Geathers’ punch, Vandy player’s clip likely to result in suspensions
ATHENS – Georgia noseguard Kwame Geathers and Vanderbilt center Logan Stewart are expected to receive punishment from the Southeastern Conference for their actions on a play in the fourth quarter of this past Saturday’s game in Nashville.
On the second play of the Commodores’ first offensive possession of the fourth quarter, Stewart comes up from behind on Geathers and dives for the back of his left knee and clips him at the end of a play, in which quarterback Jordan Rodgers is run out of bounds for a seven-yard gain. After he is knocked down, Geathers immediately whips around and punches Stewart in the side.
Referees immediately threw flags. After a lengthy discussion, Stewart was called for clipping and Geathers is called for an unsportsmanlike personal foul. The Commodores were awarded an automatic first down as a result of the personal foul penalty.
The SEC has yet to issue a ruling on the chain of events, but precedent indicates both players will likely be subjected to disciplinary action from the league office.
Just last season, Georgia center Ben Jones was assessed a half-game suspension for his flagrant illegal block against Mississippi State. Jones had to sit out the first half of the Colorado game the following week.
And anytime a punch is thrown during a game, it almost always results in at least a half-game suspension. Auburn players Mike Blanc and Michael Goggans had to sit out the first half of the Alabama game last year after throwing punches against Georgia last November.
Meanwhile, repercussions could also be forthcoming for Georgia strong safety Shawn Williams. The junior starter was flagged for two personal fouls against the Commodores, including one in which he appears to be fighting with a Vanderbilt player.
If Geathers and Williams are subject to suspensions, they will be assessed in the Florida game on Oct. 29. The Bulldogs have a bye this week. Stewart’s penalty would be assessed in Vanderbilt’s game against Army this weekend.
Geathers, a redshirt sophomore from Georgetown, S.C., has started three games at noseguard for the Bulldogs and alternates regularly with junior John Jenkins. He has seven tackles, a pass break-up and a quarterback pressure.
Williams, a junior from Damascus, has started every game this season, including one at inside linebacker. He is the Bulldogs’ third-leading tackler with 34 and has two interceptions, including one against Vanderbilt this past weekend.
Saturday’s game, clinched by Georgia in the final seconds, was extremely emotional. The night ended with Vanderbilt head coach James Franklin and UGA defensive coordinator Todd Grantham in a shouting match at midfield.
Check out the video yourself and tell us if you think Geathers and/or Stewart deserve to be suspended.
– Chip Towers
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530 comments Add your comment
DawgFan
October 19th, 2011
2:16 am
Your right dumb****, whatever, it’s called a clip. If you check, your not allowed to hit anyone from behind, below the waist, especially beyond the line of scrimmage. Pay attention and learn the rules, idiot!
WhoDat?
October 19th, 2011
2:24 am
It must be nice to be a UGA fan with a GED and think that you matter to the dawgs. You must be white and didn’t get in UGA with the same score on the SAT as the UGA players did. Look past ALL the garbage. See SEE what the UGA football team really is. GH…to trash that should never be allowed on a College campus unless they are doing some maintenance (after a GBI background check). Most SEC teams are LOADED with Garbage that couldn’t pass a GED test if they had to in order not to get the Needle at Jackson State Prison. If you UGA fans can’t admit that then you are no smarter than the fools on the football field. Georgia is the Biggest SEC JOKE. Y’all get the Bestest Dumbest Players and still can’t win a MNC. Tennessee did it. Florida ,Alabama, Auburn, and Louisiana State did it. Why can’t the Georgia Plantation Players do it too?
UGA will win the SEC in a FLUKE this year by beating Bama or LSU in the DOME and still not GET THE CRYSTAL FOOTBALL.
WhoDat?
October 19th, 2011
2:30 am
DawgFan……….By your last Definition and statement then EXPLAIN how/why/what BEN JONES did to the Miss St player last year.
Blow the FAKE(from the school to deflect) APOLOGY Ben Jones gave for the HIT. Tell me the Difference and why you can defend Ben but hate the Vandy player. I bet you think Bill C didn’t have RELATIONS with THAT women either because of his APOLOGY/explanation right?
SCMAN
October 19th, 2011
2:32 am
All that preseason hype on Kwame and he only has 3 starts & 7 tackles? Can you say bust?
Dirty Dawg
October 19th, 2011
2:36 am
Of course it was a clip, hell even the announcers called it a clip at the time…at least they both got called, even though it gave Vandy a first down because of the personal foul/automatic thing. If you ask me, the clip was a hellofalot more of a personal foul, and dangerous than the ‘mighty blow’ to a padded body.
And Chris, obviously you’re no Georgia fan. Matter of fact I don’t think you’re even a football fan…hell you’re probably not even from Georgia. Anybody that pulls for every team here just doesn’t have a rooting interest at all. By the way, what did you go to see at the Fox, maybe that’ll tell us more about what’s important to you.
By they way, I think I liked this story back when they closed the comments. We aren’t doing anything but stirring the pot.
WhoDat?
October 19th, 2011
2:40 am
Dirty Dawg at least you know the TRUTH about the MUTTS from your name.
Please Answer my questions about how what Ben Jones is somehow better
suspension
October 19th, 2011
2:47 am
the sec should suspend him for the creampuff game against kentucky, not florida. The dawgs need their full D in that game to shut down fla’s offense.
rally
October 19th, 2011
2:48 am
Now how does that old saying go? Best to let lieing dogs sleep? Well nite nite mutts.
DAWGMAN
October 19th, 2011
2:55 am
Should be interesting to see how da Commish calls it. Our guy’s reaction was understandable, but when does that ever matter? Hate to see Muschamp take advantage of this, and deny Georgia an all too infrequent W in Jacksonville.
Costly, costly, costly lapse.
I’m expecting the baby is going to get thrown out with the bath water. We gonna get hosed.
Not making that first down at the end of the game is absolutely on us. We own that.
How can an ugly W seem so like an L?
jdawgT
October 19th, 2011
3:05 am
WhoDat is a dumbass !!!!!
Tech Fan
October 19th, 2011
3:12 am
That was a dirty play and should get punched.
Dawg1
October 19th, 2011
3:27 am
This is all you have to talk about? I know they are off this week – but really? If he is suspended – so be it.
Next
Ricky Dawg
October 19th, 2011
3:30 am
I have to say it, we have a whiney base of our group of fans. He punched a guy he should be suspended. Grantham is a jerk, if the Vanderbilt coach was to, be the better man, which is shown to me that Grantham is not. But you fans excusing this bahavior, if the shoe was on the other foot, you all would be crying like little girls that the clipping penalty was fair but the guy should be kicked out for punching.
Really????
October 19th, 2011
4:09 am
Innocent Bystander
YOU ARE AN IDIOT!!! I agree it wasn’t a “chop block” because he wasn’t engaged, but to say it was a “legal” cut block. You are truly an idiot. There was nothing about that play that was legal. He purposely dove towards the back of Geather’s knee with intention to hurt him. If anything it should have been called a clip, and no way Vandy should’ve gotten a first down. At the very least it should’ve been off setting penalties.
Thomas Brown
October 19th, 2011
4:10 am
Where Mark Richt ranks nationally for 2001 through 2011 versus teams who finished AP Poll Top 10 :
# 01 Southern Cal 12-3 vs teams finish Top 10
# 02 Auburn
# 03 Oklahoma
# 04 West Virginia
# 05 Kansas State
# 06 Rutgers
# 07 Kansas
# 08 Georgia tek
# 09 Florida
# 10 Ohio State
# 11 LSU
# 12 Miami of Florida
# 13 Texas
# 14 Alabama
# 15 Oregon
# 16 Iowa
# 17 vols
# 18 Texas Tech
# 19 Missouri
# 20 Washington
# 21 Louisville
# 22 Boston College
# 23 Colorado
# 24 Michigan
# 25 Michigan State
_________
# 26 Purdue
# 27 Penn State
# 28 Washington State
# 29 Wisconsin
# 30 South Carolina
# 31 Virginia Tech
# 32 Nebraska
# 33 Notre Dame
# 34 Arkansas
# 35 Georgia Mark Richt 2001-2011
http://www.cfbtrivia.com/cfbt_records.php?ttp://www.cfbtrivia.com/cfbt_detail.php?teamname=Georgia&fry=2001&thy=2011&app=on&tmajor=on&tgrk=on&tyrk=on&tIA=on&tBCS=on&scrview=3&yrk=on&jpl=on&yrk=on&yrr=on&yrl=01&yrh=10
Really????
October 19th, 2011
4:21 am
Ricky Dawg,
You’re ignorant. Nobody would say that a clipping penalty was fair. Just please shut up. Fans like you are why so many people have issues with Georgia fans. Grantham overreacted and let his emotions get the best of him, but he was not wrong for defending his players. Franklin was wrong for trying to repremand a player on another team. If you have an issue with another team’s player, then you should take it up with another teams head coach. Vandy is just as much to blame as UGA, maybe even more so, but for some reason UGA is getting all the flack. Typical AJC crap trying to stir up something that isn’t there. What else should we expect from a Tech based Newspaper.
Thomas Brown
October 19th, 2011
4:22 am
RED DOG 77 October 19th, 2011 12:45 am
“Not that I’m a Georgia Alum”
_____________________________________________________________
Really????
October 19th, 2011
4:25 am
Thomas Brown,
How is this relevant to this topic??? Please go away.
Thomas Brown
October 19th, 2011
4:33 am
It is more relevant for you to say that Kwame Geathers got tackled from “BEHIND” ? You are telling a lie. As has been pointed out numerous times in this blog, the Vandie player clearly tried to get in front of Kwame. I do not believe he did make it in front, but there is NO WAY he got tackled from “BEHIND.” Go away if you cannot make valid observations Really, now really.
Thomas Brown
October 19th, 2011
4:35 am
And, really, I really find it relevant that RED DOG 77 admits that he is NOT “a Georgia alum”
Thomas Brown
October 19th, 2011
4:37 am
During this whole conversation, Mark Richt said that OUR PLAYERS WERE WRONG – WAY WRONG in the football game and AFTER THE GAME, that they needed to go to the sidelines or to the huddle, not jawing as he witnessed during the game.
Further, Mark Richt said that TODD GRANTHAM was WRONG – WAY WRONG.
Then, there is you really with your LIES that Kwame Geathers was tackled from “BEHIND.”
Really????
October 19th, 2011
4:39 am
Thomas Brown,
First of all he got clipped from behind. The player CLEARLY went for his knee! The play was clearly over! You and people like you are the reason that people like Casey Anthony walk out of court free. It is plain as day on that video and you sit there and argue against it. You are truly a moron! Tell me I can’t make a valid observation? I’ve got 20/20 vision buddy, maybe you should get your head out of your butt and put on your glasses, because you are the one who can’t make valid observations. What a tool!
Thomas Brown
October 19th, 2011
4:42 am
As for Mark Richt’s record vs teams who finished in the Top 10 from 2001 through today, I provided that URL Link to that fact that he is # 35 WORST in the nation over his ENTIRE TENURE here vs teams finishing Top 10. Instead, you are in here telling a LIE that our player was hit from “BEHIND” while you (1) ignore Mark Richt TOTALLY DISAGREES with your EVERY POST that we are BLAMELESS (2) that Mark Richt has an UNDISCIPLINED GROUP OF PLAYERS REMAINING AFTER 30 DID NOT PLAY VS VANDIE and you attempt to IGNORE that Mark Richt ALSO has an UNDISCIPLINED COACHING STAFF he hired, and that (3) WHILE he has all these UNDISCIPLINED COACHES and UNDISCIPLINED PLAYERS according to Mark Richt, Mark Richt is ALSO # 35 WORST in the nation at beating teams who finish in the AP Poll Top 10. Bad combination and you don’t even see what you are SAYING contrary to the head football coach who is doing so poorly in ALL these areas.
Really????
October 19th, 2011
4:44 am
And again how am I lying. There is video proof right there in front of you, you ignorant fool. Talking to moron’s like you is like being sober and watching a bunch of drunk people make fools of themselves. Thanks for the early morning laughs you dunce.
Thomas Brown
October 19th, 2011
4:46 am
The clip is simultaneous with Jordan Rodgers going out of bounds.
Really????
October 19th, 2011
4:54 am
We have had discipline problems in the past, but you fail to notice that we rank 4th in the SEC with fewest penalty yards this year. To call the coaching staff undisciplined is your opinion only. Grantham is an emotional guy that let’s him get the best of him at times, but I wouldn’t call him undisciplined. The defense ranks in the top 15 in the country in total defense if I’m not mistaken. You don’t do that by having undisciplined players and coaches. Richt is saying all the right things publicly, like he has ever since he got the job. I assure you he is just as displeased with the way Vandy went after his team, he just wants them to be the bigger man and let the play speak for itself. You clearly have it out for Richt and nothing will change your mind. Sad for you he’s not going any where. We’re probably gonna play for the SEC championship this year, and be poised to do the same the next two years. You are the type of nay saying, gloom and doom UGA fan that I wish would just find another team and move out of state.
Win P
October 19th, 2011
4:54 am
Chris @ 11:32 How could you look at the video clip in this post and then conclude that UGA was the game culprit? This occured in the 4th quarter. One would need to watch every play between the two players during the preceeding quarters to get the total picture and render judgement and punishment. You did not watch the game. Wondered if you watched the video? If you did, then your observation skills are questionable. Based on this single incident, there is no way Vandy behavior can be condoned.
01HAWK
October 19th, 2011
4:56 am
TISSUES PLEASE
What Happened ?
October 19th, 2011
4:58 am
Really why does the AJC censor comments about uga. uga shows again year after year what kind of football team they have.
What Happened ?
October 19th, 2011
5:00 am
Really, after years of having discipline problems i’m glad the dogs are only 4th in penalties this year. Is it a fluke ? Congrats on only being 4th.
01HAWK
October 19th, 2011
5:00 am
Go ahead and sweep the BEN JONES hit under the rug like it never happened.
WAH, WAH, WAH………………………………………..Tissues anyone ?
Thomas Brown
October 19th, 2011
5:02 am
Kwame Geathers was flagged for multiple penalties in our 11-penalty onslaught vaulting UGa to # 85 in the nation in penalties so far this season including but not limited to Kwame Geathers PUNCHING a Vandie player. This 1st Down Penalty against Kwame Geathers clearly was AFTER THE PLAY, and it led directly to Vandie then taking the football directly on the drive into the end zone to make the score 33-28.
Shawn Williams, infamous # 36, was flagged for his PERSONAL FOUL 15-YARD penalty in the 2nd Quarter, long before ANY of this stuff started. In fact, there had only been off-sides penalties in the entire game until SHAWN WILLIAMS # 36 GOT HIS PERSONAL FOUL PENALTY in the 2nd Quarter. Now, after the game, according to every post on this blog, Shawn Williams TAUNTED the Vandie bench and sidelines AFTER THE GAME, too. Who started this, either ?
We play undisciplined football and have for 11 years, this the fault of the coaching staff; and, we are # 35 in the nation at beating teams who end up in the Top 10 for 11 years too, this the fault of the coaching staff.
Really????
October 19th, 2011
5:05 am
Ben Jones was last year, and he was disciplined and I agreed with him being so. It was a dirty play, no different from the Vandy player’s. I fail to see the relevance of bringing it up.
What Happened?,
UGA really has only had two or three bad years with penalties under Richts 11 years here, he made changes that seem to be working.
Mark
October 19th, 2011
5:09 am
I think he showed great restraint. I would have done a lot more in return. I think the whole game was like this for Geathers and the Dawgs. In fact I think the refs are allowing or overlooking this type of cheap hit way to much.
Thomas Brown
October 19th, 2011
5:10 am
What Happened ? October 19th, 2011 5:00 am
“Really, after years of having discipline problems i’m glad the dogs are only 4th in penalties this year. Is it a fluke ? Congrats on only being 4th.”
___________________________________________
No, it is a LIE, like everything that ever comes out of his mouth.
http://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs/current/team/1060/p2
Do you see the # 85 beside Georgia’s name in Most Penalties this 2011 season ?
Really????
October 19th, 2011
5:10 am
Again, Thomas Brown you obviously have it out for Richt and can’t see the forrest for the trees. This team is not that bad, and you don’t win 101 games in 10 and a half seasons without being a darn good coach. Like I said before, go get another team, because you and every other negative Dawg fan have gotten old! Get on board or get off, but I don’t expect you to gain any common sense and listen to me, and being that talking to you is like talking to a stop sign, I will gladly bid you good bye.
Really????
October 19th, 2011
5:15 am
That was 4th in the SEC prior to the Vandy game. But like the obviousness of that video, you missed that comment. That is all. Call me a lier all you want. Just makes you look more ignorant.
Thomas Brown
October 19th, 2011
5:17 am
“he made changes that seem to be working”
“if I’m not mistaken”
This is the manner in which REALLY mealy-mouths his responses, in a cloak of Mark Richt has improved to # 4 in penalties this 2011 season, believing of course, Greg McGarity who also made that statement today – BOTH TOTAL ABJECT LIES.
But, notice too in his wording “seem to be working” and “if I’m not mistaken” while REALLY posts posts in public about statements HE MAKES contrary to FACT, without the bother to go look them up BEFORE he thusly states them, or he would not have to use mealy-mouthed wording such as “if I’m not mistaken” or “seem to be working.”
Thomas Brown
October 19th, 2011
5:18 am
“he made changes that seem to be working” “if I’m not mistaken”
This is the manner in which REALLY mealy-mouths his responses, in a cloak of Mark Richt has improved to # 4 in penalties this 2011 season, believing of course, Greg McGarity who also made that statement today – BOTH TOTAL ABJECT LIES.
Thomas Brown
October 19th, 2011
5:20 am
Prior to the Vandie game, Greg McGarity made that statement TODAY.
I gave you the URL Link to your lie.
Take it back.
Say we are # 85 in penalties. Go ahead have some credibility for once and admit you agree we are # 85 in penalties TODAY.
Thomas Brown
October 19th, 2011
5:22 am
Mark Richt has an undisciplined group of players, headed by an undisciplined group of coaches, who have been so for 11 years and who continue to be so – and, as a RESULT – have been, are and will be # 35 in the nation at beating teams who finish in the Top 10 all 11 years.
Thomas Brown
October 19th, 2011
5:25 am
he made changes that seem to be working if I’m not mistaken
_________________________
This is the manner in which REALLY words his responses, in a cloak of Mark Richt has improved to # 4 in penalties this 2011 season, believing of course, Greg McGarity who also made that statement today – BOTH TOTAL LIES.
But, notice too in his wording -seem to be working- and -if I’m not mistaken- while REALLY posts posts in public about statements HE MAKES contrary to FACT, without the bother to go look them up BEFORE he thusly states them, or he would not have to use wording such as -if I’m not mistaken- or -seem to be working-
Thomas Brown
October 19th, 2011
5:28 am
Ben Jones was LAST YEAR.
Well, Shawn Williams was NOT LAST YEAR.
And, Isaiah Crowell was NOT LAST YEAR.
Win P
October 19th, 2011
5:29 am
When I got in trouble at school or elsewhere, one of the first questions asked by my parents…Why did you do what you did? Some how the answer to that question determined to some degree the level of my punishment. Seems to me the “WHY” in the Franklin-Grantham & Geathers-Vandy center is discounted or ignored by media and those commenting on this blog and and others blogs.
Really????
October 19th, 2011
5:31 am
Dude, I just told you 4th in the SEC! Why don’t you have some credibility and stop replying. I wasn’t talking about nationally which you obviously are. As a matter of fact I haven’t disputed one stat that you have presented. I was just amazed at how poor your assessment of what happened in that video was. As a matter of fact, I never condoned Geather’s action afterward. I can’t blame him for it, but I don’t condone it. The Vandy player’s action was way worse and the source of the whole Geather’s retaliation punch. I bet you used to get beat up a lot in grade school.
gtne80
October 19th, 2011
5:35 am
Stewart’s hit was a clear dirty play intended to injure another player. He should be suspended for at least a game. Geathers’ action was so quick, it was obviously a reflexive reaction with no premeditation. I can’t see why any disciplinary action should be handed out for that.
Really????
October 19th, 2011
5:41 am
So I guess when anouncers on National TV say UGA is 4th in the SEC, not Nationally, but in the SEC in fewest penalty yards, I guess they are lying too. First of all I know what I’m talking about, and whether you like it or not, this team has played better this season. People like you really anger me, and because I know how to control myself, I am going to quit conversating with you, because you are a very ignorant person, who only hears what they want to hear or in this case, reads what they want to read. Good luck in life, obviously you’re gonna need it.
Black Mountain NC Bulldog
October 19th, 2011
5:45 am
The SEC office has and will always be biased, for the Alabama Schools. Get ready for a Geathers suspension.
This will be just another bogus act against UGA.
Really????
October 19th, 2011
5:47 am
Thank you Win P and gtne80 for being reasonable people with good judgement.
trupert
October 19th, 2011
5:48 am
Give Geathers a 1/4 game suspension. Unlike the dirty Auburn players, Geathers was a split second reaction that came a millisecond after he saw his career, fortune and his NFL future flash before his eyes, not to mention the pain from the premediated helmet first hit to the knee.
The Vandy center needs to get a two game suspension and be put on probation, one more like that and he’s out of here.
Grantham should get a reprimand and be fined $ 2.000, and put on probation for the rest of the season.
Franklin should be fined $ 5.000, be put on probation for the rest of this season and all of next season. He should be warned that following Chizik’s tactic of helmet first hits in the back and to the knees will not be tolerated.
Franklin should also be told that emulating Lane ”Boy” Kiffin is no way to start as a head coach in the SEC. UCLA will be looking for a new coach soon. Maby the Pac-whatever would approve.