
Isaiah Crowell's cutting ability is reminscent of former Georgia running back Garrison Hearst. (UGA photo by Rob Saye)
ATHENS – This is not at all to say that Isaiah Crowell is the next Herschel Walker — there hasn’t been a “next” so far — but their statistical comparison to this point in their respective freshman campaigns is remarkably similar.
Walker had outscored Crowell 5 touchdowns to 3 at this point and, of course, the Bulldogs were 4-0 then as opposed to 2-2 now. Also, of note, Walker was injured early in the fourth game against TCU and was sidelined. Similarly, Crowell watched the second half of the Coastal Carolina game from the sideline due to injured ribs and an early blowout.
Walker finished the 1980 campaign with a freshman record of 1,616 yards and 15 touchdowns. That does not include his 150 yards and 2 TDs in the national championship win over Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl. Bowl stats were not included then.
At Crowell’s current pace he would finish the regular season with 1,236 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Here’s the game-by-game comparison:
WALKER<————————————–>CROWELL
Opp., Att-Yards-TDs—————————Opp., Att.-Yards-TDs
Tenn., 24-84-2————————————-Boise St., 15-60-0
Tx A&M, 21-145-3———————————S.Carolina, 16-118-2*
Clemson, 23-121-0——————————–C.Carolina, 16-86-1
TCU, 9-69-0**————————————–Ole Miss, 30-147-0
Total 77-419-5————————————Total 77-411-3
* 1 pass reception for TD
** Injured/sidelined during game
Here’s how some of Georgia’s other great backs looked statistically in their first season the last 20 years or :
371 comments Add your comment
Crowell >
September 27th, 2011
1:31 pm
Enter your comments here
Crowell > Walker
September 27th, 2011
1:32 pm
in a few years, crowell will be recognized as the greatest UGA RB in Ga history—he’s got all the tools.
DJ Dawg
September 27th, 2011
1:32 pm
@Ted Brogan
So who are you a fan of that you have to come over here to blog????????
Columbus
September 27th, 2011
1:36 pm
How about UGA’s D having given up the 2nd least yards in the SEC? With Granthams recruits barely getting their feet wet early in year 2? Lookout SEC offenses. Its going to be a nightmare and more hard hitting as Granthams recruits learn the system and are actually starting at all the positions in the next couple of years!
To all of you who hated on Crowell, said he was overrated and would be another jasper Sanks: up yours!
TampaDawg
September 27th, 2011
1:42 pm
Keep Talking Smack
September 27th, 2011
1:02 pm
Yeah, but he has a poor attitude.
——————————–
Only the haters keep saying this. Fact is, he has shown NOTHING but the opposite
St. Clarkston
September 27th, 2011
1:44 pm
Crowell will be an outstanding back. But to compare him to the best tailback to ever play is silly.
It was Rooster yesterday wasn't..
September 27th, 2011
1:46 pm
Rooster = Doug. Split personalities beating the same idiot drum.
JB
September 27th, 2011
1:51 pm
Crowell compared to Herschel ends at they both wore a helmet and cleats. I knew Herschel….and sir, you are no Herschel…
TampaDawg
September 27th, 2011
1:51 pm
and as for Pricht, when you can actually beat UGA on a more than once a decade basis, then come talk to us.
MTSU
Western Carolina
Kansas
Maryland (who got SMOKED by Temple)
Duke
NC State (who got worked over by Cincinatti)
Miami (who got beat by Maryland and Kansas State)
Virginia (who couldn’t beat Southern Miss)
Don’t talk to me about schedules dude. UGA let of the gas completely on Coastal Carolina by the start of the 4th quarter. They went for every 4th down and basically ran the ball with anyone and everyone while playing 2nd and third string players.
JB
September 27th, 2011
1:53 pm
And also, Crowell took the second half off in the Ole Miss game last week. Herschel always got stronger as the game went on.
DC
September 27th, 2011
1:56 pm
JB,
That’s something I was going to mention…look at the 4th qtr and Crowell was gasping for air…along with making sure his hair looked good (kinda looks like a diva at times on tv)…
JB
September 27th, 2011
1:58 pm
DC, that effort and behavior starts at the top. It did for me the years I played from second grade until senior year in high school. you hustled and busted it 100% or you paid a price.
It's a long season, but
September 27th, 2011
2:00 pm
Is it better to compare Marcus Lattimore to Hershel? He is on pace for 1833 yard rushing 407 passing plus a potential SEC championship and bowl game. I have seem Hershel Walker. IC is not HW.
Douglas
September 27th, 2011
2:01 pm
Maybe is Doug is really “Ealey”.
JB
September 27th, 2011
2:05 pm
I’ll be surprised if IC gets a 100 yards Saturday. Georgia backs are allowed to take themselves out to be “spelled” and IC likes to come out. Miss State is as physical at Bama, although not as talented. They will have a bullseye on IC and he will taste SEC football Saturday. Watch the carries drop from 30 to say 18-20.
SiddyBoy
September 27th, 2011
2:05 pm
It’s ludicrous to mention Hershel and Isaiah in the same breath !!!
TampaDawg
September 27th, 2011
2:07 pm
Douglas
September 27th, 2011
2:01 pm
Maybe is Doug is really “Ealey”.
————————
We thought that about Rooster yesterday too .. still may be true.
1eyedJack
September 27th, 2011
2:10 pm
Hurshul can whoop his weight in bobcats.
Rooster
September 27th, 2011
2:12 pm
Crowell is just an average back in the SEC. Plus he is injury prone. Wait and see wait and see……
azdawg
September 27th, 2011
2:13 pm
Herschel was one of a kind. There have been other great backs at UGA and elsewhere but none of them had Herschels speed, power and strength. IC is going to be a good one for UGA if he can stay healthy and add a few more pounds. He may have carried the ball 30 times but most of those yds were in the first half. He petered out in the 2nd half and needs to be in better condition something Herschel was always in. If Herschel suited up today he’d still outgain IC albeit almost 50 years old. Keep on thrukin’ herschel and go DAWGS.
Rooster
September 27th, 2011
2:14 pm
You can’t compare Crowell to Ealey anyway. Booboo never gave Ealey the ball 30 times a game and Ealey did not start the first five games his freshman year.
mark PRICHT
September 27th, 2011
2:14 pm
hey TampaX…..768yds offense UGAG couldnt hang that on Clarke Central..
TampaDawg
September 27th, 2011
2:15 pm
Ok, to the point, I agree we are a long way from being able to put IC in Herschel’s class. Herschel was a special back. And for the record, the article NEVER states that IC is the NEXT Herschel. No one on here has either. Just saying IC is off to a great start at UGA and will only get better.
TampaDawg
September 27th, 2011
2:18 pm
Well go get your “768 yards of offense on a lousy defense” Ring then buddy. We’re excited for you. Maybe there’s even a trip to the White House for that. Did it count as 1 win or 2?
WDE
September 27th, 2011
2:18 pm
JB I hope he can get out with 18-20 carries because the Miss St and well ever D from now on will be targeting him. Honestly I’m not worried about him being “gassed” he is giving the effort and this is a whole new level of the game. I think he has meet most UGA fans hopes so far, hope he can show steady improvement with his knowledge of the playbook and he can stay healthy..HW was HW and we will see his like no more!
SLAPAjacket
September 27th, 2011
2:19 pm
Larry Munson said it best, MY GOD A FRESHMAN.
JB
September 27th, 2011
2:19 pm
Question. Serious. put some thought into it. We have a bigger stadium than LSU. Our Athletic Dept. is the second most profitable in the country, behind only Texas. The state of Georgia is ranked 5th in the country in producing quality high school talent. ESPN tells us over the last decade, they have us ranked #2 in recruiting. Then why pray tell has LSU won a title in the last 5 years and currently have the number one team in the country, and why we haven’t beat a ranked team in 2 years? What IS the difference?
crackbaby
September 27th, 2011
2:19 pm
Comparing IC or anybody to Walker is inappropriate and completely unfair.
In 1980, Coach Dooley’s defense was a force. So that team likely had better field position and more possessions. As I recall vividly, Lindsey Scott was also a constant threat for the opposing defense.
I hope IC can ignore all his critics and just play for his teammates, coaches and the University. Good luck to the kid.
Dawg fans need to focus on the positive. Improve each week and this team could build something worth celebrating.
Dawg85
September 27th, 2011
2:20 pm
You so called fans kill me. We pull in a top recruit, he plays 4 games and then you start bashing him and comparing him to Herschel. By reading ya’ll posts you’re no Mark Twain! Give these kids a a chance! Go Dawgs!
WDE
September 27th, 2011
2:20 pm
@mark PRICHT Clarke Central would beat Kansas by 30…
DJ Dawg
September 27th, 2011
2:23 pm
We could ask Bill Bates just how good Herschel was !!! LOL
JB
September 27th, 2011
2:25 pm
What the heck is a Burma Shave?
TampaDawg
September 27th, 2011
2:26 pm
Rooster(Doug), get over yourself dude. Ealey cost the dawgs 3 games against good teams. That’s one stat he definitely has over IC. And injury proned? Seriously? IC has played 4 games and missed NONE due to injury. Keep wishing.
crackbaby
September 27th, 2011
2:26 pm
@JB – One answer to your question is the negative attitude of the fan base. LSU fans are fiercely loyal to their school. Even in the lean years of the 80s and 90s, they sell out games and support the school and team 100%.
So many Dawg fans think they know better than the A.D. or School President. Just support your team during the season. Save the “Fire Whoever” rants for the off season.
JB
September 27th, 2011
2:27 pm
Frannie…..all BS my friend……You need to preach that crap to the Bama and Auburn blogs.
DJ Dawg
September 27th, 2011
2:28 pm
JB
damn you beat me to it !!!
JB
September 27th, 2011
2:28 pm
thanks for the input crackbaby, but the fans ain’t blocking and tackling.
DJ Dawg
September 27th, 2011
2:30 pm
Burma Shave is a twit
all his rymes sound like SH@T!!!!
Snoop
September 27th, 2011
2:30 pm
One big difference between Herschel and Crowell:
Herschel Walker has ALWAYS comported himself with dignity and class, always taking his responsibility as a role model very seriously.
Crowell would rather pose with the dreadlocks for all the ghetto losers.
Which is better?
This year blows (again)
September 27th, 2011
2:32 pm
hershal walker was on a team that was 4-0 at this point
JB
September 27th, 2011
2:33 pm
also, crackbaby, check the sell outs in Athens. First non sell out 2 weeks ago in Richt’s tenure and look at the opponent and we were 0-2. also you can google this. Georgia is in the top 5 in NCAA licensed goods sold with their logo. That’s not support?
Bama Mike
September 27th, 2011
2:33 pm
You cant compare the two. On the ESPN documentary Hershel explained that after seperating his shoulder he was able to mentally tranform himself into “Super Warrior Hershel” and block out the pain from the seperation as well as mentally heall the the injury without medical intervention. Until Isiah can become “Super Warrior Isiah” and mentally block out a broken arm, torn ACL and mentally heal it there can be no comparison. Seems to be a slow day all around.
beebee
September 27th, 2011
2:33 pm
My GAWD! Useless talk about everything Bulldog NEVAH stops!
Meanwhile, back in the real football world, Mississippi State is about to put it together and kick some bulldog a.z.z. Followed by the same ole same ole whining, complaining, calling for the coaches to get fired, and on and on and on.
Next Hershel! GEEEEEEEEESHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
Snoop
September 27th, 2011
2:34 pm
On further inspection, there is no comparison between Herschel Walker and Isaiah Crowell. There never will be. Hershcel was and is superior by several orders of magnitude.
DJ Dawg
September 27th, 2011
2:35 pm
@This year blows (again)
If you need help spelling his name its at the top of the page.
JB
September 27th, 2011
2:36 pm
Bama mike, good point…and Dooley made his living RUNNING THE BALL and always had an offensive line that Bama would envy !!!!!!!!
Blue
September 27th, 2011
2:37 pm
Let me know when Crowell starts comporting himself like Herschel did on the field as opposed to freaking chasing guys down after a good play JUST to talk smack. He is going to get 15 yards in a crucial spot at some point this year because coaches aren’t doing anything to reign him in. He should have gotten one last week.
JB
September 27th, 2011
2:37 pm
BeeBee………….anybody holding a gun to your head to be here?
WDE
September 27th, 2011
2:37 pm
@beebee you might be right but I’m betting your not.
TampaDawg
September 27th, 2011
2:38 pm
crackbaby, “As I recall vividly, Lindsey Scott was also a constant threat for the opposing defense. ” .. he was a good WR, but he wasn’t used much in that Offense (104 catches, 1665 yards and 9 TDs in 3 years).