‘Gurshall’: Georgia’s freshman tailbacks command attention
Todd Gurley plows through Vanderbilt defenders (AJC photo/Brant Sanderlin)
ATHENS — As the hype builds around Georgia freshman tailbacks Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall, one of their teammates has settled on a nickname for the duo.
“Gurshall, that’s what I call them,” wide receiver Tavarres King said.
As King excitedly enunciates it, the combination of the first syllable of Gurley and the second syllable of Marshall rhymes with … Herschel.
The wildly premature suggestion that the Gurley-Marshall tandem is somehow reminiscent of Herschel Walker, the greatest Georgia tailback, reflects the excitement the freshmen have stirred.
Keith Marshall breaks a Vanderbilt tackle (AJC photo/Brant Sanderlin)
Tailback is a position that commands attention, good or bad. In the previous two seasons, Georgia tailbacks were known more for the bad — arrests, suspensions, dismissals, injuries. With Gurshall, things seem good again at the position.
“I went to the dining hall one day, and they started clapping,” Marshall said.
Another example of their celebrity: “Sat next to Todd Gurley at Zaxby’s,” a UGA student tweeted this week. “What are you doing with your life?”
Four games into their college careers, Gurley and Marshall have combined to rush for 670 yards and score 10 touchdowns. Gurley, the starter, leads the SEC in rushing (101.5 yards per game), scoring (10.5 points per game) and all-purpose yards (164.2 per game). His roommate and running mate, Marshall, has added 66 rushing yards per game.
In last week’s win over Vanderbilt, the duo combined for 212 rushing yards (Gurley 130, Marshall 82) and four touchdowns (two apiece). Each had a stirring TD run — Marshall a 52-yarder and Gurley a 29-yarder that featured several broken tackles and a safety stiff-armed to the ground.
“Wow, I’ve never seen anything like that in my life,” King said of Gurley’s run. “Well, not live. I saw Herschel do something like that [on tape].
“When [Gurley] made that run, in my head, I heard Munson: ‘My God, a freshman!’” said King, referring to legendary UGA broadcaster Larry Munson’s famous call of Walker’s debut against Tennessee in 1980.
Gurley and Marshall, who grew up 70 miles apart in North Carolina and became friends after meeting at a high school track meet, are aware of their growing celebrity but seem unfazed by it.
“You have people come up to you and everything,” Gurley said, “but I’m still taking it the same.”
“They don’t get caught up in it, and probably the best thing as a teammate is knowing they don’t hold themselves so highly,” linebacker Christian Robinson said. “They just show up everyday to work.”
“They are mature beyond their years,” receiver Michael Bennett said. “Eighteen years old and all this attention coming on them — they’re handling it really well.”
They arrived in Athens after several troubled seasons for the tailback position; Caleb King, Washaun Ealey, Carlton Thomas and Isaiah Crowell drew suspensions for various transgressions and eventually left the team.
“In the past, it’s kind of been a never-know-what-you’re-going-to-get type of thing,” Robinson said. “When you have guys of high character that show up everyday to work, you can trust them and you don’t get as frustrated with them when things don’t go well. I guess, when things are different, you can kind of pinpoint that maybe that’s why we weren’t having the production — behavior issues and things like that. We don’t have that anymore, and this team is a lot better because of it.”
Running backs coach Bryan McClendon is keeping an eye on how Gurley and Marshall handle the adulation that comes with success, although he isn’t worried.
“I’m a part of the process of keeping them humble,” McClendon said. “But they come from a great family, both of those guys. They’re very humble people to begin with, so that’s not something you foresee being an issue at all.”
On the field, the 6-foot-1, 218-pound Gurley is a blend of power and speed, while the 5-11, 216-pound Marshall is a former high school sprint champion who once competed against Gurley in the 100-meter dash. “I won,” Marshall said.
“Those two guys are thunder [Gurley] and lightning [Marshall],” King said.
Off the field, Gurley is affectionately described as “goofy” by several teammates and does not disagree. “I just like to have some fun, pick everybody up,” Gurley said. “I probably am a little goofy.” Marshall is described as the quieter of the two.
“They both act like little kids. They’re really cheerful, messing around the locker room, joking,” quarterback Aaron Murray said. “I don’t see them as guys who are going to let their fame or their success get to their heads too much and think they’re all that.”
– Tim Tucker
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242 comments Add your comment
Really?
September 28th, 2012
1:48 pm
The sad litttle haters live for fridays this season. Saturday and sunday are no fun because the blogs have nothing but positive Georgia news and of course the bandwagoners have taken the place of the “I told you so” losers. During the week mommy won’t let the haters play on her computer but come friday they get jacked up on whichever energy drink is currently hip and run wild.
What’s truly saddest is most of them are in their 20’s and attend the north avenue trade school. Mommy still makes all the decisions though.
Joey
September 28th, 2012
1:55 pm
Good point, ARdawg.
Whatever works – and it’s dang sure working so far.
Derek's Dooley
September 28th, 2012
2:11 pm
Bottom line is these 2 have not played against traditional SEC linemen yet until this week (translated as Buffalo, FAU, Vandy all white and Missou not ready for primetime). If they still are running wild at Saturday’s game then they are legit. I remember all of the Humpers saying that Crowell was the 2nd coming until he started taking himself off the field.
Really?
September 28th, 2012
2:18 pm
flat tire
We get it. You are a sad friendless little nothing that lives to run his suck all day every day on numerous blogs. You pretend to be a fan so you can hedge your bet and celebrate when Georgia wins big or say I told you so in the unlikely event that they lose. You are a gutless litlle coward that is afraid to declare for either side. You have spent your entire life in the shadows and behind your keyboard in your dirty dank hovel is the only place you feel safe.
Now trot out your tired useless argument about “I’m a fan but I don’t drink the kool aid bla blah blah” You are a big fat zero and until you beg borrow or steal a backbone that is all you will ever be. I REALLY will never begin to understand how people like you manage to drag themselves out of bed each day knowing it will be filled with despair just like the day before and every day after until you are gone remembered and missed by no one.
kingdaddy
September 28th, 2012
2:31 pm
To all Kool-ade Drinkers…
Keep on drinking baby! Who rains on our parade? Just a bunch of sad, jealous losers who hide behind other teams. Are we the best? HELL NO! Not till we beat the best. Are we looking good compared to last year? Hell yeah! Are we afraid of any team on our schedule? I don’t think so, but most of us realize until we beat UT, SC, UF & yes Auburn, we shouldn’t get cocky or even gloat. That isn’t smart, but and this is a big but, there is no reason why we can’t already be PROUD OF OUR TEAM. They are better than the team that won 10 games last year and if they can stay focused, then the Dawgs can have a Monster year. I’m not afraid to be Proud of my Dawgs or their fans and if you don’t like our enthusiasm, then you can suckit…
Newman
September 28th, 2012
2:33 pm
3 + 4 does = 34.
Joey
September 28th, 2012
2:33 pm
Derek’s Dooley – would you consider Lattimore a top SEC RB?
Here’s what Lattimore, Gurley, and Marshall did vs a common opponent, Vandy 3 weeks apart:
Lattimore 23 carries 110 yds 4.8 ave
Gurley 16 carries 130 yds 8.1 ave
Marshall 10 carries 82 yds 8.2 ave
They are doing pretty good, for teenagers.
kingdaddy
September 28th, 2012
2:44 pm
Really?
Tell how you really feel, bro…URADGD…
7576DAWG
September 28th, 2012
2:57 pm
Flat tire does seem to be gloomier today than normal. I wonder what would make him happy.
SportsFan31313
September 28th, 2012
2:58 pm
We’re coming to your city
Well we flew through Oklahoma,
Alabama, & through Georgia
Time to get on down to Florida
For the game.
And then we loaded up our tailgate
Joined a convoy on the freeway
Headed north to see them Buckeyes
And Notre Dame.
Victory for USC
Bulldogs barking at the Wolverines
Hook ‘em horns and gimme that
Rocky Top Tennessee.
(Cowboy Troy)
Blue 32, down, set
You love football you know what’s next
Got it locked on E-S-P-N
Tell your family & friends
‘Cause Fowler, Corso, & Herbstreit
Got the lowdown on your rivalries
So buckle your chinstraps
Get ready to play
It’s time to kick off
College Gameday
(Big & Rich)
Coming to your city
And if you want a little thing in your ying-yang
If you want a little zing in your zang-zang
If you want a little ching in your chang-chang
Come along (Come along)
Ya we’re coming to your city.
SportsFan31313
September 28th, 2012
2:59 pm
GO DAWGS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SIC EM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
kingdaddy
September 28th, 2012
3:07 pm
7576
He has needed Midol all morning. I’m talking early son. He’ll be ok. We just need to keep winning so he won’t jump off his trailer and hurt himself. Normally, Flats is alright, but some of the guys got on him and he hasn’t been the same. A big ol win tomorrow will make him feel better…
Joey
September 28th, 2012
3:09 pm
Nothing = 34.
kingdaddy
September 28th, 2012
3:26 pm
I am looking forward to watching “Tree” bust-a-move up the middle and put the smack-down on Bray. Next play, Jarvis on his 6 with another sack. On 3rd & long, the pocket collaspe as Big John catches Bray praying for a mountain to fall on him and hide him from our relentless pass-rush while all his recievers are covered. I hope their punter sees lots of action and Mitchell gets lots of chances for a long runback. Yeap, I really can see it, yes sir…
Whiznot
September 28th, 2012
3:43 pm
What a major upgrade at tailback. We get rid of Crowell who was poison and gain two talented and committed workers. Georgia football is a blast!
kingdaddy
September 28th, 2012
3:45 pm
OMG!
FNC accidentally showed live feed of a car-jacker they have been following through Arizona. They were suppose to have a five second delay on the tape, but it was live. The car jacker pulled off the side of the road and ran about 200′ from the car, put the gun to his head and God forgive him. They should never ever have shown that. What a mistake. Wish I hadn’t seen that…
Steamer Lane Bulldog
September 28th, 2012
4:03 pm
Thanks to the Boys, from North Cackalacky, for going to UGA.
They are great Tail Backs and they seem to be great guys as well!
It is nice to finally have fine student athletes instead of “Bone Heads”, at that critical position.
Bernie Matt
September 28th, 2012
4:04 pm
OHH! YOU HERSCHEL WALKER YOU!!
kingdaddy
September 28th, 2012
4:16 pm
You make asmuch sense as a two “dolla” bill, lol. You gonna gonna wear your orange panties???
kingdaddy
September 28th, 2012
4:21 pm
Dolla
We beat ya last year in your house. Betta bring your A-game brotha, brotha…
kingdaddy
September 28th, 2012
4:26 pm
Hope ya don’t get your feeling hurt easily Dolla Dolla cause we gon make you holla holla for your momma-momma…
johnny o
September 28th, 2012
4:44 pm
Law and Order must be a JEALOUS Tech fan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
polskidawg
September 28th, 2012
5:35 pm
Young Mr. Robinson is quite perceptive. Seems that at least some of the Bulldawgs have learned that there IS a correlation between character and performance.
Healthy Tailgate Recipe - Chicken Blue-Cheese Potato Skins | Diabetes Soul
September 28th, 2012
6:24 pm
[...] (Of course, if you’re a Georgia Bulldog like me, that comes after you’ve talked about tailbacks, O-line, how awesome Jarvis Jones is, will Bacarri Rambo be back, [...]
uncledaddy
September 28th, 2012
9:00 pm
ORANGE CRUSH
Tennessee – 31
UGA – 28
in OT
It’s gonna be a good one.
Apostle
September 28th, 2012
9:32 pm
We’ll see how good they are by how they play the next few games.I hope Mrs D feels comfortable wearing orange while surrounded by red and black GO DAWGS!!
aladawg
September 28th, 2012
10:26 pm
Flat Tire, you Georgia Tech jerk, get the heck off of the DAWGS blog and go suck your thumb.
Phillip
September 28th, 2012
10:44 pm
Gurley has been super so far. He reminds me more of Tim Worley than any back at Georgia since 1976.
davidinloganville
September 28th, 2012
11:23 pm
my 2 cents on Gurley comparisons he looks more like Rodney Hampton to me, just a little faster.
jp
September 29th, 2012
12:24 am
flat tire we have beaten them all you idiot.we lead the conference in scoring. you are the kind of guy that would complain about paying taxes after winning the lotto.go watch golf and moan when tiger misses a put. bobo is working on another 40 pts for the 5th time in a row. pretty good adjusting.
BigGAdawg
September 29th, 2012
4:09 am
I like T. King’s play on the field, but combining their names is even more lame that when the idiot Poop-a-ratzie do it for Hollywood couples. This needs to be dropped into the “vat of forgetfulness” and never uttered again, especially by sports reporters, (who as a group tend to latch onto anything that is lame, campy, or tacky). And LOSE the Herschel comparisons. There is only one Herschel.
JUNKYARD DAWG
September 29th, 2012
5:50 am
OK YOU HAIRY DAWG’S ,GET YOUR MIND’S RIGHT AND GET SooooooEM!
david
September 29th, 2012
10:33 am
hope rambo doesnt git burn on play action again.
Dawg-Gawn
September 29th, 2012
11:51 am
Chip you are spelling the name wrong it’s Gurl = Her…. gurl is the hip spelling of girl, both gurl and her being female forms of speech. schel = shall so therefore the correct spelling is GURLSHALL!
The originator and creator of this combo name was Daniel Huckaby who writes for thedawgbone blog not #12 WR Tavarres King.
@BigGAdawg and all other left-brain logic control freaks = party poo-per… get a grip…. look up the words fun and vision in Wikipedia… you could use a dose of each! (*_~)
“Phi Beta Gata”
“SackMaster29 Rises”
“Bobo’s Pistol is Legal”
“Our Time” “Our Team” “No Regrets”
“BELIEVE” in the “G”
Neutral
September 29th, 2012
11:53 am
I love it!!!!! Two great kids from great families. I sincerely believe they will stay humble and set positive examples for their teammates. Go Dawgs!!!
kingdaddy
September 29th, 2012
12:12 pm
Today= Dooley’s Demise…
Dawg-Gawn
September 29th, 2012
1:01 pm
Down-South Kingdaddy Dawg… Hunker down Dawg… now that’s the Ticket I been Talkin’ bout!
“Gurley Bawl Y’all”
“Spread the Red”
“G” Rises Up”
“Jawjuh Bawls”
“BELIEVE in the “G”
Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life/J.Jones for Heisman))
September 29th, 2012
1:31 pm
@ Kingdaddy:
Flats has NEVER been okay!!!!!! He has morphed into one of the biggest detractors that claim to be a Dawg. I admit he provided some nice input months ago but now it is people like him that will once again hurt UGA recruiting. He doesn’t have to kiss any a$$es but his stuff is definitely NOT supporting UGA!!!!!!!!
Billy Joe Bobby
September 29th, 2012
1:31 pm
I’m on upset alert.
dolla dolla bill
September 29th, 2012
1:36 pm
Tennessee has a shot today…they play well vs ACC teams…and Georgia is as ACC as you can get without officially joining that conference…
dolla dolla bill
September 29th, 2012
1:42 pm
that Dawg-Gawn character has got to be a chick…just sayin’…
icons collection
October 4th, 2012
10:36 pm
The authoritative point of view, it is tempting