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2B ♦ THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2006 Georgia shakes op receiver lineup After a handful of drops in the season opener, Georgia’s depth chart at wide receiver has received a major shake up heading into Saturday’s game at South Carolina. Split end Mohamed Massaquoi, who had a NOTEBOOK By MARC WEISZER Morris News Service breakout freshman season but had a career low one catch for 2 yards against Western Kentucky, and flank er Kenneth Harris have been replaced as starters in the Bulldogs’ two-receiver set. Wide receivers coach John Eason said Tuesday that senior Mario Raley will be the starting split end and junior A.J. Bryant will become the starting flanker. Massaquoi will still start in a three receiver set at split end with Raley moving to the inside receiver position. Eason said that he was sending a “little bit of a mes sage,” to Massaquoi, who led Georgia receivers with 38 catches for 505 yards and two touchdowns last season. “He’s picked it up a little bit,” Eason said of practice this week. “In terms of effort, he’s probably the best effort guy I’ve got of all the receiv ers. It’s just a matter of doing CLEATS f you KMOW, WE OOGMf to\ ( MAVE TAILGATE PARTIES AT ) V THE PAIJTHERV «XCEP y TOUPMAMELJT^. SflßSjf \ 1 "*\ H y I ■ w,, Wj v / IWJ IV jr y/ PLAY From page iB one-out error in the fifth. Ling got down the sacrifice bunt, but the Demonettes had their SERSEY From page iB Alas, like Judas, I’ve accepted 30 pieces of silver (more like 15) and lived to regret it. Imperious Leader has informed me that freedom of the press is a myth and any opinions I wish to express from now on will come from him. He’s made it clear that if I have anymore thoughts, he’ll tell me. That means I can’t bad mouth the Braves. They’re a wonderful team and the umpires must be cheating for them to give up 16 runs to the Phillies. I can dis NASCAR - but only out of love. So, I love the way they make those cars go in cir cles offering mind-numbing proof that you can end up where you started and still be a winner. Exalted One has suggested that I retract my Tennessee bashing. They soundly defeated ninth ranked California. One game doesn’t make a season, and the Volunteers haven’t played any teams in GSGA From page iB for golf-related events and items as well as other sport ing events across Georgia Additionally, GSGA mem bership helps support pro grams that benefit all golfers in Georgia, including course rating and measuring, schol arships for club employees and future superintendents, tournament and rules assis tance to clubs, and industry advocacy efforts to protect the game. An individual’s GSGA membership is maintained at one of over 360 GSGA Member Clubs across the state of Georgia. The three-step application the little things that we both felt that he needed to do.” Georgia coach Mark Richt mentioned this week that Massaquoi and Harris each should have caught passes that Joe Tereshinski threw Saturday. Richt said Massaquoi should have caught a ball even though it was high and that Harris should have caught a pass “if he had run his route prop erly.” Raley caught his first col lege touchdown Saturday on an 18-yard catch in the first quarter. “Now I’m get ting the opportunity to show people what I can really do,” Raley said. 101 T BRACES FOR QB CONTROVERSY: Tereshinski is taking all the Matthew Stafford chatter in stride. The fifth-year senior from Athens completed 7 of 17 passes for 90 yards and a touchdown in the 48-12 win over Western Kentucky and ranks 77th in the nation in pass efficiency. “The quarterback con troversy, I realize that’s going to be the entire year,” Tereshinski said. “I’ve kind of put that in the back of my head and not really wor ried about that. I can only control so much. That’s not really one of the things I can control - who fans think should be in there. I’m going to go out there and play like r^^^^^UlHlnds^o^rb^lniversarPress^y^l^^^2|^J f SffEAT IPFA. I CASI MAKE T? / wET? BE KA^ (61 fr'TEW \ WAS* FAMOUS* FOf? 1 r l q-j proPLF J UALVF TUF I eye on the runner at second and caught her away from the base. Both Warner Robins and Houston County are set to travel to the Augusta area this weekend for a tournament hosted by Evans High. the SEC yet. But since He Who Must Be Obeyed insists, I pick Tennessee to win the SEC. My former principal called that sarcasm, but I prefer the term verbal irony, and I use it a lot. I also must rethink Warner Robins’ chances in 1- AAAAA. The Demons hand ily defeated quint-A power house Park(something), so I must avail myself of a higher power’s ability to prognosti cate. He says I’m better off when he does the thinking. I must confess that I was not alone in my belief that Warner Robins would have a tough year. Long-time Demons fans have expressed doubt. Some of them even uttered the blasphemy of a 5-5 season. They’ve paid me hand somely to keep their names out of the paper. I can be bought and evidently, I come cheap. For my 15 shekels, I now like soccer. That’s the most painful cut of all. By that I mean, when I signed the check, I got a paper cut when I handed it to the bank teller. The managing editor likes process for joining GSGA online is as follows: Log on to www.gsga.org and click the “Join GSGA Now!” but ton. The first step provides information and instruc tions which should answer any initial questions. In the second step, appli cants can view a map of Georgia showing the loca tions of participating Member Clubs, along with contact information and web site links to those clubs. After selecting a “home” club, applicants complete the third and final step - a brief application and credit card payment (VISA, Mastercard or American Express accept ed). Dues for 2007 calendar- I know I can and hopefully we’ll come out with the vic tory.” PALI WATCHING: Georgia jumped three spots in both the USA Today coaches’ poll and The Associated Press media poll on Tuesday. The Bulldogs moved from 14th to 11th in the coach es’ poll and from 15th to 12th in the AP poll. In the coaches’ poll, Georgia moved past Miami, California and Louisville, which beat Kentucky 59-28 victory but lost Michael Bush for the season to a broken leg. In the AP poll, Oklahoma fell from 10th to 15 after it lost to UAB, 24-17. GETTING IN THE BACKFIELD: Georgia was credited with 12 tackles for loss against Western Kentucky. The Bulldogs are tied with Penn State for third nationally in the category and trail only Arizona State and Ohio State. Defensive ends Quentin Moses (2.5 tackles for loss) and Charles Johnson (2) led the way. “We hope to do it game in and game out,” Richt said. “They had some nice blitzes that penetrated and got some pressure and we just flat out got good pass rushes. We had some guys playing hard and playing low. We did get a lot of push into the backfield, which was great.” soccer; therefore, I love soc cer. He can’t explain the pleasure he derives from the sport, but his joy is my despair. The only positive I see in the sport is that children have a reason to run without the police chasing them. So, as you can read, any future thoughts I may have and wish to express in my column will be cleared first. We both agree on certain things. We both like cheer leaders. At our ages, they are like beautiful paintings, but we’re too old to be art thieves. To be honest, it’s nice to sacrifice my personal beliefs on the alter of corporate power. I check in each week; and I’m told what I think for those seven days. He’s ambivalent about the Falcons, and I’m waiting for him to decide how he feels about their chances. I’ve already voiced my opinion about Atlanta’s sea son, and Big Bossman has not corrected me. But like the wind after a bean burri to, his opinion could change. When it does, I’ll let you know. But please, if I ever think Barney Fife is funny, shoot me. year memberships (including the remaining 2006 bonus) are just $35. Once the process is com plete, applicants will receive a confirmation e-mail with information detailing when they can start posting scores and expect to receive their USGA Handicap Index. For more information or questions regarding GSGA membership, please con tact the Member Services department at 770-955-4272 or 800-949-4742 or e-mail membership(S)gsga.org. All-You-Can-Eat Shrimp-SI(F/Catfish-$9 95 Friday 8. Saturday * spm -10 pm 1-71 l«ft 1* » MT4MT7 37g10 SPORTS Braves will play another DH NEW YORK -- Because of a July rainout in Philadelphia, the Braves were set to play seven games in six days when they left Atlanta this past Thursday. They certainly weren’t expecting what’s trans pired. How could you? The postponement of Tuesday’s game against the Mets at Shea Stadium was the second rainout of the week. And it’ll set up the team’s third doubleheader since Saturday, a tradition al twinbill here beginning at 1:15 p.m. The Braves are going to wind up playing six games in three days - and seven in four. Atlanta split the four games Saturday and Sunday against the Phillies. “It’s been a very strange road trip,” said John Smoltz, Tuesday’s sched uled starter who will go in Game 1 today against Mets left-hander Dave Williams. Kyle Davies will pitch in the second game against New York lefty Oliver Perez. For the Braves, it’s about as winnable of a double header as you could ask for considering you’re playing a team that has 84 wins, the'most in the National League. Still without All-Star Carlos Beltran (bruised knee) the Mets will send out two stopgap starters who began the year in other organizations. Williams, dumped earlier in the season by Cincinnati, is 4-3 with a 6.10 ERA. Perez has been even worse. Combined with his horren dous Pittsburgh numbers, the once highly thought-of prospect is 2-11 with a 7.29 Jackets to red-shirt injured players ATLANTA - Georgia Tech players Cohn Peek and Travis Chambers will red shirt this season because of injury, coach Chan Gailey said Tuesday. Peek, a sophomore tight end, suffered an undis closed injury last week in practice. The injury is one that often lingers, Gailey said, prompting the deci sion to red-shirt him. Chambers, a junior line backer, has struggled with a foot injury dating back to spring practice. Both Peek and Chambers sat out Saturday’s season opening loss to No. 2 Notre Dame and will retain a year of eligibility. Under NCAA rules, student-athletes have a five-year window to play four years of football. Defensive end Michael Johnson will miss this Saturday’s game against Samford because of an undisclosed injury. Johnson got hurt midway through preseason camp and is heal ing slowly. Gailey did not give a date for Johnson’s return. NOTRE DAME LOSS BUILDS CONFIDENCE: Georgia Tech is too veteran a team and has beaten too many ranked opponents to consider its narrow loss to Notre Dame a moral vic Clark ‘raises the bar’ at cornerback for GT By Adam Van Brimmer Morris News Service ATLANTA - Georgia Tech’s Pat Clark brought modest expectations to his new cornerback role. “I just wanted to do what ever I had to do to get on the field,” said Clark, who moved from wide receiver to defensive back in the spring. Playing time won’t be an issue for Clark this sea *'+ P impfip.t?ng M sid : esp'n the inter tbOLL. Thft3HOT° OK ■ w~T \ Q2OO6 by ILag Fc*ure» Sytidmic Inc World rights reserved ERA. So, while it’s not ideal, it could wind up being a momentum-shifter in the wild card chase if Atlanta can take two games from the Mets in one day. The Braves (66-71) were five games behind San Diego entering Tuesday. “It doesn’t last long,” manager Bobby Cox said of a dou bleheader. “And some times, it can be very, very good.” It’s good, Cox said, Mk NOTEBOOK R. TRAVIS HANEY B|ii,,l. 11 null wiorns WvWjj Service for Bob Wickman and Macay Mcßride, a couple of Atlanta relievers who were happy to get the night off after working overtime in Philadelphia. Mcßride struck out the side in the ninth Monday to finish the one-hitter against New York that Chuck James car ried eight innings. SMOLTZIE UPDATE: Smoltz said he was fine with Tuesday’s game being moved back a day. The Shea Stadium playing sur face had been soaked with steady rains all day, and Smoltz (12-7, 3.60) wasn’t looking forward to taking a slick mound. “I wasn’t in the mood to pitch in the slop,” Smoltz said. The 39-year-old veter an opted to take Game 1 because he said he doesn’t like sitting around. He said the first game also provides an opportunity to set the afternoon’s tone. “There’s nothing • better than a doubleheader if we. win the first game,” Smoltz tory. Yet Saturday’s 14-10 defeat helped the Yellow Jackets’ confidence. “We showed we can play with anybody in the nation,” line backer Philip Wheeler said. The Yellow Jackets dominated the Irish for much of the first half. The defense rattled quar- NOTEBOOK By ADAM VAN BRIMMER Morris News Service terback Brady Quinn, a Heisman candidate, and the offense totaled 188 yards. But the Irish swung the momentum with a scoring drive just before the half. They made several adjust ments at halftime to coun ter Georgia Tech’s schemes and held on for victory. Cornerback Kenny Scott said the Jackets put the loss in perspective quickly. “We lost to a pretty good Notre Dame team, ranked No. 2 in the nation,” he said. “Hopefully, we come back the next 11 and we’re able to run the table.” NO RECOURSE FOR CONTROVERSIAL PENALTY: Any other Monday, Georgia Tech’s Gailey would have shipped son. He “raised the bar” of expectations, according to head coach Chan Gailey, by winning the starting job in the preseason and making eight tackles in his cornerback debut Saturday against No. 2 Notre Dame. He struggled at times against the Irish’s lanky receivers - Clark is half a-foot shorter than Rhema McKnight and Jeff Samardzija - but gave up just one big play, a 44-yard THE HOUSTON DAILY JOURNAL said. If the Braves do, it’ll be up to Davies (2-4, 7.20) to claim the sweep. He’ll need a far better performance than Saturday’s outing in the doubleheader nightcap. He gave up seven earned runs on 10 hits in 2 1/3 innings in his first start back from groin surgery in May. The 22-year-old was “too amped up,” pitching coach Roger McDowell said. “He wanted to do too much to help us and he wound up overdoing every thing,” McDowell said. SEEN IT BEFORE: When asked if he remem bered playing so many dou bleheaders in such a short span, Cox thought about it for a second and remem bered one comparable occa sion. He was managing Double- A West Haven in the 1972 Eastern League. It was Cox’s second season as a manager. “There was some flood ing up in Elmira (N.Y.), and we had to play a bunch of them,” he said. “I don’t know how many, but there was a bunch.” CLIMBING THE LADDER: With his 2,158 th victory Monday, Cox leap frogged Hall of Famer Bucky Harris for fifth on the all-time wins list. He’s now 36 victories behind longtime Detroit manager Sparky Anderson for fourth on the list. The 65-year-old trails only Cardinals manager Tony La Russa (2,287 wins) on the active list. Per usual, Cox down played his climb. “Do spring training wins count?” he joked. video clips of controversial penalty calls to the Atlantic Coast Conference’s director of officials. But an ACC crew was not responsibility for flagging the Yellow Jackets’ Wheeler for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Notre Dame’s Quinn in Saturday’s game. Big 10 officials were. And Gailey decided not to waste his time prepping and ship ping the tape. “You know what happens when they get it? It goes in the garbage can,” he said. The penalty nullified the Jackets’ stop of the Notre Dame offense on a third down play and extended the drive. The Irish scored the eventual game-win ning touchdown three plays later SAMFORD STARTS SEASON WITH WIN: Georgia Tech’s next oppo nent, Samford, visits Atlanta at 3:30 p.m. Saturday with a 1-0 record. The Bulldogs, who compete at the Division I-AA level, defeated Miles College 37-7 last Thursday in Birmingham, Ala. Saturday’s meeting is the second in three years between Georgia Tech and Samford. The Yellow Jackets defeat ed the Bulldogs 28-7 in the 2004 season opener. bomb to McKnight. “It was a big challenge for him, and I thought that he stood up to the challenge very well,” Gailey said. “But he can get better.” Clark is already “near the high end” of where Gailey and defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta had hoped he would be. They moved him to defense in the spring despite the promise he showed catching passes last season.