ATHENS — Dozens of media members descended on Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall on Tuesday to hear the Bulldogs put their spin on Saturday’s game against Boise State.
While coach Mark Richt was downplaying the magnitude of the game — “I don’t personally think the season is riding on this one game” — players were talking it up.
“Personally I just can’t wait,” tight end Orson Charles said. “This game means a lot for both programs. Boise State is still looking for recognition. For Georgia, this could make or break our season.”
Said wide receiver Tavarres King: “It’s a huge game. It’s extremely large. This first two games we have a huge. This game has been hyped up since Day One, as well it should be.”
Murray not Moore ... yet
Richt lauded the Broncos for their outstanding offense, led by Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Kellen Moore, and being the winningest program in college football since 1997.
He was asked to compare Moore to Bulldogs’ quarterback Aaron Murray.
“I wouldn’t put Murray in his category yet. Kellen has done so much. He will end up being the winningest quarterback in the history of college football. It’s not a slight against Aaron. But Aaron hasn’t played in as many games and won any championships or anything like that.”
Nothing new on suspensions
Georgia already confirmed that junior running back Carlton Thomas is missing the Boise State game because of a suspension for an undisclosed “team rules violation.” Asked Tuesday if any other players would suffer a similar fate, Richt said, “Nothing to report on that, not at this point anyway.”
There have been at least two reports, citing sources, that starting safety Bacarri Rambo is suspended for the first game. No one at UGA will confirm or deny those reports.
“If there are any suspensions, Mark will decide when to announce them,” UGA athletics director Greg McGarity said.
Jenkins ready to play
Junior nose guard John Jenkins said he’s still not 100 percent, but made it through a second consecutive practice without aggravating his hamstring injury.
To say he’s excited about playing in Saturday’s game would be an understatement. “Let me give you an analogy. Think about when you were young and Christmas is right around the corner and you see all your presents underneath the tree and it’s Christmas eve and you want to open just one present but you can’t, and you stay up all night until you can. That’s me right now.”
Turene in Georgia
A couple of weeks ago, Georgia signee Kent Turene said he was heading to Jireh Prep in North Carolina to complete the academic requirements he’ll need for freshman eligibility. As it turns out, he ended up at Atlanta Prep Academy, a fledgling prep school in Dawsonville.
“He’s here; he’s on campus,” Spartans coach Damon Dawson said. “He has been accepted and started classes, but he’s still getting acclimated before he can play.”
Atlanta Sports Academy is in its third year of operation as a school and second as a football program. It has already played one game, losing to Milford (N.Y.) Academy 34-28.”
Dawson said Turene, a 6-3, 225-pound linebacker from Tampa, could play this week or next.
Etc.
Cornerback/punt returned Branden Smith was not present at practice Tuesday, but Georgia coaches insisted that was no cause for alarm. Smith injured a foot last Thursday and has been wearing a protective boot away from the football complex. ... Several Georgia and Boise State players will be at the Georgia Dome as special guests of the Chick-fil-A Kickoff game. UGA legend Herschel Walker and former Boise State star defensive end Ryan Winterswyk will be honorary game ball delivers. Former Bulldog stars Garrison Hearst and Lindsay Scott will sign autographs before the game, as will former Broncos quarterback Jared Zabransky.
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