Georgia's 10 Greatest Moments Under Head Coach Mark Richt

Under Mark Richt the Georgia Bulldogs have left the days of perennial mediocrity and once again are viewed as national powers.

UGA has experienced heights fans in my generation had only heard and dreamed of until the Mark Richt era.

And so, without further delay I present to you, in my opinion, the 10 greatest moments of Mark Richt's head coaching career.

N0. 10: Man Enough

Pat Dye gave us some great motivation in our first real road test of 2002 saying, "Georgia isn't man enough..."

We proved him wrong in this one!

After having a comfortable lead going into the fourth quarter thanks to some big plays on both sides of the ball, 'Bama came back and took the lead 25-24 late in the fourth quarter.

Georgia drove into field goal position and Billy Bennett knocked one through the uprights with little time left.

And with that...we were man enough.

No. 9: Almost To the Top

We didn't quite make it to the BCS Championship Game in 2007 (maybe if UK hadn't choked we would've gotten our shot).

But after this victory we secured the highest end-of-season ranking under Mark Richt.

UGA came into this game with a huge chip on their shoulder and I think Hawaii left wishing that we had been in the BCS title game instead.

Our defense completely shut down the (supposedly) high-powered offense of the Warriors recording a Sugar Bowl record eight sacks to go along with four int's.

Dawg nation wont forget this one for a long time.

No. 8: P-44 Haynes

After Tennessee took the lead on a screen play with 44 seconds left in 2001, David Greene drove us quickly to the 6-yard line with 10 seconds left.

The next play will be forever etched into the mind of all the Georgia faithful.

Greene took the snap, faked a handoff, and threw to a wide open Verron Haynes in the end zone.

"Oh my God a touchdown!!!!!!"

No. 7: The Blackout

There won't be a game in a while that will be able to match this one when it comes to sheer intensity and excitement.

After calling for all the fans to wear black in a press-conference earlier in the week, the Dawgs did not disappoint the speculating fans and press, coming out in black jerseys of their own.

Auburn actually held the lead early in the second half, but Georgia scored four straight touchdowns to seal the victory and send the fans (and announcers) into a dancing frenzy.

No. 6: Revenge On the Tigers

After losing twice to the Bayou Bengals in 2003, including being dominated 34-13 in the SEC Championship Game, Georgia was hot for revenge in this 2004 matchup.

With the most viewers to watch an SEC game in television history up to this point, Georgia put on a show. David Greene threw a school-record five touchdowns, and the Dawgs got what they wanted, taking LSU to the woodshed 45-16.

No. 5: Beating the Gators

After three years of losing to the hated Gators, coach Richt was probably beginning to feel some of the frustration Georgia fans had dealt with for the last 15 years.

The Davids had one last chance to beat Florida in 2004 and they took advantage in this game.

With the score tied at 24 late in the fourth quarter Greene threw to Fred Gibson in the end-zone on a slant over the middle. Freddie hauled it in on his fingertips and the celebration was on.

No. 4: ...Again

With the Gators coming off of a National Championship in 2006 and the talented Dawgs hitting their mid-season stride, the emotions were as high as ever in Jacksonville.

Georgia sacked Tebow six times and Stafford connected on the long ball seemingly at will on the way to a 42-30 victory.

With the end zone celebration, a load of big plays, and one more victory over the Gators this one will not soon be forgotten.

No. 3: Miracle on the Plains

A trip to Atlanta and a shot at our first SEC championship in 20 years was on the line in Auburn in 2002.

Down 21-17 and facing a fourth-and-15 from the 19-yard line with 85 seconds left, David Greene lofted a pass into the back left corner of the end zone.

Michael Johnson out-jumped the Auburn DB and came down with the biggest catch since Lindsay Scott.

No. 2: The Wait Is Over

This one was over from the moment it started. After forcing a three-and-out on Arkansas' first series of the game, Georgia sent the heat on the punt and came up with the prize.

The very next play Musa Smith ran around the right side into the corner of the end-zone, and the Dawgs never looked back.

Smith finished with over 100 yards and Greene was named the MVP as UGA rolled Arkansas 30-3 to capture the 2002 SEC title, their first in 20 years.

No. 1: Sugar High

After waiting two decades for another trip to the Sugar Bowl Georgia took care of FSU 26-13 in the 2003 Sugar Bowl and capped off an already successful season with a school-record 13th victory.

Georgia's defense held Florida State's offense to 206 total yards and forced three turnovers.

Bruce Thornton returned an interception 71 yards for a touchdown and Musa Smith ran for 145 yards to win the MVP award in Georgia's biggest win in 20 years.