Pride not Dogs' only wound in loss
By Marc Weiszer| Morris News Service
Monday, September 29, 2008

ATHENS, Ga. --- Amid the wreckage left behind in Alabama's 41-30 dismantling of Georgia on Saturday night is a lengthy injury list that includes Knowshon Moreno.

The star tailback is questionable for Georgia's next home game Oct. 11 against Tennessee because of an elbow contusion.

"Moreno has got a chance to play in this next game," coach Mark Richt said. "He's got a pretty good contusion on the elbow but is already beginning to get good movement back. ... He's got a shot to play, but it's not a guarantee."

Richt said preseason All-Southeastern Conference linebacker Dannell Ellerbe has an "outside shot" to play after the bye week after sustaining a left knee injury on the third play from scrimmage. Tight end Tripp Chandler is expected to miss at least the next game with a shoulder injury, while wide receiver Kris Durham is questionable with a high ankle sprain.

Tests revealed that quarterback Matthew Stafford had a headache, but no concussion, after getting dinged up against Alabama and will be fine for Tennessee.

"It's important to get everybody healthy again, get everybody back and get everybody's mind right," cornerback Asher Allen said. "We know it's another big game coming up."

The Bulldogs (4-1, 1-1 SEC) were knocked back, but not out, by the Crimson Tide.

They dropped eight spots to No. 11 in the AP poll Sunday, but remain in the chase nationally and in the SEC.

As thoroughly dominating as Alabama was in running out to a 31-0 halftime lead, the path to the SEC Championship Game is still in Georgia's hands.

The SEC East remains up for grabs after traditional powers Georgia, Florida and Tennessee all lost on the same day for the first time since Oct. 15, 1994.

"Our guys have not lost hope at all," Richt said. "They know they got whipped. They know that we do have a bright future if we take care of business from this point forward and get better."

The national polls were scrambled after a wild weekend that saw nine ranked teams lose. Georgia dropped seven spots into a tie for 10th in the USA Today coaches' poll. Georgia is No. 10 in the debut of this season's Harris poll.

Georgia is the second highest ranked one-loss team after Southern California. Throw in Florida, and three of the top four teams in last week's AP poll lost.

"I'd be surprised if somebody makes it through unscathed, but if they do, more power to them, man," Richt said. "I think there's a good chance that everybody gets hit before it's over."

Ole Miss stunned then-No. 4 Florida 31-30, and Oregon State started the upsets Thursday night by knocking off top-ranked Southern Cal. The Crimson Tide moved up to No. 2 in the AP poll, its highest ranking since 1993.

"Like I told the team before the game, 'Men, no one's safe,' " Richt said. "We knew Alabama was for real. But every single week, you've got to find a way to get ready to rock and roll."

Reach Marc Weiszer at marc.weiszer@onlineathens.com.

From the Monday, September 29, 2008 edition of the Augusta Chronicle
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