GEORGIA NOTES

Georgia in 2011: The Bulldogs come to the Outback Bowl with a 10-3 record as the runner-up in the SEC and East Division Champion. The Bulldogs are ranked 18th in both the USA Today and AP Poll. Georgia is ranked third nationally in total defense. The Bulldogs are ranked in the top three in the SEC in 14 different statistical categories including first in Time of Possession, second in Turnover Margin, third in passing offense.

Bulldog Bowls: This will be Georgia's 47th post-season bowl game, the sixth most in NCAA history. They boast a 26-17-3 record in the bowls and have played in 18 different bowls through the years, the most of any team.

Welcome Back: This will be Georgia's 5th appearance in Tampa's bowl game, the most of any team, where they are 3-1. They played in the inaugural bowl, when it was known as the Hall of Fame Bowl, in December 1986 where they lost to Boston College 27-24. They returned to the Outback Bowl January 1998 against Wisconsin where they won 33-6. Then, in the first game of the millennium on January 1, 2000, they shocked Purdue with a 28-25 comeback win in overtime after being down 25-0 early in the second quarter. Most recently they defeated Wisconsin 24-21 in the January 2005 game.

Bulldog Tradition: The Bulldogs are playing in their 118th season compiling a 747-399-54 record. They have won five National Championships, twelve SEC Championships and produced two Heisman Trophy winners.

Meet the Bulldogs: Georgia’s offense is led by QB Aaron Murray who has completed 218 of 371 passes for 2,861 yards and a school record 33 TDs. He is also the SEC’s active career leader in total offense, completions, passing yards and touchdown passes.

Murray’s favorite target is TE Orson Charles with 44 catches for 572 yards and 5 TDs, along with Malcolm Mitchell who has 38 receptions for 624 yards and 4 TDs.

The Bulldogs also average 172.7 yards per game on the ground led by freshman Isaiah Crowell with 847 yards, for a 4.8 yard average, and 5 TDs.

Georgia is ranked 3rd nationally in total defense and anchored by Butkus Award Finalist OLB Jarvis Jones who leads the SEC, and is third nationally, in quarterback sacks with 13.5. He also leads the SEC in total tackles for loss with 19.5 and has 69 total tackles. LB Michael Gilliard and SS Shawn Williams are next with 65 stops apiece.

CB Brandon Boykin has 48 tackles and averages 22.9 yards per kickoff return. He is second in SEC history in career kickoff return yards with 2,593.

FS Bacarri Rambo leads the SEC in interceptions (7) and passes defended (14). PK Blair Walsh is the active NCAA leader in total points kicking with 404 for his career.

Welcome Home: No less than five players on the Bulldogs roster are from the Tampa Bay area including QB Aaron Murray (Plant H.S.), TE Orson Charles (Plant H.S.) and LB Ramik Wilson (Jefferson H.S.) from Tampa, and OL Zach DeBell (Tarpon Springs H.S.) and ILB Kosta Vavlas (Tarpon Springs H.S.) of Tarpon Springs.

Coach Mark Richt: Coach Richt is in his 11th season as head coach of the Bulldogs. He is 106-37 during his tenure which also includes eleven bowl appearances, two SEC titles and SEC runner-up in 2003 and 2011. He was named SEC Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2002.