Uga VIII enjoys comfortable start to reign

ATHENS -- The latest in the line of Georgia mascots has taken his place in his red-and-black doghouse at Sanford Stadium.

Uga VIII was introduced before Saturday's Southeastern Conference game between Vanderbilt and Georgia.

University of Georgia President Michael Adams applauded on the field as interim mascot Russ took his last bow. Uga VIII, whose registered name is Big Bad Bruce, then made his debut.

As Russ left the field, a crowd of photographers followed Uga VIII, wearing his red sweater, to his doghouse on the sideline.

Uga VIII, 13 months old, was named in honor of Dr. Bruce Hollett of the university's School of Veterinary Medicine. Hollett has helped care for the line of white English bulldog mascots owned by members of Savannah-based Sonny Seiler's family.