Georgia quarterback Hutson Mason throws a pass Saturday during their game at Missouri.The Georgia Bulldogs learned before last Thursday's practice that they would not have junior tailback Todd Gurley for Saturday's game at Missouri.
Georgia certainly overcame Gurley's indefinite suspension for allegedly receiving money for autographs, pounding the Tigers 34-0. The Bulldogs began preparations Sunday for this week's game against Arkansas in Little Rock without Gurley in the game plan as well.
"I think we have to," coach Mark Richt said Sunday afternoon, "but whether Todd was there or not, we would do the same things."
Richt had no update on Gurley's status and would not project any timetable for a potential return. The Gurley-less Bulldogs chewed up the Tigers in small but efficient chunks, running a whopping 87 plays for 379 yards and controlling the ball for 42 minutes and 23 seconds.
Asked Sunday if offensive coordinator Mike Bobo altered his play-calling process following the suspension, Richt said, "I don't think there was hardly any change of plans. All of our backs basically run the same plays, so it really wasn't a big deal as far as scheme."
The chore of overcoming Gurley's absence at Missouri was bestowed upon both senior quarterback Hutson Mason and freshman tailback Nick Chubb, and each responded in impressive fashion. Mason completed 22 of 28 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown, with his 22 completions matching his career-high set last November at Georgia Tech, and he also had an 11-yard rushing score.
"Todd is a big part of our offense and one of the best players in the country," Mason told reporters after the game, "but we had a chip on our shoulder. Everyone thought the world was falling apart, so we needed to show everybody and show ourselves that there were 10 other guys on offense and 11 guys on defense making this thing go.
"This was a very big, inspirational win."
Chubb became that 11th offensive player Saturday, rushing 38 times for 143 yards and a touchdown. He had the highest number of carries for a Bulldogs tailback since Verron Haynes collected 39 in a 2001 win at Georgia Tech.
Gurley's career-high for carries is 30, which occurred in last season's win over South Carolina.
"We had to pick up the slack," Chubb said. "It's Todd, you know? Our defense really picked things up. They didn't even score, so we could have won the game in the first quarter."
Richt did not know how sore Chubb was on Sunday but said he didn't complain during or after the game or look fatigued.
Backup tailback Brendan Douglas added 13 carries for 65 yards and a touchdown against the Tigers, and those two could comprise the primary tandem for a second straight Saturday. Richt is hopeful of having Keith Marshall (sprained ankle and knee) back, adding that the junior looked good last week in straight-ahead running.
Richt expects freshman Sony Michel (shoulder) back at some point in November, possibly the first Saturday against Florida. There are no plans for now to move sophomore defensive back J.J. Green, who had 129 rushing yards last year at Tennessee, back to tailback.
Odds and ends
Senior receiver Chris Conley suffered an MCL sprain at Missouri, but Richt did not know the severity. ... Richt on whether Gurley will practice this week: "Todd is still on our team." ... This is the 83rd consecutive season in which Arkansas has played at least one game in Little Rock, and it will be Georgia's first trip to the state capital. ... Richt on whether he was surprised by the 34-0 final: "We put the ball on the ground five times and didn't lose any of them. They had balls that were dropped or bobbled that just landed in our hands."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.