Georgia Bulldogs tailback Todd Gurley has been suspended indefinitely pending an investigation into an alleged violation of NCAA rules, the school announced Thursday.
"I'm obviously very disappointed," Georgia coach Mark Richt said in a statement. "The important thing for our team is to turn all our attention toward preparation for Missouri."
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David Goldman/AP ImagesGeorgia tailback Todd Gurley has rushed for 773 yards and eight TDs on 94 carries this season.
The school made the announcement Thursday, two days before the No. 13 Bulldogs (4-1, 2-1 SEC) face No. 23 Missouri (4-1, 1-0) in a crucial Eastern Division game.
Georgia officials did not reveal the alleged violation.
Gurley, one of the favorites for the Heisman Trophy, was leading the SEC with 773 rushing yards and had scored eight touchdowns in the first five games for the Bulldogs.
He ran for 163 yards and two TDs against Vanderbilt while also completing a 50-yard pass -- Georgia's longest of the season. Gurley is the conference's leading rusher with 154.6 yards per game, and his 194.6 all-purpose yards ranks second nationally behind Nebraska's Ameer Abdullah (195.8).
With 3,147 rushing yards, Gurley needs 86 to pass Garrison Hearst for second on the school's all-time list.
Freshman Nick Chubb, who has rushed for 224 yards and two scores and also has a TD pass, would be next in line for carries. The Bulldogs have run the ball at least 35 times in every game while making no more than 26 passing attempts.
Sony Michel, another freshman, has rushed for 223 yards and three touchdowns on 23 attempts, but suffered a shoulder injury against Tennessee.
Georgia is opening a four-game stretch that includes two other road contests against Arkansas and Kentucky, as well as its annual showdown with rival Florida in Jacksonville. The Bulldogs will go 42 days between home games -- their most since 2008.
Gurley, a junior who is averaging more than 8 yards per carry, was ranked ninth overall on the latest NFL draft "Big Board" by ESPN Insider Mel Kiper Jr.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
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