
Georgia coach Mark Richt thinks it's just a matter of time before Isaiah Crowell busts a long run for the Bulldogs. (UGA photo by Rob Saye)
ATHENS – At this point, everybody has seen enough of freshman tailback Isaiah Crowell to know he’s a real deal. He comes into the Mississippi State game as the SEC’s fourth-leading rusher at 103 yards per game and is coming off a 30-carry, 147-yard performance at Ole Miss.
What nobody has seen Crowell do yet, however, is rip off a really long run. It was his specialty at Carver-Columbus High, where he had a dozen touchdown runs of over 50 yards his senior year alone.
Crowell has noticed, too, and he’s itching to find some daylight.
“I’ve been trying,” said the 5-foot-11, 215-pound speedster. “I’ve been trying to use my speed to get outside and cut back and just find an opening. It hasn’t been there yet.”
Through four games, Crowell’s longest run from scrimmage has been 29 yards. That came last Saturday against Ole Miss. His longest scoring run was 27 yards against Coastal Carolina and he had a 17-yard TD off a screen pass against South Carolina.
Obviously there is much more speed on the field in college football. But Crowell believes he has the jets take the ball the distance if the opportunity rises.
“I think when I get in the clear I’ll be able to get it to the house,” Crowell said.
Georgia coach Mark Richt agrees. He was in attendance last fall when Crowell broke loose for a 90-yard touchdown run against eventual state champion Buford. Crowell’s “home run ability” was the main reason so many schools wanted to sign him. Richt thinks it’s just a matter of time before he pulls off such a run for the Bulldogs.
“I think he will,” Richt said. “I don’t think there’s been a run where he should’ve gotten much more than he did once he got out in space. I think it’s going to happen in time. There’s going to be some long runs in his career.”
In the meantime, Richt has been impressed with the short to medium runs Crowell has been able to string together.
“The thing I’m noticing about him is people are having a hard time getting clean contact on him,” Richt said. “They’re getting edges of him. He’s is very elusive in space and it’s kind of subtle. The guy looks like he’s right there to hit him pretty solidly, but he does just enough to take his hips away. He gets hit but he keeps on going.
“The backs that can make people miss in a tight space are really very good. That’s one of the things I think Knowshon may have been one of the best I’ve seen as far as being a guy that could make people miss in the box or behind the line of scrimmage. He was just exceptional at that, and Isaiah has some of that.”
Butler up for ‘Academic Heisman’
Georgia senior punter Drew Butler was among three SEC players and 47 nationwide to be nominated for the National Football foundation’s Campbell Award, known as the “Academic Heisman.”
Butler, an All-American who won the Ray Guy Award in 2009, has already graduated with a degree in telecommunications. He currently is enrolled in UGA’s sports management graduate program. He has a 3.62 GPA.
Etc. . . .
Jack Bauerle, who has led Georgia’s women’s swimming and diving program to four national championships and who has served as the head coach at the Olympics, has been chosen as the recipient of the Bill Hartman Award. Bauerle will be recognized at the Georgia-Mississippi State football game on The Hartman Award is the highest honor a former UGA student-athlete can receive from the school. . . . Freshman defensive back Nick Marshall confirmed this week he intends to join the basketball team in January. He was a four-star prospect as a shooting guard at Wilcox County High. . . . Saturday is “Red Ribbon” day for drug awareness at Sanford Stadium.
193 comments Add your comment
L.A. BULLDAWG
September 30th, 2011
12:23 am
IF BOBO IS SMART ENOUGH, HE WILL GIVE CROWELL THE BALL 25-30 TIMES, FROM HERE ON OUT. IF THAT HAPPENS, UGA WILL RUN THE TABLE AND FINISH 11-2! IT DOES NOT TAKE A ROCKET SCIENCE TO KKNOW THAT, IF YOU GIVE YOUR PLAYMAKERS THE BALL, GOOD THINGS TEND TO HAPPEN! LET THIS BE ONE 5-STAR RECRUIT THAT MARK RICHT AND BOBO DON’T SCREW UP ON CAMPUS! PLEASE!
SatillaDawg
September 30th, 2011
1:31 am
Bust one, Isaiah!
Go Dawgs!
Beat Mississippi State!
WtfWruthnkn
September 30th, 2011
3:15 am
Keyboard bravado at it’s best.
slydog
September 30th, 2011
3:24 am
Oh NO BOBO – you are doing better.
I went to sleep a little too early last night, for you punk. To answer your quetion, I will never hide behind my race on a computer screen, but bigot punks!!! like you and GT Bob will. So if the comments you made were of a non-racial nature (if anyone is confused, read the first page), then why bring dreds, an issue of intelligence, and police sirens? There is no way in these UNITED STATES a grown up would not interpret that as being racially biased. Think before you write. When on this blog, you are not in your living room watching football games among your friends!!! Have a nice weekend!!! GO DAWGS
slydog
September 30th, 2011
3:28 am
Oh NO BOBO – you are doing better.
So if your comments were not of a racial nature, then give me a statistic. How many players with dreds helmet’s comes off verses those without? You can do that in one single weekend from college to the pros.
Krazydawg
September 30th, 2011
3:44 am
Who cares about dreeds,or tattoos.From a defense standpoint i would like to see all that hair running my way.Sure could get a good tackle in.But in the early 90s there was no dreeds.Except Bob marley and that one white stoner guy.But if it helps ic run for more touchdowns,im all for it.GO Dawgs!!!
doctor
September 30th, 2011
4:52 am
I is what I is and that’s all that I is—–I comes hera from Africka to takes you alls over——-are there any white people on Georgia’s team besides the 3 that I counted? There is something wrong with those people in Athens—————-too many mushrooms?
Dawgbreath
September 30th, 2011
7:01 am
Kid can’t cut back well enough to take it to the house. He should watch Lattimore. Oh, that’s right he did. 174 yards worth.
Dawg gone...
September 30th, 2011
7:07 am
IC has yet to prove jack squat. MS will probably smack him in the mouth and he will tap his helment and retreat to the sidelines. UGA has probably seen the best of IC already this season. No heart or big time drive in this guy to keep him going when it gets tougher. UGA probably looses this game South Carolina style, you know, “if not for 1-2 plays we beat those guys”, will be a popular saying after the game.
Gator On The Loose
September 30th, 2011
7:23 am
GO HERSCHEL GO
Jim
September 30th, 2011
7:49 am
How is he gonna take it to the house, Look for MSU to hog the ball and keep the defense on the field. MSU 28 UGA 17
zbulldawg
September 30th, 2011
7:58 am
what a wonderful weekend for georgia football !! Our UGA’S are going to be as frisky as a dog who just had a bath. SICKEM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dirty Dawg
September 30th, 2011
7:58 am
The only house Crowell will take it to is the big house. His trash talking is disgusting and not worthy of oue flagship university. I will give 10-1 odds that he never finishes his degree at Ga no matter what he is “majoring” in.
gdawginkalamazoo
September 30th, 2011
8:12 am
Regarding Butler’s telecommunication degree. He will make millions of dollars “Dialing up the coffin corner on Sunday’s”.
Burma Shave
September 30th, 2011
8:21 am
I’ll Take The Ball Home
It’ll Happen Any Day
If Those Guys On The Defense
Will Get Out Of My Way
Burma Shave©
AltamahaDawg
September 30th, 2011
8:41 am
Disgusting huh? Geez, he tells a guy who just popped him to bring it on, and you have him labeled as a felon and a failure. I’ve seen Knowshon turn and say something to a defended plenty of times. It’s a football game, ya know.
The problem with jawing like that (animated and obvious) is that nobody really knows or cares what was said and it just looks bad but personally I LOVE that the kid is out there mixing it up. He needs to learn that the camera is always on him, act a bit more polished, and he will. Coach was on top of it and lesson learned.
slydog
September 30th, 2011
8:41 am
Yeah, I’m willing to bet 20-1 that IC “majors” in “free market capitolism” after his junior year. His trash talking isn’t the most pleasing thing, but guess what? IC and Jarvis Jones has instilled a level of toughness, attitude, and pride into this team. Listening at us diss their coach at every turn could cause the “timid” among them to fold up on the season before the halfway mark (see Boo Malcolme). This team has an opportunity to accomplish a lot and ruin a few people’s seasons. Someone has to fire up this team and the coaches are too cool for school to do it.
slydog
September 30th, 2011
8:42 am
BTW, coir boys don’t win titles, only those with….dare I say “swagger.” Or is it confidence/arrogance. Name ONE champion who was humble in victory?
bubba4dawgs
September 30th, 2011
8:50 am
Evidently, the talent Crowell has is rare, otherwise we would see more doing what he does! I’m just glad UGA has him and I wish him a long starlit career! The pros will be howling for him for sure! Please stay healthy and the money will be yours!! One of the big differences that Alabama, Florida and South Carolina has are backs that can “get it done”. Until now, UGA hasn’t had that! It definitely keeps a team from being one dimensional. UGA’s crack recruiting corps needs to stay on the stick and look for more if UGA is to compete with the big boys…..oh, and make that an O-line too! GO DAWGS!!!
DJ Dawg
September 30th, 2011
8:53 am
IC will break a long run this weekend! GA ROLLS!!!!
1eyedJack
September 30th, 2011
8:54 am
Herschel was always humble. And what’s a coir boy?
BirdDog
September 30th, 2011
8:55 am
Can’t wait to get to Athens in the morning for the game! Noon kickoff on a beautiful 70 degree day in God’s Country! HBTD!
slydog
September 30th, 2011
8:57 am
Choir boy was what I meant. And you don’t think Herschel has swagger? You don’t think Herschel talks mad smack? It’s just competition and being a competitor. Tim Duncan is humble until the competition heats up. Besides, Herschel played with the original “Junkyard Dawgs”, he didn’t have to say much.
DJ Dawg
September 30th, 2011
8:58 am
BirdDog
Enjoy !! Wish I could be there with ya!
1eyedJack
September 30th, 2011
9:00 am
I don’t ever remember seeing Herschel jawing with anybody. I remember seeing some opposing defensive players jawing at Hershel, but he just went back to the huddle and commenced to run over or around them.
Half Century Dawg Fan
September 30th, 2011
9:00 am
Amen BirdDog!!!
BirdDog
September 30th, 2011
9:00 am
Thanks DJ! I’ll be the one in the red shirt! ha Ha!
DJ Dawg
September 30th, 2011
9:02 am
Herschel didnt have to do any jawing!! He let his play do all that for him!
Join us at the Kool-aid Bar
September 30th, 2011
9:04 am
Any UGA fan who needs a pick me up from reality can visit the kool-aid bar located in downtown Athens
Positive spinning will be
Better Uniforms
Top 10 classes
Ship being turned around
Reading Energy Vampire motivational books
Coach telling fans how and when to cheer
Dancing in the endzones
Players are not executing
High diving into swimming pools
More time to coach now since Mcgarity will take more duties off the coach
Blaming the location in Jacksonville as an unfair advantage
DJ Dawg
September 30th, 2011
9:08 am
Join us at the Kool-aid Bar
You sure do know alot about our program, you really want to be a DAWG fan dont you?
DJ Dawg
September 30th, 2011
9:12 am
BirdDog
LMAO!!! GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!! GATA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AltamahaDawg
September 30th, 2011
9:30 am
I’m curious, what exactly do folks think he actually said to that olMiss defender on that play?
DJ Dawg
September 30th, 2011
9:39 am
AltamahaDawg
To borrow a line from one of the greatest linebackers in football
“All Day baby” we gonna be hear all day baby!!!!
UGA Insider
September 30th, 2011
9:41 am
According to SI.Com…UGA has the largest offensive line in football. NFL included. Throw IC a screen pass and let him make a play! UGA should be scoring 50/game with no troubles.
Will
September 30th, 2011
9:44 am
Join Us At the Kool Aid Bar,
Don’t forget the new one….We didn’t know the correct cheering technique’s.
AltamahaDawg
September 30th, 2011
9:46 am
Well, you have posted that 50 times now. Does that count?
DJ Dawg
September 30th, 2011
9:46 am
Will
Learn how to read!! The dumb arse did include that. Both of you are losers!
THE Dixie Redcoat Band
September 30th, 2011
9:52 am
Somebody told us they heard on ESPN talking heads (still all male so far..) that Stafford is doing pretty good, why didn’t he do something at UGA?!
WDE
September 30th, 2011
9:52 am
@AltamahaDawg I think the defender said something like ” Mr Crowell on your next venture into our defensive space my team mates and I will arrange a suitable reception for you”. IC commented to said defender ” Best line up in a hurry cause I’m heading your way”. You get the gist of it.
Gator On The Loose
September 30th, 2011
9:52 am
Good points about Herschel, he did his work and never talked smack to his opponents, but he didn’t have to – he was “winning”.
Guess things have changed dramatically in Athens since 31 long years ago.
I see dawg meat on the horizon – Chomp Chomp!!!
WDE
September 30th, 2011
9:55 am
@Gator On The Loose after a steady diet of Bama, LSU and Auburn…whats left of your bunch gets a week off and then UGA…enjoy the next 4 weeks we are really looking forward to seeing you guys in Jax.
DJ Dawg
September 30th, 2011
9:57 am
@Gator On The Loose
Instead of looking ahead, You better be looking at that Elephant thats on a rampage!!!
Gator On The Loose
September 30th, 2011
9:59 am
Your are right WDE, after about 20 years the dawgs may be due to win in Jaxx, heck even Vandy has a winning record this year.
Tech Sucks
September 30th, 2011
10:06 am
He’s the real freaking deal… He will end up leading the SEC in rushing this year.
ARdawg
September 30th, 2011
10:06 am
Every linemen and DB in the SEC is looking to take a shot at IC just to prove something. Go for it Isiah. Give as good as you get
DawginLex
September 30th, 2011
10:18 am
Another buckeye player arrested for assault
where is Buckeye, our resident IC basher?
Looks like our guy is keeping his nose clean while the Buckeye tries to beat somebody up.
Those zebras never change their stripes
gdawginkalamazoo
September 30th, 2011
10:22 am
DawginLex, yes you will get beat up if you cut in line at the tattoo parlor in Columbus.
AltamahaDawg
September 30th, 2011
10:29 am
I saw where they had slowed down the footage and enhanced the sound. What Crowell actually said was: “Nicely done, my good man. That stopping of my forward progess”, “let us retreat to our respective huddles, where we shall plan our next encounter”.
DJ Dawg
September 30th, 2011
10:30 am
DawginLex
Pretty sad to be arrested for assault but, you are the one that ends up in hospital!!! LMAO!!!
AltamahaDawg
September 30th, 2011
10:32 am
Where they suggesting that Detroit should be winning some championships since Stafford was doing well at his position? Otherwise, what was thier point?