Georgia coach Mark Richt made it clear Tuesday that the Bulldogs intend to carry out their place-kicking charade all the way to the season opener against Clemson on Aug. 31.
The Bulldogs held a closed special-teams scrimmage at Sanford Stadium on Tuesday morning. As has been the case the entire preseason camp, Georgia’s kicking specialists — and that includes snappers and holders — were not available for interviews. In the meantime, Richt refuses to divulge any sort of hierarchy among the place-kickers in camp.
In question is the availability of sophomore Marshall Morgan, the incumbent starter and only scholarship place-kicker on the roster. According to a report in the Athens Banner-Herald, Morgan pleaded guilty in Putnam County State Court last week to boating under the influence and another misdemeanor charge for an incident that took place on Lake Sinclair in July. Morgan paid a $1,456 fine, was placed on probation for 12 months and ordered to perform 240 hours of community service.
Richt was asked again Tuesday if Morgan would be available to play against Clemson.
“If you ask me at halftime of the first game, I’ll let y’all know,” Richt quipped. “You’ll know whether or not he’s in the first game or not by then. You may not have to ask then.”
If Morgan had been charged with driving a car under the influence of alcohol or drugs, he would be subjected to an automatic suspension of 20 percent of competition dates, according to UGA’s conduct code for student-athletes. But “BUI” is not outlined in the program’s handbook.
Who's next: Given Georgia's disciplinary track record under Richt, it's unlikely Morgan's deeds will go unpunished. So the question becomes who would be next up after Morgan.
“It’s still up in the air,” Richt said.
The names of two walk-ons appear below Morgan’s on the preseason depth chart — sophomore Patrick Beless and redshirt freshman Thomas Pritchard. But another name is gaining momentum — Adam Erickson.
Erickson, a junior, is listed as Georgia’s backup punter, but also handles some kicking duties. He made a 46-yard field goal in the G-Day spring game and is wearing a red practice jersey (the color worn by offensive players) during camp.
Erickson also seems to have the confidence of his teammates.
“I was impressed with (Erickson) last year,” said sophomore cornerback Sheldon Dawson, who plays on Georgia’s kick-coverage units. “He’s made some big kicks in practice. … It’s going to be a different vibe doing it in a game, of course, but you can tell he’s ready.”
There is one problem, though: Erickson also is the holder for Morgan. Asked what the holder depth chart looked like, Richt gave in and said Lucas Redd and Faton Bauta are working there.
“We always work at least two holders,” he said. “So we’ll have enough holders.”
Etc.: The Bulldogs will conduct their first major scrimmage of preseason camp Wednesday morning at Sanford Stadium. … Now seven practices into the 29-practice preseason, Georgia's injury report has gotten a lot longer. There were 17 players on the list released Tuesday night, including offensive guards Chris Burnette (shoulder), Watts Dantzler (leg contusion) and Greg Pyke (ankle), safeties Marc Deas (elbow) and Quincy Mauger (hamstring), nose guard Chris Mayes (concussion), tight end Jay Rome (ankle), receivers Blake Tibbs (shoulder) and Rantavious Wooten (hamstring), cornerbacker Shaq Wiggins (groin).
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