
G-Day left no doubt Hutson Mason will play if anything happens to Aaron Murray. (Johnny Crawford / AJC)
Fan expectations were low for Saturday’s G-Day game in Athens, what with some key spring story lines short-circuited by injuries to freshman tailback Keith Marshall and prospective two-way player Malcolm Mitchell. But in the end, as one of my brothers noted, it was the most enjoyable spring game we’ve seen in recent years thanks to some unexpected scoring by both the offenses and defenses.
The first half was typical for these intrasquad outings, as the Red team with the first-team offense went against the Black team with the first-team defense, resulting in a pretty even match that saw the Reds lead 10-3 at halftime.
However, with the coaches mixing it up more in the second half, the benches emptying and several players showing up on both teams, it got a lot more interesting than your typical G-Day, resulting in only a missed 2-point play preserving the Reds’ 32-31 win with less than a minute left on the clock.
I think probably the highlight of the game for me was Black team QB Christian LeMay hitting redshirt freshman tight end Jay Rome, who made a leaping, twisting catch and then a nice run for a 66-yard score with 59 seconds left. With Artie Lynch also having made a couple of nice catches for the Reds, it’s looking like the tight end position might be a team strength again this coming season.
There were other memorable plays, including a defensive score that came thanks to the officials being a bit more lax in blowing whistle-sacks on the quarterbacks than in some past G-Day games. So when linebacker Reuben Faloughi hit Black team QB Parker Welch, knocking the ball out, the refs didn’t blow the play dead and defensive lineman Ricky Lowe grabbed the ball in midair and rambled 62 yards for a touchdown.
But aside from the entertainment value of such moments — and just the sheer pleasure of watching any sort of UGA football Between the Hedges on a beautiful spring day — the main reason most of us were there was to get some sense of what sort of team the Bulldogs will field in 2012. And from that perspective, we walked away with a few tentative conclusions.
For one, LeMay continues to progress nicely into the prospective backup QB this year, what with plans for No. 2 signal caller Hutson Mason to take a redshirt year unless needed. Right on his first play, LeMay made a really nice fake before hitting Rantavious Wooten on a 27-yard pass. But LeMay, who’s only played two intrasquad games of football in the past two years, wasn’t as consistent as Aaron Murray or Mason, even though he had the day’s best numbers, with 7 of 10 passes completed for a touchdown and an interception. Going up against one of the best defenses in the country and spending much more time in the game than we’d been led to expect, Murray was a workmanlike 7 of 17 for 112 yards and a touchdown. Mason, who wound up playing for both teams, was a combined 9 of 12 for 133 yards and definitely provided the spark that got the Black offense back in the game.
We left Sanford Stadium certain of one thing: If anything happens to Murray, that redshirt will be quickly torn off Mason.
As for the running game, things were stacked heavily in favor of the Reds initially, with starter Ken Malcome and Isaiah Crowell alternating with about even results, the edge going to Malcome for a couple of tough, tackle-breaking scoring runs. Meanwhile, the Black team’s backfield was populated from deep in the depth chart, with mighty mite Brandon Harton and Kyle Karempelis carrying the ball with little success behind a struggling second-team offensive line. (That, ironically, led to the Black quarterbacks instead using their tailbacks as receivers on quick screen passes — which is how small but speedy tailbacks should be used, instead of trying in vain to run them up the middle. Harton ended up with six catches for 52 yards. Mike Bobo, please take note!).
Eventually, though, fullback-tailback Richard Samuel, who had been listed as doubtful because of a concussion earlier in the week, switched from the Reds to the Blacks (and to a No. 19 jersey instead of his usual 22) to inject some life into the Black running game, showing both power and speed on the outside. He finished with 43 yards and a touchdown on eight runs.
On defense, it was a bit of a surprise that Ramik Wilson’s name was called out so frequently by stadium announcer by Brook Whitmire. Wilson had quite a day, leading the Reds with seven tackles (two for loss) and an interception that he returned 19 yards. Alec Ogletree also had a nice interception and 28-yard return on a sailing pass lofted by wide receiver Michael Bennett, but you expect that of him. Chase Vasser had a good day for the Blacks, making five tackles and deflecting a pass. Big John Jenkins batted down another pass for the Blacks.
At wide receiver, redshirt-freshman speedster Justin Scott-Wesley showed indications he’ll be a factor this fall, leading the Red team with three catches for 46 yards. Tavarres King caught a couple, including a 33-yard touchdown pass from Murray. And the Black team’s Michael Erdman made a really nice snag on a long gainer from Mason.
And for those who enjoy big hits, Sanders Commings unleashed one when he caught Marlon Brown not looking, decking the senior receiver to the crowd’s obvious delight.
All in all, a lovely day to be in Athens, as local radio legend H. Randolph Holder used to say.
OTHER G-DAY NOTES

The 2012 spirit shirt was unveiled Saturday. (University of Georgia)
Among the “millionaires club” of Dawgs alums hanging out on the sideline were A.J. Green and Matt Stafford. … The lettermen’s flag football game before the regular spring game was fun, as usual, with the spirited participants including Garrison Hearst (who’s developed into quite the receiver), Tyson Browning (still making great moves), Joey Hester (who made some impressive throws), Andre “Pulpwood” Smith, Amp Arnold, Michael Cooper, Kentrell Curry (whose name sideline “announcer” Bobby Poss never could master) and Fred Munzenmaier. Just for the record, the Reds won that game as well, 28-12. … The official UGA 2012 spirit T-shirt, as chosen by the student body, was unveiled. This year’s design, by fan Christopher Sweat of Patterson, features distressed “Sick ‘Em” lettering over a print of Uga’s eyes. It’s available at the UGA Bookstore or through Georgiadogs.com.
Got something on your mind concerning UGA athletics or a question for the Junkyard Blawg? Send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
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— Bill King, Junkyard Blawg
154 comments Add your comment
a man of honor
April 15th, 2012
6:23 pm
final 2012 sec east standings:
1. South Carolina
2. Florida
3. Mizzou
4. Vandy
5. UGA
6. Tennessee
7. Kentucky
Still@theKool-aidBAR
April 15th, 2012
6:25 pm
KingDaddy we know it is a Team sport, but a personality on the team can pick-up the team and carry them. Manning, Breez, and Farve come to my mind. Murray just doesn’t seem to that that ability. Players ahd bad games and made mistakes and those mentioned QB’s found ways to FIX or OVERCOME others mistakes. I haven’t seen MURRAY show that against Better teams. It is EZ against team you way out talent to overcome a mistake.
minutedawg
April 15th, 2012
6:36 pm
o-line made every QB look bad:
Mason, center exchange for td.
Welch, fumble sack for td
Lemay, sack interception for long return
Murray, only completed 7/17 passes
minutedawg
April 15th, 2012
6:39 pm
Mason looked great against the 1st string defense in the 1st half.
Murray struggled, as usual.
Class of 86
April 15th, 2012
7:00 pm
Not the biggest Murray fan on the planet and was not impressed yesterday, but I’ll take his experience and abilities over Mason or Lemay anytime since they have no SEC game experience. Mason looked the best on the field yesterday, but it was a scrimmage game and there weren’t 100,000 screaming fans and tons of pressure to deal with either. Our hopes for 2012 rest with Murray and hopefully a backfield full of stud running backs so lets support them and not trash them. Trashing your own team makes you resemble Auburn or Tech fans and who wants to be that?
jack bull
April 15th, 2012
7:01 pm
Maybe this is the reason…
http://www.thirdbullrun.blogspot.com/
minutedawg
April 15th, 2012
7:26 pm
Our hopes for 2012 rest in Murray? Must be a South Carolina fan. After all, Murray is 0-9 vs. teams that finish in the top 25 in the polls. Not a big game QB. Only a South Carolina fan would want Murray to keep starting.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
April 15th, 2012
7:26 pm
Class of 86 the ONLY reason your hopes have to be pinned on Murray is because the Clueless Richt and Bobo haven’t put Mason in games that mattered with the 1st string to get him Prepared for BIG GAMES with 100K screaming fans.
RJ
April 15th, 2012
7:56 pm
Yes the Dawgs have the potential to have an exceptional year but it will never be easy for any team to win the SEC, I hate it when I see people say stuff like they should win the SEC with no problem. That is crazy talk from people who should know better. Florida, Auburn, Tennessee they will all be much better and then there is SC and a vastly improving Vanderbilt team.
First take care of business each game and quit this it should be easy talk, that doesn’t help anyone. The only folks who say that never played at that level or really know very little about Major College
football.
RJ
April 15th, 2012
8:02 pm
Winning the SEC is never easy, many teams that were down last year will be much better this year. Expect many tough games like Auburn, Florida, SC, Vanderbilt and we will be playing Tennessee in Tennessee. There are ebbs and flows and the west will not always be the tougher SEC conference but it will again this year. I remember not that long ago when the east was the stronger conference.
FLA DAWG
April 15th, 2012
8:03 pm
Bill,
Every year we read the same old krap about how great and promising G Day was only to be disappointed in the following season.
The best G Day Game ever played in my opinion was the former Dawgs who returned to Athens for the event against the team. It was fun!
Until Richt can win a conference and BCS this is all B. S.
DawginLex
April 15th, 2012
8:16 pm
I have never read such idiotic comments in all my life.
It’s up to the coaches to decide who plays.
If you toadstools don’t like it, don’t go to the games or watch the games
Idiots
I-DOG
April 15th, 2012
8:16 pm
Still @ the kool-aid bar:
So you are accusing Murray of not being Payton Manning or Brett Favre? I agree with you. He isn’t that good, but few are.
Don't wake up in a roadside ditch like Bobby P, get DirecTV
April 15th, 2012
8:18 pm
After seeing the whiners wanting to pull Murray for Mason I guess Ealey, Crowell and the rest of the “smoke out crew” have plenty of company. Get real people Mason sux, he’s never been in a game that mattered since high school for a reason, he is NOT a college FBS type starter. So waht he plays “OK” in a meaningless scrimmage, Russ could strap on a helmet and throw in a scrimmage! I’ll take the opinion of our multi- titled SEC winning coach and several national championship winning coaches who wanted Murray bad over you fat slobs sitting in your Lazy-Boy’s with an RC Cola and a Moon Pie shoved down your gullets. Your glory days are long gone fatso’s along with your brain cells, Murray has made mistakes but the kid is running for his life in every game due to an horrible O-Line. I wonder how many of your Mason fans are related to the kid.
BlueDawg
April 15th, 2012
8:20 pm
Spring Game QB Rankings:
#1 Ark, 22/29, 368 yards, 6 td’s
#2 SC 6/7, 128 yards, 2 td’s
#3 Ala 24/42, 300 yards, 2 td’s
#4 LSU 14/25, 270 yards, 2 td’s
#5 Fla 9/16, 233 yards, 2 td’s
#6 UGA, 7/17, 112 yards, 1 td
This is pretty close to where we’ll end up at the end of the season, in order.
granulardawg
April 15th, 2012
8:23 pm
Hey didn’t our genius coach, start Joe Terishinski at QB over Matt Stafford once? Yeah, great at talent evaluation.
Dawg4life
April 15th, 2012
8:26 pm
I agree with kingdaddy. Murray is coming off one of the best years statistically of any UGA QB ever, and people want to question him??? The kid was a sophomore last year… He is light years more advanced than Stafford was at this stage in their careers. Murray is a legitimate heisman contender this year, and I am willing to bet that he will be a favorite his senior year. I would look for about 3600 yds w/ 35 tds 9 ints from Mr. Murray this season.
ugab
April 15th, 2012
8:26 pm
LSU and Alabama are still the power houses in the SEC.. The only thing helping Uga is Uga is in the Eastern side of the SEC.. The East will be another toss up again.. It takes CMR 3 to 4 games just to get the ball rolling.. It will cost the dawgs a couple of games early in the season.
CAROLINACRIMSON
April 15th, 2012
8:28 pm
Keep starting Aaron Murray. You guys have yourself there a star. Please don’t start Mason or Lemay against us. Stay with Aaron Murray, he’s just had a string of unlucky breaks against us.
ugab
April 15th, 2012
8:28 pm
I do not think Murray is the problem.. It is the guys who are supposed to be blocking for the qb and the rbs.. What ever happened to the big fullbacks the dawgs used to have to lay someone out.????
ugab
April 15th, 2012
8:30 pm
CMR is a great christian man.. Uga needs a football coach.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
April 15th, 2012
8:33 pm
dwag4life a great year AGAINST WHO?
If Murray is a Heisman contender then UGa will be in trouble. UGa will have to be dominant in the running game to have any chance of winning the SEC.
Dawgindo
April 15th, 2012
8:34 pm
Ranking the SEC QB’s right now:
Arky
Bammer
Connor Shaw
Zach Mettenberger
Bissett
Ranking the UGA QB’s this Spring:
No 1 Hutson Mason by a country mile
No 2 Lemay
No 3 Murray
Just wasn’t a good spring for Murray, maybe his worst ever, he only completed 50%, threw 3 td’s in 3 games, and threw an interception returned for a td.
I think Murray would make a good tight end.
Dawgindo
April 15th, 2012
8:35 pm
uh, typo, Murray threw 2 td’s in 3 games.
a man of honor
April 15th, 2012
8:46 pm
Dawgindo..don’t forget that Bray kid at Tennessee…pretty good qb, who if he had Murray’s surrounding talent, would be ranked well ahead of Aaron Heisman-lite…
Dawgindo
April 15th, 2012
8:51 pm
Oh yeah, heck, even the Vanderbilt kid threw for 2 td’s in his Spring game, so I guess he has to go in there too. Kind of a Murray like performance, minus the td’s, he also struggled to complete passes.
a man of honor
April 15th, 2012
9:03 pm
South Carolina has a tough, SEC-like schedule this season. LSU on the road and Arky at home. They should be 5-0 when they arrive in Baton Rouge, then come home to face an at least 2 loss uga squad. Good times!
Dawgindo
April 15th, 2012
9:12 pm
I can’t figure out why QB sacks have gone up to 33 per year with Murray.
Stafford only got sacked 14 & 16 times in 2007-2008.
Cox only got sacked 12 times in 2009.
Murray has been sacked 25 & 33 times 2010-2011.
I think it’s Murray can’t read coverages quickly, has a slow release, and also rarely uses his outlet receiver or throws the ball away.
Certainly isn’t the O-Line, always had talent there, and same scheme,as Bobo coached all 3 QB’s.
dawgindoisadumbarse
April 15th, 2012
9:20 pm
there is a whole lot you cant figure out. murray threw 5 td’s against vandys defense you moron
StrategeryDog
April 15th, 2012
9:33 pm
Next season, Mike Bobo needs to switch his offensive strategy. Why? Well, look at the schedule.
We face 8 teams that finished in the top 30 nationally in PASS DEFENSE.
(SC, FL, TN, VANDY, KENTY, MISS, MISS ST, GA TECH)
We face 1 team that finished in the top 30 nationally in RUSH DEFENSE.
(Missouri)
So, stop throwing the ball so much against the defenses STRENGTH. Start running the ball, since that’s the weak point of 11 opponents. Just a little thought.
murfdawg
April 15th, 2012
9:42 pm
Murray is 16-11. That is not exactly a ringing endorsement for a qb to lead his team to the conference championship. I think CMR has created another Joe T situation. Of course Murray will get the benefit of the doubt from his coaches because of all the suspension that will weaken the team. It is a shame we can’t get a good offense and a good defense on the field the same year. Murray has won 59% of his games for two years. What makes everyone think he will do better this year?
minutedawg
April 15th, 2012
9:42 pm
Richt messed up training Murray early. Richt taught Murray this rule:
IF IN DOUBT, THROW IT TO #8
Let me translate that to the habit Murray created.
IF IN DOUBT, THROW IT TO YOUR NO. 1 OPTION
This rule, which should have never been taught, taught Murray to LOCK INTO HIS NO. 1 RECEIVER.
And that’s why he gets sacked so much, and throws so any interceptions, and struggles with accuracy.
Because defenses caught on, and double covered the No. 1 option, and Murray mentally went to his rule, then froze up.
I don’t think Murray will be able to break that habit.
funny...
April 15th, 2012
10:40 pm
Jay Rome and Ray Drew were the stars.
TJ Stripling was in the backfield A LOT.
Hutson was so-so, Murray was pedestrian, LeMay looked green, Parker Welch – well, God bless Parker Welch….
The offense is going to struggle again this year, O-line is suspect.
FLA DAWG
April 15th, 2012
10:44 pm
dawgindo,
because our O line stinks big time in my opinion.
Dawgindo
April 15th, 2012
11:19 pm
Murray’s 33 sacks the o-line’s fault? Oh no, of all things, not the o-line, terrific 4 & 5 star talent there, and same scheme that limited Stafford & Cox to @12 sacks per year. All to do with Murray, Murray is sacked 2x to 3x more than other UGA QB’s, Murray is more mobile than Cox, so it’s definately on Murray.
Question is what is Murray doing to double or triple his sacks over the UGA norm?
a) Slow reads? The kid’s a whiz in the videoroom quizzes and shoots back all the right answers in that setting. But on the field, has the most difficulty of all UGA QB’s finding outlets.
b) Locking in on primary receiver? He had such a great year with Green, basically throwing up jumpballs. Once Green left, accuracy dropped.
c) Height? Murray looks about 5′ 11”, not your prototypical 6′ 4” NFL height at QB. Mason is 6′ 3” and looked much more comfortable on his reads and hit outlets with ease.
d) Overestimates his long ball chances or skills? Few times he hits the short outlet.
e) Trying to break QB records instead of win football games? No doubt.
Dr. Smooooooth
April 15th, 2012
11:43 pm
Mr. Mason uh I mean Dawgindo…. right Dawgindo…your son will NEVER play a snap as a starting QB at any SEC school. He’s just not that good sir. Why do you think he never transferred when he got mad earlier this year…drumroll please….NOBODY ELSE WANTED HIM. His stats are all from a raggedy scrimmage practice enviroment. When Murray leave LeMay will take the reins, your kid holds a clipboard great and he’s getting a free ride from a good school, be happy he suits up on gameday because barring an injury it’s the closest he’ll ever get to playing QB.
Joshua
April 16th, 2012
1:08 am
I’m glad Coach Richt is the coach and not the people writing on here. I don’t understand how almost every quarterback expert in the country says Murray will be an early Heisman contender, and the so called fans here hate him. I mean I am going to listen to people who know what they are actually talking about, instead of people who hide behind fake names and claim to be something their words say their not. A fan doesn’t bash their own team. Lets look at what really happened this spring. Murray is established as the quarterback. He was not competing for a job. G-Day is a practice game. Murray again is practicing. While the other quarterbacks are competing for his back-up, he is out there working on different things. Even during the G-Day game he could be focusing on his foot work, his release point, or any number of things. To him it was not about numbers, but working on different things to help him improve when it matters most. It is like that for a lot of players. They work on techniques and skills. I know fans (or so called fans) don’t like this, but sometimes a good play is when everyone goes to the right spot, not if they execute perfectly. A spring came is about practicing and getting better, not putting up stats. This is why players switched sides, so they could get more reps. The coaches have them working on stuff for a reason. Why they do what they do is because they see them everyday and know what they need to work on. They could go out there an call plays to Murray’s strengths and pad his numbers, but what good would that do for him. Instead of bashing the quarterback, when you don’t have all the information, why not talk about the positives. Mr King pointed out a lot. Brandon Harton didn’t run that well, but he did a good job receiving. If he can do that he might be able to find his way back on the field with bigger and more talented running backs ahead of him. Richard Samuel aided the running game when he came in at fullback. John-Wesley Scott made some nice plays. Tavares King played well. Several young guys played well. This is what the spring games is about. Seeing what young guys can do and allowing the players to work on things they need to.
SLC Dawgfan
April 16th, 2012
3:25 am
“minute man” Why do you change your handle every blog? Everyone knows who you are.
ElvinBishopBand – you may be right, but we heard the same thing from Bama in 2010. 3 losses later The Barn had a NC. So you just never know, UGA could surprise. But I agree, it is difficult to compete while running a clean program, disciplining players, etc. It will likely be bama, lsu etc. In the drivers seat for the for seeable future, unless rules are enforced uniformly or Florida turns dirty again
Old Dawg
April 16th, 2012
6:34 am
“yeh… what gives murray lock on QB ???”
No what…who – Richt (ever loyal, no matter how many games it losess).
Columbus Dawg
April 16th, 2012
6:39 am
I agree Bama looks better offensively than they have recently, but that is against their own depleted defense. They will more than likely cruise through the easy schedule they have, with no teams except LSU having a formidable defense. Mississippi State may have a D, but that’s about it. I can’t wait to see the look on the toothless, tobacco dribbling, trailer dweller’s faces after the Dawgs get through with them. If Bama is lucky enough to win it’s own division that is.
DNdog
April 16th, 2012
7:11 am
Dawg89 is dead right. A.Murry is not an sec quarterback. We will never win tough games with him.
Jimmy Crack
April 16th, 2012
7:34 am
1. Mason is better than Murray, but barring injury Murray is never going to be “bad” enough to be replaced this year and he will probably be the #1 QB next year (he is too short to leave early for the NFL). Mason is the best injury insurance we can have, if he stays, and Hutson should get alot of national attention if Murray starts throwing some bad picks. That’s all Murray needs to do is manage this talented offense and don’t turn the ball over, and we’ll be fine.
2. Any of you Bama fans on here…your spring game should give you great concern.
Texas Dawg
April 16th, 2012
7:43 am
@New World Man…….the four teams you mentioned,,,,,,,,What were they ranked at the end of the year???????
I’m a die hard UGA fan……..and as a fan I would like to see Murry beat a team when it matters! He hasn’t got it done to this point!
He pads his numbers against weak teams and seems to fall apart agsint the stronger competion. GO DAWGS!!! HOPE Murry proved me wrong!
Bulldawgman49
April 16th, 2012
8:18 am
Who is this Kingdaddy Moron LOL. Anyway Good things happen in the spring game got to see that Ken malcome is our power back, How about the TE’s they are bigger and can run , Rome looked really good . They didn’t even mention Herra he was all over the place making plays .
I think we have some players to at DB will fill in for our suspened guys . GO DAwgs !!!!
Tide is rolling and nothing can stop it
April 16th, 2012
8:24 am
Wow! Considering how bad your offense is (3rd in SEC) and how awesome Todd Grantham’s defense is (42 pts to ranked teams), I’m surprised, this wasn’t 3-0. Hmm, confused…
Tide is rolling and nothing can stop it
April 16th, 2012
8:25 am
Also, considering you call it the Red/Black game, why didn’t one squad wear black jerseys? Are you still that afraid of them being as close to Alabama as you are?
A question
April 16th, 2012
9:03 am
Do the majority of UGA players even like and respect Aaron Murray? I mena, we all know that he is a squeaky clean kid but do the guys like him? Do they expect him to implode in big games like has has in the past?
Hutson Mason seems very smooth and dedicated and workman like and a winner. I have always liked Mason.
As for Lemay, Tony Flanagan of old SW Atlanta HS in the early to middle 70s played back up, gonna be the next great, will be all world QB at UGA and also tennis and golf and basketball and other sports and was a “phenom” ……………but he could not play SEC QB. IS Lemay another Flanagan?
This year the fans will be expecting a legit break out year from UGA or we need to re tool. Apparently, CMR’s new deal will keep the entire regime here for awhile. Time will tell.
I also have liked Ken Malcome’s running style. Love R Samuel.
UGA class of 71 & 73
BazookaJoe
April 16th, 2012
9:42 am
Minute – besides all your wonderful predictions – you had me rolling on the floor when you referenced UF and SC as our 2 biggest rivals.. That was good ! No, really…
South Carolina isnt in our top 4 rivals ! They never have been, and never will be. They are an afterthought. Kind of a “oh yeah, forgot about them – are they still around ?”
Carolina Man
April 16th, 2012
10:34 am
To all my Bulldog friends –
I have to say that alot of this talk about Murray is crazy. I think he is a great QB on the field and off the field. I know that many say he has beaten only one ranked team, but let’s examine this this more closely. Starting as a true frosh in the SEC is never easy–ask Matt Stafford, so the 2010 losses should be seen through the experience lens. And last year, no offense, but y’all did not play anybody of note within the conference but us and Auburn. Hence, he did not have that many chance to beat ranked teams.
Look, I think y’all will have a great year, I just hope it’s not that great during the first weekend in October!
schmeckdawg
April 16th, 2012
11:30 am
Dawg89
April 15th, 2012
1:17 pm
I thought the shot Sanders took on Brown was cheap, particularly for a spring game. I bet that wasn’t a “coach pleaser”.
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AGREED 100%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!