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Bulldogs Have First Scrimmage In Unseasonal Conditions
ATHENS, Ga. --- With
temperatures hovering in the low 40s and gusty winds blowing, Georgia's
football team scrimmaged for an hour and a half at Sanford Stadium on
Tuesday afternoon.
This first scrimmage of the spring marked the
sixth practice as the Bulldogs have seven more sessions scheduled
before the annual G-Day game on April 6 at 1 p.m. Tuesday's
scrimmage served as a make-up after the one scheduled for this past
Saturday was canceled due to inclement weather.
Following the
scrimmage, head coach Mark Richt was encouraged by the defensive effort
and explained how it was tough for the offense to connect on many long
passes with the 15 mile-an-hour winds.
"We had some good things
happen offensively, but putting long drives together and scoring a
bunch of touchdowns didn't happen today," said Richt. "The
defense did a good job and the weather conditions also did not allow
many deep balls. What I liked about today's scrimmage is that the
guys played physical. There were a couple scuffles, nothing
serious, but they showed that they were getting after it."
Junior
quarterback Hutson Mason worked with the starting offense since senior
Aaron Murray was in Atlanta to accept the 2013 Peach of an Athlete
Award. This honor was given to the Tampa, Fla., native for his
excellence on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
"We
gave Aaron permission to miss today since getting this kind of award is
a big deal," Richt said. "He was a little concerned this would
take him out of the running for an Iron Dawg Award, which is given to
guys who do not miss any practices, workouts, classes and a couple
other things, but I assured him it would not count against him."
Mason
completed 14 of 23 passes in Murray's absence for 186 yards and a
touchdown. On the ground, sophomore Keith Marshall carried the
ball 11 times for 71 yards (6.5 average) while junior Chris Conley
finished with a game-high 72 yards receiving and a touchdown on three
catches.
"Hutson did a nice job and has a good feel of what
we're doing," said Richt. "He gets everyone lined up and is
capable of running the show."
Defensively, senior linebacker
T.J. Stripling, sophomore linebacker Jordan Jenkins and junior
defensive end Ray Drew each tallied a pair of sacks. Junior
linebacker Ramik Wilson led the Bulldogs with seven tackles and
sophomore defensive back Sheldon Dawson snagged a pair of
interceptions, returning one 67 yards for a touchdown.
"Wilson
has moved inside after playing outside linebacker last year and this
seems to be a little more of his natural spot," Richt said. "He
is making a nice adjustment in there."
Richt also singled out
freshman defensive back Tray Matthews for his play. Matthews had
four tackles and broke up a pass in the end zone.
"(Matthews) had two early tackles on Keith Marshall that I thought were outstanding stops," said Richt.
Also
of note, Richt mentioned that sophomore tackle John Theus is expected
to practice on Thursday after the Jacksonville, Fla., native had foot
surgery during the offseason.
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