Game ball goes to Brandon Harton

One thing I've learned about college football over the years, is things can always change. And, sometimes opportunities are born from adversity. As you've heard by now, Georgia will be without running backs Isaiah Crowell, Carlton Thomas, and Ken Malcome this Saturday because the trio violated a team rule.

That brings us to former walk on, Brandon Harton. The 5'6" scatback from Reidsville, Georgia seems poised to get the first start of his collegiate career. Previously buried on the depth chart, Harton has had very few opportunities to tote the rock. But, #20 held his own with a respectable day vs Coastal Carolina (11 carries for 33 yards). Until then, the high mark of his Bulldog career had been a 65 yard touchdown run in the first scrimmage of spring practice. And now... Harton is the leading candidate to start at RB vs New Mexico State.

I don't know what to expect, but nobody else does either. The Dawgs could use a combination of Zander Ogletree, Brandon Boykin, Branden Smith, and Kyle Karempelis to split time with Harton in the running game. Also, TE turned FB, Bruce Figgins may be used in some one back sets when Georgia wants to play action pass.

What I hope to see, is the Bulldogs offensive line overwhelm New Mexico State's defense. If they impose their will on the Aggies, there outta be rushing lanes big enough for me to run through. That could be good for Brandon Harton, who is a LOT faster than I'll ever be. I believe #20 will make the most of this opportunity and play well enough that Mark Richt never forgets his first name again.

Game ball goes to Brandon Harton. Go Dawgs!

Click on the title of this post to view Brandon Harton highlights from his Tattnall County days.

Joe Cox is Ready

Just 22 days away from the 2009 college football season, most of the talk coming out of Athens is centered around Joe Cox. There is much speculation about how much of "Matt Stafford's shoes" he can fill. Don't worry about that. More knowledgeable people than myself, (Buck Belue, for one) have compared #14 to a David Greene-like leader. Not because of the number on his back, but because of his leadership both on and off the field. Cox may not have the strongest arm in college football, but he does have a very good grasp on the Georgia offense.

Following a stellar career at Independence H.S. in North Carolina, Joe Cox was rated the #7 QB prospect by Rivals.com. The 5th year senior is poised and able to perform under pressure. For further evidence, one shouldn't look any further than 2006. Trailing Colorado by 13 points in the 3rd quarter, Coach Richt benched some dude named Stafford and sent Cox into the game. Joe took control and calmly led the Bulldog offense to 2 tremendous TDs. The Dawgs were down 13-7, as 50 stingy little seconds began to tick off the 4th quarter clock. Taking command of the moment, Cox threw a 21 yard 6-strike to Martrez Milner. All of a sudden, the game was tied at 13. It seemed surreal, when Brandon Coutu's PAT gave Georgia it's first lead of the day. It was a scrawny, little one point lead. But, that's all it took to defeat the Buffaloes. "If we can't score two times, we don't deserve to wear Gs on our helmets," Cox later told the press.

On that breath taking day in Athens, glory didn't come easily. But, Joe Cox was able to do something Matt Stafford couldn't. He led a previously ineffective Georgia offense into the endzone. More importantly, he delivered his team from a long afternoon of adversity, and drove the Dawgs to victory. Georgia fans, don't worry about Joe Cox. The signal caller from North Carolina will do just fine in 2009.

*Click on the title of this post to see Joe Cox save UGA from a likely defeat.