Georgia Bulldogs are grateful for “Dirty Dan” Jackson

Georgia ultimately won the game in the eighth overtime, making it the longest game in SEC history. The longest game in FBS history was Illinois’ 9-overtime win over Penn State in 2021.

Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen takes credit for being the key defensive player, pushing King into a long, high throw to the back of the end zone to start the eighth overtime. Nate Frazier then scored on a 3-yard run at left tackle, securing the victory for the Bulldogs.

Georgia finishes the regular season at 10-2 and will face No. 3 Texas and No. 20 Texas A&M in the SEC championship game on Dec. 7 against Saturday’s winner.

There were many heroes for the Bulldogs, but it was Jackson who particularly stood out for Smart.

“To think that this guy came to Georgia on his own without us even recruiting him and making the plays that he made,” Smart said when asked about his strong safety. “That hit fumble will last forever because he didn’t hit a normal guy (in King). The guy is a competitor. And we didn’t even know if Dan was coming back this year. Think about where we would be without him.”

Honestly, there were a number of players Georgia couldn’t have done without on Friday night. There was freshman Nate Frazier, who finished with just 50 yards rushing, but the final three yards through a wide-open hole at left tackle were monumental.

There was Allen, all over the field in overtime, trying to stop an offense that went over 500 yards in regulation. In addition to ten tackles and pressure in the eighth overtime, he intercepted two passes.

There was quarterback Carson Beck, who overcame another slow offensive start and a series of drops from his receivers, throwing five touchdown passes and finishing three yards short of 300 yards again.

And there was Chambliss, one of the record-setting seniors who not only never lost to arch-rival Tech in his career, but also never lost at Sanford Stadium. This group enters the SEC title game at 52-4, leading the entire FBS.

However, they all knelt before the guy they jokingly call Dirty Dan. It’s not because he’s doing anything unusual. That’s because he always does whatever it takes to win.

Remember the hit he took against Kelee Ringo’s pick-6 in the 2021 national championship game win? He’s the guy who always takes one for the team.

The fact that Jackson came through with winning plays in the final phase made his teammates smile.

“Dan is just a warrior,” said Chambliss, who recovered the loose ball Jackson dropped off King. “It doesn’t matter if he is injured or what the situation is, he will give everything and give his whole body. Words cannot express what it means to me.”

Chambliss’ presence, like so many others on Friday, was crucial to the outcome. He was the first to notice that Jackson had thrown the ball loose, and only after it had seemingly been on the ground for several seconds.

“I thought the play was over,” Chambliss said. “I stood up, saw the ball and just jumped at it without really thinking about it. In the end it was a fumble. I didn’t see Dan’s hit on the big screen until later.”