Georgia fans don’t need a stadium view to make game day feel big.
Ahead of Saturday’s matchup with Auburn in the latest chapter of the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry, DawgNation’s Molly Morris found a tailgate that has turned into a full-blown gathering spot for Bulldogs fans who come from all over. The setup is packed with motor homes, lined up each game day, and loaded with enough televisions to make it feel more like a sports bar than a parking lot scene.
At the center of it all is “Santa,” known as Bill, who has been running the operation for more than 30 years. What started as a tailgate has clearly grown into something bigger, a place where fans don’t just stop by - they build their Saturdays around it.
“Obviously, we have some special here because people will fly three or four hours just to get here,” Santa Bill said. “I wouldn’t do anything else. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”
Santa Bill said he has been watching Bulldog games every week for the last 32 years.
Another familiar face in the group is Billy, described as the first four-year Hairy Dawg, who remains part of the crew and still helps call the Dawgs every week.
“Wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Just show you got that heart, you got that passion, you got that Dawg in you,” Billy said. “So that’s what it’s all about.”
Morris closed out the visit with rivalry trivia, putting fans on the spot with questions about the first matchup and the coaches representing Georgia and Auburn in those meetings.
The tailgate received a $100 Kroger gift card and a DawgNation apron.
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Georgia Loses A Key Secondary Piece Ahead Of Auburn
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He is not the only Bulldog sidelined, either. Chauncey Bowens, Isiah Canion, Thomas Blackshear, Amaris Williams and Tyriq Green are also listed out, giving Georgia a longer absentee list than it would prefer heading into a rivalry matchup. Auburns report did not bring any fresh movement, with Xavier Atkins, Tai Buster and Hunter Herring still unavailable as both teams work through a stretch where depth is being tested on both sides. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Is Already Showing Something Fans Will Want To See
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For a team still sorting itself out before the games start counting, that kind of shooting is the sort of thing fans can latch onto quickly. Georgia gets one more preseason test against Clemson before opening the regular season on November 2, and the bigger question now is whether the Bulldogs can carry that same shot-making into a tougher setting. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Faces One Auburn Worry Fans Cant Ignore
Georgia heads into its next SEC test riding the high of a win over Alabama and sitting at No. 1 in the AP Poll, but Auburn is the kind of opponent that can complicate a good week fast. The Tigers come in under new head coach Alex Golesh with a 3-2 record, and they get the trip to Athens with plenty of incentive to make the matchup uncomfortable for a team still trying to manage the wear and tear of a long season.
Georgias injury list is the part Bulldogs fans will watch most closely, with running back Chauncey Bowens and defensive back KJ Bolden among the players listed as injured or doubtful. Even with the top ranking and momentum on its side, Georgia is heading into this one with enough uncertainty to keep the attention fixed on availability as much as on the opponent across the field. [Read more 🡒]