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
Contractor
August 8th, 2012
6:42 pm
Georgia outta run this wishbone with all of the talent at running back. Todd Gurley is a hoss, and Keith Marshal is fast. Add in the beef with Malcolm and Samuel, speed with Harton and you have a hell of a backfield and talent that needs to be used and also can be used as decoys in order to get it in another play maker’s hands. I’m very excited to see the true freshmen line up 7 yards deep on Gameday though.
dawgster7
August 8th, 2012
6:49 pm
How about those comments today from Laremy Tunsil that he love’s UGA and the coaches! Come aboard Laremy we need you big boy!
JTugg
August 8th, 2012
6:53 pm
The #1 Oline did not give up a SACK. WTH is the fuss about? Do you HICKS read at all??? smh #Go Dawgs
Glory between the Hedges
August 8th, 2012
6:53 pm
Anybody who actually has played or knows anything about football knows not to get to down or excited over these type of scrimmages.These scrimmages play nothing like a real football game. They are just getting the guys prepared to go full speed for the season. The next scrimmage may have Michael Bennett get 130 YDS receiving or Keith Marshall with 85 yards rushing with two TDs. It changes every scrimmage depending on what the coaching staff is trying to work on and accomplish. Some of you are just dumb with hatred when it comes to football. Because I sure as heck know you havent put on the pads with some of these comments.
Wow
August 8th, 2012
7:16 pm
Glory between the hedges – All American football player, I think not
Chuck UGA
August 8th, 2012
7:19 pm
Our most dangerous game is Tennessee. We have GOT to beat them. If we do, we will lead that series within five years, and that will just eat those Vol fans around Atlanta to the core! LOL, we’ll win another SEC Title before they will and tie then for number of SEC Titles. Again, that will just eat them up! Grantham’s D will take care of Mr. Bray with the pass rush, but those guys have wideouts like what UGA had with Zeier. Problem is, no defense up there, so we should score on them easily.
LakeDawg
August 8th, 2012
7:19 pm
The dumba$$es shall inherit the earth. We see that everyday on the internet. 90% of the clowns on here have never played a down of football, but they’re EXPERTS.
The Factor
August 8th, 2012
7:21 pm
@tide roll
Don’t give tide roll the time of day. He never went to bama and didn’t know our offensive line coach started for the Tide 4 years and was all-SEC. So he is supposed to be any expert on us?? lol
Rationale
August 8th, 2012
7:22 pm
They are probably afraid to let him go against the #1 defense because they might show him up. If Murray wants respect from some of us this year, who are hard on him, he needs to step up the efficiency against good solid defenses, and reduce his interceptions, and quit racking up offensive numbers against the weaker teams on the schedule to make his stats look good.
LakeDawg
August 8th, 2012
7:25 pm
I mention clowns and who shows up? Rooty Tooty.
mark
August 8th, 2012
7:28 pm
Bobos chunk &duck offense can do nothing against the D, his plays require a lineman to hold blocks to long. gets QB killed ask Green and stafford
@the Factor Re: Tide Roll
August 8th, 2012
7:37 pm
You gave some good advice in your 7:21 post. However, this is Tide Roll’s tutor speaking, and I have told him every time he gets on this board posting baloney, I would call him out. It is embarrassing me to see so little results from all the work I have done with him, trying to make him into a quality poster. He keeps getting hammered for his posts, but so far has not made the connection between the brick bats and the rants he is putting out in public. Don’t really expect things to get better, but I will continue to give it the old college try.
Rainbow Tide Pride
August 8th, 2012
7:40 pm
UGA has less concerns than every other sec program. Bet on it!
Dynomite
August 8th, 2012
7:51 pm
“Yeah, I been a Tide fan for awhile, since ’bout 2008 I reckon. ‘Fore that I rooted for Southern Cal and Texas, but yeah in 2008 Nick came and I’ve been a Tide fan for awhile shur ’nuff I have been!”
Tide Roll 2012
jerry
August 8th, 2012
7:56 pm
If something happens today, Murray is #2. I like that better.
PerroGrande
August 8th, 2012
7:59 pm
Dawgfan, the plane analogy might not be a great one. If your pilot doesn’t realize he’s in a 600mph dive, and you do, you definitely need a new pilot; unfortunately, you probably won’t live to see another one. UGA football is hardly in a dive. A better analogy might be that a terrible rumbling occurs under the plane while you are in a steep descent 10 miles from your destination. You tell the pilot something is wrong, when he informs you that everything is under control–you are just hearing the gear and flaps extending. I would dare say that Richt and Bobo have collectively forgotten more about Xs and Os than most of us put together will ever know…
7576DAWG
August 8th, 2012
8:01 pm
valdosta native
There are a lot of complaining from bloggers that either don’t listen to what Mark Richt has to say or have no idea what they are saying about what it takes to get a team ready to play GAMES in the SEC.
What you said about why the #1 Offense go’s against the #2 Defense and the # 2 Offense go’s against the # 1 Defense is exactly right. You have got to have depth in the SEC if you are one of the best and making the # 2 Offense and # 2 Defense practice against better players, it will help them the most to get better . Also, stats don’t mean very much in practice. The coaches can control who gets the best stats. They are trying to get at least 2 depth at every position and not fall off as far as talent.
One thing I would like to add is they will have fewer injuries when the # 1 Defense and the # 1 Offense doesn’t go after each other. The Juniors and seniors on the 1ST team can tell the # 2 by telling them why they didn’t beat them on the play or out block them while the scrimmage is being played.
The matter concerning Mason was answered by Richt today. He said that Murray would start and if he got injured in the first part of the season that Mason would have to play because he is better than LeMay is right now but he hopes that Murray will not get hurt and LeMay can come in for mop up duty. Then later on if Murray gets hurt and LeMay has progressed enough that he is as good or better than Mason then LeMay will start and Mason will Red shirt.
PerroGrande
August 8th, 2012
8:04 pm
I don’t get this rivalry thing with our QBs. Murray is clearly number 1, picked by many to be one of the top QBs in the country. Mason has much less experience, but everyone likes him, and he has a bright future. We may need his talent if Murray gets hurt. Both fine young men. Lemay is a bit younger, but has tons of potential, and we are all excited that we can look forward to him having a great future at UGA.
PerroGrande
August 8th, 2012
8:10 pm
RootyTooty, I’m sure if you were coaching up our receivers they would never drop a football. I guess our receivers coach tells them to just relax and drop the ball? If only they could get on this blog to listen to great football minds like you…
kingdaddy
August 8th, 2012
8:11 pm
No major injuries. Oline’s getting settled in. Secondary getting some work. Still need more info on Special teams play. So how did Theus fare at RT? 1st team Oline not give up sack and who fumbled? Did we work on any roll-out passes or screens today or running it up the gut? Where was J. Rome? Did the fullbacks get any touches today? What distance was the missed fieldgoal? No fights??
BC
August 8th, 2012
8:17 pm
Nice easy day for the first string.
First string offense had a nice day, against the back up defense.
First string defense had a good day against the back up offense.
Surprise was 2nd string offensive QB having a stellar day against the 1st string—
Hutson Mason, boy got game.
PerroGrande
August 8th, 2012
8:19 pm
Rationale, since you have shown you don’t really understand football at the 7th grade level, why would a college player like Murray care what you think?
Dynomite
August 8th, 2012
8:25 pm
“My son Huston, uhhh I mean Hutson Mason, boy got game”.
BC
Under The Bridge
August 8th, 2012
8:36 pm
I’m not even a UGA fan and I can see that this thread is over run with TROLLS and imposters. Get a life, losers. In-state all the way!
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
August 8th, 2012
8:38 pm
Marlon Brown
Yea I remember him; I remember how this coaching staff when he was a freshman blew his redshirt by putting him on the field for one play and then made the statement that they didnt realize he was put on the field
and he has done good job while he has been allowed to play but just another player not utilized here
AltamahaDawg
August 8th, 2012
8:41 pm
Tampa Gator made the best point today. Judging by some of you, Conner Norman is going to be our leading tackler this year, and Harton will get the majority of carries.
Coach
August 8th, 2012
8:42 pm
For those who don’t know: almost every single division one team, LSU and Bama included, scrimmage #1’s against #2’s. This is the SEC, there isn’t a lot of drop off between #1 and #2. If you don’t know, SAY you don’t know.
PerroGrande
August 8th, 2012
8:43 pm
Good one, Under! Maybe the AJC should rename the UGA blog: Under the Bridge! Where trolls and haters come to live! I am a Dog Fan btw. Excuse me….Go Dogs!
Chip Towers
August 8th, 2012
8:44 pm
kingdaddy: Didn’t look like FBs got any rushes, though Merritt Hall had a 16-yard reception. . . . Not much to report on TEs, either. Folks asking about Jay Rome, he was out there, just didn’t catch any passes I guess. . . . As for fights or any other good stuff like that, it was a closed scrimmage so we have only the team’s reported statistics to go on.
Chip Towers
August 8th, 2012
8:46 pm
mark: I think you offered some good advice. Ask Stafford and Green about the job Bobo does. Not sure you’ll get the answer you’re looking for.
Wow
August 8th, 2012
8:48 pm
Tampa Gator made the best point today? Don’t think so. Read some of his comments. he is just as bad about UF players if not worse that some people on here who are commenting about UGA players.
If he(I assume a he) is such a big UF fan why does he stay on the UGA blogs? UF has blogs also.
That guy just craves attention and “thinks” he knows it all
Chip Towers
August 8th, 2012
8:49 pm
Coach is right. In preseason camp teams scrimmage 1s vs 2s on both sides of the ball. They go 1s vs. 1s in spring.
Wow
August 8th, 2012
8:50 pm
Richt helped Greene more than anyone
AltamahaDawg
August 8th, 2012
8:55 pm
I never said his presense was understandable, but on that particular point, he has spot on.
AltamahaDawg
August 8th, 2012
9:00 pm
Do you think they will be running the “Oklahoma Drill” tomorrow?
Wow
August 8th, 2012
9:02 pm
I don’t put much stock in scrimmage numbers myself. I just think some people were jerking his chain a little and he bit on it. he maybe full of BS like other people on here as well. he just seems arrogant to me.
AltamahaDawg
August 8th, 2012
9:09 pm
not defending him. I just hate to steal a comment and not give a proper tip of the hat.
suwanee dawg
August 8th, 2012
9:15 pm
Nobody officially starts both ways. Not sure why the #1 units do not face each other. It’s summer camp and that is what it is all about. Working your tail off and earning and or retaining a starting spot. We seem to entitle spots and play scared out of fear of injuries, then always start the season slow.
suwanee dawg
August 8th, 2012
9:17 pm
Coach., If the #2’s are as good as the #1’s they would start. Your comment about the two groups being equal makes no sense. There is a difference, that is why teams win and lose.
Coach
August 8th, 2012
9:20 pm
OK. Maybe “suwanee dawg” knows better than EVERY SINGLE COACH IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL.
Coach
August 8th, 2012
9:21 pm
I agree, suwanee dawg, they would all start, IF YOU COULD START 22 PLAYERS.
Tampa Gator
August 8th, 2012
9:23 pm
Wow…..
It seems to me that you crave my attention by the number of posts you have made about me.
But….to answer the question that seems to be bothering you….. I am on here because I am a Dawg fan when they are not playing Florida. I follow the Dawgs very closely….and grew up in South Georgia as a huge fan….Kirby Moore…..Ronnie Jenkins….etc. And I finished that 25 mile bike ride today in 1 hour and 17 minutes….not bad for a 61 year old man just starting out on a touring bike. Lots of fun….you should try it. Goal….get to a consistent 18 to 20 MPH for 25 miles and then start adding miles. Looking forward to the fall…..for college football…..and adding those miles in cooler temps. Problem is….when do I fish? Hobbies….retirement…..fun…..a real problem.
Tampa Gator
August 8th, 2012
9:23 pm
……and Wow….
I don’t know it all…..but I know and think a lot….and read a lot too.
AltamahaDawg
August 8th, 2012
9:25 pm
What he said was there isn’t a lot of drop off. He never said they were equal.
Tampa Gator
August 8th, 2012
9:26 pm
suwanne dawg….
and if you consistently play well on the 2’s….in practice and in scrimmages….you often become a 1 or start slitting time with a 1…..and that helps you win games as well.
Tampa Gator
August 8th, 2012
9:29 pm
Right now…..with LSU….I don’t there there is much of a drop off from the ones to the threes….and that is really scary…..other than at QB. They have 4 RBs that would start on most college teams in the country…..and they are stack on both sides of the line of scrimmage….and at LB…..and at CB….and at S….and ……..The only way they don’t win the SEC this year is….if…..Les Miles gets in the way.
Tampa Gator
August 8th, 2012
9:30 pm
“don’t think there is much drop off”……sorry
AltamahaDawg
August 8th, 2012
9:35 pm
I have been told on good authority than anybody losing to LSU will do so entirely because thier coach doesnt have any idea what he is doing.
Smitty
August 8th, 2012
9:48 pm
Tampa gator …..how are things down at he coast…forget this football stuff…it is all hipe now anyway…I am a Dawg but there is a long way to go in the season
Smitty
August 8th, 2012
9:49 pm
Tampa Gator…did you fish today?