Rivalry games have not worked out too well in Greyson Lambert's college career.
As Virginia's starting quarterback last season, Lambert and the Cavaliers lost 24-20 in their season finale at Virginia Tech. As Georgia's starter last month, he was surprisingly benched before the visit to Jacksonville and watched from the sideline as Faton Bauta threw four interceptions in a 27-3 loss to Florida.
Lambert regained the starting job following that debacle, but have past results led to added pressure as the 8-3 Bulldogs prepare for Saturday's trip to 3-8 Georgia Tech?
"I wouldn't say it like that," Lambert said. "I'm just really excited to play in this game and being a part of this rivalry. I played at Bobby Dodd Stadium last year, and I'm just excited to go back."
Lambert's eagerness is understandable, even after helping knock off other traditional foes on Georgia's schedule such as South Carolina and Auburn.
The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Virginia graduate and redshirt junior in playing eligibility grew up in Jesup, Ga. He was much more familiar with the Georgia-Georgia Tech game than Virginia-Virginia Tech, but as with most rivalries, he quickly became immersed in the one that mattered most to his school.
His one Virginia-Virginia Tech game as the starter had plenty on the line.
"It was a Friday night game," Lambert said. "We were both 5-6, and the winner went to a bowl. We also didn't like each other, and that's being nice. It was one of those games where everybody meets at midfield and the refs are trying to hold us back.
"I didn't know anything about that rivalry and didn't really care. All of a sudden I play in it, and it's going to stick with me for the rest of my life."
Lambert completed 15 of 32 passes for 211 yards with a touchdown and an interception against the Hokies.
Through 10 starts this season, he has completed 134 of 211 passes (63.5 percent) for 1,620 yards, with 11 touchdowns and two interceptions. His 162.0 yards per game ranks just ninth among Southeastern Conference quarterbacks, but his efficiency rating of 143.3 ranks fourth.
Lambert hasn't always been dazzling, but a win in Atlanta would give him an 81.8-percent success rate as Georgia's starter. That would put him in the same neighborhood as D.J. Shockley (83.3), David Greene (80.8) and Matthew Stafford (79.4) among the starters in Mark Richt's time as coach.
"He's done everything we've asked him to do," senior guard Kolton Houston said. "He takes good care of the football, and he's a great leader. We all believe in him, and we've been pleased with how he's played."
Odds and ends
The Bulldogs lead the series with the Jackets 64-38-5 according to Georgia records and 64-40-5 according to Georgia Tech records. Georgia does not count Tech's two wins during World War II (1943-44), when the Jackets used players from a naval officers training program that was housed on campus. Georgia coach Mark Richt said on the SEC teleconference Wednesday that sophomore receiver and return specialist Isaiah McKenzie (foot) remains questionable. He was a bit more optimistic about sophomore defensive lineman Trenton Thompson (ankles). Bulldogs senior tackle John Theus has received an invitation to the Senior Bowl.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.