ATHENS – Georgia fans have lost one of their best reasons to come to the G-Day Game next Saturday.
Keith Marshall, the highly-touted tailback out of Raleigh, has been effectively scratched from the lineup due to a hamstring injury suffered a week ago. The 5-foot-11, 202-pound midyear enrollee was unable to practice again Saturday as the Bulldogs conducted their second scrimmage of spring practice. Coach Mark Richt said the window is almost shut on him being able to play in the annual spring game.
“I would say the chance of Keith going is probably not very good,” Richt said. “Right at this minute I’d say he’s doubtful.”
That’s a shame because all spring reports on Marshall had been very positive.
“You can tell why he was the No. 1 running back in the country,” senior receiver Tavarres King said. “That kid is impressive.”
Said running backs coach Bryan McClendon: “Just a super guy, just very conscientious. He’s smart. He’s a sharp kid who wants to to do well at everything. Obviously he has all the ability to match it. When you say the sky’s the limit for a person, I really think that phrase it made for him.”
It looks doubtful for senior tailback Richard Samuel (concussion) as well. That leaves Isaiah Crowell, Ken Malcome, Brandon Harton and Kyle Karempelis to tote the rock for G-Day.
Williams suffers knee injury
As if Georgia’s secondary situation was not precarious enough, senior strong safety Shawn Williams went down with a knee injury on Saturday.
Williams is the only one of Georgia’s four starting defensive backs that is not suspended for games at the beginning of the season. Free safety Bacarri Rambo (four games), cornerback Sanders Commings (two games) and cornerback Branden Smith (one game) all are expected to miss playing time as a result of internal discipline for team rules violations.
Fortunately for the Bulldogs, Richt does not believe Williams’ injury is serious.
“We think it’s a non-op situation,” Richt said Saturday morning. “He’s in there doing fine right now. I don’t know [about the spring game].”
Passing game tuning up
There was some rare good news for Georgia on the offensive side of the ball from Saturday’s scrimmage. For the first time all spring, the offense was able to effectively move the football against the Bulldogs’ stingy defense.
Quarterbacks Aaron Murray (8-for-13 for 125 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs) and Hutson Mason (12-19-151-2-2) each was able to pass for more than 100 yards and four different receivers were able to haul in touchdown catches. Senior split end Marlon Brown led the way with 5 catches for 90 yards and a TD redshirt freshman Justin Scott-Wesley also had 5 receptions and a score.
“We threw it and caught it a lot better,” Richt said. “It started out not very good at all but as the scrimmage went on more plays were made at quarterback. You’re trying to make a judgment on whether a play might have been a sack or not and we err on the side of letting the ball get thrown. So there was probably a few of those big plays that might’ve been sacks in a real game.”
Corey Moore shines
On the defensive side of the ball, sophomore safety Corey Moore had a big day for the Bulldogs. The Griffin High graduate had a team-best 9 tackles and also had an interception.
He did good,” Richt said. “He’s coming. He’s a very aggressive football player when it comes to coming up to make a tackle. He’s a good athlete. He’s learning a lot and he’s going to get better. And he’s going to have to play for us; he’s going to have to function for us.”
Other defensive standouts included linebacker Ramik Wilson (7 tackles, sack, pass break-up), defensive end Ray Drew (5 tackles, sack), linebacker Chase Vasser (6 tackles) and noseguard Kwame Geathers (2 sacks).
The Bulldogs continue to struggle running the football against stout defensive front. Ken Malcome led all rushers with 29 yards on 5 carries, Isaiah Crowell had six for 23 and Brandon Harton had 6 for 11.
That’s the bad news. The good news is Richt said Georgia’s defensive line, led by John Jenkins, Abry Jones and Geathers, could be one of the best around.
Etc. . . .
Offensive guard Dallas Lee was back practicing after being sidelined for the last week with a concussion. Redshirt freshman offensive lineman Zach DeBell (ankle) was practicing in a regular jersey for the first time in a long while and redshirt freshman Xzavier Ward (knee) was working on the side in full pads and a green (non-contact) jersey. . . . Linebacker Amarlo Herrera (shoulder) remains in a green jersey.
Following are the “very unofficial official stats,” as Richt called them, from Saturday’s long scrimmage:
SCRIMMAGE STATS
Passing
Receiving
Rushing
Defense
Other
154 comments Add your comment
dmr
April 8th, 2012
10:03 am
I really like Hutson Mason and the way he works. I still question why he is working with the number 2 offense if he is going to redshirt this year. That doesn’t seem to make much sense.
Paddy
April 8th, 2012
10:27 am
kingdaddy……I agree, I would like to see Conner Norman play more. What little we did see last season was first rate effort. If he can’t get playing time early this season, he never will when everbody is back from suspensions.
Clarke County College for Girls and Effeminate Boys
April 8th, 2012
10:51 am
all sissy, all the time…WE LOVE GEORGIA!!! GO DAWGS!!! GATA!!! and I mean that!!!
kingdaddy
April 8th, 2012
11:08 am
I want to wish everyone a happy Easter and encourage you to call or visit you Mother or Father today and please tell them how much you love them and how important they are to you, also explain to your children and grandchildren about easter and pass-over. Have a good day blogging today and God bless you…
Len Hughes?
April 8th, 2012
11:12 am
He was a very solid player and also played HS ball at NF HS in Buckhead, back in the day.
You are going back a year or two …………..like 4 or 5 or 6??decades.
I used to see him playing golf at Bobby Jones GC.
gooooooooooooooooooo Dogs.
kingdaddy
April 8th, 2012
11:30 am
WARNING—WARNING—DON’T UPSET BITTER TODAY! IF YOU MESS WITH A LOADED GUN, YOU WILL GET SHOT!!! Happy Easter Bitter…
kingdaddy
April 8th, 2012
11:58 am
Chip
I hope you’re enjoying a well deserved Easter break. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do for the Dog-Nation. As I selfishly sit here drinking coffee, blogging and looking for new newson the Doggies, I realize if it were up to me, I ‘d put a shock collar on you and keep you in a locked room with your key-board, 24/7. Have you got me a new article yet Chip? ” No Kingdaddy, ZAP,ZAP!” Have you got that article yet Chip? “Shaking the bush boss!” LOL…Seriously though, if anyone messed with you, I ‘d go to great distances to make their lives miserable because you sir, are the BOMB-DIDDLY…
georgiabulldog75
April 8th, 2012
12:09 pm
Looks like we have a long way to go with our offensive line.
Or are we that good up front on the defensive line?
I hope its the latter.
Let’s hope the defense makes the offensive line better if the DLine are that good.
kingdaddy
April 8th, 2012
12:30 pm
Ga. Bull-D.75
I think its alot of one and a little of the other. I was encouraged by the reduction of sacks, which could only mean the OL is starting to play as a team. It takes all the linemen, the tight-ends and running backs being on the same page to protect the play. No matter if its a run or pass, its everyone picking up their assignments that make the play work. If this OL can stop this DL, we’re in real good shape no matter what the negative posters say. Trolls just want to see us fail and any advice they give, we want to do the oppisite. Gotta go take my mom to dinner, I’ll be back…
hotdawg
April 8th, 2012
1:00 pm
Chip….there are rumors of jeff luc leaving fsu for uga could u enlighten us on this?
tell me again
April 8th, 2012
3:01 pm
Spring ball means little to nothing – throw the stats out and just enjoy the warm up to the real season. We have a lot of good talent that sat on the wood last year ~ I am hoping Murray beats a few of the big boys this year and gets that monkey off of his back. I think Murray is gone after this year. The shame of it is – the O line should be experienced and stout but then we’ll have a new QB. Never seems to go together.
Send'em Uhauls
April 8th, 2012
3:39 pm
Ho hum whats new in Athens. Same ole same ole.
kingdaddy
April 8th, 2012
4:23 pm
Bc75&Bear= BUSHWHACKERS
Two guys I normally look up to with thoughtful and insightful post can dish it out, but please people don’t say anything bad about bamma,even if its true. Every other school knows the sun rises and sets in the greatest of all the united states. Welcome to the ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION/SPORTS SECTION where alabama rules the blog world. ANY POST NOT KISSING SABAN’S RING WILL BE ATTACKED BY THE BAMMER-BLOG-POLICE. If you want to talk about any other programs, please get premission from the closest bammerer. Remember you must respect their ATHOURI-TIIIIIII. Who the hell made you two king???
kingdaddy
April 8th, 2012
4:47 pm
Whats so funny is those two ripped me for a post I had with Tampa Gator, then they did just what they accused me of doing. Well the Gator CHOMPED both of them up and spit them out. Tampa Gator may not totally agree with me, but he did understand me and what I was trying to say. BC&Bear, sounds like an 80s sit-com, have become a couple…………of sensitive bit*hes…You’re either my friend or not. Personal attacks will get ugly and only escalate and are not wanted in my little, insignificant world. Don’t know I said personal to either one of you before you attacked me, but I sure know what I said after T.G… Remember, he got on to you, not me. I’m waiting for your apology. Candy and Flowers work just fine, and dirty books…
Georgia Football: Latest Spring Practice News, Notes and Updates | Georgia Bulldogs Football
April 8th, 2012
6:22 pm
[...] one new play that the fans are dying to see but will probably not play in the game is running back Keith Marshall because he is nursing a hamstring injury he suffered last week. Veterans Shawn Williams and Richard [...]
Pago Pago DAWG
April 8th, 2012
6:32 pm
We’re confused, why in the world would Murry leave after this year??
kingdaddy
April 8th, 2012
7:25 pm
P.P.Dawg, no way Murray leaves Doggies. Doesn’t add-up…
justafan
April 8th, 2012
7:37 pm
Bubba Watson 2012 masters champ
Go dawgs sic em woof woof woof
bitter dawgs fan
April 8th, 2012
9:06 pm
@TROLLS—-king has once again defended the dawg nation with a ell–uh–gaint—tongue!!
————, —————troll of the day goes to king–”D”, the hershal walker of –trolls
——————only problem I have with king is, his bud .—a person so dumb —weak runn-in mate
———————————-murry will continue to beat up on division 2 schools and fold like a cheap
——————seat when facing tough compition.——hudson in my humble estimate is QB 1st string.
——-bitter will be in athens next week cheering for mason and trying to follow and then pull a
—tonya harden of murry———————hahahahahahahah———
—————–
bitter dawgs fan
April 8th, 2012
9:11 pm
ra-mike wilson—————————–soon to be all—–SEC linebacker
————-GO DAWGS
BlueDawg
April 8th, 2012
9:28 pm
The consensus here is overwhelmingly for Hutson Mason. Seems to all serious Dawg fans, that IF Murray could have beaten a team that finished top 25, he’s had 9 chances, and Murray didn’t come away with a single victory in 2 years. Further, Murray has only won 4 games against winning teams in 2 years. Obviously, about the only person that would seriously want Aaron Murray to start is Steve Spurrier.
BlueDawg
April 8th, 2012
9:32 pm
the guys are making plays for Hutson Mason, they just don’t make plays for Murray in big games, Murray doesn’t have the “it” factor, never did, just can’t lead this team to a victory over a big time team that finishes in the top 25.
Hutson Mason can’t be worse than 0 wins against those type of teams, so since you can’t get worse with Mason, and since Mason has beat Murray BOTH Springs, you must give Mason the reigns in 2012.
UNLESS you LIKE going 0-9 against teams that finish top 25, like Murray led teams ALWAYS DO, and no serious Dawg fan likes going 0-9.
kingdaddy
April 8th, 2012
9:48 pm
Bitter you better let Tonya Harding do it, you’ll probably screw it up and take your own knee out. Now, you know you should be nice to Smart. He’s a Techie and G.T. fans make you an me look good—well, they make me look good,anyway that would be like wishing your brother go away and when he does go away, you’d feel really, really bad. Bitter you are a bad dawg. Do you ever feel bad about biteing everyone around you???
kingdaddy
April 8th, 2012
10:03 pm
Bitter, if that’s the only problem you’ve got with me, then I think we’re good. You my friend, are a trip, and I look forward to all of your post…never know what to ecpect when Bitter is in the house…
cg_dawg
April 8th, 2012
10:41 pm
Where’s Gurley? Did he drop out?
cg_dawg
April 8th, 2012
10:52 pm
Never mind…Gurley’s not enrolled yet.
SEC Football Daily: April 9th | Saturday Down South
April 9th, 2012
5:44 am
[...] All those Georgia fans wanting to see freshman quarterback Keith Marshall in the spring game will have to wait until next fall. Marshall will be held out of the G-Day game because of a hamstring injury he suffered a week ago. He was one of the most highly touted running backs in the country coming out of high school, and I was hoping to watch this kid during the spring game as well. Along with Marshall, Richard Samuel and Shawn Williams will also be out of the G-Day game. [AJC] [...]
Old Dawg
April 9th, 2012
6:31 am
“Do you people seriously believe that Mason would be riding the bench if he gave the team the best chance to win?”
Of course Mason will be riding the bench, no matter what. Richt always plays favorites and Murray is the favorite right now. I don’t know if it because he made a promise to Murray to play him and is keeping his promise, but it will be Murray all the way again this year. In spite of however many turnovers he has, pick-sixes he throws or whatever. Murray is Richt’s QB, plain and simple.
AltamahaDawg
April 9th, 2012
7:22 am
Why do you think Murray is Richt’s favorite right now? And what coach doesn’t play his favored QB. Be pretty stupid not to wouldn’t it?
Abe Lincoln
April 9th, 2012
8:52 am
Move Z. Ogleetree to tailback. He toted the rock in High School. Same old story at UGA. The backs are soft. This has been a problem for 3 years. Not much toughness.
UGA Insider
April 9th, 2012
9:52 am
I told you Carlton Thomas to stick with it….. You would be getting most of the snaps with the 2nd team. Poor decision to leave as was Jordan Love and the Hit Man.
presscover2
April 9th, 2012
10:02 am
Mark Richt lost his top[ rusher. last 2 seasons, to transfer. Ealey left (and the whole team of running backs couldn’t score mor ein 2011 than Ealey’s 11 td’s in 2010). Now Thomas left.
Top producers, at running back, don’t stick around, they all transfer.
Dap01
April 9th, 2012
10:08 am
Why is Mason practicing with the 2nd team is he is red shirting?
Dynomite
April 9th, 2012
10:27 am
Hutson Mason will NEVER be a starting quarterback at an SEC school so stop lying to yourself fools, he’s just not that good, hence the lack of scholarship offers.
beanster
April 9th, 2012
11:07 am
Murray coughing it up at the most inopportune times says as much or more about the protection (or lack thereof) he was getting as it does his ability to run UGA’s offense. Hutson would’ve done the same thing. I don’t care if Jared Lorenzen is back there, if Clowney or Ingram get a free shot at the QB, mistakes are going to happen. After Auburn 2010, I can understand if AM distrusts his line and tries to do too much all by himself instead of throwing it out of bounds or taking a knee.
beanster
April 9th, 2012
11:14 am
Good question Dap01. Or rather, since it is likely that Lemay will be the backup and Hutson will put on the redshirt for 2012, why isn’t Lemay playing with the #2 group? Is Lemay that far behind? Or are the coaches giving Hutson the spring/summer to prove he should be at least the backup with a chance at the starting spot?
REALLY?
April 9th, 2012
11:21 am
Seems that CMR was saying “ASIDE FROM THE D-LINE… WE ARE A MESS RIGHT NOW”. I’m reallt torn up about the suspensions… totally stupid!!!
presscover2
April 9th, 2012
12:17 pm
Hutson Mason has never coughed it up in a regular season game.
0 fumbles, 0 interceptions.
presscover2
April 9th, 2012
12:20 pm
believe me, Hutson Mason hasn’t thrown a pick 6 in a scrimmage or a regular game. Mason is a great QB who has a quick release, likes to hit outlet receivers, fast decision maker, tall too, 6′ 3”., just very tough to sack and no one has ever rattled Mason to the point where he has a catastrophic turnover in 2 years. Murray? Happens every few games, once this Spring already.
presscover2
April 9th, 2012
12:23 pm
richt isn’t playing Lemay much because he doesn’t have “playbook” memory skills of Murray and Mason. But on the field, in real game situations, Lemay outshines Murray (ok, anyone does), remember last G-Day? It was Lemay leading the team on the late score while panic attack Murray sat on the bench..
presscover2
April 9th, 2012
12:27 pm
usually, the running back that’s the most productive, transfers the next year (Ealey in 2010, Thomas in 2011).
QB’s too, the QB who wins the Spring usually transfers (Meettenberger in 2010, then Gray in 2011).
Apparently, the guys don’t like the way Richt plays favorites, and entitles running backs and QB’s who don’t earn it. So the top guns all transfer from UGA.
The Grinch
April 9th, 2012
12:40 pm
presscover2
April 9th, 2012
12:27 pm
“Apparently, the guys don’t like the way Richt plays favorites, and entitles running backs and QB’s who don’t earn it. So the top guns all transfer from UGA.”
Riiiiight. And that’s why Stafford, Moreno and AJ Green all transferred.
presscover2
April 9th, 2012
12:52 pm
I said in 2010 and 2011, to producing QB and rb’s have left both years.
Ealey and Mettenberger in 2010
Thomas and Gray in 2011.
I’m sure it’s a coincidence that all 4 top producers all transferred.
Has nothing to do with Murray and King and Crowell getting more reps than they earned, right?
presscover2
April 9th, 2012
1:00 pm
Why is NO ONE talking about Murray’s SPRING SLUMP????
Murray has completed 55% of his passes, and only thrown 1 td after 2 Spring scrimmages.
RHall55
April 9th, 2012
2:51 pm
Did not UGA have hamstring problems last year? CJT, use the knowledge from your other S&C Coaches to remedy these issues!! Are you trying to prove that you have a deficiency like most of the other Coaches on the staff: CMB: play calling; CMR: roster management; CWF: recruiting OL / esp in your own state; CSL: keeping ur players on the field; CRG: recruiting in general; CKO: recruiting in-state ILB; CBM: recruiting in-state WR; CBM: depth @ RB during the season!!!! C’mon Staff!! “Win, Baby, Win”!!! WILL NOT BE SATISFIED UNTIL UGA WINS A NC!!!
TY
April 9th, 2012
2:59 pm
It seems the offensive minds are going to negate the fullback running the ball again this year….Not hard for a defense to determine what GA is not going to do… therefore the FB will key the play for the defense.
Shew
April 9th, 2012
3:37 pm
Looks likeourt special teams genius’ trying to cancel the punt center this season…..not difficult to see what special teams are going to do..just watch the punt center. Punt center is the key to the team.
LongtimeDawgFan
April 9th, 2012
3:47 pm
It will be another season short of expectations….if aaron murray is your quarterback. yea, maybe 8-9 wins, some lame jan 1 bowl. no challenge to play in the natl title game.
Mason is the better QB
LongtimeDawgFan
April 9th, 2012
3:50 pm
Murray sucks.
SEC Football Morning Coffee: Bobby Petrino’s Career at a Crossroads | SEC Football
April 9th, 2012
4:37 pm
[...] to Chip Towers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Georgia is dealing with several injuries for Saturday’s [...]