Georgia's football team returned to the practice fields Tuesday following a 12-day hiatus for spring break, but the biggest story of spring break remains unresolved.
Bulldogs coach Mark Richt has not decided on the punishment for Zach Mettenberger following the redshirt freshman's arrest on March 7 in Remerton, which is near Valdosta. Richt did say Mettenberger's arrest would not immediately affect his standing in the quarterback race that includes Logan Gray and Aaron Murray but that it obviously could in late August.
"It won't affect Zach's reps in the spring at all," Richt said. "If, in fact, he's suspended for the first game, then once we get in the phase of getting ready for the first game -- sometimes it's seven practices out -- then anybody who's suspended isn't going to get any reps, not of any quality anyway, at that time."
Richt plans to announce a decision on Mettenberger by the end of the week. The 6-foot-5, 230-pounder was arrested at Flip Flops bar on misdemeanor charges of underage possession of alcohol, disorderly conduct, obstruction and on two counts of possessing false identification.
Under Georgia athletic association policy, any alcohol-related charge that holds will result in a student-athlete missing at least 10 percent of the upcoming season.
"He knows he's dug himself a hole, and he wants to climb out," Richt said. "He also knows that what happened isn't going to define him or his career. What he does from this point forward will define that."
The Bulldogs will hold their third spring practice Thursday and will wear full pads for the first time Saturday. The G-Day game is set for April 10 at 2 p.m. Eastern at Sanford Stadium, and it will be televised by CSS.
Odds and ends
Gray has handled punt returns deep in Georgia territory the past two seasons but is not working with special teams this spring while competing at quarterback. ... Richt on tailbacks Caleb King and Washaun Ealey: "They have a very good friendship, but they both want to be the starter." ... Georgia held its annual Pro Day before Tuesday's practice.