Richt: Murray is expected to play vs. Tech despite knee, chest injuries
Georgia’s open date comes at a good time for quarterback Aaron Murray.
Murray might miss some practice time this week because of knee and chest injuries but is expected to play in the Bulldogs’ next game Nov. 27 against Georgia Tech, coach Mark Richt told the Touchdown Club of Atlanta on Monday.
“He’s beat up pretty good, actually,” Richt said in a speaking engagement that was streamed on the Internet.
Richt said “luckily there is no structural damage” to Murray’s left knee, which took a shot from Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley’s helmet late in Saturday’s game.
“It was more just a blow to the knee, to the bone, and it’s bruised up pretty good,” Richt said. “I think he’s going to be fine.”
Richt said Murray also suffered “a pretty deep bruise in his chest” against Auburn.
Officially, Georgia director of sports medicine Ron Courson lists Murray as “day-to-day” with knee and sternum bruises.
Georgia will hold its first practice of the week Tuesday, and Richt was uncertain whether Murray will participate.
“We’ll see how he handles it, if he’s able to throw the ball,” Richt said. “We think by game time he’ll be able to play, but right now practice is day-to-day.”
UPDATE: Asked about Murray’s status on his radio call-in show Monday night, Richt put it this way: “There is no guarantee he will play in the game, but we’re thinking there’s a good chance he will.” Richt said the bruised sternum “is probably bothering [Murray] the most right now.”
Both Saturday night and Sunday, Richt declined to comment about Fairley’s hits on Murray in Auburn’s 49-31 victory. But the coach did make a fleeting reference to the issue in his remarks to the Touchdown Club.
“I thought offensively we blocked No. 90 [Fairley] pretty good most of the game,” Richt said. “There were some times he did get free. Sometimes he got free a little bit late, but he did get free.”
Murray, a redshirt freshman, has 2,580 yards passing this season — the third most all-time for an SEC freshman. He has thrown 21 touchdown passes and six interceptions — “a tremendous ratio for any quarterback, even if you’re a veteran,” Richt said.
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Georgia’s A.J. Green was named Monday as one of 10 semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award, which goes to college football’s top receiver each year. The field will be reduced to three finalists on Nov. 22 and the winner named on Dec. 9.
Green has 41 catches for 674 yards and nine touchdowns this season despite missing the first four games while on NCAA suspension for selling his Independence Bowl jersey for $1,000. He had nine catches for 164 yards and two touchdowns against Auburn.
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544 comments Add your comment
t walsh
November 15th, 2010
6:01 pm
I thought the referee did a very poor job of protecting defenseless players, especially Murray, in the UGA-AU game. Fairely, with the tactics he demonstrated on several occasions, would have been fined very heavily if he employed those tactics in the NFL. First of all, no defensive player can lift an offensive player off of the ground and plant him in the ground. Secondly, no defensive player can hit a QB at or below the knee regardless if he was blocked into the QB, stumbled or fell in the QB from another player’s impetus. For a conference of the stature of the SEC, it is embarrassing if that is the best officiating they can trout out on the field.
BBBieUgaVIII
November 15th, 2010
6:06 pm
UGA where you can Focus on Other Teams faults and Justifly Your Own.
It was AJ’s Jersey so why can’t he sell it.
It was justa Hit-n-Run and driving on a suspended license.
It was just not going to court. He is a football player he doesn’t need to go to court.
It was justa DUI with a girl that was not his wife while holding her panties.
It ws just feeling-up a girl in a bar while he was underage.
All the arrest at UGA are NO BIG DEAL. It is just Kids being Kids.
BBBieUgaVIII
November 15th, 2010
6:10 pm
UGA would never have a player like FAIRLEY on their team EVER. AHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAA
Fu.KING UGA Hyprocrates.
He beat your BUTTS and you are Crying like LIL GIRLs. Dawgs say the samething about other fans when the Dawgs win.
Win P
November 15th, 2010
6:13 pm
Glad Murray appears to be ok. 20-20 hindsight, but knowing what UGA did about Fairley and his spear to Murray’s back early in the game..why did Richt wait until he was hurt in the last minute of the game to tell the officials they had done a lousy officiating job? Fairley intention to get Murray out of the game via injury was obvious from the start. Seems to me UGA needs an enforcer to deal with dirty players like Fairley, at least learn how to chop block better.
ranger bulldog
November 15th, 2010
6:13 pm
Since the o line couldn”t protect Murray, and our coaches weren’t protesting against late hits,we should have taken a knee for safety sake
maddawg
November 15th, 2010
6:23 pm
Lester Miles,
you hit the nail squarely on the head…I’ve been saying the same thing for a couple of years. This is why Boise St was squared with TCU last year in the bowls. I don’t think they should have played for NC but if they had beaten one of the top teams it would have fueled the controversy; same with us playing Hawii instead of USC a few years ago. There is way too much smoke surrounding Cam Newton for there not to be fire but watch and see if it doesn’t come out until after either AU has lost or plays in the NCG. they (BCS) gotta protect the ratings.
ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY!!!
Tom Tracy
November 15th, 2010
6:26 pm
The announcers did not express sufficient sock at Farley’s unsportman like play. He should have been kick out ot the game with such a hit. He also had other plays that were dirty.
bardawg
November 15th, 2010
6:29 pm
From reading the comments of the Aurn fans , the only conclusion I can come to is they’re all lined up around a huge crack pipe . In the real world I think most sober/sane people saw what your thugboy , criminal Fairly did to Murray .Be proud War Eagles & toke another hit
The Ole Ball Coach
November 15th, 2010
6:30 pm
Silve has lost control and should be FIRED…..He is an embrassment…….
The Whole SEC has lost respect because of him, Auburn Cam Pay Gate, Tennessee Bar Gate, South Carolina Hotel gate and the Ref’s Pay Gate.
SEC Fan
November 15th, 2010
6:36 pm
I sometimes pull for the Bulldogs especially when they play an oponent outside the SEC. However I will have to say their fans are the biggest sorry crybaby losers of any team I know of.
maddawg
November 15th, 2010
6:41 pm
BBBIE,
y’all beat us no doubt. we are definately down this year. congrats on ur season. I have pulled for SC to win the east after knowing we were out and was pulling for y’all to win the west and win another NC for the SEC. That being said you must be drinking some powerful kool aid if you don’t think Fairly is a dirty player. No one would be saying a thing if he wasn’t out there trying to end player’s carreers. He will only get away with that so long….I guess you wouldn’t call hie WWE body slams dirty either?? It’s been every game. This guy is a disgrace to college sports and your coaches are obviously allowing it!!
Stay Classy Auburn!!
Supes
November 15th, 2010
6:42 pm
ESPN SPORTS NATION has voted and decided…Nick Fairley is dirty, cheating player.
Auburn fans are in denial. If he were wearing a BAMA jersey and pulling that malicious kind of sh*t on the field against their team, their eyes would be opened.
And for the record, as a UGA fan I would never want a thug like Fairley on the team, that is why I can’t wait for Rambo to get the heck out of here and go to the NFL. (You can win without players like that)
Karma
November 15th, 2010
6:44 pm
Saturday, November 12, 2011, Auburn @ UGA: Starting on the defensive line for Auburn is Nick Fairley, formerly No. 90 but now wearing a bullseye on his jersey. The Bulldogs are anxious for payback for last year’s dirty play.
Brucerugby79
November 15th, 2010
6:45 pm
get real i am 57 yo and have always respected Auburn but I say to you any time any where and Ill do the driving
AltamahaDawg
November 15th, 2010
6:50 pm
I know one thing, if UGA had beat AU and the AU fans were upset at some of the events on the game, the LAST place I would be pipping in my unsolicited opinion would be in a sports blog devoted to them and their team. But thats just me. I think doing so would say more about me, than any complaining that I would expect the other guy to be doing.
Dirty Dawg
November 15th, 2010
6:53 pm
I say again…I don’t know of any NCAA program that has missed out on two National Championships because they were on probation – once in the late 50s and another in the early 90s – and now, if there’s a God and gives a crap about SEC football, they’ll be able to retire the trophy with a third NC blown because they actually ‘were who we thought they were’ – no matter what the ‘cheeze-it’ coach says.
Gator Ater
November 15th, 2010
7:04 pm
Get Real obviously has been investing way to much time with his war craft characters. How can one person sound so stupid?
Gator Ater
November 15th, 2010
7:06 pm
As for Fairley, he will end up like Maurice Clarett
Gator Ater
November 15th, 2010
7:08 pm
I know life long Auburn fans that even said that Fairley was playing like a thug. Hell, I thought he was trying to steal Murray’s wallet. The hit to Murray’s back LONG after the ball was gone really sums up #90.
BBBieUgaVIII
November 15th, 2010
7:12 pm
Dirty Dawg
God doesn’t care about Football. You have to be a Dawg to even think that way. Hell, The SEC doesn’t even care about football. The SEC cares about making MONEY off football anyway they can. The SEC doesn’t care about STUDENT Athletes other than again just the money they can make off them. If you believe any different you need to go to walmart and buy a new pair of overalls and UGA hat.
UGA Alum
November 15th, 2010
7:25 pm
@ Get Real et al Auburn fans and journalists who want to make excuses for the way Fairley played on Saturday or overlook the pay-to-play scheme that may or may not have occurred with Cam Newton are a disgrace to college athletics and especially the SEC. On Fairley, the Auburn defense, and the entire Auburn coaching staff, I don’t think any reprimand from the SEC will deter the unsportsmanlike attitude and approach to the way they play the game. As for the Cam Newton saga,it should not matter how good an athlete might be, a part of college athletics should always be integrity. An AJC article posted over the weekend suggested that we should overlook the possibility that Newton may have been paid to play at Auburn because he is a great athlete and pay-to-play is a common practice. I would like to point out that some of the players listed in the ESPN article that this journalist cited did in fact turn down money from agents.Therefore, the fact that Newton or his father (does it really mater which one) may or may not have taken the money to play is not excusable based on some normative approach to the matter.
If the National Championship pits Auburn against Oregon, I say go Ducks!
Vince
November 15th, 2010
7:27 pm
The Los Angeles based website sportsbybrooks.com is really letting Fairley have it. They also have some good slowmo and stop action video of the spear, the intentional helmet to the knees of Murray and of Fairley raking his mask against Murray’s chin to cut it.
And no, I don’t expect any of you Auburn fans to look at it and change your mind.
Eaassyy
November 15th, 2010
7:34 pm
Murray is one tough kid to sustain the hits he did. Fairley will get what he has coming to him.
MC
November 15th, 2010
7:37 pm
Just saw the sportsbybrooks clips. Fairly was sawing on Murray’s face with his face mask. No doubt whatsoever of his intention. The league should suspend this guy.
RoBoCop
November 15th, 2010
7:39 pm
You Dawgs came to play and lit up the War Eagle Tigers secondary. But you could not contain Fairley and his 13th cousin Nosa ‘Earthquake’ Equae. The trenches were a war zone. There were chop blocks thrown by BOTH teams. Fairley is a wrecking crew by himself – even double teamed. Fairley committed a blatant late hit on Murray and it was called. It cost AU a bunch. The last was clearly a block-in situation of Fairley into Murray. It was NOT called – it was NOT intentional. So quit whining and throw your ears back and file your teeth and go get a mediocre GA Tech assembly.
MC
November 15th, 2010
7:42 pm
Anybody else here have the premonition that Bama just might beat the sh^t out of AU?
Big L
November 15th, 2010
7:44 pm
I am a huge Chuck n Chernoff fan, but The Kangs true , orange and blue , homer colors came out today. He doesn’t think Fairley was trying to hurt Aaron Murray. Even after watching Fairley lower his head to hit Murray in the back and slam tackle Aaron every time he got his hands on him. Today the Kangs credibility holds no water.
LLUGA
November 15th, 2010
7:48 pm
Auburn fans…what is your problem….
Your team is very, very good.
Your team is very, very dirty.
Don’t try to deny it…don’t call it whining…don’t call it jealousy….call it what it is…
Auburn is a team full of thugs coached by a thug. So congrats on winning and being a dirty program full of thugs. Seriously, congrats.
Vince
November 15th, 2010
7:49 pm
Also good commentary on the Auburn cheap shots on the mobile press-register site with the article, “Is Nick Fairley a Dirty Player?” ESPN also has some interesting commentary. In its “Hot or Not” segment it labels Fairley a “Not” and says he “got away with several late hits and some were dirty plays.” Also, The Wiz of Odds.com also has videos and states Fairle”drove his helmet into Murray’s knees.
So, it isn’t just whiney, sour grapes, Georgia fans criticizing what happened.
A nation saw it.
Coffee Bluff DAWG
November 15th, 2010
7:50 pm
Fairley has to be the dirtiest punk playing in the SEC. What a disgraceful cheap-shot animal – trying to end a career of a FR QB. Never thought I’d come to this but… let’s go BAMA.
All-BURN Fairley.
LLUGA
November 15th, 2010
7:52 pm
Wow, just saw the Fairley chin-rake video at SportsbyBrooks.com…what an animal…seriously, he should be locked up…anyone defending Fairley is stupid or a violent sociopath.
LLUGA
November 15th, 2010
7:54 pm
I wonder what the Auburn fans will say when Fairley get suspended for the Alabama game later this week?
Big L
November 15th, 2010
7:54 pm
Oh, and Tony Dorsett can kiss my ass. It took the NCAA 4 years to sift thru the Reggie Bush saga. We’ve only known about the Scam Newton happening a few weeks. I wonder what could ever possess Mr. Dorsett to play the race card. Hmmmm. I wonder.
Thug hunter
November 15th, 2010
7:55 pm
I’m not a Ga fan but the Auburn thugs are a class unto themselves. Enough said?
LDAWG
November 15th, 2010
7:56 pm
I hope everyone commenting on here will take a look at sportsbybrooks. This dude has some problems…..head problems…translate psych problems. All you so called intelligent men on here…is that how you raise your sons? I’m sure this one never had a father figure. When this “charming and classy” dude gets to the NFL, they will be taking chunks of his salary in fines and penalties.
Steve from Acworth
November 15th, 2010
7:58 pm
Oconee- I stand by my comments, and judging from your posts it seems you may just be an offspring of Richt. Totally classless. The man runs a thug program and not only allows such behavior, but encourages it. The University of Georgia football program is a disgrace and the man in charge is responsible. Coach Richt, and I use the word coach very loosely in reference to that joke, should be fired and never allowed to lead young men again. You speak of character in regards to that man? That shows just how jaded and blinded the fanbase is. Everyone else sees what a fake he is. After the actions he allowed, it’s no surprise a player from another team went after your quarterback. Be thankful Murray will be ok. Your coach is to blame. Mark Richt is not the saint you people like to make him out to be.
Ya think?
November 15th, 2010
8:03 pm
LLUGA- There is 0 chance of Fairley being suspended this week for his play in the Georgia game. Not a chance in hades. Wishful thinking Alice.
Vince
November 15th, 2010
8:06 pm
@ Steve from Acworth
You’re right about Richt.
How awful that he would have a QB throw the ball to receivers and then remain standing. That sort of action just asks one to be speared in the back!
How terrible that Richt allowed his O line to let Fairley get to Murray several times late, body slam him to the ground and then have him slice his chin with his face mask.
How cowardly it was for Richt to have his QB take a knee on the last play so no more Auburn players would come after Georgia players, punch them, and then get ejected.
What sort of man is he?
Erik
November 15th, 2010
8:08 pm
Real Good news. Glad that Murray is alright.
C’mon guys, Murray is a great athlete and has done great things and i am excited about getting to watch him for another 3 years. But dont downsize the rest of the team by saying Murray is the only bright spot on the team. there is the rest of em that are fighting along side Murray.
Steve from Acworth
November 15th, 2010
8:23 pm
Vince- The man allowed his team to stomp on Auburn’s logo. (not the first time his thugs have done such) His team started that fight. The first play was a personal foul on UGA. They set the tone early. Richt not only has allowed such behavior, but has promoted it for years now. (See td celebration in Jacksonville and the soulja boy dancing) Richt is a classless individual, and he shows it year after year and time after time. Anything bad that happens to his players is a direct result of what he not only allows but promotes. Richt has no class. Everyone outside of that cesspool you call Athens knows it.
Krogunner
November 15th, 2010
8:29 pm
AJ makes Murray look way better than he is. AJ could be the #1 overall pick in the draft. Murray will be mediocre at best next year…
Pot Calling the Kettle...
November 15th, 2010
8:31 pm
Auburn is a bunch of thugs! Oooops, so is Georgia.
Wyatt Earp
November 15th, 2010
8:37 pm
Steve from Acworth- So what you are saying is UGA was like Ike Clanton? They(UGA) called down the thunder and when I (Auburn) brought the pain they (UGA) couldn’t deal with it? Sounds about right. UGA acted like Billy Bob Thornton. They didn’t throw down… They just stood there and bled. Sissies!
Coffee Bluff DAWG
November 15th, 2010
8:41 pm
Fairley has to be the most classless, THUG player I’ve seen this year in the SEC. He celebrated near the end of game by throwing his arms up on the sidelines.
Wow – he can spear a defenseless QB in the back and put his helmet onto Murray’s knee – what a low-life jerk.
Steve from Acworth
November 15th, 2010
8:43 pm
Mr Earp- I guess that’s one way to put it.
just a fan
November 15th, 2010
8:46 pm
Murray is a great Qb and I would say threre are less than 6 schools that wouldn’t kill to have him
SEC Spokesman
November 15th, 2010
8:51 pm
I heard Stinkcum on the radio this afternoon and like a typical whiney Humper, he was complaining about how dirty Auburn was and how classy his beloved Humpers were. I dont know what is worse, Auburn bragging on Scam or Georgia fans who whine in every game. What a bunch of pu$$ies that come out of athens.
AFDawg
November 15th, 2010
9:01 pm
Get Real, That is a bunch of BS and you know it. Georgia made one low block on Fairley and you say it was happening all game. You are rationalizing and trying to defend someone who should not be defended. Fairley has been doing this all season. He is a criminal and I agree — karma will catch up with him. I hope you’re at the game in Athens next year so I can scream in your ear all game that Fairley sux and then barf on you.
MCG DAWG
November 15th, 2010
9:02 pm
Thanks VINCE for the SportsbyBrooks.com site. Undeniable footage of NASTY, DIRTY DISGUSTING play. Fairley will get his soon enough.
AFDawg
November 15th, 2010
9:06 pm
LDAWG, I think he probably did have a father growing up — he just beat him everyday. That would explain Fairley’s disturbed outlook on life.