WATCH: Georgia players speak on upcoming rivalry game against Tech
Georgia takes on Georgia Tech this Friday, and it’s a big one for both teams. Each headed to the postseason, the Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets are wanting to go out on a high note from the regular season. That’s the message that was shared by UGA players at least. They understand that the weeks ahead could include games with more significant stakes like the SEC Championship and the College Football Playoffs. Still, there’s clear motivation to end another season unbeaten at home and send the seniors out without a loss to any major rivals. Here’s what Smael Mondon, Dylan Fairchild, CJ Allen and Jared Wilson had to say about the upcoming game with Georgia Tech…
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On the Georgia Tech rivalry…
“Personally for me, it’s knowing a lot of guys on the other side. Playing against a lot of familiar faces, guys I played in high school. What I tell the guys is, it is not what the games been like the past couple of years with how much better Georgia Tech has gotten. We really need to not sleep on them and just take this week serious.”
On playing against former Georgia LB EJ Lightsey…
“I am excited to see him. Me and EJ were close, still are close. We are just excited to see what he is going to do Friday and what he is going to do going forward. Real happy to get a chance to see him play.”
On potentially sweeping Florida, Tennessee, and Tech…
“It’s real. With Georgia Tech being an in-state rival. So to be able to do it, it will be big.”
#53 Dylan Fairchild | OL | R-Jr.
On the history of the rivalry…
“There’s a lot of history behind this game. There’s a lot of people that are invested in this game every single year, and I think that means a lot to us, and it means a lot to our fans.”
On Georgia Tech’s improvement as a program…
“They’re super physical. I know last year it was a gritty game. I think it was pretty cold last year. I don’t remember exactly how cold it was, but it was cold. When it’s late in November, in those cold months, it gets gritty, especially if it’s a night game, and it’s going to be a night game this year. I think, overall, their team is very well coached, and they’re just a good team.”
On memories of the rivalry growing up…
“I grew up a Georgia fan. My dad was a Georgia fan, and his brother’s a Tech fan, so we always had our own family traditions and rivalry. It was fun growing up being a Georgia fan and knowing how important this game was. I grew up watching it too. I remember turning on games and watching Georgia versus Georgia Tech.”
On how the team keeps going with a tough schedule and injuries…
“I think it’s a combination of two things. You’ve got to take the action every day and to go into the training room and take care of yourself and also knowing we have very limited opportunities. You’re only really guaranteed 12 games a year, so taking advantage knowing, mentally, any one of them could be the last one for us. It’s football, and we don’t know when our last snap’s going to be, so just combining that knowledge with the action of taking care of yourself really can prepare you for a game. And you know during the game, this could be it. You don’t know. So knowing that and taking the action to actually go take care of yourself as best you can, just combining those two things is probably the best way to do it.”
On Georgia Tech’s quarterbacks…
“I think it is a very good offense. When both those guys come in and rotate in having their own type of skillset. They are a great two different quarterbacks. You have to prepare for both of those styles of game and know which quarterback is in.”
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On Georgia’s preparation for a physical game…
“The things we been through and how we practice, you can’t count that out. How we go about our business. For this game specifically, the history behind this game, the in-state rivalry. To me, I never won a championship in high school. I’ve never been to a state championship, so this is like a state championship for me being a kid from Georgia.”
On Georgia DC Glenn Schumann…
“He has been a great reason in my growth, on and off the field. He is someone I can go to talk to about anything, whether it’s football or just life in general. He is one of those coaches. He will always revert it back to life. He is like a life coach to me.”
On Georgia Tech’s defense…
“They move a lot. They have got a good pressure they bring on third down. They are really exotic. They are big, fast and physical. They are a good defense.”
On Georgia’s preparation for a physical game…
“Maybe some guys have doubted us up front and doubted us physically at times. We have to go out there a prove who we are to go get the job done. It is going to be a street fight. It’s what they call an old-fashioned hate rivalry. It is going to be good fun.”
On the Georgia running back room…
“All of those guys are grinding. Branson and Rod are getting back from their injuries. They are grinding out there in practice and getting a couple reps. It is good to see them get back moving.”
