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.
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617 comments Add your comment
Top Dawg
March 8th, 2010
2:08 pm
Dawggirl 32, I think I’m in love!! Secondly, anyone that thinks this will eliminate Zack Mettenberger form the qb race is out of their minds. The kid got arrested for drinking underage!! Not exactly 1st degree murder now is it?? He’ll still have a shot, he may have to run a few more laps after a few practices but that’s about it.
War Eagle
March 8th, 2010
2:10 pm
If news papers would react to national and international news and horrific stories from around the world with as much speed and interest as they do dirty laundry stories I would have more respect for them. Thousands of college and high school kids from all over this country got caught drinking this week. Most likely many of them possessed alcohol and fake IDs. Did I see that covered by the self righteous media? No! Who cares? Not a story that can’t be handled by parents and a coaching staff. I wish I had the ability to put anyone that works for a newspaper or TV news station under the same microscope they put these kids under. How many would be caught buying drugs or seen driving away from happy hour after 4 or 5 drinks? Or leaving a strip club or using a racial slur. How many personal emails would we read as entertainment? I’m thinking it would be mind boggling how those that think we care about such trivial events are participating in the same actions they so ardently cover as news. Besides I would never want a panty waist woos playing on my team. I’m glad he seems normal. Makes me feel good that my generation isn’t so removed from the kids today. I’m an Auburn man and I just gained a little respect for this guy. See ya on the field, hopefully not running and throwing it all over our end however.
Georgia Fan
March 8th, 2010
2:11 pm
Whatcha smoking over there, ATL Bama Fan?
http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/national-top-public
RJ
March 8th, 2010
2:11 pm
wow for underage consumption at a college bar, I mean its at a college bar i wonder how many other underage students were there, or was it because he was a star athlete and they had nothing better to do. SOunds to me like Remerton wanted some love lol Boy this recession is hitting everybody
Dawgstyle
March 8th, 2010
2:15 pm
Maybe Mettenburger wants to play for the VSU Blazers!! LOL Getting used to the scenary. Valdookie got some hotties down there!!
ATL Bama Fan
March 8th, 2010
2:16 pm
Georgia Fan,
The US News Rankings use an equation that factors in race, among other things, as to how they rank them. This “levels” the playing field for inner-city and very rural schools. The Newsweek ranking are based only on academic achievement and no one gets “handicapped” to help them in the rankings.
Phat Phil
March 8th, 2010
2:17 pm
LMAO…..this is too funny. What a dumbass….of course he is a Bulldog so what do you expect?
heard it all before
March 8th, 2010
2:19 pm
i live close to Valdosta and the Remerton cops hassle the college students non-stop. i’ve heard the same old story for years. anything they can do to make a buck. from illegally towing student’s cars to tons of underage drinking arrests. cops at their worst.
THWG
March 8th, 2010
2:21 pm
you can’t be a bulldog without being involved with the powpow. congrats Mr. mattenberger you are now officially a member of the thuga nation.
UGA where thugs go to play ball.
blazerdawg
March 8th, 2010
2:23 pm
ATL Bama – “US News Rankings use an equation that factors race” – what are you talking about? If there were a race equation in the “Best Colleges”, then that would benefit Bama. I like the Tide, but UA does not compare to UGA academically.
ATL Bama Fan
March 8th, 2010
2:23 pm
Georgia Fan,
PS. Even according to the US News Rankings, which you provided, AL has a public school at #25. GA barely makes it in at #100. So, even your preferred rankings system still proves my point.
Georgia Fan
March 8th, 2010
2:28 pm
ATL Bama — please help. I am trying to find your source (Newsweek) for Bama’s #3 academic ranking nationally (as you claim). Oh, and which detail applies to UGA — inner city or rural? I guess Tuscaloosa is neither?
LMAO…The University of Alabama is the #3 ranked university in the nation…..HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
militaryDawgInDC
March 8th, 2010
2:29 pm
HELLO!!! He broke the Law! some of you need to get saved…it is the law, he broke it, now he will have to pay the consequences for it..got it???
ATL Bama Fan
March 8th, 2010
2:30 pm
blazerdawg,
The rankings were in regards to public high schools in the 2 states, not colleges. UGA does have many better programs, academically, than the main BAMA campus (not law though). However, I would take an education from UAH or UAB anytime over UGA for just about any subject. That’s why I moved to AL from GA to go to grad school.
dawgs01
March 8th, 2010
2:30 pm
You people calling him a thug must live in Mayberry. I think these cops in these small towns get some extra cash thrown their way from the lawyers and judges. They make a killing off this. You could go into a bar right now in any college town and arrest half the people in it. If you disagree, you need to crawl out of your shell.
POSER
March 8th, 2010
2:36 pm
Typical Ga. Recruit
VSUParent
March 8th, 2010
2:37 pm
I have been in this situation…this kid is guilty of underage consumption only… if that. The other charges are automatically thrown in with every arrest made in Remerton. He is a typical college kid…he was just one of the ones that got caught.
Stinger
March 8th, 2010
2:37 pm
Did Mark Richt supply the beer? Just wondering with such a lack of discipline on that team it wouldn’t surprise me at all. Could seroids be the next scandel or will it be robbery? Never a dull moment at the home of the inmates.
Georgia Fan
March 8th, 2010
2:48 pm
Singer, remind me again, what was Joe Hamilton arrested for in 2008? Did Coach Gailey supply the weed? Or was the D-Rad?
How2fish
March 8th, 2010
2:49 pm
Stinger until we have folks coming on campus cutting up folks with a freaking SWORD..just STFU!
The Dawgfather
March 8th, 2010
2:56 pm
339 rushing yards and a 30-24 win says we have all the discipline we need. You’re right about one thing, Stinger. It wasn’t a dull moment.
Georgia Quarterback Arrested for Underage Drinking « SEC Gridiron Girl!
March 8th, 2010
2:57 pm
[...] Georgia quarterback Zack Mettenberg was arrested over the weekend in Remerton, Ga. on 5 misdemeanor charges according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. [...]
trey
March 8th, 2010
3:09 pm
30-24
hahahahahahahaha!!
trey
March 8th, 2010
3:11 pm
Ah yes. We have a kid reportedly doing underage drinking and the techmites train terrorists.
Now which do YOU think is worse?
gym dawg
March 8th, 2010
3:11 pm
It never is a big deal until you get caught… ask Tiger!
jackhammer
March 8th, 2010
3:13 pm
Louie,
Need you to do me a small favor. Please tell Laura the phone is back on…until the end of the month. Don’t ‘BH’ me; take care of this for me.
South Georgia UGA Hick
March 8th, 2010
3:22 pm
Mettenburger was down here in Titletown (South Georgia)
trying to learn how to motivate and win at football.
It’s obvious you can’t learn how in North Georgia regardless
of how good a coach you have.
GO DAWGS
March 8th, 2010
3:25 pm
I believe about 2 years ago there was a Alabama player arrested and kicked off the team for COCAINE and there have been several arrest in Alabama since Hick Saban was hired.Please all you retards from Alabama shut up!! Coach Price had some problems also..
David
March 8th, 2010
3:26 pm
Dear Just the Fact Sir,
Keep to just the facts. You aren’t meeting the “prez” and you aren’t flying up to DC with the BAMA team and you probably will never touch the trophy. Go back to your room full of BAMA posters and media guides and cream on Saban’s face for the 13th time today…
titletownusa08
March 8th, 2010
3:26 pm
I am from Valdosta and attending VSU the Remerton cops are a BIG JOKE! This is nothing new for any college student. They will found everyway to get someone for something no matter what the situation is. The cops im sure made this a lot bigger deal then it really was because they always do that.
ATLNOLE
March 8th, 2010
3:28 pm
No big deal. Get off your high horse Tonto!
David
March 8th, 2010
3:29 pm
Defending National Champs -
Why does it matter that the girl involved with your boi that got the domestic violence charge is white? Oh wait, you are a BAMA fan and when you aren’t dressed like Grand Wizards hating on blacks, you are cheering them on running up and down the Bryant-Denny sideline….
Dawg Fan
March 8th, 2010
3:34 pm
Let’s go Murray! You’re the man now, please stay out of trouble!
itpdude
March 8th, 2010
3:47 pm
The issue not being spoken of is Coach Richt. There is a character defect in the way he coaches. What was it he said of penalties last year? “We didn’t worry about penalties at Florida State” is what he said. What was it about that first score in a game a couple years ago? “I don’t want you guys scoring without getting a penalty afterwords.” A few years ago I thought Coach Richt was a class guy, I really did. But something happened to him and his team play and discipline are showing it big-time.
When you are the #11 QB prospect in the nation according to Rivals and are in the hunt for a starting shot at QB at an SEC school, and are getting a free ride at one of the better schools in the South, you don’t risk it by going out and partying. If you want to do that, stop playing football and pay for your own schooling. This guy was given a gift from Above and he is risking it by going out and drinking. Foolish.
Saint Simons is my caddy!
March 8th, 2010
3:53 pm
I too lived in Remerton in college and found that as long as you didn’t run any stop signs you were pretty safe. I can’t imagine anyone being any wilder than me and in my years there I never managed to get arrested. However, I was of legal drinking age. That could make all the difference.
hilarious to read all the justification
March 8th, 2010
4:00 pm
if this were a kid from GT or another team – you hypocrites would be wailing and screaming on this site
at least be consistent.
Saint Simons is my caddy!
March 8th, 2010
4:00 pm
BTW……..if it’s spring break and I’m in the hunt for a starting QB job at UGA, I’m going to be training and hard!! This guy is probably sharp enough to QB at Valdosta Blazers Football but not UGA
How2fish
March 8th, 2010
4:02 pm
itpdude please tell me how it is humanly possible to stop a 18 year old from drinking if he wants to? Honestly how..CMR can put down rules and hand out punishment AFTER the fact but that is ALL he can do.
YaHump
March 8th, 2010
4:02 pm
Maybe he was at the Ben Roethlisberger party!!!
Waka Flocka Flame
March 8th, 2010
4:06 pm
College kids drink?!?!? ahhhhhhh!!! no way!!!!
Dawghater
March 8th, 2010
4:12 pm
He will fit in just fine at UGA. Another poster child for the UGA program. Yep, the puppy dawgs fans hold their kids to high standards! Just kids being kids right!
Aaron Murray
March 8th, 2010
4:13 pm
waaaaaahhhhhoooooooooo!
Referee
March 8th, 2010
4:15 pm
Everyone that has judged this under age drinking as a crime. Have you every been speeding in your car. Ran a red light or stop sign. He made a mistake. Why don’t we break both his knees. How would any of you control 85 – 18 to 21 year old kids away from home for the first time. If they did break a rule, what would you do. Bama, you cheat, Florida, you assult, Tenneessee, you rob. Georgia, we under age drink.
Richt - nice guy, bad coach
March 8th, 2010
4:16 pm
It’s official – OBAMA PRESS RELEASE – 13 NATIONAL TITLES
Hello, everybody. Please, have a seat. Have a seat, Crimson Tide. Go Tide. And welcome to the White House, and congratulations on your 13th – let me check that – 13th national championship, the first in 17 years. I think it’s safe to say the Tide is back. I’ve got to tell you, everyone was really excited about this team coming today, except for my Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, because he was born and raised in Auburn. He’s hiding in his office right now. But we do have some Tide fans here that are worth a little bit of acknowledgement. I want to start by thanking Robert Witt, the president of the University of Alabama. I also want to acknowledge the mayor of Tuscaloosa, Walter Maddox. You can give them a round of applause. … I want to recognize Senator (Richard) Shelby and Senator (Jeff) Sessions, who are here, and our terrific Surgeon General, who is an Alabama native. Virginia Benjamin is in the house. And to all those who make this program what it is, the students and the trainers and the staff and the ticket-takers, fans in Tuscaloosa and all across the country, you should all be very proud, and I want to congratulate you.
“Obviously, I want to congratulate Coach Saban and thank him and his wife Terry for being with us today. There’s no question this team is here in large part because of what Coach Saban has done. There aren’t too many coaches in the country who have the knowledge, the motivational skills, the program discipline, to win two national championships in six years, let alone at two different schools. I think it’s a testimony to his incredible skills as a coach.
“I’ve got to congratulate Mark Ingram for becoming the first Heisman Trophy winner in Alabama history. Mark rushed for over 1,500 yards last season, the most ever by a Crimson Tide running back, and I know his selflessness and dedication has made his team and his family very, very proud. I also want to recognize your captains – Rolando McClain, Mike Johnson and Javier Arenas – and all the upperclassmen for their leadership on this team. Congratulations, to all of you. I especially want to congratulate Rolando for winning the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker. And I know that part of Rolando’s talent comes from his intelligence and his judgment. In fact, one of his teammates was asked to describe him. He said, ‘Just picture Coach Saban being huge and being able to play football.’
“Now one of the trademarks of this team has always been its unwavering focus on what’s important. And I know shortly after the 2008 season ended, coach hung a picture of the Florida Gators winning the national championship in the locker room. It’s not too subtle what he was saying. He asked his players if they wanted to work hard enough to beat their teammates in a drill or if they wanted to work hard enough to be the best team in the country. It’s pretty clear what choice they made. That’s the kind of tone this team sets, both on and off the field. It’s why these young men – and this is something I’m very proud of – had the second-highest graduation rate of any team ranked the top 25. It shows that these guys have their priorities straight. Together they contributed more than 3,500 hours of community service that Alabama student-athletes performed last year. That spirit continued earlier today when the team met a group of kids from one of D.C.’s roughest neighborhoods and helped teach them about the importance of staying in school and making healthy choices. That’s how champions act, in football and in life. As Coach (Paul) Bryant once said, ‘I think the most important thing of all for any team is a winning attitude.’ I think this team would make his proud because they’ve got that winning attitude.
“So congratulations to all of you. The best of luck next season. I know spring practice starts Friday. Whew. Man, next Friday, huh? So enjoy these last few days off, and congratulations to all of you for just an extraordinary season. Roll Tide!”
Richt - nice guy, bad coach
March 8th, 2010
4:18 pm
PUT THAT IN YOUR BEER BONG AND SMOKE IT
Roll Tide
Dawghater
March 8th, 2010
4:19 pm
The Puppy Dawgs have such high standards. I’m reading excuse after excuse. “He’s a college kid, they drink” etc. etc. Hmm! This kids the future QB leader of the team? Fine example set by a leader. I thought you’d be getting prepared for Spring Practice and not in a bar in Valdosta! And then there is the teamates your suppose to gain respect from and expect them to follow your lead. Yet, all the puppy dawg fans can talk about is this is just a frat kid caught drinking and what’s the bid deal. Yea, he’ll fit in just fine as the leader of this program. ENJOY!
Richie
March 8th, 2010
4:22 pm
The cops down there are some of the worst in Ga.They will give the arresting officer the key to the city tommorow.They let the drug dealers go………They were trained in alabama at the school of stop kids from having fun.
BIGGERTHANBIGDAWG
March 8th, 2010
4:26 pm
Dag nab it….just when his foot work had improved too!
haha
March 8th, 2010
4:26 pm
Regardless of the belief that “all college kids are going to drink” a kid who has a scholarship of any kind is and rightfully should be, held to a higher standard!!
FL Dawg
March 8th, 2010
4:28 pm
The kid made bad decisions and in the end it will hurt him more than anyone else. In some ways it both helps and hurts the team. With the automatic suspension that UGA imposes for underaged drinking Mettenberger will not play in the season opener. It is now down to two Murray and Gray, they will get more reps. Lets just hope neither of them get hurt or make poor decisions as Mettenberger did. In the end, most kids his age do similar things (that does not make it o.k.), and he will have the opportunity to learn from his errors in judgement. Like another poster said, I can see upto a 4 game supension given the numerous charges against him. Should he be kicked off the team? Probably not. It would depend on if this is a first offense or not. Lots of running, community service, and a few other penalties are in certainly in order.