No. 13 Georgia Provides Homecoming For Oklahoma State RB Savage

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) _ Oklahoma State's opener at No. 13 Georgia will take running back Dantrell Savage back to his home state. He wouldn't call the Bulldogs his home team, though. <br/><br/>``Not

Wednesday, August 29th 2007, 2:40 pm

By: News On 6

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) _ Oklahoma State's opener at No. 13 Georgia will take running back Dantrell Savage back to his home state. He wouldn't call the Bulldogs his home team, though.

``Not at all,'' Savage said.

The Cowboys' senior tailback was raised in Columbus, Ga., and instead grew up admiring Southeastern Conference rival Auburn _ located just across the Alabama state line from his hometown. The reason was simple.

``Just following Bo Jackson,'' Savage said.

So while Savage knows several players on the Bulldogs' roster from running track at Jordan High School or playing football in high school and at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, it's more of a homecoming than a fulfillment of any childhood dreams.

``I'm real excited about going back to my home state to play, so my mom, grandma and cousins can see me play now,'' Savage said. ``This is too far for them to come here.''

The more than 900-mile journey will mark Oklahoma State's longest trip for a season opener since the Cowboys opened at Washington in 1985. It outdistances recent trips to Southern Miss, Louisiana Tech and Northern Illinois.

Savage said the drive from his hometown to Oklahoma State's campus takes 13 to 14 hours.

Savage's mother, Monica, made the trip to Stillwater twice last year for games, but this will give other family members _ including cousins in Columbus and his father in the Miami area _ to see him in person. They'll get another chance in two weeks when Oklahoma State plays at Troy in neighboring Alabama. Both series were established after Savage transferred from junior college before last season.

``I didn't really expect for us to be playing Georgia or even Troy,'' Savage said.

Savage is one of five Georgia natives on Oklahoma State's roster. Linebacker Marcus Brown came from Hephzibah, running back Zach Carter is from Kennesaw, offensive lineman Andrew Lawrence played in Dallas, and defensive lineman Quencey Patrick is from the same town as Savage.

Brown, who rounded up 18 tickets for family and friends, dreamed of playing at Georgia while growing up and attended three games at Sanford Stadium in the recruiting process during high school.

``I just remember it being wild there between the Hedges,'' Brown said.

Receiver Adarius Bowman, who's from Chattanooga, Tenn., and transferred from North Carolina, sees it as a homecoming too.

``Honestly, this don't even feel like an away game to me,'' said Bowman, the Cowboys' top receiver. ``I feel like I'm going to have so much support and fans and family down that way. I'm feeling like I'm going to my home. I'm loving it. I ain't been that way in a long time.''

Savage expects between 30 and 50 family members and friends to attend the game Saturday, and he hopes he'll get the chance to reminisce with them afterward.

Georgia players will also be awaiting Savage's arrival. After leading the Big 12's top rushing offense and being named the offensive MVP of Oklahoma State's Independence Bowl win against Alabama, opponents can't help but take notice.

``He's a weapon,'' Georgia safety Kelin Johnson said. ``The more I watch film, he's a guy that at first I say, 'OK, he's a good back.' Then I say, 'He's real good.'''

Savage rushed for 820 yards and eight touchdowns last season, and his 26-yard pickup on a screen pass set up the Cowboys' game-winning field goal in the Independence Bowl. He said his goals for this season are ``just to run the ball.''

``You just basically leave the past behind and look forward to the upcoming season,'' Savage said.