20 Georgia

Two days before his team's game against Mississippi State last October, second-year Georgia coach Jim Donnan climbed aboard a steamroller and drove it across the Bulldogs' practice field. What the gesture lacked in subtlety it made up for in effectiveness: That Saturday the Dawgs rolled over Mississippi State 47-0 for their first conference shutout in 15 years.

What motivational ploys can players expect from Donnan this year? "I have no idea, but I'm sure he'll come up with something," says senior All-America offensive lineman Matt Stinchcomb. "He's a pretty creative guy."

That talent will come in handy because Donnan has another tough act to follow: last year's surprising 10-2 finish, Georgia 's best since 1992. In the wake of the departures of Mike Bobo , the Bulldogs' second alltime leading passer; Hines Ward , the second-leading receiver in school history; and running back Robert Edwards , who rushed for 1,708 yards and 21 touchdowns over the last two years, can the Bulldogs remain contenders for the SEC crown?

Replacing Bobo is the first priority. Among the five players vying for the starting job—none of whom has thrown more than seven passes in his Georgia career—there were no clear front-runners as of late August, only intriguing story lines. Daniel Cobb, a redshirt freshman, was recently cleared to start throwing after undergoing surgery in February to correct a circulatory problem that had caused clotting in his right (throwing) shoulder. Also in the mix is newcomer Quincy Carter , a top high school quarterback who signed a letter of intent with Georgia Tech two years ago but never enrolled, opting instead to pursue a professional baseball career after he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the spring of 1996.

Whoever steps into the pocket can count on two things: plenty of help from the running backs and superb protection up front. Though Edwards received most of the playing time in '97, backups Olandis Gary and Patrick Pass combined for 613 yards on the ground. Gary , a senior, and Pass, a junior, will run behind the formidable tackle duo of the 6'6", 291-pound Stinchcomb, who last year was named first-team All-America and first-team Academic All-America, and 6'5", 285-pound senior Chris Terry.

The defense has a few things to brag about as well, including the eight lettermen who form the deepest Georgia line since the early '80s, and triple-threat junior cornerback Champ Bailey . In addition to being the Bulldogs' best defensive back since two-time All-America Terry Hoage graduated in 1983, Bailey averaged 22.7 yards per kickoff return and caught 12 passes for 234 yards last year. He also placed second in the SEC in the long jump this spring with a leap of 25' 8�". "Champ is the best pure athlete I've ever been around," says Donnan, who will expand Bailey 's offensive role this fall. "He is a Charles Woodson type who can—and will—do everything."

There will be another Bailey in Athens this fall. Among Georgia 's seven new linebackers is the highly touted Boss Bailey , a 6'4", 220-pound true freshman, whom older brother Champ calls "the real athlete of the family." Another member of Donnan's recruiting class, which has been widely praised as one of the country's top five, is Stinchcomb's brother Jon, a Parade All-America offensive lineman.

Tough acts to follow? Absolutely. But not as difficult as the one Donnan has to follow this fall.

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