With quarterback Aaron Murray back under center and spring temperatures back in the normal range, Georgia’s offense got back at the defense Saturday.
The result was different Tuesday, when the defense edged the offense in a blustery first scrimmage of the spring. The rubber match will be April 6, when the Bulldogs will be in uniforms for the annual G-Day spring game at Sanford Stadium (1 p.m., CSS)
“It was an unbelievable day for the offense,” said Murray, who was 13-of-21 for 159 yards with a touchdown and an interception. “I know the (first team) scored on (almost) every possession, either a field goal or a touchdown. We had some great drives.
“I’m happy, and I know coach (Mike) Bobo is very happy.”
Quarterback Hutson Mason was 8-for-14 for 154 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, wide receiver Chris Conley caught six passes for 99 yards and a score, and Keith Marshall and Todd Gurley averaged 5.6 yards on seven carries.
“I thought the scrimmage was outstanding,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “I thought the guys really had fun and competed well. They were a little undisciplined with the extracurricular activity after a couple of plays. Things get heated up, and guys get after each other a little bit after the whistle. But I’d rather them have a heartbeat than trying to get them to go.”
Last Tuesday’s scrimmage was highlighted by a skirmish between Mason and linebacker Amarlo Herrera, and this one was equally heated. A high, hard hit by freshman safety Tray Matthews on wide receiver Justin Scott-Wesley led to some pushing and shoving. But players from both sides say it’s all in good fun and forgotten by the time they convene in the locker room.
“Everybody was talking a little bit of trash from the practice we had earlier in the week, and tempers got a little high,” outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins said. “It comes with football and a scrimmage. We all like to have a little bit of fun. When I fight I just do it to have fun. … When the punches get thrown, that’s when you break it up. … We just get it done on the field, and afterwards we’re all good.”
Malcolm Mitchell (2-52), Blake Tibbs (3-31) and Gurley (2-13) also caught touchdown passes, and quarterback Christian LeMay came back from Tuesday’s poor performance to throw a touchdown and complete five of 11 passes.
On defense, safety Connor Norman led the way with seven tackles, and linebacker Kosta Vavlas added six. Freshman linebacker Reggie Carter had five tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception, and cornerback Sheldon Dawson recorded his third interception in two scrimmages. Ramik Wilson and Reggie Wilkerson also intercepted passes, and John Taylor, Corey Moore, Chris Mayes and Sterling Bailey each had tackles for loss.
“We’re still turning the ball over too many times,” Richt said. “Too many balls are getting thrown in a position where they can get intercepted. It’s good that our defense is making those plays, but overall I was pretty pleased.”
Etc.: Austin Long, who had been starting at right guard in place of the injured Chris Burnette, was lost for the rest of the spring with a fractured right hand. The injury, suffered Thursday, is to the same hand he injured last fall. … Cornerback Sheldon Dawson pulled a hamstring during the scrimmage and likely will have to sit out the rest of the spring. … Quarterback Faton Bauta has been unable to throw the past week because of bicep tendinitis. … Josh Harvey-Clemons is not only the starter at the "star," or nickel back, position, but he's also the No. 1 strong safety in the Bulldogs' base defense, Richt said. … Richt had high praise for rising sophomore fullback Quayvon Hicks. "I don't want to brag too much on him, but he's starting to look like he could become one heck of a fullback," Richt said. … Richt also praised Conley for being very productive and well-conditioned. He has caught nine passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns in Georgia's two scrimmages.
