Thanksgiving 1995

Thanksgiving Day 1995

The Dawgs played Tech on Thanksgiving Day in 1995. Olympics construction seemed to be going on all around Grant Field. Ray Goff was officially fired, but still coached the game. Bobo out for the season. Brian Smith, back up QB out for the season. Hines Ward was now our QB after starting the season as a receiver and then to running back. Ward was playing with a cracked wrist bone. Kirby Smart played special teams including kick returner. Due to injuries, including Robert Edwards, we had started 6 different RBs. We also had numerous injuries on defense and were a depleted team with a lame duck coach playing against a decent Tech team.

The first half saw UGA turn the ball over and commit holding penalty after holding penalty killing every chance at a drive.

Tech goes up 14-0 and misses a chip shot FG to end the half. UGA was able to get 8 first downs and held the ball for more time in the half but penalties killed every drive.
Tech knew UGA had no other answer at QB and took some vicious shots at him. They were flagged for one that would have been targeting in today’s football well after he threw a pass. For a moment, it looked like Ward was out, but then Ward jumped up like a shot of adrenaline went through him and he continued to grind on.

The Dawgs first possession of the 3rd quarter resulted in a TD with some great passes by Ward to Hunter and Daniel’s . Freshman Torin Kirtsey slashed his way to some nice runs and capped the drive with a TD run from about 10 yards out. It started to feel like the Dawgs’ time of possession was starting to wear down Tech’s Defense.

Tech responded with a long grinding drive of their own and kicked a FG after nearly scoring a pass TD on 3rd down.

Down 10 the Dawgs open up the offense and let Ward roll out and run and pass. Ward drives the Dawgs down the field and the drive is finished with a Kirtsey run for a TD. Dawgs go for 2 and get it with a great pass to Brice Hunter followed by yet another Tech cheap shot. This one called. 17-15 Tech

Dawgs stop Techs next drive but Tech booms a punt and we are 90 yards away with under 8 minutes left. Dawgs slowly drive down the field with short passes and slashing runs by Kirtsey while converting 3rd down after 3rd down. It seems after every pass, Tech takes shots at Ward, but he keeps getting up. The drive stalls just short of a first down at the 20. 90 seconds left. Parkman kicks an ugly kick, but it somehow knuckleballs through. Dawgs up 18-17. With a 16 play 75 yard drive that ate over 6 minutes.
First down, Daniel’s gets a sack. Second down, Kirby Smart in his first action other than special team breaks up a long pass down the middle. Then a short pass out of bounds and then an incompletion. Dawgs Win.
Goff is carried off the field by his team. Dawgs are bowl eligible. Hines Ward cements his legend as a tough and fierce competitor. Tech cements their legend as the kind of team that will cheap shot your last QB in hopes of taking him out.

This was UGA football 1995. This is also another reason why we shall always hate Tech.