ATHENS, Ga. - Georgia fifth-year senior receiver Malcolm Mitchell has been a villain before to the Florida Gators.
He would love to be a repeat offender.
Mitchell missed the 2011 and 2013 games in Jacksonville due to injuries, but his 45-yard touchdown catch midway through the fourth quarter of the 2012 matchup helped the Bulldogs polish off a 17-9 upset of the previously undefeated Gators. To be successful this Saturday at EverBank Field, the 6-foot-1, 195-pounder from Valdosta will have to conquer a secondary headed by All-America cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III.
"From what I've seen on film, they don't really highlight a receiver," Mitchell said. "They just play their respective sides. If they change their scheme and have him follow me, I guess that would mean they're a little worried about me.
"He's a great player who's made a lot of great plays there, so it will be a good challenge and a good opportunity to compete with someone like that."
Though Florida rolled to a 38-20 win in last season's matchup, Mitchell was a bright spot for the Bulldogs, leading them with six catches for 55 yards.
Mitchell has 35 receptions for 505 yards and four touchdowns this season, more than doubling the output of Georgia's second-leading receiver, true freshman Terry Godwin. The newcomer has 17 catches for 203 yards, while junior Reggie Davis ranks third among Georgia's receivers with 12 catches for 187 yards and a score.
Hargreaves, meanwhile, already has three interceptions and a forced fumble this season.
"I've been really fortunate to be around some really great players," Florida coach Jim McElwain said, "and the thing that really separates the great ones is that they don't just wait for the games to perform. They put the investment in during preparation to help the game slow down and let their natural ability take over.
"He's a guy who studies the game and loves to practice, and that's huge."
The Gators also have cornerbacks Jalen Tabor, Quincy Wilson and Brian Poole and safeties Keanu Neal and Marcus Maye to combat Georgia's aerial game.
"We like our receivers," Bulldogs coach Mark Richt said. "We know we have good route-runners and some good speed, but these guys have handled some of the best receivers in the league over time, and they're very impressive with what they do.
"There have been times when balls have been caught on them. I mean, no one's perfect. Our guys aren't perfect, and their guys aren't perfect, so it will just get down to competition."
Should Hargreaves stick to one side of the field, that could give several Bulldogs the opportunity to face one of the nation's best. Davis had three catches for 101 yards and a touchdown in the 38-31 loss at Tennessee and is eager for the challenge.
"He's patient, and he plays well with his feet and hands," Davis said of Hargreaves. "When you have a corner who's that patient, talented and can run with you, it makes you definitely bring your A-game."
The Bulldogs are slight underdogs entering the Florida game for the first time since 2012. The Gators entered that game with a 7-0 record and a No. 2 ranking, but Georgia struck first with Todd Gurley's 10-yard touchdown run less than three minutes in and never trailed.
Florida got within 10-9 on a Caleb Sturgis 50-yard field goal with 9:41 remaining, but then Mitchell got free for the biggest touchdown of his career.
"The way we competed as a team is why that's one of my favorite games," Mitchell said. "From the first play, you saw us compete at a high level and not back down. As long as we do that Saturday, we'll put us in position to have a good outcome.
"It will be a fun game."
Odds and ends
Richt said after Wednesday's practice that quarterbacks Greyson Lambert, Brice Ramsey and Faton Bauta have each worked with the first team since the Oct. 17 victory over Missouri. The Bulldogs worked out for two hours in full pads. Defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt on injured outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins (hip): "Jordan has practiced this week and looked good, so we'll see how he does Saturday."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.