Dogs' Mitchell spending more time at receiver

 
No Author Published: September 25, 2012    Comment on this article Leave a comment

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Georgia's high-scoring offense could feature a new weapon on Saturday against Tennessee.

Malcolm Mitchell, the Bulldogs' second-leading receiver last season, has been a starting cornerback this season. That may soon change. He worked only on offense on Tuesday.

photo - FILE - In this Dec. 3, 2011, file photo, Georgia wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell (26) tries to catch a pass as LSU defensive back Tharold Simon (24) knocks the ball away during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game in Atlanta. Georgia has scored more than 40 points in four straight games for the first time, and quarterback Aaron Murray might now have another top weapon. Mitchell may be back on offense this week against Tennessee after spending most of the first four games at cornerback. (AP Photo/Stephen Morton, File)
FILE - In this Dec. 3, 2011, file photo, Georgia wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell (26) tries to catch a pass as LSU defensive back Tharold Simon (24) knocks the ball away during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game in Atlanta. Georgia has scored more than 40 points in four straight games for the first time, and quarterback Aaron Murray might now have another top weapon. Mitchell may be back on offense this week against Tennessee after spending most of the first four games at cornerback. (AP Photo/Stephen Morton, File)

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Coach Mark Richt said Mitchell will practice with the defense Wednesday. Richt won't reveal his plans for Mitchell against the Vols.

"I would say his reps on offense will increase and his reps on defense will probably decrease, but it's hard to say for sure on that," Richt said Tuesday.

The talented Mitchell could be headed for a busy Saturday as a two-way player on offense and defense.

Even with Mitchell primarily at cornerback, No. 5 Georgia has scored more than 40 points in four straight games for the first time in school history.

Junior quarterback Aaron Murray, freshman tailbacks Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall, and receivers Michael Bennett, Marlon Brown and Tavarres King have helped make it easy to forget that one of Georgia's most talented offensive players has been starting on defense.

So how good could Georgia's offense be with Mitchell making more than just cameo appearances?

"We can be pretty special," Murray said. "We're only going to continue to get better. I know our guys are hungry. We want to score 40 or 50 points per game, and we're not going to be happy unless we do that."

Georgia (4-0, 2-0 SEC) set a school record with 713 total yards in a 56-20 win over Florida Atlantic on Sept. 15. The Bulldogs then rolled to a surprisingly easy 48-3 win over Vanderbilt last week.

Gurley was named Southeastern Conference freshman of the week after his 16 carries for 130 yards and two touchdowns against Vanderbilt. He leads the SEC with 406 yards rushing. Marshall also ran for two touchdowns, including a 52-yarder.

"They're great backs, two of the best I've seen thus far this year," said Tennessee linebacker Herman Lathers. "They get downhill real quick. We've got to put a hat on them and try to slow them down."

Gurley capped the win over Vanderbilt with a 29-yard touchdown run that amazed Murray.

"That was the greatest run I've ever seen in my life," Murray said. "I've watched that film four or five times and watched that play over and over again. He broke like four or five tackles and was falling down but maintained his balance and stiff-armed a guy to the ground. I've never seen anything like it."

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