JimBob
09-06-2009, 08:27 PM
Georgia's Sturdivant out for season again with knee injury
By CHARLES ODUM Associated Press
Published: 9/6/2009 6:55 PM
Last Modified: 9/6/2009 6:57 PM
ATLANTA — Only one game into the season, Georgia coach Mark Richt faces the too-familiar task of replacing a starter on his offensive line.
Richt said Sunday left tackle Trinton Sturdivant suffered a season-ending knee injury in No. 13 Georgia’s 24-10 loss at Oklahoma State on Saturday.
Richt said Sturdivant tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. It is the same knee Sturdivant injured in a preseason scrimmage last year, forcing him to miss the 2008 season.
Sturdivant started all 13 games as a freshman in 2007.
Richt said senior Vince Vance is the likely replacement for Sturdivant in next Saturday’s Southeastern Conference opener against South Carolina. Vance replaced Sturdivant last year before also suffering a season-ending knee injury.
Richt said Sturdivant’s injury is “psychologically tough” for the sophomore. Richt said a second reconstructive surgery on the knee will not prevent the sophomore from making another comeback.
“Mentally would be the only thing that would keep him from coming back to a full recovery,” Richt said. “If he rehabs the same way he did a year ago he’ll be able to come back again.”
Richt said Studivant’s knee “kind of buckled” as he was blocking in the third quarter. The coach said Georgia’s medical personnel and Sturdivant at first did not believe the injury was serious.
“I saw him today,” Richt said. “He’s probably a little bit surprised by it. He really didn’t feel like that was the situation after the ballgame and we weren’t predicting that, so it was a little bit of a surprise to him and us.”
The loss of Sturdivant is a blow to an offense that struggled in its first game to replace two NFL first-round picks, quarterback Matthew Stafford and tailback Knowshon Moreno.
Stafford’s replacement is senior Joe Cox, who completed 15 of 30 passes for 162 yards with one interception and a touchdown in his first start since 2006.
Richt said Cox’s late fumble which led to Oklahoma State’s second touchdown was caused by a breakdown in pass protection.
Georgia opened the game with an 80-yard touchdown drive, capped by Cox’s 4-yard pass to Michael Moore.
The Bulldogs had just 177 yards and a field goal the rest of the game.
“In the passing game, I’ll say we just weren’t sharp,” Richt said. “We just weren’t consistent in our effort in the passing game.”
Sophomore Richard Samuel had 20 carries for 87 yards in his first start.
“I think we’re very close in the run game, especially,” Richt said. “We were close to breaking out some real long runs.”
Richt said he “would love it” if tailback Caleb King can return from a hamstring injury this week. King entered preseason practice as the No. 1 tailback.
By CHARLES ODUM Associated Press
COMMENTS
2 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
Report Comment | Ignore User ChucJordan, (9/6/2009 8:56:38 PM)
I'm an OSU fan and just recently moved back from Atlanta. I will be the first to say I was glad to see tha Caleb King did not make it to Stillwater. I saw this kid play in highschool and he is the real deal!
Report Comment | Ignore User J.R., Dallas, (9/6/2009 9:22:48 PM)
WTG Chuc, nice of you to show some compassion for a kid's injury. Caleb has no relevance to yesterday's game, but it's obvious you don't "get it".
By CHARLES ODUM Associated Press
Published: 9/6/2009 6:55 PM
Last Modified: 9/6/2009 6:57 PM
ATLANTA — Only one game into the season, Georgia coach Mark Richt faces the too-familiar task of replacing a starter on his offensive line.
Richt said Sunday left tackle Trinton Sturdivant suffered a season-ending knee injury in No. 13 Georgia’s 24-10 loss at Oklahoma State on Saturday.
Richt said Sturdivant tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. It is the same knee Sturdivant injured in a preseason scrimmage last year, forcing him to miss the 2008 season.
Sturdivant started all 13 games as a freshman in 2007.
Richt said senior Vince Vance is the likely replacement for Sturdivant in next Saturday’s Southeastern Conference opener against South Carolina. Vance replaced Sturdivant last year before also suffering a season-ending knee injury.
Richt said Sturdivant’s injury is “psychologically tough” for the sophomore. Richt said a second reconstructive surgery on the knee will not prevent the sophomore from making another comeback.
“Mentally would be the only thing that would keep him from coming back to a full recovery,” Richt said. “If he rehabs the same way he did a year ago he’ll be able to come back again.”
Richt said Studivant’s knee “kind of buckled” as he was blocking in the third quarter. The coach said Georgia’s medical personnel and Sturdivant at first did not believe the injury was serious.
“I saw him today,” Richt said. “He’s probably a little bit surprised by it. He really didn’t feel like that was the situation after the ballgame and we weren’t predicting that, so it was a little bit of a surprise to him and us.”
The loss of Sturdivant is a blow to an offense that struggled in its first game to replace two NFL first-round picks, quarterback Matthew Stafford and tailback Knowshon Moreno.
Stafford’s replacement is senior Joe Cox, who completed 15 of 30 passes for 162 yards with one interception and a touchdown in his first start since 2006.
Richt said Cox’s late fumble which led to Oklahoma State’s second touchdown was caused by a breakdown in pass protection.
Georgia opened the game with an 80-yard touchdown drive, capped by Cox’s 4-yard pass to Michael Moore.
The Bulldogs had just 177 yards and a field goal the rest of the game.
“In the passing game, I’ll say we just weren’t sharp,” Richt said. “We just weren’t consistent in our effort in the passing game.”
Sophomore Richard Samuel had 20 carries for 87 yards in his first start.
“I think we’re very close in the run game, especially,” Richt said. “We were close to breaking out some real long runs.”
Richt said he “would love it” if tailback Caleb King can return from a hamstring injury this week. King entered preseason practice as the No. 1 tailback.
By CHARLES ODUM Associated Press
COMMENTS
2 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
Report Comment | Ignore User ChucJordan, (9/6/2009 8:56:38 PM)
I'm an OSU fan and just recently moved back from Atlanta. I will be the first to say I was glad to see tha Caleb King did not make it to Stillwater. I saw this kid play in highschool and he is the real deal!
Report Comment | Ignore User J.R., Dallas, (9/6/2009 9:22:48 PM)
WTG Chuc, nice of you to show some compassion for a kid's injury. Caleb has no relevance to yesterday's game, but it's obvious you don't "get it".