ATHENS — Failed drug tests administered last week were the reason Georgia's leading rusher, Isaiah Crowell, and two other Georgia tailbacks were suspended for Saturday's game against New Mexico State, according to two people familiar with the results.
    The tests were administered last Wednesday night and the results were confirmed on Tuesday.
    The people spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday on condition of anonymity because Georgia does not release the results of the tests.
    According to athletic association policy, student-athletes are suspended for 10 percent of their competitions for first-time violations of the drug tests.
    Crowell, a freshman, leads Georgia with 689 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Tailbacks Ken Malcome and Carlton Thomas also were suspended on Tuesday for what was announced as violations of team policy.
    The suspensions were announced shortly after coach Mark Richt said Richard Samuel had surgery on his left ankle on Tuesday and could miss the remainder of the regular season.
    Samuel, a junior, had 17 carries for 58 yards and the winning fourth-quarter touchdown in No. 18 Georgia's 24-20 win over Florida last week.
    Samuel injured his ankle while running 9 yards to the Florida 1 on the final play of the game.
    The suspensions and Samuel's injury leave Georgia severely short-handed for at least one week.
    Richt said Wednesday that sophomore Brandon Harton, a former walk-on, is the leading candidate to start against New Mexico State. Harton has 11 carries for 33 yards, all against Coastal Carolina. He was awarded a scholarship in August.
    Richt said freshman walk-on tailback Kyle Karempelis also could play and Georgia could try no-back sets in the game.
    "We'll have some ways to still try to move the football," Richt said.
    Crowell was a much-publicized signee from Carver High School in Columbus.
    Carver coach Dell McGee said Wednesday he exchanged text messages with Crowell after the suspension was announced.
    "He made a mistake. Hopefully he'll learn from it," McGee told The Associated Press. "He said it won't happen again. Only time will tell."
    McGee said he did not ask Crowell why he was suspended. McGee said Crowell had no history of drug problems at Carver.
    Richt said he's encouraged the way Crowell is handling the punishment.
    "I think Isaiah is going to do great," Richt said. "I really do, because I saw how he has handled this mistake to this point and I really feel confident he's going to end up being stronger for it."
    ESPN first reported the failed drug test.