The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dawgs nursing some injuries
ATHENS — Georgia coach Kirby Smart said center Lamont Gaillard, who had been the stalwart on the offensive line before leaving Saturday’s Kentucky game early with a hyperextended knee, would be limited in practice Monday but “we think he’ll be fine.”
Receiver Mecole Hardman, who had a thrilling 65-yard punt return in the first quarter against the Wildcats but saw little action after that, sustained an ankle injury but should also be good to go by Saturday, when Georgia (8-1, 6-1 SEC) and Auburn (6-3, 3-3) meet at Sanford Stadium (7 p.m.).
“(He) probably could have come back in the game,” Smart said of Hardman, who has caught 26 passes for 368 yards and four touchdowns and run five times for 36 years this season.
Offensive guard Ben Cleveland, who suffered a broken left fibula in the Missouri game and hasn’t played since, is closer to returning, Smart said, and his replace- ment, Cade Mays, suffered a stinger against Kentucky and was set to be limited in Monday’s practice. “Ben con- tinues to progress,” Smart said. “(I) thought he could have played if he had to in the last game. So we hope he continues to get better.”
■ Motivated: Although Auburn is out of the SEC picture for 2018, Georgia has no lack of motivation to prepare for the Tigers. Is there anyone out there that has forgotten last year, when Auburn throttled then-No. 2 Georgia 40-17 in the regular season only to have the Bull- dogs do the thrashing in the SEC Championship game a few weeks later?
For running back Elijah Holyfield, the only motiva- tion required is the knowl- edge that the next game is awaiting. When asked if the loss last year to Auburn was a motivational factor, Holy- field said, “We have enough motivation with what we have going this year. We have a chance to play for many more things down the road and we are just looking forward to playing the game Saturday against a good team, executing and playing our best.”
But Holyfield is well aware of recent history where Auburn is concerned. “They definitely (humbled us) last year, so we try not to look over people, and Auburn’s a school where you can’t do that,” he said.
■ Upcoming kickoffs: The Nov. 17 game between Georgia and Massachusetts in Athens will kick off at 4 p.m. It will be the first meet- ing between the two teams.
Also announced Monday was the kickoff for Georgia’s Nov. 24 game against Geor- gia Tech. The Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets will square off at noon for the 110th game.
Each game will be broadcast by the SEC Network.
The past two times Geor- gia and Tech played in Athens, both games started at noon and both games were won by the Jackets — 28-27 in 2016 and 30-24 in over- time in 2014.