Associated PressATHENS, Ga. ó Joe Cox waited four years for his chance to be Georgia’s starting quarterback.
This wasn’t quite how he envisioned it starting out.
A few days before the opener, he came down with the flu and had to travel to the game on a separate plane. Then, he subjected himself to instant second-guessing with a mediocre performance in a Bulldogs loss. Finally, heading into week two, there was speculation that Cox might not even start.
No. 21 Georgia (0-1) hosts South Carolina (1-0) in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams tonight, with the Bulldogs trying to avoid their first 0-2 start since 1996.
Cox, a fifth-year senior, completed only 15 of 30 passes for 162 yards and committed two costly turnovers in a 24-10 loss to No. 5 Oklahoma State last week.
“I waited so long,” he said. “I was expecting to play better. I felt like I was prepared for that game. I just didn’t do what I needed to do to help my team win. That’s just something I’m going to have to get over and be ready to play this week and give my team a chance to win the game.”
Whether Cox would even get that chance became Internet and talk-show fodder on Thursday, when a report surfaced he had a sore shoulder or arm and that sophomore Logan Gray could start against the Gamecocks.
Coach Mark Richt shot down the speculation, saying Cox would definitely take the first snap, though he was a little more elusive when it came to his quarterback’s health. The coach has said all along that Gray could get some playing time when the Bulldogs are in the red zone because of his running ability.
“Joe’s the quarterback,” Richt said. “It’s not unusual to have your second-team QB take a couple snaps with your one unit.”