a First-Team All-State defender. Playing for Troy University in 2005 and 2006 (photo), including starting at cornerback as a sophomore, Henry totaled 44 tackles, 1.5 sacks, intercepted a pass, and forced a fumble. After transferring to Georgia Southern in 2007, he was limited to two games, but totaled six tackles, an interception, and forced a fumble. Since his playing days, Henry has coached football and track on the high school level, and was also a football assistant at Birmingham-Southern College. 

ZACH CHUBB, Nick's brother

Two years older than Nick, Zach initially was the trigger for his younger brother's uncanny determination, according to their mother, Lavelle. Later, with Zach at quarterback and Nick at running back, the dynamic duo combined for more than 2,850 rushing yards and 34 rushing touchdowns in 2011, leading Cedartown HS to its first playoff appearance and winning record in nearly a decade. As a senior that season, Zach earned 7-AAA All-Region honors, totaling 1,542 yards and 15 touchdowns of total offense. Since signing with the Air Force Academy out of high school in 2012, Zach has been somewhat limited with injury, while seeing time with the program's JV team, Air Force Prep (photo), at defensive back. 

BRANDON CHUBB, Nick's distant cousin

Brandon, the oldest son of Aaron and a year older than distant cousin Zach, is entering his fifth-year senior season of 2015 at Wake Forest (photo). Playing for Hillgrove HS in Powder Springs, Brandon earned first team All-Region 5-5A and first team All-Cobb County honors at linebacker as a senior in 2011. Choosing Wake Forest over Central Florida, UAB, Air Force, and Appalachian State, he has tallied 219 combined tackles in three seasons (2012-2014), including two years as a starter for the Demon Deacons. Also, Brandon has recorded 10.5 tackles for loss, five passes defended, and two forced fumbles. An All-ACC honorable mention selection last season, he is another "Chubb" besides Nick who enters 2015 as a preseason all-conference honoree.  

BRADLEY CHUBB, Nick's distant cousin

Bradley, Brandon's younger brother by three years, was the second-highest rated recruit  (3-star prospect according to Rivals) of the younger Chubbs (behind 4-star Nick) coming out of high school. At Hillgrove HS, Bradley was considered one of the top 50 outside linebackers in the nation according to ESPN.com, choosing NC State over the likes of Iowa and Georgia Tech. As a true freshman last season, he played primarily on special teams and sparingly at linebacker, recording only four tackles. However, entering 2015, Bradley will likely start at one of the Wolfpack's two defensive end positions. 

And, remarkably, there's more...

Nine-year-old Harlem Diamond, who hails from Cedartown, was rated a year ago by the National Sports Report as the No. 1 youth (9 and under) football player in the entire country. At one point, the youngster was averaging roughly a staggering four touchdowns and 12 tackles per game. Harlem is the son of his head coach, Jamey Diamond, the 1999 state 2-A Defensive Player of the Year as a linebacker at Cedartown HS and a signee at Middle Georgia College. 

And, the Diamonds are kin to the Chubbs, proving sometimes the apple doesn't fall far from the tree even when that tree has some extended branches.