ATHENS — For the first time during preseason, the Georgia Bulldogs shifted their practice schedule to the latter portion of the day, staging a two-hour workout Tuesday under the lights at the Club Sports Complex on South Milledge Avenue.
The change in schedule did not affect Georgia’s goal on defense of striving for improvement each day. That philosophy was repeated by sophomore defensive end Michael Barnett. ‘’I think as a whole we’re gonna be great,’’ he said. ‘’We’re all working hard to be great. There are some young guys on the line, learning the playbook, but I believe we’re going to be great.’’ Barnett is a year older than the rookies, but because he missed much of spring practice with a knee injury, he also looks to teammate John Atkins as a leader of this group. ‘’John’s the old hand and we’re just learning from him,’’ he said. ‘’He knows a lot more about playing the position than us, so we’re just letting him lead the way.’’
One of the Bulldogs’ most experienced players on defense believes the group has performed admirably in adopting a new personality. ‘’I feel like we’re all doing a great job of stepping up and showing composure, leadership and just willingness to get after the ball,’’ said senior safety Quincy Mauger. ‘’ We’re trying to redefine and become a very physical defense, so I think we’re doing a great job of trying to do that.’’
The Bulldogs will resume pre-season practices Wednesday as they work towards their first full-scale scrimmage on Saturday. Georgia opens the 2016 season on Saturday, Sept. 3 against North Carolina in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic in Atlanta. Kickoff is schedule for 5:30 p.m. (EDT).
The Bulldogs' home opener is Saturday, September 10, vs. Nicholls with kickoff slated for 12 p.m. Tickets are still available at $50 each and can be ordered online or by calling the UGA Athletic Association Ticket Office at 1-877-542-1231 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Monday through Friday.
