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
GT Joe
November 17th, 2011
2:14 pm
Thanks for the link Terry: you prove my point.
Go to the Harris Poll: Auburn is #32
Go to the Coaches Poll: Auburn is not in the top 38.
GT Joe
November 17th, 2011
2:15 pm
CHDawg: aside from Boise who destroyed you, what is the best offense UGA has faced?
CHDawg
November 17th, 2011
2:18 pm
GT Joe, that is funny. The SEC East is a very strong conference. UGA and USC are top 10 Ds, and UF is top 15, and that is against the whole SEC. Your arrogance may set you up for a shock….
Terry
November 17th, 2011
2:19 pm
GT Joe here are some of the Human Polls that the BCS use.
Auburns ranking
Sagarin-15
Colley-27
Anderson-Hester-22
Billingley-21
Massey-18
Wolfe-20
BoulevardDawg
November 17th, 2011
2:20 pm
“If I were of the sort, then I would yell out first! But I won’t …” Spaceman Spiff
You just did, idiot. That makes you a moron, just like all the others.
GT Joe
November 17th, 2011
2:20 pm
Let’s look at total yards for UGA opponents:
#35 Boise State
#87 SC
Unranked Coastal Carolina
#111 Ole Miss
#75 Missy State
#95 Tennessee
#99 Vandy
#98 Florida
#97 Auburn
Yes, congrats on the #5 defense ranking. LOL>
GT Joe
November 17th, 2011
2:20 pm
Terry, you are a fool: those are not polls, they are computer rankings. Be gone.
Sting Time
November 17th, 2011
2:21 pm
CHDawg,
As has been said before, you can throw those rushing defense numbers out against GT. Last year UGA was stout against the run and Tech had its second biggest output of the year against that big SEC UGA defense by putting up 411 rushing yards.
UGA is good against the rush as they have not even faced a top 30 rushing attack. Boise St and USC were 2 of the best UGA faced at #32 and #43 and those both went in the Loss column.
Go look up where GT ranks in rushing offense.
GTBob
November 17th, 2011
2:21 pm
The SEC East is a very strong conference.
Oh wow. My sides hurt from laughing at this one.
CHDawg
November 17th, 2011
2:24 pm
Sting, I have a lot of respect for GT’s running game, which you will see displayed a few msgs up. I pointed out that CPJ has gashed us on the ground each year we have played. I also enjoy watching Tech’s O, when they aren’t playing us. Usually very exciting.
Sting Time
November 17th, 2011
2:24 pm
Question:
What is SEC East Record against the SEC West?
GT Joe
November 17th, 2011
2:24 pm
Kentucky #117 in total yards.
LOL. The SEC Least AVERAGE rank in total yards is #99 out of 120.
http://espn.go.com/college-football/statistics/team/_/stat/total
TOUGH DIVISION. LOL.
CHDawg
November 17th, 2011
2:25 pm
I like arrogance GT Bob, it usually precedes disaster..keep it up.
Big Mike
November 17th, 2011
2:26 pm
Its one thing to run against high school players but to adjust to running against the SEC defenses is another ; I think he is adjusting and knows whats required of him.
GT Joe
November 17th, 2011
2:27 pm
Just for reference: SEC Least average rank for total yards: #99
GT’s rank in total yards: #19 (way higher than Boise State, FYI). Best offense UGA will face, including your SECCG against LSU.
CHDawg
November 17th, 2011
2:30 pm
You have to ask yourself if that is because SEC Ds are tougher, as most commentators think, thereby lowering O stats. Whether ACC Ds are tougher, which would make Tech’s O even better. We’ll see in a couple of weeks.
Dawg48
November 17th, 2011
2:31 pm
Gt Joe
So what is the point your trying to make here?
caleb
November 17th, 2011
2:33 pm
Crowell will be another RB bust for UGA. Mark it down……..
Mobile Dawg
November 17th, 2011
2:34 pm
Definitely willing to give the kid benefit of the doubt, I was just stating my opinion, and honestly that’s all it is, doesn’t matter one way or the other. You’all have a great day. Gotta run….MD
GT Joe
November 17th, 2011
2:34 pm
Well CHDawg: I’ve seen the florida game, tennessee game, auburn game, and the missy sisters. Those teams are horrific on offense.
The one decent offense you guys faced torched you guys and had mercy at the end. And that offense is less prolific than GTs.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
November 17th, 2011
2:35 pm
What timing on a blog! Ironic indeed! So where did Thomas Brown,buLLdawg,Mathew Ciafaro go? You know the tool copy and pasting my coments regarding my comments on players? The ones he took out of context? The one concerning IC that Chip and hundreds of other fellow bloggers now share my concerns in IC? Yep, one more reason why this season has completely muted this rogue UGA with a insane agenda.
GT Joe
November 17th, 2011
2:36 pm
Dawg48: the point is, your defense might be #5, but the offenses you have faced are horrible. averaging #99 out of 120. SEC Least offenses are incredibly bad.
Hence your ranking is suspect.
Thought it was a clear point.
Dawg48
November 17th, 2011
2:38 pm
Gt Joe did you read any of the comments from the auburn running backs and wide receivers?
AltamahaDawg
November 17th, 2011
2:39 pm
“easiest division in college football”. Really? That’s your serious analysis is it? The guy who “knows what to look for, unlike the armchair qbs around”. There is NO easier division in college football right now?
GT Joe
November 17th, 2011
2:39 pm
You mean, the comments from the players on the #97 rank offense at Auburn? No, enlighten me. Not that I care about a #97 offense.
GT Joe
November 17th, 2011
2:40 pm
Altamaha, I challenge you to find a worse BCS conference division than the SEC Least.
GT Joe
November 17th, 2011
2:42 pm
Altamaha, my serious analysis is the offensive rankings for the teams in the division.
If you have an ounce of credibility, you’d acknowledge these facts. There is no “spin”.
Dawg48
November 17th, 2011
2:43 pm
Gt Joe
Just saw were GT is prob heading to the sun bowl (lol) any way please don’t cross the border to Juarez it’s a tuff town! I have been to elpaso a few times their is a small store named lubys it’s off I10 great brisket!
GT Joe
November 17th, 2011
2:45 pm
yes, sun bowl is most likely. Outside shot at the CFA Bowl. As long as it isn’t shreveport. we both know that place blows.
Dawg48
November 17th, 2011
2:46 pm
Well the #97 auburn guys said if Georgia can do anything they can play defense and said they were as good as LSU
AltamahaDawg
November 17th, 2011
2:46 pm
worse in what respect? You seem to zip in and out of “stats” do/don’t matter mode depending on your angle. So I need to clarify the criteria.
GT Joe
November 17th, 2011
2:48 pm
Altamaha: since you don’t like my conclusions, what conclusion would you draw from these facts?
FBS Rank, Total Yards:
#87 SC
#111 Ole Miss
#75 Missy State
#95 Tennessee
#99 Vandy
#98 Florida
#97 Auburn
Do these have ANYTHING to do with your #5 ranking in defense? What is YOUR opinion? What do YOU think about these team rankings with respect to the SEC Least? Anything you can conclude?
GT Joe
November 17th, 2011
2:49 pm
buggin: since when is “fact” now “hate”? LOL.
AltamahaDawg
November 17th, 2011
2:52 pm
I conclude that if I had the time to pick and paste stats I could make a lot of cases. Context usually is the equalizer. I see no definative evidence that Georgia does NOT have a good defense here.
I’m asking you. And these are your words. Worse division in “college football” based on what criteria?
McDawg
November 17th, 2011
2:53 pm
just imagine this backfield if Ealey had gotten his act together
now we need Malcome to step up
GT Joe
November 17th, 2011
2:54 pm
Altamaha: worst division in college football based on total yards. SEC Least.
GT Joe
November 17th, 2011
2:56 pm
Sorry, worst division among AQ conferences based on total yards. SEC Least.
Dawg48
November 17th, 2011
2:56 pm
Altamahadawg
Gtjoe has left he went to gas up the car for the trip to elpaso!
GTBob
November 17th, 2011
2:56 pm
I wouldn’t say the SEC East is the worst division in College Football, but it is probably the worst division in any BCS conference. It’s a pretty close race with the Pac 12 south.
dawgfacedboy
November 17th, 2011
2:57 pm
Wait, so LSU, Bama, and Arkansas are in a class by themselves (nobody disputes that) but the ACC has parity?????? Outside of VT and MAYBE Clemson who are the ACC powerhouses???
UGA couldn’t survive a stretch in the ACC including UNC, Va, MIami and FSU????? HAHAHAHAHA!!!! SInce Va Tech came into the ACC it’s been Va Tech and everyone else. 1 fluke year (Tech winning the ACC or the SEC East being down) doesn’t mean jack.
GT Joe
November 17th, 2011
2:57 pm
I’m not saying that UGA doesn’t have a good defense. I’m saying their competition is horrific. Easiest schedule in college football when looking at opponent offensive ranks.
So that #5 defensive ranking is bogus.
GT Joe
November 17th, 2011
3:02 pm
boy: “Outside of VT and MAYBE Clemson who are the ACC powerhouses?”
THAT’s MY POINT. ACC teams are not far apart in quality, games are typically competitive. SEC, on the other hand, is 3 good teams and 9 dwarfs. Any of the 3 good teams can go undefeated.
And thanks for the history lesson; doesn’t have anything to do with this year though.
Dawg48
November 17th, 2011
3:03 pm
Gt Joe
What’s the ACC record in BCS bowl games?
GT Joe
November 17th, 2011
3:04 pm
No idea dawg48; relevant to this year how?
McDawg
November 17th, 2011
3:05 pm
ACC competition has blown since day 1
we are goung to beat the living crap out of GT this year and you fools will still be running your mouths on these blogs
AltamahaDawg
November 17th, 2011
3:06 pm
That’s pretty Armchair, if you ask me, not so much “if you know what to look for”. You would need to do a ton more research about opponents defensive stats, SOS, etc. with other division to begin to draw definitive conclusion. But if it’s yards. I guess so, Great.
None of which is compelling eveidence that georgia does not have a a very good defence.
SLC Dawg
November 17th, 2011
3:08 pm
would you rather see him pulling himself out for parts of games or out for the season like Lattimore?
GT Joe
November 17th, 2011
3:09 pm
Altamaha: I’m not saying UGA has a lousy defense. I’m saying they are #5 against garbage competition.
Do you have ANY compelling evidence that UGA DOES have a good defense? Please no one-game wonders…
SLC Dawg
November 17th, 2011
3:11 pm
and GT rushes for so many yards because they are one dimensional. if you run the ball twice as many times as a traditional offense then you end up with alot more rushing yards. how does GT stack up in passing yards and total offense?
Dawg48
November 17th, 2011
3:11 pm
It’s relevant to this topic.
It’s 2 & 10 since 1998!
You say their is no parity in acc football then looking at this stat it goes to show that no acc team can play with the big boys!