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LSU QB Mettenberger says ‘God had different path’ than UGA

5:33 pm July 18, 2012, by Chip Towers

HOOVER, Ala. – A short time ago I had the pleasure of having a semi-exclusive interview with LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger before he began to make the media rounds here at the Wynfrey Hotel. A couple of LSU beat writers and I were able to spend 10 minutes talking to Mettenberger in the Buckingham Room here soon after he and his coach and teammates arrived for SEC Media Days.

Mettenberger is, of course, a former Georgia player who was dismissed from the team shortly before pleading guilty to two counts of misdemeanor sexual battery in the spring of 2010. He grew up in Watkinsville, Ga., as a huge Georgia fan and his mother has worked in the Bulldogs’ football office for 10 years.

Now he finds himself as the starting quarterback for national championship-contender LSU. You need to know nothing more than the fact that the Tigers chose to bring him to Media Days despite Mettenberger having never started a game to know how they feel about him.

I’m writing a story that will appear in tomorrow’s print section — and online as well — but I wanted to go ahead and share the interview I had with Zach as a Q&A since it’s the most extensive opportunity I’ve had to talk to him since he left for Butler Community College in Kansas in the summer of 2010.

So here you go . . .

Q: Were you surprised that LSU asked you to represent the team here today?

A: “Not really. I’ve just been working hard to be a leader on the team and I think the coaches have seen that hard work in me. They believe I’m a well-spoken individual who’s capable of representing this team. It means a lot that they had that trust in me to let me come here and know that I’m going to represent the team well. I’m a little nervous being here, but if I can get through these butterflies then I’m going to be all right.”

Q: Does it feel like a practice run?

A: “It’s kind of a big first practice [laughs].  There’s a lot of people here. I’m just going to try to have fun today and learn from it.”

Q: How does is feel to now be the undisputed starting quarterback?

A: “I’m very comfortable. It’s definitely a lot different. I guess I won’t really know until we get on the field and start playing.”

Q: Have you spent much time contemplating the event that got you to this place?

A: “No, not really. My Mom working at Georgia and being at Georgia my whole life, I thought I’d be at Georgia now. But that’s not how God wanted it. That’s not the path he had for me. So I’ve dealt with the adversity and I think I’ve handled myself pretty well. So I’ve just got to keep working every day to better myself as a player and a person.”

Q: Is it your ultimate desire to face Georgia in the SEC Championship Game?

A: “Just getting to the SEC Championship Game my first year as a starter would mean a lot. It wouldn’t matter who we played. Regardless, it’s a goal I have this year. Hopefully we can get there.”

Q: What do you think it would be like facing Georgia?

A: “It’d be, not awkward, but it’d be kind of funny seeing all my old roommates and old buddies over on the other sideline and playing against them. It’s something I look forward to, but not any more than if we played South Carolina or Florida.”

Q: Do you have any Georgia gear anymore?

A: “No I don’t actually. I left it all at my house in Watkinsville.”

Q: Have you been back home much since leaving UGA?

A: “Maybe three or four times I’ve been back. I don’t get back a lot. I don’t have a lot of time to drive 10 hours and go see my parents. When they have a chance they come see me as much as I can.”

Q: When were you last in the Athens area?

A: “Actually I was there over spring break. I was in Gulf Shores (Ala.) and I just drove up to Athens one day and showed up at Mom’s work. It was a surprise for her. She was happy to see me and I was glad I did that.

Q: Did it feel strange being in enemy territory like that?

A: “It’s different, but it’s my hometown. It’s really not awkward or weird for me to go back. A lot of those coaches have known me since I was 10 years old.”

Q: Did you get a chance to visit with your old position coach, Mike Bobo?

A: “I saw him. We had a good talk. That’s a guy I’ve known since he was a G.A. for Georgia and my mom first got the job. It’s been great having him as almost a father-figure in my life. He gave me some good advice while I was back home.”

Q: Are you still good friends with any of the Georgia players?

A: “Me and Aaron are definitely good friends. We lived together for a year. I know we had the competition but, despite that, we’re very good friends. I roomed with Dallas Lee, Austin Long, Blake Sailors. Blake and I went to high school together and I grew up with him. So there are a lot of guys I’m really good friends with.”

Q: Are parents going to LSU games?

A: “Yeah, as many as they can make. I can’t wait to see them. Hopefully they can make them all.”

Q: Doesn’t your mom go to all the Georgia games?

A: “She hasn’t been to a Georgia game since I left.”

Q: Is there something behind that?

A: “No, she supports everybody on that team because my buddies are all like sons to her. But because I’m not playing there’s really no point for her to go. She’d rather stay home and watch it on TV.

Q: How has being the starting quarterback changed you?

A: “I’m just trying to everyday develop my leadership ability. This team doesn’t have a lot of leaders right now, so we need some guys to step into that role. I’ve been working hard every day trying to get the guys to rally around me to be the offensive leader. We’re just trying to make the offense better and hopefully we can go out there this year and execute.”

Q: Are you feeling any pressure about the position you’re in?

A: “Not really. I was just telling somebody, I’d rather be in The Swamp right now playing a night game than talking to all you guys. I’ve never really gotten nervous before a football game. I don’t know what it is about me but that’s the way it’s been since peewee and high school is over. I really haven’t gotten nervous.”

Q: Word is you guys are going to be airing it out behind your big arm this season. That true?

A: “I’m definitely excited. As long as I can get the ball in the hands of the playmakers on our team, my job is easy. If we have to run the ball 100 times I’m will to do that. I’m here to win ballgames, not to promote myself as a quarterback, just to be a winner for LSU.”

Q: Are your parents still big Georgia fans?

A: “Both of my parents are more LSU fans now than Georgia fans now. That’s just because they love me and support me so much.”

FULL AJC COVERAGE FROM DAY 2 OF SEC MEDIA DAYS:

FULL AJC COVERAGE FROM DAY 1 OF SEC MEDIA DAYS:

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245 comments Add your comment

AltamahaDawg

July 19th, 2012
9:04 am

You guys are being a little rough on the boy aren’t you? I’d be willing to bet that in most of your lifetime you have done something on par with his offense, more than once, and it just didn’t blow up in your face as it did with him. Obviously he did not mean “God told me to touch that girl”. We all know what he was talking about, so stop pretending.

He got what he deserved at UGA. He screwed up. He paid the price. That’s done now. I dare say that the vast majority of Georgia folks openly wished him well. Don’t EVEN pretend that none of this feigned indignation would exist if he was starting at Kansas State this year.

jDawg

July 19th, 2012
9:04 am

I haven’t read all the comments and I am sure I am not the first one saying this but this interview probably wrapped up mom’s career at UGA too.

AltamahaDawg

July 19th, 2012
9:07 am

I’d say you actually were the first to draw that conclusion, j. How do you figure that?

BMC

July 19th, 2012
9:14 am

BABY-BEN-ROETHLISBERGER!!! Hide your girls!

Gary

July 19th, 2012
9:16 am

Had an article about him in the USA Today with him described as coming from a junior college. No mention of his antics at Georgia. The SEC should ban this. If you are kicked out of 1 SEC school for a discipline issue you should not be allowed to play at another. If it was a grades issues that would be different.

Dawg Whisperer

July 19th, 2012
9:18 am

Chris Mortensen was on 680 The Fan yesterday and was at the camp this summer that so many high profile collegiate QBs attended. Without equivocation, he stated that Aaron Murray was the best QB. He was interpreting from how the QBs would be evaluated by NFL teams when he arrived at the conclusion that Murray was better than the competition at this camp that included Mettenberger, Barkley @ USC, etc.

So here’s the rub… we can consider Game Changer’s opinion about Murray (and for that matter his views on Richt & McGarity) or, in this instance, an expert. While Game Changer uses the term “we” when referring to UGA, consider the context of his messages. Game Changer has not changed his game.

jDawg

July 19th, 2012
9:24 am

Unless I misunderstand her position she has worked in the UGA Coaches’ office for 10 years and was a life long fan and supporter. Now, that her son was released for due cause she won’t attend another game and their family are now LSU supporters. Sounds like she’s already let go of UGA and her son has confirmed it. If she’s no longer pulling for the cause then she will probably excuse herself and this interview will have sped that decision up. Think any Obama staffers are happily working at Mitt Romney’s campaign HQ?

jDawg

July 19th, 2012
9:27 am

It’s not likely she will show up at the coaches’ office to work one Friday the day before LSU has a big game and she’s dressed head to toe in purple and yellow. What if the situation were reversed? Them Cajuns would skin someone that showed up at the LSU coashes office to work donning head to toe red & black.

AltamahaDawg

July 19th, 2012
9:29 am

yes, you misunderstood that.

Keith

July 19th, 2012
9:32 am

Just wait and see…..He will win a national championship at LSU…..and us? HA! we have Murray and will go 9-3 at best. Seems like the old ball coach had it right….”I dont know what happens to players when they get to UGA” As a lifelong UGA fan, I am fed up with it.

atl xmen

July 19th, 2012
9:32 am

too funny game changer…hutson is pretty good but he is not better than murray..im not even a college coach and i can tell that. and murray beat out mettenburger while he was here..murray is just a better athlete and qb than metts..he is smarter and faster

Georgia Tiger

July 19th, 2012
9:33 am

GEAUX TIGERS!

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AltamahaDawg

July 19th, 2012
9:40 am

What ( 3 at least) teams do you see us losing to Keith?

DawginLex

July 19th, 2012
9:40 am

gum chewer

So all the people at the Manning Passing Camp who were raving about Murray should listen to your inane drivel instead of seeing what talent he has and commenting on it?

You are a major league idiot

jDawg

July 19th, 2012
9:46 am

Nope, I read the article again and I did not misread. I’ll take the under on her employment at UGA.

AltamahaDawg

July 19th, 2012
9:49 am

Guys, GC couldnt care less about Murray/Hudson. Waste of time to argue. He would just substitute whatever name he needed in there. He’s just a troll who read the last troll pushing that BS and just copied him.

BG

July 19th, 2012
9:51 am

It’s weird how UGA kicks players off the team for breaking the law and other SEC teams pick them up. Les Miles has received no slack from the media for signing Zach. If Richt had of signed a player that Miles kicked off the media would have killed Richt for it.

AltamahaDawg

July 19th, 2012
9:51 am

Trust me, she is still very much a valued employee of the UGAAA. You are reading snippets and soundbites in a blog. Then there is real life.

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@spencaman

July 19th, 2012
9:56 am

God had a different path for him? Didi God make him abuse those girls so he would transfer to LSU?

PMC

July 19th, 2012
10:06 am

Why not instead of inserting God initially, into the discussion, you could say, it didn’t work out the way I planned, I screwed up my opportunity at Georgia with my actions but fortunately God afforded me another opportunity to prove myself and resurrect my football career at LSU and I’m not making the same mistake again.

I’d like to hear someone say that for once, instead of… you know that they are just wandering around aimlessly not taking responsibilty for thier actions.

PMC

July 19th, 2012
10:08 am

It’s almost like saying… well God wanted LSU to win the SEC championship last night so in the second half all the balls Aaron Murray handled were covered with vasoline.

Pitbull

July 19th, 2012
10:08 am

Was it part of God’s plan for his life for him to commit two counts of misdemeanor sexual battery? I doubt it.

I doubt it.

His answer is just a way of evading a true answer to the question and taking responsibility for his actions.

A better answer would be that he made a poor choice and lost his Georgia scholarship and LSU offereded him the opportunity for a second chance and he will not make that type of mistake again.

He doesn’t appear to have grown up a bit and may have problems at Baton Rouge too.

He’s a talented QB, but like IC we are better off with him not on the team due to the distractions.

AltamahaDawg

July 19th, 2012
10:27 am

Pitbull, may be that was a better answer. For you. I think that would have been a great answer, BTW. But he chose to mention God in his answer and I am confounded to know why anybody would bend over backwards to invent some meaning that you know full well was not his intention. You didnt like his choise of words. Great. But you are reading into his heart now? Really?

I have read 2 other articles out today on that same interview and he sounds very much taking responsibility for his actions. Which seems as if that would be the logical guess, not even reading a word he said.

And on the specific topic: Either you believe God has a plan for your life or you do not. Simply a matter of belief. But if a person does, and since we all make mistakes along the way, that’s part of it, is it not?

Ted Striker

July 19th, 2012
10:29 am

God — despite what ZM said in this interview — had nothing to do with Zach Mettenberger being at LSU. The fact he put his hand up the skirt of a woman and grabbed her crotch….then LIED to Mark Richt about what he did is why he is at LSU.

Mett may very well be a decent individual. I hope he is. He could be the second coming of Dan Marino on the football field. I wish his all the success in the world.

However a man who gropes a woman then starts a ruckuss, then LIES about what he did….sir…take responsibility for your actions and OWN IT. Say “I messed up.”

Don’t ever say “God had another plan for me.”

You got another opportunity, Zach — and i’m glad you did — i believe in 2nd chances.

However don’t bring God into it when you groped a woman and lied and that’s the real reason you’re at LSU.

AltamahaDawg

July 19th, 2012
10:33 am

My take on it, was that the “event” happend 2 years ago, and he has already moved on, as so has everybody else. That was a seperate thing. I don’t think Georgia fans deserve anything more from him at this point, and LSU didn’t bring him there to talk about 2 yrs ago. If I were him , I’d be talking about Today, too. The fact that it’s inevitable that reporters are going to ask him about it, doesn’t mean he is obligated to say much more than he did.

rawdawd

July 19th, 2012
10:40 am

There is no way it was God’s plan for Mett to go to LSU. Everybody knows God is a UGA fan. Duh.

wreckmaniac

July 19th, 2012
10:46 am

Just another tired example of UGA getting the nations best talent and not knowing what to do with it.
Nothing ever changes. The average SEC coach can take average talent and beat the UGA Dream Queens. But CMR knows that the UGA fans demand that he recruit the Queens

DawgFan

July 19th, 2012
10:50 am

Yes, fire his Mom, I will take the job. Don’t need any LSWho fans working in the UGA HQ.

AltamahaDawg

July 19th, 2012
10:51 am

Wow, that did not sound like it came from a very smart person at all, wrechmaniac. You ok with that?

flo-ri-duh

July 19th, 2012
11:15 am

MuttenBubba needs to go to Bible study. God never directs any one towards sin. Mutt’s ignorance about the Bible and God is appalling. He needs to take the blame for his actions because HE is the reason he is no longer at UGA – not God.

flo-ri-duh

July 19th, 2012
11:17 am

You Techies need go back to division II conference known as the ACC. Go on back now.

GATiger

July 19th, 2012
1:59 pm

Well, this is truly interesting. Negative comments about student-athlete behavior from Georgia fans.

And do you really think he meant that God made him grab some girl’s butt? He made a big mistake at the age of 18. He paid a price. I’m sure getting booted from the team was a blow to him and the year at Butler was filled with uncertainty.

The kid got himself back together and put himself in position to get a second chance. He got that chance only through some harsh intervention with Danny Abramowics, former Saints WR, who is a good Christian man and testified for him to Miles.

From what I hear, he’s been a model citizen in BR. We’ll see if the redemption is complete.

Joe bob Thibodaux

July 19th, 2012
2:27 pm

Hello Chip:

As a life long LSU Tiger Fan, it sure is good to learn that GOD is preparing our way with His chosen quarterback. That is really great news for the LSU Tiger fan.

FANTASTIC!

Heck, if God wants Mett at LSU, then thats good enough for me.

JBT

Capt Jack

July 19th, 2012
3:04 pm

What’s up with all of the silly “fans of UGA” questions? Mett should have replied, Since I left UGA neither me nor my parents have no desire to spend any time pondering anything about that school. I am at LSU now and that is where my time and effort go. I left Athens 2 years ago. Is that so hard to comperehend?

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puff

July 20th, 2012
6:35 am

Big arm maybe, but small brain … “handled myself well.” Right.

GATA

July 20th, 2012
9:47 am

Can we have players make their mistakes SOMEPLACE ELSE, turn things around and THEN come to UGA? Too much of the reverse happening. Auburn got Cam, now LSU has Zach, so I suppose Crowell will end being the next Trent Richardson at Bama in a year or 2.

own up

July 20th, 2012
4:58 pm

God had nothing to do with it because god doesn’t exist.

FlDawg

July 22nd, 2012
10:38 am

Game Changer keep running your fat mouth, there is a lot of lightning in the air, if I were you I’d be careful with the venom you spew!

CJ

July 23rd, 2012
5:47 pm

Mettenberger record as starter: 11-1
Murray: 16-11

Mettenberger led team to 1 National Championship
Murray: 0

CJ

July 23rd, 2012
5:52 pm

Was it God’s will when David, in the Bible, had the affair? Isn’t that how we got Solomon? Was Solomon being born not God’s will? If God is omnipotent, God could have directed Mettenberger’s path in a very different manner. Did God allow those closest to Job to die? Yes. Yet God chose to allow things to occur and Mettenberger ends up starting for LSU. God is either omnipotent, or He is not God. If God is omnipotent, it must have been God’s plan to have Mettenberger leave UGA.

Jborodawg

July 25th, 2012
9:11 am

@AltamahaDawg…and a paltry few others…once again the voice of reason. Such vitriol on these blogs is, sadly, far too commonplace. I dare say that if the Mettenberger could have replied to the Q&A in writing; with ample time to say things “just right”, well, his responses would be a little different. But it seems every article here brings out negative reactions. Way too many ‘glass half empty’ types.

I agree totally that Zack seems to have paid the price and moved on. We should move on too and not create ulterior claptrap.

What does the Mettenberger Q&A have to do with Murray vs Mason? The vast majority of pundits and coaches across the country have Murray being all-SEC and even Heisman material. Just the fact that CMR and CMB have him as the starter should prove something. But, alas, many bloggers are spotless in their daily lives, have never made mistakes, and know more about football than CMR and CMB.

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