UPDATED: Georgia’s Marlon Brown, Todd Gurley star in pass-happy scrimmage
Freshman tailback Todd Gurley is generating some buzz in the Bulldogs' preseason camp. He led the backs with 58 yards and a touchdown during Wednesday's scrimmage. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
ATHENS – Georgia held its first full-scale, controlled scrimmage of the preseason at Sanford Stadium on Wednesday. Head coach Mark Richt called it a “good scrimmage” with “some bumps and bruises, but I don’t think anything came from it.”
Following are the “unofficial official stats,” as Richt likes to call them. Below that are some comments from coaches and players and general observations.
RUSHING
- Todd Gurley 6 carries — 58 yards — 1 touchdown
- Ken Malcome 5-32-0
- Brandon Harton 7-25-0
- Kyle Karempelis 4-15
- Keith Marshall 7-11
PASSING
- Aaron Murray 12 completions — 17 attempts — 170 yards — 1 touchdown — 0 interceptions
- Hutson Mason 9-13-86-1-0
- Christian LeMay 3-6-44-0-1
- Parker Welch 4-7-18-0-0
- Faton Bauta 0-3-0-0
RECEIVING
- Marlon Brown 6 receptions — 103 yards — 2 touchdowns
- Tavarres King 4-66-0
- Rantavious Wooten 2-45-1
- Justin Scott-Wesley 3-43
- Michael Bennett 2-26
- Arthur Lynch 2-21
- Merritt Hall 1-16
- Taylor Bradberry 2-13
DEFENSE
- Connor Norman 6 tackles
- Cornelius Washington 6 tackles/3 sacks
- Devin Bowman 4 tackles
- Shawn Williams 4 tackles
- James DeLoach 4 tackles
- Amarlo Herrera 3 tackles/1 fumble recovery
- Ramik Wilson 3 tackles
- Corey Moore 3 tackles
- Bacarri Rambo 3 tackles/1 sack
- Sheldon Dawson 3 tackles
- Jordan Jenkins 1 sack
- John Jenkins 1 sack
- Josh Dawson 1 tackle for loss
- Sanders Commings 1 interception
- Branden Smith 1 TFL
- Jarvis Jones 1 PBU
KICKING
- Marshall Morgan 0-1 on FGs
GEORGIA COACH MARK RICHT
- On overall play . . .
“Overall the No. 1 units played well. The No. 1 offense actually scored touchdowns on their first three drives. The No. 1 defense didn’t allow but one first down on the first three drives. So I thought both No. 1 units were dominant, which I like this time of year.”
- On Gurley’s perfomance . . .
“Todd, he ran the ball well, but he had some good space provided for him at times where some other guys didn’t. I mean, Marshall had a great three-yard run one time but that doensn’t impress anybody unless you see it in person. I thought all the backs ran well really. There were a cpouple of times I didn’t think they hit it like they should have or could have. But it wasn’t bad.”
- On Brown’s performance . . .
“He has started hot. He’s been hot this whole camp. He’s been outstanding. We’re all just praying that he stays healthy and he does well. He really has had a great camp. We were saying this a year ago.”
- On pass protection . . .
“Offensively I thought the pass protection improved, even with the No. 2 unit. There were still some sacks but, as many times as we threw it, there were some times [the quarterbacks] could stand up in there and make their reads and make a throw. I don’t know if the No. 1 offensive line gave up a sack.”
- On all the sacks . . .
“I like it when my No. 1 defense is getting sacks. It doesn’t really bother me. You’ve got guys like [Bacarri] Rambo and [Alec] Ogletree, John Jenkins, Jarvis Jone and Cornelius Washington; you hope and expect to get sacks from those guys. If it’s you’re first unit getting beat real bad, then you get concerned. But I’m not too concerned because they’re going against some pretty good guys.”
WR MARLON BROWN
“It was from Hutson Mason. I was just kind of running down the middle of the field and he put it on me. I was wide open.
“At the beginning of the scrimmage I had a ball across the middle I should have caught. But I realaxed a little bit. It was an easy touchdown and I kind of dropped my hands a little bit and it went through my hands. After that I was like, Man, I’m not missing anymore passes today.”
SS SHAWN WILLIAMS
“[Alec] Ogletree got a good hit on short yardage on Todd Gurley. He hit him and I was like, ‘wow!’ I liked hjow it sounded. I got pretty hyped.”
Also, on freshman RBs . . .
“They’re doing real well. Both of them, Keith and Todd, they’re going to go I there and get the job done. They’re running the ball hard and not shying away from hits or blows. They’re trying to take it to you. I feel like we’re making them better an d they’re making us better.”
NG JOHN JENKINS
“It’s like a big tease, man. I’m just looking forward to the games. Just to be back in the stadium between the hedges gets you excited.”
INJURY REPORT
- S Marc Deas, hamstring strain, out
- DE Ray Drew, concussion, out
- OLB Dexter Morant, shoulder sprain, out
- CB Damian Swann, cervical sprain, no contact
- TE Hugh Williams, left hand surgery, out
TIDBITS
While special teams was not the focus of Wednesday’s scrimmage, freshman place-kicker Marshall Morgan missed on his only attempt of the day. Richt could not say how far it was but did say the line of scrimmage was inside the 20-yard line, so it was “relatively short range.” Morgan did make all his extra points, however. . . . “You can tell they’re nervous,” Richt said of the kickers. “They’re human. Everybody’s talking about them. I’m sure they’re feeling it a little bit.” . . . Walkon punter Adam Erickson, a redshirt sophomore from Athens, has established himself as the holder from placement kicks. . . .
Freshman John Theus worked with No. 1 offense at right tackle on the No. 1 offense’s first possession. He’s competing with sophomore Watts Dantzler for the starting job. . . . Starting RG Chris Burnette was back in action on Wednesday. He split time with Dantzler. . . . Richt said he would ask the coaches to begin formulating the travel list for their respective positions so they might begin to assimilate a 70-man SEC roster.
Richt said the plan is still for Mason, the junior quarterback from Marietta, to redshirt this season. But Wednesday’s play distribution once again underscored that he remains Plan B should Murray be injured. LeMay (3-for-6, 44 yards, interception) got less work and that was limited mainly to the second and third units. “We’re going to work all three of those guys a lot,” Richt said. “Like I’ve said before, if something happens today, Hutson’s No. 2. Things could change throughout camp, but Hutson simply has a tremendous feel for what he’s doing. He’s got another year under his belt compared to LeMay. LeMay is getting there as far as progress. But as of right now, if something happened to Murray it would be Hutson.”
MORE GEORGIA FOOTBALL
- Focus intensifies on Georgia’s kickers
- Jarvis Jones wants to ’seize the moment’
- UGA changes policy on injury info
- Rodney Garner talks roster management, Penn State and recruiting character
- Malcolm Mitchell all-defense for now, but double-duty starts soon
- Georgia clears Branden Smith to play in opening game
- Aaron Murray spends summer honing craft with football’s finest
- The Kolton Houston case
- The top five priorities of preseason camp
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253 comments Add your comment
Tampa Gator
August 8th, 2012
5:24 pm
@kingdaddy…..
John Theus is playing RT, not LT….so he didn’t do to well at LT today. They don’t want him blocking Tunsil’s path to Athens……
Tampa Gator
August 8th, 2012
5:26 pm
I can’t believe some Dawg fans are still coming on a Dawg site and posting that Mason should start over Murray…..as a Gator fan first……I would super want Georgia to start Mason over Murray….PLEASE….do it now…and do it in JAX in late October….PLEASE.
Really?
August 8th, 2012
5:27 pm
I really don’t think these stats tell you squat since you have no idea what defense each player was working against. A lot easier to get yards against the 2’s and 3’s than it is agains the 1’s..
Typical Georgia fans getting hyped about preseason stats, though. Don’t get me wrong- you should be good. But then again you should be good every year.
extrapoint
August 8th, 2012
5:30 pm
Enter your comments here
BC
August 8th, 2012
5:31 pm
Murray = Joe Cox. Both are highly touted in high school short guys, who arn’t accurate, who average 8 wins a year, and commit @15 turnovers a year.
Tampa Gator
August 8th, 2012
5:31 pm
Anyone making any predictions about what is going to happen with players in September through January…..based on a team’s first scrimage in August….knows nothing about college football. These guys are just getting back into the football groove, practicng new things they have learned, and not playing at the pace and intensity as they will on Saturday afteroons during the season. As one famous players once said……”Practice? Practice?….its Practice.”
AirForce1
August 8th, 2012
5:35 pm
Really? You are so right. We should be great every year but for so many reasons the season ends up disappointing. Like a lot of folks agree, since 2008 the pattern is trending downward. Beat the teams we are supposed to and everyone gets all excited. Lets beat up some ranked opponents and then we can start barking a little more….just saying. Always a Dawg fan….just want more
Tampa Gator
August 8th, 2012
5:37 pm
BC….
I guess all those things you mentioned is why Murray is considered one the top college QBs in the nation this year, right? How many TD passes did Murray throw last year? And I don’t think Murray is the one that let Javon Clowney rush in untouched on that decisive play….and turnover TD…..last year….and let all those Michigan State DL and LBs through to him during the bowl game. Give Murray time and he is going to pick even the best defenses apart…..don’t…and he become an average to less than average QB….as any QB would. And by the way….Mr. Mason…has never faced teams in the SEC with the game on the line…..but he has looked good in mop up situations and in preseason practice…which does not mean much.
BC
August 8th, 2012
5:38 pm
Like the sacks, tfl’s, or pbu’s. Rambo, both Jenkins, CWash, Jones.
Sounds like Marlon Brown and Hutson Mason got their timing down.
Game Changer
August 8th, 2012
5:38 pm
Once again the word is Hutson Mason outperforms Murray again in the first scrimmage. Players are already voicing that Mason gives the team a better chance for success and winning.
No one can be positive about what results will be under the leadership of Mason but one thing is for sure, we know Murray hurts the team and has since day one.
WHY IN THE HELL IS RICHT SUCH A PANSY FOR MURRAY?????
UGA has no second string defense, absolutely no second string — so Murray competes against walk ons and kids just out of high school and in thier first college scrimmage, QUIT BLOWING SMOKE SPORTS WRITERS, tell the truth about what is taking place, let the readers and fans then decide.
AirForce1
August 8th, 2012
5:39 pm
Well said Tampa Gator
AirForce1
August 8th, 2012
5:42 pm
Looks like the fans are FROSTY and ready for some Georgia football
LakeDawg
August 8th, 2012
5:43 pm
The thing that bothers me is less than 50% of the plays were running plays. I know its just one scrimmage, but it continues a theme of “FSU” style football from Richt. All of the signs I look for before a season have been positive for the Dawgs and I expect a big season. However, the lack of a running game troubles me deeply and this running to passing ratio is not a good sign.
BC
August 8th, 2012
5:44 pm
Murray 2 & 9 vs. top 25. He did have a couple of decent wins against GT & Aub this year. The other wins were against bad teams with bad records.
ESPN’s KC Joyner said Murray was No 2 most OVER valued player in the NCAA. I tend to agree.
But I am a BIG Huston Mason fan, he has earned my respect by the way he has outperformed Murray so consistently, I think Mason would have helped us go 14-0 last season, 5 or 6 interceptions, tops, and @70% completions, maybe 10 sacks. He’s quite a bit taller than Murray.
LakeDawg
August 8th, 2012
5:45 pm
Game Changer
If you’re going to post an opinion, at least have a clue . Well said, Tampa Gator.
Tampa Gator
August 8th, 2012
5:46 pm
LakeDawg….
Ever consider that the primary focus of the practice today…..was the passing game and not the running game. Or they wanted to primarily see how the CBs and OL would do in passing situations? Remember….it is practice…and not Florida vs. Georgia.
Game Changer
August 8th, 2012
5:46 pm
@tampagator
never top 25 team, always been a failure.
As for michigan state game, I watch Murray standing with no one around him throw a pass staight into the defenders chest inside is on 20 that was run back, at the time we were dominating the game. AARON MURRAY IS BAD, REAL REAL BAD — THE OFFENSIVE LINEMAN AND RECIEVERS MAKE IT KNOWN THEY WANT MASON TO START — EVERY SINCE THE MISS ST GAME IN 2010 THE TEAM TURNED AGAINST MURRAY. NO SECRET ABOUT THIS –
PaulPaul
August 8th, 2012
5:47 pm
When a Gator fan makes more sense than us Dawg fans in evaluating our team than we do it is sad. It was a scrimmage and only shows us little bits and pieces of what the team might be. The coaches are trying to evaluate and hone these kids into a team that can compete in a very tough SEC. We are going to be good period. A national championship requires good and luck. By the time we reach SC we should have a good idea of the character of this team.
Tampa Gator
August 8th, 2012
5:48 pm
BC….
As I said….I sure hope Georgia decides to start Mason against the Gators instead of Murray this year. That would make every Gator fan yell…….real loud……”THANK YOU, JESUS”
AirForce1
August 8th, 2012
5:50 pm
Once your a starter under CMR it is hard to get you out…..unless it’s a weapons charge.
Tampa Gator
August 8th, 2012
5:52 pm
GameChanger…..
Really? The Georgia OL is aganist Murray and for Mason. Really? Since 2010…really? Well…for one thing….I don’t believe most of the Georgia linemen played in that Miss. State game…and some were not even on the team then. Very insightful information, Game Changer. But….those insights were not very “game changing.”…sorry for the terrible pun.
PaulPaul
August 8th, 2012
5:52 pm
Anyone who thinks Mason is the better QB knows nothing about football. He is a great young man but why did every coach in the country want Murray coming out of high school. He has not had a great supporting cast until this year. If the line improves just a little we win a championship. Maybe not the NC however.
Game Changer
August 8th, 2012
5:55 pm
Not opinion, fact: 15 total defensive scholarship players with any playing time — all juniors and seniors, 6 of these are 5th year players
Our defensive depth chart is weak, we do not have depth at linebackers and defensive backs are very questionable.
UGA has alot to prove because of the past three years of total failure.
BC
August 8th, 2012
5:58 pm
Sure, Florida is horrified of Murray’s 99 passer rating in 2011, and 3 interceptions he has handed them in 2010. I think it Hutson Mason who would show poise in a game like that.
Tampa Gator
August 8th, 2012
5:59 pm
Relax…..Georgia fans…..you are not ranked #6 in the coaches poll because college coaches think:
1. Murray is not as good as Mason
2. That Georgia is going to play Connor Norman instead of Jarvis Jones
3. That Jarvis Jones is going to play ever down in preseason scrimages and Connor Norman will be help out to protect him for the season (since Connor Norman has already proven that he is one of Georgia’s best players)
4. That Devin Bowman is going to make more tackles than John Jenkins or Geathers this year.
RELAX…..it is only the first scrimage of preseason practice……the coaches are not going to drop Georgia to 25th in the country after today’s scrimmage….you’ve got to believe me when I tell you that. Relax.
LakeDawg
August 8th, 2012
6:01 pm
Tampa Gator said “Ever consider that the primary focus of the practice today…..was the passing game and not the running game.”
Yeah, you could be right. I mentioned it was just the 1st scrimmage. Also, after looking at the stats more closely, it appears the majority of the running yards came from the 1st team offense. Its no surprise the 2nd team offense couldn’t run against the 1st team Defense. I feel a little better. BTW I love the attitude of this year’s team.
Tampa Gator
August 8th, 2012
6:01 pm
BC…..
I remember Murray thowing a TD pass on 4th down that turned the momentum of that game vs. Florida last year. I would call that a lot of poise…..but I am sure you think Murray had nothing to do with that play and it was all because of the catch by the receiver….and Mason’s throw would have been to a wide open receiver….right? PLEASE START MASON OVER MURRAY vs. FLORIDA. PLEASE MAKE BC HAPPY. PLEASE.
BC
August 8th, 2012
6:04 pm
I do hope if Richt is going with Murray as his guy in 2012, he’ll test him a little in the preseason against the No 1 defense.
I think Murray went 40% on G-Day against the No 1’s, so I’d like to see if he’s progressed since April.
But Mason, going 70%, no int’s against No 1 defense, really impressive outing, my top choice for the best performer of Fall scrimmage 1, followed by Brown, Gurley and CWash.
Jetdawg
August 8th, 2012
6:05 pm
The 1’s need to be playing the 1’s. Playing against the 2nd team will not help…
Tampa Gator
August 8th, 2012
6:06 pm
Well……at least not every Georgia fan is on here saying Georgia is a cinch to win the SEC and national titles this year…..that is progress…..now….watch it happen because of it. But probably not….with LSU still hanging around with that 3 and 4 deep talent this year. Still think Bama will lose 2 this year….and Michigan will give them a run in game one…..
THAT WILL BRING OUT THE ROLL TIDE CROWD.
Time to go for a 25 mile bike ride in a very hot Florida afternoon……see ya later.
BC
August 8th, 2012
6:08 pm
Murray actually had 3 clutch throws in the 2011 Ga-Fla game. 2 4th down throws for td’s (bacuase our kicker had the yips), and 1 crucial throw for a first down to ice the game. But it happened against a 7-6 Florida team. Big deal.
LakeDawg
August 8th, 2012
6:08 pm
Game Changer
You are just flat out wrong. UGA’s 2nd team D is VERY strong. Gathers, Smith, and Drew on the line. Herrera, Robinson, Wilson and probably Jenkins at LB. Swann, Mitchel, Moore, and possibly Harvey-Clemons at DB. I’ll take that over at least half the starting D’s in the SEC.
Bali
August 8th, 2012
6:10 pm
Yep….it’s pretty sad when a Gator shows more logic than nearly every Dawg fan on here…..pathetic. Dam I miss Munson. Good job Tampa.
LakeDawg
August 8th, 2012
6:11 pm
Murray is poised for a huge year. Mason has looked good in a limited role, but my eyes say he is not as good as Murray.
tide roll
August 8th, 2012
6:15 pm
Well, at least your 5′11″ QB can see over your 5′11″ center. What is Richt doing? He and Booboo put the “off” in off season, don’t they That’s when your supposed to work your hardest. Richt, however, works the tan, and Booboo works the Buds. They’re killing you. You think you’re National title contender with a 68 man roster, no team chemistry because of the suspensions, probably some dissension because of the handling of the Crowell incident, true freshmen kicker, punter AND right tackle! Oh. and a 5′11″ 270 lb. center from The Weslyan School. You’re in this predicament because Richt and his staff don’t work hard enough IN THE OFF SEASON! And rather than face facts like these, y’all are buying the “BIG JOHN THEUS” spin.. Are you nuts? Admit it, you guys are lacing your Kool-Aid, aren’t you. 32 friggin years. THIRTY-TWO!
TB Dawg
August 8th, 2012
6:15 pm
PaulPaul,you are the bright spot on this blog this afternoon. You understand that pre- season practices are used to evaluate and to teach and that certain plays are called so that certain positions can get more experience. Such as, more passes thrown so the defensive backs will be ready for the first two games when some players will be out. I wish more so called Dawg fans understood as much as the think they know.
RJ
August 8th, 2012
6:18 pm
I echo others sentiments GT, I also pull for our in state teams and I am just as disappointed with all the GT bashing unless it is in retaliation. I am pulling for Murray to have a great year, he has shown class and leadership and the team is behind him, I don’t get caught up in comments to the contrary.
Wow
August 8th, 2012
6:20 pm
Who is this Tampa Gator? 25 mile bke ride? Whatever
BC
August 8th, 2012
6:22 pm
To put Mason’s 70% completion today against the No 1 defense into perspective, only Kellen Moore completed more than 57% against the No 1 defense last season.
Mason completed 70% today, against the No 1 defense. Better than 13 QB’s last seaosn who faced the Dawgs.
Even Mich St QB didn’t complete more than 60%.
Mason completes 70% against No 1 defense.
Impressive. Very.
valdosta native
August 8th, 2012
6:23 pm
I don’t some people understand why the 1st string offense plays against the 2nd string defense and same for 2 string offense to play against the 1st string defense. It’s not so much to get the 1st stringers ready, maybe just broken in and put in game mode. It’s more for the 2nd stringers to get some needed reps against the 1 squad. You don’t win without some depth and knowing your depth going into the season you need to put some pressure on your backups. The backups you see performing well in fall practice will eventually make it to some starting jobs during the year via injuries /attrition or just flat outplaying the other fella.
Wow
August 8th, 2012
6:25 pm
hey, I am going to run 25 miles…. all uphill
This guy thinks he knows everything. Why is even on this blog? There are blogs for Gator crap.
Sounds like he craves attention….. pretty sad.
dawg881
August 8th, 2012
6:26 pm
I like what im hearing.Onlt one worry special teams go dawgs
ICCMAN
August 8th, 2012
6:27 pm
Look at the receiving stats for TD’s again. Brown (2) TD’s, Wooten (1) TD that makes (3) receiving total of course. Mason had (2) passing TD’s today but only credited for (1).
AltamahaDawg
August 8th, 2012
6:29 pm
yea, dawgfan. That really sounds like my style to back down from some valid point. Had I realized that you were actually asking me my honest opinion about what went wrong with the LSU game, I would have been glad to have shared that.. I was just tired of chasing squirrels.
Wow
August 8th, 2012
6:30 pm
Like what I hear about Gurley. Just hope the OL holds up. Still alot of questions with this team but we shall see.
Dynomite
August 8th, 2012
6:32 pm
“I was GREAT on G-Day, one series in the Colorado game and pre season scrimmages too!”
Joe Cox
tide roll
August 8th, 2012
6:34 pm
Auburn, with VanGorder, and Florida, with Muschamp, are going to eat little Murray, and your freshmen running backs alive. Losing Crowell was HUGE, but more importantly, and YET AGAIN, your’re not physical or deep enough along your offensive line. There is absolutely no excuse for this occurring year after year after year.This is why you don’t win a National Title year after year after year.
Wow
August 8th, 2012
6:36 pm
Auburn with Van Gorder, thats a concern. UF with Muschamp not so much
LakeDawg
August 8th, 2012
6:37 pm
Practicing 1’s against 2’s is normal operating procedure in football. The reasoning behind it is you want you #1’s to have some success so they know what it looks like and have practice completing the game plan, especially if one side is dominant. Later on in the season it makes sense to have more 1’s against 1’s scrimmages.
AltamahaDawg
August 8th, 2012
6:38 pm
BC, I noticed you and your other alias’ have cooled on the whole…..”yup,I really like that Lemay guy. So much better than Murray.”