ATHENS -- Georgia's football team will play its next two games in Atlanta –- Saturday at Georgia Tech and Dec. 3 at the Georgia Dome for the SEC championship -- but insists it is now focused only on the first trip.
Tight end Orson Charles said the team's antipathy for its in-state rival makes it easy to put the SEC title game out of mind for now.
"To me, in my heart, my rival is Florida. But everybody else's is Georgia Tech; like, they hate Georgia Tech," Charles, a Tampa native, said Monday night. "We had meetings this morning, and we had meetings this afternoon before practice, and they kept stressing upon how badly they hate Georgia Tech. Half the guys are from Atlanta, so this game definitely is going to mean a lot.
"I feel like every time we play [the Yellow Jackets], they kind of disrespect us. ... We've got to continue to execute and practice and claim our state."
Georgia began practicing for Tech two days after clinching the SEC East championship. The Bulldogs won't know their SEC title game opponent at least until Friday's LSU-Arkansas game is played.
"Right now we're not even worried about the SEC championship," cornerback Branden Smith said. "Our focus is Georgia Tech ... and just working together and getting that offense figured out."
Said defensive end Abry Jones: "We all know this isn't just another game on the schedule. I mean, this is Georgia Tech."
While the SEC championship trophy will be at stake on Dec. 3, defensive end DeAngelo Tyson noted that a trophy also will be on the line Saturday: the Governor's Cup, which goes to the Tech-Georgia winner each year. Seniors on the winning team get a small replica of the trophy.
"I want to go out with a replica of the Governor's Cup," said Tyson, a senior.
Thomas' status
There was no official word Monday on the status of backup tailback Carlton Thomas, who was suspended from last week's game for a violation of an undisclosed team rule -- his third suspension of the season.
Thomas participated in Monday's closed practice, according to fellow tailback Ken Malcome.
Isaiah Crowell, the No. 1 tailback, left last week's game after just two carries because of an ankle injury. Coach Mark Richt said Sunday that he expects Crowell to play against Tech. Crowell did not appear to be favoring the ankle as he walked through Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall on Monday.
"I expect all four of us [to play Saturday]," Malcome said, referring to tailbacks Crowell, Thomas, Brandon Harton and himself. "Whatever it takes, we will do it."
Charles a finalist
Charles was named one of three finalists Monday for the John Mackey Award, which is presented annually to college football's top tight end. The other finalists are Clemson's Dwayne Allen and Notre Dame's Tyler Eifert.
Charles said he was gratified by the recognition and gave credit to his fellow UGA tight ends, Aron White and Arthur Lynch.
"I would like to thank Arthur and Aron for pushing me in the meeting room, Arthur for pushing me in the weight room, Aron for pushing me to understand the defensive coverages, and both of them [for] pushing me on the field," Charles said.
Charles leads the Bulldogs in receptions with 35.
Etc.
Blair Walsh was named the SEC's special teams player of the week for his performance against Kentucky. Walsh broke out of a slump by making four field goals in four attempts, three from 39 yards and one from 25. ... Jones was honored by the SEC as co-defensive lineman of the week. ... Richt said Monday night that UGA is working on a helmet decal to wear Saturday in honor of legendary broadcaster Larry Munson, who died Sunday.
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