An excellent discussion of the most heartbreaking Georgia losses has been going on over at Georgia Sports Blog.  I can’t say that I was ever “heartbroken” over a Georgia loss, but perhaps that’s simply not the word I would choose.  “Enraging” can be a good way to put it, but even these emotions of rage will subside over a short time, usually until the next big win (except when there are none…I was enraged the entire period from 1992 Florida to 1997 Florida, only to be enraged again two weeks later).  I prefer “bitter.”  The Bitter Defeat is the defeat that lingers a lifetime, rearing its ugly head at the most inopportune moments, howling with laughter at your folly of becoming emotionally invested in a game played by teenagers, and trotted out by the enemy camp whenever you dare proclaim the awesomeness of your team.  But the most bitter of bitter defeats are the ones that snap your optimism back to bleak reality, or have lasting impact on the program.  Here are my 5 most bitter and some honorable mentions.

# 5:  “Payback is Hell“

 

Auburn 24 Georgia 17, November 10, 2001

 

 

 

Lay Down!

 

Auburn ‘01 is all about Auburn ‘92.  My cousin got married in Athens on November 14, 1992, and as soon as we exited the church I popped on a walkman to see who won, and just then Larry was starting his legendary call “…they only need 8-9 inches; and [Stan] White tried to fake it and sneak late, he didn’t get it there, watch the clock, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, were not lined up 3, they have no timeouts 2, 1, I think it’s over!  We saved ourselves! Auburn couldn’t get a play off!  We saved ourselves I don’t know how….”  This is one of my favorite Munson calls and Ray Goff’s greatest coaching feat of his career….lay down!!  Everyone was standing outside of the front of the church, chatting on a beautiful chilly night, and I exclaimed “Georgia Won!” and the whole congregation let out a cheer.

 

So as the clock dwindled in Sanford Stadium nine years later and the Auburn people roared louder and louder, and louder, and were on their feet with their shakers (which Auburn people for some reason love so very much) gleefully taunting the Dawg fans as time ran out on Georgia at the Auburn 1, I knew exactly what the fans old enough to know were thinking, and what must’ve been immense satisfaction of beating Georgia that way.  I still get a knot in my stomach thinking about it.  The great memory of that 92 win on the Plains is stained.  Which sucks.

 #4 “They tore out my heart and stomped that sucker flat“  or “the Reverse Hobnail Boot“ 

 

 

Dammit if you don’t cover sombody this foot’s going up your….

 

Alabama 20, Georgia 16, September 2, 1985

 

Night game; Home Opener; Labor Day Weekend in Athens.  And my first game in the student section.  I was standing in the top row of the lower deck with TriviaDawg, and we were losing the entire game, but Trivia kept saying over and over “don’t ever give up on the Dogs…don’t ever give up on the Dogs….“  Late 4th quarter and we still trailed, then suddenly Georgia blocked a punt and scored to go ahead in the final minute.  Triumph.  Ecstacy.  The Stadium absolutely bonkers.  We had pulled it out.  Perhaps the 4-game skid at the end of 1984 was an aberration.  This is Georgia after all…. 

 

But then it all fell apart on Mike Shula’s 1-minute game winning drive, and they scored in the final seconds.  Well it turns out that you CAN give up on the Dogs after all.  It truly was the exact opposite of Tennessee 2001, a face-crushing defeat that will forever be a part of Bammer lore.  Tell any Bama fan over 40 that you’re a Georgia fan, and the game will probably be the first thing mentioned.

 

Honorable mention:

 

Pittsburgh 24, Georgia 20, January 1, 1982 – on the broadcast after the game you see Buck consoling Lindsay on the sidelines after their final game together as 4-year lettermen; I always thought Buck must have said “Lindsay, it all ends here for us, but what a hell of a ride.”

Virginia 34, Georgia 27, December 30, 1995  — the same situation as above, as we’d blocked a kick and scored to take the lead in the final minute, then Virginia proceeded to return the kickoff for a TD.  Dude ran untouched right down the left sideline.   A soul-crushing ending to the Gump era and, to a very real extent, the Dooley era as well.

 

I’ll add that the sting of Auburn 31, Georgia 30, November 12, 2005 subsided quickly on account of the subsequent SEC Championship and Tra Battle’s redemption on the Plains a year later.  Now I’d put this one in the category of “best games I ever saw even though Georgia lost.”