History of Georgia Bulldogs football in Timeline

The Georgia Bulldogs football program, representing the University of Georgia, participates in the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Their home games are held at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. Known for a storied history, the Bulldogs have claimed multiple national championships, including recent titles in 2021 and 2022. They also boast numerous SEC championships and have produced several NFL stars. Key rivalries include those with Florida, Auburn, and Georgia Tech. The program consistently ranks among the nation's elite, attracting top recruits and maintaining a strong fan base.

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 played in Atlanta.

1904: Game against Florida Predecessor

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

November 3, 1920: "Bulldog" Nickname Used

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 name.

1920: "Bulldogs" Name Used

After a 0–0 tie with Virginia in Charlottesville on Nov. 6, 1920, Atlanta Constitution writer Cliff Wheatley used the name "Bulldogs" in his story five times. The name has been used ever since.

1920: Conference Co-Champion

In 1920, during its tenure in the SIAA, Georgia was conference co-champion.

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 SEC.

1933: Annual Game in Jacksonville

Played annually (except for two occasions) at the neutral-site of Jacksonville, Florida since 1933, the Georgia-Florida rivalry is known nationwide for its associated tailgating and pageantry.

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 a national championship.

1943: Games against Georgia Tech

Georgia does not include two games from 1943 against Georgia Tech (both UGA losses) 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 until 1965.

1944: Games against Georgia Tech

Georgia does not include two games from 1944 against Georgia Tech (both UGA losses) in its reckoning of the series record, because Georgia's players were in World War II and Georgia Tech's players were not.

1961: Addition of Red Block G Logo

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

1961: Green Bay Packers "G" Logo Trademark

Since the Georgia "G" was similar to the Green Bay Packers' "G" already in use since 1961, Dooley cleared its use with the Packers organization.

1962: Annual Games Against Clemson

The two schools are separated by a mere 70 miles and played annually from 1962 to 1987.

1964: Introduction of Oval "G" on Helmet

In 1964, Vince Dooley incorporated the oval "G" onto the helmet as part of uniform changes. The use of the similar "G" logo was cleared with the Green Bay Packers organization, who held the trademark since 1961.

1965: Annual Games Against Alabama

From 1944 to 1965, the Bulldogs played each season against the Alabama Crimson Tide.

1980: Standard Home Uniform

Georgia's standard home uniform has not significantly changed since 1980, and consists of a red helmet with the trademarked oval G, red jerseys, and famous silver britches.

1980: National Championship

In 1980, Georgia claimed a national championship from major wire services like the AP Poll and Coaches' Poll.

1980: Consensus Selectors

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

1980: Re-addition of "Silver Britches"

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.

1987: Annual Games Against Clemson

The two schools are separated by a mere 70 miles and played annually from 1962 to 1987.

1992: SEC East Division

From 1992 to 2023, Georgia played in the East Division of the SEC and played each opponent in the division each year along with several teams from the West Division.

1992: Rivalries in SEC East

Georgia developed rivalries with the Tennessee Volunteers and South Carolina Gamecocks during divisional play in the SEC East from 1992 to 2023.

1992: Annual Rivalry Begins

The annual rivalry with Tennessee began in 1992 upon the creation of the SEC Eastern Division and annually plays an important role in deciding the division champion.

1992: South Carolina Joins SEC

The border-rivalry with South Carolina gained importance when South Carolina joined the SEC in 1992.

2000: Georgia Dominates Series

Since 2000 Georgia has dominated the series with Georgia Tech, winning 18 out of 21 matchups, lessening the importance of the once-close series.

2004: Use of Matte Gray Pants

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

2005: Trim Redesign

The most recent trim redesign occurred in 2005, when sleeve stripe patterns were dropped in favor of solid black jersey cuffs on the home jersey and solid red cuffs on the away jersey.

2006: Steve Spurrier Coaches Gamecocks

The border-rivalry with South Carolina gained intensity when former Florida coach, Steve Spurrier, coached the Gamecocks from 2006 to 2015.

2007: Eastern Division Co-Champion

In 2007, Georgia was the Eastern Division co-champion, but lost a tiebreaker for the right to appear in the 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 Tied with Auburn

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

2015: Steve Spurrier Coaches Gamecocks

The border-rivalry with South Carolina gained intensity when former Florida coach, Steve Spurrier, coached the Gamecocks from 2006 to 2015.

2018: College Football Playoff National Championship Appearance

In 2018, the Georgia Bulldogs appeared 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

In 2021, Georgia claimed a national championship from major wire services like the AP Poll and Coaches' Poll.

2021: Consensus Selectors

In 2021, other 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 major wire services like the AP Poll and Coaches' Poll.

2022: College Football Playoff National Championship Appearance

In 2022, the Georgia Bulldogs appeared in the College Football Playoff National Championship.

June 14, 2023: 2024 Conference Schedule Announced

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

2023: Alabama Leads Series with Georgia

Alabama leads the series 43–26–4 through the 2023 season against Georgia.

2023: SEC East Division

From 1992 to 2023, Georgia played in the East Division of the SEC and played each opponent in the division each year along with several teams from the West Division.

2023: Rivalries in SEC East

Georgia developed rivalries with the Tennessee Volunteers and South Carolina Gamecocks during divisional play in the SEC East from 1992 to 2023.

2023: Georgia Leads Series with Tennessee

Georgia leads the series 28–23–2 through the 2023 season against Tennessee.

2023: Georgia Leads Series with South Carolina

Georgia leads the series 55–19–2 through the 2023 season against South Carolina.

2023: College Football Playoff National Championship Appearance

In 2023, the Georgia Bulldogs appeared in the College Football Playoff National Championship.

2023: End of SEC Division Play

Through 2023, the SEC was divided into two divisions, the East and the West, where division champions represented their division in the SEC Championship Game.

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

Schedules for the Georgia Bulldogs as of August 4, 2024.

2024: Georgia Leads Series with Clemson

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

2024: SEC Expansion and Division Elimination

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