Richt, Georgia players express support for Missouri team

Georgia defensive back Quincy Mauger (20)
Georgia defensive back Quincy Mauger (20)

ATHENS, Ga. - Missouri's football team didn't get much done in last month's 9-6 loss at Georgia, managing just six first downs and 164 yards.

The Tigers worked together to accomplish much, much more this past Saturday, opting to boycott this week's game against BYU in Kansas City unless school president Tim Wolfe stepped down. Missouri coach Gary Pinkel offered support Sunday for his players, and by Monday Wolfe was offering his resignation.

"As college athletes, we do hold a platform that a lot of people idolize, and we can make differences out in the world and not just on the field," Georgia junior safety Quincy Mauger said Tuesday. "What differences you make is what you decide them to be."

Missouri players joined students who felt that Wolfe was not reacting quickly enough to racial incidents occurring on campus. Had the Tigers not played BYU this weekend, the university would have lost more than $1 million.

"With issues that are really sensitive, when a team does come together and stands up for what they believe in, things can be done," senior linebacker Jake Ganus said.

Bulldogs coach Mark Richt admitted Tuesday that he did not know all the details about the situation but was impressed with Pinkel.

"I just think that from what Coach Pinkel did as far as supporting his players and supporting their right to do that, I think he handled it well," Richt said. "That's what makes America great. I don't know enough about it to really understand the whole deal, but apparently there were some things that were going on that shouldn't have been going on.

"It sounds like they weren't being addressed properly, and when that happens, things need to get fixed."

Auburn quarterbacks

Auburn coach Gus Malzahn did not name a starting quarterback Tuesday between junior Jeremy Johnson and redshirt freshman Sean White. Each has started multiple games for the Tigers, with Johnson replacing an injured White last week at Texas A&M and completing 13 of 17 passes to lead a 26-1o victory. "Johnson seems more demonstrative," Richt said. "He's more of a guy who will just kind of get pumped up emotionally. I don't know if I see the exact same with Sean. I'm not saying he's not excited about playing, but there's a little different body language there. He seems a little bit more controlled in what he's doing. "Both of them have plenty of arm to do the things they want to do in the passing game. I think Johnson just got off to a rough start, and they felt like they needed to make a change. They did, and to Johnson's credit, he didn't go in the tank."

Blocking more now

Georgia fifth-year senior receiver Malcolm Mitchell was busier as a blocker during last week's 27-3 win over Kentucky, when the Bulldogs ran several plays with sophomore tailback Sony Michel and freshman receiver Terry Godwin taking direct snaps. Mitchell had four catches for 52 yards, which is slightly below his average of 68.6 yards a game.

"At this point of my career, it's all about doing whatever wins the game," Mitchell said. "If that means I can't finish off with 10 receptions and 100 yards, that's fine with me. When I do have my opportunities and take advantage of them, they won't go unnoticed."

Odds and ends

Auburn has lost just two fumbles all season, which leads the nation. Richt said Tuesday that sophomore defensive tackle Trenton Thompson did not play as much against Kentucky because of a nagging ankle injury. Auburn sophomore Daniel Carlson has made 18 of 21 field-goal attempts this season and is the only kicker nationally to make four tries of 51 yards or longer. Georgia safety Quincy Mauger on Auburn safety Tray Matthews, who played for the Bulldogs in 2013: "I let him know we'll always be brothers no matter where he goes. Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog." Auburn had a minus-5 turnover ratio through three games but now has a plus-5.

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.

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