DEFENSE WANTS ANOTHER SHOT AT OFFENSE

Running game had some success in first scrimmage.

ATHENS — Georgia will hold its second scrimmage of summer camp Saturday, and several players on defense are ready for another crack at the guys on the other side of the line.

Although no statistics were offered from the 150-play scrimmage at Sanford Stadium, it was noted that running backs D’Andre Swift and Elijah Holyfield had some nice runs, which inside linebacker Monty Rice said was just a matter of technique.

“It wasn’t run-fit problems,” Rice said Thursday after practice, the Bulldogs’ 12th of the summer. “We’ve just got to get better on our techniques and get those techniques right so we can prevent those big runs.”

When asked if he was looking forward to Georgia’s second scrimmage, Rice spoke in the affirmative.

“I want to win,” he said. “I don’t want to see Brian Herrien or Holyfield or Swift run for 60 yards on a play. Yeah, Holyfield broke loose.”

Defensive end David Marshall echoed Rice’s sentiments about Saturday.

“We’re looking forward to it,” said Marshall. “You’ve got to come out and compete and be ready.”

Beardless Blankenship

Although he was sporting a slight stubble Thursday evening, junior placekicker Rodrigo Blankenship has done away with the beard that – along with some dramatic field goals along the way – has made him such a recognizable figure.

“I figured it was a more professional look,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of people tell me that if you want to go into broadcasting, you need to clean it up a little bit, so that’s what I’m going for.”

Although his look may have changed, Blankenship remains the contemplative kicker who has come through in a big way for the Bulldogs over the past two seasons. In 2017, he connected on 20 of 23 field-goal attempts and tallied 123 points. “Hot Rod” also recorded 67 touchbacks in 94 kickoffs a year ago.

Blankenship’s story is a good one, as he arrived at Georgia as a walk-on and received a scholarship after last year’s victory at Notre Dame. He also has won legions of fans for his quirky interviews and countenance.

Now, with scholarship in hand and the starting kicker’s job his to lose, Blankenship said his approach in the preseason has not changed.

“I’m trying to treat this preseason how I’ve treated every preseason,” he said. “I’m trying to go into it with tenacity and the drive that I want to be the best that I can be. I’m just trying to go in and attack each and every day and stay hungry and just try and approach every day like I still have something to prove because I do.

“No matter what gets said, there’s tough competition at every single position across the board on this team each and every day. So I’m just trying to go out and compete my butt off as best as I can.”

The cult of Rod seems to be growing and collecting new fans, as he sheepishly admitted that NFL Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice is now following him on Twitter.

“That was pretty cool,” he said.