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
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,146 comments Add your comment
Coach Richt
November 1st, 2011
4:39 pm
Someone pass me a can of Raid. Too many insects around here.
TampaDawg
November 1st, 2011
4:39 pm
@dr Richard Handler – Would you rather he waited until next week to do it? Or do it after the results are in and conclusive?
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 1st, 2011
4:40 pm
Mr. Tinkle
Get one thing straight you moron. Im no loser wanna beeee Tech fan.
If you had ever took a reading comprehension class you would know by what I have written in the past that Im no Tech fan
Now back to your day job of picking up the beer cans in your yard so you can recycle them for some money to buy you more beer
Diehard
November 1st, 2011
4:40 pm
I guess this expains why Crowell keeps coming out of games huffing and puffing. Remember earlier this year when his “ribs” hurt and he said he couldn’t catch his breath? Hmmmmm.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 1st, 2011
4:41 pm
Anyone know if it was PINEAPPLE EXPRESS they were using?
GT Joe
November 1st, 2011
4:42 pm
Hey Tampa: I’ll use the same response as you did 3 weeks ago when we were #12:
But you guys have beaten NOBODY! Except Vandy of course. BIG win for you guys. And Coastal Carolina and the Missy Sisters (my favorite girl band).
Coach Richt
November 1st, 2011
4:42 pm
Sorry, Dawg fans. I should have used my ESP to anticipate these guys were up to something and suspended them for UF game. I can do that you know.
TampaDawg
November 1st, 2011
4:43 pm
With the exception of Clemson, I would take UF, Vandy and Miss State over your entire schedule Joe. Demps and Rainey would run all over UNC.
hornblowermg
November 1st, 2011
4:44 pm
no. they are not scholarship athletes, they are in the NFL’s farm league at the expense of colleges. crowell is a pompous jive-turkey anyway. he is afraid to run like Samuel ran last week.
TampaDawg
November 1st, 2011
4:45 pm
Again, YOU LOST TO UVA AND MIAMI .. there is no comeback for that. Coastal Carolina could beat UVA and Ole Miss could beat both of them.
Paul Johnson
November 1st, 2011
4:45 pm
Easy GT Joe, we haven’t exactly beaten a bunch of top 10’s either, except those Paper Tigers from SC. Everyone knows they are accident waiting to happen every year.
Smoke 1
November 1st, 2011
4:45 pm
A good Christian Man(aka coach)would not compromise his moral standards to play “High Players”. UGA fans, sit down and shut up. This is a joke. Hold players out for a non-rival game vs rival games just to get a win. Like I said, these schools don’t give a DA*N about these players. It’s all about money for the coaches & universities.
19
November 1st, 2011
4:45 pm
Going out on a limb…
All the tech trolls need to GO! Get off their blog!!!
Go Dawgs!!!
wheels
November 1st, 2011
4:46 pm
I wonder if the players read these blogs? And if they do, do they really take anything to “heart?” We bleed red and black for a reason, most of us cause we didn’t have the talent to play D-1 college ball, UGA Alums, etc. They get the “privelege” to play for UGA….and don’t care….trying to use UGA as a stepping stone to the NFL, or whatever.
Willie Martinezz
November 1st, 2011
4:47 pm
Hey Guys,
I’m willing to come back and play running back. You NEED ME. I am the football God. Willard Martinez.
GT Joe
November 1st, 2011
4:47 pm
LOL Tampa: you’d take vandy and UF over UNC?
The smart people say no (aka, the voters in the coaches poll).
But keep living in la la land.
William Casey
November 1st, 2011
4:47 pm
I am a 50-year GT fan and seldom come here or comment. However, I just want to say that I’m saddened by Richard Samuel’s injury. That man played his heart out against the Gators. “Would not be denied” would be a good description of him. Hopes here for a speedy recovery.
Mr. McGarity
November 1st, 2011
4:48 pm
Smoke1, where did it say that we help the players out of a rival game. I don’t remember saying that.
Sigh
November 1st, 2011
4:48 pm
Does anyone proof these articles before they post them, or has that poistion been eliminated. If its open let me know, cause you guys seriously need one.
TampaDawg
November 1st, 2011
4:49 pm
Smoke 1
November 1st, 2011
4:45 pm
A good Christian Man(aka coach)would not compromise his moral standards to play “High Players”. UGA fans, sit down and shut up. This is a joke.
—————————-
Welcome to the conversation buddy. But you are way late and that theory has been debunked way too easily so keep looking like a little dirty troll who just wants to point fingers. Run along wittle fella.
rrich
November 1st, 2011
4:50 pm
Thanks William
Mr. McGarity
November 1st, 2011
4:50 pm
Correction Smoke1, where did I say that I could have held the players out of a rival game and didn’t??
VA Dog
November 1st, 2011
4:50 pm
Who are you numb skulls kidding ? yourselves. Crowell was THE premier high school running back in the state and possibly the nation. If Richt wasn’t able to sign Crowell most of you would called for immediate firing and possibly flirted with the nearest bridge. Just a bunch of jibberish is what it is, all this anti Crowell talk. Let me clue you in on something, he’s the best RB on the team and any hopes of being relevant the SEC championship will be ran on the strength of his legs. Barring some catestophic injury to him, you only going to get 2 more seasons anyhow. Enjoy the kid while you got him. Heres to hoping he ends his SEC season in the Georgia Dome. Go Crow
GT Joe
November 1st, 2011
4:51 pm
if we could just legalize marijuana…
TampaDawg
November 1st, 2011
4:51 pm
Sigh
November 1st, 2011
4:48 pm
Does anyone proof these articles before they post them, or has that poistion been eliminated.
————————-
LOL, says the guy who just typed “poisition” .. throwing stones from glass houses again.
GT Joe
November 1st, 2011
4:53 pm
From an AJC article in 2008:
“Punishment is quick and sure for athletes who fail a drug test at the University of Georgia. They’re suspended from competition. They’re ordered to perform 20 hours of community service. They’re required to pass two more drug screens before playing again. A third failed test? Permanent banishment.”
Anyone want to bet me that Crowell doesn’t have to “pass two more drug screens before playing again”?
TampaDawg
November 1st, 2011
4:54 pm
GT Joe, are those the SAME smart people that have UGA higher than GT in the BCS standings? .. eat it bug!!!!
Diehard
November 1st, 2011
4:55 pm
Oh well if Tech can run it every play, Georgia can throw it every play. Be ready Hutson Mason, we don’t need Murray to have a tired arm before the Auburn game.
Know it all
November 1st, 2011
4:55 pm
Where did the report say that they failed a drug test?
TampaDawg
November 1st, 2011
4:56 pm
They didn’t, speculation right now and rumor.
Know it all
November 1st, 2011
4:57 pm
That’s what I thought.
GT Joe
November 1st, 2011
4:58 pm
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7178202/georgia-bulldogs-suspend-three-running-backs-one-game
I guess ESPN is into “speculation and rumor”
RiffRaff
November 1st, 2011
4:58 pm
A source told DawgNation that the three players were disciplined for failing a drug test that was administered last week before Georgia’s 24-20 victory over Southeastern Conference archrival Florida in Jacksonville.
The source had no knowledge of when the test results were known.
Delbert D.
November 1st, 2011
4:58 pm
Hutson Mason played in an offense in HS where he did throw it virtually every play.
GT Joe
November 1st, 2011
4:58 pm
Les Miles had the testes to suspend his guys BEFORE THE Auburn game. Richt? lacking testes.
Know it all
November 1st, 2011
4:59 pm
TampaDawg, I love all these comments coming from a GT fan where they got probation for failing to calculate GPA’s correctly! LMAO!!!
TampaDawg
November 1st, 2011
5:00 pm
“But a source told DawgNation that the three players were disciplined for failing a drug test that was administered last week before ”
From your little link there GT Joe .. dude, we all get ESPN, no need to help anyone there. And for your information, in journalism, until a “source” is identified, it’s still considered speculation.
GT Joe
November 1st, 2011
5:00 pm
“This has nothing to do with anything that [happened before] the Florida game,” McGarity said. “Absolutely not. We don’t pick when we do certain things. Certain things are found and we act right then.”
Either McGarity is lying, or ESPN. Who has the motive to lie?
SICKANDTIRED
November 1st, 2011
5:00 pm
GT Joe – go away.
Diehard
November 1st, 2011
5:01 pm
GT Joe -Richt IS suspending them BEFORE the Auburn game, try reading a schedule.
Know it all
November 1st, 2011
5:01 pm
ESPN, now there’s a good source for factual information. LOL!
Dawgfan22
November 1st, 2011
5:02 pm
GT-Joe, It doesnt matter who UGA loses… Simple fact of the matter is The DAWGS own GT and will continue to do so.
Know it all
November 1st, 2011
5:02 pm
I’ll put my money on ESPN lying.
midtown
November 1st, 2011
5:03 pm
This won’t be the last time for IC. You can make bet on it.
GT Joe
November 1st, 2011
5:04 pm
Diehard: you are not understanding what I’m writing.
Les Miles suspended his star players before the Auburn game so they couldn’t play Auburn, then #19.
Richt chose NOT to suspend his stars for the Florida game, instead delaying the suspensions to the New Mexico Coast Community College.
Know it all
November 1st, 2011
5:04 pm
ESPN… isn’t this the same media outlet that through their “sources” did the story about all those Auburn players that took cash???
Convenient Week
November 1st, 2011
5:05 pm
Very covenient that the suspensions happen on a week with such a TOUGH opponent.
Know Nothing
November 1st, 2011
5:06 pm
@Know it all
Their “sources” were the players themselves. I’m sure they were all lying though – Pat Dye said so.
Thomas Brown
November 1st, 2011
5:07 pm
DawginLex November 1st, 2011 10:01 am
“So Thomas Brown doesn’t want to play big bad Bama or LSU because of his inane stats and drivel
Boy, you sure can tell the folks who never competed in athletics.
You’re dam right I want us to play them
I don’t care what anyone says, thinks blah blah blah
To be the best, you have to beat the best
You don’t know where you are or what you have until you play the best.
Losers quit and shy away from competition”
________________________________________________
DawginLex October 27th, 2011 8:59 am
“This is setting up nicely for the gators
Brantley back
Mitchell out for us
Geathers and Williams out for the 1st half
I thought we could really beat them but it appears that Richt is destined to lose this game and get fired or resign.
I say 21-17 Florida and I hope that I am really really wrong.”
________________________________________________
Pardon me ? Which is it ?
Dawgfan22
November 1st, 2011
5:07 pm
Where did all these Dawg haten Beaotchs come from?