The Georgia Bulldogs are playing in a bowl game for the first time with an interim coach.
Ticket sales to the TaxSlayer Bowl matchup with Penn State have been sluggish, with Jacksonville the Bulldogs' postseason destination for the second time in three years. The three teams to defeat Georgia this season - Alabama, Florida and Tennessee - are competing in more desired locales, but the Bulldogs insist there will not be a lack of motivation Jan. 2.
Topping the list of driving factors is a 40th victory for the senior class, an achievement last year's seniors notched with a 37-14 win over Louisville in the Belk Bowl.
"A lot of the guys on the team realize, especially with all we've been going through these last few days, that we still want that 40th win and be a part of the select group of individuals who can say they've been a part of 40 wins," senior outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins said.
The Bulldogs (9-3) also have a chance at a 10-win season. It would be the 22nd in school history and the 10th of the Mark Richt era, which wound up ending with a 13-7 triumph at Georgia Tech on Nov. 28. Richt first accepted the opportunity to coach Georgia in a bowl after being fired by athletic director Greg McGarity, but he was hired days later as the head coach at the University of Miami.
Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt are no longer in the program, either, and receivers coach Bryan McClendon is running things until new head coach Kirby Smart returns from his role as Alabama's defensive coordinator.
A bowl game often can serve as a springboard to the next season, but that's not how McClendon is approaching the impending visit to EverBank Field.
"I see this game as an opportunity and the last game of this season," McClendon said. "It's an opportunity to give these seniors those 40 wins and get a 10-win season. Outside of that, I'd be lying if I said I saw it any other way. That's how I look at this game."
McClendon, a receiver for the Bulldogs from 2002 to 2005, is not expected to be retained by Smart, so he likely is working his last game for his alma mater.
There is the desire to win for McClendon - "We all love him. We've had team meetings, and he brings a lot of energy and fun," quarterback Greyson Lambert said - and there is the desire to win for Richt.
"We'll always love Coach Richt and what he's done for us," junior safety Quincy Mauger said. "He's helped us on and off the field, but this isn't going to be tough, because we all love wearing the 'G.' I play for the men beside me, and I can't wait to put it on one last game this season and trying to send our seniors out with 40 wins."
Georgia also is trying to wind up ranked in both major polls, and a 29th bowl victory would keep the Bulldogs trailing only Alabama and Southern California in that category.
Regardless of the drive, Georgia players insist they will be ready.
"Winning that 40th game would mean a lot to us," senior defensive end Sterling Bailey said. "Not a lot of seniors can say they left a program with 40 wins. That would be a tremendous honor."
Said tackle John Theus: "We definitely want that, and it's in the back of our minds, but ultimately it comes down to just wanting to win like we want to win every other game."
Odds and ends
The Bulldogs practiced Sunday for two hours in full pads, with junior tailback Brendan Douglas and junior inside linebacker Tim Kimbrough missing the workout. McClendon is scheduled to update their status with the media following today's practice.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.