A surprise in the schedule was announced Friday morning, after what Georgia coach Mark Richt called the worst team practice of the preseason Thursday night.

The team went to the pool, taking turns on the high dive in place of a kicking scrimmage.

The coaching staff kept the plan secret; telling players as they boarded the bus the destination was Sanford Stadium. The switch was made shortly thereafter, as the bus detoured to the Ramsey Center.

“Matter of fact, we usually stay 30-45 minutes and we ended up staying two hours,” Richt said. “They just had a blast actually.”

The players enjoyed the respite in action, having gone through a grueling preseason camp, which commonly feature two practices a day, as well as meetings and film session.

“It was nice. It was wonderful,” said Marcus Washington, a defense end and linebacker. “It was much needed because a lot of guys in camp, their legs get weary. It helped us revitalize.”

Richt, ever the consummate performer from the diving board, made a splash while still wearing his clothes. The players got a kick out of the performance.

“I mean I was pretty impressed,” defensive tackle Geno Atkins said. “He always likes to do that, show off and stuff like that. It was pretty funny.”

All the freshmen had to go off the high dive, some more nervous than others. 320-pound Kwame Geathers went without hesitation.

“Just a big guy jumping off, with a big splash going in,” Atkins said with a smile.

The Bulldogs return to the practice field Friday afternoon in full pads.

A scary moment arose when walk-on Jackson Griffeth attempted an extra rotation off the 10-meter high dive, landing flat on his back.

“I can’t imagine what it will look like in a day or two but he looked pretty beat up,” Richt said. “Some of the guys were doing double back gainers, double back-flips. I guess he was trying to go two-and-a-half or three and only did two and quarter and landed on his back and it hurt him pretty good. ”

What he’s looking for

The players will get a taste of Sanford Stadium under the lights Saturday night in a live scrimmage.

Richt said he hoped the cooler temperatures and added afternoon rest would encourage energy, and also more competition.

“Well, I’d like to see our No. 2 units provide more of a challenge to our No. 1 units,” he said. “I’m not going to go ones versus ones.I’d like our No. 2 units to bow their neck and make some good plays on both sides of the ball and make It a very good battle and good competition.”

Steps are also in place to reduce penalties, something Richt has taken seriously in camp.

“No. 1 our coaches are not allowed to argue with the officials call,” he said. “You need to respect the call that’s made. No. 2, even in fun we’re not going to let a guy spike a ball. Sometimes in 11-on-11 the defensive guy will make a play and he might score and he might spike the ball and everybody’s having a good time and you kind of chuckle about it. But we’re not chuckling about anything that would resemble any kind of penalty. We’re not putting up with anything like that.”

Everyone’s on a list

Atkins, joined by linebacker Rennie Curran and placekicker Blair Walsh were named to Preseason Watch Lists for national awards Friday.

Atkins, and Curran are up for the Chuck Bednarik Award, honoring the top defensive player in the nation.

Walsh is in the mix for the Lou Groza Award, given to the best kicker in college football.

Atkins, along with teammate Jeff Owens, is also a candidate for the Outland Trophy, given to the nation’s top interior lineman.

Watermelon Cuttin’

In what’s become an end of two-a-days tradition, the team held it’s “Watermelon Cuttin” Friday.

Richt indicated the event was enjoyable, not so much with words, but with the red stains on his shirt.

Injury update

Freshman wide receiver Marlon Brown will go full contract in Saturday’s scrimmage, Richt said.
Linebacker Darius Dewberry will likely sit out, still nursing a sore hamstring.