Web-posted August 8, 1996

  The hedges are headed back to Athens

By Andy Johnston
Staff Writer

Don't ask for 40-yard dash times at Georgia this fall.

Jim Donnan doesn't see any need for them.

``We don't do that in the fall. These guys are so nervous, they usually don't test well anyway,'' Georgia's first-year head coach said as 23 freshmen, first-year transfers and walk-ons reported to practice this week.

``Conditioning is something we have to improve on. These guys have never been on this level and they don't quite understand what kind of conditioning they need to be in. But overall, they looked good.''

Eighty-one veterans reported to Georgia on Thursday to begin preparations for the Bulldogs' opener against Southern Mississippi at Sanford Stadium on Aug. 31. Only Sean Tremblay, an offensive lineman from New York, has defected since last season. The 6-foot-3, 280-pound junior has enrolled at the University of Connecticut.

No practices are scheduled for today, however, as both the first-year players and the varsity will go through academic orientation and take care of other housekeeping matters.

Georgia, which will hold its fans' picture day on Saturday at 2 p.m., is actually starting earlier than other area schools.

Clemson, which opens at North Carolina on Aug. 31, begins practice today and will go to full pads on Aug. 13. The school's fan picture day is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 18.

Due to the Olympics, Georgia Tech players and coaches are living at North Georgia College in Dahlonega, Ga., and begin practice next Thursday. The Yellow Jackets open at North Carolina State on Sept. 7.

The school's photo day, which will also be held in Dahlonega, is scheduled for Aug. 24.

Freshmen reported Thursday at South Carolina and veterans will begin today. The Gamecocks open their season against Central Florida at Williams-Brice Stadium on Sept. 7.

South Carolina's fan appreciation day will be held at the stadium on Aug. 18 at 3:30 p.m.

Georgia Southern began on Thursday, but the returning players do not report until tonight. The Eagles, who are under the direction of interim head coach Frank Ellwood this season, open at South Carolina State in Orangeburg, S.C., on Aug. 31.