Meet Pudge: The Unofficial Team Mascot Taking College Football By Storm

October 15, 2025

Move over, Heisman winners — the biggest name in college football right now walks on four paws and answers to the name Pudge.

Pudge the cat / @bgsufootball

When former Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George took over as Bowling Green’s new head coach, everyone assumed he’d be the headline-maker of the season. But as it turns out, the real breakout star isn’t wearing a helmet — he’s a 3-year-old exotic shorthair cat with a fanbase of his own.

Pudge belongs to long snapper George Carlson, and his rise to fame started in true 2020s fashion — with a TikTok video. One teammate posted a clip of the chubby-cheeked feline online, and it wasn’t long before Pudge became the team’s unofficial mascot and an internet sensation.

Pudge with George

Now, Pudge doesn’t miss a single game. Home or away, he’s there — cool, calm, and collected — taking in the action from the sidelines like a true football VIP.

Pudge’s fame has spread so far that even opposing schools are rolling out the red carpet. When Bowling Green visited the Louisville Cardinals, the school welcomed him with a personalized letter and his very own locker — stocked with treats, a cozy bed, and yes, even his own bathroom.

An opposing school set this up for Pudge

“Pudge is like Julius Caesar around here,” Coach George joked. “When he comes down the street, the crowd parts, they throw rose petals at his feet. He is a rockstar.”

And the numbers don’t lie — Bowling Green’s home game attendance is up nearly 60 percent this season, the biggest jump of any Division I school. Fans can’t get enough of the team’s new furry good-luck charm.

So while the players battle it out on the field, Pudge is out there winning hearts — one purr at a time.