Clean, old-fashioned hate: UGA, Georgia Tech fans celebrate one of state’s oldest traditions

ATLANTA — College football fans are getting ready for some clean, old-fashioned hate Saturday night when the University of Georgia Bulldogs take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in Atlanta on the football field.

The rivalry, dubbed “Clean, Old Fashioned Hate,” will kick off at 7:30 p.m. from Bobby Dodd Stadium live on Channel 2 Action News.

Stay with Channel 2 Action News and WSBTV.com leading up to the game as we bring you coverage of Clean, Old Fashioned Hate. Coverage starts Saturday with an all-new Game Day on 2 at 11 a.m.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Georgia comes into this matchup as the No. 1 team in the nation, riding a 28-game winning streak. It will be the first of two consecutive games in Atlanta for the Bulldogs, as the team will face off with No. 8 Alabama in the SEC Championship at Mercedes Benz Stadium on Dec. 2.

Before meeting on the football field, students from both campuses participated in another tradition lost during the pandemic.

On Friday, the Georgia Tech and University of Georgia chapters of Phi Gamma Delta set their rivalry aside for the 23rd annual Run for the Kids benefiting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

The fraternity brothers ran 77 miles from Athens to Atlanta, carrying Saturday game ball to raise money for the organization.

Georgia student Chris Cassidy ran a little over two of those miles.

“This event has been able to raise $30,000 within one year so hundreds of thousands of it for Children’s Healthcare,” Cassidy said.

TRENDING STORIES:

• Thanksgiving 1977: Here’s what was on the menu for the Carter family at Camp David
• No trip of the lifetime: Three year cruise through Life at Sea Cruises canceled
• Ex-officer Derek Chauvin stabbed in prison, sources say

The event has been a tradition since the 1970s and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the nonprofit healthcare network, Georgia Tech officials said.

“This event is unique because we’re bridging the gap between UGA and Georgia Tech,” Georgia Tech student Jacob Keenan said. “In a week where our rivalry is the strongest, we come together for this common cause along with the broader Atlanta community because Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta has become a beacon of hope for a lot of people here.”

Now, the students can celebrate completing their run with some clean, old-fashioned hate.

“You’re playing for something every time you play them,” UGA football coach Kirby Smart said. “You’re playing for a state championship. I think that’s always important.”

The Yellow Jackets’ last victory over the Bulldogs on the football field was back in 2016. Georgia Tech has only defeated Georgia four times since 2000.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

“When you come to the season, there are two goals: there’s the goal of going to a bowl game, alright, and there’s a goal to beat Georgia,” Georgia Tech coach Brent Key said.

Both sides will be playing for the Governor’s Cup. The winning seniors get a personalized engraved replica of the statue, while those on the losing team get commemorative watches.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Taser manufacturing company claims their device could not have been Johnny Hollman’s cause of death

©2023 Cox Media Group