Logistics Hinder Uga XI’s Travel to Texas Game

The University of Georgia‘s beloved bulldog mascot, Uga XI, will not be accompanying the Georgia Bulldogs to their game against the Texas Longhorns in Austin. Charles Seiler, Uga XI’s owner, revealed the decision due to the logistical challenges involved in the travel to the Austin American-Statesman and Athens Banner-Herald.

“That’s a lot of wear and tear on the dog,” Seiler explained. “Those games way out in the middle of the country are hard for us to get to. This dog that we have — well, he’s not new — but he’s only two and a half, and we haven’t flown him yet, and he hasn’t been on a team bus yet.”

The journey from Savannah, Georgia to Austin, Texas, stretches over 1,100 miles. Seiler mentioned the difficulty of this lengthy journey, especially the return trip, as a significant factor in the decision. “The worst part is coming back because I’ve got to jump in the car and drive home from Athens when the sun is coming up. That was OK when I was a younger man, but I’m 64 now,” Seiler stated.

Travel-related issues have previously led to Uga XI missing other games, including a recent road game against Kentucky. “The dog usually misses a few games a year, and the 17-hour drive did us in on this one,” Seiler told ESPN, indicating that they will be watching the game from home.

This decision also averts a potential repeat of the memorable incident in 2019 during the Sugar Bowl when Uga X, Uga XI’s predecessor, had a close encounter with Bevo XV, Texas’s longhorn steer mascot. At the time, Bevo charged at the bulldog mascot during a pregame photo opportunity, though both mascots were unharmed.

Uga XI’s owner elaborated on the challenges faced when traveling with the mascot. While private travel could be a possibility, the logistics remain challenging. “It’s harder now to walk the dog outside of hotels,” Seiler noted.

Ricky Brennes, Executive Director of the Silver Spurs Alumni Association, which manages Bevo, was in contact with Seiler regarding Uga XI’s absence from the upcoming game.