ATHENS, Ga. -- Kirby Smart is inviting fans to a practice at Sanford Stadium in part because he wants to see how his players respond to the extra attention.The new Georgia coach wont be watching as closely to see how fans respond to the players, including those in the quarterback competition.Smart, the former Alabama defensive coordinator, launched his first preseason practice with Georgia on Monday. He is opening practice at Sanford Stadium to fans on Saturday, which also is the annual fan day with opportunities for photos and autographs.Freshman Jacob Eason, the biggest name in Smarts first recruiting class, may be the fan favorite to beat out returning starter Greyson Lambert and Brice Ramsey at quarterback. Smart said he wont be swayed by which quarterback draws the biggest cheers.Do the fans impact my decision? Smart asked. Absolutely not. They can go out there and cheer and scream for him, but Ive got to make the best decision for this team. Ultimately, who the fan favorite is, thats going to be the guy that wins the games, I promise you. If Eason loses a game, they wont like him, either. They wont like me, either.None of the candidates took control of the quarterback job during spring practice, which included a record turnout of 93,000 fans for the G-Day spring game at Sanford Stadium. It was an impressive response -- more than doubling the previous record of 46,000 -- after Smart called for a packed house.Smart is not making a similar request for Saturdays practice. He said opening practice is a reward for fans and extra motivation for the players.Ive always felt like thats an opportunity to give back to your fan base, Smart said. Not only is it exciting for them, but its exciting for the players. I think thats a good way to give back, to give them an opportunity to come out and watch a practice. I dont think they know exactly what our players go through in practice.Smart said he expects fans and reporters to track the reps for the quarterbacks with the first- and second-team offenses.Thats fine, too, he said. Thats not what Im looking for. Im looking to see how guys respond with people out there in the stands.Eason completed 19 of 29 passes for 244 yards and a touchdown in the spring game. He is the most celebrated quarterback to sign with Georgia since Matthew Stafford, now the starter for the Detroit Lions.Tailback is another key position this spring. Junior Nick Chubb was on pace for a big season when he tore the posterior cruciate and other knee ligaments on the first play from scrimmage in Georgias loss to Tennessee on Oct. 10. Smart said Chubb will be closely monitored as he is cleared for everything the team is doing.Sony Michel, who replaced Chubb as the starter, will be limited at the start of practice as he continues to recover from a broken left forearm he suffered in an offseason accident.Were not really comfortable with him right now on if hed have to fall and brace himself, Smart said. He wont be as involved.Options at tailback include Tae Crowder, Brendan Douglas and freshmen Elijah Holyfield and Brian Herrien.Senior center Brandon Kublanow said the uncertainty at tailback is not a concern.Im not worried about it, Kublanow said. We have a lot of hard-working people on the team and weve had a great offseason. ... We always have guys to fill in. Vans Shoes Wholesale . The visitors took a deserved lead in the 16th minute with midfielder Yohan Cabaye curling the ball beyond Adrian from inside the penalty area. Vans Sk8 Hi Reissue . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race. http://www.vansshoesclearancesale.com/ . -- Sergey Tolchinksy scored his second goal of the game 3:56 into overtime as the Sault Ste. Vans Old Skool Wholesale . Roman Josi had a goal and an assist to lead the Predators to a 4-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Monday night. Vans Shoes Clearance Sale . Breaking three of his own world records on his way to winning in Paris, Chan silenced the critics and left the audiences standing in appreciation and awe. COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Sindarius Thornwell scored 18 points and South Carolina cruised to an 85-76 victory over Louisiana Tech on Friday night.Thornwell was 7 of 16 from the floor. PJ Dozier and Duane Notice added 17 points apiece for the Gamecocks, who overcame foul trouble and Louisiana Techs trapping defense. Thornwells steal and ensuing dunk with 2:37 left gave the Gamecocks a 10-point lead.Derric Jean had 18 points and Jacobi Boykins added 14 to lead Louisiana Tech. DaQuan Bracey and Omar Sherman chipped in 12 apiece.Trailing by 15 points early in the second half, Louisiana Tech climbed back with 3-point shooting. South Carolina began to earn more trips to the free-throw line but couldnt convert, and the Bulldogs 3s cut the deficit to 65-61 with about eight minutes to play.Thats when they cut it to four, South Carolina coach Frank Martin said. So we locked in and did a better job. We werent very good today.The teams combined for 48 fouls, and the Gamecocks made just 16 of 26 from the line. South Carolina allowed only three field goals in the final six minutes.I started off with a lot of turnoverss and forcing a lot of stuff that wasnt there, Thornwell said.dddddddddddd Once I settled down, I was all right.BIG PICTURESouth Carolina: The Gamecocks were expected to lean on their guards all season and Thornwell, Dozier, and Notice lived up to the billing.Louisiana Tech: The Bulldogs press was disrupting South Carolina all evening, leading to 15 turnovers. The problem was the Bulldogs left so many points at the rim, missing several layups.STAT OF THE NIGHTThe Gamecocks had 19 second-chance points to the Bulldogs nine, using their superior height to win the rebounding total 35-29. South Carolina hauled in 25 defensive boards.TURNING POINTThornwells dunk was the second of two straight for the Gamecocks after the Bulldogs had cut the deficit to four. The first was Silvas one-hand jam, fed from Thornwell after a Louisiana Tech missed layup.UP NEXTSouth Carolina is in a marathon sprint of three games in five days, and welcomes Holy Cross to Colonial Life Arena on Sunday. ' ' '