UGA QB Mettenberger arrested in South Georgia (UPDATED)
Zach Mettenberger, a candidate to be the University of Georgia’s starting quarterback in the fall, was arrested on five misdemeanor charges over the weekend in the South Georgia town of Remerton.
Mettenberger, 18, was charged with underage consumption/possession of alcohol, disorderly conduct, obstruction and two counts of possessing fake identification, Remerton Police Chief Mike Terrell told the AJC.
The police report, obtained by the AJC, does not provide details about the circumstances surrounding Mettenberger’s arrest at 1:39 a.m. Sunday at the Flip Flops bar in Remerton, which is near Valdosta.
“I don’t have much available right now,” Terrell said in an e-mail. “We are still investigating the circumstances that led to his arrest.”
Mettenberger was transported to the Lowndes County Jail, according to the police report. He later was released on bond. He has a court date scheduled for April 27.
Under UGA Athletic Association policy, a conviction on an alcohol-related charge would mean a mandatory suspension of at least one game. Georgia’s season opener is Sept. 4 against Louisiana-Lafayette.
Mettenberger, from Oconee County, is one of three contenders for Georgia’s starting quarterback job. Rated the No. 11 quarterback prospect in the nation by Rivals.com in 2008, Mettenberger was redshirted as a UGA freshman last season and began spring practice last week in competition with Aaron Murray and Logan Gray to succeed the graduated Joe Cox as the starter.
The arrest came early in UGA’s spring break, which runs through this week. The football team is not scheduled to resume practice until March 16.
A UGA spokesman said coach Mark Richt was aware of Mettenberger’s situation and will be getting more information on the matter. Richt is out of town and would have no immediate comment, the spokesman said.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
617 comments Add your comment
Georgia Fan
March 8th, 2010
12:27 pm
Vandy fans can’t spell!!
fact checking 101
March 8th, 2010
12:29 pm
Famous lines…” Herschel is that You”….Barbara Dooley..
Todd
March 8th, 2010
12:29 pm
You never would see Tebow doing that!
boots
March 8th, 2010
12:29 pm
The HEADLINE? Geez. Ok, underage drinking on spring break. Showing a fake ID. Really dumb, and he should have known better. Especially being in line for the starting QB job at UGA. However, I think this is like Stafford having a picture holding a keg over his head. The AJC is just trying to stoke things up a bit. Murray will be the man anyway.
BigTimeTECHFan
March 8th, 2010
12:29 pm
My understanding is he’s not 21 yet, underage drinking against the law.
Georgia Fan
March 8th, 2010
12:29 pm
In your DREAMS, BigTimeTECHdork.
Just the facts sir
March 8th, 2010
12:29 pm
Juan.
I can say Jimmy Johns. So what? One bad apple. Once again people like you lack perspective. You can point out one bad apple but you don’t want to get into comparing the sheer number of Georgia players arrested over the last 3-4 years with the number of Bama players arrested during the same time frame. No sir. You just don’t want to go there. It is an argument you cannot win.
bruce
March 8th, 2010
12:30 pm
Its not the drinking that i dont like its the driving & hurting someone
Reality
March 8th, 2010
12:30 pm
ANOTHER ugag player arrested. Is it still news if it happens daily?
Reality
March 8th, 2010
12:31 pm
Why doesn’t ugag just dis-band all sports? How much embarrasment can they put on the State of GA? The football team in the toilet. The basketball team in the toilet.
Just stop the pain!
gss303
March 8th, 2010
12:31 pm
Bama probably leads the NCAA in number of times put on probation. Did they give rings for that too?
coachx
March 8th, 2010
12:33 pm
A kid who drink alcohal and uses a fake ID is a thug ?
Really ?
Sounds like your normal college sophmore to me. Dissapointing but no big deal. No driving or fighting = no big deal.
Just the facts sir
March 8th, 2010
12:33 pm
Juan,
What was that about you calling me an inbred piece of crap? Inbred? A thought that book and movie “deliverance” with all the man raping inbred hillbillies was based on rural Georgia and not Alabama? Oops looks like I’m right. Wasn’t that book and movie Gone with the wind with all the intermarrying cousins based in Georgia? By golly I believe it was! And you gonna call someone else inbred? You are wayyyyy too funny.
Bamafan
March 8th, 2010
12:34 pm
Just the facts sir you made baby shane cry!!!!
Not Worried
March 8th, 2010
12:34 pm
An Dawg drinking is not near as bad as a elephant DEALING with agents ( Andre Smith, Antonio Langham).
Georgia Fan
March 8th, 2010
12:34 pm
21 is the drinking age? Did they teach you that at Tech, Big Time?
Hey, guess what Tech dorks? Drinking is something that socially adjusted people do to relax and have fun, perhaps even enabling mingling with members of the OPPOSITE SEX (GASP!!!!!).
Believe it or not geeks, staying home on the weekend with your calculus buddies playing PS3 WILL NEVER GET YOU LAID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DORKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just the facts sir
March 8th, 2010
12:35 pm
gss303,
The count stands at 6 major infractions cases brought against UGA by the NCAA versus 3 major cases brought against Bama by the NCAA. Looks like you whupped us there!
Shane
March 8th, 2010
12:36 pm
Mark Richt runs program like Berry Switzer did a Ok U. Does not care what you do as long as you can play football. Switzer was eventually run out so it won’t be long for Richt.
This coming from a Tech fan. How about actually graduating a few players before you look at UGA.
DAWG Dayz
March 8th, 2010
12:36 pm
Hey give him a break he’s a kid. I hate to say it but I credit CMR for this. He is too passive period. I guarantee on thing though. This kid will never get in trouble again. His mom works for the team. HA HA
Just the facts sir
March 8th, 2010
12:37 pm
Not worried,
Andre Smith never broke any NCAA rules. Only team rules. You need some help with your facts sir.
Shane
March 8th, 2010
12:38 pm
The count stands at 6 major infractions cases brought against UGA by the NCAA versus 3 major cases brought against Bama by the NCAA. Looks like you whupped us there!
Well when everything is kept hush hush its amazing you have 3.
University of Alabama
Dirtiest program in the nation. And its really not that close sir.
Shane
March 8th, 2010
12:38 pm
Andre Smith never broke any NCAA rules
From what I hear he never went to class either sir
Shane
March 8th, 2010
12:41 pm
What was that about you calling me an inbred piece of crap? Inbred? A thought that book and movie “deliverance” with all the man raping inbred hillbillies was based on rural Georgia and not Alabama?
Ive lived in both states and I can tell you without a doubt Alabama is the biggest craphole on the planet. Their schools are falling down the roads suck. Its one big septic tank trailer park. Even Bham the biggest city sucks.
Wreckmaniac
March 8th, 2010
12:41 pm
Will he be given a space at the Clarke county lockup or will he have to take “classes” at Reidsville ?
The Clarke lockup needs to be modernized and updated because you can’t have “hi-profile atheletes” like this guy staying in a ordinary jail.
Gosh, we’re talking UGA football here.
matt mcdaris
March 8th, 2010
12:42 pm
Everybody that lives in Valdosta knows not to go party in Remerton. He must of been stupid to go to a club down their
Shane
March 8th, 2010
12:42 pm
Alabama ranks 45th out of 50 in education. Frankly im surprised there are 5 worse.
dawgfan
March 8th, 2010
12:43 pm
Stupid move. He’ll get suspended briefly. He’ll get reinstated. UGA haters will then cry about it and demand that Richt ruin his life. When he doesn’t, they’ll call him a hypocrite, a cheat, a liar, a dirty filthy rat. All because Richt chooses to live a life in a better way than they do, looks better than they do, and is just overall a better human being. Its the same ole song and dance.
I went to college. I drank. But I don’t think its unfair to expect a little more out of these guys. Playing college football is a priviledge, not a right.
Anyway, at the end of the day we can still beat Georgia Tech. Players get suspended. Players get hurt. Coaches get fired. It doesn’t seem to matter what calamity has befallen the Bulldog nation. We still wax that nerd azz like its our job.
Tech Man
March 8th, 2010
12:43 pm
This kid comes from a fine Christian family and it’s probably the first time in his life he has been in trouble. The more serious question I would have if I were one of his parents is what was he doing in south Georgia when he lives in Oconee County and who he was with. Let’s get honest; what he did is probably what 99 % of college kids have done. Everyone is entitled to one big mistake in their life and this was Zack’s. Let’s just hope he learns from this and never makes that error in judgement again.
AU alumnus WDE
March 8th, 2010
12:44 pm
Umm… pot calling the kettle maybe? I’m pretty sure EIGHT players have been arrested since saban’s arrival at alabama. Another bammer hypocrite.
HugoStiglitz
March 8th, 2010
12:45 pm
I dont think he is a thug for this. Alot of us have done it. But he is an idiot. If I am competing for a starting QB job at a major university then im not risking throwing everything away by carrying a fake ID and getting caught drinking underage. This could seriously hurt this kids career. What a moron.
Wreckmaniac
March 8th, 2010
12:45 pm
Spurrier’s defense is now planning on seeing Murray in Columbia.
BULLDOG MAN
March 8th, 2010
12:45 pm
MORON
Georgia Fan
March 8th, 2010
12:45 pm
I am stunned. A rational post from a Techie? No way…
Just the facts sir
March 8th, 2010
12:45 pm
Shane,
From what you hear Andre Smith never went to class. Sorry dude but you would know this how? Do you have his class schedule and are you friends with all his professors so that you can keep up with his attendance? At Bama Saban requires that he be kept up to date on players attending each and every class. They do the same at Georgia and most other schools were attendance by all players for each of their classes is reported directly to the counselors and coaching staff. You should think about facts such as these before you go making up lies.
Jackie Dabney
March 8th, 2010
12:45 pm
UGA should change the name to UFA….University of Felony Athletes (They stay in trouble). Geezzz.
How2fish
March 8th, 2010
12:46 pm
Just the facts sir…2007 and that is just the last time BAMA got caught cheating..and its not in the past the FACT is its an ongoing matter that the NCAA is still working..your under the assumption that it happened in the past and its over..its not…if BAMA loses the appeal BAMA can’t claim ANY wins for all of two seasons…but of course they will still have 12,107 NC’s..just no wins in 05 and 06.and 2 less in 07..which is I think 3 years ago..but if it helps you sleep at night.
SouthGaBrave
March 8th, 2010
12:46 pm
Tech Man, the thoughtful post is appreciated with all the trash that gets thrown around in here. It’s Spring Break at UGA, and I’m guessing that he has some friends down at VSU. It was definitely a stupid move on his part, you can only hope he learns from the experience.
"Shane" Paul Finebaums B**ch
March 8th, 2010
12:47 pm
Andre Smith is set to graduate in the summer……Jimmy Johns is in prison…..UGA has 19 arrested or charged atheletes from the football program in the past 14 months..Do not even get into the Basketball program at UGA..
Every school has issues..it is a know fact….these are dumb jocks who ALL have coddled for their entire high school careers and now have to face up with the facts that there are others who are just as good or better than they are..and the dumb mistakes will no longer be overlooked with the camera phone, twitter, Facebook…and instant media now available….
JUST MAKE BETTER DECISIONS
Señora Weeb
March 8th, 2010
12:48 pm
Don’t you just love it. Do these morons ever learn?
Oh well, Richt will bless him and hold him out of one practice, that’ll show him he’s tough on crime.
Just the facts sir
March 8th, 2010
12:48 pm
Shane,
Wasn’t the news about Georgia students finishing dead last in the country in academic achievement testing a couple years ago all over the local news. Yes. It was. And you and most of the posters on here probably remember seeing that.
Shane, I have a trivia question for you. What and where is the first major public school system to lose its accreditation in 46 years? Why yes! That would be the Clayton county school system here in metro Atlanta last year. Not Alabama or Miss but Georgia.
Just the facts Shane
Sid
March 8th, 2010
12:49 pm
Can you say “dumbass”…………….what an idiot.
Even if you do drink you do not put yourself in position to ruin your career potential.
PS Bolden will be like Peerless Price was for the Falcons, no factor.
Anyway …..Joe Flucco sucks. Is he gay, he looks gay.
Gt4ever
March 8th, 2010
12:51 pm
21 year old drinking age is ASININE!
DILLIGAF
March 8th, 2010
12:51 pm
Russ, the Temporary Mascot:
Your infatuation with asses is quiete disturbing. I think you’re on the wrong blog.
Derwood
March 8th, 2010
12:51 pm
And we see another fine Mark Reicht recruit has materialized. He learned from the best. Ole Bobby Bodwen and FSU grads worked the penal system year after year to find possible recruits.
You Gotta Be Kidding
March 8th, 2010
12:53 pm
How in the world can this story be the top headline in this state? I fail to see where the arrest of a college student getting arrested, regardless of who he is, has anything to do with the “news.”
dawgs01
March 8th, 2010
12:53 pm
i went to georgia southern and valdosta is alot like statesboro. The cops in these small towns will arrest you or write you a ticket for anything. My cousin and I got an underage drinking ticket and they put our beers in ziplock bags for evidence. I was walking from my apartment complex to the one next door (i could throw a rock to it). They pulled up in the grass, handcuffed us, called in like three other cop cars for backup. This was on a friday afternoon in August the weekend before school started and i was turning 21 in like three weeks. I had to do community service, go to AA meetings, and probation for a yr., and paid over a thousand dollars. My probation officer said they arrested over 200 people that weekend for underage drinking. I HATE THE COPS IN STATESBORO, GA. This is a true story. I have plenty others very similar to this from friends. I know one guy that got a ticket drinking a beer crossing the street to get his mail (they made a law you cant drink off your property)
dawgs01
March 8th, 2010
12:55 pm
The guy checking his mail was like 23 and it is a $300 fine. I forgot that part.
Just the facts sir
March 8th, 2010
12:55 pm
How2fish,
It doesn’t change what happened on the field and its not something we sit around worrying about. The issue has already been decided and the only decision awaiting is our appeal on whether or not the wins will be vacated. Who really cares? I mean really. Who cares? I see that you are completely fixated on this since you mention it every other day but who in the heck really cares?
Señora Weeb
March 8th, 2010
12:56 pm
Hey dawgfan, take the number of UGA players who are arrested every year and subtract the number of players who graduate with a degree in a real field. It’s a pretty big number, isn’t it!
Bless our precious Saint Jan Kemp for exposing this football factory disguised as a university.
Reality
March 8th, 2010
12:57 pm
No news here…they’re like Rappers at GA. With an arrest under his belt, HE’s the new staring QB. THUG-U.