The “Steamroller Game” against Mississippi State in Athens 27 years ago is widely considered a signature win of the Jim Donnan era.
“We came in there and drove that steamroller to practice, and the kids loved it,” Donnan said following the game. “But that didn’t have anything to do with us winning. It’s just confidence.”
Donnan’s steamrolling maneuver at Thursday’s practice evidently provided more than enough motivation for his team on gameday.
“It was kind of a lackadaisical day [at practice] at first until we saw him out there [on the steamroller],” said standout linebacker Greg Bright.
In what was the largest margin of victory for Georgia in an SEC game in 23 years, Robert Edwards scored three touchdowns after carrying the ball just twice in the Bulldogs’ first three games while being injured. He finished with 102 yards rushing and 64 receiving yards, along with the trio of scores.
Mike Bobo threw his ninth and 10th touchdown passes of the year through just four games—after throwing for 13 touchdowns the entire 1996 season (just seven the first eight games).
The 47-0 blowout also marked the first time in 15 years that both Georgia shutout a conference opponent, and the Bulldogs began a season 4-0.
