For a brief moment this summer, on the heels of premature departures by veterans Washaun Ealey and Caleb King, it looked like Georgia was willing to go into the season with as few viable running backs on the roster as possible. This Saturday, it's going to take the experiment to its logical extreme:
Georgia coach Mark Richt dropped a bombshell Tuesday afternoon when he announced that running backs Isaiah Crowell, Carlton Thomas and Ken Malcome are being suspended for Saturday's game against New Mexico State.
Richt did not provide details, only saying in a statement that the suspensions were for a "violation of team rules."
However, two independent sources tell UGASports that the trio allegedly failed a random drug test administered last week before the team traveled to the game in Jacksonville against Florida. ESPN also cited a source alleging the positive tests.
With that, the Bulldogs go into the weekend without their best back (Crowell, easily leading the team as a true freshman with 93 total yards per game) and their most experienced back, Thomas, who's earned significant time each of the last two years. Coincidentally, the suspensions come just one day after season-ending ankle surgery for the Bulldogs' second-leading rusher, Richard Samuel, who made a late conversion from linebacker before the season to provide depth after King and Ealey washed out.
To recap: The top three rushers through the first eight games of 2011 will all be on the bench Saturday, on the heels of the premature exits of the top two rushers in 2009 and 2010. Which leaves? who, exactly?
Surprisingly, there are two other backs on the current roster who have carried the ball this year: Sophomore Brandon Harton (11 carries for 33 yards vs. Coastal Carolina) and senior Wes Van Dyk (one carry for 1 yard vs. Coastal Carolina), both former walk-ons who were awarded scholarships thanks to low roster numbers before the season. There are two other walk-ons, sophomore Alex Parsons (a transfer from BYU) and true freshman Kyle Karempelis, neither of whom has seen the field.
And? that's it. Barring another position switch ?�there are half-a-dozen fullbacks available, who have combined for zero carries on the season ?�quarterback Aaron Murray will spend his afternoon handing off to a stable of walk-ons, behind an offensive line that's already lost three regulars to season-ending injuries.
On the bright side, at least the suspensions come after last week's crucial rivalry date with Florida ? in which Crowell and Samuel combined for a 147 yards and a touchdown in a must-have SEC East win ? and should make no discernible difference in the Bulldogs' ability to handle a 34-point underdog with the worst run defense in the WAC. What a lucky coincidence, huh? Just imagine the odds.
- - -
Matt Hinton is on Facebook and Twitter: Follow him @DrSaturday.
Other popular stories on Yahoo! Sports:
? Latest Rivals 120 college football rankings
? Video: Quarterbacks key for LSU, Alabama
? Video: Michigan could be in trouble against Iowa
No comments:
Post a Comment