Georgia’s Ken Malcome ‘not too happy with situation’ at tailback
Georgia's Ken "Boo" Malcome does not begrudge the success of Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall but is not happy with getting mainly mop-up duty in Georgia's tailback rotation. (UGA photo)
ATHENS – For Georgia it’s a good problem to have. But for Ken Malcome, it’s more than a little frustrating.
Everybody knows about the successes of freshman tailbacks Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall this season. Gurley was named a Freshman All-American by The Sporting News on Thursday. He became just the second Georgia true freshman to surpass 1,000 yards in a season (1,260 to date) and scored 17 touchdowns, including a 100-yard kickoff return. Marshall emerged as Gurley’s primary backup and ran for 723 yards and 8 scores.
Lost in the smoke of that fire has been Malcome, who actually began the season as the starting tailback. The redshirt sophomore from Decatur has appeared in 10 of the Bulldogs’ 13 games, averaging 27.2 yards and 5 carries in those contests.
As Georgia prepares for its Jan. 1 date with Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl, Malcome is not sure what his future is with the team or in football in general.
“I’m not too happy with that situation,” Malcome said following Georgia’s practice Thursday afternoon. “But like I said to the coaches, I’m a player and I’m going to do what they tell me to. I’ve got two more years of football, then I don’t know. We’re going to see what happens. . . . I’m not sure at all what I’m going to do.”
Malcome has been down this road before. He actually left the team for one day in 2011 when freshman Isaiah Crowell emerged as the primary ball-carrier and his opportunities dried up midway through the season. Malcome returned at the behest of coach Mark Richt and exhibited a better attitude the rest of the season. He ended the year as the Bulldogs’ leading rusher over the final four games of the season.
Of course, Crowell was dismissed following a mid-summer arrest and Malcome became the starter by default. But Gurley and Marshall bypassed Malcome on the depth chart by the second week of this season.
“I can’t fault them,” Malcome said of his freshman backfield mates. “What they’re doing on the field, it doesn’t affect anything off the field. I’m still going to take them around with me, we’re still going to sit and eat together. . . . It’s just playing time.”
Malcome said he understands and respects the talent of the underclassmen. He simply feels he hasn’t been utilized enough in the rotation.
“I don’t have to start,” he said. “I don’t mind sharing carries. I just want to contribute to winning like I know I can. Coming in in the last minute when nobody really cares with all freshman linemen that haven’t developed yet, they’re putting me in situations where I can’t really help myself.”
Malcome’s role has been to play in the final minutes of games in which the outcome has been decided. His most productive game of the year was five carries for 45 yards in the 35-7 loss to South Carolina. His long run was 30 yards in the 48-3 win over Vanderbilt. He’s averaging 4.8 yards per carry, to 6.3 for Gurley and 6.6 for Marshall.
His teammates empathize.
“He’s been through a lot,” said Gurley, who leads the Bulldogs with 17 touchdowns. “As far as us being his teammates, we check on him and just treat on him like we would one of our family members. We’re together. . . . The whole 9running backs) meeting room, guys have been saying it’s been the best all year.”
Georgia’s coaches were recruiting and not available for interviews Thursday.
Meanwhile, Malcome said he’s in the best shape of his life. He’s up to 232 pounds and simply believes he has more to offer.
“I’ve talked to them a couple of times,” Malcome said of the coaching staff. “I’m not going to get into what they say. What me and Coach talk about is confidential. But basically . . . I don’t stand toe-to-toe with what they say. I told myself, ‘I’m just going to try to do good every time I get a chance.’”
GEORGIA’S LEADING RUSHERS
- Fr. Todd Gurley (12 starts) — 199 carries — 1,260 yards — 6.3 ypc — 16 TDs
- Fr. Keith Marshall (0 starts) — 109 carries — 723 yards — 6.6 ypc — 8 TDs
- So. Ken Malcome (1 start) — 57 carries — 274 yards — 4.8 ypc — 2 TDs
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182 comments Add your comment
Thank God for Reggie Ball
December 14th, 2012
2:37 pm
Bobo is a scapegoat. Our ineptitude vs South Carolina had a lot more to do with Kenarious Gates, John Theus, and David Andrews getting taken to SCHOOL by SCs DL than Bobo’s deficiencies as a coordinator. Look back through the years, even in 2009 and 2010 we were putting points. The underrated problem for Georgia over the last 5 years has been wild inconsistantcy by the defense.
ugab
December 14th, 2012
2:39 pm
Malcome and Samuel should of been in the SC game for atleast protection. Gurley is not that good at pass protection. SC game was pathetic.. CMR and Bobo should of had veterans in a big game like the SC one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Thank God for Reggie Ball
December 14th, 2012
2:40 pm
I love Malcome’s effort, I have the same problem with him I had with Washaun Ealey. Every time he gets more than 3 yards downfield I cringe and pray he doesn’t inexplicably drop the ball.
BAMABABE
December 14th, 2012
2:41 pm
This is an issue that the coaches have caused…theres a way to motivate and teach the kids where they don’t think that way…of course its gotta be frustrating, but he def shouldnt be saying that to the media, u think thats gonna help with recruiting RBs? or in the locker room?
Put in Timeout by Ken Sugiura,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned once by Bill King & Chip Towers but only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 14th, 2012
2:44 pm
Everybody said 2 years ago this DREAM TEAM crap would come back and bite the dWags on the butt. Too many ME ME ME players that wouldn’t get all the Playing Time they thought they would and it would cause problems. It looks like all the dWags fans and players can do is CRY CRY CRY about one thing or another.
Too many Big Time players with the Nice guy RICHT will always breed issues of playing time.
Boris
December 14th, 2012
2:47 pm
Boo is a fb player, not a fool. Hebgone.
Thank God for Reggie Ball
December 14th, 2012
2:49 pm
I’m getting sick of hearing people talking about how Marshall has to get more play time in these big games. I’m sorry but against a stout D I want Gurley to get 20 touches before I even think about Marshall
Against S. Carolina, Florida, and Alabama Marshall averaged 2.4 yards per carry with a long of 9 and NO TDs
In those same games Gurley had 4.4 ypc with a long of 23 and 3 TDs
Ed
December 14th, 2012
3:01 pm
I might leave too if they started Crowell over me. What a slap in the face. But Gurley and Marshall? No brainer. They’d play ahead of 95% of the backs in the country.
Columbus
December 14th, 2012
3:36 pm
@kybodawg…. Bobo dont rotate backs? Do you not see the split of yards between the 3 backs? Bama’s backs stats for the season are almost identical. 2 main backs then a 3rd with identical yards as Malcolm….how bout know what youre talking about instead of just making stuff up and hating on your OC and team…..hater. You are the type of fan that UGA fans wish would go climb under a rock and never come bck out
Columbus
December 14th, 2012
3:43 pm
BamaBabe, recruits know the deal. Youre good enough or youre not and they also no Gurley wont be at UGA much longer and their time will shortly come after a redshirt season…..same as at most all big schools. Same at yours. Recruits know the depth chart more than anyone so it coming out in the press is irreleant. They know it upside down and backward. ANY back who is not getting a lot of carries wants more but you have to be the best and everybody cant be the best….this is not news. It would be news if he didnt want more carries….could Malcom be used more? Sure but who would you rather give the ball too? Gurley, Marshall or Mitchell? The backups at Bama didnt get anymore yards than Malcolm….and Bama rushes a lot more than UGA so that is even worse for their backups….
Bernie Matt
December 14th, 2012
3:50 pm
@ Columbus – I agree with what you’re saying, but the reality is we are talking about kids, and somehow, those championship rings make it a lot easier to swallow being on the bench. look at the kid from gainesville, ga that played qb. got switched to rb at bama, still doesn’t get on the field, but somehow he seems happy everytime i see him. i know kenyan drake personally, and i know how bas he wants to be on the field, but again, he’ll look at me and say coach “I’m a champion”!.
Bernie Matt
December 14th, 2012
3:54 pm
CMR said “we just ran out of time”. Chuck Oliver had to come out and apologize. Everyone that loses somehow ran out of time. I remember playing my uncle in Bball as a kid, if we played to 10 by 1, when he got to 10, I wanted to play to 15, when he got to 15, I wanted to play to 20. See my point. Contrary to what most think. I am a UGA man, but we have to wake up!
Lots of Teams need a Good Back
December 14th, 2012
4:05 pm
A lot of ppl on this blog assume that b/c Ken Malcome is not playing, (1) he’s not working hard at practice, or (2) his attitude is a problem. This is not always true.
There’s no doubt in my mind that Ken is working just as hard as those freshmen. Maybe even harder. If he started the season as the starter, the coaches must have liked what they saw. However, sometimes hard work is not enough to make you successful at a certain place. Particually at a top 10 school like GA. You have to have superior talent.
I hope he transfers and finds another team that fits his style. He obviously enjoys the game and is working hard. He just needs a better fit. Transferring doesn’t make him a quitter. He’s a realist. As long as Marshall and Girlie are healthy, he’ll be no higher than 3rd on the depth chart.
Blitz
December 14th, 2012
4:52 pm
Malcome is a very solid back and should have come in to spell Gurley instead of Marshall in certain situations this season. For instance, on short-distance downs when Gurley could have used a breather. He has to get used to his role, though, because it’s not going to change. He’s not going to supplant Gurley as the workhorse and he’s not as versatile as Keith Marshall. And all indications are the Turman kid coming in is another bruiser. I can certainly empathize with Boo.
Hulk
December 14th, 2012
5:16 pm
Looking at the rushing stats from above, Give marshall 90 more carries to equal gurley and he rushs for over 1200 yds easy with his ypc. I think the backfield rotation is just fine. However use the off season to develop getting the ball to marshall in space, and good things will happen. Nebraska who?
Dawg1
December 14th, 2012
7:28 pm
I’m happy he isn’t happy….
Bet his coaches are too…
Nothing about nothing…
Slow day on the beat…
Sebastian Valmont
December 14th, 2012
8:02 pm
I agree with what you said Macclenny_dawg … They need to look at some tape of how Reggie Bush was used back at USC with LenDale White in the backfield and put a little wrinkle in the offense. I do believe Malsome deserves a little bit more time out on the field though.. he’s a big back that can run between the tackles and help wear on a d-line. LSU uses pretty much all of the backs at their disposal which I’m pretty sure we’ll see next year when they come to Athens… but anyway… #DAWGNATION
UGA = DUMB
December 14th, 2012
8:46 pm
leave now kid…see Richard Samuel for an idea on what your career in Athens will look like if you stay…
This Just In...
December 14th, 2012
11:17 pm
This is what a New Recruit wants walking in to UGA? Geez the crying game. Although I do agree that Both Malcolme and Marshall both got very under utilized in the SEC CG. Bobo has shown that he can’t effectively utilize the tremendous talent there. I mean Stafford, Moreno, Green, and Massaqoui on one offense, now Murray, King,Gurley, Marshall, Malcome, Bennett, and Lynch and still finishing second. I was praying that one of the schools like W. kentucky gave him a Head Coaching job. Guess Christmas passed me by again.
This Just In...
December 14th, 2012
11:24 pm
UGA=DUMB, Great statement. Samuels was a star against Florida last year, never to be heard from again. How sad.
last know caucasian in stone mountain
December 15th, 2012
3:52 pm
Boo freaking hoo. Think about what Richard Samuel has been through you bit poo-schwa. So quit the team. That’s what you did once before. Here’s a little secret. That’s right. Lean in so nobody else can hear. NOBODY GIVES A FRIG ABOUT CRY BABIES SO BE GONE YOU MAMBY PAMPY SISSY.
Return to Glory
December 15th, 2012
8:44 pm
Sorry for Boo but he can’t hang with Gurley, big boy football, the best play the rest sit and watch.
NickDawg
December 16th, 2012
12:32 am
I think CMR knows a little bit about being the back up….he was back up to 3 NFL Hall of Famers. Jim Kelley, John Elway, and Dan Marino…sometimes you want something and life wants something else.
William G. Little
December 16th, 2012
10:14 am
Running backs face a high risk of injury. That is the only reason for him to stay at UGA.
ky knows more than you
December 16th, 2012
5:55 pm
malcome was better than marshall this year..malcome is a spinning bruising back like lacey for bama…marshall couldnt even keep up right remember all the times he fell on his face and nobody touched him?malcome and gurley should have been the only two backs that played this season..the coaches already lied to him and told him that if he came to practice ready to work every day and compete he could be that guy and he did and they lied again..malcome is a good running back especially up the middle with his spin move bouncing off payers moving the pile..a lot of gurleys yards came outside the hash marks…we ran more to the outside this year than we ever have that i rememer go dawgs hope ogeltree jj come back with them and garrison smith and gwanme and jrdon jenkins and ray drew we could be at the same place 3 years in a row..we are nothing without jj and ogeltree
meandog
December 17th, 2012
5:06 am
Enter your comments here
meandog
December 17th, 2012
5:08 am
“Boo” Malcome would make a great safety and the Dawgs are sure gonna need one next year.
“I’m not too happy with that situation.” | Get The Picture
December 17th, 2012
7:51 am
[...] are more than a few programs where you’d never hear anything like this in public. Or this, for that matter. I don’t know whether that’s a feature or a [...]
jimmyj
December 17th, 2012
10:26 am
BE HAPPY AND FORTUNATE TO BE A BULLDOG AND RECEIVE A QUALITY EDUCATION.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL LIKE LIFE IS WHAT HAVE U DONE LATELY, COMPETITION……………
Oh Really??
December 17th, 2012
4:54 pm
Hey Ken you were there longer than Gurshall and you didnt take advantage of that opportunity to firmly plant your mark on UGA FOOTBALL. Instead you chose to walk away, get suspended and half ass it!! These two young studs have watched you and IC enough to learn what not to do. Did you really believe that they were ever worried about you? What did you think the recruiting pitch to these guys would be? Wow!!! It’s still amazes me how good UGA’s backs are but they finish a distant second compared to BAMA’s two guys… throw Derrick Henry in the mix and watch out!!!
VA
December 17th, 2012
6:06 pm
I think the way it works is the BEST PLAYERS get on the field!
Sowega Dawg
December 18th, 2012
4:27 pm
This is a clear case of STOCK Piling its not the fact that he’s not better than Marshall or Gurley they have the HOT hand and more years and biggest thing they SELL tickets! When these kids come out of HS they are told all types of LIES. This young man should leave if he wants to play but be THANKFUL for the opportunity to have gotten the chance to get a FREE Education. Every school is stock piling these days look @ Alabama they have Lacy a jr. and yeldon a Fresh. another red shirted and signed 3 out of the top 5 rb’s in the Nation in the class of 2013. STUPID if you ask me Players should Research their schools not just who is winning and losing, because if you are good You should be a gamechanger bits to many D1 schools to choose from for everybody to only want to go to a few. I blame the HS coaches Parents as well as the player for not truly ADVISING the players