Who’s No. 1 QB? Answer this week, Richt says (PLUS: more from G-Day)
(Updated 7 p.m.)
ATHENS – The G-Day game produced no immediate answer to the No. 1 question in Bulldog Nation: Who is Georgia’s starting quarterback?
“I know everyone wants to know what’s going on, wants to know who the starter is, and I couldn’t name the starter right now if I wanted to,” coach Mark Richt said after Saturday’s intra-squad game. “I really don’t think I could.”
But Richt said hopes to have a new quarterback depth chart by the end of this coming week.
Between now and then, he and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo will review video of the quarterbacks’ performances throughout spring practice, which concluded with the G-Day game.
And Richt cautioned that whoever is No. 1 on the post-spring depth chart won’t be guaranteed of keeping the position into the Sept. 4 season opener against Louisiana Lafayette.
In the G-Day game, won by the “Black” team 17-7 over the “Red” team before a crowd of 38,742, strong-armed redshirt freshman Zach Mettenberger had the best statistical performance of the three quarterbacks.
He completed six of 10 passes for 150 yards for the Black team, including touchdown throws of 20 yards to walk-on wide receiver Rhett McGowan and 39 yards to tight end Arthur Lynch.
Mettenberger, who is suspended from at least the first game of the season because of his arrest near Valdosta last month on five misdemeanor charges, worked only with the second-team offense and against the second-team defense Saturday. The other quarterbacks, Logan Gray and Aaron Murray, worked with both the first- and second-team offense.
“Mettenberger certainly had a nice day, there’s no doubt about that,” Richt said. “But I think they all did well.”
Gray completed seven of 13 passes for 102 yards and one touchdown — a 7-yard toss to wide receiver Kris Durham – for the Red team and three of four passes for 30 yards for the Black team.
Murray completed eight of 19 passes for 96 yards (with one interception) for the Red team and two of three for no net yards for the Black.
Mettenberger was not available for comment afterward, per Georgia’s policy for suspended players. Both Gray and Murray said Mettenberger had his best day of the spring.
As for their own days:
“I think I did decent,” Murray said.
“I thought it went pretty well,” Gray said.
Now they await word from Richt and Bobo on a pecking order.
“I think it’s a close competition. I think it’s a great competition,” Murray said. “I think all of us, throughout the spring, have really stepped up our game.”
Said Gray: “Obviously this game was big, but it wasn’t a deciding factor for everything.”
While the G-Day game gets the most attention because it is open to the public and televised, the other spring practices, particularly two earlier closed scrimmages, get equal or greater weighting from the coaches.
“After every scrimmage, you might say one guy did better than another one,” Richt said. “I think they all had their day.”
The upcoming depth chart “will gauge where we think [the quarterbacks] are right now, but it won’t necessarily be who will start when the first game rolls around,” Richt said. “It will indicate who will be where when we start [preseason] camp.”
——————————————
Georgia put its 3-4 defense on public display for the first time Saturday -– sort of.
To avoid giving opponents a peek at the new defense, the Bulldogs were extremely guarded in how much of the playbook they showed. (Virtually none, players said.) And to keep from exposing how the defense would react to certain situations, the offense was toned down, too.
Still, new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham seemed pleased, particularly with his No. 1 unit.
“The biggest thing I was pleased with was how we worked the game and adjusted to what happened,” Grantham said. He noted that one specific running play went for a long gain in the first half but was stopped for no gain when tried again in the second half.
Grantham said he was impressed with the play of inside linebacker Akeem Dent, outside linebacker Justin Houston and the cornerbacks.
Said Houston: “I think the defense did a great job, especially holding the No. 1 offense to seven points. It was a great confidence builder, especially since they have been sticking it to us all spring.”
Fans got a first look Saturday at Grantham on the sideline. He’s intense, to say the least.
“That’s what you want . . . a guy that’s got some fire in him,” Richt said. “Everybody knows my demeanor and has a little bit of a feel for that. I think it’s probably good to have somebody who’s a little more outwardly excited. I do get excited on the inside, but it’s good to have that energy on the sidelines.”
———————————————–
Just one penalty was called in the game. That particularly pleased Richt, given the Bulldogs’ No. 113 rank in the nation in penalties last season. . . Offensive tackle Josh Davis banged up his shoulder. The extent of the injury was not immediately known. . . . Tailback Caleb King didn’t play because of a strained knee. Richt said the injury isn’t a long-term concern. . . . Linebacker Richard Samuel did not play because of a concussion suffered at practice this week. . . . The Black team wore white jerseys (with black numbers). . . . Safety Nick Williams had the day’s high in tackles (7). . . . Not much was happening in the running game. Washaun Ealey had just 22 yards on seven carries for the Red team. Dontavius Jackson and Carlton Thomas ran for 43 and 41 yards, respectively, for the Black.
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
359 comments Add your comment
chazzo
April 10th, 2010
9:34 pm
Just to reiterate:
The lines appeared to jump all over the place all day. There were fumbles and drops. Then a couple of players lost their cool. If they play that way… four or so turns and probably 80 yards in penalties, I just don’t know how it’s going to go.
I am one of those eternal optimist get behind your team dawgs, but it concerned me a bit.
chazzo
April 10th, 2010
9:37 pm
ga gator,
You are a pretty good sport… for a Florida fan LOL
CDAWG
April 10th, 2010
9:40 pm
BTW Richt said he was pleased that we only had one penalty, I saw a false start that didn’t get called.
superDawg
April 10th, 2010
9:43 pm
Not one 3-4 set.All day.
superDawg
April 10th, 2010
9:44 pm
What I saw is Mettenberger stepping up after the opening game.
superDawg
April 10th, 2010
9:47 pm
Get tuff DAWGS and make us all proud to be a GA.BULLDAWG.tuck feck!
Lord of The Lizards
April 10th, 2010
9:49 pm
Florida D played good and drew the praise of the coaches. Urban gave the game overall (as well as the 3 weeks of spring practice) a rare “A”.The ‘backers are big, fast mean and aplenty. D line played very well despite previous starters Marsh, Sanders, Antwine being out all spring. It’s gonna get intense once Powell, Easley and “the Sharif” show up in the fall. There is still concern at one corner although some players, including freshmen Elam and Shaw, both really stepped up to the plate today. But like UGA, they only will show basic packages not the entire D.
ga gator
April 10th, 2010
9:51 pm
Chazzo, marrying a sweet UGA girl, what can I say. Love college football and am old enough to remember the beatdowns by you guys.
ga gator
April 10th, 2010
9:53 pm
superDawg, the 3-4 if you look close looks like a 3-4 with one of the guys up front standing instead of a 3point stance. I sat up in the endzone and they were like that most of the day.
ga gator
April 10th, 2010
9:54 pm
superDawg, I meant looks like a 4-3
Florida Defense Gives UP 51 Points!!!
April 10th, 2010
9:59 pm
If Meyer thinks giving up 51 point sin one game will win him any game sin the SEC, he’s dreaming. Iy was an atrocious outing from his defense. They got scored on on almost every drive. Georgia’s going to have a balst running up the score on those guys, probably put up 70 points.
patrick
April 10th, 2010
10:00 pm
whats up fellas. Dem Dawgs look awesome. Fla giving up 51 points? Not good.
YELLOW HAMMER
April 10th, 2010
10:01 pm
ima gittin the band back tagether and weer gonna play rammer jammer!! lookit ma Bear tattoo!
role tahd!!!
ga gator
April 10th, 2010
10:03 pm
Florida Defense Gives UP 51 Points!!! ,
Knock off the stupid comments Patrick or we will have to let everyone know how stupid you look on facebook.
patrick
April 10th, 2010
10:07 pm
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=1158327737
patrick
April 10th, 2010
10:08 pm
Ga gator. As I said before. Patrick only makes comments under Patrick
Old Dawg
April 10th, 2010
10:08 pm
I don’t know who that fool that says were going to put up 70 on anyone. He obviously wasn’t at the game and saw what the rest of us saw.
ga gator
April 10th, 2010
10:09 pm
Sure patrick the other idiot just shows up the same time as you. Amazing coincidence.
patrick
April 10th, 2010
10:10 pm
old dawg. Hard to score on a real defense. UGA has one…Fla (losing Strong) does not
jeff
April 10th, 2010
10:11 pm
I agree, if Florida gave aup over 50 points, I think Alabam gave up that many to in their scrimmage, Alabama’s defense gave up almost 500 yards and 6 td’s in their sacrimmage. Both defenses have been depleted are will be much worse this season. Not going to win any game sin the SEC giving up 6 td’s or 500 yards on defense, like Florida and Alabama. Grantham is way ahead of both.
ga gator
April 10th, 2010
10:12 pm
Your pitiful patrick.
jeff
April 10th, 2010
10:12 pm
alabama even found out their safety won’t qualify for this season due to academics. bad news for alabama, good news for georgia.
patrick
April 10th, 2010
10:14 pm
ga gator? Why? I merely speak truths
ga gator
April 10th, 2010
10:14 pm
Jeff=Patrick, I am sure there can’t be 2 dawgs that stupid.
CDAWG
April 10th, 2010
10:14 pm
WHAT, Kirby Smart gave up how many points and yards? I LIKE TODD GRANTHAM!
ga gator
April 10th, 2010
10:15 pm
truths in your mind son.
patrick
April 10th, 2010
10:15 pm
not so ga gator….that would be Brantley (being pitiful)
timmy's back
April 10th, 2010
10:16 pm
You guys are right on. you win in the sec with defense, and Alabama gave up 6 touchdowns and 460 yards, and Florida’s in their scrimmage gave up over 50 points. Both defenses need life support. Alabama is a little worse than Florida’s they lost almost every starter on defense.
Georgia’s defense looked great today. The first team only gave up 7 points. Remember this folks, defense wins championships in the SEC.
patrick
April 10th, 2010
10:16 pm
ga gator….I dont post under pseudonyms
ga gator
April 10th, 2010
10:17 pm
pitiful only in your mind. ESPN and most other experts disagree with you. Of couse you being the king of the internet is like Carnac the Great.
ga gator
April 10th, 2010
10:19 pm
I am out, patrick is talking to himself. You are like the Bulldog version of Phil Hendry, you carry on conversations with yourself.
patrick
April 10th, 2010
10:19 pm
experts??? the ones that had UGA at number 1 in 2008? those experts?
the fall guy
April 10th, 2010
10:21 pm
I wanted the defense to play big today, but honestly, I thought there was no way they’d be this good this early, but they were. The #1 defense completely dominated the best offense in the SEC. Georgia #1 offense has a lot of weapons: Charles, Green, Ealey, Wooten, and the defense still held them to 7 points. Promising for the fall. Before today, I thought maybe a 10 win season, after today’s defense, and seeing BOTH Florida and Alabama get rollled today, I know Georgia will win the SEC, and compete for it all. I was stunned by how good that #1 defense looked. Impressive job Coaches Grantham, Belin, and Lakatos have done already n the first 15 practices. Still have 25 more practices to go, these guys will be the top D in the SEC.
patrick
April 10th, 2010
10:22 pm
Brantley was 41 percent all spring. He had 1 TD and 6 sacks in the first 2 scrimmages. He all of a sudden breaks records? Meyers obviously called off the dogs to help his confidence
CDAWG
April 10th, 2010
10:22 pm
Those experts could not predict that we would have had the number of injuries that we had; were we not 3 deep on the O-line?
CDAWG
April 10th, 2010
10:24 pm
The Fall Guy, I like your post.
Lord of The Lizards
April 10th, 2010
10:27 pm
Well Patrick, it obvious you weren’t in Gainesville today. And the coaches all sure seemed happy at the performance of both the Offense and Defense. It IS a spring game but if you were there you could see that there is as much talent on the field as there’s ever been. Remember these names on D: DT Omar Hunter (breakout spring), DT Jaye Howard, DE William Green (another breakout spring), DE Duke Lemmons (last chance to dance), LB Jon Bostic (think of Brandon Spike with wheels), LB Jelani Jenkins (just think of wheels), LB Branden Beal (cruel and unusual punishment)…Will “the thrill” Hill and even Matt Elam (freshman freak-a-zoid)…all ready to shine in the Swamp this year.
patrick
April 10th, 2010
10:29 pm
CDAWG I was making a point about experts. I agree about UGA and injuries. Brantley has good stats in high school due to playing at a B2 high school. My 62 year old mother could have good stats playing at B2
patrick
April 10th, 2010
10:30 pm
happy with 51 points scored? Hardly
stay thirsty my friends
April 10th, 2010
10:30 pm
My dawgs looked like world beaters today. With our #1 defensive coaches, we will give up less than 14 points per game. Just like the junkyard pups woof woof woof woof.
roger
April 10th, 2010
10:30 pm
Grantham was worth every dime of that $750,000, give that mana raise. No wonder Saban offered him the defense coach job. Grantham looks good. Georgia’s #1 defense today played like the best I’ve seen a defense look in a Spring game under Richt. Wow. I am speechless. Who expected them to be THIS GOOD, THIS FAST against THIS OFFENSE? Nobody. What a ride this is going to be for the next few years. Hang on, this is going to be fun.
patrick
April 10th, 2010
10:30 pm
So Meyers was happy his “Strong”less defense gave up 51 points??? Really?
k-town
April 10th, 2010
10:33 pm
I find a hard time believing Urban Meyer was HAPPY about his defense giving up 51 points in the scrimmage today after 3 months of practice. If Meyer likes giving up 51 points a game on defense, he’s in for a long, long year.
stay thirsty my friends
April 10th, 2010
10:35 pm
grantham is the best ever. He held our #1 rated offense to just 21 points!
Lord of The Lizards
April 10th, 2010
10:37 pm
And again…just a spring game…but Brantley was throwing lazers today, many in good tight coverage. Obviously not the runner but the kid Trey Burton sure is. And 240lb Jordan Reed is a bull…looks a lot like Tebow when he runs those short yardage plays. But the shocker in the swamp was when those last 2 guys dropped back and actually threw a few darts of their own…Reed a stunning beautiful tight 31 yard strike that actually won the game for the Blue. It was like, where the hell did that come from??
Dial_tone
April 10th, 2010
10:39 pm
It sure sounds to me like Mett is leading the race but Murray wins by default due to suspension. I won’t be surprised if Mett starts second half of the second game.
Old Dawg
April 10th, 2010
10:42 pm
Patrick, I don’t know. All spring the coaches have been saying that the new defense was confused and today it looked like it was the offense that was confused. I am worried about Bobo’s offense.
k-town
April 10th, 2010
10:44 pm
the sec is all about defense. whoever has the best defense, wins the sec, and usually the national championship too. florida and the tide should be VERY concerned about giving up 6 td’s on defense in one game. That is not the way to win in the SEC. Arkansas led the SEC in scoring, and went 7-5.
Alaska Dawg
April 10th, 2010
10:44 pm
I agree with Snellville Dawg. It will probably be game 4 before Richt decides on 1 of the 2 to finish the season as starter.
patrick
April 10th, 2010
10:46 pm
Bobo will be fine if he would go old school and run the ball more