Bulldogs Scrimmage Under The Lights

Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Georgia football team held a full scrimmage at Sanford Stadium on Wednesday night as preparations continue for the 2013 season opener.

“I’m glad we went at night,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “It was good to see them play under the lights. The first game is at night, so I’m glad we did it. There was a lot more energy than the last scrimmage, and there should’ve been. The guys were really fresh and it showed on both sides of the ball. … It was a night and day difference from the first one as far as the energy level.”

Tailback Todd Gurley scored two touchdowns as he carried the ball five times for 33 yards. Brendan Douglas paced the ground attack with 50 yards on seven carries, while Keith Marshall added 39 yards on six attempts and J.J. Green had nine carries for 34 yards. Said Richt, “Douglas was very impressive. He ran well, he ran with power and vision, and he was pretty good in pass protection.”

Quarterback Aaron Murray went 14-of-18 for 173 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Hutson Mason was 9-of-19 for 107 yards with a touchdown and an interception, while Brice Ramsey was 3-for-11 for 65 yards with two interceptions,and Christian LeMay was 1-for-5 for five yards. Said Richt, “It was a tough day for the No. 3 QBs. It’s tough to go against the No. 1 defense. But you learn a lot about a QB when he’s under duress.”

Flanker Malcolm Mitchell paced the receivers with four catches for 58 yards. Tight end Arthur Lynch added four catches for 35 yards. Flanker Blake Tibbs hauled in a 14-yard touchdown pass and split end Michael Bennett had an 8-yard scoring grab. Fifteen different players caught at least one pass in the scrimmage.

Safety Josh Harvey-Clemons led the defense with seven tackles and three pass breakups. Linebacker Amarlo Herrera contributed five tackles and two pass breakups, while linebacker T.J. Stripling, safety Connor Norman, end Garrison Smith and linebacker Leonard Floyd added four tackles each.

Cornerback Brendan Langley returned an interception 48 yards for a touchdown. Cornerback Kennar Johnson, cornerback Shaq Wiggins and safety Lucas Redd also had interceptions. Said Richt, “Both Langley and Shaq played well. Those guys have very good ball skills. They can snatch the ball like a receiver. They’re pretty confident kids.”

Richt said the Bulldogs will have a practice game under the lights next Wednesday at Sanford Stadium.

Fans Picture Day will be held Saturday in the Reed Plaza area of Sanford Stadium. Georgia football players will be on hand for photos and autographs from 3-5 p.m. between Gates 2 and 4. Richt will also be available from 3-5 p.m. for those with ticket coupons.