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Georgia football should top attendance totals for SEC spring games
Kirby Smart has never had an issue getting fans to show up to Georgia’s spring game. His first spring game back in 2016 had over 93,000 fans in attendance. Last year’s topped 80,000, and that was with part of the stadium under construction.
This year, Smart hasn’t had to make any public demands or grand gestures to try and get fans to come out to Georgia’s spring game, which is set for this coming Saturday.
“I think the University of Georgia fans love this game. I certainly don’t expect anything less,” Smart said. “I’m not sitting here proclaiming that everybody has to come to the game. I think we’ve got a really good football team coming back. I think we’ve got an exciting team.”
Smart is correct. Georgia should have a top-5 team this coming season. And while fans might not see running back Zamir White or a 5-star freshman quarterback, there will be the opportunity to see some new faces in Sanford Stadium. The Bulldogs had 14 members of their 2019 recruiting class enroll early to be a part of the team this spring.
Some, like outside linebacker Nolan Smith and inside linebacker Nakobe Dean, have already made impressions on the coaching staff. While you might have to be a football nerd to enjoy what Smith and Dean do well, this spring game will offer a chance to look at the immediate-future of Georgia football.
Related: Three winners from Georgia football spring practice
It’ll also give the Bulldogs fan base a chance to make a statement. Georgia will be the last SEC team to play its spring game. And it doesn’t have a huge number to have the highest attended spring game in the conference.
Alabama currently holds the top mark as the Crimson Tide reported that 62,000 people made it into the stadium — though photos suggest that number is dubious.
To put that number in perspective, if 63,000 people attend Georgia’s spring game on Saturday, it would be the most attended SEC spring game this year. It would also be the lowest attended spring game in Smart’s time at Georgia. The 2017 spring game saw an attendance of 66,133.
Related: Georgia not pushing for ’93K,’ but Kirby Smart thinks you should be stoked for G-Day
And if you’re looking for another reason to try and provide an electric environment on Saturday, a number of players who could help Georgia’s long-term future will be at the game. From commits like 4-star quarterback Carson Beck to high priority targets like 5-star outside linebacker Mekhail Sherman and 5-star cornerback Kelee Ringo will be in attendance.
Related: Visitor list for 2019 G-Day scrimmage
None of those three prospects are in-state prospects, showing that recruits from all over the country want to come see the atmosphere on Saturday.
“We’re going to have some of the best players in the country coming by to G-Day, because they want to see what the atmosphere is like in Athens, and I just think that’s just the nature of the beast when you’re at the University of Georgia that fans want to come to watch it,” Smart said.
Georgia’s spring game has always been a big deal under Smart. The ’16 and ’18 games offered fans a look at 5-star quarterbacks in Jacob Eason and Justin Fields. The ’17 version gave fans a first look at Jake Fromm and a team that would go on to play for the national title.
This team figures to be excellent in 2019. Maybe even national championship level good. And that promise alone should be enough for fans to come out to the game in droves. It will be an early chance for the Georgia fan base to flex on the rest of the SEC and show why Georgia has the best fans in the conference.
The G-Day game is set for 2 p.m. ET on Saturday. For those who can’t make it, you can still watch along on the SEC Network.
Three former Bulldogs all play well at 2019 Masters
There were three former Georgia Bulldogs in the field at the Masters this week. And while none were able to top winner Tiger Woods, all three played well over the four days in Augusta, Ga.
Bubba Watson led the trio of Bulldogs, as he finished at 8-under and tied for 12th. At one point on Sunday, he was one shot off the lead after Watson went birdie, birdie, eagle on 13, 14 and 15. But two bogeys on the final two holes kept Watson from his fourth top-10 finish.
Kevin Kisner finished the tournament at 5-under after a final day 69. Kisner was tied for 21st with the likes of Jordan Speith and Rory McIlroy. This was the best-ever finish for Kisner in his fourth Masters.
Related: PGA golfer gives pep talk to UGA football team
Keith Mitchell was able to finish his first Masters under par, as he finished the tournament at 1-under. Mitchell played his best golf at the end, as he went 3-under on his final 9 holes, including a birdie on his final hole of the tournament.
The next major will be the PGA Championship in May. The event will be played at the Bethpage Black Course in Long Island, New York.
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- Georgia Bulldogs won historic 2017 matchup, but game served as springboard for Notre Dame, too
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- 5-star signee appears to be living up to hype so far
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