huckaby

Darrell Huckaby is a syndicated columnist and author of six books including two about Georgia football. Read Huck’s Wit and Wisdom every Wednesday and Sunday. Subscribe at darrellhuckaby.net.

10.20.25

Dawgs Stop Rebels Advance and Finally Put them Away

What a grand day to renew an old Southeastern Conference rivalry, each team led by cutting edge 21st century coaches. My father’s generation watched Butts go against Harry Mehre—yes, the one our building is named for. And then Johnny Vaught. When I was a young pup, I got to see Vince Dooley against Vaught—and saw Mike Cavan outduel Archie Manning in 1968. Now my kids are getting to see two of the strongest branches of the Nick Saban coaching tree go head-to-head, each with Top Ten teams, year-after-year—although they may have to watch future installments of this particular coaching matchup a couple of weeks later in the season when the Dawgs face the Gators.

It was a great day in Athens. Dorsey Hill turned 81 years-old on Saturday. The fried chicken was tasty, the sun was shining, and all was right with the world.

I will give the UGA athletic department a couple of notes, though. Lord the music is too loud. The Georgia Redcoat Band is really good. I sure would like to be able to hear what they are playing. And if you are going to endorse a striping of Sanford Stadium, don’t hand out red shakers and white T-shirts in the black stripe section. It ruins the effect. And as long as I am nit-picking, I have this nit to pick with ESPN. There are PLENTY of great entertainers and celebrities with Georgia roots. You don’t have to bring a Tennessee fan down from Nashville to be the guest picker.

And I still liked college football better when Squab Jones was in charge of Georgia’s NIL money.

Enough of that. How ‘bout that football game? The nice man who sits in front of me turned to me just before half-time and asked—in all seriousness—“Why do you think it is that we can’t seem to play as well in the first half, particularly on defense, as we do in the second half.”

I said, “Sir, if the best coach in college football can’t figure that out, I know I can’t. But if I do, Kirby will be my first call—and you will be my second.”

I don’t think I’ve ever seen such offensive prowess in the first half of a game, and certainly not by both teams. As the inimitable Dan Magill always said, “Remember, their boys are on scholarship, too.” And their coaches get paid.

We hosted three guys from Australia at our tailgate party Saturday. They were friends of Mississippi punter, Oscar Bird, who, like our own Brett Thorson, hails from Down Under. I found myself thinking for one while that they came 10,000 miles to see their countrymen play football and neither was going to even get on the field.

The Rebels offense was certainly as advertised and marched up and down the field at will, or so it seemed. Like everyone else, I wondered why we couldn’t get off the field on third down, why we couldn’t get pressure on Trinidad Chambliss and why Ole Miss had more success against us than they did against Washington State last week. Unlike the people around me, I didn’t accuse Kirby Smart of being an idiot because we couldn’t seem to slow them down.

But our offense. Gunner Stockton and Mike Bobo were working in concert like a well-oiled machine. We almost matched Kiffin’s bunch score for score, although we did settle for a field goal here and there. 21-20 at half-time felt like a big lead after some of the halftime scores we have encountered.

Honesty compels me to admit that I did begin to worry when the opponents hit on that long strike on the second play of the second half to go up by two scores. The math was beginning not to add up. But here came Gunner and company to answer the call.

Finally, the crowd came alive, and the defense remembered those Power G’s on the sides of their helmets and the fourth quarter belonged solely to the good guys. I love it when we have the ball and the lead with six minutes to play and begin the Death March. It is just pure pleasure to watch the line block, the backs run, the quarterback throw, and the receivers catch. My favorite play of the day might have been when Dillon Bell came around right end with a convoy of blockers in front of him. And what about Lawson Lucky? Nine completions in all to our tight ends. Gunner was what in the second half? 12 for 12?

I loved watching the replay and seeing Lane Kiffin call time out to try and ice our field goal kicker—and then telling the ref he was only clapping. That guy is good for college football.

And Kirby Smart is good for the University of Georgia. 10-0 against Top Ten teams at home? Outrageous.

So, glory, glory to old Georgia. Ring the chapel bell and enjoy the good old days. Have you looked at the rest of the schedule?

I know we aren’t supposed to look ahead, but I cannot wait for the Texas game. I feel like we are finally going to put it all together for four quarters that night. But we have to keep from getting anyone hurt during our bye week and can’t stub our toe in the Cocktail Party or at Cowbell U.

Still, there ain’t nothing like being a Bulldog on a Saturday night—or even a Monday morning.

Go Dawgs. Thanks for doing me the honor of reading my stiff all these years.

Darrell Huckaby

DHuck008@gmail.com