Sugar Bowl: 12/29 News and Notes

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

BACK IN LINE: Russ Tanner has regained his starting job for the final game of his career. Tanner will start at center against West Virginia after backing up Ryan Schnetzer for the last four games.

“It’s based on the last couple of games,” offensive line coach Neil Callaway said.

Tanner and Schnetzer will continue to rotate on a series-by-series basis.

INJURY UPDATE: Starting defensive tackle Gerald Anderson left Wednesday’s practice early and missed Thursday’s practice entirely due to back spasms. He didn’t attend Thursday’s workout, staying in the team hotel to rehabilitate his back instead. Still, he’s expected to play Monday.

“He’ll play in the game,” Coach Mark Richt said.

WVU STREAK: Ask any Mountaineer the turning point of their season, and they’ll point to the Oct. 15 game against Louisville. West Virginia trailed 24-7 with fewer than nine minutes remaining before pulling out a 46-44 triple overtime win.

“After that, it showed that everything is possible,” running back Steve Slaton said. “We (felt like we) shouldn’t lose anymore games. The whole feeling in the locker room was that we deserved this one.”

Including that game, the Mountaineers have won six straight.

“They’re a hot team right now,” Richt said.

REVERSED ROLES: The Bulldogs will be in an unfamiliar position tonight, watching a college football game from the stands. Georgia’s players will attend the Peach Bowl between LSU and Miami in the Georgia Dome. Richt, who was a quarterback at Miami, was unsure on Thursday if he would attend the game in person or watch on television.

The Bulldogs also will attend the Georgia Aquarium today. The busy bowl schedule is starting to wear on the team, Callaway said.

“You can tell they’re a little worn down, but overall their work ethic has been good,” he said.