Georgia ‘wins’ practice game; Malcome likely starter at tailback
Georgia coach Mark Richt said Wednesday he's "pretty sure" sophomore Ken Malcome will get the start at tailback in the Bulldogs' season opener against Buffalo on Sept. 1. (UGA photo by Steven Colquitt)
ATHENS — Georgia coach Mark Richt was having way too much fun with this whole “practice game” theme on Wednesday. He excitedly announced that the Bulldogs’ “won” Wednesday’s scrimmage at Sanford Stadium 49-48 over “Buffalo” in overtime.
That may sound somewhat distressing to UGA fans until they realize that Georgia played just one half and its traveling squad spotted the scout team (aka Buffalo) 35 points. Also, one of the Bulls’ touchdowns came after Richt placed the ball on the Georgia 11-yard line.
“But we could have stopped them or forced a field goal,” Richt said with a grin.
Fictional scores aside, Wednesday’s “dress rehearsal” scrimmage was an important component in the Bulldogs’ preparation for the Sept. 1 season opener. Georgia went through their entire pregame routine, including bussing to the stadium and playing under all the constraints of a regular game, with a working clock, referees, substitutions and live kicking.
“To be honest, it was like a real game,” said senior wide receiver Marlon Brown, who led the Bulldogs with 98 yards on 7 catches. “We left from the Butts-Mehre, went to the stadium, went to the locker room, did the team and individual warm-ups, listened to Coach Richt’s speech and went out there and played. It’s good because it’s Georgia versus somebody else instead offense against the defense all the time.”
It was a closed scrimmage but UGA’s Sports Communications staff kept statistics. According to them, quarterback Aaron Murray had a huge day, completing 20-of-25 passes for 253 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Freshman tailback Todd Gurley was the leading rusher for the third straight scrimmage with 54 yards on six carries and a touchdown. Sophomore Ken Malcome added 50 yards on six carries, freshman Keith Marshall had three for 17 (with a 30-yard TD called back due to a holding penalty) and Richard Samuel had three for 10. Marshall and Michael Bennett each had touchdown catches and Georgia had no fumbles or interceptions.
Defensively, the Bulldogs were led my linebacker Mike Gillard with 4 tackles and Amarlo Herrera had 3 stops and returned an interception 23 yards for a touchdown.
“I didn’t like that they got spotted so many points,” Herrera said. I don’t like seeing 48 points up there from anybody; that’s way too many. Nobody’s scoring 48 on us.”
Richt said “Georgia” had a chance to win in regulation. But freshman place-kicker Marshall Morgan missed a 57-yard field goal, his only attempt of the day. Murray scored the winning touchdown on a two-yard quarterback sneak.
“But it was kind of unfair I guess because they can’t tackle me,” Murray said.
“Buffalo” scored on its ensuing overtime possession but lost the game when on the attempted two-point conversion.
“It’s always fun to go out in Sanford Stadium and play and go through the whole routine, do all that,” Murray said. “It was fun. I thought it was a great day.”
Malcome likely starter at tailback
Richt was hesitant to discuss the pecking order of the tailbacks or which one might start the opener. But after some cajoling he admitted to reporters after the scrimmage that Malcome most likely will get the nod against Buffalo.
“I’m pretty sure Ken Malcome is going to start,” he said. “But something could change between now and then.”
Richt said he might not make an announcement until the night before the opener and then it may be only to the team.
“I don’t know for sure,” he said. “I even haven’t talked to the staff yet about how we’re gonna do it. Even when we do that I doubt I’ll announce the thing because I don’t even want them to know. I want them to keep fighting and competing. We’ll tell them the night before the game maybe.”
Informed after the scrimmage that Richt was leaning toward starting him, Malcome was unmoved.
“I mean, it’s not that I don’t care,” he said. “That’s what I was already thinking anyway. But I’m gonna keep pushing. I’m not going to let that one little statement go to my head.”
For what it’s worth, here are the tailbacks’ rushing stats in the three scrimmages: Gurley — 19 carries for 199 yards with 4 TDs; Malcome — 16-117-1; Marshall 15-63-1; Samuel 9-50-1.
This & that . . .
Richt said he was misunderstood and did not close the rest of the Bulldogs’ practices this week because he was mad at the media.”If anything I’m mad at myself,” he said of having a competition period opened Tuesday in which reporters saw Marshall get shaken up on a hard hit. Richt said only Thursday’s “situational scrimmage” at Sanford Stadium is off-limits. There will be designated media observation periods as per normal routine for Friday’s and Saturday’s workouts. . . . Though the Bulldogs’ starting lineups are pretty much set for the opener, Richt wouldn’t say who the starting safeties are going to be. All-American free safety Bacarri Rambo is thought to be suspended for the opener but Georgia hasn’t made an announcement to that effect. Same for starting inside linebacker Alec Ogletree.
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193 comments Add your comment
Henry
August 22nd, 2012
11:21 pm
Rotate the backs in and out vs. Buffalo to get the freshman’s feet wet in a college game. But vs. Missouri, I want Malcome and Samuel to be the primary ballcarriers. They have experience, and won’t be rattled by the crowd that Mizzou will have. If you put Gurley or Marshall in there and they hear that crowd rooting hard against them, they’ll freeze. It’s just different for a freshman in the SEC when he’s not used to 90,000 people rooting against him.
kingdaddy
August 22nd, 2012
11:22 pm
Thanks guys, I’ve been Drudging. Read about the dude partying with escaped research monkeys, lol…
It was love at first sight for Georgia and tailback Todd Gurley | UGA sports blog
August 22nd, 2012
11:23 pm
[...] Notebook: Georgia ‘wins’ scrimmage; Ken Malcome likely starter at tailback [...]
t2go
August 22nd, 2012
11:31 pm
I would not have thought it 3 mths. ago…but maybe the best thing that happened in Athens was Crowell being shown the door. I wish him the best, but his talents were mostly out weighed by his dismal attitude. These guys seem to be working hard, and with great attitudes.
There seem to be many guys willing to step up…These guys have a great opportunity..I hope they make the most of it! All of the backs are going to have a chance to play and none of then should be feeling the pressure to do it all themselves. We do need a running game bad! It is such a benefit to the Defense…if the D can stay rested they should dominate!
I have been a Richt and Bobo knocker…..It remains to be seen about Bobo…but Richt seems to be a little different this year. Like I said I think something shifted when Crowell departed….
This is our best shot since Staff and Know were here. Hope they grab it by the throat and do not let go. Would be great to leave Missouri having properly stomped them…as GEORGIA should!…and turn the attention to revenge on the Gamecocks!
DawginTX
August 22nd, 2012
11:41 pm
As long as Richt has more than one option at tailback, we will never have someone get into rhythm. He can’t pick a favorite unless he is forced to. This is the second coming of Michael Cooper, Kregg Lumpkin, Thomas Brown, and Danny Ware. 3 of them have seen time in the NFL despite none of them ever average more than 15 carries a game.
Douglas
August 22nd, 2012
11:43 pm
This is why UGA will never win a SEC championship under Richt or Booboo as OC: the best running back at UGA is very clear yet we are going to start Boo? Get rid of Richt as our head coach and make Grantham our HC — he will find an OC that will help UGA win National Championships.
GB's Hamburgers
August 23rd, 2012
12:18 am
Football is right around the corner. The nights are cooler. We’re going to play ….. Buffalo? Hummmm wonder who will win that? OK we’ll win and the quarterback will get those gaudy number that make him seem legit.
RED DOG 77
August 23rd, 2012
12:57 am
I’ve been sayin’ since coach Todd Grantham came to town and brought “attack” football back to Athens……………Once he gets his defense on track, the offense will want their share of the GLORY as well…………….I think it’s time BULLDOGS !!!!………………GATA
RED DOG 77
August 23rd, 2012
1:01 am
G B Hotdog…………Check-out another site………….GT is just a simple click away…………Regards, RED
Destin Dawg
August 23rd, 2012
6:47 am
Yes Grantham’s NFL experience and intensity has uppped expectations on BOTH sides of the ball, energy vampires like Crowell are gone… S & C and Jen Ketterly’s dailey buffet have improved stamina of all, especially O Line.. Go Dawgs, THIS is our year.. SEC Champs !!
Destin Dawg
August 23rd, 2012
6:53 am
hope Richt has learned NO more seniority system.. play’em all .. keep ‘em fresh.. when one stands out make him 1st string !!!
Game Changer
August 23rd, 2012
7:19 am
T Granthams so called great defense has gotten curb stomped 5 or more times each season. YES, CURB STOMPED! We have depth on the front line but no where else on defense. Please be cautious with expectations this early.
tell me again
August 23rd, 2012
7:25 am
Some of you posters have short memories – Boo Malcome was a bulldozer after the hit last year. That kid moves the pile and the grass with it – he’s a monster. He knows the system – he’s paid his dues – he’s ready. He is the only logical choice to start – the starting spot is his to lose. The freshmen will definitely get playing time but Boo is the man – battle tested and ready for his shot.
Just Saying
August 23rd, 2012
7:26 am
I still think Keith Marshall will be awesome…..as well as Todd Gurley. Keith had several big runs in the scrimmages called backh and Todd had none. KM would have had 47 yards on 4 carries if it hadn’t been for the penalty. Of course…..these are only scrimmages and we don’t really know the details ie. What offensive line they were running behind, etc. Can’t wait for the season to start and I’m “fired up” about our running backs……it will be interesting to see inNovember who had the best season. Love the competition!!!
It was love at first sight for Georgia and tailback Todd Gurley - Georgia News Feed
August 23rd, 2012
7:39 am
[...] Notebook: Georgia ‘wins’ scrimmage; Ken Malcome likely starter at tailback [...]
UGA Blue 2012
August 23rd, 2012
7:53 am
>Gurley has clearly been the best RB in camp based purely on stats.
>Richt decides to start Malcolme.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eCRMOBOqpU&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Richt is Johnny Cochran and I’m the exploding head juror. Why? Because, just like the Chewbacca Defense, IT DOESN’T MAKE SENSE!
Dawg Tired
August 23rd, 2012
8:12 am
If Gurley continues to out perform Malcome, Malcome is a lock to be the starter. Weird but apparently true with this bunch of coaches.
I dropped my fried twinkie
August 23rd, 2012
8:26 am
So the SCOUT teams sucks?
UGa’s young players and depth are suspect if they are that bad.
ugab
August 23rd, 2012
8:32 am
Malcome has game experience. Malcome and Samuel are both game timers, who can help an unexperiences OL protect Murray.. Gurley and Marshall will get their time to shine this season. Malcome is right behind Gurley in yardage. MR always plays more than 1 back in games. Samuel has earned playing time. EX. Florida game.. If the OL can get Samuel at full speed through the hole, LOOK OUT> RBs will be fine. My worries are the OL and DBs.
AltamahaDawg
August 23rd, 2012
8:45 am
JB, when has Richt played player that he did not think were not the best option for the team, and only out of misguided loyalty. Name some.With such a long history of that, It shouldn;t be diffcicult to come up with a few.
AltamahaDawg
August 23rd, 2012
8:48 am
What I would be interested to know, is the roster for our “buffalo” squad. Sounds like they at least put up a competitive fight.
Columbus
August 23rd, 2012
8:52 am
The cocks are going to get pay back this year for the gift they got last year….their offense didnt do much of nothing last year and definitely will not this year and absolutely will not get all those special team and scores by their defense….bank on that…..
2012 SEC East Champion Georgia Bulldogs
Columbus
August 23rd, 2012
8:53 am
Gurley is going to be an awesome and surprising beast in the backfield….
AltamahaDawg
August 23rd, 2012
8:54 am
And I think that is an absolutely ridiculous statement that Blair Walsh continue to kick FG for us last year only out of a desire not to hurt his feelings. Really? come on. Is it possible that Richt just felt like he was still the best option?
damngoodawg
August 23rd, 2012
9:04 am
Looking at their overall stats for the scrimmages, it looks like Gurley is way out front. What’s up with that?
Red Clay Hound
August 23rd, 2012
9:04 am
Altamaha, I agree. Do they have a football 101 class we could send some of these people too?
AltamahaDawg
August 23rd, 2012
9:09 am
Bogatay was 1/3 in FG attempts in live action at UGA. He was only a 65% Placekicker in Jr College. He was brought in because he had a Long KO, and he never won that job either. So if you were the head coach trying to win actual games you are telling us that you would have benched Blair Walsh last year? I seriously doubt it.
Joey
August 23rd, 2012
9:17 am
I hope neither Rambo nor Ogletree get suspended. They wouldn’t be if they played for any of the teams in our bordering states or Tech.
Nick
August 23rd, 2012
9:19 am
Looks like Richard Samuel is right on track with a 3.3 YPC average!
Nick
August 23rd, 2012
9:21 am
Got a feeling we ain’t gonna see Tree and Rambo for a few games. I seriously hope I’m wrong though.
AltamahaDawg
August 23rd, 2012
9:43 am
Rambo will get some suspension for the brownie incident. I had thought all along that he could appeal the automatic 4 game, and have it lowered because IMO the first offense was sort of questionable. However now that Smitth was cleared for basically the same thing (passenger in the car had pot), it makes me question that now.. Surely he was given a drug test last year after that incident. (although that has never been reported) Maybe there are some different circumstances but it seems like , If he had passed it…….he would not have been suspended last year. AND the fact that he got tested the week after sping break leads me to believe he is not in the random list anymore. It sure sounds like he has failed a couple now. (still possible to appear based on the “accidental” nature of the second one, I suppose).
Joey
August 23rd, 2012
9:44 am
I’m not JB, but a couple that comes to mind is Joe T over Stafford, and T Brown over Knowshon. All that doesn’t matter now, but lots of fans would agree with JB that Richt has seemed to favor some players over seemingly “can’t miss” types a few times at UGA.
Joey
August 23rd, 2012
9:49 am
I can get the fact that a second-teamer might smoke pot occasionally but Rambo and Ogletree have futures in the NFL at stake, where drug tests (and suspensions) are also done.
Damn, just drink a beer . . .
HoneyBadger Has the Munchies
August 23rd, 2012
9:50 am
@ Nick…so true about Mr. Samuel. I give the guy props because of his team mantality but how can you be a punishing runner when you seem to trip over your own feet? 3.3 YPC
HoneyBadger Has the Munchies
August 23rd, 2012
9:54 am
Use Samuel in the fourth quarter fresh…wear down the opposing D because is a big back.
UGA Insider
August 23rd, 2012
10:03 am
Malcome is the best back we have. He has impressed and was a beast vs. Mich State until Bobo took the ball out of his hands. Still don’t understand that one but whatever. Kind of like punting to Honey Badger but that was last year and all is forgotten.
Buffalo is an easy one and Sanders/Rambo, Tree is out. Doesn’t matter.
Mizzou thinks they have a shot at us but there is NO way against this defense. My only worry about this game is Bobo/Richt going ultra conservative in 2nd half.
I want all UGA fans to note however our special teams is a major work in progress. I look for CMR to go for it on 4th down a ton this year. I hope S.T. doesn’t cost us a game but we are really struggling. I will just keep my eyes closed when we punt. Thank god they moved the tee’s up on kickoffs too.
HoneyBadger Has the Munchies
August 23rd, 2012
10:07 am
@UGA Insider all very good points. Especially Richt/Bobo going conservative. Seems that mentality keeps the opposing team just close enough in the game for the Dawgs to lose…..close games last year. Need to take more chances….I hate to say it….but like Spurrier and Miles.
AltamahaDawg
August 23rd, 2012
10:09 am
Predictable answers. And those aren’t just the casual seem to be who comes to mind as muichy as its the only answer anybody ever has.
I’ll spare the rest of the room my longwinded retort…………and simple say this. I didn;t ask for guys who the fans wanted to see, or “thought were better”. I asked for examples of playing somebody who Richt didn’t think was the best option at the time. Thats the old cliche….’ That somehow he knew those guys were the worst option, but put them out there out of misplaced loyalty. That he knowingly risked the game and his other players, staff, his own job.
I think the much more logical explaination would be that he simply disagree with some of the fans about what was “best” at the time, based on his experience and perspective as the actual coach of the team.
Joey
August 23rd, 2012
10:11 am
UGA Insider, I’d say Malcome is the most experienced back we have, but numbers don’t lie. 4 TDs to 1 TD says to me that Gurley can get in the end zone. And those long runs say nobody much can run him down.
We’ll know for sure soon – but if Gurley runs it vs Mizzou like he did against our D, he’s gonna be hard to keep of the field, don’t you think? Size and speed.
Joey
August 23rd, 2012
10:16 am
So that wasn’t the longwinded retort? Haha.
I didn’t imply that they were the “worst option.”
Just maybe the “second-best option.”
HoneyBadger Has the Munchies
August 23rd, 2012
10:20 am
I’m just excited that UGA has FOUR….count them Four backs to rotate into our games. That does not include Branden Smith going in a couple of times either. Lets get aggressive Georgia with some creative play calling!
UGA Insider
August 23rd, 2012
10:28 am
Joey, number don’t lie but they can be scewed to mislead. Just look at what our president does to the unemployed numbers for instance.
Gurley is going to be great and may be this year. But hoenstly, Malcome is the better blocker and overall better runner at this time. Malcome won most improved player this spring as well so look out. Also note that Malcome had IC beat out this spring as well. The kid is good I’m telling you.
ChattanoogaDawg
August 23rd, 2012
10:34 am
Da’Rick Rogers was suspended indefinitely by Dooley for breaking team rules. Just glad he picked the Vols instead of the Dawgs, he’s a cancer for sure.
Newman
August 23rd, 2012
10:36 am
So tell me again why Gurley is not starting?
Joey
August 23rd, 2012
10:40 am
Oh, don’t get me started on your president, Insider . . .
Yeah, Malcome impressed me last year, when he finally played – seems like he had a groin (?) injury much of the year. I saw him lay out a couple of pass rushers too.
Maybe he stays healthy and has a big season – if so, there will probably be a redshirt for somebody – maybe Marshall?
HoneyBadger Has the Munchies
August 23rd, 2012
10:41 am
@Chatt…just read that article too. Tough loss for Vols…but a cancer for sure
Paddy
August 23rd, 2012
10:43 am
Joe……….don’t believe you have been keeping pace w/ UGA football this summer! The backs will be in a rotation and all will see snaps. Naming a starter w/ all this talent at TB has very little or no effect on what we can expect out of this position in 2012 Unfold that underwear and enjoy the season.
WDE
August 23rd, 2012
10:47 am
@Newman its simple the COACH made the call to start a veteran in the opening game. He never said Gurley or anyone else won’t see the field, but frankly I can’t see the harm in having someone start that doesn’t have first game jitters or might get the QB killed missing a blocking assignment…funny the trolls all complain on how much we pay coaches and then they want to do their jobs for them..
7576DAWG
August 23rd, 2012
10:56 am
Malcome’s problem was always between the ears. Toward the end of the year he seemed to have gotten his attitude right. I think he has matured a lot since last year and now doesn’t think the coaches are his enemy but are trying to help him be the best he can be , which will make Georgia better.
I am proud that Malcome got it together and when he runs he leaves everything on the field. We can’t go wrong in playing him but the most important thing this year is we have Marshall and Gurley to back him up. With the kind of talent that we have at Tailback this year I would be surprised for any of the backs to carry the ball more than 15 times a game.
Why did Lattimore tear his ACL? Because Spurrier ran him 25 to 30 time a game and when your body gets tired you are more susceptible to injury. That won’t happen at Georgia.
The only thing that could keep any of the three Tailback’s that we have at Georgia on the bench this year is if they start dropping the ball, Coach Mark Richt’s biggest pet peeve. If one of the three starts fumbling we at least have another big , fast back to take his place.
I predict Georgia will gain over 200 yards on the ground every game which will really open the passing game . Over 400 yards per game total offense, could be close to 500.
UGA Insider
August 23rd, 2012
10:56 am
Da’Rick is suspended indefinitely.