What Is 2004 Georgia Bulldogs football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2004 Georgia Bulldogs football team represented the University of Georgia during the 2004 NCAA Division I-A football season, finishing with a 10–3 record and winning the 2005 Sugar Bowl by defeating the #5 ranked Pittsburgh Panthers 34–14 on January 2, 2005.

Key Facts

Finished the season with a 10–3 overall record
Won the 2005 Sugar Bowl by defeating #5 Pittsburgh 34–14
Coached by Mark Richt in his 4th season
Started the season ranked #18 in the AP Poll
Quarterback David Greene finished 6th in Heisman Trophy voting

Overview

The 2004 Georgia Bulldogs football team competed in the NCAA Division I-A football season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) East Division. Under head coach Mark Richt, the team achieved a 10–3 record, marking one of the stronger seasons in program history during the early 2000s.

Georgia began the season ranked #18 in the Associated Press (AP) Poll and climbed into the top 10 after a strong start. The team's performance culminated in a dominant victory in the 2005 Sugar Bowl, solidifying their national relevance and showcasing a balanced offensive attack.

Record: The Bulldogs finished the season with a 10–3 overall record, including a 6–2 mark in SEC play, placing second in the Eastern Division.
Sugar Bowl Champions: Georgia defeated the #5 ranked Pittsburgh Panthers 34–14 in the 2005 Sugar Bowl on January 2, 2005, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Head Coach: Mark Richt led the team in his fourth season as head coach, improving his career record at Georgia to 36–11 after the 2004 campaign.
Quarterback Leadership: Senior quarterback David Greene started all 13 games, finishing sixth in Heisman Trophy voting and throwing for 2,437 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Defensive Strength: The defense, led by linebacker Boss Bailey and safety Sean Jones, allowed just 16.8 points per game, ranking 12th nationally in scoring defense.

Season Performance

The 2004 campaign featured a mix of high-profile wins and key setbacks that shaped the team’s national trajectory. Georgia’s offense and defense both showed moments of dominance, especially in bowl contention games.

Early-Season Momentum: The Bulldogs opened the season with a 5–0 record, including a 13–7 win over #14 Arizona State in Week 2, boosting their national ranking.
SEC Challenges: Georgia faced tough conference opponents, losing 24–14 to #3 Florida and 24–10 to Tennessee, both on the road, which derailed their SEC title hopes.
Key Victory: A 27–14 win over #11 Auburn in November kept Georgia in national conversation and secured a major win over a ranked rival.
Rushing Attack: Running back Thomas Brown rushed for 629 yards and 5 touchdowns as a freshman, forming a strong tandem with fullback Danny Ware.
Receiving Corps: Wide receiver Bryan McClendon led the team with 42 receptions for 501 yards, while tight end Leonard Pope added 27 catches and 4 touchdowns.
Special Teams: Kicker Brandon Coutu averaged 76.5% on field goals (17 of 22), while punter Gordon Ely-Kelso posted a 40.1-yard average.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2004 Georgia Bulldogs compare to other top teams in the 2004 college football season based on key statistical categories.

Team	Overall Record	Points Scored	Points Allowed	Bowl Result
Georgia	10–3	383	218	Won Sugar Bowl
Pittsburgh	8–4	287	196	Lost Sugar Bowl
USC (National Champs)	13–0	498	172	Won Orange Bowl
Auburn	9–3	388	176	Won Sugar Bowl (2005)
LSU	13–1	402	211	Won Sugar Bowl (2004)

While Georgia didn’t reach the BCS National Championship, their 2004 season compared favorably with other elite programs. The Bulldogs’ 34-point Sugar Bowl win over Pittsburgh demonstrated superior preparation and execution on a big stage, outperforming expectations against a top-five team.

Why It Matters

The 2004 season was pivotal for Georgia football, reinforcing Mark Richt’s reputation as a top-tier coach and setting the foundation for future success in the mid-2000s. It also highlighted the program’s ability to compete nationally despite not winning the conference.

Program Momentum: The 10-win season helped maintain recruiting momentum, especially in the Southeast, with several 4- and 5-star recruits committing in 2005.
Bowl Prestige: Winning a BCS bowl game elevated Georgia’s national profile and contributed to increased television exposure and fan engagement.
Senior Leadership: David Greene’s final season capped a 40–10 career record as a starter, the most wins by any quarterback in SEC history at the time.
Defensive Development: The 2004 defense laid the groundwork for future units, with Sean Jones and Greg Blue returning for strong 2005 campaigns.
Recruiting Impact: Success in 2004 helped secure the signing of future stars like Matthew Stafford, who joined in 2006.
Historical Context: The season remains one of the most successful in the post-1980 era, often cited in discussions of Georgia’s best pre-2017 teams.

The 2004 Georgia Bulldogs season stands as a benchmark of consistency, resilience, and postseason excellence, reflecting the program’s rising stature in college football during the early 21st century.