Isaiah Bond on the rise against Georgia Bulldogs

AUSTIN – Texas Longhorns receiver Isaiah Bond appears to be on the mend due to injury ahead of Saturday’s big game against the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs.

After suffering an ankle injury in the win over the Oklahoma Sooners that sidelined him the entire second half, Bond had a good practice Wednesday, according to Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian.

“He had a pretty good practice today,” Sarkisian told the media during the weekly SEC conference call.

The first SEC student-athlete availability report of the week will be released on Wednesday evening, revealing Bond’s initial injury list for the game.

Bond finished the Oklahoma game with just one catch for five yards, his lowest statistical output in six games as a Longhorn. He had spent a lot of time in the fieldside medical tent before finally heading back to the locker room. In his absence, tight end Gunnar Helm led the Texas passing attack with five catches for 91 yards and a touchdown, while true freshman Ryan Wingo added two grabs for 49 yards and a 25-yard run.

After the win over Mississippi State, Bond told the media that he was “built for big games” while previewing the Red River Rivalry. The game against Georgia is certainly one of those.

“I’ve heard a lot of great things from the players on the team and from close friends of mine, and they just told me that this is basically like the Iron Bowl, where I came from, my previous team,” Bond said of the Red at the time -River rivalry. “They say it could be an even bigger game. I’m built for big games, so I love playing a big game, so it’ll be a fun time.”

Although the injury prevented him from making a major impact against the Sooners, he is still tied for the team lead in catches (21) and receiving touchdowns (three), while leading the Longhorns in receiving yards (369). Bond also rushed for 51 yards and a score twice this season.

No. 1 Texas and No. 5 Georgia kick off in Austin on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT.