The Georgia football transitioned from Fall Camp to preparing for this Saturday’s game versus Vanderbilt at the end of last week, and on Monday were in full game week, preparation mode. After Wednesday’s practice, junior inside linebacker Monty Rice took some time to talk with the media.

Despite Vanderbilt not being known as a power-house in the Southeastern Conference, Rice and the Georgia defense are not overlooking this Commodores squad. Rice compared Vandy’s senior running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn to former UGA back Elijah Holyfield.

“They have elite guys on offense. Their running back, (Ke’Shawn) Vaughn, is very good, he is a hard runner. I look at him like a Holyfield-type running back just a little faster,” said Monty Rice. “Obviously, their tight end is good. He can go up and get the ball. Their receiver, (Kalija) Lipscomb, can go and make some plays on the edge too; so, we’ve got a test.”

Vaughn rushed for over 1,244 yards and 12 touchdowns in 12 games for Vanderbilt last season, including 9 carries for 79 yards in the Commodores loss to Georgia in Athens. The other two weapons on offense that Rice mentioned are also seniors, tight end Jared Pinkney and wide receiver Kalija Lipscomb.

Pinkney hauled in 50 receptions for 774 yards and 7 touchdowns for in 13 games for the ‘Dores last year, and Lipscomb is equally dangerous for Vandy as he racked up 87 catches for 916 yards and 9 touchdowns. The Bulldogs held Pinkney and Lipscomb in check for the most part in their 41-13 victory over the Commodores last year in Athens, holding Pinkney to just one reception for 12 yards and Lipscomb to just 2 catches for 16 yards.

Rice had 4 tackles and a quarterback pressure against Vanderbilt during last year’s game

Regardless of last year’s success, it is a new year and a new season for UGA. The Bulldogs are set to kick off against the Commodores in Nashville on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. EST. The game will be televised on the SEC Network and live-streamed online on WatchESPN.

You can listen to Monty Rice’s full interview from Wednesday by clicking on the video below.