Richt weighs in

Georgia sophomore defensive end Michael Lemon has been suspended indefinitely after turning himself into authorities Thursday morning to face charges for misdemeanor battery and felony aggravated battery following an altercation last weekend.

Bond has been set at $2,500.

UGA Athletic Association policy specifies that any felony arrest results in immediate and indefinite suspension pending an investigation.

It was also announced that offensive lineman Clint Boling will receive a two-game suspension following his arrest in May after being charged with DUI. Boling will sit out the Bulldogs' first two-games against Georgia Southern and Central Michigan.

There was some good news.

Senior defensive end Jeremy Lomax had his charges for carrying a concealed weapon dropped and will not be disciplined.

No punishment was announced yet for offensive linemen Trinton Sturdivant and Justin Anderson following their arrest Monday for misdemeanor battery.

"I'm certainly disappointed in a few of our players who have made poor decisions during the off-season," Georgia coach Mark Richt said in a statement. "It is of great concern and we take it very seriously. They will be dealt with accordingly and will pay a price. Each one will be disciplined based on the severity of their actions."

Michael Lemon turned himself in to the Clarke County jail Thursday morning at 10:24 a.m.

His charges stem from a fight at a cookout Saturday afternoon after Demarius Jackson, 20, of Albany, told police that Lemon sucker-punched him.

According to the police report, Lemon punched Jackson five times before he was pulled off Jackson.

The UGA student newspaper, The Red & Black, quoted an Athens-Clarke County police report which stated "Lemon allegedly punched (the victim) five times and that Lemon's friends "huddled" around the player as he was punching the victim."

That makes seven Bulldogs who have been arrested over the past seven months, including Sturdivant and Anderson who face misdemeanor battery charges after being arrested Monday night by Athens-Clarke County Sheriff's deputies. The pair was later released on a $1,500 bond each.

Since the charges against Sturdivant and Anderson are misdemeanors, it will be up to Richt what punishment, if any, they will receive.

Richt had already suspended fullback Fred Munzenmaier and defensive back Donavon Baldwin after their arrests on alcohol-related charges. Munzenmaier will miss two games and Baldwin one.

Richt also took time to try and quell the notion by some in the national media that some of his players are out of control.

I'm extremely excited about what the vast majority of our team has been doing on a daily basis this summer," Richt stated. "They're working hard in the classroom and there's certainly a buzz from our veteran players as to the work ethic and effort they've seen in their weightlifting, running and position workouts. Virtually every one of our players is giving back to the community this summer.

"Many of them have already taken part in the mission trip to Honduras, Habitat for Humanity, Camp Sunshine, Camp Kudzu and Camp Independence. Over the rest of the summer, even more will volunteer at HEROES for Children, Bulldogs Battling Breast Cancer, the Countdown to Kickoff Childrens' Charity Event and several other events."

Richt also noted the team compiled a 3.23 grade point average for the Maymester academic session. Nine players participated in a summer session where they spent a week in Washington, D.C., visiting federal agencies and meeting with their congressmen. Brannan Southerland, Demiko Goodman and Knowshon Moreno are all working as orientation assistants for their college (Family & Consumer Sciences) this summer. Their responsibilities include meeting with new students and their families when they come to orientation and assisting with registration.