Contributed photo by Ashley Connell
Justin Houston

Defensive end has been Georgia’s slimmest position all spring, but sophomore Justin Houston continues to stay healthy and continues to improve.

The 6-foot-3, 264-pounder from Statesboro tallied four tackles, two sacks and had a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown during Saturday’s scrimmage at Sanford Stadium. The scrimmage was Georgia’s second of the spring and the final one before next Saturday’s G-Day game on ESPN.

“Justin was the most productive defensive player today,” Bulldogs coach Mark Richt said. “He caught my eye and made a lot of plays.”

Richt said Saturday’s two-hour scrimmage was better than the one held last Monday.

Houston’s touchdown occurred on the first play of a one-minute drill and came at the expense of starting quarterback Joe Cox. The fifth-year senior finished just 6-for-18 passing for 65 yards but did have two touchdowns, including a 26-yard strike to sophomore A.J. Green.

The longest touchdown of the scrimmage was freshman Aaron Murray’s 64-yard pass to sophomore flanker Israel Troupe. Murray completed 6 of 10 passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns, while Troupe led all receivers with three catches for 111 yards.

Sophomore quarterback Logan Gray completed 7 of 9 passes for 52 yards and a score, while freshman Zach Mettenberger was 1-of-5 for 39 yards. Mettenberger is only 2-of-15 through two scrimmages, but Richt said he is placing the ball well.

“I don’t think there is any doubt both (our freshman quarterbacks) could be capable of playing if they needed to,” said Richt, who added that Georgia will only sign one quarterback in the 2010 class.

Sophomore tailback Caleb King rushed 10 times for 43 yards, while redshirt freshman Carlton Thomas had six carries for 25. Junior walk-on Kalvin Daniels did not play due to a shoulder injury but is expected to return this week.

Junior fullback Fred Munzenmaier saw extensive time Saturday and had a team-high 11 carries for 54 yards and one touchdown.

“Fred did well today, and a lot of his reps were tailback rushes,” Richt said. “He looked very fluid. If we blocked it for three yards, he got five. He runs like an athletic fullback with power and vision.”

Georgia’s lone injury during the scrimmage occurred when junior walk-on safety Andrew Johnson, the son of former Bulldogs tight end coach Dave Johnson, dislocated his right ankle.