The clock struck noon, and it officially became game week for the No. 9 Georgia Bulldogs about two-thirds of the way through a 90-minute Saturday practice. Next Saturday, the Dogs will host the University of Louisiana at Monroe at Sanford Stadium.

“It won’t be long,” head coach Mark Richt said after the session. “One week from today, we’re going. We’ll be right in the middle of it. I’m excited.”

Georgia worked out in helmets, shoulder pads, and shorts, the Bulldogs’ traditional Monday practice gear.

“We treated today like Monday,” Richt said. “We’ll treat Monday like Tuesday, treat Tuesday like Wednesday, treat Wednesday like Thursday and treat Thursday like Thursday. We’ll have an extra day of prep and two dress rehearsals at the end of the week, which should help them get their legs back and their focus right.”

The opener will be the second meeting between UGA and ULM. The Bulldogs secured a 44-7 victory on Sept. 17, 2005, en route to an SEC Championship that season.

Next Saturday’s game will be  televised nationally on the SEC Network, with Dave Neal calling play-by-play, former Georgia All-American and Academic All-American Matt Stinchcomb providing color analysis and Kayce Smith serving as sideline reporter.