Richt looking for a running back to step forward

By Andy Johnston

For the AJC

ATHENS -- Mark Richt is looking for “a hot set of wheels,” but he’s not sure where he’ll find it.

He said Thursday his plan is to play Richard Samuel, Caleb King and Washaun Ealey against Vanderbilt on Saturday in the hopes of finding a running back who can provide punch to the SEC’s worst running attack.

The Bulldogs average 97.2 yards a game, 26 yards fewer than LSU, which is 11th in the 12-team league. Georgia has rushed for fewer than 100 yards in four of its six games.

“I think we’ve gone into a couple of games thinking, ‘Hey, if this guy gets it going, we’re going to keep letting him go,’ ” Richt said. “But we just haven’t felt like we’re certain enough in any given game, or going into any game, to say we’re going to stick with this guy for 20 reps, no matter what. We just haven’t gotten there.”

Richt wasn’t sure Thursday who would start, adding that Carlton Thomas also might see some action.

Samuel leads the Bulldogs with 317 yards and two touchdowns, followed by King, who missed last week’s game with a concussion and a fractured jaw, who has 121 yards. Cornerback Branden Smith actually is the third-leading rusher (six carries for 80 yards), followed by Thomas (55 yards) and Ealey (51).

Redshirt freshman Dontavius Jackson is not in the mix right now, Richt said.

“I doubt he’ll get some carries from scrimmage,” Richt said. “He’s competing. He’s playing some special teams. He’s done some good things, some scout-team work that’s been impressive. He’s not just sitting there getting totally rusty. I mean he’s still working, but I don’t know if he’ll get any carries this week.”

Earning the start

Kade Weston, who battled a knee injury last year, has started the past three games ahead of Geno Atkins at defensive tackle.

“[Weston] got in great shape,” Richt said. “This year he’s been healthy and he’s been in tremendous condition, and his play has reflected all that hard work.”

Weston has 17 tackles, same as fellow senior Jeff Owens, who has started all six games. Weston also has four tackles for loss and is third on the team with 1-1/2 sacks. Atkins has nine tackles and no sacks.

“The senior d-linemen are doing a good job,” Richt said. “Kade has earned the right to start. You can only start two, and if you look at it, Kade, Jeffrey and Geno have all been team captains, so they’ve all played well enough to get chosen as captains.”

Furlough time

Richt said the staff will use the bye week after the Vanderbilt game to take a state-mandated furlough day. His assistants will be off Monday and Richt said he will take off Friday.

He said he plans to watch his son Jon, who plays quarterback at Mars Hill, against Lenoir-Rhyne on Oct. 24.