Georgia's Green out against Gamecocks

COLUMBIA -- Georgia will play at South Carolina on Saturday without its best player.

Star receiver A.J. Green, from Summerville, was hit Wednesday afternoon with a four-game suspension from the NCAA.

Green will sit after the NCAA learned he sold a game-worn jersey for $1,000 to someone the governing body defines as an agent.

Georgia said it plans to appeal to decision.

Georgia coach Mark Richt said he's hopeful that will be heard sometime next week.

There's virtually no way Green would be available this week for the No. 22 Bulldogs (1-0) against the 24th-ranked Gamecocks (1-0).

"We all are very aware of what's going on with A.J.," Richt told reporters Wednesday evening. "What's most important to me is this game."

Richt's comments were also included earlier in the day in a statement from the school.

"Certainly I'm disappointed with the outcome," Richt said. "However, we have games to play and that's where our focus needs to be in the coming days and weeks. Other players will have to step forward and I'm confident they will do that."

Green will be allowed to count sitting out the opener against Louisiana-Lafayette as the first game in the suspension. If it's carried out in full, Green would return Oct. 2 at Colorado. He would also miss games against Arkansas and Mississippi State.

"I want to apologize to my coaches, teammates and the Georgia fans for the mistake in judgment," Green said in a school-issued statement. "I very much regret all that has taken place and the distraction that's been caused.

"I've learned a valuable lesson and hope others can learn from my mistake. I can only focus my attention now on practicing and looking ahead to getting back with my teammates as quickly as possible."

The NCAA statement said Green sold his Independence Bowl jersey to an agent. It was unclear whether Green knew the buyer was an agent.

Green was once involved in the NCAA's investigation into agent-led trips to Miami, but he has been rather outspoken in denying ever going to South Florida.

The matter of the jersey began to surface Sunday and was confirmed Wednesday by several news outlets in the Atlanta area, as well as ESPN.

As Green did Wednesday, he will continue to practice during the suspension. He cannot play, the NCAA says, until the conclusion of the appeal process.

Green made an immediate impact for the Bulldogs in 2008, catching 56 passes for 963 yards and eight touchdowns as a freshman. He followed that up with 53 catches for 808 yards and six touchdowns this past season.

Green has been a perennial All-SEC performer and figures to be a high selection in the 2011 NFL draft, presuming he chooses to leave school a year early.

USC coach Steve Spurrier didn't make himself available to reporters Wednesday, to respond to the news about Green. But he said earlier in the week that he respects the Bulldogs' talent, even without Green.

Georgia scored 55 points Saturday in a win against Louisiana-Lafayette, with Green on the sideline.

Richt worked to breathe confidence into his players after practice Wednesday.

"We're still Georgia," tight end Aron White said, referring to Richt's message. "One player doesn't make Georgia."

Some affiliated with the Gamecocks had heard about Green by the end of practice. They expressed light-hearted relief about not having to face Green, who has nine catches for 147 yards and a score in two games against South Carolina.

Reach Travis Haney at thaney@postandcourier.com, check out the Gamecocks blog at postandcourier.com/blogs/gamecocks and follow him on Twitter (@gamecocksblog).