Temporary change for JHC

Back-to-back games against teams who run the triple-option have meant a temporary change of positions for freshman Josh Harvey-Clemons.

Since Monday, the Valdosta native has been working at outside linebacker for the fifth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs (9-1) as they prepare for Saturday's game (1:30, WSB) against visiting Georgia Southern.

So far, Harvey-Clemons said the move has suited him well.

"It's nice, but I'm really still playing safety, just a couple of plays they're rotating me in," he said after practice Wednesday. "It's not too hard and it's pretty simple stuff, really. It's not like I'm learning a new position."

Apparently, the move is not permanent, either, for Harvey-Clemons who has played in all 10 games for Georgia, mostly on special teams.

Although head coach Mark Richt said the 6-foot-5, 215-pounder could probably play either position, Harvey-Clemons said the move is only temporary.

"It's because they (Georgia Southern and Georgia Tech) run the (option) and we really don't have a nickel package for these two weeks," he said. "I'll be back at safety in spring."

Harvey-Clemons is no stranger to teams that like to mix a little mis-direction into their running game.

At Lowndes, the Vikings ran the Wing-T, something that Harvey-Clemons said has helped make the transition an easy one.

"I think that's been big for me because I'm used to the short linemen trying to cut and stuff," Harvey-Clemons said. "We didn't run the option like (Georgia Southern) does, but as far as knowing what to look for with the cut blocks, it's basically the same thing so I feel that's been to my advantage being able to play off of that."

Vasser out for the year

Linebacker Chase Vasser will undergo left surgery Tuesday at St. Mary's hospital here in Athens to repair a torn of labrum and will miss the rest of the year, Georgia officials announced Wednesday.

Vasser has missed the last three weeks with the injury.

He is expected to make a full recovery, according to UGA Director of Sports Medicine Ron Courson.

More injury news

Richt confirmed that defensive end Abry Jones (ankle) will be lost to the team for the rest of the regular season, but did not rule him out of Georgia's bowl game.

"I believe he's got a shot for the bowl, so I wouldn't say he's out for the rest of the season," Richt said. "The regular season, probably."

Running back Richard Samuel also missed practice Wednesday due to what Richt called an "abdominal" injury.

Others on the post-practice injury report included freshman wide receiver Blake Tibbs (right ankle injury) and right guard Chris Burnette (left shoulder injury).

Another honor for Murray

Quarterback Aaron Murray was tabbed one of eight finalists for the 2012 Wuerffel Trophy, which honors the college football player who best combines exemplary community service with outstanding academic and athletic achievement.

A committee that includes the Wuerffel Trophy national directors, selection committee members and past winners, will vote on the finalists later this month, and the winner will be formally announced on December 4th.

Murray is one of only two finalists from the Southeastern Conference. Three winners during the award's seven years have come from the SEC.

Off the field, Murray has been named to the 2011-12 CoSIDA Academic All-District teams. He was recently one of the 11 players nationwide named to 2012 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. After earning his Bachelor's degree in Psychology in May 2012, Murray is now pursuing his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. He has been a Dean's List member and on the SEC Academic Honor Roll for three years.

This and that

Bulldogs held a two-hour practice in full pads Wednesday and will go full pads again on Thursday. Normally, Georgia holds only one workout a week in full pads, usually on Tuesday. "We did a better job today of simulating Georgia Southern's offense, and we'll put on pads tomorrow for a while at least," said Richt. "Coach (Todd) Grantham thinks we need some more work in full pads so we'll do that. We did this a year ago before the Tech game. You can't hardly practice against it (triple-option offense) without pads, and overall, I thought practice had a good tempo." Richt added that the scout team watched film of how Georgia Southern runs its offense to help them go full speed including the cut blocking. "Normally, you don't cut block your teammates in practice, but you have to prepare for it because it's going to happen in the game. If you're not ready, you're going to be in trouble, and we may still be, we'll see how we do," Richt added. … Richt announced two support staff members recently welcomed a new addition to their family. On Wednesday, Bulldog director of athletic equipment John Meshad and his wife Nichole celebrated the arrival of Michael Clayton Meshad, who weighed in at seven pounds and six ounces. Also, Bulldog video coordinator Brett Greene and his wife Meghan had a son, Hudson Christopher Greene, who weighed seven pounds and arrived last month following the win over Florida.

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