ATHENS, Ga. -- A pulled hamstring at Tennessee kept Georgia receiver Malcolm Mitchell from playing against Vanderbilt, Florida and New Mexico State, but that will not outweigh all the freshman's achievements this season.
"It was a good experience," Mitchell said Tuesday. "Even with the injury, I learned that you just have to love the team and be there for them even if you can't play. I learned a lot, and I'm really excited about the year we've had."
Despite missing a fourth of the season, Mitchell leads the Bulldogs with 549 yards on 32 catches, topping tight end Orson Charles (435) and receiver Tavarres King (387). The only freshmen ever to lead Georgia in receiving yardage were Lindsay Scott in 1978 and Terrence Edwards in 1999.
Mitchell exited the Oct. 8 game in Knoxville with 126 yards on three catches, and his Nov. 12 return against Auburn produced three catches for 85 yards and a touchdown.
"I knew he was going to be a talented kid," quarterback Aaron Murray said, "and he has worked extremely hard understanding the offense and understanding his routes."
Honoring Munson
Georgia players will honor legendary radio announcer Larry Munson at Georgia Tech by wearing a decal on their helmets. Munson, who was the voice of the Bulldogs from 1966 to 2008, died Sunday night at the age of 89.
"It will be something that will be very recognizable and obvious that we are honoring him," coach Mark Richt said.
Jones a finalist
Redshirt sophomore outside linebacker Jarvis Jones was named Tuesday as one of six finalists for the Butkus Award, given annually to college football's top linebacker. Alabama's tandem of Dont'a Hightower and Courtney Upshaw were also among the six.
Jones leads the SEC with 15 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks.
"I'm not surprised he's a finalist for any award," Richt said. "People around the country look at stats and compare, and when you lead the SEC in sacks and tackles for loss, it draws attention to you."
Thanksgiving feast
Continuing a tradition dating back to his days as an Auburn assistant, Georgia defensive line coach Rodney Garner is opening his house on Thanksgiving for players who live too far away to go home. Garner has hosted as many as 60 players and family members before, with past turkey feasts including 10 trays of macaroni and 10 gallons of chitlins.
"My true freshman year I went over to Coach Garner's house, and it was amazing," senior tight end Aron White said. "I saw chitlins for the first time in my life."
Said junior safety Bacarri Rambo of last year's event: "I had to let somebody else drive my car. I was wanting to go to sleep."
Odds and ends
Georgia Tech junior receiver Stephen Hill leads the nation with 30.7 yards a reception. ... The Bulldogs are outscoring foes 88-27 in the first quarter, while the Yellow Jackets have been even better with a 115-48 bulge. ... Georgia is 5-0 under Richt against Tech at Bobby Dodd Stadium. ... Georgia Tech has had eight one-play touchdown drives this season after not having any last year. ... Georgia leads the series 61-37-5 according to its records and 61-39-5 according to Tech records. ... The two teams did not play from 1917-24 because of a dispute caused by a Georgia parade float that mocked the Jackets for playing football during World War I.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.
University of Georgia photo
Georgia freshman Malcolm Mitchell leads the Bulldogs in receiving yardage despite missing three games with a pulled hamstring.