Wednesday Practice Notes (11/26)

Corvey Irvin isn't ready to leave.

The senior defensive tackle who transferred to Georgia from Georgia Military College last year said he feels like he just arrived in Athens and would like to accomplish a lot more before leaving.

"I wish I had another year to come back next year and play again," Irvin said. "I've got some good experience under my belt, I know what I'm doing, I know what it takes. I'd really shock some people if I had another year."

Irvin has already surprised some people with his play this season. After senior Jeff Owens went down with a season-ending knee injury in Georgia's opener, Irvin stepped into a starting role and has excelled throughout the season.

Now, instead of simply moving on to a life outside of football, his experience this year has his thinking about making it at the next level.

"I got invited to the Senior Bowl, so I'll go there, work hard, train and do my thing there," Irvin said. "Hopefully I get a shot at the next level and continue my football career."

-- Georgia head coach Mark Richt said he doesn't expect to be going after many of the same athletes at Georgia Tech will on the offensive side of the football now that Yellow Jackets coach Paul Johnson has installed the triple option offense.

While Richt uses a pro-style offense that aims for a balanced attack, Tech runs the ball almost exclusively, meaning wide receivers spend more time blocking than pass catching and the quarterback might throw just a few times a game.

"I would think on the offensive side of the ball, the recruits we might go after would be different, there'd be less crossover," Richt said. "The defensive players we'll be competing for, I would say we'd be going after the exact same guy."

When it comes to grabbing those top defensive recruits, Richt said, one thing that isn't part of his sales pitch is Georgia's seven-game winning streak over its in-state rival.

"I don't think I've ever mentioned it," Richt said. "I think the kids care more about where they see themselves fitting into your system. They all want to know what are your plans for me here? I don't think (the rivalry) crosses their mind that much."

-- After Kentucky's Randall Cobb helped scorch the Georgia rush defense three weeks ago, Irvin called a players-only meeting to set goals for their next game against Auburn. Among the intentions for the Bulldogs' defense was to hold the Tigers to fewer than 100 yards on the ground.

Irvin and company fell just short, and against a Tech offense that thrives on the running game, it might be a lofty standard for this week, too. But Irvin said this time his defense isn't going in with any set goals. He just wants his teammates to play hard, and that will be enough to get the job done.

"We're just going to go out and play football," Irvin said. "If we go out and play football, everything else will take care of itself."

INJURY UPDATES

-- Right tackle Justin Anderson was expected to miss Saturday's game against Georgia Tech, but Richt said the redshirt freshman has moved around well in practice this week and will be available to play.

"I don't think (Anderson) will start, but he'll be able to play," Richt said. "He'll be dressed and ready."

Richt said Josh Davis is likely to get his second consecutive start at right tackle this week, although the final decision will be made by line coach Stacy Searels.

-- Tight end Tripp Chandler has been cleared to play also, but his injured knee will likely limit his playing time.

"(Trainer) Ron (Courson) believes he'll be dressed and ready to play, but (tight ends) Coach (John) Lilly will have to determine how much he thinks he can help us," Richt said of Chandler.

-- Linebacker Darius Dewberry (shoulder) and fullback Justin Fields (knee) each underwent surgery earlier this week with mixed results.

Richt said Dewberry is wearing a protective shoulder harness designed to keep the injury cool and stable, but just two days after the surgery, Dewberry looked good.

"Dewberry is such a tough guy," Richt said. "He was just kind of smiling like nothing happened to him."

Fields' surgery on his ACL met with some complications. Doctors found damage to the cartilage in his knee which needed to be repaired and delayed the ACL reconstruction. Richt said it will be four to six weeks before the second surgery can be performed.

"That hurts," Richt said. "He was pretty down about that when I talked to him (Tuesday) night."

-- Richt also noted that the rehab for Jeff Owens and Trinton Sturdivant has gone very well so far, but that he doubted either would participate in full-contact drills during spring practice.