With Marshall Morgan suspended because of an off-season arrest for boating under the influence, a walk-on from Atlanta opened the season as Georgia’s placekicker.
Patrick Beless, a Marist graduate, earned the job as Morgan’s replacement. The sophomore was 5-for-5 on point-after attempts and did not have an official field-goal attempt, as the snap was mishandled in his only opportunity. Beless’ only other experience was kicking a 23-yard field goal in the G-Day spring scrimmage in Sanford Stadium.
“I thought Beless did a good job,” Richt said. “The field-goal attempt we were getting ready to kick was just like a point-after attempt. We were just about centered up, so we feel like he would have probably made it. So, yeah, he did a good job.”
Richt never admitted that Morgan missed the game because of suspension. “We didn’t let him play,” he said. “What do you want? I just didn’t let him play.”
Punter Collin Barber handled another of Morgan’s duties — kicking off for Georgia.
Morgan traveled with the team to Clemson, dressed for the game and even warmed up beforehand. Walk-on kickers Adam Erickson and Thomas Pritchard also warmed up, along with Beless. Richt did not address whether Morgan will be back against South Carolina.
Also missing Saturday’s game was starting strong safety Josh Harvey-Clemons, who was suspended for violating UGA’s marijuana-use policy. Defensive back Corey Moore (knee) and wide receiver Jonathan Rumph (hamstring) also are expected to return against South Carolina.
Injury update: Richt wasn't getting into details or just wasn't sure about them, but indications are that the injury to Malcolm Mitchell could lead to more missed time, while tailback Todd Gurley's may not.
Mitchell aggravated a right knee injury that required meniscus surgery after last season when he jumped to “air-bump” Gurley after his 75-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Gurley pulled a thigh muscle on the run and also was sidelined for several series.
“My best guess is that Malcolm could be out a while,” Richt said. “Gurley, it’s 50-50 I guess. I just don’t know on that one. I’ve got a feeling Malcolm’s is worse than Todd’s.”
For starters: Georgia started three freshmen on defense, including two in the secondary. Tray Matthews, from Newnan, started at safety and Brendan Langley, from Marietta, at cornerback. Leonard Floyd, from Dodge County, started at strongside outside linebacker.
They are the only freshmen (not counting redshirt freshmen) to start in a season opener on defense for Georgia since Kedric Golston in 2002.
On the offensive line, Kolton Houston — after a three-year battle to regain NCAA eligibility — started at right tackle in his first game action as a Bulldog. Houston was declared ineligible by the NCAA soon after arriving at UGA in 2010 because of a failed NCAA test for banned substances. He continued to test above the acceptable limit until last month. The biggest surprise about Houston’s start was it came ahead of sophomore John Theus, a 14-game starter last season
Painful penalties: Penalties were tough on the Bulldogs. They were flagged nine times for 84 yards, and several turned out to be drive killers. Georgia was flagged for cut blocks twice and holding several times, one that thwarted a drive that had reached Clemson territory late in the game.
“We just had too many penalties and we weren’t able to overcome them all,” offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said. “We did a lot of good things but a lot that we can improve, a lot of self-inflicted wounds. We have to improve on that and will.”
Etc.: It was an impressive starting debut for fullback Quayvon Hicks. The 6-2, 265-pound sophomore had three carries for 38 yards, a 38-yard reception and scored on a 4-yard run. … The teams combined for 18 possessions and 42 points in the first half as they played to a 21-21 tie. … 84 players traveled with Georgia. Only 70 can be in the sideline for an SEC game… . Former Georgia defensive end Charles Johnson (2004-06) attended the game. The Carolina Panthers player tweeted that it was his first UGA game since he left school. … Former Clemson coach Danny Ford was inducted into the Tigers' "Ring of Honor" shortly before kickoff.
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