Bulldogs Complete First Of Two Practices On Tuesday
Tuesday, 09 August 2011 22:23
by Georgia Sports Communications
ATHENS, Ga. --- With few clouds dotting the sky and temperatures rising, Georgia’s football team practiced for just over two hours on the newly planted grass fields at the Woodruff Practice Fields on Tuesday morning.The morning session marked the sixth practice of the preseason. Following lunch, a break from football activities and then meetings, the team will return for a Tuesday evening session at Sanford Stadium.
“I thought we did a pretty good job today,” said head coach Mark Richt. “We had a good tempo and the guys handled the first of two practices today well. Everyone will be doing something constructive in our second session today as we work on our fundamentals and kicking team.”
The Bulldogs practiced in shorts in shoulder pads as they ready for ascrimmage on Wednesday. Junior nose guard Jonathan Jenkins had one of the highlights during drills in the morning after intercepting a pass and returning it for a score.
“(Jenkins) tipped it to himself and then the big boy just rumbled down the field,” senior tight end Aron White said. “It was only about 12 yards, but a (touchdown) for a guy that size is still impressive. He kind of reminded me of that guy for the Packers (B.J. Raji) running for that touchdown.”
In addition to Georgia’s high hopes for its defense and offense, the Bulldogs are also banking on their special teams units. Punter Drew Butler and place kicker Blair Walsh, who are both seniors and preseason All-Americans, join return specialist Brandon Boykin and snapper Ty Frix as four proven members of Georgia’s special teams.
“There are high expectations for us and we have high expectations for ourselves,” said Walsh. “We all put in hard work this summer and preseason and hope it pays off. Drew and I had a goal after our freshman seasons that we wanted to be the No. 1 (special teams) unit on this team and in the country and I think we are approaching that goal.”
The Bulldogs are scheduled to have their first scrimmage at the stadium on Wednesday morning.
Georgia, which was ranked No. 22 in the preseason edition of the USA Today coaches' poll, will open the season against No. 7 Boise State on Sept. 3. The Bulldogs and Broncos will battle in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic in the Georgia Dome at 8 p.m., with ESPN televising the contest nationally.
The annual Fans Picture Day will be held Saturday, Aug. 20, outside Sanford Stadium. Georgia football players and coaches will be available for autographs from 3-5 p.m.
###