Not long after Davin Bellamy strip-sacked Notre Dame quarterback Brandon Wimbush to seal the Bulldogs’ win over the Fighting Irish, Georgia’s outside linebacker donned golden shoulder pads studded with silver spikes.
The shoulder pads — inspired by the UGA Spike Squad’s shoulder pads — were introduced this season by defensive coordinator Mel Tucker as an incentive for recording turnovers.
“It's a very competitive thing,” linebacker Reggie Carter said. “Everybody wants to wear the spikes.”
Similar gimmicks have been seen around college football. Tennessee holds up a trash can on its sideline. Georgia’s defensive line has a 50-pound chain to symbolize unity.