QBs, defense, Wooten share spotlight in Bulldogs’ first spring scrimmage
(Please click here for scrimmage statistics.)
ATHENS -– Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger put up good numbers but Logan Gray not-so-good. Caleb King and Washaun Ealey picked up where they left off last fall. Rantavious Wooten had a big day.
And the new 3-4 defense apparently made its presence felt at times, too, as Georgia’s football team held its first scrimmage of spring practice Saturday morning in Sanford Stadium.
“I’m pretty sore right now,” wide receiver Wooten said afterward. “The defense was bringing it.”
The 90-minute intra-squad scrimmage was closed to the public and media, but these were among the storylines, based on statistics provided by coach Mark Richt and post-scrimmage interviews:
- The quarterbacks: Murray completed 10 of 15 passes for 125 yards, including a 40-yard touchdown throw to A.J. Green. Mettenberger completed 7 of 10 passes for 157 yards, including a 65-yard TD to a wide-open Wooten. Gray, though, completed only 6 of 14 for 37 yards. Murray and Gray threw one interception each.
Richt said all three quarterbacks “made mostly good decisions” in the scrimmage, but offered no sweeping assessment about their competition.
“If you’re trying to get at where we’re going, I mean, I don’t know where we’re going yet,” Richt said. “But they’re all competing and doing a good job.”
He said Gray’s numbers were partly attributable to “just circumstance, what plays you might have when you get in there, what opportunities present themselves.”
- The tailbacks: King and Ealey apparently ran strong, combining for 143 rushing yards on just 15 carries. King had six carries for 79 yards, including a 55-yard run, and Ealey nine for 64.
- Wooten’s breakout: Wooten, who is being counted on heavily at receiver, had a welcomed performance.
“Actually, Rantavious was struggling a little bit [in spring practice] until today,” Richt said. “Today was good medicine for him. He [had been dropping] more balls than we’re used to seeing, but today he caught everything. I’m sure that’ll get him over the hump.”
Said Wooten: “Certainly, spring hadn’t started off too good for me. I have to kind of get back in the groove, and I took today to show them . . . I can make plays.”
His 65-yard touchdown, he said, came after Mettenberger faked a short throw and the cornerback and safety “bit on it.”
- The new defense: New defensive coordinator Todd Grantham’s unit made its first appearance in quasi-game-like conditions.
“I feel like as a whole the defense did a decent job,” linebacker Akeem Dent said. “I wouldn’t say it was good or great. We did good enough to get through the scrimmage, but we feel that we have a long way to go.”
After the scrimmage, Grantham “just told us that it was decent, that we did OK,” Dent said. “He asked us if we wanted to be great. I feel everybody on the defense wants to be great. We want to be aggressive; we want to attack. To be that way, we’re going to have to continue to work.”
Richt’s assessment of the defense’s play: “I think we all understand that we’re still learning. I think the things coaches are looking for are, ‘Are the players trying to do it the way we ask? Are they playing with intensity? Are they hitting hard? Are they getting better daily?’ And that part of it, I think, we’re all pleased with.”
Richt also was pleased that “when the defense had a chance to get their hands on the ball, they made the play.” Safeties Bacarri Rambo and Shawn Williams intercepted passes.
Etc.
Richt said offensive lineman A.J. Harmon injured his leg, but the severity was not known. . . . Richt said there were “very few penalties.” . . . Green had just one catch (the 40-yard TD) but didn’t play many snaps. . . . Georgia’s next session of spring practice is Tuesday. Another scrimmage is scheduled for next Saturday and the G-Day intra-squad game for April 10.
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220 comments Add your comment
Quick stats from this morning’s UGA scrimmage . . . | UGA sports blog
March 27th, 2010
2:45 pm
[...] Click here for full report on [...]
Adam
March 27th, 2010
2:47 pm
first! good to see the defense getting picks
chDawg
March 27th, 2010
3:00 pm
The writing is probably already on the wall but Gray can’t afford another sub par performance. Also there are two things I want to see together more often. AJ Green and TD pass. Can’t wait for the spring game.
Dawgingermany
March 27th, 2010
3:00 pm
Sounds like things are coming together for the boys in Athens. All we can ask for is a disciplined, intense football team. The w’s will come. GO DAWGS!
hipdawg
March 27th, 2010
3:04 pm
I know every year I think that it is going to be a great season ,but I knew going into last year that it was going to be tough.Having said this, I REALLY think this year is going to be AWSOME!!! Thre I said it .lol
e.lo
March 27th, 2010
3:06 pm
Logan Gray just needs to go ahead and give it up a quarterback. No way he starts over either one of them.
goatD
March 27th, 2010
3:07 pm
Omigosh. Omigosh. This is the year we get the Gators !
BRAD
March 27th, 2010
3:10 pm
Bacarri Rambo and Shawn Williams with ints!! South Georgia boys bringing it!
WestOfAthens
March 27th, 2010
3:14 pm
Impressive beginnings, keep up the good work Tim
HBTD
Top Dawg
March 27th, 2010
3:15 pm
I know this is easy for me to say, but if Logan Gray can’t figure it out by the G-Day game that’s probably best for him to move his position. Let’s not forget Hutson Mason is on his way as well, and he’s an incoming freshmen but that’s just more competition and could go either way. Combine that with that fact that we are really short on receivers, I say the sooner the better if he makes that move. He can get some reps at wideout, and help the team out more in the long run. And I’m sure he’d have alot more fun contibuting . But like I said, that’s easy for me to say. I’m not the one with the qb scholly from Georgia. Go Dawgs!!
Randy Marsh
March 27th, 2010
3:17 pm
Why don’t they match the #1’s against each other to get some better competition? What’s up with that?
NRBQ
March 27th, 2010
3:19 pm
So besides Wooten and AJ, who caught the other 16 passes?
Top Dawg
March 27th, 2010
3:23 pm
Randy Marsh:
This is the very beginning of Spring practice, these weeks are probably used more to “finetune” what’s been put in so far. It’s more important for the players to work on execution right now than competition, plus having the plays work will give the players some confidence. It’s been my experience, what little I got in high school, that you work up to 1’s vs 1’s. The Georgia coaches aren’t hiding anything, my guess is that’ll proabally happen more in the G-Day game.
Preston
March 27th, 2010
3:26 pm
I have very high hopes for the defense. Once they’re up to par, UGA will compete for championships again. Can’t wait for the season to start!
Tim Tucker
March 27th, 2010
3:33 pm
NRBQ: Full statistics weren’t provided from the closed scrimmage. As you noticed, the receiving stats were particularly incomplete. Other than Wooten and A.J., the only receiver stats given were Chapas (two catches for 22 yards) and Charles (1 for 15).
John Brantley
March 27th, 2010
3:57 pm
Hey UGAY, can’t wait to see you guys in Jax…..If you thought Tebow was good, wait’ll you get a load of John Brantley
Dave In Tampa
March 27th, 2010
4:04 pm
TT – How about Travares King. How did he do?
Dave In Tampa
March 27th, 2010
4:05 pm
Here comes the Tech Trollers
Dave In Tampa
March 27th, 2010
4:09 pm
Enter your comments here
Dillusional Dawg
March 27th, 2010
4:13 pm
Oh Boy! Now we’re set for our 10th consecutive preseason NC! BOOK IT! MARK IT DOWN!
Dave In Tampa
March 27th, 2010
4:21 pm
Case and point above
DawginLex
March 27th, 2010
4:21 pm
Dillusional. Did you learn how to
spell at tech?
bobbydawg
March 27th, 2010
4:26 pm
Thanks UGA We got James Carpenter, Chance Warmack, and Darius Mckeller. Unfortunately we lost Juann James to UT. Great ol evaluation dogs Roll Tide
Spring is eternal
March 27th, 2010
4:26 pm
Right now at UGA? we are looking for green sprouts, signs of good things, hopefully.
This team is being led differently because of the new D coaches and that has to be good. Postive stuff I am hearing. Kids want to do well and they want to respond to the coaches …………fine line between great respect and no respect for your coach. CMW had none. TG does. That simple.
Goooooooooooooo Dogs.
chazzo
March 27th, 2010
4:31 pm
I think Richt is playing it pretty close to the chest. Are all schools as forthcoming with info about depth, strategies, etc.? I’ve always wondered.
Glad to see the secondary holding on to the picks. that was tough to watch last year. But nobody seems to mention the amount of pick-6s that went against the Dawgs. Is it just me, or did we give a lot of opposing defenses TD stats? There was one in this morn’s scrimmage. Maybe, they should coach up the “O” on defending against INTs or perhaps do away with those passes to the flats with no one behind except green pastures. thoughts?
chazzo
March 27th, 2010
4:37 pm
Bama fans have become more obnoxious than LSU or UF fans. This NC thing has gone to their bloated redneck heads. Damn, I used to pull for the Tide. Now, I hope they lose every game they play. Especially those War d–n Eagles.
jesse james
March 27th, 2010
5:08 pm
What do you mean? Tebow not a real quarterback! I’m no Gator fan but the reporter from Orlando was just trying to start something. He knew what was really said and meant, he knew he didn’t mean any disrespect to him teammate. Maybe a real reporter will cover the Gators! Go Dawgs!
dawgy2003
March 27th, 2010
5:31 pm
This scrimmage confirmed what I already thought…….move Gray to WR now!!!! Start Murray with Mett as the back up and Mason as 3rd string. I think UGA can get by that first game without Mett and just let Murray play the whole game and get the experience so Mason can reshirt barring injury to Murray. But for the last time I am tired of hearing about the lack of depth at WR. 4 TE’s right???????? Run the darn football!!!! Alabama won the National Title last year by throwing every game to Julio Jones and designing game plans around how to get him the ball right???? How many yards did he get last year? Did he win any awards? ……but he has a National Title Ring.
Ringleader
March 27th, 2010
5:39 pm
Chazzo…….The Tide has always been obnoxious…..That’s the University of A, a/k/a the University of Arrogance….
Gator in the Hootch
March 27th, 2010
5:41 pm
GoatD…..you always are better than the Gators in the spring and summer months. Unfortunately, your Dawgs have to play the Gators in the fall. Omigosh!!!
Gator in the Hootch
March 27th, 2010
5:43 pm
left out the “are” in reference to Dawg fan enthusiasm in the spring and summer every year.
Gator in the Hootch
March 27th, 2010
5:44 pm
Sorry, just flipped it to the other side of always. Who cares~~~~
Jaxhound
March 27th, 2010
5:46 pm
Gators eat redshirt freshmen QBs for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night snacks too.
don't hate the dawgs, pity them
March 27th, 2010
5:56 pm
they aren’t just for beating down in Jacksonville, anymore….eat’em, they’re tasty.
Classof84
March 27th, 2010
5:58 pm
Three yards and a cloud of dust doesn’t look so good, but it guarantees a first down every four downs.
Classof84
March 27th, 2010
6:00 pm
Run the ball. Alabama ran it to a NC. Our best game in Atlanta we ran it. Even Tech ran the ball to a lot better record than us. What’s so hard about it? Maybe it’s time for Bobo to gogo.
The other Florida Dawg
March 27th, 2010
6:10 pm
“Gottaluvthedogs” and “don’t hate the dawgs, pity them” …(probably the same guy)… Deutsche Bag(s) with no class. You are not welcome here.
The other Florida Dawg
March 27th, 2010
6:10 pm
Go Dawgs!
Joe Namath
March 27th, 2010
6:11 pm
Caazzo; Beleive me, if the JAWJa dogs were good enough to win the whole thing we would never hear the end of it. You people are still talking about 1980 when Herschel took your bunch to the winners circle. So just shut up and let us enjoy our glory days. ROLL TIDE, Wash the dog poop away!
Pi$$onaDAWG
March 27th, 2010
6:13 pm
Logan I hope your grass cutting degree is going well or you need to find a new position. Let the SEC and National Championship talk begin. No real Injuries is the best thing. Wait did Sturdivent have somebody dress him and carry him to the field? If not I am sure UnsturdyVent hurt something again. Russ was the happiest of all the Dawgs. No fans or media were around so he didn’t have his butt painted. I am sure the D will take some time because of all the changes but I can’t wait until October. That is when UGA stops playing High School Teams and plays real football right? Wait when are the Gators, LSU, or Bama on the schedule? The only proven SEC teams that have as good as or better talent that UGA and ALWAYS beat UGA. Should be another easy 8 win regular season. Wait did UGA win 8 regular season games last year? Don’t matter they will still win the SEC and Play for the National Championship I am sure.
Hey Dogtards
March 27th, 2010
6:32 pm
Fire Grantham!!!!
Looks like the defense gave up 23/39 for 319 yards and 2 TDs through the air, and 143 yards on 15 carries on the ground.
It. Will. Be. A. Long. Season.
Pago Flyer
March 27th, 2010
6:42 pm
We see another pre-season #1 ranking for the DAWGS.
jp
March 27th, 2010
6:51 pm
when someone has to preface something by saying “i’m not a gator fan” that usually means they are a gator fan and are just lying.
Otto
March 27th, 2010
6:56 pm
Get the trophies ready, I see a National Championship for the next 4 years. I bet our opponents are trembling and I expect 2 or 3 to forfeit rather than be run off the field by the ” Dawgs”
Stinger
March 27th, 2010
7:04 pm
Trust me, this does not speak well for your defense. If these guys look good against your defense, you may be call for Willie by October. Think about it. Guys that have never ever played a college game. Last year your 5th year QB sucked and now your freshmen will truly suck.
G
March 27th, 2010
7:27 pm
Ha! Trek fans are already nervous!
J Dog
March 27th, 2010
7:28 pm
A good blog until the obnoxius arrived.
Good luck Florida & Tech Fans. Try to have a little class if you can.
Steve Spurrier
March 27th, 2010
7:29 pm
Not worried about the dawgs at all.
Hometowndawg
March 27th, 2010
7:35 pm
Georgia’s second team defense learning a whole new scheme did better than Techs first team defense and this was just with one week of practice under the new defense. Tech sux
Rico Suave
March 27th, 2010
7:41 pm
Strange, but with a handle like Pa$$ionDAWG, I thought your comment would have been more positive. Come on, Pa$$ionDAWG! Where’s the passion?