Georgia conducted its second practice of the preseason Saturday, following a morning highlighted by “Fan Day.”
A line of fans to get into Payne Indoor Athletic Facility for posters and player autographs wrapped around the block from Sanford Drive to Smith Street by 9 a.m. Saturday. The fans were herded through quickly as the Bulldogs wanted to have the event completed in one hour. It was. Then attention was turned to photos with the bulldog mascot Uga X, who was awaiting fans who had acquired a ticket number earlier Saturday morning.
Georgia officials said the more compressed and restricted format for Fan Day is simply necessary these days. Teams aren’t allowed to conduct it on an off day, and the NCAA allows only 25 practice opportunities over 31 days before the opening game for preseason preparation. Two-a-day practices are no longer allowed.
“For a lot of fans, it was their first time to see inside the indoor facility,” Georgia Athletic Director Greg McGarity said. “Kids were able to run around, listen to the music, meet the players. We’ll get some more feedback Monday, but we feel like it went well.”
The Bulldogs utilized two hours later Saturday afternoon on Woodruff Practice Fields to concentrate on football. They continued to work out in shorts and helmets for the NCAA’s required acclimation period required by the NCAA. They’ll transition to full pads early next week.
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