Dawgs Preparing For Rebels

FOOTBALL

After playing all three of its October games away from home, the Georgia football team began preparations for its contest against Ole Miss in Athens with a 60-minute workout in frigid conditions on the Woodruff Practice Fields on Monday.

Georgia's players and coaches dealt with winds gusting to 25 miles per hour and temperatures in the 50s during Monday's session.

The Dawgs — who are sixth in the BCS standings and the coaches poll and seventh in the AP poll — improved to 7-1 overall and 5-1 in the SEC with their 17-9 victory over Florida last week in Jacksonville. On Saturday, Georgia will entertain the Rebels (5-3, 2-2 SEC), and the game will be televised by CBS at 3:30 p.m. The Dawgs' last home game was Sept. 29 against Tennessee.

"It was good for us to get back to work tonight," Coach Mark Richt said. "Saturday was an emotionally charged game for us and it meant a lot to get that win, but it's time to get our feet back on the ground and focus on an Ole Miss team that's playing with a lot of confidence. They've definitely gotten our attention. Our focus tonight was just where I wanted it to be, and we'll keep working hard throughout this week."

Linebacker Jordan Jenkins said he was especially proud of the Dawgs' defense as it held Florida to three field goals and 266 total yards and forced the Gators into six fumbles (four lost) and two interceptions.

"In our team meeting, Coach Todd Grantham was saying this is how we should be playing," Jenkins said. "There are still a few things we can fix, but this is somewhat close to where we should be playing every game. We've got to finish out the season playing exactly like this."

Richt announced the captains for the Ole Miss game will be center David Andrews, linebacker Jarvis Jones, end/linebacker Cornelius Washington and linebacker Kosta Vavlas.

Monday's injury report included: David Andrews (left knee contusion, out of practice); fullback Merritt Hall (right ankle sprain, out of practice); fullback Quayvon Hicks (concussion, limited, no contact); end Abry Jones (left ankle injury, out of practice); and linebacker Chase Vasser (left shoulder sprain, out of practice).

In other news on Monday:

• The November 10th game between Georgia and Auburn in Auburn will kick off at 7 p.m. and will be televised by ESPN2. This will be Georgia's third appearance this season (Missouri, Vanderbilt) on the network, and the Dawgs are 21-5 all-time on ESPN2.