Southern’s Devon Gales has surgery to repair neck fractures

Southern receiver Devon Gales, who was injured in a loss Saturday at Georgia, had surgery Sunday to repair several fractures in his neck.

The school said in a statement that the fractures were stabilized. It said Gales has movement in his upper body and is in good spirits.

The surgery was performed at Athens (Ga.) Regional, where Gales will remain until he returns to Baton Rouge, La., for further treatment.

Georgia Coach Mark Richt said he visited Gales on Sunday and said he may call on Georgia fans to provide financial assistance if necessary.

Southern announced after Saturday’s 48-6 loss to No. 8 Georgia that Gales suffered a spinal injury while blocking on a kickoff return.

Richt said Georgia offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and his family also visited Gales on Sunday.

“We’re trying to cover him up with as much love as we can and let him know that we care and let him know that we’re there to help,” Richt said.

Southern said Gales’ family, interim Athletic Director Roman Banks “and the entire Southern University family … are extremely thankful for all of the prayers and well wishes that Devon has received from many people nationwide.

“Also, special thanks to the Georgia football program and sports medicine staff for all of their love and support that they have shown Devon during this difficult time.”

Georgia players and coaches used social media to offer prayers for Gales.

Fresno St. QB hurt

Fresno State quarterback Ford Childress had surgery to repair an internal injury after the team returned from a 49-23 loss at San Jose State and is likely to miss the rest of the season, the Fresno Bee said.

The Bulldogs already have lost freshman Chason Virgil for the year because of a broken clavicle, leaving third-year sophomore Zack Greenlee, redshirt freshman Kilton Anderson and freshman walk-on Jesse Hanckel as the only healthy quarterbacks in the program.

Childress told Coach Tim DeRuyter while being treated by medical personnel that he did not remember taking a hit during the game to cause the injury, but when the team returned from San Jose about 3 a.m., Childress was unable to get off the bus.

Michigan rises

Michigan, which scored a 31-0 win over Brigham Young on Saturday, is back in the Associated Press poll for the first time since October 2013.

The Jim Harbaugh-coached Wolverines (3-1) are ranked 22nd. Michigan just missed in the USA Today coaches’ poll, getting a season-high 84 points.