Bulldogs' Ealey, King eager to play

By Andy Johnston

For the AJC

ATHENS -- Running back Washaun Ealey spent last week working with the scout team offense, riding the stationary bike and doing situps and pushups.

He spent Saturday on the sideline, watching his teammates roll to a 55-7 victory over Louisiana-Lafayette.

He’s spending this week preparing to play against South Carolina.

Ealey, who was Georgia’s leading rusher with 717 yards last year, was suspended for the opener after being arrested on misdemeanor charges of hit-and-run of a parked vehicle and driving with a suspended license on Aug. 27.

“I was very anxious to get on the field,” Ealey said. “Watching my teammates make plays and knowing I wasn’t on the field, it really hurt a lot. Right now, I’m just focused on getting better.”

Receiver Tavarres King, who was suspended for the first game after being arrested on a charge of underage possession of alcohol in July, also is available to play against South Carolina. It’s unsure whether receiver A.J. Green, who was held out of the opener pending an NCAA investigation, will play.

“It was really tough,” said King, who had 18 catches for 377 yards in 2009. “You walk in Sanford Stadium and you’re not dressed, you’re not in full pads. You see your teammates get ready for the game and you should be in there. It was extremely tough.”

Caleb King had already won the starting tailback job and finished the game with 47 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. Backup Carlton Thomas rushed for a career high 61 yards on 13 carries.

“It’ll be nice to add more guys to the mix, get more guys reps and get more guys some plays off to rest, so we’ll have a good rotation and make sure everyone is fresh,” quarterback Aaron Murray said. “[Tavarres] has looked great. He’s had a great summer and great camp. He had a little hit, but he’s still continued to work hard and push himself. He should have a big week. He’s pumped up. He’s excited that he’s going to have a chance to get back out there.”

Ealey said he has resolved the issues with his license, but he isn’t sure how much playing time he’ll see against the Gamecocks.

“I have to put my priorities in the right place right now and be more mature about situations and just keep working hard and preparing myself for South Carolina,” he said.

Learned his lesson

Georgia’s biggest defensive mistake on Saturday occurred when strong safety Bacarri Rambo committed what he called an “eye violation.” He got caught looking into the backfield and allowed Louisiana-Lafayette tight end Ladarius Green to get open behind him for a 60-yard touchdown catch.

“I was looking at the quarterback,” Rambo said. “My man ran up field on me. He got me on that one. I’m not going to let that happen anymore, though.”

Rambo has been impressed with South Carolina’s receivers, especially 6-foot-4, 233-pound Alshon Jeffery, who caught seven passes for 106 yards in the Gamecocks’ season-opening victory.

“They’re talented and big,” Rambo said. “We’re going to have to go out there and play our ‘A game.’ The corners and safeties, we all have to come together and communicate and play physical. They’re very talented.”

Etc.

WR Logan Gray on freshman QB Hutson Mason’s debut, which included a TD pass to Gray on his first collegiate attempt: “He stepped right in the huddle like he had done it a million times and made a great throw. That was really encouraging to see him do that.” ... FB Shaun Chapas (offense), LBs Akeem Dent and Justin Houston (defense) and S Shawn Williams (special teams) will be the captains for Saturday’s game. ... Georgia is 13-5 against South Carolina since the Gamecocks joined the SEC in 1992.