The scrimmage featured the No. 1 offense versus the No. 2 defense and vice versa, goal line situations, overtime situations and other specialty situations. Following the action, Georgia head coach Mark Richt said he was more optimistic after watching Friday¹s scrimmage than he was after last Saturday¹s matchup.
³We looked more like where we should be today, but we still have a ways to go,² said Richt.
Highlights from the scrimmage included sophomore quarterback Matthew Stafford connecting with Kenneth Harris and Sean Bailey for a 37-yard touchdown and a 40-yard touchdown, respectively. In addition, redshirt sophomore Joe Cox hit senior T.J. Gartrell for a 10-yard touchdown.
On defense, junior Dannell Ellerbe racked up nine tackles and a sack, freshman Rennie Curran tallied nine tackles and redshirt freshman Reshad Jones added five tackles and a pass break-up. Also, senior Kelin Johnson had an interception and junior Jeremy Lomax blocked a field goal.
³The big difference with the No. 1 offense today is that they blocked really well and we want that unit to do well at this point of the preseason,² said Richt.
Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo used a trio of tailbacks seniors Thomas Brown and Kregg Lumpkin and redshirt freshman Knowshon Moreno during the first portion of the scrimmage and Richt was pleased with his backfield¹s efforts.
³Thomas, Lump and Knowshon only played in the first half because we think they are the group that is game-ready,² Richt said. ³We really wanted the first half to be as crisp as possible and to simulate what a real game would feel like.²
Richt added that senior Jason Johnson had two touchdowns when running behind the No. 1 offense near the goal line and that both receivers Tony Wilson and Michael Moore ³deserve to play at this point if they don¹t start going backwards.²
The Bulldogs will return to Sanford Stadium on Saturday, but will get the rare chance to leave their pads behind for this trip. At Georgia¹s annual Fans¹ Picture Day, players and coaches will sign autographs from 3-5 p.m. with Richt and the offensive unit located throughout the North side concourse of Sanford Stadium between Sections 109-101, and the defense located on the Gate 6 Plaza between Sections 125-121.