Georgia gets taste of prime-time against Georgia Tech
ATHENS – Georgia’s first night game of 2010 will be Greg McGarity’s first one in nearly two decades.
McGarity was hired as Georgia’s athletic director in August, returning to the school where he held various positions from 1977-92. And since the Bulldogs haven’t played a home game at night this season, McGarity isn’t sure what to expect when they host Georgia Tech Saturday night.
“I don’t have a real reference point,” McGarity said. “It’s new for me. It’s all new to me.”
Georgia played four night games at Sanford Stadium in 2009, a programming favorite despite finishing the regular season at 7-5. Television couldn’t pass up prime-time matchups against South Carolina, Arizona State, Auburn and Kentucky. CBS grabbed the LSU game for its 3:30 p.m. spot.
A number of reasons -- from Georgia’s 5-6 record to weak home schedule -- have kept the Bulldogs from hosting a night game this season.
“It’s different this year, no doubt,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “The more you win, the more you play at night.”
Every one of Georgia’s home games have started in the noon hour, not surprising considering Arkansas (9-2) is the only opponent with a winning record to play at Sanford Stadium thus far this fall. The other teams on the home schedule – Louisiana-Lafayette, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Idaho State – are a combined 10-34.
Georgia Tech brings a 6-5 mark and the added intensity of Georgia’s in-state rival, making it attractive to ESPN on a holiday week when Top 25 matchups and other rivalry games are spread over three days.
“I think the players will love it because it’s under the lights, it’s the seniors’ last home game and it’s being shown on national television,” McGarity said. “They all came from high schools where the games are played on Friday nights, so I think they’re used to playing at night. There will be a buzz and excitement.”
Since this will be his first night game after returning to Georgia, McGarity is leaning on his staff during preparations. He said they’re checking equipment throughout the stadium to make sure it’s ready for this season’s prime-time debut.
“We’re focusing on having everything functioning,” McGarity staff. “Our staff has everything covered. Basically, we’re checking every light bulb inside the stadium because we want every light burning.”
McGarity isn’t sure how many students will return early from Thanksgiving break and he also thinks the late November temperatures could keep some fans away.
Weather.com is forecasting a high of 61 degrees on Saturday, but the sun will set two hours before kickoff, dropping the temperature several degrees by game time.
University of Georgia Police Chief Jimmy Williamson said his officers are prepared, even though they haven’t worked a night game in a year. He said they were briefed and ready to go last week.
“Most of our folks know the drill,” Williamson said. “We’ve had several games at night in past years. I think we’ve been spoiled a little bit with night games, so this will be good for everybody.”
Kickoff times aren’t important to his department, he said, because fans begin arriving early, even for night games.
“It makes for a long day,” Williamson said.
Georgia and Georgia Tech have often played at night in Atlanta, including last year, when the game began at 8 p.m. But this will be the first time that Georgia has hosted Georgia Tech at night, according the UGA media guide.
Lights were installed at Sanford Stadium in 1940 and taken down in 1964. They were re-installed in 1982.
Richt said he might move Thursday's practice to the stadium and work out under the lights.
“For whatever reason, we are the night game,” Richt said. “I think a lot of it has to do that some people are playing on Thursday and Friday this week. I think it will make for a great atmosphere. I think our fans and players will get excited about cheering and playing under the lights.”
