09-18-2003, 02:09 PM
Bad news....
Raley injury adds to woes
Bulldog Notebook
By Anthony Dasher
anthony.dasher@onlineathens.com
A left foot injury to sophomore wide receiver Mario Raley is forcing coach Mark Richt to alter his rotation at wide receiver for Saturday's game at 11th-ranked LSU.
Raley was one of the three receivers Richt had hoped to fill the void left by Fred Gibson who will miss the game with a pulled hamstring.
Instead, freshman Sean Bailey and sophomore Bryan McClendon will have to assume an even greater role behind Reggie Brown, Damien Gary and Michael Johnson.
"Mario had been practicing very well. The one opportunity he got last week against South Carolina, he really looked good," Richt said. "His effort, his blocking was getting better. He was ready to get in the mix, he was really making progress."
Mario was scheduled to see time at the second flex position in a three-receiver set where he would back up Gary.
Instead, Johnson will have to play that role, as well as back up Brown and Gary when the Bulldogs are in a two-receiver set.
Raley, who suffered the injury Tuesday, was on crutches and wearing a protective boot Wednesday.
"Mario was just running down the field ... he was in a one-on-one coverage, slightly ahead of the defender," Richt said. "He was trying to adjust to the ball when he landed on one of his steps and got hurt right there. There was no collision, no piece of uneven ground."
Richt was unsure how long Raley might be out.
DT Gant may not lose starting position
Even when defensive tackle Ken Veal is fully recovered from his shin injury suffered against South Carolina, freshman Ray Gant may still hang on to his starting spot
Gant has continued to draw praise from Richt and defensive line coach Rodney Garner for his spirited play and overall fine work.
"Ray has definitely earned a lot of playing time," said Richt said. "Whether he starts or not, I imagine he's going to be in here quite a bit, especially if he keeps playing like he does."
Gant opened the season as a backup to Veal until an ankle injury slowed the senior. Gant has started the last two games after freshman Marcus Jackson opened at defensive tackle.
"Ray's still got some fundamental issues that he needs to improve on, but what's getting him all this playing time is his effort," Richt said. "He just plays hard. And he's a good athlete."
Richt still not sure which backs will play
Richt backed off his statement Tuesday when he hinted that as many as four running backs - Michael Cooper, Ronnie Powell, Kregg Lumpkin and Tyson Browning - would all see action against LSU.
Richt said he's leaning toward using just three.
"We may use four, but I wouldn't count on it," Richt said. "And I'm not even sure which three, yet."
Cooper (31 carries, 217 yards) is still expected to start for the Bulldogs, but Lumpkin has apparently closed the gap with Powell for the second spot.
Browning missed the first three games due to a suspension.
Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Thursday, September 18, 2003.
Raley injury adds to woes
Bulldog Notebook
By Anthony Dasher
anthony.dasher@onlineathens.com
A left foot injury to sophomore wide receiver Mario Raley is forcing coach Mark Richt to alter his rotation at wide receiver for Saturday's game at 11th-ranked LSU.
Raley was one of the three receivers Richt had hoped to fill the void left by Fred Gibson who will miss the game with a pulled hamstring.
Instead, freshman Sean Bailey and sophomore Bryan McClendon will have to assume an even greater role behind Reggie Brown, Damien Gary and Michael Johnson.
"Mario had been practicing very well. The one opportunity he got last week against South Carolina, he really looked good," Richt said. "His effort, his blocking was getting better. He was ready to get in the mix, he was really making progress."
Mario was scheduled to see time at the second flex position in a three-receiver set where he would back up Gary.
Instead, Johnson will have to play that role, as well as back up Brown and Gary when the Bulldogs are in a two-receiver set.
Raley, who suffered the injury Tuesday, was on crutches and wearing a protective boot Wednesday.
"Mario was just running down the field ... he was in a one-on-one coverage, slightly ahead of the defender," Richt said. "He was trying to adjust to the ball when he landed on one of his steps and got hurt right there. There was no collision, no piece of uneven ground."
Richt was unsure how long Raley might be out.
DT Gant may not lose starting position
Even when defensive tackle Ken Veal is fully recovered from his shin injury suffered against South Carolina, freshman Ray Gant may still hang on to his starting spot
Gant has continued to draw praise from Richt and defensive line coach Rodney Garner for his spirited play and overall fine work.
"Ray has definitely earned a lot of playing time," said Richt said. "Whether he starts or not, I imagine he's going to be in here quite a bit, especially if he keeps playing like he does."
Gant opened the season as a backup to Veal until an ankle injury slowed the senior. Gant has started the last two games after freshman Marcus Jackson opened at defensive tackle.
"Ray's still got some fundamental issues that he needs to improve on, but what's getting him all this playing time is his effort," Richt said. "He just plays hard. And he's a good athlete."
Richt still not sure which backs will play
Richt backed off his statement Tuesday when he hinted that as many as four running backs - Michael Cooper, Ronnie Powell, Kregg Lumpkin and Tyson Browning - would all see action against LSU.
Richt said he's leaning toward using just three.
"We may use four, but I wouldn't count on it," Richt said. "And I'm not even sure which three, yet."
Cooper (31 carries, 217 yards) is still expected to start for the Bulldogs, but Lumpkin has apparently closed the gap with Powell for the second spot.
Browning missed the first three games due to a suspension.
Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Thursday, September 18, 2003.