Breaking: Todd Gurley Suspended at UGA for Possible Rules Violation (UPDATED With Possible Reasons)

((ht: georgiadogs.com))

Uh oh!

Heisman Trophy candidate Todd Gurley from the University of Georgia will not play Saturday when the Dawgs play Missouri and quite possibly could be done for the rest of this football season.

Per the team website, Gurley is suspended indefinitely "During an ongoing investigation into an alleged violation of NCAA rules."

No word yet what that "Violation" might be.

Said UGA coach Mark Richt; "I'm obviously very disappointed. The important thing for out team is to turn all of our attention to Missouri".

Whoa!

This obviously is huge news as Gurley, a rising Junior, has seemingly carried the Bulldogs to a 4-1 record and was considered a frontrunner for this years Heisman Trophy

More when we find out more....

A little more:

Per the Macon Telegraph...

It's believed that Gurley may have received money in exchange for his autograph or use of his likeness.

Read the Macon Telegraph story RIGHT HERE

If this proves out to be correct, it will be a haunting reminder to Dawg fans still reeling from A.J Green's 4-game suspension a few years ago for selling a signed jersey.

1900 UPDATE: From Seth Emerson at the Macon Telegraph

A source said the investigation involved whether Gurley received money in exchange for his autograph or use of his likeness. That echoes a report by Fox Sports reporter Bruce Feldman.

Feldman's sources say that the investigation is looking into whether Gurley accepted extra benefits for his likeness with memorabilia brokers.

Gentry Estes over at Georgia's section of 24-7 Sports reminds us: A key part of #UGA statement on Gurley was this is a self-imposed penalty and currently in-house investigation.

The Johnny Manziel/Northwestern/likeness discussion resumes in 3, 2, 1...

More Trouble for UGA Football: Linebacker Arrested for DUI

Davin Bellamy

((ht: macon.com))

Safe to say it's not been the quietest offseason in University of Georgia football history.

The Macon Telegraph reports early Saturday morning, backup linebacker Davin Bellamy was pulled over and arrested on DUI and speeding charges by the Athens-Clarke County PD.

Just 4 days ago, the Dawgs had to deal with DL Jonathan Taylor getting arrested and charged with assault. Taylor was dropped from the program the next day.

In Bellamy's case, the charges are technically misdemeanors and whether you call this trivializing things or not, it's something college students do. Quite frequently.

Read the full story on what happened from the Telegraph RIGHT HERE

Per the Telegraph, the school has the ability to make Bellamy sit out for two games. Since this incident just happened (5am Saturday, we're posting this at 8:30a Saturday), the University nor coach Mark Richt have commented or had a chance to review what happened.

Only time will tell what they decide to do.

And yes, this season's camp opens in just a few days. It's this time of year coaches get nervous because they don't technically get to keep close tabs on players. And like we said, so far, the week for the Dawgs can't get much worse.

Star WR Implicated, D-Lineman Dismissed from UGA Football

Jonathan Taylor/UGA DL/Athens-Clarke County Jail

((ht: ajc.com))

The semi-quiet offseason for the Georgia Bulldogs is quiet no more. And the flurry of activity comes but just days before the opening of camp.

There are two stories here:

(Issue #1):

A "5-Star" recruit has been implicated in a dormitory robbery earlier in July. AJC.com reports Darnell Saloman is wanted by UGA Police as a suspect in the robbery at Busbee Hall where 2 female students reported a stolen I-Phone and a wallet with cash and credit cards. They've issued a warrant for his arrest.

Saloman was in Athens for UGA's "Dawg Night" camp.

Saloman's coach in Florida, Mike Tunsil issued a statement saying his rising junior receiver is innocent and that he'll be cleared of charges.

More from ajc.com RIGHT HERE

(Issue #2):

Sophomore nose tackle Jonathan Taylor was dismissed from the Bulldogs football team shortly upon his release from the Athens-Clarke County jail Wednesday afternoon.

Taylor was in jail on aggravated assault/family violence charges after a complaint was registered he had assaulted his girlfriend this past weekend.

Taylor was already on thin ice after being arrested back in March with a couple of teammates on "theft by deception" charges. They were trying to double dip meal reimbursement checks.

More from ajc.com RIGHT HERE

For you SEC types this raises a few questions. Several columnists in the Atlanta area are using this to say Georgia recruits the wrong type of kid. We would argue college football in general, the SEC specifically has the same problem.

It's the age old dilemma.

How do you compete with teams like LSU who forgave Jeremy Hill after rape and assault charges or Auburn who takes Josh Harvey-Clemons after he's dismissed in Athens.

Are there bad kids in College Football? Yes. Are there kids playing who probably shouldn't be? Absolutely.

The price of admission for an elite team is different than it used to be. You have to hope and cross your fingers kids you bring in behave. You know there's a chance they won't. They're college kids, they do stupid things.

That doesn't excuse either of these kids...or anyone else.

But don't preach on one hand the sanctity of good kids while on the other hand saying you can't compete unless you are pulling from the same pool everyone else is.

It doesn't work both ways.

UGA WR Produces Star Wars Fan Movie: It's Really Well Done

((ht: onlineathens.com))

If University of Georgia senior WR Chris Conley doesn't make it as an NFL Football player, he most definitely has something to fall back on.

Conley, a communications major, wrote and directed a film shot mostly in and around the school's Sanford Stadium. The film is a Star Wars fan film set in Athens. It also features appearances by coach Mark Richt and teammate Todd Gurley as a certain superhero.

It's almost a half-hour long, but really well done. Take a look:

DEVELOPING: This Can't Be Good... 4 UGA Players Arrested On Theft Charges (UPDATED With Richt Reax)

((HT: OnlineAthens.com/Weiszer))

On the heels of releasing Josh Harvey-Clemons for violations of team rules earlier this winter, Weiszer reports that four more have been arrested on "theft by deception" charges.

Defensive back Tray Matthews, defensive lineman Jonathan Taylor and James DeLoach and wide receiver Uriah LeMay are the four. Matthews, according to the article, is facing at least three misdemeanor counts. Taylor and DeLoach are facing two misdemeanor and LeMay four.

Georgia opens spring football practices Tuesday... so, how's that for timing...???

Matthews is from Newnan (GA) High. Taylor and DeLoach are from Jenkins County (GA) High and LeMay is the brother of QB Christian LeMay.

Taylor and DeLoach were being held on bonds totaling $3,000, LeMay on bonds totaling $6,000 and Matthews bonds totaling at least $4,500.

More when we know more...

But just to hold you over, here's some Matthews video during practice from the Athens Banner-Herald


TUESDAY UPDATE: All four practiced with their teammates on Day One of the Spring season...

The four were arrested for, in essence, cashing the same check twice- once through an online picture system and again at a convenience store- the total value of the transactions is a little under $800.

Marc Weiszer explains for the second day in a row...

Matthews, Taylor and DeLoach are alleged to have electronically deposited the checks through a mobile banking app into three different Wells Fargo accounts and then cashed the same paper check at an unknown local convenience store with an account at SunTrust bank, the report said.

LeMay’s roommate, also a UGA athlete, initially cashed four checks electronically and then discarded them. LeMay is alleged to have taken the cash that was trashed and presented it for cash or deposit through a Wells Fargo account.

The investigation on the four players started March 3rd and amounts to both fraud and compliance issues.

Coach Mark Richt addressed the situation as he could after practice...
((HT: WSB-TV))

Jeremy Pruitt to UGA: Trouble Ahead or Just Rumors?

((ht: 1010xl.com))

Much ballyhoo was made over the speed that the University of Georgia hired Florida State defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt.

The obvious one being: Why would the D-Coordinator of a National Championship team leave so quickly, aside from the pay raise, which he may have gotten in Tallahassee?

Well, there may be an answer….

Rick Ballou, from 1010XL Sports Radio in Jacksonville, Florida says Pruitt was running from something. He says Pruitt lived an "Active" nightlife and was out…carousing…a lot.

Ballou quotes sources in Tallahassee who said today that Pruitt, who was set to be engaged to a 23-year old, was in an illicit relationship with someone "Very Young" in the Florida State Athletic offices--who was not the 23-year old. He characterizes Pruitt as a "Player"….

He goes on to say Pruitt had a good relationship with FSU coach Jimbo Fisher, but that Fisher was very concerned with Pruitt's "Philandering" ways. And "Everybody knew it" about Pruitt.

Ballou also says FSU was prepared to come close to or match the $850,000 salary that Georgia is going to pay Pruitt, but Pruitt chose to run to Athens.

You can listen to the Radio Podcast RIGHT HERE

Here's a Tweet from Ballou earlier today:

Many rumors on why Pruitt really left. I think its safe to say his leaving for Ga.wasn't a football only move. #FSU
— Rick Ballou (@Ballou1010xl) January 15, 2014

Don't hate Georgia Fans, we are just passing this along. We know Georgia coach Mark Richt well and are very sure that he would not put up with someone who is a "Player" with that kind of night life for long. But it is interesting.

Considering the time frame this was accomplished in, we wonder about the background checks that may or may not have happened here. Yes, Pruitt by all reports, including from Ballou is an amazingly talented football coach who will undoubtedly be successful in Athens, and this may be nothing but sour grapes by the FSU contingent.

But be aware that quite often where there is smoke, fire is not far behind. Let's hope the change of scenery will do him well.

Georgia Grabs FSU Defensive Coordinator

((ht: ajc.com))

Okay, this admittedly is a bit of a head scratcher and we post it because of that reason. While we cover College Football extensively, assistant coaching hires rarely make the news.

On the heels of losing defensive coordinator Todd Grantham to Louisville on Sunday, the University of Georgia appears to have grabbed his replacement from the defending national champion Florida State Seminoles.

Multiple reports say Jeremy Pruitt has agreed to take the vacant job in Athens…that was open a total of two days. Pruitt has been labeled by many an upcoming coaching star and the Seminoles gave up the fewest points per game of any team in College Football.

AJC.com was 1st with the story. You can read it RIGHT HERE

He replaces Grantham, who despite having a ton of "NFL Caliber" talent, led the Bulldogs to a "Top 60" ranked defense. Though Grantham, to his credit, parlayed that into a pay raise at Louisville.

Pruitt will essentially inherit Grantham's salary and jump from the defending title holder to a team that finished 3rd in the SEC last season.

But….the 'Dawgs return arguably 10 of their 12 defensive starters from 2013 and should be much improved this upcoming season.

One note, we wonder what this says about ACC Football. Pruitt, who was making slightly over $500K in Tallahassee didn't wait to see if he was getting a raise this season, he moved quickly. Does it mean the ACC can't compete with the SEC? Does the ACC (or FSU) not have the money to pay an assistant what an SEC assistant makes?

All good questions. All makes us (well, me) wonder about how out of control money is in College Football. But that's another conversation for another day. Enjoy your fortuity Georgia Football fans, and applause to you Mark Richt. Somehow, you ended up trading in a mediocre car for a newer model that looks a whole lot better and more than likely, but not for sure, is….

Edward Aschoff discusses the coup pulled off by CMR
((HT: ESPN))

So, Does Mack Brown Keep His Job Now...??? And What About Mark Richt...???

((HT: Longhorn Network))

The HQ officially gives up...

We guess THIS was the team that everyone was looking forward to seeing this season, and didn't get to until now...

Texas bottled up Blake Bell and the Oklahoma offense, was up 23-10 at the half and won 36-20... it wasn't that close...
Here's your highlights...


Texas improves to 4-2 and 3-0 in the Big 12. They take a week off before returning to play at TCU on the 26th...

And, then, it looks like Aaron Murray put the Georgia Bulldog team on his back one too many weeks in a row as they lost at home to Missouri... even with an injured James Franklin not finishing the game at quarterback for the Tigers...
((HT: ESPN))


Now, let's just see how realistic people are in Austin and Athens...???
What say you...???

Ess-E-Cee The Early: Sakerlina Survives, Tennessee Survives, UGA Survives

((HT: SECDN/ESPN))

It was the theme of the day (early on, anyway) in the Ess-E-Cee where teams got skeered and still won...

Example Number One: Sakerlina was on the road and had to deal with this injury while playing in one of the more obnoxious environments around- the on-campus stadium at UCF...


The HQ covered Davis in high school at Stephenson High in suburban Atlanta... the kid can flat out run...
And UCF made a lot of people happy with their back door cover...

Example Number Two: The HQ never thought we would ever hear the voice of the Volunteers, Bob Kessling, ever talk about the Volunteers "surviving" a game against South Alabama (of all teams), but that did happen...

Vols only win by 7...
At home...
Against South Alabama...

The HQ would write that line again, but we don't know if we would believe it if we wrote it ourselves...

What is the world coming to...???


And, then, the 3:30 game...

Aaron Murray throws for four scores and may be the best one-loss team in 'Murica right now having gone 2-1 in the top ten with the early part of their schedule in a 44-41 win...

Evidence below that tied the game at 14...
((HT: SECDN/SEC on CBS))

SEC Media Days Day #3: Nick Saban is Like Hitler

((ht: al.com))

The circus known as SEC Media Days has officially come to an end. Nobody was injured in the scrum, at least that we were aware of, but several slightly odd things came out of an event that is uniquely Alabamian.

Where as Day #1 featured Florida coach Will Muschamp taking a few thinly veiled swipes at former coach Urban Meyer and Meyer's new school Ohio State, Day #2 was highlighted by Javedon Clowney with a wink and smile telling the assembled masses that most of the SEC's quarterbacks and Clemson's Tajh Boyd are all afraid of him.

And then there was Day #3.

Among the highlights. Our favorite, Les Miles, going all-Les on a variety of topics:

((thanks XOSSports))

 

And Georgia QB Aaron Murray who, along with Coach Mark Richt, found Clowney's comments pretty funny:





And then the quote of the day courtesy of the huddled masses waiting for the star of the day, Alabama Coach Nick Saban. When asked about his coach, an Alabama fan named Lee Allen made a bit of an unfortunate analogy, comparing him to "Hitler", telling AL.com reporter Jon Solomon; "He's kind of like Hitler, he's a dictator. He brought us back to the top and I figure we're going to be here for awhile"

Read Solomon's entire article on the goings on RIGHT HERE

Having worked SEC Media days several times over the course of our career, nothing that comes out of it is surprising. With over 1200 huddled media members and hundreds of fans crammed into a small portion of the Winfrey Hotel, the event is literally like a traveling circus with both media types and fans falling all over each other trying to see or talk to their favorite coach or player.

If you've never been and are a football fan, we recommend going at least once. It's a sight and experience you just can't get anywhere else. If you want to see a slice of the U.S Sports Nation these days, there is no better place then outside Birmingham, Alabama. If you want to see the theater of the absurd in the same place, you can easily kill two birds with one stone, right there...

Rodney Garner To Auburn

Phillip Marshall at Auburn Undercover gets this one...

And, for new head coach Gus Malzahn, it's a good get...

Garner gets the title of Assistant Head Coach, D-Line coach, and recruiting coordinator... Actually, that's a lot of titles and the chance for Garner to "come home."

More when we know more...

We know more:

It's official, with Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn releasing the following statement last night:

"We are excited to announce Rodney Garner as our assistant head coach and defensive line coach. Rodney is one of the top defensive line coaches in college football who has had great success in the Southeastern Conference. We're excited to welcome an Auburn man back home."

Garner will work with incoming defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson on a totally revamped Auburn staff that may struggle a bit early, but suddenly looks like they have the potential to resuscitate a program that had pretty much fallen flat on its face under former coach Gene Chizik.

Richt v. King At Postgame Presser

((HT: FoxSports/Fansided.com))

The Georgia Bulldogs are 2-10 against top 10 teams under Mark Richt- which is a question in and of itself that has to be taken on a case-by-case basis...

In the Ess-E-Cee Championship game, the HQ thinks it came down to simply the depth of the Alabama running game and beef up front. Don't misunderstand...

Georgia played their ass off, but against Alabama you have to do it for a full 60 minutes. The Bulldogs got tired and, at the same time, Chris Conley should have not caught the pass he did when CJ Mosley deflected it at the line of scrimmage.

The debate will continue as to whether or not the Bulldogs should have spiked the ball after getting set to give themselves two plays and 12 seconds or to go on pace and try to catch the Tide without the right personnel and on the hop...

That can go either way...

But just don't ask CMR about the heart of his team...
Actually, Chuck Oliver did...


Whaddya think the Richts don't send him a Christmas card...???

Bee-Cee-Ess Is Set With Irish And Tide

Alabama set a record for rushing yards in an Ess-E-Cee Championship Game, but it was a play action pass from AJ McCarron to Amari Cooper in the fourth quarter that gave the Crimson Tide the opportunity to play for their 10th national title...

Georgia hung with the Tide toe-to-toe, but the defense was having to put up with both TJ Yeldon and Eddie Lacy in various stages of rest and was gassed by the fourth quarter.

The Bulldogs had in the neighborhood of 70 seconds to go the length of the field to get the win trailing 32-28. Dee Milliner picked off a pass with 43 seconds left for the win, but it was ruled incomplete after review. Tavarres King caught a Murray pass to the Alabama 34 followed by a connection to Arthur Lynch down to the 8. However, a pass to Chris Conley was not close enough to the sideline as time expired.

Conley caught the pass after it was deflected by CJ Mosley at the line of scrimmage instead of letting the ball fall incomplete...

Let's face it, Alabama escaped after not playing very well...

Here was something that Georgia pulled off that Alabama could not early on in the game to try and put points on the board- a fake punt (without any mention of Tim Tebow as an up-back)...
((HT: SEC on CBS))


Conventional wisdom now has Georgia dropping all the way to the second Orlando-based bowl game on New Year's or the Peach Bowl in Atlanta (or close to it) since the Cotton, Sugar, and Bee-Cee-Ess games all have their preferred dance partners in Florida, LSU, and Texas A&M.

So much for all that thinking that playing well to the end would work in your favor...

What Was Mike London Thinking...??? And The Rest Of The Day In The A-Cee-Cee

((HT: ACC Digital Network))

With a minute or so left in regulation, the HQ was wondering out loud why Virginia head coach Mike London wasn't calling time out to force Virginia tech to kick the game-leading field goal a lot earlier than five seconds left in regulation...

Which Beamer did... and turned the game-leading field goal into the game-winning field goal...
The HQ is still scratching our head over that one...
And Vah Tech is now bowl-eligible for the 20th year in a row...


What was Mike London thinking...???

Any ideas...???

In other news, Georgia toyed with Georgia Tech 42-10 in getting ready for Alabama in the Ess-E-Cee... shocking no one...


Apparently, and for good reason, CPJ was berating his team and could be heard through the metal doors separating his team from the civilized world after the game.

Also, Duke and Miami combined for more than 1,200 yards and 97 points and had three straight possessions end in one play scoring drives- one for Duke that was the length of the field...

Georgia Takes The Cocktail Party

((HT: CBSSports/SEC))

Oh, sorry...

We're not supposed to call it that anymore...

You can look at this game in a few different ways...

Either it was great defensively, or just downright sloppy...
The game had nine turnovers- six by Florida (on a side note, the HQ would LOVZE to hear what the Coach Boom lecture was after the game...) including a last-minute strip of Jordan Reed by all-world linebacker Jarvis Jones that resulted in a touchback and preserved the UGA lead.

What was that, Lane Kiffin...??? Not interested in Jarvis Jones, anymore...???

Okay, then... Jones finished with 13 tackles, three sacks, and two forced fumbles. Not a bad day's work for the Carver-Columbus grad.

It was the first time since 1989 that Georgia got back-to-back wins against the Gators. And both teams combined for 24 penalties in a game that was beyond-chippy.

Here's the game-winning score...


Georgia now needs to beat Ole Miss and Auburn to secure its place in the Ess-E-Cee title game so they can be beaten by Alabama.

Egg Roll... And We're Not Talking Chinese Food...

We're talking about what happens when you lose a game to a rival school...

And the HQ means "really lose"

Georgia LB Christian Robinson said on his Twitter account after UGA's loss at South Carolina:

Came to a house that was egged and rolled. Seems that people turn on you when you're not perfect. Thought we were in this together.

Robinson and QB Aaron Murray share a house together...

Coach Mark Richt said in response that his players need to "be man enough to turn the other cheek."

FOSG Spencer Hall, over at must-read-memorize-and-otherwise-recite-from-heart-on-a-daily-basis EDSBS, claims:

Lost 35-7 to South Carolina in a game that was at no point competitive in any way. Your annoying homeopath friend says you might want to go gluten-free and see if it helps, Dawgs.

SBNation's Stephen Muma discloses that Murray also just found out his dad is dealing with thyroid cancer and he only found out Sunday.

Murray admitted on his Twitter feed that:

Probably the worst 12 hours of my life but I know my family will push through. Keep my dad in your prayers please

Stay classy, Athens...

The Mutherf*@$!'n truth: Samuel L. Jackson at UGA Practice

Courtesy: @WeRunThisState

((ht: WeRunThisState))

Well, well, well. It appears the University of Georgia had a visitor at practice this week in Sanford Stadium. That visitor appears, at least by the photo, to be none other than Samuel L. Jackson his-ownself.

We think the picture, provided by @WeRunThisState (UGA Football's official Twitter account) on Twitter was taken at Wednesday's scrimmage, but thus far, we've seen no report to confirm this. That's Bulldog head coach Mark Richt with his back to you.

And really, there isn't any special reason we mention this other than we think Samuel L. Jackson epitomizes "Cool" and we are guessing his appearance probably went over pretty well out there in Athens.

We're guessing this wasn't part of his pep talk to the team: (but how cool would it be if it was)

Ess-E-Cee Media Day 3: Saban, Richt, Dooley, Freeze...

It was the biggest four crowds for the larger names in the conference for Day 3 at the Wynfrey Hotel in suburban Birmingham...

Coach Saban wants to, pretty much, be anywhere else other than answering silly questions from Media Folk... but he gave a few funnies and nuggets otherwise...
((HT: WVTM-TV))


Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze will learn that, today, people were nice to him...
After today, however, the opposition will want to make a point that the new guy from Arkansas State, Lambuth, and the "Other Side" will be made an example of...
((HT: WVTM-TV))


Derek Dooley wants a little less talk and lot more action from his Volunteers in a pivotal year for him on campus...

Terry Brooks is standing on the top of the mountain to do his live shot...
((HT: WBIR-TV Knoxville))
And, finally, CMR got to share his funnies and talk about the bad idea that it was to bring Isaiah Crowell onto campus... ((HT: WVTM-TV))
The HQ thinks Jarvis Jones is a bad man and is looking forward to seeing how many people will want CMR's head after another bad start- especially if they lose to Missouri early on...

UGA starting DB arrested; Dawgs gain in quest for the cup

((ht: ajc.com))

Not that we want to hate on our friends at the University of Georgia....but.

Last years clean off-season seems to have been a bit of an aberration.

The latest casualy of the Spring "Arrest" season; starting cornerback Branden Smith. Smith, along with a passenger, was pulled over for speeding in South Alabama...and eventually arrested for possession of marijuana after a search found a bag under a seat.

Read a detailed story of the arrest from ajc.com RIGHT HERE

Bulldogs head coach Mark Richt is apparently aware of the arrest and says he doesn't know enough to comment at this time.

Richt has a decision to make because fellow starting CB Sanders Commings will miss the first 2 games of the year following his arrest on domestic abuse charges.

And for what it is worth to the Georgia faithful, Richt officially got his contract extension, 3-years worth, today. Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham was extended for 2-years.

Three Kicked Off UGA Football Team- Marshall, Sanders, Seay

For alleged theft of money from other players...

The HQ is working to confirm that...

But two of the names are Georgia heavyweight high schoolers...

Special teamer Nick Marshall from Wilcox County High and Chris Sanders from Tucker High, along with Lee County grad Sanford Seay are all gone.

CMR sent out his standard release that said in part that "It's a privilege to play college football and to be a part of this team and University.

"Along with that privilege comes certain responsibilities. Mistakes were made and part of our job is helping them learn from mistakes. Going forward, we are committed to assisting them find opportunities where they can continue their education."

Wilcox County head coach and FOSG Mark Ledford told WMAZ-TV in Macon that Marshall "had a great opportunity, made a mistake and he's going to have to try and learn from it."

Ledford did not say what the cause for the dismissal was. He did say to WMAZ-TV that other schools have already contacted him about Marshall. Lee County head coach Dean Fabrizio told WALB-TV in Albany that he thinks Seay will go to a junior college.

Here's some old highlights of Marshall from his Wilcox days...
((HT: wilcoxpatriots))