SEC discipline likely forthcoming for Georgia, Vandy players, coaches
ATHENS – Georgia expects to hear back from the Southeastern Conference sometime this week regarding possible disciplinary action against coaches and players in the wake of last Saturday’s game against Vanderbilt.
UGA and Vanderbilt were each asked to submit reports about the post-game skirmish that took place following the Bulldogs’ 33-28 win over the Commodores. After the game concluded, Vanderbilt head coach James Franklin and Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham ended up in a shouting match at midfield. Both coaches could be subject to fines, suspensions and/or reprimands from SEC Commissioner Mike Slive for showing a lack of sportsmanship with their finger-pointing, obscenity-laced exchange.
Meanwhile, there is a very good chance discipline could be forthcoming for players based on their actions during the game. Georgia noseguard Kwame Geathers was flagged for a personal foul for punching Vanderbilt center Logan Stewart at the end of of the Commodores’ second offensive play of the fourth quarter. Geathers’ punch was retaliation for a late-hit by Stewart in which he intentionally clips the back of Geathers’ left knee, an extremely dangerous angle that could have resulted in serious injury. Stewart was flagged for clipping on the play and could be disciplined for the hit.
Georgia senior center Ben Jones was flagged for a similar penalty in the 2010 Mississippi State game and was suspended for the first half of the Bulldogs’ next game against Colorado. Georgia’s next game this year is against Florida in Jacksonville on Oct. 29.
“We’re not sure what’s going to happen,” Georgia Athletic Director Greg McGarity said Tuesday. “We’re at the mercy of the SEC. We don’t know if anything is imminent or not. Our only experience is with Ben Jones last year.”
Jones’ discipline was not announced last season until right around kickoff of the Colorado game. At the time it was stated that both Georgia coach Mark Richt and Slive had reviewed tape of the Mississippi State game and agreed that a one-half suspension was warranted.
Here’s the release UGA sent out that day:
University of Georgia center Ben Jones will sit out the first half of the Saturday game against Colorado as a result of a late clipping penalty he incurred in the closing minutes of last week’s game at Mississippi State.
UGA head coach Mark Richt and SEC Commissioner Mike Slive both reviewed game tapes and conferred during this past week. Both agreed the half game suspension was in order.
“It was poor judgment on Ben’s part,” said Richt. “He feels very badly about the incident and has sent a note of apology to the Mississippi State player. I have talked with (Mississippi State Coach) Dan Mullen and he appreciated the concern and Ben’s apology.”
Meanwhile, McGarity does not believe Georgia is an undisciplined team. He pointed out that the Bulldogs entered last Saturday’s game as the SEC’s fourth-least penalized teams. Georgia has been flagged for five personal fouls in seven games this season and all have come in the last two games, two against Tennessee and three against Vanderbilt.
“That’s not a reflection of our team this year,” McGarity said. “The Vanderbilt game hopefully was an aberration. We had a bad second half against Tennessee and lost our composure against Vanderbilt.”
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532 comments Add your comment
T.
October 18th, 2011
6:49 pm
hotdog, you also danced on Vandy’s emblem the last time you were there.
Wrong! 2007 dude.
McDawg
October 18th, 2011
6:50 pm
screw the money play ball
let slive and the suits hear about if anything comes down
GR82BAG8R
October 18th, 2011
6:51 pm
T. – - you are correct, it was 2007
T.
October 18th, 2011
6:51 pm
Calhoundog ain’t fit enough to lick Uga’s balls
There is no UGA. HE DIED.
Burbank Dawg
October 18th, 2011
6:51 pm
If you listen closely, you can hear Richt calling Shawn Williams a “dumb@$$” while Franklin is describing what happened.
Think that’ll help recruiting?
THE MAJOR
October 18th, 2011
6:52 pm
And nothing to Jones and the other linemen who chop blocked and were flagged for it during the game. In fact why wasn’t the entire UGA bench suspended per rule for coming off the bench during an altercation on the field? Watch the film no one from the Auburn bench, but the whole UGA team is out there., Why wasn;t that a suspension? Quit whining, you folks have had head hunters for years and now you don;t and you just whine and whine.
Bull Sh*t
October 18th, 2011
6:52 pm
From the Mothership…
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7118977/michigan-state-spartans-reviewing-fouls-william-gholston
MSU is policing their own school. Why can’t UGA and Vandy do the same?
Weak Bark
October 18th, 2011
6:53 pm
Is Charlie Weiss’s “sittin cooler” making the trip to JVILLE?
REAl CONCERN
October 18th, 2011
6:54 pm
The real concern of the SEC should be the intentional attempt by a player to do harm. Geathers is clearly and NFL prospect with a pedigree and that hit could have cost him millions. Replay shows it was intentional. If defending yourself from an literal intentional assault is wrong than the SEC executive board has no sense of justice. The whole post game incident could have been an attempt to distract attention from that hit and the established consequences thereof. Franklin has admitted on numerous occasision his intent to not take sh%t from anyone. Based upon his own admission, he instigated the entire incident. Grantham was minding his own business and clearly was startled by what he heard. There apparently is no rule on post game conduct. But if there was it would start with no coach should ever ever attempt to discipline the other teams players. Try doing that to someone elses kid. The reaction you get is as predictable as the sunrise. Because everything else was the forseeable consequence of his stated ghetto we’re not taking sh#t attitude he and he alone should be held responsible. ,
GR82BAG8R
October 18th, 2011
6:55 pm
‘We should have blown up that retarded school on our way out!!’
…someone with a monicker of “Proud RedNeck” to call Vandy a retarded school is beyond belief, or you are simply living up to your self-identity.
Yep
October 18th, 2011
6:55 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7mGTZ_k838
UGA has been having issues on and off the field for the past few years. It is sad to see such a talent go to waste every year. Sad thing is that UGA should only loss 1 maybe (big maybe) 2 games the rest of the year and everyone will go back to kiss up to MR.
MarineDog
October 18th, 2011
6:56 pm
I am looking forward to the GA/FL game. I think that Fl will play better than they have the last few games. I also think that Ga will play better as well. Our special teams have been bad all year long while it was supposed to be one of our strengths. Blair Walsh has had his problems as well. I think he will find his groove in the Fl game and more than make up for his miss attempts previously. UGAs offense will be more creative during this game; not because of Bobo but because Richt will be heavily involved in the play-calling. Fl will play hard because they have nothing to lose. They will be ready and so shall Ga. This weekend’s incident will bode well as for as determination and will inspire this defense to play lights out football. I think that a win in this game is going to do wonders for the confidence of these young players. The defense will set the tone. Control that running game and quick screen passes and protect the corners. Those are the keys to stopping this Fl team. It would be nice to see this team realize that they can beat FL. Things are looking up at this moment. Win against FL and possibly make it to the Dome in Dec. Anything can happen in that game and the best team does not always win. Upsets happen almost on a weekly basis. Bama and LSU are outstanding teams, but no one is unbeatable; especially when they are playing in the SEC. Do not discount Ark in this whole scenario. If they beat LSU and LSU beats Bama, then things will be very interesting.
Scott
October 18th, 2011
6:56 pm
What happened here is that UGA went into this game thinking it would be an easy win. It wasn’t and Vandy was an equal match. The dawgs were mad and frustrated. Any player that would get in the face of the opposing head coach and mouth off needs some serious discipline.
UGAmutt
October 18th, 2011
6:59 pm
Well you obviously can’t wait to unload what’s on your mind to me, Tampa. This is a blog. I doubt I offended anyone with a comment which was obviously meant to be a light-hearted jab. How is any of that a personal attack on your coaches? Do they subscribe to the AJC blog? I doubt they would even care if they did. Either way, it wouldn’t make them any more useful to your football team. Muschamp is a good coach, and he’ll put them in the title discussion as soon as he gets the right recruits. He will also need an offensive coordnitor who isn’t so pretentious/arrogant/self-serving…CW sold you a bill of goods that his a$$ just couldn’t cash. So blind is he, and full of hubris, that he couldn’t figure out a player specific offensive set: E.G. a dual quaterback system with Driskell AND Burton in the wing using Demps and Rainey as seam/slot WR and using motion with those two and Burton to confuse overly aggressive defenses. So to speak, a Gus Malzahn approach. Also, Gilleslie was averaging more than five yds a carry last game, and he disappeared for the rest of the game. Not exactly using what’s working. That’s a Bobo style move.
Weak Bark
October 18th, 2011
6:59 pm
JB will be back at QB for Florida and Demps will play. Gonna be a good one.
D'Lerious Dogg
October 18th, 2011
6:59 pm
The excuses are petty.
Dawg'88
October 18th, 2011
7:00 pm
Let’s see….Try to follow the bouncing AJC logic…
Players taunting:
- Gator kicker blows a kiss to UGA sideline after timeout called before a field goal
attempt; UGA coach reacts angrily
AJC conclusion – how can he get angry, that’s just a player, it should roll off his back;
UGA at fault.
- UGA safety taunts Vandy sideline; Vany head coach reacts angrily, to which UGA
coach reacts angrily.
AJC Conclusion – how can a player taunt coaches? Vandy Coach has a right to be
angry and berate that player, and if UGA coach gets angry he’s out of line; UGA at
fault.
Notice the sole consistency? Yes, it should be obvious. No matter the facts of the
matter, “UGA is at fault”
AJC reporting on this story sucks!
McDawg
October 18th, 2011
7:02 pm
the post-game incident was staged by franklin to fire up his players–this is so transparent i hope our AD will stand up for his players and coaches
Weak Bark
October 18th, 2011
7:04 pm
The kiss was blown after trash taking and coaches should act like coaches not first graders on a playground.
Here's what I don't get
October 18th, 2011
7:06 pm
How was this game ever this close to begin with?
I mean, Vandy?
Really?
Here's what I don't get
October 18th, 2011
7:07 pm
Vandy?
Ole Yeller Dawg
October 18th, 2011
7:07 pm
Rumor has it….that Jerry Springer has invited both Coach Grantham and Coach Franklin on his show…so they both could possibly kiss and make up in front of all his fans across america!
UGAmutt
October 18th, 2011
7:09 pm
Weak Bark:
OHHHHH!! So what you’re saying is that it IS okay to retaliate as long as you were provoked (contradicts what you’re saying about Grantham by the way). And if another Coach is involved, then the door is wide open for Grantham to get involved…not exactly fair for a grown man to be chasing down a student athlete just so he can “give a piece of your mind” after you lose a close game where both teams were pretty chippy.
Joey
October 18th, 2011
7:10 pm
Franklin is a little bitch
VA DAWG
October 18th, 2011
7:10 pm
Excuse me but isn’t the personal foul 15 yard penalty THE penalty for what was done on the field? Rather than have the conference and commissioner get involved let the refs make the decision on the field and if the foul was aggregious enough eject the player from the game. Having the commissioner possibly determing the outcome of future games on the field is just wrong for this ticky-tac kind of stuff..
Beast from the East
October 18th, 2011
7:12 pm
“Franklin and his players are far from the innocent tree too”
“Look at what Slive let Nick Fairley get away with last year against UGA”
“But if your florida you can try and take an eye out. what did the SEC do then?”
“What about disciplining Will Muschamp every time he opens his mouth??? Talk about “lack of sportsmanship.” Every time they show Muschamp he is railing referees with profanity.”
“nick fairley can spear a player in the back and dance around like a little #%@% and get away with it but when a minor thing like this happens the SEC craps the bed on us….sweet”
Do you whiners deflect much? Have any of you EVER accepted responsibility for anything in your lives? Grantham acted like a total moron for the second time in less than 12 months. He needs to grow up.
People like you are the reason our society is in the shape it’s in. Own up to your mistakes and LEARN from them……or just continue to be whiners.
UGAmutt
October 18th, 2011
7:15 pm
BEAST-
Its a f*^king message board. This is the one place that you CAN whine, vent and scream in total anonymity with others and get your frustration out. The “hold hands and hug” board is where the Techies meet to play D&D…I suggest you got there.
D'Lerious Dogg
October 18th, 2011
7:15 pm
It’s petty, ain’t it Beast?
T.
October 18th, 2011
7:18 pm
Do you whiners deflect much? Have any of you EVER accepted responsibility for anything in your lives? Grantham acted like a total moron for the second time in less than 12 months. He needs to grow up.
People like you are the reason our society is in the shape it’s in. Own up to your mistakes and LEARN from them……or just continue to be whiners.
If it was your team and your coach, you would be reacting just like Georgia has.
D'Lerious Dogg
October 18th, 2011
7:20 pm
It’s the old “I know you are, but what am I” defense.
bulldawgbill
October 18th, 2011
7:21 pm
HERE ARE TWO POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
1. VANDY GOES TO THE ACC WHERE THEY CAN COMPETE
2. UGA GOESTO THE ACC WHERE THEY CAN PLAY VA TECH FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP EACH YEAR AND INCREASE THE TV AND HOME ATTENDANCE NUMBERS.
VANDY SUCKS AND NOW THEY HAVE A COACH WHO TOOK THE JOB AND JUST REALIZED WHAT A TERRIBLE PLACE HE IS.
THIS IS FOOTBALL!! TELL MIKE SLIVE TO GROW A PAIR!!!!
Innocent Bystander
October 18th, 2011
7:22 pm
I’m impressed “grass eater” Ben Jones could even put together a sentence to apologize.
Beast from the East
October 18th, 2011
7:23 pm
“If it was your team and your coach, you would be reacting just like Georgia has.”
No, I don’t stick up for idiots, no matter what color they wear. Frankly, Muschamp needs to watch his sideline behavior, too.
I’m not saying fire the guy, but someone from UGA needs to get his attention. He’s SUPPOSED to be teaching young men.
The rest of the SEC
October 18th, 2011
7:23 pm
@bulldawgbill
We’ll take option number 2.
T.
October 18th, 2011
7:24 pm
VA DAWG
Amen! dude! I mran whats next,Doing time for committing a
personal Foul?
T.
October 18th, 2011
7:26 pm
mran typo mean
Beast from the East
October 18th, 2011
7:27 pm
VA DAWG,
I don’t think anyone should be suspended unless there was an ejection, which there wasn’t. Grantham? Maybe they should fine him, but no suspension.
Redneck dawgs
October 18th, 2011
7:27 pm
It’s the rednecks showing on the Georgia players. What losers.
ClinchPanther
October 18th, 2011
7:28 pm
chip why do you say likely? remember when the florida linebacker tried to gouge out ealey’s eyes and the sec did nothing
T.
October 18th, 2011
7:29 pm
No, I don’t stick up for idiots, no matter what color they wear. Frankly, Muschamp needs to watch his sideline behavior, too.
I’m not saying fire the guy, but someone from UGA needs to get his attention. He’s SUPPOSED to be teaching young men.
I mean this is nothing, it needs to dropped,
T.
October 18th, 2011
7:32 pm
I mean this is nothing, it needs to dropped,
How does it compare to the antics of Bob Knight throwing
the chair across the BB COURT, Woody Hayes taking thew down marker to the refree, or slugging the Clemson player.
This is much adoo about nothing.
Beast from the East
October 18th, 2011
7:33 pm
“I mean this is nothing, it needs to dropped”
I don’t disagree, but it’s become national news because of the way Grantham blew it out of proportion. Think he wishes he just walked away?
Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)
October 18th, 2011
7:33 pm
TW: I don’t see Auburn doing much laughing. Other than their BC last year when was the last time they beat UGA? Fla. has a winning record against CMR but Bama does not.
Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)
October 18th, 2011
7:35 pm
Sorry bout that. Shoulda said their NC.
Joe
October 18th, 2011
7:35 pm
UGA = classless ….. go figure all y’all blindly supporting Grantham
Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)
October 18th, 2011
7:36 pm
Beast: Was it worse than an eye-gouging LB?
Weak Bark
October 18th, 2011
7:38 pm
UGAmutt
October 18th, 2011
7:09 pm
Weak Bark:
OHHHHH!! So what you’re saying is that it IS okay to retaliate as long as you were provoked (contradicts what you’re saying about Grantham by the way). And if another Coach is involved, then the door is wide open for Grantham to get involved
how did make that jump?
grasping for reasoning aren’t you?
Beast from the East
October 18th, 2011
7:39 pm
“Beast: Was it worse than an eye-gouging LB?”
I’d say yes because the eye-gouging LB was still just a college kid. Grantham is getting paid $750,000 a year to TEACH college kids. That’s my opinion, but obviously not everyone agrees. I got slapped on the wrist for lot’s of things when I was young that would get me fired or jailed as an adult.
The rest of the SEC
October 18th, 2011
7:39 pm
@Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)
Yeah. It’s worse. It’s not a player, but a coach that acted like an idiot on the field.
That’s different, but you might not understand why.
Weak Bark
October 18th, 2011
7:40 pm
punches and flags= suspensions,