Players

experience crowd in G-Day scrimmage

By Emily Giambalvo

Georgias annual G-Day spring scrimmage gave the players something that cant be
replicated in practice. It offered a chance to play in front of a crowd in Sanford Stadium in a
game-like atmosphere.

Redshirt sophomore tailback A.J. Turmans two touchdowns led to the Black teams 24-17
defeat over the Red team on Saturday. Despite not playing in any regular season games last
season, Turman had the most carries of the day, including a 52-yard touchdown in the third
quarter.

However, Truman says that his performance wasnt meant to make a statement to the fans.
It was for himself.

It wasnt trying to prove anything to anybody, Turman said. Its just confidence in
myself.

Even though the game was a contest between two teams within Georgias squad, the crucial
competition was the one that took place among the players of each position. And since the
players were in an environment that somewhat resembled what they will experience come
fall, it offered a chance to evaluate their performance.

Throughout the spring, redshirt sophomore Brice Ramsey, junior Faton Bauta and redshirt
freshman Jacob Park have battled for the opportunity to be the starting quarterback in the
fall. In the scrimmage, Ramsey and Bauta each had significant time as Red team
quarterback with the first-team offense.

Ramsey finished the day 5-for-8 with one touchdown, and Bauta was 16-for-25 also with
one touchdown. According to Georgia head coach Mark Richt, both are still contenders for
the starting position in the fall.

I think its still a race, Richt said. I dont think theres any question that its going to go
through the summer and the fall before we make a decision on who that guy is to start at
quarterback.

The game served as an opportunity for the team to evaluate its depth at the other positions,
as well.

Were just very, very thin at receiver right now, Richt said. We were very thin when the
spring began. Were thinner now. Thats one position where you cant really be short on
numbers because of the volume of running that they do.

The longest play of the game was Ramseys pass to sophomore wide receiver Isaiah
McKenzie for a 72-yard Red team touchdown in the first quarter. However, McKenzie
injured his hamstring on the play and did not return for the remainder of the scrimmage.


For younger players, especially the early enrollees, the G-Day scrimmage marked their first
time playing in front of Georgia fans.

Ive been here for three years so Ive seen the fans and stuff, but especially for the younger
guys, the new guys, to really see how they do and I think it really helps them, senior punter
Marshall Morgan said.

Early enrollee Natrez Patrick received significant playing time on the Black team and
recorded a sack of Brice Ramsey. However, many freshmen who will not arrive until the fall
will not play in a G-Day game until next spring.

But it wasnt only the young players who made their G-Day debut. After transferring from
UAB, senior linebacker Jake Ganus recorded several tackles as he played in front of fans in
Sanford Stadium for the first time.

It felt great, Ganus said. It felt really good. I appreciate all the fans coming out and
supporting. Just running out of that tunnel hearing those fans cheering for you. It was a
great feeling.

The Bulldogs will not play in Sanford Stadium again until fall camp when the position
battles will become even more critical. Fans, however, will not have another glimpse of the
team until Georgia takes on Louisiana-Monroe on Sept. 5.