ATHENS -- Georgia wide receiver Kris Durham's final game in Sanford Stadium got off to a promising start when he turned a short pass into the longest touchdown of his career.
Durham caught an Aaron Murray pass and sped through the Georgia Tech secondary for a career-long 66-yard touchdown that put the Bulldogs on the scoreboard first, eight minutes into Saturday night's game.
Durham had another big catch late in the first half, a 17-yard grab at the Tech 16-yard line that led two plays later to a touchdown that gave Georgia a 21-14 halftime lead.
A fifth-year senior from Calhoun, Durham is one of 23 Bulldogs who were playing in Sanford Stadium for the last time. He already has earned an education degree and is currently working on a master's. He said earlier in the week that he hopes for a shot at the NFL before turning to a teaching/coaching career.
The first-quarter score was the 6-foot-5 Durham's third touchdown of the season. Entering Saturday's game, he had caught 26 passes for 522 yards this season, career highs in both categories, despite missing two games with injuries. He sat out the 2009 season after shoulder surgery.
Durham's sister and brother-in-law attended Georgia Tech.
Honoring troops
The Bulldogs wore helmet stickers Saturday night honoring the Georgia National Guard's 110th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, which is serving in Iraq.
Based out of Tifton, the unit consists of approximately 90 soldiers and officers from Georgia who will return home early next year. The unit, which includes fans of both Georgia and Georgia Tech, planned to watch the game in Iraq on Saturday night.
Banks' farewell
For each of Georgia's first 11 games this season, a different player wore No. 31 in honor of safety Quintin Banks, who had to skip his senior season because of chronic knee injuries. Saturday, Banks wore the number himself, dressing out with the team and being honored during pregame "senior night" ceremonies.
He was among 23 seniors honored before their final game in Sanford Stadium. The others: Clint Boling, Brian Brewer, Shaun Chapas, Vance Cuff, Chris Davis, Josh Davis, Akeem Dent, Demarcus Dobbs, Durham, Darryl Gamble, Chad Gloer, Chris Grund, Ben Harden, Akeem Hebron, Fred Munzenmaier, Josh Murray, Cortney Newmans, Derek Rich, Josh Sailors, Kiante Tripp, Charles White and Brandon Wood. Harden, White and Sailors have one season of eligibility remaining, but will graduate this school year and won't play football next season, according to UGA.
Etc.
Former Georgia tennis star John Isner got a big ovation from the Sanford Stadium crowd when he was recognized during a first-quarter timeout for his famous marathon match against Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon this year. ... Georgia defensive end Demarcus Dobbs left the game in the second quarter with a right elbow injury. ... Bowls with SEC tie-ins that had representatives at Saturday's game: Liberty, Gator and Chick-fil-A. ... Honored on the field before the game was Warner Robins' Little League Softball World Series championship team. ... Dozens of recruits were at the game, including highly touted Carver-Columbus running back Isaiah Crowell, who was wearing a UGA cap and a red UGA pullover.
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