ATHENS, Ga. (AP) - Help is on the way for Hutson Mason and Georgia's struggling passing game.
Receivers Malcolm Mitchell and Justin Scott-Wesley are expected to make their season debuts Saturday for No. 13 Georgia against Vanderbilt. Another receiver, Jonathon Rumph, may need another week before returning from a hamstring injury.
Georgia has relied heavily on Todd Gurley and its running game through four games. That emphasis is not expected to change, but the Bulldogs' 111th-ranked passing game could use a boost.
Mason has completed 69 percent of his passes for the season, but he threw his first two interceptions of the year in last week's 35-32 win against Tennessee. Mason, a senior in his first year as the full-time starter, said he is pressing to make perfect throws, especially on deep routes.
The struggles seem to have affected Mason's self-confidence. Asked Tuesday if he was feeling better than after Saturday's narrow win against Tennessee, Mason's response was less than reassuring.
"I won't feel any better until we get this thing fixed and I start playing better, to tell you the truth," Mason said.
Mason said he hopes replenished depth at wide receiver will help.
Mitchell had been Georgia's top receiver before tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in last year's opener at Clemson. He needed arthroscopic surgery after re-injuring the knee in August.
Michael Bennett and Chris Conley have been Mason's top targets. Mitchell and Scott-Wesley are the deep threats Georgia has lacked.
Gurley is the main reason Georgia ranks ninth in the nation in rushing. He ran for 208 yards and two touchdowns against Tennessee and is the biggest concern for Vanderbilt.
Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason said Georgia "is going to take some shots down the field." Even so, Vanderbilt's focus is on containing Gurley.
"You have to hold up and still make sure you can find a way to get a hat in the box with the run game," Derek Mason said. "And really if (Hutson Mason) is going to beat you, he's going to beat you. You can't let Gurley beat you. You have to make the quarterback beat you, and he's good enough to beat you."
Hutson Mason has yet to reach 200 yards passing in a game this season. He has thrown for five touchdowns with the two interceptions.