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ESPN made their first visit to Athens for college football this past Saturday evening for the annual clash between the University of South Carolina and the University of Georgia. No, not their first visit ever, but their first visit under the new mega-bucks SEC television contract.

Boy did they get a a fantastic game. Not necessarily from a quality of play perspective, but a game to keep fans pinned to their seats until the bitter end of the three hour and 55 minute marathon that resulted in the Georgia Bulldogs' 41-37 victory over the South Caroline Gamecocks.

The game included:

• UGA's first ever 100-yard kick-off return for a touchdown;
• a South Carolina interception return for a touchdown that could have changed the whole complexion of the game if they had converted the PAT
• South Carolina with a chance to win the game with ten seconds left; and
• The most combined points the two teams have combined for since 1970

TV Kickoff Time: ESPN's Craig James (left) and Mike Patrick before the University of South Carolina - University of Georgia kickoff on Saturday, September 12, 2009.
Photograph Copyright 2009 by Eye on Sports Media/The Cayuga Group, LLC.
All Rights Reserved.

Sideline Homework: ESPN's Heather Cox (left) checks her notes with the University of Georgia's Hall of Fame Sports Information Director Claude Felton before the University of South Carolina - University of Georgia kickoff on Saturday, September 12, 2009.
Photograph Copyright 2009 by Eye on Sports Media/The Cayuga Group, LLC.
All Rights Reserved.

Taking Notes: ESPN Radio's Joe Schad (right) checks his pre-game notes with
producer Beth Faber before the University of South Carolina - University of Georgia
kickoff on Saturday, September 12, 2009.
Photograph Copyright 2009 by Eye on Sports Media/The Cayuga Group, LLC.
All Rights Reserved.