100 Days of Georgia’s Greatest Plays—Day 50

UGASports continues its 100-day countdown to the Bulldogs’ 2026 season opener with the “100 Days of Georgia’s Greatest Plays” series. Today, on Day 50, we examine and relive one of Georgia’s greatest plays in its football history, relating to that specific number. On Day 50, UGASports looks back at the 50-yard Joe Cox-to-Tavarres King TD in the Bulldogs’ upset win at Arkansas in 2009. The Game: No. 23 Georgia (1-1 record coming off a close win against South Carolina) vs. Arkansas (1-0 record coming off an open week) at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville on September 19, 2009. Georgia was seeking to improve to 4-0 all-time vs. Arkansas in Fayetteville. The Bulldogs were listed by oddsmakers as 2½-point underdogs to the Razorbacks. “Get the Picture”: In an offensive showcase, Georgia held a 27-21 halftime advantage after rallying from a 21-10 deficit. Arkansas regained the lead in the third quarter on a touchdown by transfer quarterback Ryan Mallett. After the ensuing kickoff, Georgia quarterback Joe Cox completed a 21-yard pass to midfield. Trailing 28-27, the Bulldogs faced first-and-10 with approximately eight minutes remaining in the third quarter. The Play Cox, a fifth-year senior, dropped back from midfield and lofted a perfectly placed pass to Tavarres King, a redshirt freshman wide receiver. King caught the ball in stride at the 10-yard line and strolled into the end zone. The 50-yard touchdown gave the Bulldogs a 34-28 lead with 7:51 remaining in the third quarter. Arkansas answered with a touchdown on its ensuing possession to reclaim the lead, but the fourth quarter belonged to Georgia. The Bulldogs pulled away to secure a 52-41 victory. In the win, Cox was absolutely brilliant, having one of the most productive and most efficient performances by a quarterback in UGA history. He completed 18 of 25 passes for a staggering 375 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception for a passer rating of 256.0. The 50-yard touchdown was the longest of Cox’s school-record-tying five scoring passes. Arkansas’ Mallett was impressive as well, completing 21 of 39 passes for 408 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions (184.03). “It’s pretty cool. It’s definitely not something I expected to happen,” Cox said regarding his single-game record 5 touchdown passes. “We didn’t know it was going to be a shootout like that, but if a team wants to make it a shootout, we’ve got to find a way to answer.”