Mississippi State Week - Monday News and Notes

ATHENS — Thomas Brown was disappointed to miss last week’s Georgia game even before it made history.

“I was extremely disappointed,” the sophomore running back said.

The Bulldogs rushed for 280 yards in a 44-7 win over Louisiana-Monroe, the highest of the Mark Richt era and the best since the first game of 1998, when the Bulldogs gained 289 yards on the ground against Kent State.

The good news for Brown is he’ll be back this week against Mississippi State. His separated shoulder is getting better each day, he said.

“I’ve got the full clearance from (head athletic trainer) Ron Courson,” he said.

Linebackers Dannell Ellerbe (ankle) and Brandon Miller (leg) both said they’d be ready to play. The only player among the regulars who remains questionable is linebacker Jarvis Jackson (thumb), who practiced Monday in a green, no-contact jersey with a cast covering his entire right hand.

ANOTHER AWARD: Daniel Inman became the second Bulldog tackle to be named SEC offensive lineman of the week Monday. Dennis Roland, who plays across from Inman, earned the honor last week.

Inman, a junior, graded out at 92 percent and had six “dominator” blocks. Inman and Georgia’s offensive line have allowed just two sacks this year.

GETTING THROUGH: While most observers might not be impressed that Mississippi State only beat Tulane 21-14 last week and needed a special teams break to do it, Bulldogs coach Sylvester Croom was thrilled.

Tulane was playing its first game of the season because of the damage done by Hurricane Katrina to its New Orleans campus and the entire region, and the Green Wave had all the emotion on their side. Not to mention, the game had to be moved to Shreveport, La.

“I’m glad it’s over,” Croom said. “It was a difficult week with the change in our routine and the emotions of the Tulane game and the emotions everybody had concerning New Orleans. It put our kids in a tough situation. The mental aspect was very difficult going into the game for our players, and I think they handled it very well.”

MSU INJURY: Mississippi State running back Derek Ambrose, a senior who was Jerious Norwood’s top backup, tore his ACL on the opening kickoff of Saturday’s game and will be out for the year.

“That position is a major concern right now,” Croom said.