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
Bad Dawg
December 19th, 2011
9:39 pm
The fools on here making comments about the young man’s education are pathetic. Every college football/basketball team in America has players like this except for the Ivy League schools and a few other private schools. The fact is if the kids weren’t gifted athletically, then they would be going to community colleges. That’s what happens when you go to public schools in a poor school system, The education is a joke. For every Keith Marshall with 4.3 GPA coming out of high school there 15-20 others with a GPA below 3.0. For the critics, did you grow up in Columbus, Georgia and go to Carver High School? I don’t recall either Crowell or Keith Marshall say they were coming to UGA to be on the dean’s list although Marshall probably will. They came to play SEC football in order to get them prepared for the NFL. If he was a business management or accounting major I would be worried but since he is a football player I am not surprised.
slippery rock
December 19th, 2011
9:44 pm
Sometimes young people know the decisions they make are wrong and still make the wrong decision. The thing is that if the young person keeps making the wrong decisions he or she will not move forward but usually get in their own way of success.
The pressure was on IC, and IC did not handle it very well. The next step of his progression will be how he moves forward from this point on.
Just Be Normal
December 19th, 2011
9:56 pm
We UGA fans simply want Isiah Crowell to be a normal player. Stop the off-field problems. Be great on the football field and be humble and a student off the field. Play hard every game.
He Hate Me
December 19th, 2011
10:07 pm
Summa us homeys be wuntin ICro ta be dey homey to. Dem dreads be looks pimpin on ICro. U crackers jus wish U can wear dreads. ICro gunna be a NFL star one day. An U crackers will still be broke haters!
Uncle Kracker
December 19th, 2011
10:14 pm
None of we “crackers” want a knappy wig like “ICro” gots.
ahscoach
December 19th, 2011
10:17 pm
I could be wrong but I thought the Georgia Dome boos were for the run that Boo Malcolm made when he came in the game. I really think all of that was misunderstood.
Big Cat
December 19th, 2011
11:00 pm
It has been mentioned already but UGA could have the best backfield in college football for the next few years. However, they will need to sign some offensive linemen and build some depth so the “big uns” can open up some holes for the running backs.
Columbus
December 19th, 2011
11:41 pm
You have a lot of people behind you Isaiah that understand that just going to college as a freshmen is difficult but to do it and play football at the highest level with so much expectations, it is very difficult to deal with. Heck even Herschel almost quit it was so tough! He was out the door and changed his mind. You get no redshirt to get adjusted and focus on school nd then you have what feels like the entire country commenting and reading on your every move and then if things dont go as well as hoped for, you go from hero to trash in a second! Its not fair I know but it will grow you up if you dont listen to it and you dont let it pressure you. You are doing the BEST thing if in fact you are not paying ANY attention to any of these people. There is a hateful and cynical world out here full of ignorant, selfish and mean people so I hope that is what you are doing, not paying any attention to them! You just hand in there and things will get easier and easier. I speak blessings over you brother of peace, thick-skin, health and focus to be on your priorities and that you will be strong when temptation comes your way. Enjoy the break and have a GREAT BOWL GAME and shut all these intolerant and ignorant people up! You are a Freshman All-American! SEC Freshman of the year! You didnt even play but half the time. Next year you will know what to expect and will have a MONSTER year and make all these yahoos eat crow! Bless you Isaiah with your time at UGA and may you become a great man from your time there and under Richt! You are in the right place! You have a LOT of support from UGA fans. TONS!
slippery rock
December 20th, 2011
12:20 am
Big Cat
December 19th, 2011
11:00 pm
It has been mentioned already but UGA could have the best backfield in college football for the next few years. However, they will need to sign some offensive linemen and build some depth so the “big uns” can open up some holes for the running backs.
Sorry, have to disagree. Without a big back in that system the formula does not work. If they were running a spread offense it would be better. Marshall is not the best back in high school this year and various services back that statement up. He is an athlete but unless he bulks up about 15 to 20 pounds of muscle he will have a difficult time staying healthy. IC did not do his summer work since he signed in February. He needs another 15 pounds himself of muscle to stay healthy and take the licks he takes week in and week out. He only got a small taste of what good defenses are like by playing LSU in the SECCG. If he had to play UF, AL, LSU, Ark, AU, he would not be as productive.
slippery rock
December 20th, 2011
12:29 am
GTBOB
December 19th, 2011
12:58 pm
Forrest Gump is the last football player to graduate from Bama!
Lets see how GTBOB really has no clue.
Alabama will have 21 graduates on its roster for the BCS championship game against LSU on Jan. 9 in New Orleans.
Eleven Alabama players graduated on Saturday: Undra Billingsley, Robert Lester, John Michael Boswell, Marquis Maze, Brad Smelley, Chris Jordan, Darius Hanks, Dont’a Hightower, DeQuan Menzie, Brandon Lewis and Brandon Gibson, who received his master’s degree.
Ten others graduated before the season: Hardie Buck, Josh Chapman, Nick Gentry, Barrett Jones, Phelon Jones, Alfred McCullough, Morgan Ogilvie, Chris Underwood, William Vlachos and Alex Watkins.
Three former players also earned their degrees during the fall semester: Wesley Neighbors, Milton Talbert and Rob Ezell.
Any kid from any school that gets his degree while playing college football should be commended.
CitizenK9
December 20th, 2011
1:04 am
Tide Fans- No UGa fan is ever going to look up at your 2nd-rate school in a 3rd-rate state. Just be glad a good football team gives you escapism. You really do need it.
Preston
December 20th, 2011
1:26 am
slippery, Marshall will be an early enrollee and will have the extra time with Coach T to get those extra pounds unlike IC last season. Next season they will both be in MUCH better shape than they were this year. We need the big uglies though. And lots of em’!
DAwgs Rule
December 20th, 2011
1:50 am
in 2012, IC’s game will explode—with Marshall and Davis, UGA will have the best running game in the SEC!!! Another easy SEC east title and an upset win over alabama in the sEC title game—bet the house!!!! Dawgs–back on top!
Where dat?
December 20th, 2011
1:54 am
ICro still trying to learn his campus map so he can find his classroom building. He need to go to a class every now and then to get some education.
“Personal attacks will NOT be tolerated hate-filled harassing posts unacceptable”
December 20th, 2011
3:38 am
DIT December 19th, 2011 12:54 pm
“The last 3 years UGA has sported the worst teams in recent memory”
___________________________________
I guess that about sums it up.
Columbus GA lady
December 20th, 2011
3:51 am
It really is not nice to say ugly things about the style of hair Mr. Crowell wears or anyone else. Personal attacks reveals the spirit of your core. I am a product of Carver High School and quite successful in life, never been in trouble, and very happy with life. I am confident and proud to let others know I stand tall for Carver. Mr. Crowell made a poor judgement call, there’s not many who have not at some point in there lives, Even we older adults still make poor judgement calls yet we call this young man names and make fun of him, WHY? Let him learn from his mistakes without others beating him down, that is not the true Dawg Spirit! Mr. Crowell will mature and will make himself proud. Let him grow in peace, he is determined to show his coaches, team members and the fans that he is a Georgia Bull Dawg!
“Personal attacks will NOT be tolerated hate-filled harassing posts unacceptable”
December 20th, 2011
4:03 am
Duh? December 19th, 2011 1:39 pm
“I’m out of here. This blog has some nuts on it.
Quit the threats people………….”
______________________________________________
DawginLex December 19th, 2011 10:49 am
““Personal attacks will NOT be tolerated hate-filled harassing posts unacceptable”
**********************
“You bet I threatened you. Count your lucky stars we will probably never meet.”
______________________________________________
Of course, his assertion that I did this to him, even in reply, is completely and utterly unfounded and a total lie, which is why he has never shown it. He simply does not like him posting here and then anyone replying to his posts – that well, his post is unfounded.
There is NO EXCUSE for PHYSICAL VIOLENCE threats
REPEATEDLY
including
RIGHT HERE IN THIS BLOG WITH THIS QUOTE.
All he does is PERSONALLY ATTACK ME. Nothing else. Not ever. And, he thinks that in reply that I will what ? Wimp out ? Not put his post back up and DISCUSS IT ? That and this is not a personal threat by me of him. He cannot make that point. I don’t do that. I am a fine graduate of The UGA with Honors, and have NEVER THREATENED ANYONE at ANYTIME as everyone is well-aware since I never have and no one has ever claimed that I have.
This newspaper has a POLICY about PHYSICAL THREATS, which as EVERYONE READILY CAN SEE, he completely and totally admits he practices against me REPEATEDLY.
I put these PHYSICAL THREATS up when he does for all to recall clearly in their minds. His retort to this post, will be MORE OF THE SAME. It is ALL HE DOES, and he feels that I should NOT have this right to raise the issue up in the very blogs where he CONTINUES UNABATED despite total lack of ANY THREAT by me of him.
AGAIN.
GROW UP. THAT ALL YOU GOT ? Come into a discussion of where I am slightly underwhelmed by beating NO ONE THIS SEASON, AGAIN, and the reply from this person ? PHYSICAL THREATS.
How petty.
You’ve got a problem. Your problem is that you believe wrongly that you can post WHATEVER YOU WANT, and that I THEN, CANNOT come back in here, read it, and post it for all to SEE.
That is MY CRIME : That I actually am less than satisfied with 3 fixing to be 4 losses this season, after YEARS of NOT BEATING the top teams. Aaron Murray has SHORT ARMS he said and that AM is 6′0″ tall, he said but that his SHORT ARMS make him appear to be SHORT. Pardon me, 6′0″ is SHORT. Alligator arms makes him more short. He went 0-5 in 2010 vs teams who finished in the top 25, playing at his very worst against them, running up his stats in the other games. He has continued to go on this season 0-3 fixing to be 0-4. He is on this date
0-8
vs teams who finished in the top 25
And, if fixing to go 0-9.
That is UNACCEPTABLE.
Now, you come back in here you little piece of crap, and threaten me with continued physical violence again because in YOUR BLOG, I am NOT ALLOWED TO VOICE THIS OPINION OF MINE that we aren’t VERY IMPRESSIVE.
DIT himself came running in here pre-Florida and stated he thought that Aaron Murray would GIVE THE GAME AWAY to FLORIDA AGAIN. Little did DIT know that Florida would have the worst season since 1979 for Florida at 6-6.
Nauti dawg
December 20th, 2011
5:05 am
Hmmm, some peeps have been up drinking all night I see.
Carefully put Down the bottle and slowly walk away….
Oh – I think he passed out on the keyboard.
RedandBlackDAWG
December 20th, 2011
6:02 am
Give this hair thing a break. I don’t think it hindered the Heisman Trophy winner all that much this year do you? I don’t give a darn, if he does his hair in pigtails, if it is what he wants, as long as he comes to play football each Saturday of the season and keeps his butt out of serious trouble when not.
This kid has faced more pressure as an 18 year old, than a lot of the people on here have faced their whole life. You can criticize his play all you want but nobody on these blogs has a right to make stupid comments concerning how he dresses, talks, or anything about his personal life.
He will be a very good player before all is said and done. He will compete with Marshall and anybody else that is a RB next year and he has a step up on the new folks because he knows the offense. With the RB’s they have now and will get, he will not have to carry UGA’s running game entirely on his shoulders. If you ever look at film of him running when he is healthy, you will see the skill set he brings to the table. It is too bad that outsiders from other teams, recognize his value and potential, and not a lot of UGA fans.
Mark my words, this kid is going to be one of the best UGA has had in quite a while. No, he will not be a Herschel Walker, but nobody ever will be again. He doesn’t need to be either, because he has a great deal of ability, but he is no brute back. He will simply finesse you to death, and make a lot of defensive tacklers look silly, when he gets going.
DawgSTILE
December 20th, 2011
8:27 am
Great remarks Chip, I think you are spot on. Crowell IS growing up. In time he will likely be able to side step any issues of personal conduct by just increasing his YARDAGE output. Then no dawg fan will care what he does. I’m sure dawginLex feel the same way!
DawginLex
December 20th, 2011
8:56 am
“Personal attacks will NOT be tolerated hate-filled harassing posts unacceptable”
December 20th, 2011
*******************
You said stuff about my children. I will never let that be done without responding you sorry piece of lowlife scum.
You are worthless.
DawginLex
December 20th, 2011
9:10 am
And you have no honor.
Be very thankful you will never engage me in person
Very thankful
Lowlife scum.
You attack my children, I respond. You don’t even have the decency to admit you did it under one of your 125 blog handles.
Lowlife.
Worthless
True Dawg Fan
December 20th, 2011
10:02 am
“Personal attacks will NOT be tolerated hate-filled harassing posts unacceptable”
December 20th, 2011
4:03 am
Shut up and move on. No one cares what you think or have to say. You are a retard. And if any person on here meet you in real life we would all punch you in the face. So STFU and go away!
True Dawg Fan
December 20th, 2011
10:03 am
CitizenK9
December 20th, 2011
1:04 am
Tide Fans- No UGa fan is ever going to look up at your 2nd-rate school in a 3rd-rate state. Just be glad a good football team gives you escapism. You really do need it.
Couldnt have said it better.
OoltewahDawg
December 20th, 2011
11:41 am
At first, it bothered me a bit when he said he wouldn’t change anything. But the more I thought about it, the more sense that makes. We all learn best from our mistakes. Nothing develops character more than adversity, He’ll be OK.
GulfShoresDawg
December 20th, 2011
3:29 pm
IC and Marshall will rule the world next year, bank it!
Artie
December 20th, 2011
8:59 pm
All the new kid will have to do is know how to block and Crowell is out of a job!!!
Marshall > ICro
December 20th, 2011
9:38 pm
Marshall will be the starting RB in 2012—mark it down. IC will be a backup—marshall is the real deal, maybe the next herschel walker at uga!!!
Saban
December 21st, 2011
12:11 pm
With Crowell, BoBo, and Grantham the future looks bright.
Get ready Dawgs another daddy coming. Michigan State by 50.
ugab
December 21st, 2011
5:48 pm
IC is going to be just fine. Thanks for a great season. Im hoping MR and staff are putting together an OL to block next season. Im hoping OC stays. Rambo is not ready for the NFL. Rambo could use one more season.
ugab
December 21st, 2011
5:49 pm
Time to Win this Bowl Game
ICro + Marshall + Davis
December 21st, 2011
7:50 pm
With these 3 superstars, the dawg running game will be #1 in the SEC!!! Ga will rule the conference in 2012—SEC title—bet the house!!!
Henry
December 23rd, 2011
4:55 pm
Should we expect more from a freshman? Yes. Crowell does not have the eye of the “Tiger”, he does not demonstrate discipline in his decisions on and off the field. Our recruit from Raleigh has the character and discipline to be a leader. HOPEFULLY ,Crowell can learn from him.
UGA Fans Boo Freshman RB's
December 23rd, 2011
5:02 pm
Marshall > ICro
December 20th, 2011
9:38 pm
Marshall will be the starting RB in 2012—mark it down. IC will be a backup—marshall is the real deal, maybe the next herschel walker at uga!!!
Henry
December 23rd, 2011
4:55 pm
Should we expect more from a freshman? Yes. Crowell does not have the eye of the “Tiger”, he does not demonstrate discipline in his decisions on and off the field. Our recruit from Raleigh has the character and discipline to be a leader. HOPEFULLY ,Crowell can learn from him
Wow. Just wow. Let’s demand more from a freshman for our entertainment.
17% of all GT graduates are millionaires
December 23rd, 2011
7:59 pm
Enter your comments here
78Dawg
December 25th, 2011
9:29 pm
SO Crowell is happy with his season. Well Crowell you’re about the only one. It just shows his lack of heart, intensity, and commitment to teammates by saying something so STUPID. Not surprised since he really is STUPID. I hope he never wears the uniform again.
FloridaDawg
December 26th, 2011
3:15 am
I am really happy to see Ken Malcome get a shot. I feel like he has run very hard in a limited role, and has the potential to grow in the same fashion as Richard Samuel.
tripledart
December 26th, 2011
10:26 am
Fire it up pot head,Your sorry ass should be in chain gang not playing ball,But jail is your future.
A mind is a terrible thing to waste>