ATHENS — Three Georgia tailbacks — including star freshman Isaiah Crowell — have been suspended for Saturday’s New Mexico State game for undisclosed “violations of team policy.”
Together with the loss of No. 2 tailback Richard Samuel, who underwent season-ending ankle surgery Tuesday morning, that means the Bulldogs (6-2) will be down to their fifth-string running back when they play the Aggies (3-5) at Sanford Stadium.
“We have certain standards in all that we do, and their actions do not reflect the Georgia way,” Richt said in a statement released by UGA Sports Communications on Tuesday afternoon. “They will serve their suspensions, learn a lesson and I’m sure will be better men for it.”
Richt failed to mention the suspensions during his half-hour weekly news conference two hours earlier, when he was asked about both Crowell and Malcome. He declined subsequent interview requests. None of the suspended players was made available either.
The losses leave the Bulldogs with sophomore Brandon Harton, junior Wes Van Dyk and freshman Kyle Karempelis as the only tailbacks available to play Saturday. Harton (5-foot-6, 174) and Van Dyk (6-0, 203) are both former walk-ons who were awarded scholarships this past summer. Karempelis (5-9, 180) is a first-year walk-on.
Only Harton, with 11 carries for 33 yards, and Van Dyk, with one for 1 yard, have played in a game this season. Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo indicated after practice Tuesday night that Harton and Karempelis would be the Bulldogs’ first two options. Georgia also could utilize fullback Zander Ogletree in the running game.
“I think it’s an opportunity for a lot of guys to step up,” Bobo said. “We may have to change some things up and do some things different to move the ball. Other guys have to step up and make plays. I feel confident in those two guys and Ogletree and the backs and tight ends and receivers we have to move the ball.”
The Bulldogs also could give snaps to defensive backs Brandon Boykin and/or Branden Smith, both of whom have played often on offense this season. And Bobo also dropped the names of two freshmen: Safety Nick Marshall and cornerback Damian Swann.
“There’s a lot of guys out there could be possibilities,” Bobo said.
It is the second suspension of the season for Crowell, who missed the first quarter of the Vanderbilt game for an academic-related issue. Thomas also missed the season opener because of a suspension for another undisclosed violation of team rules.
Crowell’s high school coach at Carver-Columbus, Dell McGee, traded text messages with him Tuesday.
“I just reminded him of where he came from and not to take things for granted because they can be taken away from you,” McGee said.
Crowell was rated the No. 1 running back prospect in country when he signed with Georgia in February. He currently leads the Bulldogs with 689 yards rushing and four touchdowns.
Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity said the suspensions were not delayed disciplinary actions from the week of the Florida game.
“Absolutely not,” he said. “We don’t pick when we do certain things. When certain things are found, we act right then.”
According to UGA Athletic Association student-athlete handbook, a one-game suspension can be the result of violations of three different policies: Drugs, alcohol or academics. A first offense is a 10 percent suspension of competition dates, which Georgia translates to one game in football. It is always enforced for the next contest.
“At the point a violation is discovered, if a suspension is required the penalty is enforced for the next competition,” Georgia senior associate athletic director Claude Felton said. “Whatever the infraction was, it would have occurred this week.”
Georgia athletes are subject to random drug tests by the NCAA and periodic tests by the athletic association. In most cases it takes five to seven days for a lab to analyze the results.
Losing Samuel was particularly ill-timed considering he was coming off the most meaningful performance of his career. He gained 41 of his 58 rushing yards on 11 fourth-quarter carries and scored the game-winning touchdown in the Bulldogs’ 24-20 victory over Florida on Saturday.
He will be out at least four weeks after injuring his ankle on the last play of the game, a 9-yard run to the Gators’ 1-yard line. He finishes the season with 240 yards rushing, currently second on the team.
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