University of Georgia Athletics
Bulldogs Prep For Tar Heels Continues
August 26, 2016 | Football
ATHENS, Ga. --- The Georgia Bulldogs continued to build-up for next weekend's season opener against North Carolina with an intense workout in shoulder pads and shorts on Friday afternoon. The Bulldogs and Tar Heels will meet in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic next Saturday, an ESPN televised matchup slated for 5:30 p.m. at the Georgia Dome.
Following the workout, selected defensive players visited with the media.
Safety Dominick Sanders discussed having a former defensive back as his head coach.
"It's great knowing (Coach Smart) was a defensive back and showing us the way to do things," Sanders said. "The other day he was joking about us having as many interceptions as him."
When asked if he knew how many interceptions Smart collected during his career as a Bulldog Sanders quickly replied "He had 13."
Sanders was then asked how many interceptions he currently has, he answered "I have nine" with a slight grin.
Sanders said he was not focused on catching Smart.
Linebacker Lorenzo Carter said that the defense is thrilled practices have started focusing on the opening game.
"We're excited," Carter said. "We made it through summer workouts and fall camp and now it's time to go and play ball. Now, it's about moving on to the next day and doing every thing you can do to get better day by day. I'm trying to take each practice one play at a time."
The Bulldogs are ranked No. 16 and No. 18 in the USA Today coaches and Associated Press preseason polls, respectively. North Carolina is No. 20 in the coaches' ledger and No. 22 according to the AP. Georgia last opened the season in a ranked vs. ranked matchup with a 45-21 victory over Clemson two years ago.
The Bulldogs' home opener is Saturday, Sept. 10, against Nicholls with kickoff set for noon. Tickets are $50 each and can be ordered online through GeorgiaDogs.com or by calling 1-877-542-1231 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
