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Bulldogs Battle Through Second Scrimmage

Aug 17, 2011 by Georgia Sports Communications

ATHENS, Ga. - The Georgia Bulldogs conducted their second preseason
scrimmage of the fall on Wednesday afternoon, working out for just over two
hours at Sanford Stadium.

Head coach Mark Richt was pleased with his team’s performance and with the
fact that the Bulldogs suffered no significant injuries.

“We didn’t have any injuries, which is always good,” Richt said. “We did
have a little cramping going on from the heat afterwards with Ben Jones.
It’s nothing too serious. Ben had an hour aerobics class today, and he
probably didn’t do a good job of hydrating. After aerobics and scrimmaging
and running wind sprints, it got to him.”

Starting quarterback Aaron Murray connected on 11 of 16 passing attempts for
108 yards, with a touchdown and an interception, while back-up Hutson Mason
completed 13 of 27 passes for 125 yards.

“I thought it was a pretty good scrimmage,” Murray said. “The offense made a
lot of plays here and there. There were some lulls, but that’s going to
happen. I’m very proud of both sides of the ball and how they played today.”

Rantavious Wooten caught five passes for 61 yards, including a 20-yard TD.
Israel Troupe also had five receptions for 50 yards.

Brandon Harton, a former walk-on who was awarded a scholarship last
Thursday, was the top rusher with 51 yards on 12 carries. Richard Samuel and
Isaiah Crowell, Georgia’s top-two rushers in the first scrimmage, missed the
session due to slight injuries.

“I do think Isaiah is a little closer than Richard,” Richt said. “We have a
kicking practice tomorrow and a regular practice on Friday. I’m not going to
say Isaiah will be ready for Friday but there’s a chance. Richard would
probably be more like early next week. As you watch them moving around,
Isaiah looks closer.”

Linebacker Alec Ogletree led the defense for the second consecutive
scrimmage, with eight tackles including a sack and tackle for loss. Safety
Shawn Williams recorded seven tackles, and cornerback Bacarri Rambo notched
six stops and an interception.

Ogeltree played safety last season as a true freshman before moving to
linebacker in the spring.

“‘Tree’ is playing good,” Richt said. “He’s playing fast and physical. He
likes football and has had a very good camp. I don’t have any doubt it was
the best move for him and for Georgia.”

“‘Tree’ gets after it,” linebacker Jarvis Jones said. “He loves the game of
football. He loves to work hard. He works hard every day. He would’ve been
successful at safety, but I think moving him to linebacker is one of the
best decisions our coaches could’ve made for the overall success of our
defense and our team. He can get off blocks. He can run sideline to
sideline. He can make big plays. He’s a high energy guy and brings it every
day.”

Murray complimented the defense and the progress it has made this fall.

“From day one to now they’ve made a lot of improvement,” Murray said. “There
are so many young guys, defensive backs, linebackers and linemen. They’ve
learned so much and are starting to play faster and with more confidence.
They’re getting a lot better and giving us much better looks right now.”

Placekicker Blair Walsh made 4 of 6 field goals, with a long of 49 yards.

“Our snapping wasn’t that keen today,” Richt said.

Richt also announced that senior safety Jakar Hamilton has suffered a
fracture that will likely keep him from playing this season.

“Jakar has a fracture that historically takes two or three months to heal,”
Richt said. "My guess is he won’t play this year. He does have the
opportunity to redshirt. That’s my best guess on what will happen. It’s in
his leg down toward his ankle. It’s something he’s been having issues with
but (the pain) was moving a little on a daily basis. A bone scan showed it.
It was something we couldn’t detect otherwise.

“Jakar is a very good special teams player and competing for downs as a
safety,” Richt added. “A young guy like Corey Moore will have a better
opportunity to play on specials and is one step closer to the field as a
safety. Maybe this will light a fire under him.”

Georgia, which was ranked No. 22 in the preseason edition of the USA Today
coaches’ poll, will open the season against No. 7 Boise State on Sept. 3.
The Bulldogs and Broncos will battle in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic in
Atlanta’s Georgia Dome at 8 p.m., and ESPN will televise the contest
nationally.

The annual Fans Picture Day will be held this Saturday, Aug. 20 in the Reed
Plaza area behind the north side of Sanford Stadium from 1-5 p.m. Members of Georgia teams other than football and interim mascot Russ will be available
from 1-3, and the football players and coaches will be in attendance from
3-5 p.m. Due to recent public issues surrounding student-athlete autographs across the country, no outside items may be brought to Picture Day. The UGA Athletic Association will provide each fan with two free schedule posters to be signed by the players and Coach Richt. No other items will be permitted.

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