Georgia's Kris Durham heads for the endzone and a first half touchdown as Georgia Southern's Carson Hill chases as the University of Georgia takes on Georgia Southern University in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, August 30, 2008. Georgia won, 45-21. (Photo/Mark E. Johnson)

More of the same was not a goal Georgia junior receiver Kris Durham had in mind for the 2008 football season.

After capping his sophomore year with a three-catch, 48-yard performance in the Sugar Bowl rout of Hawaii, Durham was expecting to build on an 11-catch, 169-yard season. Instead, the 6-foot-5, 200-pounder from Calhoun has basically duplicated it, taking 10 catches for 167 yards into Thursday’s Capital One Bowl against Michigan State.

Durham missed the Tennessee and Vanderbilt games due to an ankle sprain against Alabama, and he missed the Georgia Tech game with a broken hand.

“I had a lot of hopes for the season and things I wanted to accomplish, but that’s football,” said Durham, who has just two catches since late September. “You can’t predict anything. You have to go with the hand you’re dealt, so I’m going to have to grow from my experiences and continue to work hard.

“It’s not like injuries haven’t happened to other people before. You can’t get negative. Fortunately, I’m able to come back and play in this game.”

Before freshman A.J. Green and senior Mohamed Massaquoi became the Southeastern Conference’s top two receivers in yardage per game, they didn’t even lead their own team. Durham had the best start of the bunch with three receptions for 74 yards in the opening win over Georgia Southern, which included a 61-yard score.

The touchdown against the Eagles was the first of his career.

Durham opened with five straight games with at least one reception, including a two-catch, 44-yard game Sept. 27 against Alabama. His catches against the Crimson Tide came early in the third quarter, leading to a field goal after Alabama had built a 31-0 halftime lead, but he came up hobbling after the second 22-yard grab.

“I come in against Alabama and kind of get us on a roll,” he said. “I make two big plays, and then all of a sudden I went down. I was happy I was able to help spark a little comeback, but I missed three weeks of practice after that.”

Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo doesn’t believe it’s been a lost season for Durham, but he doesn’t want another repeat either.

“I think Kris has done a really nice job of getting more physical and becoming a more complete receiver,” Bobo said. “I really felt good about him coming into the year. He had the ankle and now the hand. It’s been an injury thing, so he’s got to stay healthy to where we can get him in there to work. He’s definitely in our rotation if he’s healthy.”

Green will enter the 2009 season as Georgia’s clear headliner, but Bobo and receivers coach John Eason hope the leadership will come from Durham and classmate Michael Moore. The 6-2, 200-pound Moore has 23 catches for 354 yards and a touchdown entering the bowl.

Adjusting to a leadership role will be a huge change for Durham, because Massaquoi was handling that role when Durham arrived.

“It comes with time,” Massaquoi said. “You understand what your role is the older that you get. You come in and you really don’t know what’s going on, so you’re a little bit quiet. Then you become more vocal the longer that you’re here. I think he’s going to be all right and will do the same.”

Said Durham: “I’m not a very vocal leader, so I’ll just lead by example.”

Preferably while injury-free.

Acting like kids

The Bulldogs held their second of five practices in Orlando on Saturday, working out in full pads in temperatures that reached 81 degrees. After practice, players had their choice of visiting the four different parks that comprise Walt Disney World — the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.

Georgia head coach Mark Richt gave them the green light to have fun.

“I’ve told them this is the greatest city in the world for this type of entertainment,” Richt said. “There is no shame in acting like a kid at the parks, so enjoy it. For the rest of the week, I’m looking forward to taking a couple of naps and going to a couple of the parks with my family.”