Georgia running back Robert Edwards carries the ball during practice for the Outback Bowl Tuesday morning, Dec. 30, 1997, in Tampa, Fla. Georgia plays Wisconsin on New Years Day. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Web posted January 1, 1998

By Andy Johnston
Staff Writer

TAMPA, Fla. -- Mike Bobo plays his final game as a Georgia Bulldog today. He leaves confident the program will only continue the resurgence under Jim Donnan's direction.

``Things are going in the right direction now,'' Georgia's quarterback said this week as the 11thranked Bulldogs (9-2) prepared to play Wisconsin (8-4) today in the Outback Bowl (ESPN, 11 a.m.).

``It's great for this year's senior class to leave on a good note, and we're all sure the team will only get better,'' he added. ``It's up to this year's juniors to take over once we're gone, and hopefully proved the leadership that I think we've provided this year.''

Donnan will have several holes to fill next season, including finding another quarterback to replace Bobo, the school's second all-time leading passer. He'll also have to replace tailback Robert Edwards, receivers Hines Ward and Corey Allen, three starters on the offensive line and five defensive starters, including linebackers Greg Bright and Brandon Tolbert.

``We're losing a lot of talent. That's for sure,'' Donnan said. ``We'll be fine, though. We had some depth at some positions this year. That will show up next year.''

It's not like it will be barren for Donnan and the Bulldogs. AllAmerican offensive tackle Matt Stinchcomb will be back, as will tailbacks Olandis Gary and Patrick Pass.

Defensively, sophomore cornerback Champ Bailey has AllAmerica potential, sophomore linebacker Orantes Grant is the team's second-leading tackler and junior free safety Kirby Smart has six interceptions. Three-fourths of the starting defensive line will be back, including budding star nose guard Brandon Miller (GreeneTaliaferro High), who is a sophomore.

``We're losing some players in key positions, but with coach Donnan, it doesn't take much to get it together,'' Bailey said. ``We'll get it together. We'll be right back on track again next year.

The quarterback battle will be the most interesting competition of the spring. Sophomore Jon England, redshirt freshman Michael Usry and freshmen Daniel Cobb and LaBrone Mitchell, both of whom are being redshirted, will all figure into the mix.

The Bulldogs are still waiting on word whether Quincy Carter, a former prep All-American quarterback at Southwest DeKalb High, can join the team after signing with Georgia Tech two years ago. He has played baseball in the Chicago Cubs organization the past two years.

``We have a lot of team players,'' Bailey added. ``We're losing a lot of positions, and I don't know if we can replace them to their ability, but we can certainly put some good players in positions where we need them.''