It’s been suggested by some that Saturday’s Georgia-Florida game doesn’t hold the same meaning for today’s players as perhaps it once did.
That’s certainly not the case with Bulldog junior Davin Bellamy.
When asked the day when he realized how big a deal it truly was, had this to say:
“Dec. 27, 1994, when I was born,” Bellamy said during Monday afternoon. “Everybody knows about this game coming in, man. The game speaks for itself. It’s a blessing to play in.”
He’s not the only Bulldog who feels that way.
Senior right tackle Greg Pyke is a native of Baltimore, but learned very quickly that this game is a little bit different than most.
“You never want to make things personal but I definitely do want to get a win from Jacksonville,” said Pyke. “I knew we don’t like Tech, but the Georgia-Florida game is a big one. It’s always a very good game and it’s always a chippy one.”
But not all players initially understood just how “different” this game was.
Growing up in Miami, wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie said that it wasn’t until he got to Athens that he gained a true appreciation.
“I didn’t understand it. I just watched it on TV,” McKenzie said. “But I didn’t know it was going to be a big game and that everybody takes it so serious. Once I got here I understood it, but before I didn’t understand.”
Something else McKenzie has learned – both sides love to talk.
“Oh, there are no things said – it’s all you look nice today, keep up the good work,” Bellamy deadpanned before turning serious.
“I don’t want to talk about that,” he continued. “But of course with all the history between the two teams, there’s going to be some chapping out there but we kind of want our talking to be done with our helmets.”
But Bellamy concedes playing in that type of environment is a lot of fun.
“Oh yes, yes, it is,” Bellamy said. “You can take your gloves off and get dirty. It’s going to be a physical game. Both teams respect each other, but with the history of this game, you’ve got an edge going on.”
Quincy Mauger agreed.
“Oh yeah, most definitely, Georgia and Florida is arguable the best rivalry game in college football,” Mauger said. “It’s a very physical game; it’s a lot of history behind it. I can’t wait to go out there in Jacksonville.”
