Similar statistical comparison between Isaiah Crowell, Herschel Walker to this point
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.
- Through the first four games of the 1980 season, Walker had 419 yards rushing on 77 carries.
- Through the first four games of the 2011 season, Crowell has 411 yards rushing on 77 carries.
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 :
- Rodney Hampton 126-890-4
- Garrison Hearst 162-717-5
- Knowshon Moreno 248-1,334-14
- Tim Worley 116-627-9
- Kregg Lumpkin 112-523-6
- Thomas Brown 172-875-8
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371 comments Add your comment
P_The_Ricker
September 27th, 2011
6:16 pm
What topic heading will guarantee a couple reads/comments? Why, anything with “Herschel Walker” in the heading.
Shame Chip. Not exactly cutting edge journalism considering all of the resources at your bay and we’re in the middle of the season……and not during the dead period.
Middle East Dawg
September 27th, 2011
6:18 pm
STOP IT!!!! I’m Columbus, GA born and raised and in my own heart the biggest UGA and Isaiah Crowell fan in the WORLD!!!! That being said…………ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!! I’m sick and tired of READING STUFF. The past few off-seasons I have read 1000 articles about recruits, schemes, coaches, Best QB in the SEC, etc. etc. etc. ENOUGH!!!!! Let’s just let Isaiah BE ISAIAH and play his best football for the Dawgs. COMPARISON…..HERSCHEL????? C’MON MAN!!!! Let’s just let the kid play his game. ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!!
RogersParkRob
September 27th, 2011
6:22 pm
This might be the dumbest article to date.
Bob
September 27th, 2011
6:32 pm
With all due respects Chip, must be a slow day today. Comparing Herschel with Crowell is like comparing Len Hauss to Ben Jones. Herschel had the size, speed, and strength, as well as the desire to excell. Crowell may turn out to be good, but it’s all about him, not the team.
Swingman912
September 27th, 2011
6:34 pm
Middle East Dawg, said it best. Instead of trying to make him the next Herschel Walker, let him be the FIRST ISAIAH CROWELL! Different person, completely different years, and Real UGA fans are just sick of it. If being a successful HB at Georgia means being the next Herschel, we haven’t had a successful HB since Herschel….Keep runnin that rock Isaiah…CHUUUUUUUUCH
Dawg tired
September 27th, 2011
6:35 pm
Had decent bursts of speed in 1st half but was worn out…sore…pattin helmet, get me off the field tired in the 3rd quarter…e.g …couldn’t hold Herschel’s jock strap….
TampaGator
September 27th, 2011
6:45 pm
I don’t remember Crowell running over a safety on the way to the end zone……..but they still haven’t played the Vols yet. Could happen. Imagine if it does. Oh my!
redandblack
September 27th, 2011
6:54 pm
Let’s hope that we are able to sign the kid out N.C. Keith Marshall. I believe if we can get him and he is what he is billed, then we could have the same type of tandem as Ingram and Richardson at Bama. Of course it help greatly if we had an O-line like Bama’s as well. I also think “Betty White” has more stamina than John “fat a$$” Jenkins….And she’s probably tougher…….
Signature Victory
September 27th, 2011
7:00 pm
I remember Herschel Walker and Crowell is no Herschel Walker.
no dog
September 27th, 2011
7:28 pm
So, does 1 equal 34? Or, 34 is still greater than 1?
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 27th, 2011
7:34 pm
Herschel never taunted an opposing player like Crowell did Sat after a good run but I have come to expect that from our Nice Guy coaching staff
Snoop Dawg
September 27th, 2011
7:35 pm
Just look at the commends. The Bulldog Nation is deeply divided in 2011. Who is to blame?
That would be, er uh MARK RICHT.
Not good to even compare any freshman who has put together a couple of good games to the best football player in NCAA and NFL history. Herschel Walker is unique, like Pararotti is to opera. There will never be another. Like Michael Jordan to basketball.
Until Richt is gone, the Bulldog Nation will remain dividied no matter how the remainder of this miserable season plays out.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 27th, 2011
7:50 pm
Snoop Dawg
So you dont think we will win out
I can tell that you sir havent been to kool-aid bar this week
red&silver
September 27th, 2011
7:59 pm
I love UGA but, I hate the so-called UGA fans. Everybody notices the conduct of the fans and it is embarrassing!!!!
Dawg_Mike
September 27th, 2011
8:12 pm
@ Flat tire:
I totally agree. These players could learn a lot from Herschel.
Get up and go back to the f-ing huddle.
They cared... once... a long time ago... well, kinda
September 27th, 2011
8:16 pm
@red&silver: “I love UGA but, I hate the so-called UGA fans. Everybody notices the conduct of the fans and it is embarrassing!!!!”
Yes, it is, but no one cares about UGA any more, so it doesn’t matter. That’s about the only advantage of having sunk into irrelevancy.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 27th, 2011
8:16 pm
Dawg_Mike
You would think Richt and company would have the kids sit down and watch the recent Herschel Documentary
It really showed what hard work can do for someone
But unfortunatley I would probably guess they are studying Chapter 4 of the Energy Vampires book
DP
September 27th, 2011
8:23 pm
This comparison of Crowell to Herschel Walker was the funniest Georgia football blog I’ve seen at the AJC since this one:
http://blogs.ajc.com/junkyard-blawg/2009/12/10/bulldog-bites-washaun-for-heisman/?cp=1
Ace
September 27th, 2011
8:28 pm
Truth is Walker ain’t no Bo Jackson. The sound of UGA fan’s butts slamming shut if the Gators lay the lumber to Bama, would be the loudest roar Crowell might hear all year.
Ever see Bo turn on a fast ball ?
DP
September 27th, 2011
8:29 pm
And by the way, the guy who proclaimed Herschel the greatest running back in college and NFL history must be smoking crack. Herschel wouldn’t crack the list of the top 20 running backs in NFL history.
Ace
September 27th, 2011
8:37 pm
Why does UGA have 2 players with #1 on their jerseys?
Mr. Jort Mullet
September 27th, 2011
8:37 pm
Gator fans think they actually have a chance this weekend. That is priceless. Good luck with that. Richardson will have a field day.
just a fan
September 27th, 2011
8:45 pm
1 Jerry Rice* 23,546
Top 20 lists courtesy of Elias Sports Bureau
Return to Top 20 at the Start of 2010>>>
2 Brian Mitchell 23,330
3 Walter Payton* 21,803
4 Emmitt Smith* 21,564
5 Tim Brown 19,682
6 Marshall Faulk 19,190
7 Barry Sanders* 18,308
8 Herschel Walker 18,168
9 Marcus Allen* 17,648
10 Curtis Martin 17,421
11 Tiki Barber 17,359
12 Eric Metcalf 17,230
13 Thurman Thomas* 16,532
14 LaDainian Tomlinson 16,445
15 Tony Dorsett* 16,326
16 Derrick Mason 16,178
17 Henry Ellard 15,718
18 Warrick Dunn 15,665
19 Edgerrin James 15,610
20 Irving Fryar 15,594
just a fan
September 27th, 2011
8:46 pm
that is a list of most all purpose yds nfl history
Idiot Dawg
September 27th, 2011
9:01 pm
I like rooster. It tastes delicious with dippin sauce
Dawg85
September 27th, 2011
9:36 pm
The only comparison that should be made between Herschel and Isiah is this, while at the University of Georgia will they be loyal to the team and the school with their efforts and their abilities. But for those who did not actually attend UGA much less graduate or have the priviledge to bleed and sacrifice for the team, the school and most of all the “G” on their hat, then it’s understandable that they have no sense of true loyalty to a program. That loyality did not and does not have a clause in it that says only when we’re are winning. So, some of you folks should look at your level of loyalty to this program at UGA before you critize the program, coaches or players. And don’t pull the “I want our program to be a winning program” card because that just shows your loyalty to a winning program, not a program you’re willing to support no matter the record. You should be glad that the players and coaches at UGA have more loyalty to the program than the majority of these bloggers do. To be sure everyone is entitled to their opinion, but contrary to popular opinion if your only investment at UGA is the cost of your ticket or pay-per-view then your opinion really doesn’t matter. Once a Dawg,ALWAYS a Dawg. And proud of it!
Pollyanna
September 27th, 2011
9:45 pm
Herschel Walker was WORLD-CLASS SPEED and in his 3 years at UGA, we amassed a record of 33-3 with AP Poll rankings at seasons’ ends of # 1, # 6 and # 4. Not 1 time did Herschel Walker get up sprint 10-yards downfield to an opponent’s face and taunt him.
Isaiah Crowell is NO Herschel Walker, now is he ?
The facts are there are 227 players in the 2011 recruiting class alone, who are faster than Isaiah Crowell. I watched Herschel Walker. At no time did he go gasping for air. Herschel Walker ran wide and out-ran the opponents. Herschel Walker ran up the middle and steam-rolled the opponents. Herschel Walker went airborne and flew over the opponents. Herschel Walker is a gentleman.
Now, what is this obsession in the AJ-C to talk about Herschel Walker every bloody day. Is this all UGA will ever do, is sit here and talk among ourselves about Herschel Walker 31 years later ?
Get over it.
Mobile Dawg
September 27th, 2011
9:47 pm
So what you’re saying is we should all just go down with the ship, without mounting a fight to save it. Huh, loyalty has a different meaning to me.
JB
September 27th, 2011
9:55 pm
Murray won’t make it to the end of season. He’s been hit as much in 4 games as 9 games last year. The line is pathetic. Mason will get his chance…..and you never know, it could save Richt’s job.
mark Pricht
September 27th, 2011
9:56 pm
31 yrs later and all you have to talk about is Walker….what about 2011…2 and 2
Pollyanna
September 27th, 2011
10:16 pm
Dawg85 September 27th, 2011 9:36 pm
“For those who did not actually attend UGA much less graduate or have the priviledge to bleed and sacrifice for the team, the school and most of all the “G” on their hat, then it’s understandable that they have no sense of true loyalty to a program. That loyality did not and does not have a clause in it that says only when we’re are winning. So, some of you folks should look at your level of loyalty to this program at UGA before you critize the program, coaches or players. And don’t pull the “I want our program to be a winning program” card because that just shows your loyalty to a winning program, not a program you’re willing to support no matter the record.”
DISNEYdawgs.com
What are you talking about, please sir ? Are we supposed to come running in the blogs every day with a chip on our shoulder that a football program, # 11 all-time in 1-A wins is today instead, after 2005, # 30 in 1-A wins, and that we should run in here making up EXCUSES, and LIE, and ACT AS IF we are the bloody Second Coming ?
Al
September 27th, 2011
10:20 pm
Have anybody heard that Figgins mom have cancer and the
coaches have not been supporting him ? I heard this from one of the columbus guys. I heard in today practice they push him to just leave the team.
Pollyanna
September 27th, 2011
10:26 pm
You’ll brought this on yourself.
You were the ones who ran in here and called Isaiah Crowell our Savior for this football program, down the drain as it is.
You were the ones who ran in here and proclaimed, wait until next year.
You were the ones who ran in here and called this the DREAM TEAM.
You were the ones who ran in here and proclaimed Mark Richt the # 4 best coach in all of college football.
You were the ones who ran in here and said Aaron Murray is the GREATEST AND BEST QUARTERBACK IN THE ENTIRE SEC.
Now, when it is absolutely clear that we cannot beat the teams who end the season in the AP Poll Top 10, cannot beat the Top 25 teams either, and that we lose to teams who are not even Top 25 teams – you are the 1st to post that NO ONE ELSE can have any opinion – just ONLIEST YOU can.
I got news for you with your posts of SHUT UP.
And, best if we ignore each other.
And, all that bro-ha-ha.
You get what you deserved, and that it is to have it crammed back down your throats.
I did not start it with you, none of us did. None of us, either, have any plans of allowing you to turn these blogs into a ONLY YOUR OPINION can heard forum.
It’s YOUR FAULT.
You started it.
We will end it.
This football program is a lost ship at sea without a rudder.
Now, go play your Coastal Carolina and Ole Miss and Missy State and come running back in here to proclaim our greatness and SEC Champion and National Champion – it could happen you proclaim again today for THIS season and tell all the rest of us to SHUT UP.
Good Luck on that.
YOU STARTED it. None of your Kool-Aid is true. NONE of it. Excuse me for noticing it.
Snoop Dawg
September 27th, 2011
10:28 pm
DP, you must be a real dufus. Add up Walker’s yardage in both the USFL and NFL and you will see that he is the all-time greatest NFL running back.
Do you know anyone else who anchored the US Olympic bobsled team?
How about his latest: getting locked in a cage with world class athletes half his age in extreme fighting?
There will never be another Herschel…
Snoop Dawg
September 27th, 2011
10:30 pm
This was an ill-advised topic for Chip Towers while UGA is so divided. It doesn’t do the young RB any favors either.
Why doesn’t he research all the statistical trends over the past five years that point to Richt as one of the most incompetent pretenders in the history of SEC football?
Snoop Dawg
September 27th, 2011
10:32 pm
Why is Richt still on the sidelines? What does he have to do to get the scam terminated?
SamoanDawg
September 27th, 2011
10:41 pm
@UGA Forester, LMAO!
Snoop Dawg
September 27th, 2011
11:06 pm
If you want to understand Dreadlock Crowell, ask yourself why there are two players on this year’s team wearing number one…
Think about when Richt had the offensive team line up on the new indoor practice field for Richt and Crowell missing the running back position? So they could see it through Richt’s panorama window?
How do you think that made Ealey and King feel?
What kind of leadership is that? Any coach should know better than that…
Snoop Dawg
September 27th, 2011
11:08 pm
richt is dumber than a box of rocks, but exceedingly sly and cunning just the same…
DP
September 27th, 2011
11:25 pm
All purpose yards which include kickoff returns, yards in the minor league called the USFL, you’ve got to be kidding. Jim Brown isn’t on that total yardage list and as an NFL player Herschel Walker wasn’t in Jim Brown’s league.
aladawg
September 27th, 2011
11:26 pm
Duckafawg, what a stupid name. Does you mother know you are using such language.
Pollyanna
September 28th, 2011
3:23 am
Snoop Dawg September 27th, 2011 10:30 pm
“Why doesn’t Chip Towers research all the statistical trends over the past five years that point to Richt as one of the most incompetent pretenders in the history of SEC football?”
.
I believe I have done that, for you.
crowell da man
September 28th, 2011
6:49 am
Crowell > Walker!
David
September 28th, 2011
7:49 am
Crowell isn’t better than Ealey or Moreno’s 5.7 ypc average their freshman seasons.
crowell’s projected rush td’s, 6, don’t compare to Ealey’s 11 last year.
Crowell’s 2nd half rushing, 4.5 in 4th qrtr, don’t compare to Ealey’s 6.6 ypc. Ealey was in a lot better shape.
Crowell’s given up a lot of sacks to Murray in 4 games, 11 sacks, Crowell’s on track to give up 33 sacks, which would be 25% more than Ealey gave up, and 350% more than Moreno gave up. Crowell needs to improve passblocking.
Crowell’s record so far is 2-2, doesn’t compare to Ealey or Moreno’s or Walker’s freshman seasons.
Cardinal Sin
September 28th, 2011
10:00 am
LMAO!!!!
It is getting pretty bad when you have to write articles like this to keep GA fans interested.
Bottom line: Win the SEC, then a few NC’s like your sister state FL, and perhaps your program will earn some respect! Until then, you are a below average program that spews every year like you are the returning NC. Again, we are all SICK of hearing about the good ole days of done nothing for the GA PROGRAM since he has left H. Walker!
FL or SC win the East in 2011!
Enough Said!
doctor
September 28th, 2011
11:34 am
whimps I say————-no duke—-
doctor
September 28th, 2011
11:37 am
Its going to be S. Carolina or Florida this year——in the east. And LSU or Alabama in the west.
doctor
September 28th, 2011
11:40 am
Georgia’s football program is in such a state of regression that it is embarrassing. I will be rooting for Alabama a lot this year—–
Mike Bobo 17 INT
September 28th, 2011
12:08 pm
Running back stats and overall stats are nice, but national titles are nicer. So if the Dogs go 8-4, or 9-3 this year, or just barely break-even.
Two easy wins over two of the weakest teams in college football, then all of a sudden everyone is optimistic in Athens. Ole Miss and Coastal Carolina is nothing to write home about in terms of wins.
After watching what Alabama and LSU are doing to their opponents, UGA is Single-A of college football, while LSU, Alabama and OU are Major League. I suppose everyone in Athens is satisfied and blindly loyal to a tanked program.
Keep up the great work! Maybe Bill King should replace CMR.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
September 28th, 2011
12:10 pm
Alabama and LSU have it right…..start with your defense then work from that point. Alabama totally destroyed Arkansas and PSU, and they are going to mow down anything in their path. Why? Nick Saban (i.e. the coaches coach).
Saban nor Miles will tolerate last year and are professional to the core in terms of college coaching. CMR and the Athens program pales in comparison to Alabama, LSU and even OU.