Thursday Morning ‘Dawg Bites

The top storyline heading into the Georgia Bulldogs’ game against the South Carolina Gamecocks has nothing to do with anything on the field. Well, I guess in a way it sort of does, but it doesn’t involve the players or the game itself. Instead it’s all about Hurricane Matthew and the will they, won’t they back-and-forth that’s currently going on. Highways have been reversed in some parts of South Carolina, namely from the Lowcountry (Charleston) area to aid in evacuations.

As of now, though, we don’t have a definitive answer as to what’s going to happen in regards to the game. We do know the game will likely be played in Columbia according to a radio interview with University of South Carolina associate athletics director Charles Bloom, whether that is Saturday, Sunday or Monday. The game is slated for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff at Williams-Brice Stadium and plans are expected to be finalized at some point today one way or another. It should be noted that Georgia hosts Vanderbilt next week and South Carolina has a bye.

You know who is looking like a big time difference maker for the Dawgs? Isaac Nauta. The freshman tight end, who had high expectations as a five star recruit, burst on the scene last week against Tennessee with five catches for 83 yards and a touchdown. He drew some praise from his head coach this week.

“I think Isaac has grown as a player,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. “He’s got to continue to be a better blocker and be more physical as a blocker. He can improve in that area. He catches the ball well. He works hard. I think each one of those tight ends has got to block better.”

Wondering about an update on Reggie Carter? Well, he was out of practice again yesterday. Rashad Roundtree or Juwan Taylor would be next up at inside linebacker, with Chuks Amaechi also seeing some practice time in case he’s needed.

Recruits who spent last weekend in Athens were treated to quite the game (even though the bad guys won). Class of 2018 offensive lineman Reuben Unije and teammate TK Chimedza were on hand to see the game. Both players are from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, which has become a popular spot for Smart and his staff (Nauta and four-star commit Robert Beal).

In other Dawg athletic news, the men’s basketball team is closing in on a milestone. Georgia is 68 tickets away from breaking the record for the most season tickets ever sold. The record is from the 2002-03 season with 4,093.

‘Til next time... Go ‘Dawgs!