Notebook: Commings’ returns at safety, Jarvis sits and Jenkins starts

ATHENS – Georgia put Sanders Commings to work quickly upon his return from a two-game suspension.

A 13-game starter at cornerback last season, the Bulldogs utilized Commings at free safety instead. He played there most of the game Saturday, though he said afterward he did get some snaps at the boundary corner.

“It wasn’t that difficult because I always rep both,” said Commings, who finished with 4 tackles and a pass break-up. “It felt great just to be back out there with the guys. It’s great just to put all that other stuff behind me.”

Outside linebacker Chase Vasser also returned from a two-game suspension and made an impact. The junior compiled 7 tackles and added a forced fumble, 1.5 tackles for loss and a quarterback pressure.

Meanwhile, linebacker Alec Ogletree and free safety Bacarri Rambo, both starters, remained sidelined due to suspensions for the third consecutive week. They’re thought to be serving four-game suspensions but Richt is still not saying.

“I don’t know,” Richt said. “We’ll talk about that next week sometime.”

Jordan Jenkins starts; Jarvis Jones rests

Freshman outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins got the first start of his young career Saturday as the Bulldogs chose to rest Jarvis Jones.

Jones, who received several national defensive player of the week honors after the Missouri game, was limited in practice all week with a groin injury. The All-American was dressed out and probably could have played but Georgia held him out as a precaution.

That gave Jenkins, the highly-touted signee from Harris County, the unexpected opportunity to start.

“It was sort of hinted to me on Thursday,” a 6-foot-3, 257-pound freshman. “But I didn’t want to get my hopes up because I thought it might not happen. But it did and I was definitely glad and surprised and excited. I thank God for it. I know my parents are glad about it. I didn’t tell them so I know they were surprised.”

Jenkins finished with three tackles and a pass break-up.

Upon further review, Lynch gets 1st TD

No one was happier in Georgia’s postgame locker room than tight end Arthur Lynch. The junior from Dartmouth, Mass., caught his first career touchdown pass and it was a doosie.

Lynch hauled in a quick out on the right hash and outran the FAU pursuit to the pylon in the East end zone. He dove at the last minute and was ruled out of bounds. But coach Mark Richt pleaded for an official’s review which was granted. The ruling on the field was overturned an Lynch was awarded with a 36-yard touchdown.

“I honestly never judge the refs’ calls, because they have a better view of it than me,” said Lynch, who finished with 73 yards on three catches. “But I felt pretty confident about it. I knew I got the ball across the plane; I just didn’t know if I’d stepped out of bounds. So it was a relief when they overturned it.”

Lynch said his mother was in town to see it, flying into Atlanta by way of Rhode Island early Saturday morning.

“I saw her at the Dawg Walk and that gave me a sense of security,” Lynch said.

Records aside, Bobo not happy

You’d think a 713-yard, 56-point effort would please an offensive coordinator. But Georgia’s Mike Bobo wasn’t very happy after the Bulldogs’ lopsided win.

“I wish we had taken care of the ball,” said Bobo, who is also quarterbacks coach. “I don’t like the turnovers, I don’t like a pick-six, I don’t like throwing interceptions in the red zone. Those were negatives and we’ve got to continue to build and learn that can cost us some games. But I did like the effort and the way we answered in the first half.”

Malcolm Mitchell plays offense

For the first time all season, Malcolm Mitchell finally got to play some offense, and he made the best of his opportunity. The wide receiver-turned-cornerback hauled in a pass for a 49-yard gain on his only offensive play.

“I still think one of our most explosive players is on defense,” Bobo said. “He got us one play and made it an explosive one.”

Mitchell starred as a flanker last season and had nearly 700 yards receiving. But they needed him on defense because of early-season suspensions in the secondary. Georgia hopes to eventually play the sophomore on both sides of the ball.

Etc. . . .

Senior safety Shawn Williams led the Bulldogs with 12 tackles. He also had a tackle for loss and a pass break-up. . . . Sophomore Amarlo Herrera turned his first career interception into a 35-yard touchdown return. It was Georgia’s first TD return off an interception since Rambo did it against Auburn last season. . . . Nose guard Kwame Geathers blocked an FAU extra point in the second half. Williams blocked one against Tennessee last year. . . .

Left guard Dallas Lee suffered a sprained ankle in the second quarter and did not return. The Bulldogs then moved left tackle Kenarious Gates to Lee’s position and brought in sophomore Mark Beard to play left tackle. . . . Lee is expected to be able to play against Vanderbilt next week. . . . The Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 142-63 so far. . . . Georgia is 31-1 in non-conference home games under Richt.

COMPLETE POSTGAME COVERAGE OF GEORGIA’S VICTORY OVER FLORIDA ATLANTIC:

• Game story: Dogs steamroll FAU 56-20 on record-setting offensive night

• In the spotlight: UGA’s two freshman tailbacks top 100 yards; ‘they’re probably thinking their plan is going pretty good so far’

• Notebook: Commings returns at safety; Jarvis sinks; Jenkins starts

• What they said: Postgame comments on Georgia’s offense, defense

• Video: Chip Towers reports on the game