Georgia Kicker Marshall Morgan Pleads Guilty to Misdemeanor Charges from BUI

According to Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald, Georgia placekicker Marshall Morgan has pleaded guilty to boating under the influence, stemming from an incident that occurred in July.

Per the report:

"

Georgia kicker Marshall Morgan plead guilty last week to two misdemeanor charges stemming from his arrest on Lake Sinclair earlier this summer for boating under the influence.

Morgan received 12 months probation, 240 hours of community service and was fined $1,456, according to a clerk from the Putnam County State Court.

"

Marshall was arrested in July as part of the Operation Dry Water initiative that the Georgia Department of Natural Resources holds during every Fourth of July weekend. According to the Eatonton Messenger, he was detected by helicopter surveillance who noticed a boat that was "operating a watercraft towing two inner tubes without a spotter, which is a violation of Georgia boating regulations."

The kicker admitted to drinking when the authorities arrived and was compliant, but the smell of booze on his breathe was enough to warrant his arrest.

Beyond his legal sanction, Bulldogs fans are curious what this means for Marshall's status. He made eight-of-14 field goal attempts and 63-of-67 extra points as a freshman last year and is being counted on to perform even better in 2013.

Georgia starts the season with two high-profile and very-losable games: at Clemson and vs. South Carolina. But according to Weiszer's report, head coach Mark Richt hasn't commented on Marshall's status and won't before kickoff of the Clemson game:

"

If you ask me at halftime of the first game, I’ll let y’all know. I’m just saying that you’ll know whether or not he’s in the first game or not by then. You may not have to ask then.

"

If Marshall is forced to sit out a game, it might not be a HUGE deal. But in what's expected to be a high-scoring game against Clemson, having an experienced kicker is not something to take for granted.

Per Weiszer's report, walk-on Patrick Beless and punter Adam Erickson are both options to kick in Marshall's stead.