ATHENS. — University of Georgia students led the fans who wore black for Saturday night's game against Kentucky in tribute to the Bulldogs' late mascot, Uga VII.
Uga VII was buried at Sanford Stadium in a private ceremony on Saturday morning. The white English bulldog died Thursday of heart-related causes before he could complete only his second season as Georgia's mascot.
There was a moment of silence for the mascot before the game.
The main student section is behind Uga VII's doghouse, which sat empty for the game on the north sideline.
A large wreath was placed on the doghouse before the game. A poster of the mascot was placed beside the door.
Uga VII, nicknamed "Loran's Best" in honor of author Loran Smith, the longtime sideline reporter on the Georgia radio network, was laid to rest in the mausoleum in the southwest corner of the stadium. Six previous Uga mascots also are entombed in the mausoleum.
Athletic director Damon Evans and University of Georgia president Dr. Michael Adams spoke at the ceremony.
Georgia players wore black dog-bone decals on their helmets. Uga VII's name was on the decals.
The mascot was 16-7 in his two seasons. He followed Uga VI, who was 87-27 from 1999-2007 for the most wins of any in the line of mascots. Uga VI also was the largest of the Uga line at 65 pounds. Uga VII was the second-largest at 561/2 pounds.
The last time Georgia played a game without the live mascot on the field was in the 2000 O'Ahu Bowl in Hawaii. Georgia beat Virginia 37-14 in that game.
Sonny Seiler, whose Savannah-based family owns the Uga line of mascots, said he plans to select Uga VII's successor next year.
It would not be unprecedented if Seiler chose a temporary fill-in for next week's game at Georgia Tech. When Uga IV was sidelined with injured ligaments in his left hind leg, Otto — who like Uga IV was the son of Uga III — filled in for four games in the 1986 season.
Otto finished with a 3-1 record and was praised by coach Vince Dooley, who said "I have always had a great affection for those who came off the bench and performed, and he did that and had a great time."
COBB IN UNIFORM: Kentucky's Randall Cobb, who had been considered questionable for the game with a bruised shoulder, started at wide receiver.
The versatile Cobb, Kentucky's leading receiver, also is the team's second-leading rusher.
Cobb made his first impact on a 21-yard punt return in the first quarter to help set up a touchdown. He had a 4-yard run while lining up at quarterback.
SENIOR DAY: The only starter on offense among the Georgia seniors honored before the game was quarterback Joe Cox. There were four senior starters on defense: tackles Jeff Owens and Kade Weston, cornerback Prince Miller and free safety Bryan Evans. Geno Atkins, a top backup at defensive tackle, also is a senior.
WORTH NOTING: Georgia cornerback Brandon Boykin left the game in the first quarter with a hip injury. ... Officials kept the time on the field following a clock malfunction in the first quarter. The clock was fixed for the start of the second quarter. .... University of Georgia students have a week off for Thanksgiving. There were reports of heavy traffic in Athens on Friday with students leaving town, and there were patches of empty seats.
Uga VII was buried at Sanford Stadium in a private ceremony on Saturday morning. The white English bulldog died Thursday of heart-related causes before he could complete only his second season as Georgia's mascot.
There was a moment of silence for the mascot before the game.
The main student section is behind Uga VII's doghouse, which sat empty for the game on the north sideline.
A large wreath was placed on the doghouse before the game. A poster of the mascot was placed beside the door.
Uga VII, nicknamed "Loran's Best" in honor of author Loran Smith, the longtime sideline reporter on the Georgia radio network, was laid to rest in the mausoleum in the southwest corner of the stadium. Six previous Uga mascots also are entombed in the mausoleum.
Athletic director Damon Evans and University of Georgia president Dr. Michael Adams spoke at the ceremony.
Georgia players wore black dog-bone decals on their helmets. Uga VII's name was on the decals.
The mascot was 16-7 in his two seasons. He followed Uga VI, who was 87-27 from 1999-2007 for the most wins of any in the line of mascots. Uga VI also was the largest of the Uga line at 65 pounds. Uga VII was the second-largest at 561/2 pounds.
The last time Georgia played a game without the live mascot on the field was in the 2000 O'Ahu Bowl in Hawaii. Georgia beat Virginia 37-14 in that game.
Sonny Seiler, whose Savannah-based family owns the Uga line of mascots, said he plans to select Uga VII's successor next year.
It would not be unprecedented if Seiler chose a temporary fill-in for next week's game at Georgia Tech. When Uga IV was sidelined with injured ligaments in his left hind leg, Otto — who like Uga IV was the son of Uga III — filled in for four games in the 1986 season.
Otto finished with a 3-1 record and was praised by coach Vince Dooley, who said "I have always had a great affection for those who came off the bench and performed, and he did that and had a great time."
COBB IN UNIFORM: Kentucky's Randall Cobb, who had been considered questionable for the game with a bruised shoulder, started at wide receiver.
The versatile Cobb, Kentucky's leading receiver, also is the team's second-leading rusher.
Cobb made his first impact on a 21-yard punt return in the first quarter to help set up a touchdown. He had a 4-yard run while lining up at quarterback.
SENIOR DAY: The only starter on offense among the Georgia seniors honored before the game was quarterback Joe Cox. There were four senior starters on defense: tackles Jeff Owens and Kade Weston, cornerback Prince Miller and free safety Bryan Evans. Geno Atkins, a top backup at defensive tackle, also is a senior.
WORTH NOTING: Georgia cornerback Brandon Boykin left the game in the first quarter with a hip injury. ... Officials kept the time on the field following a clock malfunction in the first quarter. The clock was fixed for the start of the second quarter. .... University of Georgia students have a week off for Thanksgiving. There were reports of heavy traffic in Athens on Friday with students leaving town, and there were patches of empty seats.
ATHENS - Kentucky scored 14 points off four Georgia second-half turnovers and the Wildcats rallied to beat the Bulldogs 34-27 on Saturday night for their first win in Athens in 32 years.
Kentucky's Randall Cobb had scoring runs following Georgia turnovers at the Bulldogs' 14- and 8-yard lines.
Joe Cox threw three touchdown passes, but had a screen pass intercepted by Kentucky defensive tackle Shane McCord to set up Cobb's go-ahead 1-yard touchdown run with 9:55 remaining.
Kentucky (7-4, 3-4 Southeastern Conference) rallied from a 20-6 halftime deficit.
Washaun Ealey's fumble on a pitch from Cox at the Kentucky 1 stopped the Bulldogs from tying the game with 2:21 remaining. Linebacker Danny Trevathan recovered the fumble for Kentucky.
Georgia (6-5, 4-4) had one more chance, but Cox was picked off by Sam Maxwell with 1:52 left.
The Bulldogs heard boos as they struggled to contain Cobb and Derrick Locke, the speedy running back who had touchdown catches of 20 and 60 yards.
Georgia students and other fans wore black in tribute to the Bulldogs' late mascot, Uga VII.
Uga VII was buried at Sanford Stadium in a private ceremony on Saturday morning. The white English bulldog died Thursday of heart-related causes before he could complete only his second season as Georgia's mascot.
A large wreath was placed on Uga VII's doghouse, and he was remembered with a moment of silence before the game.
Cox threw scoring passes of 21 and 43 yards to freshman Rantavious Wooten, who started for A.J. Green, the SEC's leading receiver who was held out with a shoulder injury.
Georgia held a dominant 286-63 advantage in total yards in the first half, but lost its momentum when Branden Smith fumbled the kickoff to open the second half. The lost fumble at the Georgia 14-yard line set up Cobb's 11-yard touchdown run.
After Wooten's second touchdown catch, Kentucky answered with Morgan Newton's 21-yard scoring pass to La'Rod King to cut the lead to 27-20. Kentucky tied the game when Locke turned a short screen pass into a 60-yard touchdown play early in the fourth quarter.
Cobb was considered questionable for the game with a bruised shoulder. His 21-yard punt return set up Newton's 20-yard touchdown pass to Locke in the first quarter.
Georgia stopped Cobb's run for the 2-point conversion, and the Wildcats were shut down the rest of the half as the Bulldogs put consistent pressure on Newton.
Georgia's first drive ended with a punt. The Bulldogs' next four drives in the first half led to scores — 21- and 45-yard field goals by Blair Walsh and two touchdown passes by Cox.
Kentucky's Randall Cobb had scoring runs following Georgia turnovers at the Bulldogs' 14- and 8-yard lines.
Joe Cox threw three touchdown passes, but had a screen pass intercepted by Kentucky defensive tackle Shane McCord to set up Cobb's go-ahead 1-yard touchdown run with 9:55 remaining.
Kentucky (7-4, 3-4 Southeastern Conference) rallied from a 20-6 halftime deficit.
Washaun Ealey's fumble on a pitch from Cox at the Kentucky 1 stopped the Bulldogs from tying the game with 2:21 remaining. Linebacker Danny Trevathan recovered the fumble for Kentucky.
Georgia (6-5, 4-4) had one more chance, but Cox was picked off by Sam Maxwell with 1:52 left.
The Bulldogs heard boos as they struggled to contain Cobb and Derrick Locke, the speedy running back who had touchdown catches of 20 and 60 yards.
Georgia students and other fans wore black in tribute to the Bulldogs' late mascot, Uga VII.
Uga VII was buried at Sanford Stadium in a private ceremony on Saturday morning. The white English bulldog died Thursday of heart-related causes before he could complete only his second season as Georgia's mascot.
A large wreath was placed on Uga VII's doghouse, and he was remembered with a moment of silence before the game.
Cox threw scoring passes of 21 and 43 yards to freshman Rantavious Wooten, who started for A.J. Green, the SEC's leading receiver who was held out with a shoulder injury.
Georgia held a dominant 286-63 advantage in total yards in the first half, but lost its momentum when Branden Smith fumbled the kickoff to open the second half. The lost fumble at the Georgia 14-yard line set up Cobb's 11-yard touchdown run.
After Wooten's second touchdown catch, Kentucky answered with Morgan Newton's 21-yard scoring pass to La'Rod King to cut the lead to 27-20. Kentucky tied the game when Locke turned a short screen pass into a 60-yard touchdown play early in the fourth quarter.
Cobb was considered questionable for the game with a bruised shoulder. His 21-yard punt return set up Newton's 20-yard touchdown pass to Locke in the first quarter.
Georgia stopped Cobb's run for the 2-point conversion, and the Wildcats were shut down the rest of the half as the Bulldogs put consistent pressure on Newton.
Georgia's first drive ended with a punt. The Bulldogs' next four drives in the first half led to scores — 21- and 45-yard field goals by Blair Walsh and two touchdown passes by Cox.