UGA QB Cox looking for workhorse back

By Jeff Haws

For the AJC

ATHENS — After the last scrimmage before school is back in session, tailback remains a three-man battle for the Georgia Bulldogs.

In the absence of Caleb King, who is hobbled by a hamstring injury from Thursday’s practice, Richard Samuel and Carlton Thomas both ran the ball well in a scrimmage Saturday night. Coach Mark Richt said Thomas had 90 yards on six carries, while Samuel gained 55 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.

While Richt was quick to point out that those numbers were posted against the second-team defense, he also said neither player hurt his cause to supplant King at the top of the depth chart.

Starting quarterback Joe Cox said all three are making their mark on the offense, but it’s yet to be seen if one will carry most of the load.

“We’ve still got to find the guy that’s really just going to pound the ball and be kind of the working horse of the group,” Cox said. “That’ll come through the next few weeks, but I really think the three guys that have been going right now ... they all look really good.”

Getting into the backfield

There were plenty of sacks to go around for the first-string defense, with 7-1/2 spread out among seven defenders.

Leading the charge was senior defensive end Roderick Battle with 2-1/2, followed by freshman defensive end Montez Robinson with two.

Richt said the pressure was continuous on the second-team backfield, as the first stringers took advantage of not having to face the experienced first-string line.

“The No. 1 defense came pretty close to mauling the No. 2 offensive line,” Richt said. “I don’t want to say they totally whipped them because there were a few victories for the offensive front of the No. 2 unit. But, for the most part, the defense dominated.”

Gray, Murray look good

Cox got to watch his backup quarterbacks get a decent bit of work and look solid doing it, as Logan Gray and Aaron Murray each put up good numbers during the scrimmage.

Gray was 6-of-8 for 91 yards, and Murray was 5-of-9 for 95 yards, including a 53-yarder to Rantavious Wooten.

Cox said he could see a big difference when the two young signal-callers worked with the starters.

“They’re definitely making more progress and getting more knowledgeable about our system every day,” Cox said. “This is one of the first times they got to go with the first team, and you could tell that helped them out a lot, being able to have a little more time in the pocket behind that first line. It gives you more confidence when you get to work behind those guys.”

Etc.

Richt said he didn’t see any injuries during the scrimmage, but he would be getting a full report later in the evening. ... Junior cornerback Vance Cuff had an interception and a forced fumble. He is currently listed as the No. 2 weak corner behind senior Prince Miller ... Richt said the No. 2 offense scored three times while inside the 20 against the No. 1 defense.