Georgia Football: The 25 Best Bowl Games in School History

The Georgia Bulldogs have a storied tradition of big bowl games and big bowl wins. From Wally Butts and some of the very first bowl games up to the present with Mark Richt and the BCS, Georgia has seen a little bit of everything when it comes to postseason play.

Let's take a look at Georgia's top 25 bowl games in the programs history.

25. 2006 Sugar Bowl

Date: Jan. 2, 2006

Result: West Virginia 38-Georgia 35

Although Georgia did come away with a loss in this game, the 2006 Sugar Bowl makes this list in recognition of how hard Georgia played and how the players never gave up and very nearly mounted one of the most impressive comebacks in BCS history.

One minute into the second quarter, Georgia was staring at a 28 point deficit, but rallied and came back to make it 31-21 at halftime after an impressive performance by Georgia quarterback D.J. Shockley. 

The rest of the game was a back and forth affair, with Georgia coming up just three points shy in the end.

24. 1983 Sugar Bowl

Date: Jan. 1, 1983

Result: Penn State 27-Georgia 23

Although another loss for the Bulldogs, it is included on this list just for the sake of it being a good game and its historical value.

Legendary Penn State head coach Joe Paterno earned his first National Championship after upsetting the top-ranked Bulldogs in the 1983 Sugar Bowl.

This was also Herschel Walker’s final game as a Georgia Bulldog. Walker was the 1982 Heisman Trophy winner and inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999.

23. 2009 Independence Bowl

Date: Dec. 28, 2009

Result: Georgia 44-Texas A&M 20

This game stayed competitive into the third quarter, with A&M tying the game at 14 early in the second half. After that, Georgia outscored the Aggies 30-6 for the remainder of the second half.

The significance of this game is that there is a possibility that this may well prove to be Mark Richt’s last bowl victory as Georgia’s head coach. I personally don’t think that will be the case, but if Georgia stumbles through the rest of 2011 and does not get a bowl win this season, time may be running out for Coach Richt.

22. 1973 Peach Bowl

Date: Dec. 28, 1973

Result: Georgia 17-Maryland 16

The 1973 Peach Bowl game was a war of attrition between the Terrapin and Bulldog defenses and kickers. The Bulldog’s defense surrendered 461 yards to the Terrapins, yet allowed Maryland only one touchdown on a 68-yard touchdown pass. Georgia broke a 10-10 tie with an eight-yard drive following a Maryland fumble, holding on for the win, 17-16.

21. 1991 Independence Bowl

Date: Jan. 1, 1991

Result: Georgia 24-Arkansas 15

After an abysmal season in 1990, with the Dawgs lucky to go 4-7, 1991 was a nice bounce back season for Georgia. Freshman quarterback Eric Zeier took over the starting position midway through season and never looked back, as he eventually became one of Georgia’s most prolific quarterbacks of all time.

The 1991 Citrus Bowl featured some of Georgia’s greatest players together on the field. Along with Zeier was running back Garrison Hearst and wide receiver Andre Hastings. Hastings was named the bowl’s MVP after racking up 147 yards, including a 53-yard touchdown run on a flanker reverse.

20. 1998 Outback Bowl

Date: Jan. 1, 1998

Result: Georgia 33-Wisconsin 6

Jim Donnan did have a fairly successful career at Georgia despite only lasting five years with the program. After going 5-6 in his initial year with the Bulldogs, Donnan led Georgia to four straight bowl victories, starting with a 33-6 dismantling of Wisconsin in the 1998 Outback Bowl.

This game pit Georgia stars Hines Ward and Robert Edwards against Wisconsin legend Ron Dayne. Edwards eventually ran for three touchdowns in the Bulldog’s rout over the Badgers.

Also, current UGA offensive coordinator and then quarterback Mike Bobo was named the bowl’s MVP after having a nearly perfect day.  Bobo went 26-of-28 passing for 267 yards and a touchdown.

19. 2009 Capital One Bowl

Date: Jan. 1, 2009

Result: Georgia 24-Michigan State 12

This game was personally attended by this writer, and although it was an exciting first half, the real story was it was the final game for Georgia stars Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno.

Both offenses struggled in the first half, and the score at halftime was 6-3 in favor of Georgia. The Bulldogs steadily slipped away with the game in the second half and were never truly threatened by the Spartans.

Many of the Georgia fans who made the trip to Orlando stayed around for the postgame ceremony and started a chant, “One more year,” for Matthew Stafford, who had claimed not to have made up his mind as to entering the NFL draft. Alas, the chants were to no avail, and this was Stafford’s last game as a Bulldog.

18. 2006 Chick-fil-A Bowl

Date: Dec. 30, 2006

Result: Georgia 31-Virginia Tech 24

The 2006 Chick-fil-A Bowl was a very exciting comeback win against the Hokies for an average Georgia football team that finished just 9-4 counting the bowl win in 2006.

Georgia fell behind early in this one, trailing 24-3 at the half. However, Georgia came roaring back in the second half, outscoring Tech 28-3. Georgia did get help from Tech quarterback Sean Glennon, who committed four second-half turnovers.

17. 2005 Outback Bowl

Date: Jan. 1, 2005

Result: Georgia 24-Wisconsin 21

The No. 7 Georgia Bulldogs squared off against the No. 17 Wisconsin Badgers in the 2005 Outback Bowl in Tampa.

A close game throughout, Georgia almost gave this one away fourth quarter. With the Bulldogs ahead 24-15 late in the game, Greene was picked off by Andy Crooks, who returned it 11 yards for a touchdown. A two-point conversion failed, leaving the Bulldogs ahead by a field goal.

Wisconsin attempted an onsides kick, which was recovered by Georgia, who was finally able to run the clock out after picking up a first down on by converting a fourth and one on the Wisconsin 15-yard line to lock up the victory.

Quarterback David Greene came away with his 42nd win at Georgia in this his last game, which broke Peyton Manning’s record for most wins by a quarterback in college football history at that time.

16. 1993 Citrus Bowl

Date: Jan. 1, 1993

Result: Georgia 21-Ohio State 14

The 1993 Citrus Bowl pitted Georgia against Ohio State, a team that finally got their first (unofficial) bowl win over an SEC team in their 10th bowl appearance against a Southeastern Conference program.

This bowl featured for Ohio State ESPN college football analysts Kirk Herbstreit and Robert Smith, but the Buckeyes could not stop Eric Zeier and the Dawgs, who took down the OSU 21-14.

15. 1998 Peach Bowl

Date: Dec. 30, 1998

Result: Georgia 35-Virginia 33

An exciting game all around, it was the finish to this bowl game that puts it on this list.

With Virginia trailing 35-26 late in the fourth quarter, Aaron Brooks scored on a spectacular 30-yard touchdown run with 1:34 left in the game to bring the Cavaliers within two. Virginia failed to convert a two-point conversion and the score remained 35-33.

Devon Simmons recovered the ensuing onside kickoff, and a Brooks' 26-yard run moved the ball to the Georgia 27-yard line, which would set up a 44-yard field goal attempt even if Virginia doesn’t gain another yard.

Instead, Georgia defender Adrian Hollingshed tackled Thomas Jones in the backfield on consecutive plays, and the Virginia place kicker Todd Braverman was forced to try a 48-yarder, which he pushed just right, sealing a close Bulldog victory.

14. 1947 Sugar Bowl

Date: Jan. 1, 1947

Result: Georgia 20-North Carolina 10

1947 marked the first of nine Sugar Bowl appearances for Georgia to date, the most appearance in any bowl for the Bulldogs.

Georgia trailed the Tarheels 10-7 at halftime before a third-quarter 67-yard touchdown pass from Charlie Trippi to Dan Edwards put the Bulldogs ahead for good. John Rauch scored the only two touchdowns for the Bulldogs, one in the first half to tie the game at seven and another in the fourth quarter to seal the Georgia victory.

13. 1943 Rose Bowl

Date: Jan. 1, 1943

Result: Georgia 9-UCLA 0

The 1943 Rose Bowl was the first actually held in actual Rose Bowl in Pasadena following World War II. The game returned to Pasadena in 1943 after the West Coast was deemed no longer in danger of attack.

As for the actual game, Georgia bested UCLA 9-0, with all of the scoring coming in the fourth quarter. Red Boyd had a blocked punt resulting in a safety for the Dawgs before Frank Sinkwich scored on a one-yard touchdown run.

12. 1964 Sun Bowl

Date: Dec. 26, 1964

Result: Georgia 7-Texas Tech 0

1964 was Vince Dooley’s first season coaching the Bulldogs, and thus, the Sun Bowl was his first bowl appearance and victory.

This game was dominated by the Georgia defense. The Bulldogs held All-American Donnie Anderson and the Red Raider offense to 133 total yards on the game.

Georgia’s only score came on a Frank Lankewicz two-yard touchdown run set up three plays earlier by a 52-yard swing pass from quarterback Preston Ridlehuber to halfback Fred Barber.

11. 1987 Liberty Bowl

Date: Dec. 29, 1987

Result: Georgia 20-Arkansas 17

Coming into the 1987 Liberty Bowl, Georgia was winless in their last three bowl appearances, including two ties, one against Florida State in the ’84 Citrus Bowl and one another against Arizona in the ’85 Sun Bowl.

The ’87 Liberty Bowl appeared to be headed for yet another tie when Georgia came to life late in the fourth quarter to pull out an exciting win.

Georgia cornerback Carver Russaw intercepted a Razorback pass with 46 seconds remaining in the game and returned it to the Hogs’ 43 yard line. The Bulldogs quickly moved into field goal range in just three plays and John Casey connected on a 39-yard field goal as time expired, giving Georgia the 20-17 victory.

10. 1960 Orange Bowl

Date: Jan. 1, 1960

Result: Georgia 14-Missouri 0

The 1960 Orange Bowl was Wally Butts’ last bowl victory with the Bulldogs. This game also ended a 10-year bowl appearance drought for Georgia. It was the Bulldogs’ first bowl appearance since 1950 and first bowl victory since 1948.

Both Bulldog touchdowns in this game came on deep passing plays to Bill McKenny and Aaron Box thrown by Georgia legend Fran Tarkenton.

Missouri did drive into Georgia’s redzone twice, with one drive ending on an interception and the other a missed field goal, paving the way for the Bulldog shutout.

9. 1989 Gator Bowl

Date: Jan. 1, 1989

Result: Georgia 34-Michigan State 27

The 1989 Gator Bowl was Vince Dooley’s last game as Georgia’s head coach, and the Bulldogs pulled out a close one against the Spartans to send their coach out on a high note.

The Georgia victory overshadowed a record-setting performance, this one by Michigan State's Andre Rison, who caught nine passes for 252 yards, crushing the former Gator Bowl record of 192 receiving yards by Florida State's Fred Biletnikoff in 1965.

8. 1966 Cotton Bowl

Date: Dec. 31, 1966

Result: Georgia 24-SMU 9

Despite winning a National Championship 14 years later, many consider the 1966 Bulldogs squad the best Dooley ever coached during his tenure at Georgia. Georgia came away with only one-loss on the season coming to Miami.

The 1966 Cotton Bowl was, in the tradition of Georgia football, dominated on the ground by the Bulldogs. Georgia put up 284 rushing yards on the day versus just 40 for SMU, leading to a comfortable 24-9 victory for the Dawgs.

7. 2008 Sugar Bowl

Date: Jan. 1, 2008

Result: Georgia 41-Hawai’i 10

Georgia ended the 2008 season looking as strong as any team in the nation. There was a lot of public sentiment to see UGA take on USC, the other hottest team in the nation, in the Rose Bowl. Instead, Georgia got an invite to the Sugar Bowl to take on the previously undefeated Hawai’i Warriors.

This game was a huge mismatch, and it showed from the beginning. Colt Brennan and the highly touted Warrior offense could do nothing against a stifling Bulldog defense. The Bulldogs had a 41-3 lead before Hawai’i finally scored a meaningless touchdown in the fourth quarter.

This game was so physical for the Dawgs defense, this writer remembers watching that game and being genuinely concerned for the safety of the Hawai’i players, especially Colt Brennan, who was constantly harassed all night.

6. 2003 Sugar Bowl

Date: Jan. 1, 2003

Result: Georgia 26-Florida State 13

This game marked Georgia and Mark Richt’s first BCS bowl appearance and pitted Richt against Florida State, where he spent 10 seasons as the Seminoles’ offensive coordinator under Bobby Bowden.

Georgia came into the game ranked third in the BCS and dominated Florida State almost the entire game. The Bulldogs took a 17-7 lead into halftime, and Florida State was never able to get back within less than 10 points down for the rest of the contest.

Georgia picked up their first BCS victory and finished 2003 with a 13-1 record and ranked in the BCS top three.

5. 2000 Outback Bowl

Date: Jan. 1, 2000

Result: Georgia 28-Purdue 25

This game marked one of Georgia’s greatest comebacks in the Bulldog’s bowl history. Georgia quickly fell behind Purdue 25-0 early in the second quarter following Drew Brees’ fourth touchdown pass of the afternoon.

Georgia would fight back, scoring 10 points in the second quarter and eventually tying the game at 25 and sending it into overtime.

Purdue failed to move the ball at all during their first overtime possession and ultimately missed a 48-yard field goal attempt, leaving Georgia with only needing a field goal to win in their overtime possession. It was all the Bulldogs would need as Patrick Pass gained 19 yards on two carries, setting up a winning field goal for the Dawgs.

4. 2004 Capital One Game

Date: Jan. 1, 2004

Result: Georgia 34-Purdue 27

The 2004 Capital One Bowl versus Purdue was one of Georgia’s most exciting bowl victories in school history.

The game looked like it might be over early, as David Greene and the Bulldogs jumped out to a 24-0 lead in the first half. But Kyle Orton and the Boilermakers came right back to score 24 unanswered points and tie the game in the fourth quarter.

Georgia answered with a field goal to go up three and was in a position to run out the clock. Instead of taking a knee, Greene handed off to Kregg Lumpkin to burn a few more seconds off the clock. However, after being bottled up in the backfield, Lumpkin tried to keep the play alive, but was stripped and then Purdue recovered the fumble, giving the Boilermakers new life in the ballgame. Purdue then managed a late field goal to send the game into overtime.

Lumpkin subsequently went in for a touchdown on a fourth-and-one run in the first overtime. In Purdue’s possession, it seemed Georgia had won after a fourth down incompletion by Orton, but the Bulldogs were flagged for pass interference and gave the Boilermakers one last shot.  This time, Orton’s pass was intercepted in the endzone, and Georgia fans let out a collective sigh of relief and whoop of victory.

3. 1942 Orange Bowl

Date: Nov. 24, 1942

Result: Georgia 40-TCU 26

Georgia star quarterback Frankie Sinkwich put the Bulldogs on his back in the 1942 Orange Bowl. Despite playing with a broken jaw, Sinkwich compiled 382 yards of total offense and had four total touchdowns in the Bulldog victory.

This game represented a multitude of firsts for the Georgia Bulldogs. It was the program’s first bowl appearance and victory, led by legendary coach Wally Butts. This game also propelled Georgia to their first National Championship.

2. 1984 Cotton Bowl

Date: Jan. 2, 1984

Result: Georgia 10-Texas 9

The 1984 Cotton Bowl was one of Georgia’s greatest upset bowl wins and came against the Texas Longhorns. The Horns came into the game undefeated and ranked second in the nation.

Georgia played the ultimate spoilers in this game. The Longhorns looked to have this game wrapped up, leading 9-3 late in the fourth quarter when a muffed punt by Texas defensive back Craig Curry gave Georgia great field position and ultimately led to a 17-yard touchdown run by quarterback John Lastinger with 3:22 left to play. The Longhorns were unable to answer and lost 10-9.

Later that evening, No. 1 Nebraska was upset by Miami, the eventual National Champions, so the loss to Georgia almost certainly cost the Longhorns a National Championship.

1. 1981 Sugar Bowl

Date: Jan. 1, 1981

Result: Georgia 17-Notre Dame 9

This game comes in at No. 1 almost entirely because the victory led to UGA’s only consensus National Championship in school history. The game itself was pretty ugly for the Bulldogs.

Georgia essentially rode Hershel Walker to victory in the 1981 Sugar Bowl, with him carrying the ball 36 times for 150 yards and two touchdowns. In a game where Buck Belue and the Georgia passing game needed to take some pressure off of Walker, they did anything but. Belue only completed one pass out of 13 attempts over the course of the game. Belue’s lone completion came in the fourth quarter and allowed Georgia to run out the clock, take down Notre Dame and secure a National Championship for the Dawgs.