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
SEC Fan
September 12th, 2011
9:05 pm
I don’t care if UGA keeps Richt till Hell freezes over. But some of these bloggers remind me of passengers on the Titanic. They grasp at every little glimmer of hope. Yeh, UGA did play better but there was no where to go but up, and SC ain’t the team Boise State was. By the end of the season Carolina will be lucky to be ranked 12. I suggest these bloggers access the website Bulldog Papi @ 7:16 suggested. I did and it is the truth if one was ever told. Describes the program exactly in no uncertain terms, and it ain’t what people like Calhoundawg are going to like. But, like the old saying goes: The truth always hurts.
Vols Fan
September 12th, 2011
9:06 pm
Not sure whether UGA should fire Richt or not. I do know this, being the longest tenured coach in the SEC carries some pressure. Phil Fulmer knew that all too well. Check out this letter from Fulmer to Richt written by a Tennessee blog.
Dear Mark:
http://www.checkerboardchatter.com/2011/09/dear-mark.html
typical dawg fan
September 12th, 2011
9:07 pm
yall need to lay offa junior now. hes got lotsa pressure on him now. up here in gilmer county we all a pullin fer him. heck, my wife made one of them indian dreamcatcher things what got a picture of junior an arn anderson in tha middle of it. ain’t no way you can lose with junior an the enforcer ridin shotgun. ain’t no way ima tellin ya.
I HATE THE SPRINT DRAW !!!
September 12th, 2011
9:09 pm
to all richt homers calling out” fair weather fans”,i ask you? So you think UGA is gettin its 3 MILLION DOLLARS worth out of this “coach”?……………………….. didnt think so
DamntheButcher
September 12th, 2011
9:10 pm
FIRE MARK RICHT
Agridawg
September 12th, 2011
9:10 pm
Adams and McGarity see what we all see, they have too much class to fire him mid season. He has won alot of games, he’s earned enough respect to be kept through the season.
DamntheButcher
September 12th, 2011
9:11 pm
Georgia couldnt stop Lattimo
Gay Dawg
September 12th, 2011
9:15 pm
Congrats Isaih,but would have been nice to smoke those coccks last weekend.
CHDawg
September 12th, 2011
9:15 pm
Benny Hana, he could be in some remedial studies for college; I don’t know, but you obviously need some remedial studies for life. We are talking kindergarten level…maybe.
JB
September 12th, 2011
9:16 pm
Good stuff Vols Fan…and so true. As a reader on the blogs almost every day, the common theme among Richts Supporters is his first 4 or 5 years on the job. They are hanging on tothat like glue.I agree, all good coach’s deserve a mulligan. Richt’s had two and asking for another one. It’s not just not winning. A novice ( our wife’s) can see there is something gone wrong.
Not beating ranked teams. Losing to non ranked teams. Unable to hold a lead late, no depth and on and on. Giving up a ton of points when we used to have a rep for defense. Time is short. A miracle could happen.We shall see.
typical dawg fan
September 12th, 2011
9:17 pm
hey, hey fellas. my wife was jest tellin me shes gonna be sellin some of them dreamcatchers at the flea market up by blue ridge next week or so. she plannin on sellin a bunch of tha ones with one of the uga dawgs an conway twitty in tha middle. thinkin one with junior an rick flare mite sell good too.
CHDawg
September 12th, 2011
9:18 pm
Damn the butcher and Gay Dawg, you are fired. Leave, please.
JB
September 12th, 2011
9:18 pm
Any tickets for the game Saturday?
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 12th, 2011
9:19 pm
Hey if UGA wants to keep Richt thats fine
Just stop expecting fans to pay donations to be eligible for season tickets and stop making people pay to park.
Lets go back to the way it used to be; first come first serve on the parking and face value for season tickets no donations
$2500 a year is too much for what we are paying for
Gay Dawg
September 12th, 2011
9:20 pm
What CH? It would have been nice to win Sat
CHDawg
September 12th, 2011
9:20 pm
Typical, your posts are neither witty or entertaining…you are fired, too.
Raiderbeater
September 12th, 2011
9:23 pm
Fire bulldawgbill as a UGA fan……bet he didn’t finish high school but shot his tv with his .30-06 when UGA lost.
typical dawg fan
September 12th, 2011
9:23 pm
hey there chdawg. me an my wife both read the article on topa tha page an it don’t say anyting bout you bein tha boss of this here blog. you betta mind your manners son.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 12th, 2011
9:24 pm
typical dawg fan
I would like to say Blue Ridge is pretty area and the apples at Mercer’s were really good and Im not an apple person
Chris
September 12th, 2011
9:24 pm
Calhoundawg, you don’t know jack sh_t about college football.
You said, ” college football is about coaching student athletes playing a game and mentoring young men in the “game” of life, and Richt does it better than anyone????????”
Are you freaking kidding me? Yes metoring kids is a part of it, but if you can’t win, you will get fired! That’s it plain and simple.
Mark Richt was a good coach in the early years but he has lost it. Bobo, on the other hand, has no business being an Offensive Coordinator of a peewee league much less at UGA.
Anyone on here that thinks Bobo is doing a good job has got to be most ignorant blind homer I have ever heard off.
I get so sick and tired of you blind homers saying that our negative comments are bad for the team and we aren’t true Georgia fans. We want what is best for our team, and if the current coaching staff isn’t it, they’ve go to go. Blind homers are what is bad for Georgia, for you continue to contribute and act as if everything is okay when your team sucks.
Calhoundawg, you need a dose or reality. I hate to say it, but it’s all about winning and money. If Richt can’t win, he will be fired….end of story.
JB
September 12th, 2011
9:25 pm
How many met the Tech team at the Airport Saturday night?
Hwy 400
September 12th, 2011
9:26 pm
For those of you who are saying that Richt supporters are a small minority, you should read Matt Towery’s poll. Towery is a republican pollster, very respected and relied upon, he says that Richt has overwhelming support at least 65%. His smallest support group is 19-30 year olds and even they support Richt with 55% support. Towery says, in essence, that that age group support is lower because they do not remember the great things that Richt did for the program. So, I am imagining that most of the comments on AJC Anti Richt blogs are under 19. Guys, Richt is here to stay. He is integrally a part of GA Football. Get used to it. Even if he has a less than stellar season–he will be retained. All of the money is on next year anyway. McGarity and Adams have always believed that it is next season that is the test for Richt–not this season. Go Richt and Dawgs.
JB
September 12th, 2011
9:28 pm
Last time I looked, coach’s making 3 mil a year HAD to win to keep their job. I know of nowhere in America, if you’re accountable for results and being paid by other peoples money, that results aren’t in order. Wanna be a good guy and make 250,000 a year and win 7 games, go to Gardner Webb.
Todd Grantham
September 12th, 2011
9:30 pm
Here’s my proposal. Promote me to HC and I’ll demand excellence, I mean heck, Saban tried to hire me twice to run his D. We can keep Mark on as OC and Bobo can stick around to wash sweaty jock straps and maybe recruit south GA if I let him.
JB
September 12th, 2011
9:30 pm
Hwy 400……………If he loses 3 or 4 more games, I’ll take some of that action. Polls don’t write checks to the Hartman fund.
typical dawg fan
September 12th, 2011
9:30 pm
i see ya still settin with that bad tire. tain’t right, it sure nuff ain’t. i’ma startin to see this hole coachin mess like you do mr. tire. theys a buncha bama fans up prancin around them antique stores up in ellijay, all puffed up bout they ball club. i think about yellin bama sucks at them, but if they come back with no georgia sucks, i got nothin for em.
Bernie Matt
September 12th, 2011
9:30 pm
Aaron Murray’s problems aren’t even his own doing. Richt and Bobo are trying to put in his head he’s a Stafford type when they should be letting him play like he did in high school. The kid is really more Shockley than Stafford. So what if he takes a hit now and then. You think Oregon was worried about skinny Dennis Dixon taking hits. WINNING COACHES PLAY TO WIN! Not play to play another series.
Agridawg
September 12th, 2011
9:32 pm
I fully support Richt, just not as head coach of the Dawgs. He is a fine man and wonderful humanitarian and missionary.
dbc
September 12th, 2011
9:33 pm
Somebody needs to e-mail that Phil Steele article to McGarity.
JB
September 12th, 2011
9:33 pm
Wonder how long Spurrier would ride a 6-9 quarterback……….Or Saban ?
CHDawg
September 12th, 2011
9:34 pm
Typical Dawg Hater, sorry to hear your wife doesn’t read well either, but yes, the purpose of this blog is to try to get people fired.
dawginGulfshores
September 12th, 2011
9:34 pm
I agree, some of these fans (aka trolls) need to be fired…Dogs were awesome Sat. — sat in Sanford and had the time of my life!!! Spurrier knew we should have won and said so!!! UGA OUTPLAYED USC…PERIOD…
Stan
September 12th, 2011
9:35 pm
Alright, I need somebody’s help here b/c it’s driving me crazy. What was one of the new recruit’s nickname that everybody was amused by earlier this year? It wasn’t “Boo” Malcome. I’m thinking the kid had a brother or something. ???
JB
September 12th, 2011
9:36 pm
” Dogs were awesome Sat.”………..Maybe the staff gave the whole team little 3 inch trophy’s. It’s important for the team to know they’re all winners……….GEEZ.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 12th, 2011
9:37 pm
typical dawg fan
You wouldnt happen to know someone who can fix my FLAT TIRE
I was referred to Ray Golf’s auto shop, but he wasnt able to fix it.
I was told Jim Ponzie Donnan Auto repairs could do it but he wasnt able
I was told Mark Richt’s Energy Vampires junkyard would do it but he cant either
Its been 20 yrs and I really need my FLAT TIRE fixed down here in Jaxsonville
Any suggestions
Mobile Dawg
September 12th, 2011
9:37 pm
Did I say the Dawgs looked much better Saturday against Carolina? That unfortunately is what this year is about, and that’s what Mark Richt will be judged on “at the end of this year”. If this team continues to show the improvement it did from game one to game two, and so forth, then Richt’s answer to critics that this team will exponentially improve will prove itself out on the field and he will earn his retention, according to the guidelines that were set by McGarity himself. He has his work cut out for him, I’m hoping he “proves” he’s the man for the job. Flat Tire, I stopped my financial support, last year with letters documenting why. If Mark Richt turns things around my support will return. I think our effort and preparation was awful for Boise, I’m not sure great coaching prevents a fumble,and an interception. Murray was surprised and made a poor decision on not to take the loss on his fumble, but hindsight’s 20/20. The fake punt is inexcusable. Where does that leave us? With 10 games to go. It’s going to be a long year fellow’s if we keep this up. Flat tire, I suggest you drink more kool aid to ease your pain and not read Bradley’s column any more. Calhoun, tone down your “blind homerism”, it’s sickening to read and solicits negative responses toward you. Guess we need to meet in the middle and have a prayer meeting.
JB
September 12th, 2011
9:38 pm
Stan . I think it’s Ogletree’s twin brother who we signed to get him, and he has a funny nickname…..Waterboy or something like that…..
Agridawg
September 12th, 2011
9:39 pm
Dawgs did play much better Sat. unfortunately we arent judged on our, game plans, or even whether or not we have the better team, or on our intentions. Results are the bottom line.
Hwy 400
September 12th, 2011
9:39 pm
Mark Richt is, hands down, the finest coach in UGA history. The 19 and under commenters to the AJC Hate Mark Richt Blogs (aka, Bradley, Schultz), have no perspective of history. Mark Richt put UGA back on the map. I think our AD is a reasonable man. He knows Richt is one of the great coaches in America and that to trade him in for something else would set this program back 5 years. We are on the verge of a return to greatness. Thankfully the Administration will not pull the trigger on Richt this year. He has all of next year and will likely win the SEC next year and compete for a National Title. I will be laughing while the Richt haters cry for not getting their way.
Stan
September 12th, 2011
9:40 pm
That’s probably it. Thanks JB.
typical dawg fan
September 12th, 2011
9:42 pm
ima thinkin you mite could squirt soma that fix a flat tuff in ole chdawgs mouth an have him blow that mess into your tire. smart as he is he would probably be able to stop blowin when the pressure got to 32 pounds of air which is where its suppose to be. that would be a site to see ima tellin ya.
Agridawg
September 12th, 2011
9:43 pm
Agree with some of your points 400, but using that logic, should we get rid of Richt now that he’s returned us to where he found us, a middling SEC also ran.
JB
September 12th, 2011
9:44 pm
Coach Richt is now on here as hwy 400…..Go study football Mark.
WOW
September 12th, 2011
9:45 pm
Basic fundamentals and mental errors starts with CONCENTRATION. Georgia just has to work better and FOCUS on what they are doing, will be ok go dawgs!!!!! Clean up the mistakes and play some good solid football!!!
JB
September 12th, 2011
9:48 pm
Anyone watch Bama play Saturday. ( the first hour anyway).I must admit, coaching does matter. Very well coached. Yes I’m jealous. No, I don’t want to be a Bama fan.
CHDawg
September 12th, 2011
9:49 pm
Hey typical, I see that your other handle is Gay Dawg.
Mobile Dawg
September 12th, 2011
9:50 pm
Agridawg, if you worship Richt so much then contribute to his church. There’s a separation between church and football coaching. Hwy400, CMR put UGA back on the map, then he proceded to take us off, so where does that leave us? Let’s talk football, should Boykin have to run the steps for his poor tackling effort on the fake punt, he flat whiffed at that attempt. We had a running back that was a man among boys on our team, I was playing Linebacker and he ran my way, I made a weak attempt at tackling him. Coach made an example out of me, he lined Ricky up and ran him straight at me, over me, up and down, he knocked the breath out of me the last time I hit him head on. That’s a lesson I never forgot. Boykin should be the tackling dummy at practice.
typical dawg fan
September 12th, 2011
9:51 pm
now hang on there fella, that other name ain’t me. how we no you ain’t that fella
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 12th, 2011
9:53 pm
HWY 400
Please pass some of that kool-aid your drinking
If you think this staff has UGA on the verge of greatness your in need of counselling
The boise st game is proof of that
Why
Look at the lously play calling in the boise game compared to SC
That ought to have told you this staff does not take their jobs seriously and they think they will be here a long time.
After the boise game with such tremendous heat turned up you saw a completly different and more open up the playbook game plan
This staff will have another Boise game you can count on it. Im counting on at least 3 more conservative; well we beat Miss St so who cares if we lose to Tenn or FL attitude with the we are here for another 20 yrs attitude from this bunch
JB
September 12th, 2011
9:53 pm
Mobil, I posted the exact same thing about Boykin earlier today. I looked at it over and over on the DVR. He just flat out didn’t want to take the effort to roll his legs and stop him. Not acceptable. That is an example of the “softness” whispered around the conference about us.