Georgia QB battle appears to be between Ramsey, Lambert

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) The competition to be Georgia's starting quarterback appears to be down to Brice Ramsey and Greyson Lambert.

Coach Mark Richt still isn't ready to name a starter.

The No. 9 Bulldogs conducted their final scrimmage of the preseason Thursday at Sanford Stadium, working out for 90 minutes in full pads.

Richt set up a scenario where the Bulldogs trailed 24-0 at halftime. Ramsey, a third-year sophomore who backed up Hutson Mason last season, ran the first-team offense in the third quarter. Lambert, a junior transfer from Virginia, took over in the fourth.

The other contender, junior Faton Bauta, worked with the second-teamers simulating Georgia's opening opponent, Louisiana-Monroe.

Richt has already said two quarterbacks could share the job at the beginning of the season.

Richt did not release any statistics from the closed scrimmage, keeping the quarterback battle shrouded in mystery.

The coach did say the first-teamers failed to overcome the big deficit he gave them.

''ULM won it 31-24,'' he said. ''We had a couple of drives to try and tie it up, but we weren't able to do that. I was thinking if we did tie it, we'd go to overtime because we haven't practiced that yet.''

Richt said Bauta led the second team on a lengthy touchdown drive, though there also was an interception returned for a touchdown.

Sophomore Sony Michel chipped in with a long touchdown run.

Richt did announce his captains for the first game: senior linemen John Theus and Kolton Houston for the offense, along with senior linebacker Jordan Jenkins and junior linebacker Leonard Floyd from the defense.

''It's a great honor to be named a captain for the first game, and these guys have earned it,'' Richt said. ''We take in to account everything they've done in the offseason and during camp. For example, Leonard is a guy everybody respects. He doesn't say much but when he does, the guys pay attention. He has charisma, a trait you see in a leader.''

The Bulldogs will conduct their final preseason practices Friday and Saturday, take Sunday off, and then begin their game-week preparations Monday.

Georgia hosts Louisiana-Monroe on Sept. 5.