By Fitzgerald Cecilio

Athens, GA

Bulldogs quarterback Aaron Murray will be missing a favourite target starting this weekend in a key SEC East clash against South Carolina with Georgia star wide receiver Michael Bennett out for the rest of the season after tearing his ACL.

Bennett tore the ACL in his right knee during Tuesday's practice.

It could impact the Bulldogs' Week 6 matchup Saturday against the No. 6 South Carolina, but also affect the offensive balance that has been key in Athens this season.

The Bulldogs, currently ranked fifth, are averaging 48.2 ppg on 536.0 ypg. Georgia has also flourished in both rushing (250.4 ypg) and passing (285.6 ypg).

Murray has created a rapport with the 6-foot-3, 204-pound redshirt sophomore Bennett, who was having a breakout season. Bennett leads the Bulldogs with 24 catches for 345 yards and four TDs.

Apart from Bennett, who plays one of the Bulldogs' deeper positions, Murray has spread the ball and connected with Tavares King (16 receptions, 307 yards, three TDs) and Marlon Brown (16 receptions, 264 yards, three TDs).

Bennett is currently seventh in the SEC with 69 receiving yards per contest.

Brown and King, who are expected to step up in Bennett's absence, rank eighth and 10th in the league, respectively.

Georgia director of sports medicine Ron Courson said Wednesday that Bennett will undergo reconstructive surgery at an undetermined date.

The Bulldogs (5-0) are coming off a thrilling 51-44 win over Tennessee last week that moved them to 3-0 in SEC play. It gave Georgia 15 straight regular-season victories, the second longest active winning streak in the nation.

Saturday's clash at William-Brice Stadium will mark the first time in this series that both Georgia and South Carolina are ranked in the top-10.

The Gamecocks (5-0, 3-0 SEC) have captured each of their last two encounters, but Georgia holds a 46-16-2 series advantage.

 

 

Georgia Minus Injured Michael Bennett For South Carolina Clash