Thanksgiving gatherings are often packed events. Family reunions feature attendees arriving from both near and far. There’s plenty of food, joy, community, music, and theatrics. A significant amount of theatrics.
Nonetheless, by those measures, Friday, Nov. 29, at Sanford Stadium was a scene unlike any other.
The day for the Redcoat Alumni Band commenced at 9 a.m. Under the leadership of alumni drum major John Mote, over 400 Redcoat alumni assembled on the practice field. (Photo by Chamberlain Smith/UGA)
As custom dictates, UGA’s Thanksgiving featured a generous helping of Clean Old-Fashioned Hate, with Georgia Tech arriving in Athens to wrap up the 2024 college football regular season.
Among the newcomers were more than 400 Redcoat alumni participating in the Redcoat Alumni Band’s 50th anniversary festivities. Usually, the Redcoat alumni gather during Homecoming weekend. However, for their silver jubilee, the gathering was moved to coincide with the Tech match.
Tom Jackson (right), the voice for the Redcoats for five decades and former UGA vice president for public affairs, was recognized at halftime for his dedication to the band and the university. Brett Bawcum, director of athletic bands, honored Jackson with an official red coat. (Photo by Chamberlain Smith/UGA)
Redcoat majorette alumnae were fully prepared to twirl. (Photo by Chamberlain Smith/UGA)
The halftime show by the alumni band concluded a day that began with a practice at 9 a.m. If there was any disappointment following a sluggish first half where the Bulldogs trailed 17-0, it was difficult to discern.
As the temperatures in Athens dipped into the 30s, UGA’s fortunes surged significantly. The Bulldogs rallied from that three-score deficit to equalize the game at 27 as the fourth quarter came to a close.
After eight overtimes—the second longest FBS game since overtime rules were established in 1996—Georgia emerged victorious with a score of 44-42.
This triumph maintained Georgia’s position in the top 10 and, along with a win over Texas in the SEC championship game, advanced the Bulldogs to the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. This victory marked Georgia’s seventh consecutive win over Tech, and the Bulldogs now enjoy a 72-41-5 lead over their in-state adversaries.
With a combined offensive output exceeding 960 yards from both teams, Sanford Stadium experienced a plethora of fireworks. (Photo by Chamberlain Smith/UGA)
The article Scenes of Love and Hate initially appeared on UGA Today.