History of Georgia Bulldogs football in Timeline

The Georgia Bulldogs football program represents the University of Georgia, competing in the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Their home games take place at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. The Bulldogs have a rich history, marked by national championships and conference titles. Key rivalries include those with Florida, Auburn, and Georgia Tech. Recent success includes multiple SEC championships and national championship victories, solidifying their status as a perennial powerhouse in college football.

November 28, 1901: First Mention of "Bulldogs"

On November 28, 1901, the first mention of "Bulldogs" in association with Georgia athletics occurred at the Georgia-Auburn football game in Atlanta. Fans had a badge saying "Eat `em Georgia" with a bulldog image.

1904: Disputed Game vs. Florida

In 1904, Georgia includes a game against one of the four predecessor institutions of the modern University of Florida in its series record, which national sportswriters and Florida's athletic association do not include.

November 3, 1920: "Bulldog" Nickname Proposed

On November 3, 1920, the nickname "Bulldog" was used to describe the athletic teams at the University of Georgia. Morgan Blake of the Atlanta Journal wrote a story about school nicknames and proposed the term "Bulldogs".

1920: "Bulldogs" Name Used

After a 0–0 tie with Virginia in Charlottesville in 1920, Atlanta Constitution writer Cliff Wheatley used the name "Bulldogs" in his story five times, and the name has been used ever since.

1920: Conference Co-Champion

In 1920, Georgia was conference co-champion in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA).

1921: Left SIAA

In 1921, the Georgia Bulldogs, along with 12 other teams, left the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) and formed the Southern Conference.

1932: Joined SEC

In 1932, the Georgia Bulldogs left the Southern Conference to form and join the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

1933: Georgia-Florida Rivalry

Since 1933, the Georgia-Florida rivalry has been played annually (except for two occasions) at the neutral-site of Jacksonville, Florida.

1939: Introduction of "Silver Britches"

In 1939, Wally Butts first introduced the "silver britches", as they are colloquially known.

1942: National Championship

In 1942, Georgia claims one of its four national championships.

1943: Disputed Game vs. Georgia Tech

In 1943, Georgia does not include a game against Georgia Tech in its reckoning of the series record, due to UGA players being in World War II.

1944: Annual Game vs. Alabama

From 1944, the Bulldogs played each season against the Alabama Crimson Tide.

1944: Disputed Game vs. Georgia Tech

In 1944, Georgia does not include a game against Georgia Tech in its reckoning of the series record, due to UGA players being in World War II.

1961: Red Block "G" Logo Added

In 1961, a red block "G" logo was added to Georgia's grey leather helmet.

1961: Green Bay Packers "G" Logo

Since 1961, the Green Bay Packers held the trademark on the "G" logo, and have granted limited permission to Georgia to utilize a similar logo.

1962: Annual Games vs. Clemson

From 1962, Georgia and Clemson played annually.

1964: Oval "G" Helmet Design Introduced

In 1964, Vince Dooley incorporated the oval "G" onto the helmet, as part of uniform changes that included adoption of a red helmet and white pants. The design was created by Anne Donaldson.

1965: Annual Game vs. Alabama

Until 1965, the Bulldogs played each season against the Alabama Crimson Tide.

1980: National Championship

In 1980, Georgia claimed a national championship from the major wire-service: AP Poll and/or Coaches' Poll.

1980: Consensus Selectors

In 1980, consensus selectors for the Georgia Bulldogs included Berryman, Billingsley, Rothman, Football News, Helms, NCF, Poling, Sagarin (ELO-Chess), and Sporting News.

1980: Silver Britches Re-Added

Prior to the 1980 season, the "silver britches" were re-added to Georgia's uniform with a red-white-black stripe down the side, establishing the basic uniform concept used since then.

1980: Return of Silver Pants

Prior to the 1980 season, the uniform was changed back to silver pants, and they have remained silver ever since.

1980: Standard Home Uniform Established

Since 1980, Georgia's standard home uniform has remained largely unchanged, consisting of a red helmet with the trademarked oval G, red jerseys, and silver britches.

1987: Annual Games vs. Clemson

Until 1987, Georgia and Clemson played annually.

1992: SEC East Divisional Play

From 1992, Georgia developed rivalries with the Tennessee Volunteers and South Carolina Gamecocks during divisional play in the SEC East.

1992: Eastern Division Co-Champion

In 1992, Georgia was the SEC Eastern Division co-champion, but lost a tiebreaker for the right to appear in the SEC Championship Game.

1992: Annual Rivalry with Tennessee

In 1992, the annual rivalry with Tennessee began upon the creation of the SEC Eastern Division.

1992: South Carolina Joins SEC

In 1992, the series with South Carolina gained importance when South Carolina joined the SEC.

2000: Domination of Georgia Tech Series

Since 2000, Georgia has dominated the series with Georgia Tech, winning 18 out of 21 matchups.

2004: Matte Gray Pants Usage

Since 2004, matte gray pants have been used at times instead of "true" silver, mainly because the matte gray pants are of a lighter material.

2005: Trim Redesign

In 2005, a trim redesign occurred, dropping sleeve stripe patterns in favor of solid black jersey cuffs on the home jersey and solid red cuffs on the away jersey.

2006: Steve Spurrier Coaches South Carolina

From 2006, the series with South Carolina gained intensity when former Florida coach, Steve Spurrier, coached the Gamecocks.

2007: Eastern Division Co-Champion

In 2007, Georgia was the SEC Eastern Division co-champion, but lost a tiebreaker for the right to appear in the championship game.

2010: Rivalry with Alabama

Since 2010, Georgia and Alabama have faced off against each other in four SEC Championship Games and two College Football Playoff National Championships, bringing the once dormant rivalry back to prominence.

2014: Series Record Tied with Auburn

As recently as the 2014 matchup, the series with Auburn was tied.

2015: Steve Spurrier Coaches South Carolina

Until 2015, the series with South Carolina gained intensity when former Florida coach, Steve Spurrier, coached the Gamecocks.

2018: College Football Playoff National Championship Appearance

In 2018, the Georgia Bulldogs made an appearance in the College Football Playoff National Championship.

2019: All-America Selections

Through the 2019 season, the Bulldogs have had 84 players selected to the All-America team.

2021: National Championship

In 2021, Georgia claimed a national championship from the major wire-service: AP Poll and/or Coaches' Poll.

2021: Consensus Selectors

In 2021, consensus selectors for the Georgia Bulldogs included AP, FWAA/NFF, and USAT/AMWAY (Coaches).

2022: National Championship

In 2022, Georgia claimed a national championship from the major wire-service: AP Poll and/or Coaches' Poll.

2022: College Football Playoff National Championship Appearance

In 2022, the Georgia Bulldogs made an appearance in the College Football Playoff National Championship.

June 14, 2023: 2024 SEC Schedule Announced

On June 14, 2023, the 2024 conference schedule was announced, as the SEC will expand to 16 teams and eliminate its two divisions in 2024, causing a new scheduling format.

2023: SEC Divisional Play

From 1992 through 2023, the SEC was divided into two divisions, the East and the West. Georgia played in the East division and won 13 SEC Eastern Division championships and made 11 appearances in the SEC Championship Game.