Isaiah Crowell among 3 tailbacks suspended for failing drug tests (UPDATED)
Updated throughout . . .
ATHENS – Three Georgia tailbacks – including star freshman Isaiah Crowell – have been suspended for Saturday’s New Mexico State game for failing UGA-administered drug tests last week, two sources familiar with the process and the decision confirmed to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Crowell, junior Carlton Thomas and redshirt freshman Ken Malcome will have to sit out 10 percent of the Bulldogs’ competition dates, as is UGA Athletic Association policy for a first-time violation of the student-athlete drug policy. The tests, which revealed marijuana use, were administered last week and the results were confirmed via private lab on Tuesday, the sources said.
Georgia coach Mark Richt would not confirm the reasons for the suspensions beyond his statement that it was for “violation of team policies.”
“We have certain standards in all that we do and their actions do not reflect the Georgia way,” Richt said in a statement released by UGA Sports Communications on Tuesday afternoon. “They will serve their suspensions, learn a lesson and I’m sure will be better men for it.”
Richt failed to mention the suspensions during his half-hour weekly news conference two hours before the news release was sent. He was asked about both Crowell and Malcome during that session with the media. Richt declined subsequent interview requests through UGA spokesperson Claude Felton. None of the players involved were made available.
Meanwhile, No. 2 tailback Richard Samuel underwent season-ending ankle surgery on Tuesday morning, meaning the Bulldogs (6-2) will be down to their fifth-string ball carrier when they play the Aggies (3-5) this weekend at Sanford Stadium.
Sophomore Brandon Harton, junior Wes Van Dyk and freshman Kyle Karempelis as the only true tailbacks available to play Saturday. Harton (5-foot-6, 174 pounds) and Van Dyk (6-0, 203) are both former walkons who were awarded scholarships this past summer. Karempelis (5-9, 180) is a first-year walkon out of The Wesleyan School in Norcross. Only Harton, with 11 carries for 33 yards, and Van Dyk, with one for one yard, have played in a game this season.
Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo indicated after practice Tuesday night that Harton and Karempelis would be the Bulldogs’ first two options. Georgia could also utilize fullback Zander Ogletree in the running game.
“I think it’s an opportunity for a lot of guys to step up,” Bobo said. “We may have to change some things up and do some things different to move the ball. Other guys have to step up and make plays. I feel confident in those two guys and Ogletree and the backs and tight ends and receivers we have to move the ball.”
The Bulldogs could also give offensive snaps to defensive backs Brandon Boykin and/or Branden Smith, both of whom have played often on offense this season. And Bobo also dropped the names of two freshmen: Safety Nick Marshall and cornerback Damian Swann.
“There’s a lot of guys out there could be possibilities,” Bobo said.
It is the second suspension of the season for Crowell, who missed the first quarter of the Vanderbilt game for an academic-related issue. Thomas also missed the season opener due to a suspension for another undisclosed violation of team rules.
Crowell’s coach at Carver-Columbus High School, Dell McGee, traded text messages with him on Tuesday.
“I just reminded him of where he came from and not to take things for granted because they can be taken away from you,” McGee said.
Crowell was rated the No. 1 running back prospect in country when he signed with Georgia last February. He currently leads the Bulldogs with 689 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns.
Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity insisted that the suspensions were not delayed discipline disciplinary actions from the week of the Florida game.
“Absolutely not,” he said. “We don’t pick when we do certain things. When certain things are found, we act right then.”
According to UGA Athletic Association student-athlete handbook, a one-game suspension can be the result of violations of three different policies: Drugs, alcohol or academics. But a violation of any policy cannot be enforced at a coach’s discretion.
“At the point a violation is discovered, if a suspension is required the penalty is enforced for the next competition,” Georgia senior Felton said. “Whatever the infraction was, it would have occurred this week.”
Georgia athletes are subject to preseason drug tests in every sport, random drug tests by the NCAA and periodic/non-random tests by the athletic association. In most cases it takes five to seven days for a lab to analyze the results.
– Chip Towers
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1,146 comments Add your comment
bgdawg
November 1st, 2011
3:57 pm
murray was caught drinking beer with a shirtless tech player. he was just drinking beer so that’s okay but they are suspending him for hanging with a shirtless tech moron.
GT Joe
November 1st, 2011
3:57 pm
I wonder if UGA will have to forfeit the win for using ineligible players.
MarineDog
November 1st, 2011
3:58 pm
Where are all of these rumor conspiracies coming from? The story specifically states that the AD says that don’t pick and choose which game a player that violates team rules will serve his suspension.
These suspensions might prove to be a blessing in disguise after all. We have fullbacks and wildcat backs that can fill that void. It might even add a new wrinkle to our offense which isn’t a bad thing. I’m actually looking forward to seeing more of the freshmen play.
1eyedJack
November 1st, 2011
3:58 pm
GT Joe
November 1st, 2011
3:55 pm
UGA = Druggies.
GT players are smart; never get high on your own supply.
That’s right, just buy it from your coach.
East Lake Paul
November 1st, 2011
3:58 pm
And a reason NOT to suspend them before the Florida game …
Think about how that would affect the rest of the team., like the seniors who work their butts off to beat Florida every year only to get the chance taken away by three idiots. It’s not all about the alumni. Suspending them now gets the point across and doesn’t penalize all the good kids on the team, too. It’s a tough spot for a coach for sure.
red
November 1st, 2011
3:58 pm
BobDog
November 1st, 2011
3:53 pm
What is synthetic marijuana?
Go_to_your_local_gas_station
Mr. Krinkle
November 1st, 2011
3:59 pm
GT Joke: your smell funny, go take a shower!
Knowall Moreno
November 1st, 2011
3:59 pm
Ealey, King, Crowell, Malcome, Thomas. were out of RB, lets go to the shotgun, bombs away! Running back U is out of business!!!
Umaguma
November 1st, 2011
4:00 pm
Man, it’s amazing how these suspensions were handed out exactly before the New Mexico State game instead of against Florida or pretty much any real opponent Georgia plays. The AD can say anything he wants, it’s pretty obvious they selected which game to suspend these guys. In all fairness, though, this is pretty much par for the course when it comes to the SEC.
GT Joe
November 1st, 2011
4:00 pm
ESPN: “But, a source told DawgNation that the three players were disciplined for failing a drug test that was administered last week prior to Georgia’s 24-20 victory over archrival Florida in Jacksonville.”
dbc
November 1st, 2011
4:00 pm
As I posted before, word is IC handed in urine for a drug test that wasn’t his. So they made him re-take it with his own. Not sure about the other two.
Bobo is Not the Problem
November 1st, 2011
4:00 pm
Noshow “Baby Girl” Moreno set the standard for Crowell to follow, taking himself out of games and running out of bounds all the time. Saved himself for a mediocre few years in Denver. Richt should not have tolerated it.
We have fallen a long ways from the years Herschel played with a separated shoulder.
TampaDawg
November 1st, 2011
4:01 pm
GT Joe
November 1st, 2011
3:54 pm
Richt had to have known they failed, but waited to suspend them until AFTER the Florida game.
Richt is a joke. If he had real morals, he would have suspended them for the Florida game, but he’s trying to save his JOB.
——————————-
Possibly but not necessarily true. After working in the Army’s drug screening program, I know that because of the necessity to preserve privacy as well as testing integrity these samples are sent to third party labs. After a possible positive match, a second and third set of tests are often run to prevent false positive results.
So, in this case, since the report is showing that the tests were administered the week OF the UF game, it is highly possible that he didn’t have conclusive results yet.
bgdawg
November 1st, 2011
4:01 pm
does anyone know if the SEC is incorporating that 2000$ stipend that the ncaa allowed?
GT Joe
November 1st, 2011
4:02 pm
According to sportsbook.com:
5-4 odds that the drug was weed.
8-1 meth.
20-1 cocaine.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 1st, 2011
4:02 pm
Mr. Tinkle
I guess you’ll defend anything that is wrong because it involves UGA.
You sound like an Auburn fan defending Scam Newton and his Daddy
You are a great example of what I like to call a DELUSIONAL FAN
TampaDawg
November 1st, 2011
4:03 pm
Umaguma – “In all fairness, though, this is pretty much par for the course when it comes to the SEC.”
Right. And all other schools just get beat down by the NCAA. Like the Big 10 teams and Big 12 teams. Are you freaking serious dude? Other teams throughout the country get way with crap all the time until the NCAA has SO much evidence that they can’t over look it any more. Two words for you buddy, Maurice Clarett.
BurytheBone
November 1st, 2011
4:03 pm
Where has anyone said it was a failed drug test? I haven’t found that info anywhere but here
bigcalidawg
November 1st, 2011
4:03 pm
OK…this post will make some wanna puke, but I believe it to be true.
I actually understand how these kids get to UGA (or any upper echelon program) and start to “F” it off.
Here’s why. By the time many of these kids get here, they are already the highest functioning members of their biological families. Even though they have yet to accomplish anything, the feeling is that “I made it.” These brothas are nailin division 1 talent between the sheets and are on TV on Saturday. Noone in their families has ever had that type of notoriety, or quality pooze.
The trick is to get the young men to “buy-in” to themselves and realize that they can have this, and more, and it can be maintained until retirement, and beyond.
Kids who come from 2nd, or 3rd generation wealth, do not have these same issues, as they realize that wealth should not be fleeting, but something to be valued, maintained, and built upon.
1st generation wealth………….man…….that’s tough to maintain. These kids are just blowin their wads all over, cuz they have never seen this type of lifestyle before…
We need to stick by them and teach them that they can accumulate this for themselves and this is not a pipe dream, for a moment…..
Mountain DAWG
November 1st, 2011
4:04 pm
IC is a joke. Hopefully, he’ll grow up soon. If not, buh-bye. How about Orson Charles at RB for this game?
SimpleDawg
November 1st, 2011
4:04 pm
And the hits keep on coming…..
To quote Paul Johnson: Stupid players!
Technically Correct
November 1st, 2011
4:04 pm
Relax, folks, it’s just the usual “Dream Team” drama…
GT Joe
November 1st, 2011
4:04 pm
NCAA is a joke. Take away an ACC title from GT for taking (and then giving back) $200 in clothes.
Penalty for smokin’ up $200 in Athens’ finest funky stuff? 1 game suspension for the New Mexico State Aggies? Joke.
TampaDawg
November 1st, 2011
4:05 pm
BurytheBone .. ESPN “sources” only .. nothing confirmed in other words.
IlliniDawg
November 1st, 2011
4:05 pm
@TampaDawg:
Exactly! Just as I said in an earlier post, we have this funny thing we call “due process” and that takes time. But the haters will always see a conspiracy through their prejudiced eyes.
GT Joe
November 1st, 2011
4:05 pm
SimpleDawg: stupid is as stupid does.
Tyler2011
November 1st, 2011
4:05 pm
Looking forward to see a running back that is happy and thankful to be at UGA! Go get em Brandon!
AtlNative
November 1st, 2011
4:06 pm
Yeah, timing didnt play a part….. Right…..
And “student athletes” are held to high academic standards…
Sell me another one.
It is a shame we just cant come to a place in this country where we admit the farce the whole NCAA system is, especially with college football and BCS nonsense.
TampaDawg
November 1st, 2011
4:06 pm
Two different things GT Joe, GT kept playing the players accused. UGA has been suspending their own before NCAA does. AKA, AJ Green getting 2 games from UGA, and 2 games from NCAA.
TampaDawg
November 1st, 2011
4:08 pm
and GT Joe, don’t leave out facts buddy ..
From ESPN story on GT Probation ..
“The NCAA said Georgia Tech should have declared receiver Demaryius Thomas ineligible after he accepted $312 worth of clothing in ‘09 from former Yellow Jackets quarterback Calvin Booker, who was working for a sports agent at the time. But the investigation took a harder turn against the school when athletic director Dan Radakovich broke NCAA rules by alerting Johnson that Thomas and safety Morgan Burnett would soon be interviewed.
It seemed obvious to the NCAA that Thomas and Burnett were told to prepare answers to questions they would be asked during the interviews. In its 26-page report, the NCAA wrote that it decided not to make a finding of its interview with Burnett after he “consistently denied” accepting free clothing. The NCAA committee on infractions wrote, however, that a violation occurred in regard to Thomas.”
Mr. Krinkle
November 1st, 2011
4:08 pm
BTW, all teams do this and it is LEGAL! The coaching staff did nothing wrong here or else they would be hearing from the NCAA. It happens almost every week in NCAA sports.
GT Joe
November 1st, 2011
4:08 pm
Tampa: I think UGA kept playing the 3 players who failed the drug test as well.
This might be the downfall of Richt. I smell an investigation. There will be a memo or email somewhere that proves Richt knew about the failed tests before the Florida game.
Richt is done.
jvillebil
November 1st, 2011
4:08 pm
I know we can call Wahsan Ealey back. Wait he’s used up all his suspensions. My bad.
bgdawg
November 1st, 2011
4:09 pm
GT Joe didn’t yourr AD lie about the accusations?
Tough love is in order
November 1st, 2011
4:09 pm
I suspect they smoked some funny cigarettes and if so, a second? time offense, then they need to go. Thomas has done nothing at UGA so get rid of him. Malcom has done nothing and so get rid of him and Crowell is looking like a bad apple. Get rid of them all and right now, we recruit HARD on some local Ga. HS big time backs and go ahead and move on.
Without any backs …………………UGA will be in deep trouble beyond NM State. I suspect IF they do play for the AU game, they will fumble to pay the coaching staff back, so given that they are damaged goods, dump em. UGA, let us cut our losses now.
We dance with what we brung to the end. Then, our message to great running backs is come here and play as a frosh. We need to sign two really, really good uns and a solid third running back. Samuel is really a healing LB to me anyway.
Go Dogs.
IlliniDawg
November 1st, 2011
4:10 pm
One more thing to consider. Part of the reaction from Tech fans is that they cannot imagine how much fun being a UGA student is and how many distractions the non-stop party of Athens presents. Hell, if you spent four years in that s***hole called Techwood, with only a handful of skanky-looking women around, the temptations of UGA are just unimaginable. Suck it Tech Nerds!
DawginLex
November 1st, 2011
4:10 pm
GT joe
Dead wrong as usual
McGarity has already commented. Non-story regarding Richt.
The players are suspended for Saturday and no other penalties will be involved.
Now crawl away
GT Joe
November 1st, 2011
4:10 pm
Okay Tampa: warn a kid he is going to get interviewed by the NCAA: lose the ACC title.
Take drugs? 1 game suspension.
Makes sense now.
Still@theBAR
November 1st, 2011
4:10 pm
HAHAHAHHA I guess the Blogger Sunday that said he knew I.caleb CROWELL king had failed a drug test last week was right. RICHT put it off the suspensions until after the Florida game. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA……………CHEATERS……CHEATERS……..
TampaDawg
November 1st, 2011
4:11 pm
I have a great idea! How about we keep the rumors and speculation out of the mix so people don’t spread it around as gospel? Heh, whaddya think of that one?
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 1st, 2011
4:11 pm
What is going on in Athens?
CHDawg
November 1st, 2011
4:11 pm
Van Dyk is an interesting story: he won a contest for starting a business and was offered $100K to start the business. He chose to remain with the Dawgs. That guy deserves to tote the rock on Saturday. Google it.
Rooster
November 1st, 2011
4:11 pm
Richt and booboo need to take a urine test. They might have been smoking with Crowell too.
GT Joe
November 1st, 2011
4:12 pm
Tampa: if ESPN can report on the “rumors”, then we surely can report the rumors.
chuck
November 1st, 2011
4:12 pm
I said this way back in January. Apparently the entire campus except CMR and the football coaches knew that Caleb King wasn’t going to pass enough classes to be eligible this fall. How could CMR not use one of those 8 unused scholarships on a RB or two? Now we start a walk on and have another walk-on as the backup.
jvillebil
November 1st, 2011
4:12 pm
Surely there is a stud running back in junior college somewhere in the country. I don’t think a freshman is capable of coming in and carrying the load unless he’s a rare breed. Can we not check on the history of these guys a little more before we recruit them.
Kauai DAWG
November 1st, 2011
4:12 pm
UNREAL!
GT Joe
November 1st, 2011
4:13 pm
Sad day for UGA. Players fail drug tests, Richt (probably) involved in a cover up, and the signature win for the dogs is against… wait for it…VANDY…and it’s November.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 1st, 2011
4:13 pm
TAMPA you know UGA will never say the REAL reason why. Like the blogger said SUNDAY night. it was a failed urine test.
BurytheBone
November 1st, 2011
4:13 pm
@TampaDawg, thanks for clearing that up. Thats what i thought. Does anyone know what LSU’s players were suspended for two weeks back? Or were they able to keep it quiet