The University of Georgia (UGA) and their football team's star running back are still waiting for the NCAA's ruling in his autograph case.
Todd Gurley has been on indefinite suspension since Oct. 9 since UGA had reason enough to punish him for allegations of receiving improper benefits in exchange for his autograph. The Bulldogs are 2-0 without Gurley and will likely play Saturday's home against Florida without their junior tailback as well.
According to the Associated Press, one of Gurley's teammates acknowledged there is a certain air of anticipation amid the Bulldogs.
"It's been stressful, of course, for the coaches and players and of course for Todd," senior defensive tackle Mike Thornton told reporters after Monday's practice. "We have to continue preparing, and we have been. Guys just have to continue to step up like they've been doing."
Gurley's suspension could be as short as one game depending on how much money the NCAA can prove Gurley accepted. However, he has already missed two games.
"From the facts that we know today, publicly, Georgia's behavior has been commendable," NCAA president Mark Emmert told ESPN Monday. "They, apparently, saw something that concerned them, and they dealt with it directly and their athletic department seems to have handled that very, very appropriately based on what we know today.
"When a school has information about inappropriate behavior that might render a student-athlete ineligible, then they're under an obligation to respond. If it turns out later that they did know and did have facts that demonstrated that someone was ineligible and they played them anyway, then sure those wins can be vacated and that's happened many times."
UGA has already filed paperwork to have Gurley reinstated, which the school is also waiting on. The tailback has been allowed to practice with the team, just not with the starting unit.
