OSU coach ‘not buying’ Georgia rebuilding

By Tim Tucker

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

ATHENS — Mike Gundy is quick to discount the notion that Georgia’s running game is uncertain.

“When we played down there last time,” the Oklahoma State coach said Friday, referring to the Cowboys’ 2007 trip to Athens, “they were talking about difficulty in the running game and that they didn’t know who was going to carry the ball. And that was the first run-in we had with Knowshon Moreno, so we’re not really buying that Georgia is doing this rebuilding.”

When the Bulldogs open the season at Oklahoma State next Saturday, they will have a new starter at tailback — sophomore Richard Samuel.

“They say they have a back there that is better than the King kid,” Gundy said, referring to injured Georgia tailback Caleb King. “I saw the King kid play in high school, so [if Samuel is better] that concerns me somewhat.”

Moreno, the 12th pick in this year’s NFL draft, made his college debut in Georgia’s 2007 victory over Oklahoma State with 70 yards rushing and 51 yards receiving.

YouTube sensation

In a teleconference with Georgia reporters Friday, Gundy discussed the famous YouTube video of his tirade against an Oklahoma newspaper columnist.

“Certainly, I’m still baffled by [it] having over 2 million hits in the first 10 days or so,” he said. “[But] it’s helped us in recruiting in a big way.”

It’s often one of the first things parents and high school coaches bring up, he said.

Gundy said he would repeat the rant under the same circumstances. He said he was defending a player he felt had been unfairly treated.

“It’s somewhat become laughable,” he said of the attention the video got. “I have a 7-year-old son that can recite it word-for-word. He was at baseball practice this summer, and I heard him in the outfield [borrowing from the tirade by] telling one of his buddies, ‘You guys’ hitting makes me want to puke.’ ”

Tailback update

King remains sidelined with the hamstring injury he suffered Aug. 12, and there is a question about whether the tailback will make the trip to Stillwater, Okla., for Georgia’s opener.

“We’re not taking anybody on the plane unless we think they can play that game and help us win,” coach Mark Richt said Friday. “If we think he’s got a chance of playing, he’ll be on the plane.”

Richt and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said they hope King will be able to practice Monday.

“It’s hard to prepare for him in the game plan when he’s not practicing, so hopefully he can get out there and practice Monday,” Bobo said.

If King isn’t available, Richt said walk-on Kalvin Daniels would be the No. 3 tailback behind starter Samuel and No. 2 Carlton Thomas. That puts Daniels, for now, ahead of highly touted freshman Washaun Ealey.

“I talked to Washaun today about: Keep competing,” Richt said. “Because three days down the road, you might be starting in this league.”

Richt said Ealey isn’t scheduled to play on special teams in the opener.

Another sprained ankle

Offensive lineman Chris Davis missed practice Friday with a sprained ankle. Richt said he expects Davis back at practice Monday. “We think he’ll be ready” for the opener, Richt said.

Davis, the No. 1 left guard, had been working at center recently because Ben Jones, the starting center, also is out with a sprained ankle. Kevin Perez worked at No. 1 center Friday.

Richt said he still expects Jones to return to practice early next week and to play at Oklahoma State.