REPORT: Georgia WR Michael Bennett Tears ACL, Done For Season

September 29, 2012; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Michael Bennett (82) scores a touchdown in the second half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Sanford Stadium. The Bulldogs won 51-44. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE

The University of Georgia athletic department announced Wednesday that wide receiver Michael Bennett suffered an ACL tear Tuesday, and will miss the remainder of the season. Credit Seth Emerson of The Telegraph:

Bennett is coming off his best performance of 2012, a two-touchdown outing in Georgia’s SEC East divisional win over rival Tennessee. He’s been quarterback Aaron Murray’s leading target with 24 receptions for 345 yards. Tavarres King and Marlon Brown are the next most prolific Dawg receiviers with a combined 33 receptions for 579 yards and six touchdowns. In total, Murray has spread the football among 12 different targets in five Georgia wins.

The balance Georgia has exhibited in the passing game suggests others are capable of sliding into Bennett’s role, though the redshirt sophomore has emerged as a consummate possession receiver. His 6-foot-3 frame gave opposing secondaries a pick-your-poison look with Bennett and Brown reminiscent of when the Arizona Cardinals had both Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, which opened up long opportunities for King, or the edges for Rantavious Wooten. It will be interesting to see if Bennett’s absence translates into more opportunities for tight end Arthur Lynch.

Timing could not be much worse for Mark Richt’s squad, which travels to Columbia this Saturday for a contest considered long before the season to be the foundation of the SEC East title. South Carolina’s defense thrives on pressuring opposing backfields, with star defensive end and current SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week Jadeveon Clowney leading the charge. The Gamecocks topped the Dawgs last season in Athens by forcing three turnovers. This time around, the hard pursuing Cocks will again look to pressure Murray and exploit the inexperience of freshmen running backs Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall.