Todd Gurley is back; Georgia hopes to limit any distractions heading into big game vs Auburn

FILE - In this Oct. 4, 2014, Georgia running back Todd Gurley (3) celebrates with fans after defeating Vanderbilt 44-17 in an NCAA college football game in Athens, Ga. After serving a four-game suspension for taking money for autographs, Georgia's star running back returns for a big one _ the 16th-ranked Bulldogs hosting ninth-ranked Auburn.(AP Photo/John Bazemore, File) (The Associated Press)

Georgia head coach Mark Richt, left, is congratulated by Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops midfield after their NCAA college football game at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014. Georgia beat Kentucky 63-31. (AP Photo/David Stephenson) (The Associated Press)

ATHENS, Ga. – Georgia's Mark Richt is doing his best to downplay the return of Todd Gurley.

Good luck with that.

Richt cut back on the number of players allowed to address the media, limiting it to four seniors who spoke Tuesday after the coach's weekly news conference.

Of course, the end of Gurley's four-game suspension is the big storyline as the 16th-ranked Bulldogs (7-2, 5-2 Southeastern Conference) host ninth-ranked Auburn (7-2, 4-2) on Saturday.

A month ago, the running back was a leading contender for the Heisman Trophy when the school got word he had accepted money for autographs. Gurley acknowledged taking more than $3,000, and the NCAA ordered him to sit out the next four games.

Richt says he doesn't want Gurley's return to be a distraction to the Bulldogs.