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Georgia continues to shuffle offensive line
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ATHENS- Alabama native Ben Jones found a spot on Georgia's starting offensive line just in time for a top 10 SEC showdown against the Crimson Tide.

Jones, a freshman center from Centreville, Ala., made his first start as No. 3 Georgia beat Arizona State on Saturday night. Now he's going to face the No. 8 Crimson Tide in another nationally televised game.

Jones was one of five new starters on the line for the 27-10 victory at Arizona State.

Right tackle Justin Anderson also made his first start, while Clint Boling moved from right tackle to right guard, Vince Vance moved from left guard to left tackle and Chris Davis moved from center to left guard.

Boling and Davis returned to the spots where they started in 2007.

The line is young, with no seniors. Joining the two freshmen, Jones and Anderson, are two sophomores, Davis and Boling. Vance is a junior.

Georgia gained 461 yards against Arizona State, but coach Mark Richt was not overwhelmed enough to say the same five would start on Saturday night.

"We've still got a ways to go," Richt said Sunday. "I think on a weekly basis these guys will continue to compete," Richt said.

Georgia scored 21 second-quarter points. Knowshon Moreno had 23 carries for 149 yards and two touchdowns. Caleb King added 40 yards rushing.

Freshman A.J. Green had career-high totals of eight catches for 159 yards with a touchdown.

The line gave up only one sack as quarterback Matthew Stafford set a career high with 285 yards passing and a touchdown.

"The offensive line looked really good," Moreno said. "They opened up holes for both backs and protected very well."

Richt considered changes on the line when the offense struggled in a 14-7 win at South Carolina on Sept. 13. Richt and offensive line coach Stacy Searels had little choice after starting left tackle Kiante Tripp injured his ankle in practice last week.

The offensive line has been in transition since starting left tackle Trinton Sturdivant suffered a season-ending knee injury before the season. Boling served a one-game suspension to open the season.

Davis said he and Boling felt comfortable with their returns to the guard spots.

The key to the moves is Jones, whose rise to the starting line had been expected since preseason drills.

"Several times I saw him get a couple of pins," said Davis of Jones' blocks against ASU.

"I thought he managed the game well. I've always said he's a good player and looking for good things, and maybe his time just finally came right here and we'll see what he can do."

Green, who had more yards receiving in a game than any Georgia player since Fred Gibson's 169 against Arkansas in 2004, was picked as SEC freshman of the week on Monday.

Green didn't take long to turn his focus to Alabama.

"It's going to be another tough game," Green said. "We're on fire right now and we're really going to stay focused and prepare for this game."

Notes: Georgia's flight from Arizona arrived in Atlanta about 6 a.m. on Sunday, and weary players stumbled off the team's buses in Athens at about 7:30 a.m. Georgia planned its first practice for Alabama on Monday night. ... Green leads the SEC with 300 yards receiving, and he is second with 75 yards receiving per game. ... Moreno has 455 yards rushing with nine touchdowns to lead the league. ... Georgia's 43 penalties are 16 more than the SEC's next-highest total. Florida and Auburn each have 27.

 

 

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