Georgia getting set for Gamecocks

ATHENS, Ga. – The seventh-ranked Georgia Bulldogs conducted a two-hour practice in full pads Wednesday as they continue to get ready for South Carolina.

“We had a lot of good energy out there, and overall it was a good effort today,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “We continue to clean up a few things, and we strive to be perfect. The weather was beautiful out there and I’ve heard that will continue.”

The Bulldogs (2-0, 1-0 SEC) will be looking to stay in front in the SEC Eastern Division race. Georgia leads the overall series with South Carolina 47-18-2. Both teams have produced turnovers and are plus three in turnover margin this year.

“We practice ball security and ball disruption every day,” Richt added. “We’ve had a few interceptions hit us in the hands so we could have even more of a distinct advantage in that stat.”

Last Saturday, the Gamecocks (1-1, 0-1 SEC) fell behind 24-7 to Kentucky and dropped a 26-22 decision in Columbia. It marked Kentucky’s first SEC road win in six seasons and second straight victory over South Carolina.

On Saturday, the Bulldogs will be wearing two special helmet decals to call attention to a pair of health-related causes.

Georgia and the rest of the SEC will help raise awareness and honor former commissioner Mike Slive, who battled prostate cancer during his athletics administration career, with Prostate Cancer Awareness Games this month.

Also of note, September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. To commemorate the “Blow the Whistle on Kids Cancer!” campaign, Georgia’s coaches will be wearing lanyards with gold whistles and wristbands and the players will be wearing wristbands and helmet stickers on Saturday. A donation will be made to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. For more information, visit CuringKidsCancer.com.

Kickoff on Saturday will be at 6 p.m. ET, and ESPN will televise the game. The broadcast team will feature Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (analyst) and Holly Rowe (sidelines).