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Green, offensive star vs. Vols last year, starts — on defense

By
Sept 27, 2014

One year after rushing for 129 yards against Tennessee, Georgia’s J.J. Green started against the Vols — on defense.

Green, converted from tailback to safety in spring practice, started at his new position Saturday, the first defensive start of his UGA career. He is a sophomore from Camden County.

Green, who started two games at tailback last season, joins Corey Moore and Malcolm Mitchell as players on this year’s UGA team who have started on both offense and defense during their college careers.

As a freshman last season, Green was forced into action for an injury-ravaged Georgia offense in the Oct. 5 game at Tennessee. Starting tailback Todd Gurley missed that game with an injured ankle, and No. 2 tailback Keith Marshall suffered a season-ending knee injury during the game. Georgia then called upon Green, who got 17 carries and averaged 7.6 yards on each in the Bulldogs’ 34-31 overtime victory in Knoxville.

Green’s start at safety Saturday came a week after he entered the Bulldogs’ game against Troy on the third play — and was immediately ejected for a targeting foul on that play.

About the Author

Tim Tucker, a long-time AJC sports reporter, often writes about the business side of the games. He also had stints as the AJC's Braves beat writer, UGA beat writer, sports notes columnist and executive sports editor. He was deputy managing editor of America's first all-sports newspaper, The National Sports Daily.

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