What Is 2007 Georgia Bulldogs football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2007 Georgia Bulldogs football team represented the University of Georgia during the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with an 11–2 record and ranked No. 2 in the final AP Poll. Head coach Mark Richt led the team to a Sugar Bowl victory over Hawaii.

Key Facts

Finished the season with an 11–2 overall record and 7–1 in the SEC
Ranked No. 2 in the final AP Poll, their highest finish since 1982
Defeated Hawaii 41–10 in the 2008 Sugar Bowl on January 1, 2008
Started the season 9–0 before losing to Kentucky and Tennessee
Led by quarterback Matthew Stafford and running back Knowshon Moreno

Overview

The 2007 Georgia Bulldogs football team competed in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) as members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Under head coach Mark Richt, the team achieved one of the most successful seasons in program history, highlighted by a dominant Sugar Bowl performance and a final national ranking of No. 2.

Georgia began the season ranked No. 13 in the AP Poll and quickly climbed the rankings, reaching as high as No. 1 during the season. Despite two late losses to Kentucky and Tennessee, the Bulldogs secured a BCS bowl berth and capped their campaign with a commanding win in the Sugar Bowl.

Record: The team finished with an 11–2 overall record and a 7–1 mark in SEC play, placing second in the Eastern Division behind Tennessee.
Sugar Bowl victory: On January 1, 2008, Georgia defeated the undefeated Hawaii Warriors 41–10 in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, showcasing their defensive strength and offensive depth.
Quarterback performance: Matthew Stafford threw for 2,412 yards and 19 touchdowns during the regular season, establishing himself as a top NFL prospect.
Running back emergence: Freshman Knowshon Moreno rushed for 1,157 yards and 14 touchdowns, earning SEC Freshman of the Year honors.
Defensive dominance: The Bulldogs' defense allowed just 15.5 points per game, ranking among the nation's top 10 in scoring defense.

Season Performance and Key Games

The 2007 campaign featured several pivotal matchups that defined Georgia’s trajectory. After a strong start, the team faced critical road tests that ultimately influenced their national title hopes.

September 8, 2007: Georgia defeated No. 7 South Carolina 16–12 in a defensive showdown, marking their first win over a top-10 team that season.
October 13, 2007: A 26–13 victory over Florida in Jacksonville preserved their undefeated record and boosted their national ranking.
October 27, 2007: The 43–18 win over Auburn showcased offensive firepower, with Stafford throwing three touchdown passes.
November 3, 2007: A 52–38 loss to Kentucky ended their perfect season and marked their first defeat since 2005 in Lexington.
November 17, 2007: A 31–20 loss to Tennessee in Knoxville eliminated their SEC Championship hopes and dropped them to No. 4 in the BCS rankings.
January 1, 2008: The 41–10 Sugar Bowl win over Hawaii solidified their status as one of the nation’s elite teams, with Moreno rushing for 136 yards and two touchdowns.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2007 Bulldogs compared favorably to other top teams in key statistical categories. The table below highlights their performance relative to national leaders.

Category	Georgia (2007)	National Leader
Points Per Game	33.2	51.0 (Hawaii)
Points Allowed Per Game	15.5	11.0 (Wisconsin)
Total Offense	408.5 yards/game	537.2 (Hawaii)
Rushing Defense	98.7 yards/game allowed	68.3 (Wisconsin)
Pass Efficiency Defense	108.4 rating	98.7 (Boston College)

Georgia’s balanced performance across offense and defense placed them among the nation’s elite, despite trailing high-octane teams like Hawaii in raw yardage. Their consistency in critical games and postseason dominance underscored their legitimacy as a top-tier program.

Why It Matters

The 2007 season remains a benchmark for Georgia football, reflecting sustained excellence and national relevance. The team’s achievements had lasting implications for recruiting, program prestige, and future success.

The No. 2 final AP ranking was Georgia’s highest since 1982, reinforcing their status as a national powerhouse.
Matthew Stafford’s performance elevated his draft stock, leading to his selection as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.
Knowshon Moreno’s breakout freshman season set the stage for a stellar collegiate career and future NFL opportunities.
The Sugar Bowl win provided momentum for the program, contributing to stronger recruiting classes in subsequent years.
Despite missing the BCS National Championship, the season demonstrated Georgia’s ability to compete with the best teams in the country.
The 2007 campaign helped solidify Mark Richt’s legacy as one of the most successful coaches in Georgia history.

The 2007 Georgia Bulldogs season stands as a testament to resilience, talent development, and postseason excellence, leaving a lasting mark on the program’s history.