Maybe Georgia can’t wait for the new football season to get here.
The Bulldogs began warming up for their second preseason scrimmage about 15 minutes earlier than scheduled today at Sanford Stadium.
Looks like a nearly full deck will be taking part.
Cornerbacks Malcolm Mitchell and Branden Smith (both with shoulder contusions) and Damian Swann (sprained neck) were dressed out. So was defensive end Ray Drew (concussion).
Freshman tight end Ty Flournoy-Smith (strained hamstring) was with a trainer on the stadium steps in a green jersey, signaling he’s a no-go.
Offensive tackle Kolton Houston, who has missed some practices this preseason and remains ineligible, was also dressed out.
Freshman kicker Marshall Morgan made five of eight field goal tries at the end of the early period before the media portion was closed.
There were about 20 non-media folks close to the program in the stands with access to watch.
He made a 53-yarder, but missed from 43 and 47 with coach Mark Richt watching closely from behind him. Adam Erickson held for all of the tries. No other kicker attempted a field goal at the end.
Richt is hoping the starting offense and defensive units dominate today.
“It’s just another opportunity to play full-speed, play fast,” Richt said. “Defensive players got to learn how to play the cut block.
Offensive players got to learn how to cut block properly. Sometimes when you’re competing without tackling to the ground., it’s hard to really see who’s doing what. It becomes a lot more clearer when you scrimmage.”
Scrimmage statistics:
Passing: Aaron Murray 8-14-158 TD INT, Hutson Mason 8-18 67 TD INT, Christian Lemay 2-5-35 INT
Rushing: Todd Gurley 7-87 2TDs, Keith Marshall 5-62, Richard Samuel 6-40 TD, Ken Malcome 5-35 TD, Brandon Harton 7-31.
Receiving: Chris Conley 4-114 TD, Blake Tibbs 3-32 TD, Jay Rome 2-32, Todd Gurley 2-22, Tavarres King 2-9, Rantavious Wooten, Brandon Harton, Arthur Lynch, Rhett McGowan, Quayvon Hicks and Samuel with one catch each.
Tackles: Chase Vasser 6, Shawn Williams 4, Bacarri Rambo 4, Alec Ogletree 4, Josh Harvey-Clemons 4, Ray Drew 4, Damian Swann 3, Jarvis Jones 3, Sanders Commings 3, Branden Smith 2, Mike Gilliard 2, Connor Norman 2, Corey Moore 2, Amarlo Herrera 2, Ramik Wilson 2, Devin Bowman 2, Christian Robinson 2.
Tackles for loss: Vasser 4, Ogletree 2, Harvey-Clemons 1, Abry Jones 1, Josh Dawson 1
Sacks: Vasser 3, Ogletree 2, Harvey-Clemons 1, Jones 1
Interceptions: Williams 1, Harvey-Clemons 1, Moore 1.
Pass break-up: Smith 2, Gilliard 1, Moore 1, Commings 1, Cornelius Washington 1, Josh Dawson 1, Sheldon Dawson 1.
Kicker Marshall Morgan was 1-1 on field goals (42 yards.) He made all extra points.
Punter Collin Barber 2-49.5 avg.
Quote from Mark Richt: On pretty good scrimmage: “Pretty good is about 8-4, maybe 9-3 if you’re lucky. We’d like to do better than 8-4.”
–Please follow me at Twitter.com/marcweiszer
