GEORGIA FOOTBALL REPORT: Owens can’t leave on loss to Jackets

Athens —- Perhaps it wasn’t the most anticipated NFL decision of Georgia’s winter, but it was still considerable. Defensive tackle Jeff Owens informed coach Mark Richt Thursday he would return for an encore senior season.

“One more year won’t hurt me,” Owens said. “I love college.”

The anchor of the defensive front, Owens went down with a torn ACL in his right knee in the first quarter of the opener against Georgia Southern and was lost for the season.

A certain first-day draft selection if he had been healthy, Owens determined there was more to gain by remaining for a fifth season. He is on schedule to graduate in May.

“You think about the risks of coming back and getting hurt again,” he said. “You have a small window to play professional football. I feel if I come back another year and get healthy, be in the greatest shape of my life, then I could do big things on the field.

“I’ve matured now that I’ve had this season-ending injury and get back for a great year next year.”

Although the Bulldogs retain the services of tackle Geno Atkins and Cade Weston next year, Owens is a locker-room favorite. Richt values his presence as much off the field as on.

“Jeff’s awesome,” Richt said. “I said I want what’s best for you, but I’m very excited to just get to hang around you another year. He is a glue guy.”

Owens was uncertain if he would be able to take part in full activities in spring practice but anticipates being 100 percent by next season.

“We lost to Tech,” he said. “Can’t leave having lost to Tech.”

Please, please

Knowshon Moreno said he does not compare notes often with quarterback Matthew Stafford about his decision on whether to leave school early for the NFL. Moreno said he is just trying to take in and enjoy what could be his last game as a Bulldog. Asked if he would factor in the “unfinished business” of the failed bid at the 2008 national championship, Moreno did not dismiss it.

“It could be,” he said. “We wanted to win the national championship. After a couple big games, we didn’t have a chance to do that. But definitely coming back [for another run], that could be awesome.”

In a 15-minute session, Moreno at least sounded completely undecided on the issue. He and Stafford have petitioned the NFL Draft Advisory Board to project how they might fare in next spring’s draft, but that was as close to any commitment that Moreno is making this week.

“It just comes down to what you want to do personally,” he said. “It’s a gut feeling, I think. That’s what it comes down to.

“There are a number of things that go into the decision. It’s a tough decision.”

Etc.

Richt said freshman tailback Dontavius Jackson, who was redshirted this year, required arthroscopic surgery after twisting a knee this week and will sit out the rest of the bowl practices. … Richt canceled this morning’s on-field workout. The team will practice Saturday morning before breaking for Christmas. … Today is graduation day for 13 players, including first-teamers safety C.J. Byrd, linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, defensive tackle Corvey Irvin, split end Mohamed Massaquoi and punter Brian Mimbs.