South Carolina football rival suffers two more driving-related arrests

Former South Carolina football coach Steve Spurrier once quipped that he liked his Gamecock teams playing the rival Georgia Bulldogs early in the season because "you could always count on them having two or three key players suspended."

While suspensions and/or other disciplinary action has not been decided, Kirby Smart's program continues to live up to their reputation as two more Bulldogs suffered an offseason arrest for driving-related incidents.

According to Athens Clark County arrest records, Georgia linebacker Smael Mondon and offensive lineman Bo Hughley were each arrested earlier this week (Wednesday for Mondon and Tuesday for Hughley). Mondon's charges were a reckless driving misdemeanor and a "racing on highways/streets" violation, and Hughley's arrest came with a misdemeanor reckless driving charge and one for "failure to maintain lane/improper driving on road."

Based on the same records, Mondon and Hughley each were released on $26 worth of bond. Both players were released within a few hours of their arrests. Mondon was stopped and arrested by Athens-Clark County Police Department, while Hughley was arrested by the University of Georgia Police.

The arrests continue the disturbing trend in Athens of Georgia football players being arrested for driving-related incidents. Some have been more minor incidents, while others have been much more serious, including one that resulted from an incident in which a Georgia player and recruiting staffer passed away in an auto accident while allegedly racing.

Mondon and Hughley mark the third and fourth Bulldog driving-related arrests that have been reported this offseason. Running back Trevor Etienne and receiver Sacovie White were the other two. Between last offseason and this one, Georgia has had over 10 driving-related arrests involving players and at least one involving a football staffer.

South Carolina football will not play against their rivals to the west in 2024 or 2025 as the SEC has adopted a divisionless custom schedule for the next two years. The Gamecocks-Bulldogs series was one of the most-played southeastern matchups in all of college football, and the two teams had played every year since 1992 when the Gamecocks joined the SEC.