ATHENS, Ga. - Thirty minutes before Georgia players arrived at Sanford Stadium on Saturday morning, they received a text message from coach Mark Richt.
Junior receiver A.J. Green wasn't playing.
"As soon as it happened," senior receiver Kris Durham said, "I sent a text to Aaron [Murray] that said, 'I'm ready. Let's go. Let's do it.'"
Murray threw for three touchdowns and Durham had 83 yards and a score in Georgia's 55-7 whipping of Louisiana-Lafayette, but the mystery remains with Green and the ongoing NCAA inquiry. School officials said the suspension of Green was "pursuant to UGA Athletic Association policy and pending a ruling from the NCAA clarifying his status."
Had Georgia played Green and the NCAA uncovered an infraction and deemed him ineligible, the Bulldogs may have been forced to forfeit Saturday's win.
"I'm going to do what I was told, and that was just don't make any comment on the A.J. Green situation in any way, shape or form," Richt said after the game.
University president Michael Adams said before the game that it wouldn't be "necessarily fair" to assume the inquiry was related to a Miami party earlier this year that involved agents. Adams added that he does not believe the issue with Green is serious.
Green was among four players sidelined because of off-the-field issues. Tailback Washaun Ealey, receiver Tavarres King and safety Alec Ogletree were suspended due to recent arrests, and Richt said those three would return for next week's trip to South Carolina.
"We hope A.J. is back for next week," Durham said, "because he's irreplaceable."
Doing it all
Sophomore cornerback Branden Smith caught a 3-yard pass on Georgia's first play and became the first Bulldogs player to start on offense, defense and special teams since Champ Bailey, who did it five times in 1998.
"I want to follow the role he had when he was here," Smith said. "He was there to help the team win, and that's what I'm all about."
Smith had a 17-yard gain on a reverse and had a tackle and a pass deflection, and he returned three punts for 51 yards, with a long of 31.
Odds and ends
Junior tackle Trinton Sturdivant didn't play because of a stomach virus. ... Richt said Brandon Bogotay handled several kickoffs because Blair Walsh developed a tired leg in practice. ... Richt now provides the public service announcement regarding drinking and driving. Former athletic director Damon Evans did that last year before losing his job after a DUI arrest.