Q&A: Crowell happy with season, wants to be ‘more accountable, responsible’
Isaiah Crowell hasn't done much for Georgia since his 132-yard rushing effort against Auburn. He has had 26 yards on 12 carries in the three games since. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
Q&A WITH ISAIAH CROWELL
With 29 more yards rushing, Isaiah Crowell will have turned in the best performance by a freshman tailback since Herschel Walker had 1,616 in 1980. Crowell currently has 847 yards, 28 behind Thomas Brown, who had 875 in 2004. Crowell was named SEC Freshman of the Year and a Freshman All-American. Yet he’s vilified on blogs and in fan forums and was actually booed in the SEC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. The frustration over Crowell is everyone can plainly see his first season at Georgia could have even more glorious. Suspensions, injuries and a general inability to stay on the football field for expended periods of time makes it seem his was only a part-time effort.
On track for a 1,000-yard season, an ankle injury limited Crowell to just 26 yards on 12 carries in the Bulldogs’ final three games. He claims to be healthy now but heads into the Jan. 2 Outback Bowl second team behind redshirt freshman Ken Malcome. By all accounts there is nothing currently that would keep Crowell out of that game. This past weekend, Crowell spent a few minutes talking with reporters about his first season at Georgia and what it felt like from his perspective.
Q: At one point 1,000 yards rushing — one of your stated goals — seemed like a foregone conclusion. But then you didn’t play much from the Kentucky game on. Is that something you still believe is achievable?
A: “I don’t think it’s out of reach. I mean, it it happens, I’ll be happy. If it doesn’t happen, I’ll still be happy because I had a great season, a freshman season. So if it doesn’t happen I’ll just come back and try again next year.”
Q: You also said you wanted to be named a freshman All-American and that happened for you, too. Was that exciting for you?
A: “Yeah, I was excited about it. But I don’t really pay attention to stuff like that.”
Q: If there was any one thing you could change about this past season, what would it be?
A: “I think everything I did, there’s a reason for everything. So, no, I wouldn’t change anything about it.”
Q: Ken Malcome has been working at first-team tailback ahead of you. Have you been motivated by the competition?
A: “Yeah, you’re always going to compete. Even when I was first team I was still competing. So it’s nothing really new to me. At practice you’re going to compete. I don’t look at it like I’m trying to beat him out. I want him to do well, too. It’s going to come down to the coaches anyway, so I don’t really look at it too much.”
Q: I’m sure you saw where Georgia got a commitment from tailback Keith Marshall of Raleigh. He’s the No. 1 running back prospect in the country, like you were last year. Do you feel threatened or frustrated because UGA felt the need to pursue another big-time back?
A: “Really I’m happy to get another guy. I thought we needed more running backs. So I think that’s a good thing.”
Q: Did you meet Marshall during recruiting?
A: “We talked on the phone and texted. But I haven’t really met him face to face.”
Q: Noticed you haven’t been in green for practice. Are you fully recovered from your left-ankle injury.
A: “Yes I am. I’m farther along.”
Q: What are some lessons you learned your first season?
A: “Just follow my teammates and coaches. They’re counting on me to do what I’m supposed to do. . . . I think I need to be more accountable and handle my responsibilities better.”
Q: How glad were you did get fall semester exams behind you?
A: “Really, I’m happy that’s all that’s over. I felt like I needed a break. I’m just ready to chill out some. So, yeah, I was happy about it.”
Q: There probably hasn’t been a more scrutinized and speculated-about athlete at Georgia in a long while. Did you ever hear all the rumors that were circulating about you?
A: “I don’t really look at it. I don’t really pay attention to it. People don’t come to me with those things. I hear about it. I don’t pay no attention to it.”
Q: Which one did you think was the most outlandish?
A: “All of it.”
Q: So then you’ve heard that you want to transfer, right?
A: “Yeah. I’m happy here. I know there’s rumors about me wanting to transfer and all that, but no. I never said that.”
Q: What do you think of Malcome and how he’s playing presently?
A: “He’s a great teammate and a good person. He works hard. I can see us playing together and doing well. I think we’ll be a good combination. I know he knows how to run the ball well.”
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288 comments Add your comment
A person SMART enough to know......
December 19th, 2011
11:53 am
Q: If there was any one thing you could change about this past season, what would it be?
A: “I think everything I did, there’s a reason for everything. So, no, I wouldn’t change anything about it.”
Can somebody explain this answer to me?
He wants to change everything, but nothing!
When are Grade Reports due? I hope Crowell colored inside the lines so good he didn’t need the extra credit for reading the coloring book story.
A person SMART enough to know......
December 19th, 2011
11:56 am
Q: Noticed you haven’t been in green for practice. Are you fully recovered from your left-ankle injury.
A: “Yes I am. I’m farther along.”
So is he 100% or does that mean 110% because he is farther along? Dude is 50Watts short of a 60watt bulb.
Florida is a Basketball School Now
December 19th, 2011
11:57 am
Can somebody explain this answer to me?
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Maybe he realizes he grew from the mistakes he made? Maybe he realized he needed to grow up and it took some punishment and accountability to help him do it?
It’s not that hard to read and understand this but coming from someone who refers to coloring between the lines, what should we expect?
STEPHEN A. DAWG: IC is trying to grow up and........
December 19th, 2011
12:02 pm
you idiot kool-aid w/ liquor fans need to just shutup and leave this kid alone. I went to the SECCG tape to see what those crybabies were screamin’ lies about IC turning his back on CMR. All I saw was Richt indirectly approaching a group of players while barking out orders. The players all cleared out and headed to the bench with IC being at the rear of the pack. Richt did not act as if he had been disrespected at all. If anything after the penalty, Richt probably told all of them to sit their dumb-arses down on the bench and they ran to to bench in obedience. The dumb delusional fans that lied on IC need to get a life and stop majoring on minors !
Dwayne
December 19th, 2011
12:02 pm
I did not read anything in that article that says he gets it. I hope he realizes that he could be 3rd on the depth chart when next season starts. Maybe 4th.
OldFan
December 19th, 2011
12:11 pm
Come on now. This was a Q&A session. Parsing every remark to criticize the kid? Just look how well our Republican candidates are doing with their Q&As. Though I do understand that running the ball for UGA is more important than running the country.
A person SMART enough to know......
December 19th, 2011
12:12 pm
& UGa is a Gymnastics school.
The REAL Championship Athletes at UGa are about to start their season.
Florida is a Basketball School Now
December 19th, 2011
12:14 pm
Looks like the person smart enough to know is too dumb to realize what an idiot he is…………….
A person SMART enough to know......
December 19th, 2011
12:21 pm
ISAIAH CROWELL; Major: Health & Physical Education.
Q. What is a 3 point shot in Basketball worth?
A. Whatever Coach Fox is willing to pay the shooter to take one! I’d say about $100 for everyone made. Iz get $1000 for a 100 yard game.
Lead Dawg
December 19th, 2011
12:25 pm
What exactly is a Sun Bowl?
Don
December 19th, 2011
12:32 pm
and Oprah wants to be skinny abd Petite
OldFan
December 19th, 2011
12:33 pm
If not being an idiot is a standard for playing college football, then we ought to apply that standard to the rest of the students, too. Ever been to a frat party?
WDE
December 19th, 2011
12:34 pm
@Lead Dawg if not mistakes A Sun Bowl is where triple option teams go…to die.
Blackberry Cobbler
December 19th, 2011
12:41 pm
Let’s see what kind of game he has against Michigan State. Will he be in shape and run like a mad-man or will he limp around and want out of the game after a few plays.
I’ll reserve my judgement of IC until after the Outback Bowl. What we saw most of the season was a pot smokin’, trash talking, out of shape punk.
A person SMART enough to know......
December 19th, 2011
12:48 pm
Lead Dawg here is your answer.
December 26, 1964 Georgia 7 Texas Tech 0
December 20, 1969 Nebraska 45 Georgia 6
December 28, 1985 Arizona 13 Georgia 13
UGA is 1-1-1 in the SUN BOWL & UGA couldn’t even score 2 TDs EVER. Who looks DEAD when they play in El Paso?
December 19, 1970 Georgia Tech 17 Texas Tech 9
GT is 1-0 in the SUN BOWL
bitter QB
December 19th, 2011
12:50 pm
the real issue is rather why hudson mason is not starting—0-12 in big games murry—please
——–note—did crow-face get drug tested before interview—–i thing it was a double—he cant possible speak that well
—-not hate–in———mason and malcom and grathams “D”–will rule mich-st——-42-3
Dawg Catcher.
December 19th, 2011
12:54 pm
Black berry Cranker you a less than a fool and a turd !! IC has nothing to prove to a moron like you. And nobody cares what you think, you drunken lunatic. Get a job loser.
DIT
December 19th, 2011
12:54 pm
@A person SMART enough to know……
What was the score this past 11-26? No one cares about tek. This is not a tek blog. Your team is terrible! The last 3 years UGA has sported the worst teams in recent memory and you tools could not find a way to win.
Sun Bowl….. What a joke
Terry
December 19th, 2011
12:59 pm
A person SMART enough to know…… , If CPJ’s record holds true, that will be 1-1 at the sun bowl after this year, tell us, when was the last time CPJ won a bowl game?
Florida is a Basketball School Now
December 19th, 2011
1:00 pm
Dogs smell talks about being able to take English 101 yet he is from Tennessee where no one understands what those folks say.
Us’n
His’n
Youn’s
Yourn
Whoop
Licat
OldFan
December 19th, 2011
1:00 pm
Lordy, Lordy, do I detect the faint stench of hypocrisy? All of a sudden we sound like the morons at the NCAA, insisting on preserving the leather-helmeted Ivy League gentleman student/athlete. IC was the No 1 running back in the country last year, because he could run the football, and we wanted him at UGA for that reason alone. If he had lived up to all that hype, no one would be questioning how well he answered questions or how correct his grammar was. Let him grow up, let him learn, and let him fail–if he deserves to–just like the rest of us.
SCDawg
December 19th, 2011
1:10 pm
This from the annual NC/SC all star game over the weekend.
Running back Todd Gurley of Tarboro was named the North Carolina Offensive MVP. He ran the ball 19 times for 119 yards, including two touchdowns.
“It means a lot to get MVP, but I’m here to have fun. But, you know, we’re here for the kids,” Gurley said. “You get to meet new players and that’s what it’s about — having fun.”
I was at the game working and this kid put on a show…let’s hope he decides to become an Bulldog next year…Go Dawgs!!!!!
WDE
December 19th, 2011
1:11 pm
@A person SMART enough to know…hey that 1970 Sun Bowl victory was that the last bowl win Bug U had?
bitter QB
December 19th, 2011
1:12 pm
crowell read from a script——-crow-face gave up on this team and i give up on his dope head attitude—-yes crow your scholly is pulled
THE Dixie Redcoat Band
December 19th, 2011
1:16 pm
So your excuses are….”hey he is a 17-18 year old, give him a break”. Ok fine, what about the rest of the 17-18 year olds on the team…no problems/troubles from them! Come on people….
A person SMART enough to know......
December 19th, 2011
1:20 pm
WDE when is the last time UGA beat a team ranked higher or favored to beat the dawgs? was the UCF last year or was it the Fighting Chaucers his year?
A person SMART enough to know......
December 19th, 2011
1:24 pm
Crowell is a math genius. He knows how many ounces in a pound. He knows how many grams in a quarter ounce. He must really study hard in the math classes. Yes that is it. He knows weights and measures from studying in school.
UGA Insider
December 19th, 2011
1:27 pm
I saw where Bama just got their 22nd commit. However they still have 16 offers out there? How is that possible? Are they gonna over sign again?
Gary
December 19th, 2011
1:29 pm
Crowell will be fine. The dude has talent, just needs to learn the position. I’m sure he didn’t have to worry about blocking schemes in high school, something he has to get better at on the college level. I think the addition of more talent next year will make a difference. Let’s get some more big beefs for the line that can protect Murray and make some holes for Crowell & co. Looking forward to kicking some big 10 butt in the bowl game and SEC butts in ‘12. Go Dawgs. by the way, why nothing on Georgia basketball?
BUCCADAWG
December 19th, 2011
1:30 pm
I hope that I.C. and Malcome and Marshall and all the other DAWGS have a great bowl game and get ready to rip up the SEC and the nation next season. Go Dawgs
Duh?
December 19th, 2011
1:39 pm
I’m out of here. This blog has some nuts on it.
Quit the threats people………….
A person SMART enough to know......
December 19th, 2011
1:45 pm
UGA Insider really? You don’t understand that Teams can make offers to 38 players? You offer a lot of kids and work your way to get the 25. Bama could offer 100 kids but that doesn’t mean they have 100 scholarships to offer.
You are not a UGA Insider of the classroom I guess. LOL just kidding, but the over signing is stopping.
BG
December 19th, 2011
1:57 pm
IC1 is a special talent and He is going to have a very bright future. I’m am so grateful that he is a Georgia Bulldog. GO DAWGS!!
Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)
December 19th, 2011
1:57 pm
@Florida is a basketball school now: You made some good shots bro. Keep up the good work.
A person SMART enough to know......
December 19th, 2011
2:04 pm
When do grades get posted?
duronimo
December 19th, 2011
2:23 pm
The fans get bashed for simply articulating what they see with their own eyes. From our vantage point, Crowell is a consummate prima donna. If he was just a boring guy not doing his best, no one would be stepping up to make excuses for him. Prima donna’s are quite comfortable with others shielding them from reality. In fact, they expect it. IC won’t “mature” as long as he is coddled …. he’ll get worse just like Washun. If he had turned his back on me, I would have told him to “pack his dirty duds and hit the freeway!” I hope I’m wrong.
AltamahaDawg
December 19th, 2011
2:27 pm
Who is bashing the “fans”?
A person SMART enough to know......
December 19th, 2011
2:28 pm
When are the Urine tests after the visits home for the break? What kind of pass fail rate do you think that will be?
BMOC
December 19th, 2011
2:28 pm
Either (A): He grows up, or (B): He doesn’t.
Nothing (or no one) on this blog can change that.
UGA has another good RB coming next yr. UGA will be OK regardless of Crowell’s decision.
Let’s move on……….
Preston Thompson
December 19th, 2011
2:29 pm
From what I took from the interveiw was Crowell is somewhat conceited and sure of himself. But then if he does mature, at least past his freshman year, the football team will certainly be the better for it.
As to him not changing anything from the year, he said everything happens for a reason. To me that mean is is grown up enough to learn from what he did, especially in letting the team down of his selfish attitude. He felt he was to big to be corrected. He found out, not so. Therefore if anything had of been changed, that lesson would not have been learned because it never would have been addressed. All we can do now is wait and see if he’s truely seen the light, or is he lieing? Time will tell.
For me and the bowl game, I’m excited to see Samuel back. My my he looks good. I would build the runners around him. Tough, bad to the bone, and a down hill terror that will hurt ya ifin ya get in front of im. Yep, he impressed me.
Bulldawgman49
December 19th, 2011
2:35 pm
Well I like the fact that Crowell is going to be more responible for his actions on and off the field . I think back when I was his age did a few things maybe I should’nt . The kid for sure has the talent to
be a superstar just needs to grow mind and body he will okay. GO DAWGS!!!!
gdawginkalamazoo
December 19th, 2011
2:46 pm
Even missing a few games this season the kid still managed to be named SEC Freshman of the year and Freshman All American. Holy smokes! Those are tremendous accomplishments. I think the fans are just a little frustrated because the potential to do so much more was there and appeared to be wasted at times. Hopefully he is maturing and all that potential will show up either at the bowl game and over the next couple of seasons. Good luck to him. I think he did learn a lot this year.
BiggDawgK
December 19th, 2011
2:51 pm
Nice interview even though I read a more detailed version 2 days ago on rivals. It’s good to see IC is saying all the right things. Most of us forget this guy is just a teenager. I’m sure most of y’all are perfect but I know I did some pretty moronic stuff when I was a freshman at UGA.
slydog
December 19th, 2011
3:08 pm
I’ll give IC credit. He had the guts to speak before the bowl game and the next semester began. Most players “on their way out” do not do that. The challenge is right before him. All he needs to do is ride the wave and don’t swim against the tide.
slydog
December 19th, 2011
3:10 pm
In other words to you haters, it doesn’t sound like he’s failing all of his classes or transferring
AltamahaDawg
December 19th, 2011
3:11 pm
Got all of the blame he brought upon himself and a lot he didn’t, but not nearly as much credit as he deserved from the fans. The important thing however, is that you know the other players and coaches have given him the correct amount of both.
A person SMART enough to know......
December 19th, 2011
3:19 pm
slydog how do you fail PE when you are an athlete?
Terry
December 19th, 2011
3:21 pm
Dogs Smell
December 19th, 2011
1:03 pm
Once again another Georgia idiot shines ! Remember Deliverance was filmed in North Ga.
===============================================================
Dogs Smell, Deliverance was filmed in Georgia, but they had to go to Tennessee to find an inbred mountain man for the rape scene.
Bill McKinney, Born: September 12, 1931 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, this is what Burt Reynolds had to say about him,
[On Bill McKinney, with whom he worked in Deliverance (1972)] I thought the other guy, Bill McKinney, was a little bent. I used to get up at five in the morning and see him running nude through the golf course while the sprinklers watered the grass. A strange dude, he moved to L.A. after “Deliverance” and worked in a lot of pictures of Clint Eastwood. He always played sickos, but he played them well. With my dark sense of humor, I was kind of amused by him. But as we got closer to the rape scene, I caught him staring at Ned Beatty in an odd, unnerving way. Ned would see it, and look away.
Terry
December 19th, 2011
3:27 pm
[On the rape scene in Deliverance (1972)] The day before we shot the scene I noticed [Bill McKinney] hovering beside Ned [Ned Beatty] and sat down between them. I wanted him to see I was Ned’s friend. No different than in the script. Then I asked him how he planned to handle the rape scene. McKinney turned out to be a pretty good guy who just took “The Method” way too far. Staring straight at Ned, he whispered, “I’ve always wanted to try that. Always have.” Ned shouted, “John! Oh, John!” In his brilliance, Boorman [John Boorman] reassured Ned but also brought in several additional cameras, knowing Ned wasn’t going to give him a second, third or fourth take. Ned was only going to do the brutal scene once. When it came down to shooting it, ['Herbert Cowboy Coward'] and McKinney were hands-down brilliant. Scared the sh*t out of everybody who saw the movie. People crawled out of the theatre. None of that creepy “squeal, piggy, piggy” stuff was in the script. But McKinney, I swear to God, really wanted to hump Ned. And I think he was going to. He had it up and he was going to bang him. It’s the first and only time I have ever seen camera operators turn their heads away. Finally, I couldn’t stand it anymore. I ran into the scene, dove on McKinney, and pulled him off. Boorman, hot on my tracks, helped hold him down. Ned, who was crying from both rage and fear, found a big stick and started beating him on the head. Half a dozen guys grabbed Ned and pulled him away. We separated the two of them and let things cool off.
A person SMART enough to know......
December 19th, 2011
3:30 pm
Terry Deliverance was about people in Georgia. Who cares where the ACTOR came from. The story is a bout a Lawyer from Georgia and some buddies heading down a river in North Georgia. Who care what Bert the Yankee Reynolds had to say about a Southern Actor.