Bulldogs log two Monday practices in full pads

ATHENS, Ga. – After a day off from practice on Monday — which included the annual trek to Gabrielsen Natatorium to cool off in the pool — the Georgia football team got back to work Tuesday with morning and evening sessions in full pads on the Woodruff Practice Fields.

“Little by little, we’re getting there,” Georgia head coach Mark Richt said Tuesday morning. “We did a few more situations today — killing the clock at the end of the game, the defense having to get a stop at the end of the game, 1-minute drills, more red zone. We’re working them hard and they’re doing a good job of responding.”

Following the evening practice, Richt noted, “We got in some good work tonight. We’re getting better. We’re about a third of the way through camp, but we’ve got to keep grinding. Tonight went well. I thought the guys were focused and they practiced well. We’ve just got to keep getting better every day.”

“We added a lot of stuff today, but that’s what camp is all about,” linebacker Ryne Rankin said. “We’re out their busting our tails. I love the way the defense is practicing right now. We’re all flying around to the football.”

“We’re about three weeks away (from the first game) and we can’t wait,” linebacker Jake Ganus said. “We all got after it this summer in workouts to put ourselves in good position for fall camp and even better position for the season.”

The annual Fans’ Picture Day will be held Saturday in the Reed Plaza area of Sanford Stadium and will feature Richt, football players, cheerleaders, other UGA athletic teams, as well as “Que,” grandson of mascot Uga IX and a candidate to become Uga X.

Special ticket coupons are required for access to the location for Richt and “Que.” Those tickets will be distributed to the first 150 fans at 10 a.m. from the East End ticket windows on East Campus Road.

Gates 2 and 4 will open at 2 p.m. and the Georgia cheerleaders, Dance Dawgs and Hairy Dawg will be available from 2-6 p.m. Que and other University of Georgia sports teams will be available from 2-4 p.m. Ticket holders to see Que must be in line by 2:30 p.m. Georgia football players will be on hand for autographs from 4-6 p.m. Richt will also be available from 4-6 p.m. for those with ticket coupons. Ticket holders to see Richt must be in line by 4:30 p.m.

Fall semester classes at UGA will begin Monday. Georgia, ranked No. 9 in the Amway Coaches Preseason Poll, opens the season against Louisiana Monroe on Saturday, Sept. 5, at noon. The game will be televised on the SEC Network.