ATHENS — After losing starting inside linebackers to foot injuries in each of the season’s first two games, Georgia turned to Plan C at the position Saturday.
Shawn Williams, who started the first two games at safety, again was in the starting lineup against Coastal Carolina — but this time at the injury-ravaged inside linebacker position.
He was pleased with his first collegiate game as a linebacker, expressing only one concern afterward.
“I just hope the spot is not jinxed,” he said, referring to the Bulldogs’ recent injuries there.
Georgia shifted Williams from safety to inside linebacker in practice this past week because of the foot injuries suffered by starters Alec Ogletree and Christian Robinson against Boise State and South Carolina, respectively. Ogletree is expected to sidelined for up to four more games and Robinson for one or two more games.
Ogletree and Robinson watched Saturday’s game from the Georgia bench, their crutches propped behind them, as Williams and Michael Gilliard, both juniors, started in their places.
Gilliard, making his first UGA start after playing extensively off the bench the week before, played Robinson’s “mike” linebacker position, which has the responsibility of making the on-field calls for the defense. Williams played Ogletree’s “mo” linebacker spot.
Gilliard had a team-leading eight tackles and Williams three as Georgia’s defense posted a shutout and limited Coastal Carolina to 112 yards of offense.
“I thought it was an outstanding move by [defensive coordinator Todd] Grantham” to shift Williams to linebacker, coach Mark Richt said after the game. “It put a mature guy in there [at linebacker], a very physical safety. ... It allowed us to play a pretty fast defense — three safeties and three corners, basically, when you’re in the nickel.
“And Michael Gilliard did a wonderful job, had a bunch of tackles and communicated real well in the absence of Christian Robinson.”
Grantham praised Williams’ play and his attitude about the move.
“Shawn is one of those guys who has really bought into what we’re doing,” Grantham said. “For the betterment of the team, he moved to linebacker, which required some learning from him. But there is some carryover [from safety].”
Williams, who is 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, said he played some linebacker in high school (Early County).
“As long as I’m on the field trying to make plays,” Williams said, “it doesn’t matter to me.”
Gilliard and Williams will be in the same roles for the next game at Ole Miss. Williams won’t return to safety until at least one of the injured linebackers is ready to play, Richt said.
With Williams at linebacker, Sanders Commings started Saturday at safety. That’s where he opened the season before shifting to cornerback for the South Carolina game.
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