Dave McMahon and Patrick Garbin
Welcome to our countdown! After starting with day 100, we are almost halfway to the end. Each day leading up to the season opener, Patrick Garbin and I will each show three unique and creative ways why we believe that number is special to the Dawgs. Simon and Garfunkel released in 1966 a song called The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy). The 59th Street Bridge is also known as the Queensboro Bridge. The song reached No. 13 on the Billboard chart and has been covered and sampled time and time again. It was even been spoofed in the famous The Simpsons' episode, “Who Shot Mr. Burns?” So, whether you are feeling groovy, or not, here are some ways the number 59 relates to Georgia football:
By Dave McMahon
3 –Through the first two seasons of his collegiate career, Isaiah McKenzie has returned four punts for touchdowns, which is tied for most by a Georgia player (Buzy Rosenberg also had four). Against Kentucky in 2014, McKenzie returned a kickoff return for touchdown in the first quarter, followed by a punt return covering 59 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. For the “Human Joystick,” the 59-yarder stands as the second longest of his four punt returns for touchdowns:
2 – Most Bulldog fans recall former wide receiver Corey Allen catching the game-winning touchdown against Georgia Tech in 1997. But, how many of you remember that he had another touchdown reception in that game? With Georgia and the Jackets tied at seven with less than two minutes until halftime, quarterback Mike Bobo connected with Allen for a 59-yard touchdown to give the Dawgs the lead—an advantage they would hold until 48 seconds left in the game, before Bobo and Allen hooked up again. For the game, Allen had five receptions for 93 yards and two touchdowns (Hines Ward also caught two touchdowns vs. Tech in ‘97).
1 – Speaking of receivers, I wrote about Brice Hunter and his record-setting performance back on day 76 of the countdown, which featured the most receptions in a season by a Georgia Bulldog. Second place on the list is a tie: Brice Hunter is there again with the 59 receptions he made in 1994, and Terrence Edwards had 59 catches in 2002, as well. Of course, transpiring during the first season in which bowl game stats counted in yearly totals, Edwards’ 59 resulted in 13 games, including the SEC championship, and the Sugar Bowl. As for Hunter’s 59 catches, they were made in an 11-game schedule. Unfortunately for him and Georgia fans, the Bulldogs did not reach the postseason in 1994 anyways, so Hunter did not have to worry about any bowl stats not counting.
By Patrick Garbin
3—Facing South Carolina in the 1992 season opener on the road, whereby the Gamecocks were playing their first-ever SEC game in their 100th year of football, Georgia trailed 6-0 in the third quarter before taking a 7-6 lead. In the same quarter and with the Bulldogs having the ball on their own 41-yard line, senior running back Mack Strong was handed the ball, and dashed 59 yards for an all-important touchdown. He would later add a 17-yard touchdown run, rushing for 118 yards on eight carries in a 28-6 Georgia victory. For Strong, who would finish his collegiate career averaging less than 19 yards rushing per game and just over four yards per carry, the ’92 meeting with South Carolina, highlighted by his 59-yard score, was his top game as a Bulldog.
2—Fifty years before Strong’s feat, Georgia’s George Poschner also had the top game of his collegiate career versus an SEC foe. Poschner, who would eventually be admired as much for his military valor and buoyant optimism as a hero of World War II, was the Bulldogs’ starting left end as a senior in 1942. Against Florida that season in Jacksonville, Georgia jumped out to a 14-0 lead before the Gators moved to the Bulldogs’ 38-yard line. However, they were stopped on fourth down, turning the ball over to Georgia on downs. After the Bulldogs gained just three yards on two plays to their own 41-yard line, sophomore tailback Charley Tripp faded back, and launched a pass to Poschner, who reeled it in at Florida’s 26-yard line and strolled into the end zone for a 59-yard touchdown. Following Poschner’s 59-yarder, the 6-foot-0, 180-pounder also caught scoring passes of 62 and nine yards—both thrown by senior tailback Frank Sinkwich—in the Bulldogs’ 75-0 rout of the Gators. For the game, Poschner had 130 receiving yards on three catches, all touchdowns. His three receiving touchdowns in a single game, although tied on a few occasions, remains a school record.
1—From Tommy Thurson (1980-1983) yesterday, to No. 59 Greg Waters today as for a Bulldog hero of mine growing up a young Georgia enthusiast during the 1980s. Nicknamed “Muddy” from an incident at practice as a freshman, the Swainsboro, Ga. native became one of the greatest pass rushers in the history of Bulldogs football. In 1984 and 1985, he recorded 154 combined tackles, 16 sacks, and eight other tackles for loss. In 1985, Waters was recognized as a unanimous All-SEC selection, and was elected co-captain of the Georgia defense. Since his playing days for the Bulldogs, Waters has moved back to his hometown of Swainsboro. But, he often finds time to return to Athens including, through his work, bringing kids to UGA who otherwise probably wouldn’t have the opportunity to do so.
For more regarding Waters, checkout my Q&A with him back in February… Also, take a look at a few of highlights I threw together from Muddy’s banner ’85 senior campaign:
