Georgia Bulldogs Use Bye Week to Heal Before Florida

ATHENS, Ga. — Fresh off a 27-24 loss at Auburn, Georgia football is treating its open week as a chance to get bodies back before the Bulldogs meet Florida on Oct. 31.

Kirby Smart told reporters the week has two goals that can pull against each other: getting players healthy and rested, and getting the team better on the practice field. He said the staff has to be careful about which players get which kind of work.

The biggest question is in the secondary. Safety KJ Bolden hurt his right leg late in the Alabama game and sat out at Auburn, watching from the sideline in a walking boot. Ja’Marley Riddle started in his place and played 75 snaps, with Zion Branch taking the other five. Georgia did not force a turnover against Auburn and missed several tackles. Smart said the team is hopeful Bolden can return once he clears the medical protocol.

The backfield is thin. Nate Frazier came back from a rib injury but managed only 19 yards on nine carries, though Smart defended how hard he ran against a physical Auburn front. Chauncey Bowens has not played since the Oct. 3 win over Vanderbilt, and Smart offered no timeline. Dwight Phillips led the team with 68 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Bo Walker played just two snaps a week after running for 69 yards against Alabama.

Receiver depth is also down. Thomas Blackshear has missed two straight games with a collarbone injury, and Isiah Canion has not played since the opening series against Arkansas. Smart also repeated that quarterback Gunner Stockton dealt with a stinger in his shoulder, not a concussion.

The team plans to put out its first formal availability report of the week on Oct. 28. This year’s rivalry game moves to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta as the Atlanta Gridiron Classic, with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Fans heading downtown for the game have options beyond driving. MARTA rides cost $2.50 each way, with the SEC District Station the closest stop to the stadium. The venue lists more than 20,000 parking spaces within a 20-minute walk and recommends buying parking in advance, and it enforces a clear-bag policy, with clear bags limited to 12 by 6 by 12 inches.

Filed under: Atlanta GA Sports News