ATHENS — Georgia head coach Mark Richt expects to hear something soon from the NCAA on A.J. Green’s status. It still remains to be seen what the answer will be.
“I’d be highly disappointed if we don’t hear something this week,” Richt said. “I would think we will.”
That was a slight change from Richt’s no-comment stance of the past few weeks.
Green was held out of Georgia’s season opener because the team said it was awaiting clarification on the star receiver’s status. The NCAA requested an interview with Green in July about an unspecified inquiry.
Green was listed as “TBD” on Georgia’s depth chart, released Tuesday.
Georgia had also not received word from the NCAA as of late Tuesday evening, according to associate athletics director Claude Felton.
“We’re at their mercy,” receivers coach Tony Ball said. “We’re just continuing to work and continuing to get better. We know at some point something’s gonna happen. We’ve just gotta make sure we’re prepared. That’s all we can do.”
South Carolina also has two starters in limbo: cornerback Chris Culliver and tackle Jarriel King. Tight end Weslye Saunders is not expected to play. None played in the Gamecocks’ opener.
“Oh, there was a little bit (of frustration) last week, but again, whatever happens, happens,” South Carolina head coach Spurrier said. “The NCAA runs college football. You’ve got have a sheriff. They’re the sheriff of all of our teams, so, as coaches and administrators, we understand they do have a difficult job, and we just have to wait it out and see what happens.”
Adding to the hype
For the first time in seven years, and only the second time since 1980, Georgia and South Carolina will each be ranked when they square off.
Georgia moved up to No. 22 in the AP poll and No. 21 in the coaches’ poll, each released Tuesday. South Carolina, previously unranked in each poll, entered at No. 24 and No. 25, respectively.
Georgia’s veteran offensive line had some issues in the opener: three false starts and an inconsistent running game. Richt had worried about that, given the rash of preseason injuries that may have affected continuity.
Center Ben Jones, who missed nine days of practice after arthroscopic knee surgery, wasn’t so sure he agreed with Rich’s assessment.
“I hope that wasn’t it,” Jones said. “Maybe it was just a little pregame jitters and first game. Hopefully we’ll come out this week and fix that.”
Extra points
n Offensive tackle Trinton Sturdivant is over his stomach problems and should be healthy enough to play, according to Richt.
“We do expect him to play,” Richt said. “I wish he would’ve played last week, wish he could’ve got that under his belt, but I think he’ll be fine.”
n Tailback Caleb King said he twisted his ankle in Saturday’s game, which probably was why he got no carries in the second half. King said he practiced with no problems on Monday and Tuesday.
He said it
“First off, he won at Duke. That’s not a knock. He won at Duke, then really he got Florida to where it was now. … I think he’s an excellent coach, he knows what he’s doing, and I think he’s good for the game.” — Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham on Spurrier
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