Smith still with Dawgs

ATHENS – Redshirt freshman Ian Smith is practicing with Georgia’s football team, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he has a future with the Bulldogs.

“I’ve been struggling about what to do about that,” Coach Mark Richt said Friday, the second day of his team’s bowl practices. “I’ve probably taken too much time quite frankly, but my No. 1 concern is to get him help. I want to do what’s best for him, first off, and what’s best for the team, too.”

Smith has been arrested twice this year on alcohol-related charges and is under indefinite suspension. If he is allowed to remain on the team, he will be suspended at least for the bowl game and the first five games of 2007, Richt said. Smith also could be expelled from school by the student government.

The Bulldogs (8-4) take on No. 14 Virginia Tech (10-2) on Dec. 30 in the Chick-fil-A Bowl in the Georgia Dome.