This thread just brought all the raw emotions backs. I have to say, the single best football experience of my life. One of my colleagues, a big UGA fan, insisted I attend the game with him in a purely UGA section. We were on the UGA sideline in the end zone where the Kick and Pick happened, about 10 rows up. The first half had the feel of every GT/UGA game -- felt like everything was going UGA's way, or the game was closer on the score board than it felt. For the most part the UGA people around me were fine and left me alone. I had a blue fleece on covering my Tech stuff, but did have a GT hat on. I kept my mouth shut (promise I made to my wife!), didn't get too up when something went our way. We scored, clap, high-five to a Tech guy a row behind me, and back to watching/dying internally. The second half...wow. We just looked like the more dominant team. When we recovered that pooch kick, I thought that was it. I said out loud to my UGA buddy, "here it comes man, the Death March, ballgame". Then that horrendous crab leg fumble. When JT5 fumbled, I thought that was it. It, once again, felt like the classic GT/UGA game from the last 10 years. Some BS lucky break that UGA takes advantage of. After they scored, I wasn't as upset. The last ten years have numbed me well. When JT5 ran us into FG range, I won't lie, I didn't think Butker would get it, but I was proud of the team for getting us the opportunity. I had the best vantage point in the entire stadium on his kick. I was directly in line with that goal post, and as it was descending, it looked every bit 5 yards short. I started whispering "F*, short, short, short, shor.............@#$#@%@$!@#$@@#$@#%@#$" This is where I stopped being quiet and nice. Lost. My. Head. The gaggers around me were too stunned to even pay me any attention. OT: None of them thought UGA had a chance. Laskey bent 'em over and banged it in quick. The missed PAT. I will say I felt worse after the missed PAT than I did when JT5 fumbled and UGA marched it down to take the lead with 18sec left. THIS is how the GT/UGA series has gone for us. Emotional mindf* for 65 minutes, and we're going to losing by one G'D' point in OT. Seriously. Seriously? When UGA got the ball and lined up, I swear on anything you'd like me, I was leaning forward and whispering "pick it, pick it, pick it". When DJ snagged that sucker, my initial reaction was "where's the flag". I have never gone more insane in my life. Pure joy. The absolute best part was the S I L E N C E. 100,000 people all at once. The life was sucked out of that POS. Then something beautiful happened. The Tech fight song. I was there in 2008, and was in the Tech section by the band. I don't know if it's because I remember this game better, but this one felt better than 08 for some reason.
That was the sweetest 2 hour drive home from Athens ever. I wanted to hit every single traffic light on the way home.
I've watched the game over several times. Pisses my wife off (UGA grad). Long post that no one will/should read, but Go Jackets!