Despite missteps, Isaiah Crowell on pace to run down 1,000 yards
When Isaiah Crowell has stayed on the field, he has proven extremely effective. He has 821 yards rushing despite missing five quarters of play for disciplinary reasons. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
ATHENS — There has been a lot to complain about in Isaiah Crowell’s first season with the Bulldogs. The freshman tailback has been suspended twice for disciplinary reasons, has had some fumbling issues and has frustrated many with his inability to remain in games. But as Georgia prepares to face Kentucky in a game that could clinch the SEC East on Saturday, it is evident that Crowell is also pretty darn good at what he does on the football field.
Crowell (5-foot-11, 215 pounds) is on pace to become the Bulldogs’ first 1,000-yard rusher since Knowshon Moreno had, 1,400 yards in 2008. With 821 yards rushing, he has already surpassed Washaun Ealey’s production from a year ago (811). He is currently third in the SEC with an average of 91.2 yards per contest.
Getting to the 1,000-yard mark is something Crowell is determined to do.
“I want to get over 1,000 pretty bad,” said Crowell, who would be the only Bulldog other than Herschel Walker to do it as a true freshman. “My goal was to be a freshman All-American. I don’t know if that’s going to happen or whatever, but I definitely want to get a thousand. That was my goal at the beginning of the season and I want to be able to reach my goal.”
If the Bulldogs can keep him on the field, it’s likely Crowell will do that and then some. He’ll have four more chances to do so if Georgia can get past Kentucky this Saturday. If he averages 71 yards rushing in those games, he’ll move past Frank Sinkwich (1,103 yards in 1941) into Georgia’s top 10 for rushing yards in a season. An average of 145 yards moves him past Moreno (1,400, ‘08) into the top five of all time.
To run down any such marks, Crowell must prove more resilient than he has been the last half of the season. After recording 104 yards on 22 carries against Mississippi State on Oct. 1, Crowell has averaged 58 yards on 15 carries in the three games he played before Auburn last week. He had 17 carries in the second half alone and finished with 132 yards on 24 attempts as Georgia salted away victory last Saturday.
But once again, Crowell spent a significant period of time on the sideline when he got dinged up in the first half against Auburn. He hobbled out of the game at the 5:30 mark of the first quarter and didn’t play the rest of the half. Coach Mark Richt said this week Crowell is dealing with a minor knee injury.
Crowell’s penchant for coming out of games has called into question his durability and toughness. So far this season he has dealt with rib, wrist, elbow, thigh, knee and ankle injuries. None of them have been serious enough to keep him out of practices or games, however.
“I have always stayed pretty healthy,” said Crowell, who came to Georgia as the No. 1-rated running back prospect in America. “I’ve had, you know, small stuff, but it wasn’t back-to-back like this. … Something hurts all the time, but I’m getting used to it. It’s mostly aches and bruises.”
Crowell said Georgia’s coaches give him the option of removing himself from games, which he has done quite often. “I just wave and make sure Coach McClendon sees me,” he said.
“If I’m gassed or I’m hurt I want to come out because I want to be able to give 100 percent for my team,” Crowell explained. “If I’m not able to do my best I’d rather somebody else come in and do their best. When I get ready and think I can do my best then I’ll go back.”
Nonetheless, Crowell insisted he’s in good shape and that conditioning is not an issue. At this point in the season, he said he feels stronger than he has all year.
“I think I’m good and conditioned,” he said. “Doing it the whole season has helped me a lot. In practice they make me stay in a lot and do multiple plays and I think that has helped.”
Crowell’s 24 carries against Auburn were his most since getting 30 against Ole Miss on Spet. 24.
“It’s all about preparation during the week,” he said. “Me and Carlton did a lot during that week we were out and I think we both did well. I think my legs were fresh. You just have to be prepared to work during the week so I can be ready for the game.”
Of course, Crowell would be closer to 1,000 if not past it already had he not missed five quarters of play for disciplinary reasons. The suspensions coupled with Georgia’s SEC championship pursuits seem to have reinvigorated Crowell.
“Our team worked hard for this,” he said. “There were a lot of negative things people were saying at the beginning of the season. I think we got through it, we ignored the noise and, you know, just kept pushing and fighting and kept working hard. Now that people are saying positive things we’ve still got to ignore the noise. When we were doing bad everybody was on our back about that, now they’re on our back about doing good. That’s just how people are. So you have to ignore it and keep working hard.”
If Crowell can stay the course, major accomplishments could await.
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554 comments Add your comment
Where is WASHED UP?
November 17th, 2011
12:22 pm
Washed up with be forgotten in 35 or 40 minutes. He failed in his shot to do anything in big boy ball. He is a sissy, lil boy that wants to run with the big dogs like Dexter Moody, AKA a LOSER>where are they now and where will they be in say …….3 years??
Go Dogs.
TampaDawg
November 17th, 2011
12:23 pm
And how many are true freshman GTBob?
OkieDawg
November 17th, 2011
12:23 pm
Isaiah will grow up and get the job done, I hope. I’m tired of UGA being a feeder school for teams like N. Alabama and Jacksonville St..
crdawg
November 17th, 2011
12:24 pm
GTBob and everyone else. Crowell is ranked 44th in the nation in total production as a TRUE freshman. The closest Tech rusher is the QB and is ranked 66th and that’s all you guys do in your system. IC is currently 3 yards ahead of Lattimore in total production with only 7 more carries. Lattimore is a stud and so is IC. For any RB to go against the huge D-lines of the SEC and average close to 100 per game is a feat in itself.
Just Sayin
November 17th, 2011
12:25 pm
Hey Be a Man about it…. You are right – only played in HS – not college, and you?
So, Tech has had a 1000+ yard rusher for 5 straight years and guess what, that pre-dates the current scheme. 2 years before the option, GT also had 1000+ yard rusher actually ~1400 yards with more than 5 YPC.
And Brewmaster, when you do look at the top 20 RB as far as yards per game – 18 out of 20 of them are averaging more than Crowell, so 4.8 is not a great average – for college…. For the pros, yes, but for college – meh….
GTBob
November 17th, 2011
12:25 pm
Brewmaster, the quote I gave has from the previous Broncos coach well before the season started and Moreno tore his ACL. Here is another dandy of a quote for you:
“What I do know — from someone who worked closely with Josh and is someone I trust to tell me the truth — is that after the draft, McDaniels and the staff believed privately they made a big mistake on Moreno. He was not what they thought. He hasn’t been tough, smart, motivated, if that’s what you’re asking. He has been a bust. I’ve said it before. He’s not a great clubhouse guy. Interpret that how you want, and he’s been a wimp on the field.”
Inquiring Minds Want to Know
November 17th, 2011
12:27 pm
Why doesn’t GT, AL or AU suspend players when they fail a drug test?
GTBob 's top
November 17th, 2011
12:28 pm
What did I tell you about posting on that blog? Get back to your chores
Best Dawg
November 17th, 2011
12:29 pm
Crowell has been Richt’s favorite since Day 1, no rules apply to Crowell.
Mutiple suspensions? Check
Fumbles galore? Check
Bad in 4th qrtr? Check
Low TD production? Check
Washaun Ealey would have been kicked off already. We didn’t realize how good eALEY WAS UNTIL WE GOT A SUB PAR rb LIKE cROWELL WHO GETS HURT EVERY GAME, CAN’T PRODUCE TD’S LIKE EALEY’S 11 TDS’, CAN’T PRODUCE YARDS IN THE 4TH QUARTER.
Crowell is average, but he’s no Washaun Ealey. If Ealey had got as many carries, he’s already be over 1000.
crdawg is smokin Crowell's stuff
November 17th, 2011
12:29 pm
So, UGA has gone against the huge D Lines of the SEC? Give me a break… You have gone against bottom dwellers of the SEC and have the largest O-Line in College or Pros – You should be averaging 7 YPC.
TampaDawg
November 17th, 2011
12:30 pm
What’s your point GTBob? Should we start listing all the busts that came out of GT? Should we start listing all the guys who got drafted from GT and couldn’t hack it?
Again though, how many of these players ahead of Crowell are true freshman? Also, your little boy “Just Sayin” doesn’t seem to realize that the 1,000 yard mark isn’t all that. The reason they are making a big deal about Isaiah getting there is because he didn’t even start his first two games and missed another game and a half altogether.
GTBoob
November 17th, 2011
12:31 pm
“Brewmaster, the quote I gave has from the previous Broncos coach… ”
Oh the coach that was fired because his players hated him? Thanks for the info.
Smart Inquiring Minds want to know
November 17th, 2011
12:32 pm
UGA’s policy is to suspend players for at least 10% of games when failing a drug test.
UGA has not done that with Crowell – Is it because UGA can’t grasp the complexities of percentages?
Brewmaster
November 17th, 2011
12:32 pm
GT Bob, all BCS conferences are not created equal. Your logic would say a RB in the Mountain West with a 5 yds/carry avg is better than a SEC back averaging 4.9 against the likes of Auburn, Florida, etc. Once again, you’re demonstrating that being a GT fan does not prove a superior ability to use common sense. By the way, you must have a PhD in advanced Dawg Envy.
WDE
November 17th, 2011
12:33 pm
@Registrar which team that UGA kicked around this season are you a fan of ?
crdawg
November 17th, 2011
12:33 pm
GTBob. And that is why he is a “previous” Broncos coach. Hahahahaha! If you spent more time being a productive citizen or even a fan of your own team as you do digging for negativity on the soon to be SEC East champs, you may be able to live a successful and happy life. Too bad for you, ya big loser!
Opinion
November 17th, 2011
12:34 pm
Assessment of Best Dawg
Idiot? check
Dawg48
November 17th, 2011
12:36 pm
Gtbob
If Georgia sucks so bad at every thing, then hey can tech only beat uga once a decade?
GTBob
November 17th, 2011
12:36 pm
How many runs on 3rd and short, lately 4th and short and even in goal situations are there?
3rd and short: 7 carries
4th down: 2 carries
I’m not sure about on the goal line. All I can find is stats in the red zone. Either way these 9 carries aren’t going to affect his average much. In fact, the 4th down carries are bringing his average up. It’s not like other RB’s don’t have the same issue anyways.
Brewmaster
November 17th, 2011
12:37 pm
GT Bob, the previous Broncos coach is previous for a reason, so using a quote from him adds little credibility to your argument. Its like getting quotes from Jimmy Carter about foreign policy, the economy, or whatever else he showed his ineptitude at.
Brewmaster is funny
November 17th, 2011
12:38 pm
You listed the two “heavyweights that UGA” has beat on their schedule…. Auburn and Florida… boy they are world beaters with no offense whatsoever…. Did you forget Ole Miss, Miss St, Vandy, UT, Kentucky…
Didn’t UTAH lay the smack down on Alabama a couple years ago? I know Boise State would shudder to think about facing the likes of the SEC teams UGA has faced this year….
What a joke – Cupcake schedule of the worst SEC teams = the stars and moon aligned for UGA this year.
Inquiring Minds Want to Know
November 17th, 2011
12:38 pm
“UGA’s policy is to suspend players for at least 10% of games when failing a drug test.
UGA has not done that with Crowell – Is it because UGA can’t grasp the complexities of percentages?”
6 games remained on the schedule when he was suspended. So UGA exceeded the discipline outlined in the student handbook for a first time offense.
What is the discipline for a first time drug offense at GT, AL, AU?
GTBob
November 17th, 2011
12:38 pm
GTBob. And that is why he is a “previous” Broncos coach. Hahahahaha!
You are right. The new Broncos coach loves him and that’s why he has been third string all year.
OkieDawg
November 17th, 2011
12:41 pm
GTBob, since you have plenty of time to do research, can you research these points?
-Is GT still on Probation for interferring with an NCAA investigation regarding improper benefits?
-Is the construction on Bobby Dodd Stadium complete?
-How many fans get mugged between BDS and their parked car?
-How many top 25 teams run the Triple Option?
-Where did CPJ play college ball?
-Why do major high school recruits refuse to play in CPJ’s system?
Thanks
TampaDawg
November 17th, 2011
12:41 pm
Best Dawg
November 17th, 2011
12:29 pm
Crowell has been Richt’s favorite since Day 1, no rules apply to Crowell.
Mutiple suspensions? Check
Fumbles galore? Check
Bad in 4th qrtr? Check
Low TD production? Check
Washaun Ealey would have been kicked off already. We didn’t realize how good eALEY WAS UNTIL WE GOT A SUB PAR rb LIKE cROWELL WHO GETS HURT EVERY GAME, CAN’T PRODUCE TD’S LIKE EALEY’S 11 TDS’, CAN’T PRODUCE YARDS IN THE 4TH QUARTER.
Crowell is average, but he’s no Washaun Ealey. If Ealey had got as many carries, he’s already be over 1000.
———————
This has got to be the dumbest, most inaccurate post since the last Thomas Brown post. Ealey was kicked off for MULTIPLE different reasons and was in his second year of making those same mistakes. The Ealey arguments always kill someone’s credibility about anything else.
Best Dawg
November 17th, 2011
12:42 pm
Crowell’s a 1st half back. He gets over 5.5 ypc in 1st quarter, but down to 4 ypc in 4th quarter, gets les sproductive each quarter.
Ealey got 6.6 yards per carry in the 4th quarter.
Brewmaster
November 17th, 2011
12:42 pm
Fake Brewmaster, my point was the SEC as a whole. Even teams having tough years in the SEC would still DOMINATE Mountain West schools, with Boise being the exception. I was simply trying to make the point that a 4.8 avg AND getting a 1000 yards is worth celebrating, you idiot.
Stinch
November 17th, 2011
12:43 pm
Dawg48, I’ll answer for GTBob. It is the stinch of the mutt crapping all over the sidelines (and sometimes the fans). It just gets to GT in the 4th quarter and they choke.
10 out of the last 12 years have been decided by 1 score or less in the series – why can’t UGA win bigger over such an inferior opponent.
Kinda like it makes no sense that NC State has beat UNC like 5 years in a row.
AltamahaDawg
November 17th, 2011
12:43 pm
Bob, didn’t you just confirm what I said?
dawgfacedboy
November 17th, 2011
12:43 pm
This is purely speculation on my part but… I would assume that he racked up his yards easily and his high school team was ahead by a comfortable margin therefore he didn’t really ever have to play 4 quarters of physical football in high school. Also, UGA needs to use him on a “as needed” basis. If he is unable to play our run game goes down the toilet. It wouldn’t bother me to see him filling water cups on the sideline against Kentucky. OUr offense should be fine without him for that game.
Give the kid a break, he’s a freshman. Lattimore has been hurt twice now over the last two years and missed multiple games and nobody is questioning that kids toughness.
AltamahaDawg
November 17th, 2011
12:44 pm
Yes, Best Dawg, aka…(see list)……we get it. And Murray is no Lemay.
Best Dawg
November 17th, 2011
12:46 pm
Ealey had breakaway speed, awesome 58 yard run last year, and another 41 yard run in the 4th qaurter.
Crowell has yet to break a 30 yard run.
No breakaway speed.
Kid’s out of shape and can’t make guys miss like an Ealey could.
ole yeller
November 17th, 2011
12:47 pm
I think “IC” can be the big DAWG, Just let him “THE BIG DAWG” eat….”YARDS” I’M thinking.
doodoobailey
November 17th, 2011
12:47 pm
Good way to solve this issue: get more RB’s. When IC is gassed or dinged, put the other one in. 2012 needs to have about 4 on the recruiting list.
Bring back the glory days
November 17th, 2011
12:48 pm
UGA gave up the title this year to Auburn, if UGA can get more quality individuals like potheads like Crowell flashing Gang signs and wearing FU shirts while shooting the double bird on their facebook page, then we can get somewhere.
Yea – we all make mistakes like Crowell does, sure….
http://www.sportsargumentwiki.com/index.php?title=Fulmer_Cup_2010
Brewmaster
November 17th, 2011
12:50 pm
Best Dawg, apparently Ealey couldn’t miss a parked car. He could miss mandatory team meetings, miss following team rules, etc. Now he is missing from the team.
TampaDawg
November 17th, 2011
12:52 pm
@Brewmaster is funny .. again, we heard all the dirt bags coming on here week after week talking about how UT would beat UGA in Knoxville, and Miss State was going to make it two in a row with Relf and Ballard, and Auburn was going to run all over UGA and expose their defense with Michael Dyer, and my personal favorite .. Florida always beats Georgia. Now that NONE of that has happened, all we here is, well look at your really soft schedule, and the stars aligned, and my personal favorite .. look at the powerhouses from the SEC UGA has played. Well here is a tip for ya .. you ever notice what happens come bowl season nearly EVERY year? Yup, even the “cupcake” teams from the SEC win their bowl games more often than not. Face it, whatever team you are a fan of can’t hang and if it’s GT, you should never be allowed to talk on a blog about UGA’s schedule until you can consistently win out of conference games, including bowl games. And no Kansas doesn’t count, especially since they sucked last year and still layed you out.
Best Dawg
November 17th, 2011
12:52 pm
Ealey got 5.17 ypc last year and only got 13 carries a game.
Crowell gets 4.8 yards per carry and gets 19 carries a game
Not fair.
If Ealey would have had 19 carries a game, like Crowell has had, Ealey owuld be at 982 yards right now, where Crowell’s barely over 800.
Angry Dawg
November 17th, 2011
12:53 pm
Isaiah, with your talent, you can accomplish just about anything you want at UGA. All you have to do is work hard and stay out of trouble. It’s that simple.
JB
November 17th, 2011
12:54 pm
GTBob is getting close to a 1,000 blogs for the season….
Terry
November 17th, 2011
12:55 pm
Contractor, Marcus Lattimore has had 412 carries since he has been playing college football, he has played in 20 games, not including the Vanderbilt game, that he missed last year, that is an average of 20.6 carries a game, he averaged 4.8 yards a carry last year and was averaging 5.0 yards a carry this year. I’d like to know were you got the 30 att a game from? I wouldn’t trade Crowell for Lattimore. I don’t see were he has been any tougher than Crowell, in fact he’s missed more games, if your playing hurt, your a liability to the team, playing hurt is stupid, not tough, Lattimore may never be the same, because he push himself pass what his body could take, and now he’s injured, Coach Spurrier does not care about the players, like Coach Richt, he just cares about winning at all cost.
TampaDawg
November 17th, 2011
12:55 pm
@Bring back the glory days … SO you mention Crowell, but post the Fulmer crap from a year with Ealey and Caleb King? You’re an idiot. Besides, do some real research and you will see who leads it this year, not Georgia. And many years before, not Georgia. Moron!
crdawg
November 17th, 2011
12:58 pm
@JB haha, you are right. GTBob is close to 1,000 blogs this year and taking a hell of a beating but he just keeps coming back. I tip my hat to him. He’s a glutton for punishment.
TampaDawg
November 17th, 2011
12:59 pm
Best Dawg
November 17th, 2011
12:52 pm
Ealey got 5.17 ypc last year and only got 13 carries a game.
Crowell gets 4.8 yards per carry and gets 19 carries a game
Not fair.
————————
Keep trying Thomas Brown. Ealey a sophomore last year not a freshman. Ealey, more critical fumbles than Isaiah has BY FAR. Ealey, more off field problems than Isaiah over a two year stretch BY FAR.
Not fair? How junior high is that?
Kerryb
November 17th, 2011
1:00 pm
People are posting for Malcome to tote the rock more. If the coaches thought Malcome was consistently good enough he would be toting the rock. You have to earn playing time and apparently Malcome hasn’t earned it in practice.
Zoomie
November 17th, 2011
1:01 pm
This is a young kid. With his size and talent level, he rarely had a hit of any kind laid on him in high school. Now, he’s having SEC-caliber licks laid on him week-in and week-out. He’s having to adjust to the sharp spike in competition level. He was just playing high school ball last year, folks!
I just don’t agree with hanging a “soft” tag on this kid at this point. Immature? Yes (two suspensions already). Under-conditioned? Maybe, but I have a feeling this kid is going to come back next year, one year of experience under his belt, and make a statement in the SEC. He’s looked great in spurts this year. With a little maturity and experience, he may end up being a dominating back. I think this is the path IC will choose and he’ll be a wonder to watch starting next season.
Terry
November 17th, 2011
1:01 pm
Best Dawg, your comparing a freshmen to a junior.
Mobile Dawg
November 17th, 2011
1:01 pm
If nobody ever responded to the trolls would they still come on? Crowell is a good back, lots of potential. Will he reach his “full potential” at UGA, I doubt it, but then, it’s not up to me, it’s up to him. Imagine if he had come out to work like we’ve heard Malcolm Mitchell did.
Brewmaster
November 17th, 2011
1:02 pm
Best Dawg, Ealey is gone, so get over it. Crowell will finish out his FRESHMAN year with over 1000 yds. Ealey never did that. He’s only been the SEC freshman of the week 4 times already. How many Dog fans wish Ealey was in his place ? Not many, except for you. You are probabaly not a Dogs fan at all, just using another handle ( yesterday as Thomas Brown, tomorrow as Marcus).
Mad Dog One
November 17th, 2011
1:03 pm
Great Tradeschool Bob Not everone can play in a 1970’s O made famous by D Royal of Texas. Some have moved into the 2000’s where they have this new thing called a foward pass. I see where even cpj tried it but with very little sucess. As always GO DOGS & GATA