Georgia RB Todd Gurley suspended for alleged NCAA violation, will miss MU game

Missouri probably won’t have to contend with Georgia’s star running back, Todd Gurley, after all.

The Bulldogs announced Thursday that Gurley, a junior and one of the early-season Heisman Trophy front-runners, had been suspended indefinitely.

No. 23 Missouri, 4-1, hosts No. 13 Georgia, 4-1, at 11 a.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

According to a release on the Georgia website, Gurley’s suspension was handed down “by the UGA Athletic Association during an ongoing investigation into an alleged violation of NCAA rules.”

Gurley ranks third in the NCAA in rushing (773), averaging 8.22 yards per carry, with nine touchdowns, including one on a kickoff return.

He also missed last year’s game against the Tigers with an ankle injury.

“I’m obviously very disappointed,” Bulldogs coach Mark Richt said in a release from the university. “The important thing for our team is to turn all our attention toward preparation for Missouri.”

The release does not specifically rule out Gurley from playing against the Tigers, but it seems unlikely given that the news broke two days before a battle for control of the SEC East division.

According to Fox Sports’ Bruce Feldman and other media reports, Gurley is possibly being investigated for “accepting extra benefits for his likeness” with memorabilia brokers.

Before last season, then-Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, who is now the Cleveland Browns’ backup quarterback, was caught up in a similar controversy.

Manziel was suspended for the first half of the season-opener against Rice after allegations surfaced that he received money in exchange for autographing thousands of memorabilia items.

The NCAA found no evidence that Manziel received payment for his autograph, which is a violation of NCAA bylaw 12.5.2.1.

The NCAA has been under fire for its amateurism model with ballooning TV rights deals spurring unprecedented revenue streams for major college athletics.

A federal judge in California sided with college players in the landmark O’Bannon vs. NCAA case, ruling that current NCAA rules “unreasonably restrain trade” with respect to the use of players’ images, names and likenesses in video games.

It did not address a players’ right to sell his autograph or memorabilia for money, which is still against NCAA rules.

Without Gurley, who Missouri defensive coordinator Dave Steckel called “the best player in the country,” Georgia likely will lean on his backup, Nick Chubb.

Chubb, a 5-foot-10 and 228-pound true freshman from Cedartown, Ga., is every bit as capable, but obviously less experienced and accomplished than Gurley.

Chubb has rushed for 224 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries this season.

“I think he’s a mini Todd Gurley, personally,” Steckel said. “He’ll get his due as time goes on, but I think he’s a very good football player.”

Some of the offensive load also might be transferred to the Bulldogs’ passing game.

Quarterback Hutson Mason — a fifth-year senior who replaced four-year starter Aaron Murray, a fifth-round Chiefs draft choice — has yet to throw for more than 191 yards this season.

However, Georgia’s stable of wide receivers led by seniors Chris Conley and Michael Bennett could receive a boost from junior Malcolm Mitchell, who returned in a limited role and had an 11-yard reception last week against Vanderbilt.

Mitchell and fellow junior Justin Scott-Wesley, who returned to practice but did not play against the Commodores, might be healthy enough to be a factor against Missouri.

As a freshman in 2012, Gurley — who ranks second in Bulldogs history with 43 total touchdowns and 4,148 all-purpose yards, trailing only Herschel Walker — had 10 carries for 65 yards with a touchdown in a 41-20 win during the Tigers’ SEC debut.

This story was originally published October 9, 2014 at 4:54 PM with the headline "Georgia RB Todd Gurley suspended for alleged NCAA violation, will miss MU game."