ATHENS, Ga. – Georgia’s weekly news conference came and went Tuesday afternoon without coach Mark Richt naming a starting quarterback for Saturday’s game against Kentucky.
Virginia transfer Greyson Lambert started the first seven games, leading the Bulldogs to five victories. He was replaced last week by fellow redshirt junior Faton Bauta, who threw four interceptions in Saturday’s 27-3 loss to Florida in Jacksonville.
“It would be nice to get more stability at that position, but it just hasn’t played out that way,” Richt said. “We’re basically competing this week at a lot of positions, especially on offense, and just making sure the guys aren’t too comfortable. I guess the bottom line is we want to get the best 11 on the field in whatever the situation.”
Greyson Lambert is attempting to become Georgia’s first starting quarterback to defeat Florida in his first attempt since Greg Talley in 1989.Bauta and Lambert are listed as co-starters on this week’s depth chart, with redshirt sophomore Brice Ramsey the third-stringer. Ramsey entered this past offseason as the expected pick to succeed last year’s starter, Hutson Mason.
Sophomore tight end Jeb Blazevich was able to keep Bauta’s start a secret last Wednesday when he spoke to reporters, and didn’t reveal any inside information Tuesday.
“I don’t really care when I know,” Blazevich said. “I just like to be able to work with all the guys if it’s equal. I trust all three guys back there with the ball, so it’s really no concern to me and the other guys on the offense.”
Get well soon?
Senior receiver Malcolm Mitchell was asked Tuesday how he best would describe Georgia’s offense the past two weeks.
“Scoreless,” he said.
The Bulldogs have an opportunity to break out of their doldrums against the Wildcats, who gave up 52 points last Saturday against Tennessee and 42 the week before at Mississippi State.
Georgia defeated Kentucky 59-17 two years ago in Sanford Stadium and rolled to a 63-31 victory last November in Lexington. The Bulldogs racked up 559 yards in last year’s game, with Mason throwing four touchdown passes and Nick Chubb and Sony Michel combining on 29 carries for 254 yards and two scores.
“Last year, we all had a great game,” Michel said. “Hopefully it will go like that again this year.”
The lost month
Senior outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins had every reason to expect a fantastic final year, especially after compiling 5.5 tackles for loss in the second game, a 31-14 win at Vanderbilt.
Hip and groin injuries, however, derailed the 6-foot-3, 253-pounder in October. He was held out of the win over Missouri and estimates playing just five to seven snaps at Tennessee and 10 snaps last Saturday against the Gators.
“It definitely wasn’t something I had ever been through,” Jenkins said. “Most of the injuries I’ve ever had were minor injuries and stuff that happened in the offseason. It was a new feeling being sidelined and having to watch everyone else play, and it definitely wasn’t a fun feeling.”
Odds and ends
Georgia holds a 54-12-2 series lead against Kentucky, including a 26-4-2 mark at home. Richt on redshirt junior tailback Keith Marshall, who had three carries for 16 yards against Florida: “I think he’s in a position to get more totes this week.” The first-team line during Tuesday’s portion of practice open to the media contained Isaiah Wynn at left tackle, Kolton Houston at left guard, Brandon Kublanow at center, Dyshon Sims at right guard and John Theus at right tackle.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.