What Is 2015 Georgia Bulldogs football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2015 Georgia Bulldogs football team represented the University of Georgia in the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with an 8-5 record under head coach Mark Richt. They played in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Eastern Division and won the TaxSlayer Bowl against Penn State 24-17 on January 2, 2016.

Key Facts

Finished the 2015 season with an 8-5 overall record
Played in the SEC Eastern Division under head coach Mark Richt
Defeated Penn State 24-17 in the TaxSlayer Bowl on January 2, 2016
Started the season ranked #17 in the AP Poll
Quarterback Greyson Lambert threw for 2,473 yards and 20 touchdowns

Overview

The 2015 Georgia Bulldogs football team competed in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), representing the University of Georgia. Led by head coach Mark Richt in his 15th and final season, the team played their home games at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, and finished the year with an 8-5 overall record, including a 5-3 mark in conference play.

Despite high preseason expectations and a #17 national ranking, the Bulldogs faced inconsistency throughout the season, highlighted by close losses to top teams like Alabama and Louisville. However, they rebounded late in the year to secure a winning record and a postseason berth, culminating in a victory over Penn State in the TaxSlayer Bowl, which provided a positive note to close Richt’s tenure.

Record and Bowl Result: The team finished 8-5 overall and won the TaxSlayer Bowl 24-17 against Penn State on January 2, 2016, marking Georgia’s first 10-win season since 2011 if counting bowl games.
Head Coach:Mark Richt served as head coach for the final time in 2015, stepping down after 15 seasons with a 145-51 record at Georgia, later replaced by Kirby Smart.
Preseason Ranking: Entered the season ranked #17 in the AP Poll, reflecting expectations of a competitive campaign in the tough SEC.
Key Player Performance: Quarterback Greyson Lambert threw for 2,473 yards and 20 touchdowns, while tailback Nick Chubb rushed for 1,123 yards despite missing several games due to injury.
SEC Competition: Competed in the SEC Eastern Division, facing rivals like Florida, Tennessee, and South Carolina, finishing third in the division standings.

Season Performance and Key Games

The 2015 campaign featured a mix of strong defensive performances and offensive struggles, particularly in high-pressure conference matchups. Georgia started 3-0 but suffered a 38-10 loss to #2 Alabama in Week 4, followed by a 34-27 defeat to #11 Louisville, raising questions about the team’s elite competitiveness.

Season Opener: Defeated South Carolina 38-35 in a dramatic opener, setting a positive tone with a last-second field goal.
Alabama Game: Lost 38-10 to #2 Alabama in Tuscaloosa, exposing weaknesses in pass protection and secondary coverage.
Florida Rivalry: Won 27-3 against Florida in Jacksonville, a dominant defensive showing that boosted morale.
Missed Opportunities: Lost 27-24 to Tennessee in a close game, contributing to their inability to contend for the SEC East title.
Bowl Victory: Defeated Penn State 24-17 in the TaxSlayer Bowl, with quarterback Hutson Mason leading a balanced offensive attack.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2015 Georgia Bulldogs compared to the previous two seasons in key statistical categories:

Category	2013	2014	2015
Overall Record	8-5	4-8	8-5
SEC Record	5-3	2-6	5-3
Bowl Result	Lost Gator Bowl	No Bowl	Won TaxSlayer Bowl
Total Offense (Yards/Game)	385.6	359.8	403.2
Defensive Points Allowed (Per Game)	21.9	29.2	23.5

The 2015 season marked a clear improvement over the disappointing 2014 campaign, which saw Georgia finish 4-8 and miss a bowl game. With better offensive production and a return to postseason play, the 2015 team laid groundwork for the program’s future under new leadership.

Why It Matters

The 2015 season was a transitional year that bridged the end of the Mark Richt era and the beginning of the Kirby Smart regime, making it historically significant for Georgia football. It demonstrated resilience after a poor 2014 season and reestablished bowl eligibility, which helped maintain recruiting momentum.

End of an Era: Mark Richt’s departure after 15 seasons marked the end of one of the most stable coaching tenures in modern college football history.
Recruiting Impact: A winning season and bowl victory helped retain top recruits, including future stars like Jake Fromm and Terry Godwin.
Program Momentum: The TaxSlayer Bowl win provided positive momentum heading into Kirby Smart’s first season in 2016.
Quarterback Development: Greyson Lambert and Hutson Mason’s performances highlighted the need for quarterback stability, later addressed in recruiting.
Defensive Foundation: The defense allowed 23.5 points per game, showing improvement and setting the tone for Smart’s defensive-minded approach.
SEC Relevance: Reestablished Georgia as a competitive team in the SEC, avoiding the prolonged downturn seen in 2014.

In summary, the 2015 Georgia Bulldogs season was a pivotal chapter in the program’s evolution, combining the closure of a respected era with the promise of future success under new leadership.