Inside LB remake; Crowell’s honor; Ole Miss game time; TV ratings; more
(Updated 9 p.m.)
ATHENS –- Georgia’s remaining healthy inside linebackers — yes, there are a few — marvel at how the position has been decimated by injury.
“It’s just crazy, how one week Alec [Ogletree] goes down and the next week Christian [Robinson] goes down,” Mike Gilliard said.
“It’s unbelievable, the way our linebackers are getting hurt,” Amarlo Herrera said.
Ogletree suffered a broken foot in the season’s first game and will be sidelined for up to six weeks. Robinson suffered a less severe foot injury in the second game and will be out for two or three weeks. So with both of their starting inside linebackers sidelined, the Bulldogs got to work Monday on Plan C.
The latest depth chart lists Gilliard, a junior, and Herrera, a freshman, as the starters. Also working at inside linebacker in practice Monday were freshman Ramik Wilson, who shifted from outside linebacker, and Jeremy Sulek, a senior walk-on.
“The coaches said whoever practices the hardest at linebacker will start,” Wilson said. “It’s an equal game for all of us.”
Gilliard, in his third year in the program, sees this as an opportunity he needs to seize, albeit under undesired circumstances.
“I feel like it’s just one of those times I’ve got to step up and play ball,” Gilliard said. “It’s my opportunity, and I’ve got to go out there and take full advantage of it.”
Crowell shares honor
Isaiah Crowell’s introduction to Sanford Stadium drew notice from the SEC office on Monday.
The Georgia tailback shared the league’s freshman-of-the-week honors for his productive home debut against South Carolina. Crowell had 148 yards offense Saturday, including 118 rushing yards on 16 carries (7.4 yards per carry), and scored his first two collegiate touchdowns.
“You see he’s pretty special when he has the ball in his hands,” offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said afterward. “He’s got to continue to get himself in shape where he can carry it more and be in the game more.”
Crowell shared the SEC’s weekly top-freshman honor with Kentucky running back Josh Clemons, who is from Whitewater High in Fayetteville.
In Kentucky’s 27-13 victory over Central Michigan, Clemons rushed for 126 yards on 14 carries. He did most of his damage on a single play, an 87-yard touchdown run that was the longest rush by a Kentucky player since 1970 and the longest ever by a Kentucky freshman.
Not surprisingly, South Carolina’s Melvin Ingram was named the SEC’s special-teams player-of-the-week for his performance against Georgia. Ingram rambled 68 yards for a touchdown after taking a direct snap on a fake punt, and he fielded an onside kick near the end of the game to clinch the Gamecocks’ victory. What’s more, on defense, he scored a touchdown on a five-yard run with a late-game fumble recovery.
TV ratings up
The Georgia-South Carolina game posted a 17.3 rating in the Atlanta television market Saturday, up from a 16.7 for the Bulldogs’ season opener a week earlier.
The rating is the percentage of TV households in the market tuning in on average. Saturday’s rating translated to an audience of about 416,000 local homes.
Ole Miss time set
Georgia’s Sept. 24 game at Ole Miss will start at 12:21 p.m. and be televised on the SEC Network, it was announced Monday.
Georgia’s first two games were televised nationally on ESPN, and Saturday’s 1 p.m. home game against Coastal Carolina will be shown on pay-per-view.
A deep hole
History isn’t very comforting for Georgia fans trying to deal with the back-to-back losses to Boise State and South Carolina.
This is just the 11th time in UGA football history, which dates to 1892, that the Bulldogs started a season 0-2. And on the 10 previous occasions, the Dogs finished the season with a winning record only once: 6-5 in 1979.
Checking the stats
Two weeks into the season, Brandon Boykin ranks No. 1 in the SEC and No. 6 nationally in all-purpose yards (rushing, receiving, punt returns and kickoff returns) with an average of 194 per game.
He had an 80-yard rushing touchdown against Boise State and seven kickoff returns for 184 yards against South Carolina.
“This is my last year, so I’m going to do whatever it takes,” Boykin said. “Maybe next week, or whenever, we’ll try to put some more stuff in.”
– Tim Tucker
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233 comments Add your comment
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 12th, 2011
8:19 pm
Calhoundawg
I guess Fortune 500 companies are in the business of mentoring people too right instead of keeping their doors open and people employed
UGA is a football program, not the YMCA, Habbitat for Humanity or big brothers and big sisters
The game of football is about winning the game if your there to win a game then what is your purpose
Is the President of the US job to mentor people or run the country
Calhoundawg
September 12th, 2011
8:21 pm
I want to win as badly as anyone. Just not like Tressel, Carroll, Kiffin and a HOST of others. By the way, Lipdawg, we had SC beat, too. What a moron.
Old Coach
September 12th, 2011
8:22 pm
@flat
Do you and all the kool-aid posters think you could come up with another phrase? 2 games in and not one good thing at all to say about these players who busted their tails and came up just a little short. I would love to evaluate a looser like you at your job, if you have one. You are a jerk!!
bitter HERSHALtavius-walkerdontavis
September 12th, 2011
8:22 pm
ALL the dawg hatters can su—x my Jaw-Ja————AS—S=====#34 WILL ALWAYS RULE
Mountiandawg
September 12th, 2011
8:23 pm
Calhoundawg,
You make CMR sound like the second coming of Dooley. You talk about elite players rather quite than play for another coach. You Sir are wrong. They would gladly suit up and play for whomever is the coach. They play the game for the love of the game, not the coach. You say CMR is not the reason they lost, then who is to blame? The coaches, the players , the ref’s, or maybe the fans. You call people who want CMR fired self center and a few other choice names, ALL WE WANT IS A WINNING PROGRAM!!!!!!!! So you say that it will take 10 years to rebuild this program, then in your own words this program is broken? CMR has been here for 10 years now and has only won 1 Eastern title. You my freind are the self centered one. You are affaird of change. I LOVE UGA and UGA sports! I don’t think anyone is trashing CMR as a person!! I for one think he has lost this team and will never regain it!!
rincon dawg
September 12th, 2011
8:23 pm
Flat tire
with ya all the way. no one should except a loss. no one should say all shucks the boys really tried. dont blame just one or two players it is a team game. that team also includes the coaching staff that takes the pictures at the beginning of every season as a team.
Calhoundawg
September 12th, 2011
8:25 pm
College football is a GAME played by 17-20 year old STUDENT athletes. Your stupid Fortune 500 comparison is EXACTLY what is wrong with this country. I guess we should hire Warren Buffet to coach our team. Geeeezz!
bitter HERSHALtavius-walkerdontavis
September 12th, 2011
8:25 pm
#34 WILL ALWAYS RULE—-dawgs rule——-i have blessed this group
Reality check
September 12th, 2011
8:26 pm
Either fans can root UGA on this year or continue to b$$$$ for the rest of the year. Although I hope the former, I have a feeling the latter. CMR is not going to be replaced midseason. If CMR really has lost it, then he will lose games down the stretch that will seal the deal anyway.
Tater Tot
September 12th, 2011
8:27 pm
I am proud of the Dawgs win or lose but winning sure is more fun and goes better with beer
usc
September 12th, 2011
8:27 pm
yall must like to lose moral victory yall are a better team and still lose how sad is that . even usc dont have moral victory what are yall 5 . hahaha everybody is a winner
Calhoundawg
September 12th, 2011
8:28 pm
Vince Dooley didn’t win his third SEC Championship until his 13th season as coach. CMR is in #11. Vince Dooley didn’t win his NC until his 16th season as head coach, and that following a 6-5 season in 1979. Try working a few facts into your arguments.
rincon dawg
September 12th, 2011
8:30 pm
long time ago. different era all together. i never saw vince standing on the sideline yacked out of his mind on zanex like cmr. he doesnt even try to explain mistakes to players.
laugh
September 12th, 2011
8:30 pm
you ga boys are a joke. protecting a a loser for political reasons. the number one reason you will never will another NC
@sportsguru95
September 12th, 2011
8:30 pm
Some of u Dawgs fans need 2 get ur Coaching Resume 2gether & apply for the job of Head Coach! I forgot u only coach on a keyboard! Half the ish that hall r saying make no sense! I can tell some of hall have never played the game, r even attend a practice! The Dawgs gave hall everything u have been asking for, & ur still complaining! This team is young, & it takes time 2 reload! Who would come in & win right away! U gotta get someone that runs a 3/4 defense, because u have recruited toward that style of play! UGA hasn’t won a national in 30 years! U gotta compete for East crown, & a shot 2 be in dome! U.can’t hire a NC winning coach, that’s takes a lot of luck! Win the SEC first! Let Richt do his job!
uga dawg
September 12th, 2011
8:32 pm
14-14 in last 28 game thats good ooooohhhhhh crap thats football not baseball silly me
rincon dawg
September 12th, 2011
8:32 pm
31 years ago
Mountiandawg
September 12th, 2011
8:34 pm
CMR will not be fired, he will have to replace Mike Bobo and Grantham. If he refuses then he will have to step down. I guess he will step down rather than hire new coaches. I fell sorry for Garner because he can really recruit. Everyone talks about how UGA gets the elite talent. Well if this program is not turned around you can forget about 5 stars wanting to play for UGA. They will go to BAMA, Auburn, SC, LSU and Florida. Those schools have made tought choices when it comes to hiring and firing coaches.
Benny Hana
September 12th, 2011
8:34 pm
How is Crowell doing in his remedial studies classes? Learning those ABCs can be quite a struggle for those fellows, you know.
Todd Grantham
September 12th, 2011
8:35 pm
I guess my D holding them to 17 is not enough (28 points off turnovers and special teams). We need to start scoring points on the defensive side because either offense or special teams is a train wreck every game. Remember UCF when we held them to 10 points and still lost?
Todd Grantham
September 12th, 2011
8:36 pm
Mountaindawg, you think I’m the problem here?
Dawg Uno
September 12th, 2011
8:37 pm
Any news coming from the ButtSmear building on Richt resigning?
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 12th, 2011
8:38 pm
There was no East and West Champions who came together to play for an SEC championship during the Dooley years
Many of Dooley’s years UGA was the best in the east and could have possibly won the SEC championship
Because I know one thing about Dooley’s teams and that was it didnt matter what your rank was a middle of the road Dooley team could beat any top team.
Richt rarely beats teams ranked ahead of him
uga dawg
September 12th, 2011
8:39 pm
boise scored 31 but if the o and special teams played better and kept the d off the feild they would of won the game
UGADawg83
September 12th, 2011
8:41 pm
Frank Lane is a Great Aemrican!
Scorekeeper
September 12th, 2011
8:41 pm
35-21
45-42
35-21
45-42
35-21
45-42
35-21
45-42
35-21
45-42
35-21
45-42
35-21
45-42
35-21
45-42
35-21
45-42
William
September 12th, 2011
8:42 pm
Crowell only averaged 14 carries in high school. The energy spent running the ball and pass blocking is a lot. He will get in game shape soon. Great play calling Saturday. Bobo is not the problem. Mistakes cost us the game, not coaching. They will improve. We just don’t have the talent and depth it takes to go undefeated. 9-3 maybe, 8-4 likely. Next year is the year the Dogs will be good. A new coach won’t help that much. Give Richt next year. If it’s a flop then move on.
Magnolia, Tx Dawg
September 12th, 2011
8:42 pm
Why doesn’t Bobo get himself in shape? Learn the game, dumbass.
layinlow
September 12th, 2011
8:43 pm
Warren buffett would actually do a better job of coaching this team than the current head man. Hell Buffet’s whole legend is built on his uncanny abiility to recognize talent and leadership. His number one criteria for investing or buying companies is the business must have a great management team. So if UGA were a fortune 500 company Buffett would take a pass based on the current managemnet led by mark richt!!!! If buffet were the head coach you better believe he would have top notch coordinators. Hire Warren Buffett!!!!!!
To Calhoundawg
September 12th, 2011
8:44 pm
Based on the numbers and stats you are presenting…maybe Dooley is an overrated legend. Either way, did you vote for Goff to stay. I am not anti-Richt….but the theory and argument that change is never good and .500 winning percentage in recent years is acceptable has me shaking my head. I long for the days when people had time to get through tough situations, heck, Seinfeld would’ve been cancelled in it’s first year under today’s television demands….but it is what it is, you can’t stay with something just because it’s comfortable. Fumbles and interceptions ARE the responsibility of a coach. AM hasn’t learned to properly go down…that’s on Richt and all the O coaches. Special teams can’t read and react to a fake punt, that’s on Richt and the ST coaches. Oline allowed Clowney to go in on a crucial play unblocked, again, Richt and the O coaches. Everything that happens on the field, including player mistakes falls on their head. The ONLY reason I want to see Richt gone is that he fails to take that responsibilty and make a path to change. It ain’t the old days, and as much as I miss the patience of the past, I love the era of responsibility and pressure just as much. Richt’s a good man, but I truly believe he has backed himself into a corner of rejecting the fact that he’s too soft, so he’s holding onto that position even more to prove everyone wrong. God Bless him and UGA if he can provide a 10-2 season with that attitude.
DAWGBONE
September 12th, 2011
8:45 pm
The GT trolls want Mark Richt gone because he owns the nerds. Anyone who believed we would have a great or even good season last year with a RS Freshman QB is delusional. Reality check people!
I was at the game Saturday and that place was rockin’ loud. The Dawgs played hard and looked much better than in the opener. Now that the bitterness of loosing a close, hard fought game is over it’s time to rally around our team and coaches. To track his record from 2006 is like the dang gators counting from 1990 to present. Maybe you people ARE gators posing as Dawgs. Get over yourselves.
I’ve been a Dawg fan for quite awhile. I sat on the bridge in ‘77 and watched Kentucky dismantle the Dawgs 33-0 and ended up 5-6 losing the final three games of the season….to Florida, Auburn and Tech. FIRE VINCE DOOLEY! Oh wait…three years later we won a national championship!
We have a coach who cares about Georgia and gets criticized for going on a mission trip for his vacation! Really! Those of you who like to discredit his character need to have a chat with the mirror.
Nobody enjoys losing and yes we are on a down cycle. Let’s see what happens the rest of the season before was pass judgement. Mark Richt is smart enough to know what is at stake without irate fans stating the obvious. Support the Dawgs if you bleed red & black……
DAWGBONE79
JRW7
September 12th, 2011
8:46 pm
CMR isn’t doing his job! His job is to win football games, 15 wins 15 loses last 30 games, 6 wins 9 loses last 15 games aint going to cut it at UGA!
That's right
September 12th, 2011
8:47 pm
Scorekeeper- Thanks for pointing out South Carolina isn’t near as good as Boise State.
K-Baby
September 12th, 2011
8:48 pm
I am also concerned when hearing the difference in how other coaches talk compared to Richt. I wonder if he really DEMANDS excellence from his players. I also don’t buy the execution excuse either. A coach’s responsibility does not end with the game plan, but has everything to do with HOW it is implemented in practice: Are the practices fast-paced? Are they well organized with little to no wasted time? Do kids have to do reps until they get it right, or is just a certain number of reps to put in the time?
I remember one of the ESPN commentators talking about how the Boise State’s practices were some of the best organized and run that he has ever seen. It is not about the time that you practice, it is what you do with that time.,I believe UGA players make more mistakes and mental errors because of lax implementation in practice. I also heard another coach say that he believes that practice must be harder than the games themselves. Are UGA’s practices harder than the games? I have doubt that they are.
Dawg4life
September 12th, 2011
8:48 pm
Calhoundawg…….I’m with you, especially your first comment.
Mountiandawg
September 12th, 2011
8:50 pm
Calhoundawg, Dooley only had 1 losing season in 22 years. So CMR has 1 losing seaon in 11 years. So for the next 11 years no more losing season. WHOOOOOOOOOOOOO can I bank on it???
Mobile Dawg
September 12th, 2011
8:50 pm
Calhoun, you sound like a good guy, well rounded with a good head on your shoulders. I thought the Dawgs played a “relatively” good game Saturday, and should have won going away. That’s where that intelligence I just gave you credit for having should kick in. There is a pattern that’s been developing since 2007, possibly before, of the “Georgia Bulldogs” being undisciplined, undercoached, unprepared, outplayed, and a few other things. They haven’t won a big game in years, they haven’t had a true field general in years. So if not Coach Richt, who is responsible for program degrading? If you agree that CMR’s “Leadership” has gotten us to where we are, why do you think his continued “Leadership” will be different, just explain that. Now read carefully, nowhere have I said, nor have I ever said “Fire Mark Richt”.
DamntheButcher
September 12th, 2011
8:51 pm
Fire all of the Some Biotches
uga = dale jr
September 12th, 2011
8:53 pm
if their screen name includes the words “calhoun” or “columbus”, the post ain’t worth readin…hey did yall notice junior made the chase!
DamntheButcher
September 12th, 2011
8:54 pm
where are my post
DamntheButcher
September 12th, 2011
8:55 pm
some stupid idiot on the radio just told Mark Richt that he thinks he is do a great job. 14-14 Great.. real great
That's right
September 12th, 2011
8:55 pm
Yeah everybody loves Dale Jr and UGA
uga = dale jr
September 12th, 2011
8:57 pm
you dang right they do!
DamntheButcher
September 12th, 2011
8:57 pm
yea Mark Richt is the Dale Jr of coaches
layinlow
September 12th, 2011
8:59 pm
It was reported by the athens banner herald that the UGA athletic board met in Athens last friday. A reporter asked the longest tenured memeber on that board, a former player and well respected physician, his thoughts on the current state of the football program. He replied that he was very concerned about the current direction of the football program. Another board member standing nearby echoed the same sentiments. Mark Richt is in trouble unless he pulls off a great run to finish this season. So those who think Richt is somehow going to be able to get another lifeline if he has another down season are in for a rude awakening.
uga = dale jr
September 12th, 2011
8:59 pm
hate to say it, but CMR wins a whole lot more than junior. but both junior and uga sell lots of t-shirts to rednecks, which is cool!
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 12th, 2011
9:01 pm
Look
I was hoping Richt could turn this around but when you come out looking like you did against Boise give me a break
I guarantee you had we had that same playcalling Sat we would have won the Boise game but as our leader said The Boise game is not that big of a deal if we lose and we looked as if we didnt even care
That type of thinking is why we are in the shape we are in.. Saban would never say that
DamntheButcher
September 12th, 2011
9:03 pm
layinlow
when did the ABH report that?
JB
September 12th, 2011
9:04 pm
KEY quote by Bobo…” he’s pretty productive WHEN he gets his hands on the ball”
Why does every experienced football writer, commentator and and football site see what MsGarity and Adams don’t. I guess in fairness, they gave him this year win lose or draw and it’s his to lay out his case. After two weeks it ain’t working, and please, Richt has owned those two teams in the past. Don’t give me they were our Tough games. Welcome to the SEC. I’ll puke if they beat Coastal Correctional and old miss miss and start strutting around.
Lot’s left to play for. Richt teams of late have a history of injuries. No IL LB help now. Will the OL be next. I’d think he needs to win 8 of the next 10 to survive. Surely win 7 won’t be classified by his bosses as “Improvement”…….Will It?
just the truth
September 12th, 2011
9:05 pm
Anybody who comments over two sentences is a fool. No one reads any more than that from one person.