ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia placekicker Andy Bailey was asked what's the biggest difference between his hometown of Athens, Tenn., and Athens, Ga. He didn't take long to answer.

"More people," said the redshirt freshman.

"What's the livestock-to-people ratio (in his hometown)?" a reporter asked

"Aw come on now," Bailey said. "The population isn't that bad.

"It's not like you blink and miss it."

But it's small enough for his teammates to have nicknamed him, "Country Boy."

"I guess I sound country," Bailey says with a drawl and a smile.

He also sounds content with his move from one Athens to another.

"I'm happy here," he said. "I feel like I'm part of a family."

He was recruited by a handful of other schools, but not UT. Having signed high school All-American James Wilhoit the year before, the Vols didn't need a kicker.

Georgia signed Bailey before Bill Bennett's senior season. Bennett finished his career in 2003 with an NCAA career-record 87 field goals.

Bailey, who won the kicking job in preseason competition with Brandon Coutu this August, has hit seven of nine field-goal tries in four games. In a college season marked by crucial missed field goals and extra points, Bailey's teammates haven't taken him for granted.

"I think a lot of players realize kickers can miss extra points," Bailey said. "A lot of people have said, 'Good job,' after I made an extra point. Usually, that doesn't happen."

Bailey's longest attempt this season, from 47 yards, was wide right. But as a senior at McMinn County High School, he made a 53-yard field goal with three seconds to play to beat Cumberland County.

Last Saturday, in pregame warm-ups, he made a 62-yarder and says he would feel comfortable trying a 55-yarder in a game.