Bulldogs set to face Florida

ATHENS, Ga. – The Georgia Bulldogs conducted a two-hour practice in full pads here Wednesday as they prepare for 11th-ranked Florida.

“It was really good for us to be outside on the FieldTurf today; it was warmer for us and we needed that,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said after the workout. “The weather was close to what we’ll play in Saturday so that’s good. I’d also like to say thanks to the (Atlanta) Falcons for allowing us to practice at their place Tuesday and that we appreciate everybody that helped make that happen. We appreciate all the help to get that done, for example with our academics because it changes schedules around. We’ve got one more day to work, and we’re on track with our preparation.”

When asked about tweaking starting lineups during an open date, Richt added that there’s competition for playing time at every position each week.

“Everybody’s job is up for grabs; we rep more than one guy with the ones, and we’ll continue to do that,” Richt said.

Also after Wednesday’s practice, Bulldog defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt visited with the media and was asked about the familiarity that both teams’ coaches have with each other after several spent time at the University of Alabama from 2007-13. Pruitt, Rob Sale and Kevin Sherrer at one point worked with current Florida head coach Jim McElwain and assistants Geoff Collins, Doug Nussmeier and Chris Rumph while they were with the Crimson Tide.

“We’ve got too much information, and we were chasing a lot of ghosts the last couple of weeks,” Pruitt said.

When talk turned to last year’s result in Jacksonville, Pruitt said all losses stay with coaches, and he brought up an example of Georgia’s overtime win over Alabama in 2007.

“We were reviewing a play this week from practice where we didn’t do what we were supposed to and I mentioned the result was like the Mikey Henderson catch for a touchdown, so we as coaches don’t forget, they all linger with you,” Pruitt added.

The Bulldogs (5-2, 3-2 SEC) face the Gators (6-1, 4-1 SEC) Saturday at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, and the game will kick off at 3:39 p.m. CBS will televise it nationally, featuring the broadcast team of Verne Lundquist (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (analyst) and Allie LaForce (sidelines).