It’s not very often a Monday is anticipated. Then again, not every Monday marks the first day of full pads and full contact for the Georgia Bulldogs.

Two-a-days and full speed tackling, connotation on the schedule players were eager for.

“My first hit? My first victim? I didn’t really get a clean hit,” defensive tackle Jeff Owens said. “I got Richard [Samuel] on the inside drill, but it wasn’t a clean hit like I wanted.”

NCAA rules stipulate a minimum of five days in shells, for players to adjust to the conditioning and heat. The build-up for contact grew, especially on defense.

“It’s almost like tackling but you couldn’t take them to the ground,” said linebacker Akeem Dent. “It’s kind of hard to hit a guy and not take him to the ground.”

Comparing this morning’s practice to last week brought a smile to Dent’s face.

“It’s almost like an adrenaline rush, you know,” he said. “Guys out there running around, flying around hitting people, hitting the ball carrier and trying to cause turnovers and things like that. It’s pretty nice for us, especially on defense.”

Georgia will go at it again in the afternoon, although in shells, looking to keep the intensity ushered in this morning.

“Now especially after those five acclimation days it’s a grind,” said quarterback Joe Cox. “You just have to find a way to keep everybody up and the tempo high in practice just to make sure you get the work done that you need. You can’t have a wasted day once you get to this point, once everything has been installed.”

With only 25 days remaining to gear up for Oklahoma State, the Bulldogs’ leadership is being counted on to steady any players wavering throughout.

“Especially when you have two practices a day it’s one of those things where you have to stay focused,” Cox said. “You have to make yourself push through everything. There are times in the first practice where you’re struggling and you’re like, ‘man, we still have another one this afternoon.’ It’s one of those things were the guys that are leading have to step up and keep everybody enthused and keep everybody pushing hard even though you do have a practice in the afternoon.”