ATHENS, Ga. -- There's a new addition to Georgia's injury report for its AutoZone Liberty Bowl game: The team's mascot, Uga VIII, will miss the festivities due to illness.
However, Georgia has turned to a reliable sub.
Russ, the white English bulldog who served as the interim mascot following the death of Uga VII, has been called back into service to fill in for Uga VIII in Friday's Liberty Bowl game against Central Florida in Memphis.
The 15-month-old Uga VIII lives with the Frank W. "Sonny" Seiler family of Savannah, Ga. There were no details available on the dog's illness.
Russ was the team's mascot for the final two games of the 2009 season and the first six games this year.