Monday, November 2, 2009

Richt: Cox remains starting QB

Georgia will have Joe Cox at quarterback Saturday in Sanford Stadium.
Coach Mark Richt said Monday that Cox will remain the Bulldogs' starting quarterback because he "gives us the best chance to win" the four games remaining on this season's schedule.
Cox will need to win at least one of those games, Saturday's against Tennessee Tech, without the Bulldogs' top playmaker. Wide receiver A.J. Green will miss the game, Richt said, because of a "pulmonary contusion", bruised lung, suffered on a jarring hit last week against Florida.
Speculation had swirled about Cox's status since he threw three interceptions in Georgia's 41-17 loss to the Gators. Richt had declined to say Saturday night and again Sunday whether the fifth-year senior would remain the starting quarterback.
But on Monday afternoon, Richt released a statement reaffirming Cox as the starter.
"It was unanimous among our staff that Joe gives us the best chance to win, and that's where our focus needs to be," Richt said. "There's still a lot of football left this season. We tell our players to finish the drill, and we are committed to doing that this week and each week the remainder of the season.
"We have faith in Joe that he gives us the best opportunity to do that. At the same time, we do plan on Logan Gray getting some playing time this weekend at quarterback."
Gray, a redshirt sophomore, is Cox's little-used backup. Gray threw the last of Georgia's four interceptions against Florida.