History of Georgia Bulldogs football in Timeline

The Georgia Bulldogs football program, representing the University of Georgia, participates in NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Their home field is Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. Known for a strong tradition, the Bulldogs have achieved national championships and numerous SEC titles. Key moments include their recent national championship victories in 2021 and 2022, solidifying their status as a dominant force in college football. The program's success is fueled by talented players and dedicated coaching staffs.

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.

1904: Game Against Florida Predecessor Institution

In 1904, Georgia includes a game against one of the four predecessor institutions of the modern University of Florida (a Georgia win) that national sportswriters and Florida's athletic association do not include.

November 3, 1920: Nickname Proposal

On November 3, 1920, Morgan Blake of the Atlanta Journal wrote a story about school nicknames and proposed the nickname 'Bulldog' for the athletic teams at the University of Georgia.

1920: "Bulldogs" Name Used

After a 0-0 tie with Virginia on November 6, 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, Georgia, along with 12 other teams, left the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) to form the Southern Conference.

1932: Joined SEC

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

1933: Annual Georgia-Florida Game in Jacksonville

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 Claim

In 1942, Georgia claims a national championship.

1943: Games Against Georgia Tech

In 1943, Georgia does not include a game against Georgia Tech (a UGA loss) in its reckoning of the series record, because Georgia's players were in World War II and Georgia Tech's players were not.

1944: Annual Games Against Alabama

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

1944: Games Against Georgia Tech

In 1944, Georgia does not include a game against Georgia Tech (a UGA loss) in its reckoning of the series record, because Georgia's players were in World War II and Georgia Tech's players were not.

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

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

1962: Annual Series with Clemson

From 1962, the two schools Georgia and Clemson played annually.

1964: Oval "G" Helmet Design

In 1964, Vince Dooley incorporated the oval "G" onto the helmet as part of uniform changes. Anne Donaldson designed the new helmet.

1965: Annual Games Against Alabama

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

1980: National Championship Claim

In 1980, Georgia claimed a national championship from a major wire service poll.

1980: Consensus Selectors

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

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. Since the 1980 season, Georgia has utilized the same basic uniform concept.

1980: Standard Home Uniform Established

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

1987: Annual Series with Clemson

Until 1987, the two schools 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: Annual Rivalry with Tennessee Begins

In 1992, the annual rivalry between Georgia and Tennessee began upon the creation of the SEC Eastern Division.

1992: South Carolina Joins SEC

In 1992, the border-rivalry with South Carolina gained importance when South Carolina joined the SEC.

2000: Georgia Dominates Georgia Tech Series

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

2004: Matte Gray Pants Introduced

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, with sleeve stripe patterns dropped 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 rivalry with South Carolina gained intensity when former Florida coach, Steve Spurrier, coached the Gamecocks.

2007: Eastern Division Co-Champion

In 2007, Georgia was the Eastern Division co-champion but lost a tiebreaker, preventing them from appearing in the SEC Championship Game.

2010: Renewed 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 with Auburn Tied

As recently as the 2014 matchup, the series between Georgia and Auburn was tied.

2015: Steve Spurrier Coaches South Carolina

Until 2015, the rivalry 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 Team Selections

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

2021: National Championship Claim

In 2021, Georgia claimed a national championship from a major wire service poll.

2021: Consensus Selectors

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

2022: National Championship Claim

In 2022, Georgia claimed a national championship from a major wire service 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: Announcement of 2024 SEC Schedule

On June 14, 2023, only the 2024 conference schedule was announced, while the conference still considers a new format for the future.

2023: College Football Playoff National Championship Appearance

In 2023, the Georgia Bulldogs made an appearance in the College Football Playoff National Championship.

2023: Future SEC Scheduling Format

On June 14, 2023, only the 2024 conference schedule was announced, while the conference still considers a new format for the future.

2023: End of SEC Divisional Era

Through 2023, the SEC was divided into two divisions, the East and the West.

2023: Alabama Leads Georgia Series

Through the 2023 season, Alabama leads the series with Georgia 43–26–4.

2023: Georgia Leads Auburn Series

Through the 2023 season, Georgia leads the series with Auburn 64–56–8.

2023: Consensus All-America Selections

Through the 2023 season, there have been 41 consensus All-America selections, of which 16 were unanimous.

August 4, 2024: Announced Schedules

As of August 4, 2024 schedules were announced.

2024: Georgia Leads Clemson Series

After the matchup in the 2024 season, Georgia leads the series 44–18–4.

2024: SEC Eliminates Divisions

In 2024, the SEC will expand the conference to 16 teams and will eliminate its two divisions, causing a new scheduling format for the Bulldogs to play against the other members of the conference.