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Last season was a huge disappointment for Georgia. An offseason marred by eight player arrests has been a bigger frustration for coach Mark Richt.
Hoping a freshman quarterback and a new-look defense can produce better results this season, the 23rd-ranked Bulldogs open the 2010 campaign Saturday at Sanford Stadium where they'll face Louisiana-Lafayette for the first time.
After an average of more than 10 wins in his first eight seasons, Richt last year led Georgia to an 8-5 mark for his worst record since he debuted with the team in 2001.
While the Bulldogs ended 2009 with a 30-24 victory over then-No. 7 Georgia Tech for their fourth straight bowl victory, the past nine months have forced Richt to deal with a litany of charges against members of his team including simple battery/family violence, public intoxication, driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident.
"It definitely tarnishes our image, but I don't think we have any bad seeds on this team,'' said tight end Aron White, offensive MVP of the Independence Bowl. "We've got guys who have made silly mistakes for the most part and did things they knew better. I don't think we have any guys who are bad to the core or do things intentionally to hurt people."
With redshirt freshman quarterback Aaron Murray set to take his first collegiate snap Saturday and the team relying so much on its running game, last Friday's arrest of sophomore running back Washaun Ealey could have the most damaging on-field impact.
Ealey, who rushed for a team-high 717 yards and three TDs last season, was charged with hit and run and driving on a suspended license. He could be suspended beyond Saturday's opener.
"I'm not happy with it. It's foolish. He knew better,'' Richt said. "... He knew his license was suspended and we knew his license was suspended. As a matter of fact, we spend a lot of hours checking on every single player to make sure their licenses are up to date and if they're not, making them aware of that.''
With Ealey out, Caleb King and sophomore Carlton Thomas could see plenty of work. King rushed for 594 yards and a team-high seven TDs last season, while Thomas rushed for 92 yards in six games.
Murray is the Bulldogs' third starting quarterback in three seasons after Matthew Stafford and Joe Cox, but teammates already have confidence in his leadership and playmaking abilities.
"I've never seen anyone who watches as much film, especially at an early age,'' White said of Murray. "He picks things up pretty fast. I think he's growing into a bigger leadership role on the team. He always at the front of the pack, being vocal and making sure guys are working. He's going to do just fine.''
Murray should be fine if he can get the ball to White and junior wide receiver A.J. Green, who had team highs with 53 receptions, 808 yards and six TDs last season.
But Green is also involved in an offseason scandal. The NCAA has been investigating a Memorial Day party in Miami Beach to determine if agents or other financial advisors provided improper benefits to a number of college athletes. Green said he did not attend the party.
While the Bulldogs' ability to reach the end zone could hinge on how quickly Murray picks up the offense, they're hoping a switch from a four-man front to a 3-4 will improve a defense that was 10th in the SEC with 26.4 points per game.
Todd Grantham, the Dallas Cowboys' defensive line coach from 2008-09, takes over as defensive coordinator after Richt fired Willie Martinez prior last season's bowl.
"It's going to allow me to put more pressure,'' said Justin Houston, who led the Bulldogs with 7 1/2 sacks last season and will move from defensive end to outside linebacker.
Although Georgia is 38-4 versus non-conference opponents under Richt, Ragin' Cajuns coach Rickey Bustle isn't taking his team to Athens with the intention of getting routed.
"People keep saying, 'You're playing Georgia, you're playing Georgia,'" he said. "Well, they're playing us too."
Quarterback Chris Masson returns after throwing for 2,406 yards and 10 TDs last season when Louisiana-Lafayette finished 6-6 for the second straight season. He had a solid preseason and could benefit from a deep group of running backs led by Julian Shankle, and All-Sun Belt tight end Ladarius Green.
The Ragin' Cajuns, though, have an inexperienced offensive line and five freshman starting on offense. Georgia has 10 returning offensive starters.
Louisiana-Lafayette has dropped 12 straight to ranked opponents since beating then-No. 25 Texas A&M in 1996.
