AGGIES AXED: Dawg reserves pile up rushing yards in 63-16 win

Georgia had no running backs, but still it rushed for 258 yards in a 63-16 shellacking of New Mexico State. Richard Samuel IV was injured in last week’s game against Florida and three other running backs were suspended for tested positive in a University drug test.

So the Bulldogs were confronted with a huge question mark entering their game with the Aggies: who will run the ball?

Former walk-on Brandon Harton was tabbed as the starter and led all rushers with 98 yards. Freshman walk-on Kyle Karempelis totaled 63 yards and corner back Branden Smith came over to the offense for two carries and 58 yards. A total nine Bulldogs scored touchdowns.

“Brandon (Harton) played extremely well and (Kyle) Karempelis had his moments,” said head coach Mark Richt. “(Branden) Smith was spectacular on that first touchdown. It was good to see those guys play well.”

There were comments during the week that Georgia had managed to make the game against the overmatched Aggies interesting, but that was not the case. The Bulldogs scored 42 second-quarter points after struggling to a 7-0 lead after the first period. At halftime, Georgia led 49-7.

“We started off a little slow, but then exploded in the second quarter for 42 points,” said quarterback Aaron Murray. “We definitely got better today.”

Murray put in one of his most efficient performances to date, completing 18-of-23 passes for 238 yards and five touchdowns. He did so well that backup Hutson Mason was able to get in for significant playing time. Mason connected on 8-of-10 throws for 131 yards and a score.

But the story of the day was the productive running of Harton. It was what scores of young football players in the Peach State dreams of: starting at running back in Sanford Stadium for the Bulldogs. After an early fumble, the Tattnall County product took full advantage of his moment in the sun.

“It was a little nerve-racking at first, but as the game went on I got more comfortable,” said Harton. “The coaches did a great job all week of preparing us so we knew what to do. My teammates really picked me up, and made me feel like I could do it.”

White Harton burst onto the scene today, freshman wide receiver Chris Conley has been emerging throughout the season. After a productive day last week at the Cocktail party in Jacksonville, Conley led all receivers today with 126 yards and was one of the plethora of Bulldogs who scored.

If there was a point of concern today about Georgia’s performance, it was the defense. Todd Grantham’s unit gave up 402 yards of offense to the hapless Aggies. Two New Mexico State quarterbacks combined to throw for 276 yards and the Aggies rushed for more than 100 yards on the usually stingy Bulldog rush defense.

“New Mexico State ran the ball better than I thought they would,” said Richt. “You have to give them credit. They kept banging away. They got 400 yards of total offense, which is pretty darn good against our defense.”

Now, with their seventh straight victory in their pockets, the Bulldogs will get back into SEC play as ancient rival Auburn comes calling next week. Pending the result of the South Carolina-Arkansas game tonight, the Dawgs (7-2, 5-1) could be in sole possession of first place in the Eastern Division going into next week’s clash.