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
JB
November 17th, 2011
1:04 pm
Serious question, not bashing…did Tech do the free cokes and pizza thing again this year?
crdawg
November 17th, 2011
1:05 pm
Brewmaster, I think Best Dawg may actually be the real Ealey and is just bitter that he was kicked off the team and is being shown up by a true freshman.
Big Lunch
November 17th, 2011
1:05 pm
I just flushed a Thomas Brown after lunch. I flushed twice to speed up the journey to the treatment plant.
Kerryb
November 17th, 2011
1:06 pm
Mobile Dawg, Why so negative? I believe he will reach his potential. We are beginning to see him do that. After a full year in the S & C program the guy will be a beast next year.
@TampaDawg the real moron
November 17th, 2011
1:06 pm
Were you dropped as a baby and can’t understand the point – The point is, if we get more recruits like Crowell, we could re-live the glory days of winning the Fulmer cup as in 2010.
I even state that Auburn has taken the title from us this year…. You give Dawgs a bad name when you can’t understand basic concepts.
JB
November 17th, 2011
1:06 pm
Somebody on here who really studies this roster, list our opening day starting lineup for 2012. Murray and Crowell a given.
TampaDawg
November 17th, 2011
1:07 pm
GTBob is close to a 1,000 blogs this year? That’s awesome, but he’s only averaging about 2.9 blogs per carry right?
Kerryb
November 17th, 2011
1:08 pm
@TampaDawg the real moron
November 17th, 2011
1:06 pm
Were you dropped as a baby and can’t understand the point – The point is, if we get more recruits like Crowell, we could re-live the glory days of winning the Fulmer cup as in 2010.
I even state that Auburn has taken the title from us this year…. You give Dawgs a bad name when you can’t understand basic concepts.
_______________________________________________________________________
The real moron is you. What a stupid post. Why don’t you stop hiding behind a made up name Tech troll.
GTBob
November 17th, 2011
1:08 pm
Ealey as a freshman: 5.74 yds per carry.
Crowell as a freshman: 4.83 yds per carry.
Just sayin.
GT Bob
November 17th, 2011
1:09 pm
I love men!
Kerryb are you an Auburn Fan
November 17th, 2011
1:09 pm
….defend the indefensible much?
Kerryb
November 17th, 2011
1:09 pm
Yea, but Ealey got most of that yard average against Tech in one game.
Why you buggin
November 17th, 2011
1:10 pm
Best Dawg,
I swear Ealey has to be your kid. Too bad you didn’t teach him how to act properly in society. He is gone and there is nothing you can do about it. We don’t even want him back.
The freshman we have running the ball is doing a good job and will improve as he matures.
Please stop saying “wait until Malcome is running the rock” he is buried in the depth chart because that is where he belongs.
I’m looking forward to see this special group of people develop over the next few years.
It should keep GTBob busy looking up states that are as irrelevant as his team.
Kerryb
November 17th, 2011
1:10 pm
Just sayin
Kerryb
November 17th, 2011
1:10 pm
Quit hiding behind some stupid name you make for each post Tech troll
ARdawg
November 17th, 2011
1:11 pm
GT Bob
You’ve noticed a lot about the Bulldogs, the players and the university you don’t like because you repeat them day after day. Have you noticed anything at all you do like or respect?
Brewmaster
November 17th, 2011
1:11 pm
GT Bob is in negative yardage for the year, since he has to retreat with each response to his idiot blogs.
Mobile Dawg
November 17th, 2011
1:11 pm
You’re on point Brewmaster. Crowell on his worst days still does a good job due to his ability, and is better than what most have. I don’t know for sure but it seems like the really “high profile” types have a sense of entitlement. Wish it wasn’t so.
JB
November 17th, 2011
1:11 pm
Anyone on here see themselves on the Tech blogs, as a Dawg fan, 18 hours a day, 150 post a day like this GTBob is on here. Can you imagine how sad his life must be.
Kerryb....
November 17th, 2011
1:12 pm
What does the b stand for …. come on being a left wing rights activist for full disclosure…. please list full name, phone number, address….. geesh.
Kerryb
November 17th, 2011
1:13 pm
Moron
ARdawg
November 17th, 2011
1:13 pm
For the Record, Crowell has been a good RB and a much needed shot in the arm to the offensive backfield. Obviously, he is unable to carry the “load” but coming along nicely. Those @zzhats calling him a criminal yadda yadda yadda are just deflecting from themselves or their team. There’s not a single one of you that wouldn’t love to have him on your team. If you dent that, you are a liar
He is winning
November 17th, 2011
1:14 pm
Why do you guys even respond to GT Bob, that is what he wants and he is winning. Probably is a disgruntled AU or UF fan anyway trying to stir things up without it reflecting on their own fan base.
Just ignore him and he goes away. That simple.
GTBob
November 17th, 2011
1:14 pm
Can you imagine how sad his life must be.
Nah, i’m a happy guy. To answer your other question, GT did have the family pack a few times this year which includes the 4 tickets with drinks and food. I can’t remember for which games.
Kerryb
November 17th, 2011
1:15 pm
Come on, if you are a usual poster lets use your real posting name and not ripping off other peoples posting names to be stupid. That’s an old tactic to hide from stupid meaningless posts.
JB
November 17th, 2011
1:15 pm
Dawgs will open next year ranked somewhere in the top 25, say from anywhere from 8 to 15 IMO. Tech will just open up.
Why you buggin
November 17th, 2011
1:16 pm
Kerryb
Yea, but Ealey got most of that yard average against Tech in one game.
So true, lets look at the YPC after the Tech game. I’m sure it will go up a few yards.
We run this State
Kerryb....
November 17th, 2011
1:16 pm
How does the b stand for Moron…. you would have thought you would have chosen Kerrym…. come on telll us, please….
Dawg48
November 17th, 2011
1:16 pm
Gtbob
Crowell will get to pad his stats at the tech game just like every uga tail back since hmm…………..
1894 I think
Kerryb
November 17th, 2011
1:17 pm
Quit hiding Tech troll
Mobile Dawg
November 17th, 2011
1:17 pm
Kerryb, be honest, am I really being negative, or just saying it like the “facts” say it? I’ve said worse earlier this year about him, I’ve come around quite a bit this year as far as being critical of the coaching, environment, condition of the program, etc. This is due to improvements I’ve seen throughout the course of the year. I’m not ready to proclaim we’re there, I don’t think you really ever get “there”. You should always strive for improvement.
JB
November 17th, 2011
1:17 pm
I wish ignoring GTBob to go away was that simple. I’m thinking there is a community room in his ward with a PC. Gotta be.
Dawg48
November 17th, 2011
1:18 pm
Just sayin
Brewmaster
November 17th, 2011
1:18 pm
GT Bob, why your obsession with everything Dogs ? We could average 0 yds/carry and still beat the bumblebees 19 of the next 20 games. We actually have a PASSING game !
Kerryb....
November 17th, 2011
1:19 pm
Who’s hiding – you are responding to every post I make and I am responding to yours – share your full name and so will I DA…
Kerryb
November 17th, 2011
1:19 pm
Mobile Dawg, I think you are. I think it is too early to be saying Crowell will not reach his full potential. the kid is only 18 years old.
Kerryb
November 17th, 2011
1:20 pm
I’m talking about your usual posting name you complete idiot.
crdawg
November 17th, 2011
1:21 pm
GTBob doesn’t get much attention in life. He will write about today in his diary because he got so many posts, could be the highlight of his year. Guys, let’s all do ourselves a favor and ignore the deviant.
ARdawg
November 17th, 2011
1:21 pm
Crowell has plenty of room for personal development as does everyone on this blog. His is just different from ours
JB
November 17th, 2011
1:22 pm
In watching Tech this year 2-3 times, they seem to have two running plays that are working for them. The real quick wide toss out pitch to a speedy back who is all almost full speed when he catch’s it….and their bread and butter QB pitch to a back way outside right when the QB is about to get hit with a WR coming across and knocking the DB outside as to create that crease…..Shut those two plays down, they won’t get 200 yards of offense.
nobody
November 17th, 2011
1:24 pm
If the dawgs lose to Kentucky, the “noise” will be way, way, beyond intolerable… out of the frying pan and into the fire….irreparable damage for sure
Carolina Dawg
November 17th, 2011
1:25 pm
Saw this mentioned in another blog…
UGA has to make a choice….
Take extra time to prepare for GT or prepare for an SEC Championship Game
If we beat GT (which I think we will), our chances our not good for the SEC CG. The last 11 teams that have beaten GT over the past 3 years have lost their very next game (without exception). That is quite a statistic and there was another mention that over half the losses that GT had came from teams with more than 1 week to prepare.
Why is that and how can we win both?
Kerryb
November 17th, 2011
1:26 pm
nobody, UGA could start their second string and beat Kentucky. They’re just awful. I would be more surprised if they even score a TD on us.
Mobile Dawg
November 17th, 2011
1:26 pm
I hope your right Kerryb, that would be a joy to watch. If and when he does, I will gladly give him that credit. Until then, I will call it like I see it and agree to disagree on those views we don’t share common ground on.
JB
November 17th, 2011
1:29 pm
nobody….Go to the Kentucky message Boards and read the Game prediction thread. Over 50 post from THEIR fans predicting a win by Dawgs of anywhere from 30-60 points. worst Kentucky team in history they say. The only thing THEY SAY to keep it any closer in Richt’s mercy. Check it out yourself. Tech is whom I waiting for. Johnson won’t even have to eat his pre game prune to make the face he also has during a butt whipping.
Kerryb...
November 17th, 2011
1:29 pm
I don’t have a usual posting name – I use it as a tool to get the attention of the person I want to speak to. Looks like it is working well with you. I missed the rules class here, are we locked to the same Name forever here?… I thought it was anonymous or otherwise people would come looking for people like you Kerryb.
GTBob
November 17th, 2011
1:31 pm
Crowell will get to pad his stats at the tech game just like every uga tail back since hmm…………..
1894 I think
Knowshon never got 100 yards against us. He even had 45 one year on 17 carries. It was pretty humorous to watch.
Terry
November 17th, 2011
1:31 pm
Carolina Dawg, All the SEC Teams that are going to be in the SEC Championship game, have to play the same week UGA does, Bama and LSU wont be taking the day off so I don’t see a problem. One Game at a Time.
JB
November 17th, 2011
1:33 pm
Most of the Starters should get a big break this Saturday and only play a half, plus it rewards the other guys and gives them game experience. We have a New Mexico State situation coming, but the good news, we don’t have to pay them 900K for the whupping.
JB
November 17th, 2011
1:35 pm
GTBob………..Knowson didn’t do it because Johnson still had some of Gailey’s ball players there. I’ve seen this bunch. Dawgs romp.