Georgia’s Todd Gurley shares SEC freshman of week honor with Bama back
Freshman Todd Gurley high steps into the east end zone at Sanford Stadium after scoring his first of three touchdowns in his college debut. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
ATHENS – Georgia tailback Todd Gurley was named the Southeastern Conference Freshman Player of the Week following his performance versus Buffalo, which will probably come as no surprise.
What might come somewhat as a surprise is that he had to share the honor.
Alabama tailback T.J. Yeldon split the award with Gurley. Yeldon was fantastic in the No. 2-ranked Crimson Tide’s 41-14 win over No. 8 Michigan. He had 137 yards total yards on 12 touches (111 on 11 carries and one 26-yard reception) and one touchdown.
Gurley, a 6-foot-1, 218-pound freshman from Tarburo, N.C., had 227 yards on 10 touches (100 yards on 8 carries and 127 yards on two kickoff returns) and 3 TDs. Of course, Gurley’s work came against Buffalo, a Mid-American Conference team.
Nevertheless, Gurley is the first Bulldog to earn this honor in his first collegiate game. Gurley scored a touchdown on his second career carry — a 10-yard run off left tackle — then scored five minutes later on a 100-yard kickoff return. His 55-yard touchdown run, a gem in which he broke three tackles and stiff-armed two defenders to the ground, came on his final carry of the day midway through the fourth quarter. That made Gurley the first Bulldog freshman to go over 100 yards rushing in his season-opening debut since Danny Ware had 135 yards and 3 TDs against Georgia Southern in 2004.
Gurley’s 100-yard kickoff return tied the school, SEC and NCAA records. He was named the College Football Performance Awards National Kickoff Returner of the Week.
The question now is whether or not Gurley will get the start against Missouri on Saturday as the Bulldogs open their SEC slate on the road (7:45 p.m., ESPN2). This past Saturday’s starter, sophomore Ken Malcome, injured his left hand against Buffalo and was unable to return to the game. His injury was to be revaluated this week.
Coach Mark Richt was non-commital on Sunday. “Well, he’ll definitely get the ball, that’s for sure,” Richt said.
In the meantime, here were the other Week 1 award recipients in the SEC:
OFFENSIVE PLAYER
- Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina: 110 yards on 23 carries, 2 TDs in 17-13 win over Vanderbilt
DEFENSIVE PLAYER
- Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama: 5 tackles, 4 pass break-ups, 1 interception in Alabama’s 41-14 win over Michigan
SPECIAL TEAMS
- Marcus Murphy, TB/PR, Missouri: Returned two punts for TDs and accumulated 206 all-purpose yards in Missouri’s 62-10 win against SE Louisiana.
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
- Zach Fulton, G, Tennessee: Starting 16th consecutive game, helped pave way to 524 yards offense in 35-21 win over N.C. State in Atlanta.
Co-DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
- C.J. Johnson, DE Ole Miss: 6 tackles and a sack in Rebels’ 49-27 win over Central Arkansas.
- Chris Smith, DE, Arkansas: 6 tackles, a sack and a QB pressure in 49-24 win against Jacksonville State.
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179 comments Add your comment
#73
September 3rd, 2012
5:09 pm
Tampa… where OXYCONTIN is a way of life. That place is such a dump. I inherited a beach house in Belle Air Bluffs went down and to spend the week and met with a realtor after two days to sell the place. y.u.c.k.
Huh?
September 3rd, 2012
5:09 pm
Well I see Dog fans are brushing off the Buffalo game and are right back to drinking the Kool-Ade. Well enjoy it while you can I guess….from what I saw on Saturday, the Dogs won’t be playing for any kind of championship this year.
TN looks the best in the East, and nobody is going to beat Bama or Lsu.
Son of Sammy Davis Jr, Jr
September 3rd, 2012
5:15 pm
Marcus Lattimore won SEC offensive player of the week.
Mookie
September 3rd, 2012
5:24 pm
Lattimore was less than 5 yards per carry so not deserving when there were better performances.
harold
September 3rd, 2012
5:27 pm
READ HAROLD’S POST @3:29.
GIRLY IS THE 21st NEXT HERSCHEL WALKER. HERSCHEL IS 5O NOW.
UGA HAS NOT EVEN BEEN TO A BCS TITLE GAME. LAST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WAS 32 YEARS AGO!
ONCE AGAIN: LOTS OF BARK IN ATHENS: NO BITE: THAT D LOOKED HORRIBLE SAT.
AND AGAINST A BUFFALO?
Old Man Football Lover
September 3rd, 2012
5:30 pm
@Zino – stop riding Saban’s jockstrap!
joe jenkins
September 3rd, 2012
5:36 pm
does anybody know when the last time we played a complete game of football on both sides of the ball….geez wake up people….mizzo is going to kill us
Old Man Football Lover
September 3rd, 2012
5:45 pm
@ Joe Jenkins – probably Jan 2008 against Hawaii
William
September 3rd, 2012
5:50 pm
Defense looked pitiful, Had to play freshmen at tailback, Murray looked awful. Special teams were pathetic, Play calling was old man like, we might as well forfeit to Missouri next week. I don’t see how we can stop them with a defense that gives up 23 points to a terrible Buffalo team. I don’t like our chances at all. Too many question marks all over the field. Line play is bad and receivers can’t catch. May as well skip this game and get ready for Florida Atlantic.
daddo
September 3rd, 2012
5:52 pm
But you beat LSU for a half………hahahahahahahahaha.
ringleader
September 3rd, 2012
5:54 pm
Tampa might want to run up to Gainesville rather than to Clearwater and help Muschump out. The Gators had more penalties than they had first downs. And, I think the quarterback was chosen last week. They split the plays, one ran 55, the other 11. I guess its the Gators math of 50/50.
Tampa Gator
September 3rd, 2012
5:55 pm
@slobodan….
I may be wrong….and I have been wrong before as “ringleader” so graciously posted above…..but I believe the 5 yard rule only applies in the NFL and not college football. I believe….and again I may be wrong….in college football you cannot touch or shove or hit a receiver after the ball has left the QBs hand and crossed the neutral zone. I see college DBs shoving WRs off their routes all the time beyond 5 yards….and I believe it is legal as long as the ball has not left the QBs hands and crossed the neutral zone. I do not believe the 5 yard deal applies in college football or high school football. An NFL CB is not supposed to alter a receiver’s route after the first 5 yards….but a college DB can…..as long as (see above). And….if I am correct….and I might not be…..Milliner play was legal because the ball had not left the Michigan QB’s hand and crossed the neutral zone. I am sticking to that….and obviously the refs for the game did too. As well as the announcers who made no mention of an illegal play on that Milliner INT.
So…..@WOW
…..unless you can find a rule that states otherwise…..you have to believe my “CRAP”….the refs “CRAP” from the game…..and the announcers “CRAP” who made no mention of illegal contact or pass interferance on that play.
duckafawg
September 3rd, 2012
5:57 pm
>Shawn: you’re not as smart as you think…the 5-yard rule is ONLY a pro football rule…you owe Tampa an apology
TDawg
September 3rd, 2012
5:59 pm
@ Joe Jenkins- last complete game
2011 Auburn game was pretty good
Tampa Gator
September 3rd, 2012
6:03 pm
Zino Dawg…..
Love downtown Dunedin. Eat there all the time. And wife and I take in all the downtown arts and crafts festivals.
SugarHillDawg
September 3rd, 2012
6:05 pm
I’m not trying to rain on Gurley’s parade BUT if he keeps running straight up like that, somebody is gonna break him in half.
Tampa Gator
September 3rd, 2012
6:08 pm
ringleader
September 3rd, 2012
5:54 pm
“Tampa might want to run up to Gainesville rather than to Clearwater and help Muschump out. The Gators had more penalties than they had first downs. And, I think the quarterback was chosen last week. They split the plays, one ran 55, the other 11. I guess its the Gators math of 50/50.”
@ringleader…..
First, Muschamp does not need my help. He is doing just fine. Second, they did not have more penalties than first downs. It was 50/50…..14 first downs and 14 penalties….so I guess your MATH is no better………and the only reason the game was as close as it was.
10-2 is a good year! Right?
September 3rd, 2012
6:13 pm
Gurley named freshman of the week, immediately guaranteeing a dozen play-action deep throws on 1st down and another dozen sprint draws on 2nd down from Bobo on Staurday.
Tampa Gator
September 3rd, 2012
6:13 pm
#73……
Oxycotin is the new drug of choice all over the U.S…..not just in the Tampa area. And I guess it being such a horrible place is why so many millions have chosen to live in the area…..and why the beaches have repeatedly been ranked the best in North America. Maybe you just should find better people to hang out with in Tampa….on your next visit.
Tampa Gator
September 3rd, 2012
6:15 pm
Now….time to go hunt for some fish in the sea……another horrible draw back from living in the Bay area. But where are my oxycotin pills?
Dawg Bite
September 3rd, 2012
6:27 pm
I would hope that the Dogs can make that Mizzou guy eat his words. Old man football? I hope Mizzou plays Alabama, he will get a great big dose of that for sure. LSU also, and hopefully from UGA unless Bobo tries to air it out long every play. Surely he hid some of the playbook this past game. We do have tight ends to throw to don’t we? And, isn’t a pass over the middle still legal?
kingdaddy
September 3rd, 2012
6:29 pm
If you don’t like the Tampa/St. Pete area, then you probably have never been there or you were in the wrong side of town looking for some oxys…
slobodan
September 3rd, 2012
6:39 pm
Tampa Gator: normally I’m too lazy to look things up, but I did in this case:
you are correct; the illegal contact rule (outside the 5 yard zone) is an NFL rule and does not exist in NCAA or HS..
JoeFann also pointed this out and he is correct as well..
Makes me wonder: why aren’t all recerivers knocked on their arse while QB still has the ball (especially on rollouts).
azdawg
September 3rd, 2012
6:40 pm
“Marcus Murphy, TB/PR, Missouri: Returned two punts for TDs and accumulated 206 all-purpose yards in Missouri’s 62-10 win against SE Louisiana”
We’ll see just how good/improved GA’s punt coverage is this saturday in columbia. Based on both GA and MO 1st game performances, we may see 1st loss of the season for4 the dawgs. Reminds me of when GA went to CO and lost that game.
Hope the defense will be better prepared and hyped for this game. I wouldn’t want to be the team to lose to MO SEC debut. Come on DAWGS.
Special K
September 3rd, 2012
6:43 pm
Agreed Tampa G. Was only looking at what he did after the int. Yes the knock out of bounds on the wr is legal.
Special K
September 3rd, 2012
6:44 pm
You can as a db edge the wr out of bounds. The wr should stay away from the line at teh start of the play. You should never get yourself edged out ob.
Special K
September 3rd, 2012
6:45 pm
Should say the. Sorry for the sp.
kingdaddy
September 3rd, 2012
6:49 pm
Chip
One of the things I didn’t like about Bobo’s gameplan that ticked me off was the fact that we left their offense on the field too long. They held the ball for 32:07 to our 27:53. The question is why won’t Bobo play a more ball-control, grind it out offense that denies the other offense a chance for a big play? I think at times, our Defense was winded because of a quick TD by UGA, ir us rapidly turning the ball over. Why can’t we run more, eat the clock and keep the Defense fresh? This formula has worked well enough for Alabama and LSU, but it not good enough for us! Bobo is like,”Don’t worry about turning the ball over in a 52 second possesion, the Defense has our back! ” CTG should speak-up…
Destin Dawg
September 3rd, 2012
7:13 pm
I sold pelleting equip. to H.P. hood and sons citrus plant in Dunedin.. out of production for years .. recently torn down ?? thats how old I am
kingdaddy
September 3rd, 2012
7:15 pm
Destin Dawg
No new tricks for you, lol.(me either)
Glory between the Hedges
September 3rd, 2012
7:21 pm
I think we have only seen the surface of what Gurley is going to do at Georgia. He may not be Hershel, but he may be the next best thing. The kid has the it factor. Even people who hate Georgia know it. Someone please tell me that us missing Crowell is going to be a big factor now.
BigDawg
September 3rd, 2012
7:23 pm
Harold, you continue to impress: “AND AGAINST A BUFFALO?” And yes, I want large fries with that! You are a DB (not defensive back).
Destin Dawg
September 3rd, 2012
7:29 pm
Crowell got 4 yards on 2 carries for AlA. State Sun… went out hurt ??
BG
September 3rd, 2012
7:38 pm
Congrats Gurley! GO DAWGS!!
ringleader
September 3rd, 2012
7:44 pm
Tampa……..They had 3 penalties which were declined.
CC
September 3rd, 2012
7:53 pm
GATA Gurley!
ringleader
September 3rd, 2012
8:16 pm
You guys see Tech’s helmets. What happened to the Old Gold, did they Clorox them to get that Mello Yello?
hope no more arrests
September 3rd, 2012
8:20 pm
missouri your ass is beat
TDawg
September 3rd, 2012
8:21 pm
Yes, IC looked very familiar In his aL St debut. Mostly standing and watching. His hammy tightened up. Any NFL scouts probably left at half laughing out loud. What a waste.
Had he stayed and had his hammy tighten up Saturday against Buffalo he would have fallen to at least 4th string. He might have even been beaten out in practice by 3 guys. Who needs him?
TDawg
September 3rd, 2012
8:24 pm
Wow, didn’t think they could top the mustard yellow look for ugly. Beauty in the eye of the nerdy beholder I guess
Your Girlfriend
September 3rd, 2012
8:31 pm
I see Georgia and Missouri as being fairly evenly matched. Should come down to which team makes the least mistakes.
j,t,
September 3rd, 2012
8:31 pm
Washan and Isaiah who???
'94 UGA Alumnus
September 3rd, 2012
8:41 pm
Hey TampaGator,
Bowling Green is definitely better than Buffalo and FL looked better than UGA on Saturday as did most every decent team in the country. UGA is really missing Ogletree and Rambo and I’m not sure we can beat Mizzou without them. Without ‘Tree and Rambo we lose 2 of our biggest hitters and we look more like a finese team out there.
DOGGIE IN NC
September 3rd, 2012
8:50 pm
Missouri’s offense actually scored less against a Div. II team than the Dawgs offense scored. Their defense scored 28 of their points and another 14 were scored on returns. 20 points is what we have to worry about? Kinda hard to run it back when it goes through the end zone or hangs up there long enough for the coverage to force a fair catch. Dawgs are going to put some “OLE MAN ASS WHUPP’N” on those pussycats! GO DOGGIES
college is forever
September 3rd, 2012
8:54 pm
Now that the fan base knows how good Gurley really is, five bucks says that Bobo will use him for around 10-12 carries.
Dawgbreath
September 3rd, 2012
9:01 pm
What a comeback by Lattimore. Best RB in the country.
PIERCE DAWG
September 3rd, 2012
9:23 pm
TAMPA GATOR the gators looked like s$$$. You have no room to talk. Bama has the class of the sec,but the dawgs will mop the floor with the gators again this year. Muschamp will be gone after this year. Gator days are over,dog days are here. It will be between s carolina and the dawgs for the east. Muschamp will self destruct.
Tampa Gator
September 3rd, 2012
9:31 pm
Brandon Jenkins…….FSU’s outstanding DE……is done for the year.
@ringleader…..
Are you serious????????
Tampa Gator
September 3rd, 2012
9:45 pm
@Pierce Dawt at 9:23pm post…….come on man……you can do better than that….I know you can. Let me show you how. Follow along now…this is how you do it….much much better:
Muschamp is a dumbchump. He be really bad coach and can’t hardly beat Bowling Green. So be bad their sorry two QBs. No RBs either. They all be sorry and bad just like last year. OL be bad too. Just like last year. Dawgs will chump all their sorry S$$$ butts. Defense way overrated and they really be bad too. Bowling Green showed everyone that they be bad. Muschamp wishes he was DC for Georgia so can be be good again. And not a sorry Gaytors head coach. No one good except Dawgs except Bama boys. They be OK but not good as Dawg boys. The Dawgs be really good compared to Bama and LSU. Gaytors can’t beat Dawgs ever again. Can’t beat SC ever again either. But Dawgs will beat them because they be better than chickens. Gaytors just be bad because they just be bad and have very bad coach in Mushmancumper. I bet Mutterchamper is wishing he was still at Texas although they also be bad compared to Georgia. We beat Muschuppp and Gaytors this year and every year for every more.
See…..you can post just like that. I know you can. You be really good at posting. Much better than any Gaytor fan. They all be very bad. Just like Muschumpper.
Destin Dawg
September 3rd, 2012
9:45 pm
gators only win 4 games this year .. already won one.. no bowl game.. Muschamp will be gone !!