Georgia junior wide receiver Rantavious Wooten was solid in the Bulldogs' season opener Saturday, going for two receptions, 45 yards and a touchdown including a 38-yard touchdown grab in the 45-23 win over Buffalo.
But the win (and the touchdown, and the other seven-yard catch) meant more to Wooten than a typical season-opening win. Wooten sat out last season as a redshirt, an option he chose after a car accident left him with a concussion three games into the 2011 season.
According to Jonathan Branch of the Augusta Chronicle:
"It felt so good to out there," Wooten said. "It felt good playing against somebody else and getting after it. That’s been my drive this whole summer – just get out there, stay healthy and make it to the first game."
Georgia head coach Mark Richt said it was hard not to notice Wooten’s approach in the offseason."(Wooten) did great today," he said. "He had a great off-season and camp. Everyone bragged about what a great summer he had. It’s paying off for him. Guys made comments about the type of off-season he had."
Wooten also had a chance to throw for a touchdown in his return to action on a second-quarter wide receiver pass play from the Buffalo 39-yard line. The pass, intended for freshman receiver Keith Marshall, was broken up inside the 10-yard line.
Wooten and the Bulldogs open their SEC schedule Saturday at Missouri.
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