You probably don’t remember, but my plus one last year for the home opener was my eldest great-nephew. He’s now 15 (with his permit!), and a freshman in high school. Watching him watch the game was every bit as entertaining as the game itself, because he was studying the game. He has played for a few years now (I’m not sure exactly how long), and thoroughly enjoys playing. He clearly was looking to see what he could learn to improve his own game.
When the family met for Easter, his uncle (my youngest
nephew) asked about coming to a game again (he got to attend the Texas game last year after narrowly surviving an ICU visit brought about by vaping. In case you don’t know my feelings about vaping, I’ll be short here – DON’T). When I agreed he could come again, we discussed which game (he chose Mizzou). The GN asked if he could attend an SEC game this year, and he chose Vandy.
We weren’t early enough to get my preferred spot for the Dawg Walk, but we were early enough to get a spot near the Redcoats! I promise, at any football game, the band is having a great time!
We stopped at the endzone corner nearest the UGA crypts, where GN watched players practice. We even got to watch receivers practicing catching the ball in the back corner and make sure to get a foot down (and we saw that at least once in the game, too).
One of my annual plus-ones (a former colleague) had texted me that she was there with her family, so we made sure to meet up with her for a moment in the 3rd quarter.
We even discussed him coming back during our Fall Break (his aligns with mine this year) so we could go explore the cemetery and the marker that bears our name. That will likely depend on his mama’s ability to transport, so stay tuned…
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 143rd game this week for the Red & Black. He currently boasts a 122-21 record and a 0.8531 winning percentage, having carded his one hundred twenty-second win overall in the fifth game of the 2026 season against the Commodores of Vanderbilt.
At the identical juncture in their careers:
Vince Dooley’s 143rd game as head coach resulted in a Georgia Bulldogs win over Floriduh in the eighth game of the 1976 season, giving Coach Dooley a record of 96-42-5 and a 0.6888 percentage.
Coach Mark Richt was 106-37 (0.7413) after a loss to LSU in the 2011 SECCG.
One hundred and forty three games into his head coaching career Kirby Smart is sixteen games ahead of Coach Mark Richt and ahead of Coach Vince Dooley by 26 games. As of now, he is holding his own versus the two winningest coaches in Georgia Football History.
As always . . .
Go ‘Dawgs !!!!
