Spring Break
Football Notebook
ANNE MILLIGAN
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Senior linebacker Boss Bailey was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in Georgia's 31-28 defeat of Clemson Saturday.
He had a career-high 14 tackles, including nine solo stops and five assists.
Bailey's fourth-quarter sack of Clemson quarterback Willie Simmons with the Bulldogs trailing 21-28 was a major turning point in the game.
"It was huge," coach Mark Richt said. "The momentum shifted big time because of that very play."
The Tigers, facing third-and-ten from their own 44-yard line, lost 16 yards on the play and were forced to punt. A 40-yard return from Damien Gary led to a Georgia touchdown.
"That changed the momentum in a big way once we put the points up," Richt said.
Elmore progressing
Freshman linebacker Marquis "Mudcat" Elmore, who was sidelined after undergoing surgery for a herniated disk prior to fall camp, has returned to limited action.
Although Elmore, a Superprep All-American, still wears a green "no contact" jersey in practice, Richt indicated that he might be cleared to play in Georgia's SEC opener against South Carolina Sept. 14.
Richt said he does not currently consider him a prospect to redshirt.
"If he's healthy enough, my guess is we'll find a way to get him some playing time," Richt said. "You have to think, 'What's the chance of a guy like him sticking around for a fifth year?'"
Hewitt declares himself a senior
Junior tight guard Chris Hewitt said that he requested Richt's permission to declare himself a senior.
Hewitt, who was redshirted in 1999, plans to get married and begin a career in real estate in May.
"I wouldn't have done anything that drastic if I wasn't sure I had all my bases covered," Hewitt said. "I felt like it was the best decision for me and my future wife."
Georgia's offensive line will lose six seniors to graduation following the 2002 season. Hewitt is the only other experienced player ahead of this year's freshman, but he believes that the newcomers proved themselves in the Bulldogs' victory over Clemson.
Odds and ends
The team will be given a three-day reprieve this weekend with no practices slated for Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
"We'll give them a good three days to get ready for that 10-game grind," Richt said.
