Georgia's Owens will return for '09

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) -- Georgia defensive tackle Jeff Owens will return for his 2009 senior season.

Owens was considered Georgia's top defensive lineman and a candidate to enter the 2009 NFL draft as a junior before he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Bulldogs' season opener against Georgia Southern. He said Thursday he won't enter the 2009 draft.

"I'm looking forward to having a big senior year," he said. "This year, I played one quarter. If I came out now, maybe I don't get picked or I do and then get cut, and I wasted one college year."

The No. 16 Bulldogs are playing in the Capital One Bowl against Michigan State on Jan. 1.

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