'Intense' two-a-days under way at UGA

This morning's practice was Owens' first full-pads, full-contact work since he injured his right knee in the first quarter of the first game of last season.

"For the first day back in full pads, I felt great," Owens said. "I think I got some of the rustiness out."

Today marks the first day of double sessions for the Bulldogs in this preseason camp. Two-a-days are restricted under NCAA rules adopted five years ago to try to reduce heat-related incidents. No double sessions can be held in the first five days of preseason camp - the "acclimation period," in NCAA vernacular - and thereafter two-a-days are allowed only on alternate days.

Most of this morning's practice was closed to the media, but quarterback Joe Cox gave it (and the preceding five practices) good reviews.

"I think we definitely have gotten better in areas we needed to get better in," Cox said. "And now, especially after those five 'acclimation' days, it's a grind. You just have to find a way to keep everybody up and the tempo high in practice and make sure you get the work done you need done, because you can't have a wasted day once you get to this point."

In general, players seemed happy to finally reach the full-pads stage of preseason.

"Some guys might have had a little first-time jitters, but after that first piece of contact, that's gone," linebacker Akeem Dent said. "It's just good to . . . get to feeling like it's a game."