Let’s take a trip back. September 22, 2007. Nick Saban was only in his second year at Alabama, still building his empire, while Mark Richt brought his 22nd-ranked Georgia Bulldogs into Tuscaloosa looking for a fight. Nobody expected a masterpiece. They got a classic instead.
Georgia’s ground game was lethal. Knowshon Moreno and Thomas Brown ran wild. The Dawgs jumped to a quick 10-0 lead. By the fourth quarter, it was 20-10. Easy win, right? Wrong. Georgia sports fans know better. Pain is always lurking.
The Tide clawed back. A field goal. A quick Georgia three-and-out. Then, John Parker Wilson—a quarterback with too many names—scrambled in from six yards out. Tied game. Georgia kicker Brandon Coutu missed a 47-yarder at the buzzer. Overtime. Naturally. Bama got the ball first and settled for three. 23-20, Tide.
The stadium was shaking. Millions watched at home. The tension was suffocating. So, what did ESPN’s Mike Patrick do? He asked broadcast partner Todd Blackledge about Britney Spears’ career choices. Seriously. Before Blackledge could choke on his own tongue, Matthew Stafford saved him. Stafford launched a beauty to Mikey Henderson. Game over. Dawgs win, 26-23.
It was a wild season. Georgia went on to stomp Florida, wear black jerseys against Auburn, and absolutely demolish Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl. They were the hottest team in America by January. They should have played for the national title. They didn’t. But that night in Tuscaloosa? It was Richt’s last triumph over Saban. It was pure magic.
