Wednesday Practice Report

FOOTBALL

Third-ranked Georgia held a two-hour practice in full pads Wednesday as the team finalizes preparations for Georgia Tech.

Coach Mark Richt said preparations have been going well this week as Georgia (10-1) is focused on the Yellow Jackets spread option attack.

“The scout team is doing their best, and we know it’s not what it’s going to be Saturday but I appreciate them,” said Richt. “It’s not easy to simulate the spread option in full pads for two weeks in a row with the exception of one day when we weren’t in full pads.”

The Yellow Jackets (6-5) feature the nation’s third-leading rushing attack at 324.9 yards/game. They have won three straight, four of their last five games and will be the Coastal Division representative in the ACC Championship game against Florida State on December 1st. Georgia leads the all-time series with Tech 62-37-5 including winning 10 of the 11 meetings under Richt.

Georgia will likely have junior starting offensive guard Chris Burnette back for the Tech game. He has missed the past two games with a shoulder injury, however Richt indicated that Burnette has been practicing this week. Also, freshman tailback Keith Marshall (shoulder contusion) practiced in a green non-contact jersey Wednesday, and Richt said he’ll be fine and would play Saturday.

The Dawgs will have a morning practice session the next two days to prepare for the early kickoff. Saturday’s game will begin at 12:01 p.m., and the contest will be televised by ESPN.

“It’s part of what we did today and again Thursday and Friday to get the guys used to waking up early, get them practicing because this will be earliest game of the year for us,” said Richt. “We never practice on Friday except after Thanksgiving. We want the players and coaches to enjoy Thanksgiving, and then get everybody locked in, moving around for about a 50-minute practice Friday to get their minds right.”

Richt closed out the media session by wishing everyone a “Happy Thanksgiving.”