How has it been 1,462 days since Podunkdawg left us? How has it been 1,457 days since I heard her voice in my head telling me I had to write the Victory post?
She was the OG Housemother of Dawgsports, for those of you who don’t know. Y’all graciously bestowed upon me the title of Housemother 2.0 sometime in that season – an honor which still astounds her ability to write. Many of you have commented that you like my writing, but anyone who really knows me knows that my ‘writing’ is more stream-of-consciousness
word vomit than anything anyone with real writing skills/knowledge would call good.
Mostly what I have done in the past 4 years has been to describe my thoughts and feelings of the game that has increased our coach’s win record. I will attempt to do so again now.
Since the changeover of SEC television rights, we have had earlier game time announcements. At this juncture, I think we have times for nearly every game this season – this makes me happy, because it makes my schedule easier to plan. On July 23, I posted on my Facebook page asking who wanted to go see a Georgia game with me. My brother has taken up the mantle of traveling to come see (at least) one game each season with me, so he always gets first pick. My nephew, who was intubated in the ICU right before Easter this year was given second pick (my promise to him while he was intubated, given that he followed doctor/nurses orders and got well). That left 5 home games this year, and two were claimed via that post. On July 27, I got a text from my niece (who came with me last year), asking if I would consider taking her oldest to a game with me. I instantly replied that I would absolutely consider bringing him – we very nearly got to watch him in a game, but it got cancelled. So I know he’s a fan, and apparently had never been to a college game before.
She brought him to me Friday night (they live in Macon). I asked if he wanted to go see the end of the high school game, and his face lit up as he asked “can we?” Dude, I’m faculty there, of COURSE we can! We got to that game about halfway through the third quarter, and the game was tied at that point. The remainder of the game was hard fought, but Parkview notched the first win of our new coach’s tenure. Great-nephew was absolutely enthralled.
When we got back to my house, I told him it was my goal to be on the road around 10am-ish. He was up and dressed, and we pulled out of the driveway at 10:00am precisely. He loved getting to ride in Podunk’s (now my) Challenger. We arrived at the east deck before the fan buses started rolling, so we walked to the Tate Center to watch the Dawg Walk. We were early enough to score a spot in the shade – an absolute essential on a beautiful day like yesterday.
Y’all, I’m not usually a lucky person, but yesterday….maybe Podunk was watching over me. There was one game last season (I don’t remember which one) where a young man (9-10ish?) to my right called out “Uncle Mike” as the Dawg Walk began – it turns out “Uncle Mike” was Coach Bobo, so of course he came over to hug the young man & speak for a moment. Yesterday, there were two elderly women to my left. One of them was wearing a button of one of our players, but I don’t have the entire roster memorized, so I was astounded when first Coach Smart, then Coach Bobo each came over and hugged those ladies. I took the opportunity to ask Coach Bobo how it was that I kept ending up next to his family. When I shared that with brother Podunk, he asked what Coach said. My reply? He just looked at me as if I was completely insane. Brother’s response? Well that’s rude. Everyone knows you’re not COMPLETELY insane.
After the Dawg Walk, g-nephew & I made our way into the stadium. I showed him the entrance to the locker room and the final resting place of UGAs I – X. We walked along the hedges & picked up pom-poms. As we got to the far end, I saw Herschel Walker! He was too far away to get a handshake or speak to him, but that’s the first (and so far only) time I’ve seen him in person.
We made our way up to our seats (after getting g-nephew some food). I cried during the Battle Hymn (that’s a given) and the game began.
Y’all that’s the first time I’ve watched the game with someone who plays. He definitely had some great insight (that only a player would have). He was studying the game, studying the players, trying to learn things that would help him become a better player. He definitely said he would love to play for Georgia, and you’d better believe that if he makes it, I’ll be wearing his jersey. I’ll be waiting for him to come over and hug me as he makes his way through the Dawg Walk. I’ll be at the field at the end of the game to see him again.
However, it is our intention to celebrate Georgia Bulldog Football Wins whenever and wherever they occur. The ugliness or beauty of any particular win is irrelevant for the purposes of the Winning Smart Victory Post. It is therefore my deepest honor and privilege to bring to you this week’s edition of: The Winning Smart Victory Post.
Coach Kirby Smart coached his 125th game this week for the Red & Black. He currently boasts a 106-19 record and a 0.8480 winning percentage, having carded his one hundred sixth win overall in the home opener of the 2025 season against the Thundering Herd of Marshall.
At the identical juncture in their careers:
Vince Dooley’s 125th game as head coach resulted in a Georgia Bulldogs win over Mississippi State in the second game of the 1975 season, giving Coach Dooley a record of 83-38-5 and 0.6840 percentage.
Coach Mark Richt was 95-30 (0.7600) after a loss to the USCjr chickens in the second game of the 2010 season.
One hundred and twenty five games into his head coaching career Kirby Smart is eleven games ahead of Coach Mark Richt and ahead of Coach Vince Dooley by 23 games. As of now, he is holding his own versus the two winningest coaches in Georgia Football History.
As always . . .
Go ‘Dawgs!!!
