Tech Week: Thursday Practice Notes

ATHENS - University of Georgia head football coach Mark Richt put his team through a two-hour Thanksgiving morning practice at the Woodruff Practice Fields Thursday as preparations continued for Saturday's annual game with Georgia Tech.

"It was a great morning with great weather and the players had high spirits," said Richt. "It was a day to be thankful for."

Georgia (8-2) enters the game having clinched the SEC Eastern Division title and an SEC Championship game coming up Dec. 3 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Meanwhile, Tech (7-3) is coming off an emotional victory over highly ranked Miami last week and is looking to improve it's bowl possibilities.

"This game is a great rivalry regardless of the records, bowl possibilities, or conference championships," said Richt. "It's for the championship of the State of Georgia which is enough to have players on both teams motivated. And it certainly has major implications for both teams in terms of bowl possibilities. We expect Georgia Tech to be at their best Saturday night and we'll have to be at our best to have a chance to win."

Georgia players who live close by were given the opportunity to be with family for the Thanksgiving Day meal and many will bring along teammates as guests for the day.

Georgia will resume preparations Friday morning before departing for Atlanta Friday afternoon.

Kickoff is set for 8:07 p.m. EST and will be televised by ABC TV.