Georgia vs. South Carolina: Special teams solid, according to Mark Richt

The Georgia Bulldogs have struggled with extra points and punt returns this season, but head coach Mark Richt thinks the special teams have performed well on the whole, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Georgia has blocked two punts, had solid punt coverage and converted four of its five field goal attempts this season. But hiccups on extra points and punt returns have painted a negative picture.

"I think the special teams as a whole are getting a bad rap," Richt said.

Freshman kicker Marshall Morgan has missed three extra point attempts this season. Meanwhile, hesitancy with fair catch decisions has hampered the punt return game. Richt switched punt returners midway through last Saturday's game against Tennessee. Rhett McGowan has taken over punt return duties from Malcolm Mitchell. McGowan will be the primary punt returner against South Carolina on Saturday.

"I do know that we’ve not fielded the punts very well," Richt said. "We’ve had some mistakes there. That’s part of the reason why we’re allowing Rhett to go ahead and do that."

Richt will be counting on a solid special teams showing this weekend against the Gamecocks. Both teams are ranked in the Top 10, and the winner will be in great shape in the SEC East.