Sugar Bowl: 12/20 News and Notes

ATHENS - News and notes from Georgia's Sugar Bowl practices.

PRACTICE REPORT: The Bulldogs had their final two-a-day practices on Tuesday afternoon in Athens. The team will work out this morning and then break until Dec. 27, when the players will gather in Atlanta. The first Sugar Bowl practice at the bowl site is Dec. 28.

Georgia’s players got out of scheduled conditioning work Tuesday thanks to reserve offensive guard Chester Adams.

“The highlight of practice was if Cheese would stand up and sing, ‘Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,’ in front of team, no one would have to run conditioning,” Coach Mark Richt said. “He did a great job.”

Tight end Martrez Milner is practicing in a green jersey due to a shoulder injury. Defensive tackle Ray Gant is practicing with a club cast over his right hand due to broken knuckles. He likely will have to wear it during the Sugar Bowl.

LOTTERY WINNER: Former player Albert Hollis, who left the team due to a knee injury but still works as a student coach, is the big winner in the Bulldogs’ travel reimbursement sweepstakes. Hollis will be paid for the round trip mileage from his home in Sacramento, Calif., to the Sugar Bowl site in Atlanta. He will receive a check for more than $2,500.

FRESH FACES: Asher Allen made his first impression on Georgia’s practice field Tuesday morning. The early enrollee was working with the scout team on kickoff returns when he split the Bulldogs’ varsity defense for a long return.

“How about that return man?” Coach Mark Richt yelled. Allen and wide receiver Kris Durham of Calhoun High School are part of the Bulldogs’ 2006 signing class but have enrolled in school early and are participating in practice this week. Allen was recruited to Georgia as a cornerback but played plenty of offense at Tucker High School and could become a weapon in the return game.

“I feel comfortable with the ball in my hand, guarding somebody, whatever,” he said after his return. “I just love football really.”

Asher and Durham will only be able to practice until the team moves its practices to Atlanta, site of the Sugar Bowl. Still, both have been glad to come out and get a taste of college football.

“Now I kind of know what to expect and how to work,” Durham said. “This is so much different that I’m glad I did this. I kind of got my feet wet. Now, I’ll know what to expect this spring.”

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