Notebook: QB Hutson Mason hopes he doesn’t get called on
GEORGIA FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK
ATHENS — If all goes as Hutson Mason hopes, he won’t play Saturday against Buffalo. If he gets his way, he won’t play all season.
That may seem like an odd aspiration for a backup quarterback at an SEC school, but it makes perfect sense to Mason, a junior quarterback from Marietta.
Mason is the Bulldogs’ clear No. 2 quarterback behind three-year starter Aaron Murray. But the Lassiter High graduate hopes to redshirt this season in order to put a year of eligibility between him and Murray. That way he will have at least a year to possibly run the offense as the starter after Murray graduates.
“I never really pictured it to go this way,” said Mason, who set the Georgia high school record for passing yards (4,560) and touchdown passes (54) as a senior. “It’s so funky and there are so many what-ifs.”
The main what-if is Murray. Mason has backed up Murray the past two seasons and has been very impressive in doing so, completing 27 of 47 passes for 356 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. But Mason has had few snaps in meaningful games. Almost all of his work has come in mop-up duty late in blowouts.
Much of that is a testament to Murray’s durability. Mason has called his good buddy “Superman” because he never gets hurt. Mason hopes that if he gets a year between him and Murray, he could lead the Bulldogs in some marquee games.
“I’ve never hoped Aaron gets hurt,” Mason said. “I love Aaron. I’m knocking on wood hoping Aaron lights it up and stays healthy.
“But it’s basically the same thing for me this year. Coaches have told me that I’m the No. 2 guy, and if Murray goes down I’m going to go in. But then you’d have to figure out how long he might be out for and that kind of thing. So I’m just treating it the exact same way and preparing the same way I did last year. I’m hoping I don’t play but, at the same time, I’ve got to get ready.”
That’s what Georgia’s coaches are saying. Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mike Bobo has made it clear that Mason is his second-best guy and, half-jokingly, refuses to acknowledge that redshirting is an option for him.
Meanwhile, redshirt freshman Christian LeMay is available to take snaps in a blowout scenario such as the Bulldogs could have Saturday against Buffalo. But he apparently is not quite ready to jump into the firestorm that is SEC play.
Coach Mark Richt wasn’t even guaranteeing snaps for LeMay on Saturday. “Our plan is to line up with Aaron and try to win the game,” he said. “We don’t have a plan like with D.J. [Shockley] back in the day where we knew he was going to play in the first half. We’ll just see how the game goes and sub if possible.”
Dantzler OK as gap-filler
Line coaches often refer to plays such as Watts Dantzler as “puddy” or “caulk.” It’s meant to be a compliment, as in “you can plug him into any gap and he’ll fill in.”
That’s the role that has befallen the hulking sophomore heading into the season. Though he began preseason camp No. 1 at right tackle, he ended it as No. 2 at as many as four positions. Center is the only position at which he hasn’t taken snaps in August.
“I actually took some snaps at center this summer,” said Dantzler, a 6-foot-7, 320-pound sophomore from Dalton. “If they wanted me to I would do that but I don’t think Boss would like it. Other than that I’ve played just about every position. And I think it’s helped me. I’m very confident in the playbook and the calls.”
Dantzler was beaten out at right tackle by freshman John Theus, a five-star signee who has been impressive since the outset. After that Dantzler began to get a lot of work at right tackle. In last half of camp he started to work at left tackle and guard.
“It’s difficult switching positions., especially having to switch stances on the left side,” Dantzler said. “But I think I’m versatile and know what to do at any given position. So I think that helps out.”
Dantzler said he was disappointed to not win the job at right tackle, but said Theus deserves to start.
“I have a lot of things I’ve got to work; I’ve got to get better, definitely,” he said. “I’m happy for the ones. I think we’ve got a great offensive line. The starting five is really good and I think me and Austin [Long] are both definitely ready to step in and contribute when our time is called.”
Practice report
The sixth-ranked Bulldogs completed their 26th practice of the preseason on Wednesday with a 90-minute practice in jerseys, shorts and helmets Wednesday.
“We’re ready to go,” Richt said. “Let’s play some football. We’re about done, we’ve got one more day of practice.”
Thursday the Bulldogs will have a brief non-contact practice walk-through Saturday’s game plan.
Etc.
Asked what positions most intrigued him to see in action Saturday, Richt said “punters and kickers.” Also, “it’ll be fun to watch our backs.” … Tight end Jay Rome remained “limited” in Georgia’s practice Wednesday with a hamstring strain and is questionable for Saturday’s game. … Nose guard Kwame Geathers (shoulder bruise) and defensive end Cornelius Washington (neck sprain) returned to practice and will be able to play Saturday.
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145 comments Add your comment
WDE
August 30th, 2012
8:39 am
@We Run The East we are the SEC East Champs right now today….just remember that when you run your mouth about “beat someone” . We beat hell out of a Auburn team your bunch couldn’t..remember that ?Talk about wilt under pressure all your bunch had to do was beat a underpowered Auburn squad and the SEC East was your….but no your whole team choked…and that is the long and the short of it.Now go get ready for Vandy or they will kick you butt too…they are tougher now than Auburn was last year.
2plyguy
August 30th, 2012
8:41 am
Georgia will pay Buffalo $975,000 for the game. That matches the most UGA has agreed to pay an opponent to play in Sanford Stadium. Enough said!
Bogey
August 30th, 2012
8:42 am
Tampa, Are you privy to any transfer talk for the qb that loses out in this battle? Both sophomores and talented so probably will not want to play second fiddle for 3 years.
RxDawg
August 30th, 2012
8:50 am
“Pretty sure yall will be watching the Gamecocks beat Vandy tonight.
…
Wouldn’t be surprised to see Vandy upset some teams this year, especially a team like Ga.”
Oh I wouldn’t be shocked if they won over you guys. Opening game… in Nashville… This one could be bad for USC. I think if Vandy can somewhat slow down Lattimore, then they will win tonight. That’s a pretty big if though and I’m not so sure they can.
GTT
August 30th, 2012
9:03 am
It’s putty, not puddy.
Dylan
August 30th, 2012
9:07 am
If i had a choice on who whould when their first game of the season would have to be the georgia bulldogs not only cause their my favorent but because of the line up and their mental and physical actions are on both offence and defence but my opion would be georgia will be champions this year
DawginLex
August 30th, 2012
9:08 am
Real easy folks
Murray is better than Mason
Mason is a lot better than Lemay
Lemay has not played a meaningful game in 2 years and has never taken a snap in a real college game
If Murray goes down, Mason is the best option and yes, his redshirt will be blown. If it is for a considerable amount of time, the QB position at UGA for 2012 just got worse.
Lemay not being ready to play has nothing to do with Bobo and this so called inability to get a QB ready. It has everything to do with learning the playbook and inexperience.
DawgNation
August 30th, 2012
9:10 am
We Run The East:
Cut and past king of the AJC blogs. Thomas Brown clone. GTBob wanna be.
At least get some original material.
TheSmoker
August 30th, 2012
9:10 am
I wouldn’t be surprised to see the gamecocks choke tonight. Fingers Crossed!
D Fence
August 30th, 2012
9:12 am
Lets face it – we wont know too much more about the Dawgs after Saturday than what we do right now. I fully expect us to dominate on defense and offense. It will be exciting to see many of the new guys we have in the rotation and what they can bring to the table potentially against real competition.
Until our o line can show a dominating performance against a top opponent – and frankly we may not meet that criteria until SC -then all bets are off. We need to come out next week in the other Columbia and dictate the game by completely controlling the LOS on both fronts, most specifically Will Friends group.
TheSmoker
August 30th, 2012
9:14 am
And have the cocks even won the East yet?
DeepDiver
August 30th, 2012
9:15 am
I believe the word is [b] putty[/b]!
ARdawg
August 30th, 2012
9:21 am
Tampagator
Phil Steele like all of the other talking head prognosticators starts out with a 50% chance of being right. His record on UGA picks must be somewhere around 15-20%. You mentioned that he picked UGA to win the east last year. He picked UGA to win a NC in 08, then to win the East in 09 and 10. I like Steele as he measures where many others do not but, I caution you to not hang your hat on his predictions
ARdawg
August 30th, 2012
9:22 am
The cocks backed into the East with 3 losses only to get bytched slapped by AU
Mobile Dawg
August 30th, 2012
9:22 am
Murray may or may not be better than Mason, most of us won’t know because we haven’t seen him in game conditions. I believe there were opportunites last year where he could have been significantly more involved in several games, giving him more game experience should Murray go down. I have to wonder why Richt gives him the minimum playing time possible. Is it to pad Murrays stats, or is he worried he may have to make a tough decision.
robodawg
August 30th, 2012
9:25 am
@Tampa Gator – I definitely agree no one should count the Gators out. The prognosticators who don’t give you a chance in the East aren’t paying enough attention. That said, “best defense in the SEC” is a bit of a stretch.
robodawg
August 30th, 2012
9:33 am
@Mobile Dawg — This has been a problem for years. One reason our backups don’t get much playing time is that we’ve had more trouble than we should putting opponents away. It was the same when Joe Cox was backing Stafford.
Back when we were making sure Shockley got put in games behind Greene it definitely eased the transition to 2005 and led to an SEC title.
G-Dawg
August 30th, 2012
9:38 am
TG…i hear ya bro. Gators are being highly undervalued..and Cocks overvalued this year!! Regardless, they play the dawgs tough each year..and this year will be another big one. Plenty of talent on that team. Dawgs still havent shown any consistency across the board. But i do like this years team!!
albanydog
August 30th, 2012
9:39 am
JOCRAZY GO SOMEWHERE AN DIE.
UGAdawg2012
August 30th, 2012
9:39 am
@We Run the East how many east titles have the cocks won???? Who won the east last year? And y’all run it???? Hahaha you guys are pathetic and I feel sorry for you..
GO DAWGS!
I dropped my fried twinkie
August 30th, 2012
9:53 am
MY DAWG
August 30th, 2012
12:27 am
Let me say it now, If Goergia beats SC in Columbia, they will win it all. William Brice stadium has turned into a menacing place. We sat in the stands 2 years ago and watched ML run over the Dawgs. Then after the game, we had to basically fight our way through drunk tailgating(game) cock lovers throwing obsenity after obsenity our way. I will never spend another dime there.It was a hellish enviroment both in and outside the stadium. GO DAWGS!
====================================================
Gee do you think that could be payback from the fans that had to endure the same crap in Athens? The Dwag fans can be the worst. I have seen & heard grown men with young girls & boys beside them yell some extremely vulgar crap to opposing fans. Please don’t cry about getting abused when UGa fans are National Champions at being vulgar to opposing fans.
Not All UGa fans mind you but there are a HUGE number of them that are.
WDE
August 30th, 2012
9:57 am
I’ve watched a number of game in William Brice and I have to say the fans in the stadium are a heck of a lot nicer than the SC fans on this blog are. I’ve met a number of very gracious folks at SC games and will always think of them and the games fondly…and Twinkie didn’t you say yesterday that you haven’t been to Athens since 1978?
I dropped my fried twinkie
August 30th, 2012
10:06 am
1998
BleedRedBlack
August 30th, 2012
10:06 am
I hope Mason doesn’t get the DJ syndrome. DJ was soooo good and I know he could have been a starting NFL QB had he played 3-4 years starting QB at UGA. Hutson should have been a starter for a top College program as a freshman or at least Sophomore. Hopefully he will get to start next year and show the NFL his great skills. I watched him over the years at Lassiter H.S. and he really is special.
BankerDawg
August 30th, 2012
10:20 am
I am a Dawg fan and cannot wait for this season to start. Also, I am as anti-Florida as they come. With that being said, we as Dawg fans shouldn’t bash Muschamp quite so much. Remember, he is a Dawg. No matter what is said, he loves Bulldawg Nation. He’s just trying to advance himself and make a fat paycheck like the rest of us. Don’t be so hard on him ha Go Dawgs!
Cow Pasture Country
August 30th, 2012
11:04 am
This is worrisome to me and my DAWGS that our backup QB is not ready and scared to play in a game already! This must be a total TEAM effort to win this ballgame….Mason seems more of a me-first person than a team-first person. We don’t need players like that on OUR TEAM! Goodbye and good riddance Mr. Mason!
Nash Nance's Dad
August 30th, 2012
11:07 am
Don’t play Mason, CALL ME!
I can get you a pine tested SEC QB with Div.3 practice experience and a troubled, lying WR as a package deal.
I know, I know I messed it up bad the first time, but my commitment to being the best agent in the South, next to Cecil of course, is solid.
HIT ME UP!
Kickoff Tee
August 30th, 2012
11:07 am
Here lies the problem with UGA, All in this article. Murray is REQUIRED to stay HEALTHY.
Mason has NOT played against BIG time competition. The OL is so untested and may lead to more issues than expected by many on these blogs. If Murray does not have great games each week against SEC opponents or is forced into making poor decisions then it will be a downer for the bulldawg nation.
As for Florida. The folks who have seen many practices in the spring and summer camps say that UF is not as well off as Tampa Gator is selling his program. The UF defense will be good, but if their offense leaves their defense on the field like they did last year then their lack of depth will show up very very quick. However UF does match up well with UGA better than they do with USC.
My suprise team that may contend is Vanderbilt. They are now a physical team who are smart and do not make dumb mistakes. I guess tonight we will see the two teams that may push UGA for the East title.
Kickoff Tee
August 30th, 2012
11:13 am
MY DAWG
August 30th, 2012
12:27 am
Let me say it now, If Goergia beats SC in Columbia, they will win it all. William Brice stadium has turned into a menacing place. We sat in the stands 2 years ago and watched ML run over the Dawgs. Then after the game, we had to basically fight our way through drunk tailgating(game) cock lovers throwing obsenity after obsenity our way. I will never spend another dime there.It was a hellish enviroment both in and outside the stadium. GO DAWGS!
___________________________________________________________
Not taking sides here, but you could substitute that with a UGA home game against the USC and their fans would tell you the same thing about UGA and SOME of their fans. The Wisconsin fans did a poll last year with their fans on who were the worst fans they played against and UGA came in 2nd after their bowl game in Tampa a few years back. Maybe it was SEC bias? Either way we all have dumb, drunk fans who show no class.
d1reality
August 30th, 2012
11:14 am
Buffalo, I can’t wait. Love the challenging schedule. Get’s the adreneline going just thinking upon that monster team from up north.
I guess if I get bored, there is always Bama/Michigan. What you say, Bama has the nads to open with Michigan!!!
Hard Truth Soldier
August 30th, 2012
11:15 am
This is so typical of Georgia when it comes to Black QB’s to always look at them to be unprepared. I could go back and bring some history, but I’ll digress. I watched this kid in the spring game, and I know without a shadow of doubt that LeMay could lead this team. Truth be told this wasn’t Murray’s team to lead, but Mattenberger. Murray got this job by default. Now do I think Murray is a decent QB? Yes, but I know Mason or Lemay could lead this team and Bobo as and evaluater is a joke. Isn’t this the same Mike Bobo that Everybody in the state knew Hines Ward should’ve been playing in front of? The Hines Ward thing kinda worked out. LeMay will Transfer Out next year, and unlike Shockley will get more snaps. somewhere else.Georgia, if you haven’t noticed Clemson, Florida State, Auburn, LSU, UF, Tenn, Texas, Neb, OU, Just to name a few have played and won nat’l titles with a Black kid. Get on the bus DAWGS!
BG
August 30th, 2012
11:20 am
Mason is a DGD.
ARdawg
August 30th, 2012
11:25 am
“Gee do you think that could be payback from the fans that had to endure the same crap in Athens? The Dwag fans can be the worst. I have seen & heard grown men with young girls & boys beside them yell some extremely vulgar crap to opposing fans. Please don’t cry about getting abused when UGa fans are National Champions at being vulgar to opposing fans.
Not All UGa fans mind you but there are a HUGE number of them that are”
C’mon twinkie, that’s quite a stretch and over the top embellishment. UGA fans are quite often mentioned by opposing fans (GT not withstanding) as some of the finer hosts in the SEC and they are. I have been to almost every SEC stadium for a game and can personally give you a fairly accurate rating if you’d like. UGA and Stanford is very mild
ugab
August 30th, 2012
11:30 am
Mason is a product of CMR not redshirtn him as a freshman. I think CMR needs to Redshirt atleast One RB this season also.. Mason should have transferred to get playing time. Mason should have come in on some of the big games that Murray could not handle..
ugab
August 30th, 2012
11:34 am
Murray will have to prove his self with this season. Our OL is going to give up some sacks. Let’s not forget Vandy should have beat us, Fl almost beat us, Tennesse was a close on. Its not like the dawgs ran over anybody.
Tech Sucks
August 30th, 2012
11:39 am
PJ got it. Tampa Gator not so much.
David
August 30th, 2012
11:39 am
@Tampa Gator: Phil Steele also thought Georgia could run the table in 2010. They finished 6-7. http://blogs.ajc.com/uga-sports-blog/2010/05/31/phil-steele-georgia-bulldogs-could-very-well-run-the-table-this-year/
Real Hawgette
August 30th, 2012
11:44 am
ARdawg
August 30th, 2012
11:25 am
“Gee do you think that could be payback from the fans that had to endure the same crap in Athens? The Dwag fans can be the worst. I have seen & heard grown men with young girls & boys beside them yell some extremely vulgar crap to opposing fans. Please don’t cry about getting abused when UGa fans are National Champions at being vulgar to opposing fans.
Not All UGa fans mind you but there are a HUGE number of them that are”
C’mon twinkie, that’s quite a stretch and over the top embellishment. UGA fans are quite often mentioned by opposing fans (GT not withstanding) as some of the finer hosts in the SEC and they are. I have been to almost every SEC stadium for a game and can personally give you a fairly accurate rating if you’d like. UGA and Stanford is very mild
_________________________________________________________
ARdawg, You are wearing your Red and Black Colored Glasses Today. I am a female with three kids who are Big Time Football fans and two years ago we attended the Arkansas UGA Game in Athens and my kids were yelled at, Barked at, Cursed and Abused by Some Drunk Barking Georgia Fans for 3 quarters. Some very nice Older Gentlemen with a Red Blazer on it came over and finally told the group to sit down enjoy their game and keep their vulgarity to themselves or he would insure they would never step inside the stadium again. After the game we were cursed and treated like we were from another planet with our Razorback clothes on. My kid ages 5, 9, 12 at the time said they never wanted to go back to a Georgia game. Our nephew played at Arkansas at the time and he said that Georgia fans were very close to LSU fans when it came to drunks and bad behavior.
These are student athletes, not pros and some fans just have no class. I am sure our Razorback fans have some idiots and misbehave. I just do not think painting some glorious pictures about how nice Athens is really is not honest.
I dropped my fried twinkie
August 30th, 2012
12:01 pm
Athens has more bars than legal age people can afford to keep in business so how do they sta in business? Why is UGa always in the top 10 of Party Schools? Leebern keeps the liquor free flowing and the Drunks at the games are unbearable.
spider
August 30th, 2012
12:16 pm
UGA has very little chance of making the bcs title game due to strength of schedule. No bama, lsu, or ark and their 4 non conf games are a total joke.
DawginLex
August 30th, 2012
12:35 pm
hawgette
I went to the Ark/UGA game in Fayetteville in 2000 when we won and you would have thought we stole some of those folks 1st born child. I went and bought one of those Hog hats for a take home prize and wore it out of the stadium with my UGA shirt on. That got some nice comments too.
There are drunk idiots everywhere at every stadium across the SEC.
DawginLex
August 30th, 2012
12:36 pm
hard truth
Your post is the dumbest thing I have read on any of these blogs.
ARdawg
August 30th, 2012
12:36 pm
Real Hawgette
Wow, funny you should chime in
The AR in my nick stands for Arkansas btw. I apologize that you had a bad experience. Couldn’t that happen just about any where? I have a list of personal experiences as well at Reynolds Razorback stadium in Fayetteville but, I’m not going to condemn the Razorback nation because of it. Razorback fans are some of the rowdiest in the SEC and many of them very rude. Very close to a visit to Baton Rouge is a visit to Fayetteville
Slim
August 30th, 2012
12:45 pm
DawginLex
August 30th, 2012
12:36 pm
hard truth
Your post is the dumbest thing I have read on any of these blogs.
____________________________________________________________
No, DawginLex….the dumbest post was the one the other day you made that was a Total Lie about “Your Friend” seeing multiple Alabama Players sitting in a holding area at a Police Station.
You did not even have the guts enough to back it up…You are known for being the over the top when it comes to making statements to protect your Dawg Program.
Your Big Lie and you being called out on it by dozens of posters ranks right up there.
Todd Grantham
August 30th, 2012
12:53 pm
Hard to lose when we dont give up any points
LOL
August 30th, 2012
12:55 pm
Too Funny,,,,
Lex Pokes his head out and gets slammed again for his outrageous comments from earlier in the week. Maybe he will learn to read what he post before he goes on with fabrications.
Good Job Slim.
Onto the real topic.
Is it the opponent for UGA or is the BD Nation just not involved? Last year at this time we say pages and pages of post about UGA winning the Boise St game, beating USC, winning the East, winning the conference and winning the BCS title. 1 out of 5 is not bad.
The real "BankerDawg"
August 30th, 2012
1:06 pm
I think the SEC East is grossly overlooked this year. Tampa Gator, I agree that Florida will be better than what most think. UGA fans seem to forget that allot of sucessful teams have run a dual QB syatem and have had success, UGA being one of them. TN is going to be significantly better than last year. They may have one of the best Olines in the SEC and Bray is the real deal. SC is strong, but I question Lattimore’s resolve and his willingness to sacrifice his body like he did before ACL surgery. He’ll be productive, but I am unsure of how much. No more Alshon Jeffrey and I’m not convinced that Connor Shaw is any better than Joe Cox. FLA, TN, UGA, and SC are all better than what people think.
As a dawg fan, we need TN to be undefeated and ranked when we play them, to do that they will have to beat Florida in Knoxville, which isnt out of the question. I think all 3 teams – TN, SC, and FLA (possibly Auburn) will be ranked in the top 25 when we see them .
ARdawg
August 30th, 2012
1:11 pm
4 tickets, 4 hotdogs, 4 Cokes and a program for $99 bucks!! What a steal!!! No wait, thats to a GT game
Mike Bell 790
August 30th, 2012
1:13 pm
FIRST!!
herman munson
August 30th, 2012
1:15 pm
” My God ! My God! Look at him just run right right through him! “That was a G graduate running through the line to get to the register! At least take the UGA shirt off if you are going to work at Walmart!