Notebook: Todd Gurley eyes 1,000 yards while ‘Gurshall’ runs past Herschel
Georgia freshman tailback Todd Gurley (3) celebrates his 11th rushing TD of the season, which came against Auburn this past Saturday. (AP photo)
ATHENS — With 27 yards rushing against Georgia Southern on Saturday, Todd Gurley can become only the second true freshman in Georgia football history to go over 1,000 yards in a season. And it’s not beyond the realm of possibility Gurley could still catch that first guy on the list.
Gurley would need to average 160.7 yards in the Bulldogs’ final four games to run down Hall of Famer Herschel Walker. But that likely won’t happen because of the “Gurshall” phenomena, and “Gurshall’s” going to blow past Herschel this week anyway.
“Gurshall” is the nickname dreamed up by receiver Tavarres King for Georgia’s combination of freshman tailbacks, Gurley and Keith Marshall. Together they’ve accounted for 1,595 yards and 17 touchdowns. Walker’s freshman record set in 1980 was 1,616 yards and 16 touchdowns.
“I had no idea about that,” said Gurley, who has accounted 973 and 11 scores. “I knew I had 900-and-something, but I wasn’t even sure. That’s pretty cool.”
“We’re not really focused on that because we’re in the middle of a season and we’ve still got a good deal of football left to play,” Marshall said modestly. “But it’s cool to be compared to somebody like that.”
“Cool” doesn’t begin to describe how important their output has been for the Bulldogs this season. Considering that Georgia lost its leading rusher from the previous season, Isaiah Crowell (850 yards), for Gurley and Marshall to show up as freshmen and come through as they have might be the biggest reason the Bulldogs find themselves back in the SEC Championship game.
“It’s huge,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “And I’ve got faith in Ken Malcome. I thought Ken was really coming on. He’s a good player, too, and he’s helping us win, no doubt. But Keith and Todd are very talented guys, obviously, and they’re both very mature guys. They’ve both kind of fed off each other in a very positive way.”
Said offensive coordinator Mike Bobo: “It was huge, because we definitely needed some consistency in the backfield, and those two guys stepped up. But it hasn’t been just those two. (Fullback) Merritt Hall, (right tackle) John Theus and (tight ends) Artie Lynch and Jay Rome and (center) David Andrews. We’d lost six starters on offense. Obviously a lot of credit goes to Todd and Keith, too.”
Probably the most important aspect of the whole equation is both players enter the 12th week of the regular season relatively healthy. They’ve had the resident strains as sprains but, to this point, neither player has missed even a single practice. That has been the byproduct of having a three-player rotation at tailback.
So while sharing the load has kept Gurley from running down Herschel, it has also helped keep all three backs running.
“In this league, you ain’t going to last long taking 30 carries every week,” Gurley said. “You need somebody to be there with you. We have other backs that can get into the rotation.”
Reaching the 1,000-yard milestone is good enough for Gurley. “That’s a big accomplishment, just to get a 1,000 in this league as a freshman,” he said. “I’d love to get that.”
Knowshon Moreno rushed for 1,334 yards and 14 TDs as a redshirt freshman. Georgia’s next-best freshman duo was Thomas Brown and Danny Ware, who combined for 1,567 yards in 2004.
Garner: Rules should address cut-blocking
Georgia defensive line coach Rodney Garner was agrees with some of his players that cut-blocking should be illegal. But he was
“I think if we’re truly concerned about student-athlete welfare, then we need to ensure that we’re looking at it from a safety standpoint on both sides of the ball,” Garner said. “Sometimes I feel like the (rules) may be favoring one side over the other. We need to make sure we’re examining rules and making sure these safety things are in place for both sides of the ball. There are safety concerns on both sides. There are some things they need to look at for the safety of the student-athlete, because there could be some career-ending type things that happen out there.”
Georgia lost senior defensive end Abry Jones to an ankle injury earlier this season. Last year, the Bulldogs lost senior defensive end DeAngelo Tyson to a season-ending ankle injury against Georgia Tech. Noseguard Kwame Geathers was suspended for a half last season for punching a Vanderbilt player after he clipped his knee from behind at the end of a play.
Etc. . . .
Georgia practiced in full pads Tuesday for the second consecutive day. Starting right guard Chris Burnette (shoulder) and outside linebacker Chase Vasser (shoulder) continued to be held out and remain questionable for Saturday’s game. … Freshman Josh Harvey-Clemons, who has been playing defensive back and special teams all season, practiced with the outside linebackers Tuesday. “We’re just trying to get our best 11 out there,” defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said.
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132 comments Add your comment
shankit
November 14th, 2012
1:56 pm
Looking forward to the 2013 season, assuming Murray will be back,
it just doesn’t seem fair to have three potential heisman candidates
on the same team. Gurley, Marshal and Murray. Not to mention
maybe a WR named Mitchell.
Lexi
November 14th, 2012
1:57 pm
Agree with Reality Check. Hershel was the greatest college football player of all time. He started at UGA my last year there, and I saw all those games in person (through beer goggles). He was absolutely electrifying, running over and past defenders. I’ve had season tickets since and can attest that no one has ever raised the volume of the crowd noise near the levels Hershel did. And, he was durable. The man played against Notre Dame with a dislocated shoulder.
That said, Gurley and Marshall rank with the best of the rest.
shankit
November 14th, 2012
1:58 pm
Forgot to mention JJ. Maybe they can divide the Heisman, Outland, Maxwell and
that other award among the four of them.
Mark (another one)
November 14th, 2012
2:08 pm
Walker was an unbelieveable back and I appreciate that fact that he is back involved some with UGA athletics. That said, his playing days are over and football has changed. The players are faster and bigger, the collisions more violent. The season is also longer. Walker was a man amoung boys in the SEC of 1980. I am certain he would also be great now. That cannot be said of most football players from the early 80s.
That said, this is 2012 and we needed someone to come in and solidify our running game. We were so one sided towards the pass last year that teams used that against us. It was only late in the year that Malcome came on for us. This year we have Gurley, Marshall, Malcome and Samuel. Having a rushing attack has opened up the pass, and thus balanced our offense. For all you Bobo detractors, its much easier to mix things up when both aspects are working.
shankit
November 14th, 2012
2:18 pm
Me thinks A. J. McCarron is under an extreme amount of pressure
for a young man to endure. Probably having trouble sleeping well
at night, recalling his two interceptions, and considering his fan base and their used
to be obnoxiouness, their can do no wrong coach and the media. Me thinks if
the Dawgs score early, he will get tippy toed again, and Rambo and
Smith could have a field day. Not so, with Murray, the Dawgs have
no pressure at all on them, cause they are supposed to be blown out
anyway by Paul Finebaum and the Roll Tide fan base. Shut down the
Bama running game and put the pressure on A. J., and I think good things
will happen.
Busta
November 14th, 2012
2:25 pm
I think I smell it.
BobDog
November 14th, 2012
2:30 pm
I also agree that Herschel was maybe the best college player ever, but wonder how he would do in today’s game with the bigger and faster defensive players. I also wonder how Gurley would have done in that era. All three backs are special.
shankit
November 14th, 2012
2:34 pm
In today’s game?, bigger and faster?, how would Herschel do?
Probably just do another extra couple hundred push ups a day to overcome.
Delbert D.
November 14th, 2012
2:36 pm
I think “Marley” would be a better moniker for the 2 guys (props to Bob Marley)
On the player safety issue that Garner addressed, maybe something could be done with regard to weight limits and fitness levels for players. 300 or thereabouts pounds ought to be enough for a big guy in good shape. The problem starts before the high school level. I hate to think that some of these kids were put on HGH by parents.
shankit
November 14th, 2012
2:44 pm
Delbert, something should be done with regards to weight limits and fitness levels not only to players but others as well. Have a local buffet here in Dosta, you ought to see some of the couples that come through the buffet with their kids. No wonder health costs are so high.
Joey
November 14th, 2012
2:47 pm
There was one Herschel Walker. Period.
Had he played his senior season, and if bowl game yardage was included back then, his career yardage wouldn’t come close to being equaled, even in 13 and 14 game seasons now.
Herschel was big and strong, but also had world class speed, competing against the best sprinters in the world back in the 80’s. I remember a photo of a race where Herschel finished 2nd to Houston McTear, the world record holder in the 100M – Herschel looked like he outweighed McTear by at least 80 lbs.
I love our two young backs – Gurley is a combination of power and speed I haven’t seen since Tim Worley, and Marshall has breakaway speed I haven’t seen in a RB at UGA in a long time.
shankit
November 14th, 2012
2:50 pm
Worley and Henderson, good year, spoiled another unbeaten season
for the Gators, ranked number 1 prior to the cocktail party.
shankit
November 14th, 2012
2:55 pm
Gurley and Marshal, good year, spoiled another unbeaten season
for the Gators, ranked number 2 prior to the cocktail party.
Joey
November 14th, 2012
3:04 pm
shankit, if I think I remember Rodney Hampton was also a teammate of Worley and Henderson, and enjoyed the best NFL career of the 3 by far.
RPOLLARDREALTOR
November 14th, 2012
3:05 pm
You cannot say enough about these two young men. I thought I read somewhere when they were still in highschool that they wanted to play together since they were close friends. Well this has been amazing because I don’t know where Georgia would be without these two young men. They are definitely a blessing and show poise at such a young age. I mean look at their responses to questions saying being compared to the likes of H. Walker saying that’s (cool) c’mon man! That’s huge and these two guys are very humble about it. I hope they are enjoying their freshman year stay healthy get a great education and do big things in their life. Georgia and the rest of the colleges needs to recruit young men like them. Well done to Todd Gurley and Keith Marshalls parents! God Bless America
shankit
November 14th, 2012
3:08 pm
Joey, Hampton was on that team, what a back.
There also was another back on a Georgia team
behind Garrison Hearst, that never got to play much.
His name was Terrell Davis, MVP of the Super Bowl.
Notebook: Todd Gurley eyes 1,000 yards while ‘Gurshall’ runs past Herschel – Georgia – Dawg News
November 14th, 2012
3:11 pm
[...] the original post: Notebook: Todd Gurley eyes 1,000 yards while ‘Gurshall’ runs past Herschel ← Back to Home Tags: chase vasser, chip towers, freshman, georgia southern, gurley, [...]
BirdDawg
November 14th, 2012
3:15 pm
Those freshmen backs are unbelievable! Most impressive is how mature they seem to be and they really seem like they want to do things the rght way. Their parents should be very proud of the way they were raised. My God, Freshmen!!
Rooney
November 14th, 2012
3:16 pm
I love to see Marshall get past the line and turn on the speed.
ZippyMorocco
November 14th, 2012
3:16 pm
@ Brainiac – Herschel did it in less than nine games.
Alphadawg
November 14th, 2012
3:17 pm
And boy what a refreshing change these two boys are from Crowell, Ealey, and King. None of that selfishness, thuggery, and show boating of the past. They seem very humble and focused. I love it.
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned once by Bill King & Chip Towers but only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
November 14th, 2012
3:18 pm
ARdawg
November 14th, 2012
11:13 am
POAD
“TECH has been one of the BIGGEST games on the UGa schedule the last 4 years.”
Put down that crackpipe
========================================
Sorry…………IT has been the BIGGEST UGa win…….the Mutts have LOST all their Biggest games….
===============================================================
Who is the Next…Next…..Next…..Next……Next……Next……Next……Next…….Next…….Next…….Next Herschel? Find a guy with a Track Star Older sister and wants a New Corvette and UGa can have another National Championship team.
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned once by Bill King & Chip Towers but only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
November 14th, 2012
3:21 pm
Maybe just MAYBE UGa needs to find the Next BUCK(a guy that can hand the ball off 3 times, throw a 12 yard pass to a WR that can score From 70 yards away and win BIG GAMES) and not Fluff MURRAY’S stats.
Rooney
November 14th, 2012
3:22 pm
In 1979, I believe, Munson was talking all year about the freshman backs, Jimmy Womack and Ronnie Stewart.
Joey
November 14th, 2012
3:22 pm
shankit, Terrell was NFL MVP also.
He wasn’t good enough to play a for Ray Goff . . .
truedogg
November 14th, 2012
4:10 pm
Herschel walker was the best college running back ever.
ARdawg
November 14th, 2012
4:15 pm
POAD
Not even close. GT is nothing but another cupcake. Not even close to being a “big game”. Seek some help, really
tell me again
November 14th, 2012
4:24 pm
We are very fortunate to have two good kids like Gurley and Marshall. And we are lucky to have Boo and Samuels too. Great talent, great kids. It’s a different feel altogether. Makes me proud.
only a matter of time
November 14th, 2012
4:28 pm
I admit I was wrong about this kid. Strong runner with some decent speed. Kudos to him. Just play two years in the SEC and get the heck on though. You’ve already proven you’re Sunday ready.
LHarding Dawg
November 14th, 2012
4:42 pm
It’s great to see two great backs in the same backfield. If they can stay healthy, the sky is the limit for these two guys. One of the greatest performances I’ve ever seen was Herschel running for 219 yards against a pretty good Florida team in 1982 even though he was taken out of the game midway through the third quarter. I had the pleasure of sitting with the Walker family in the stands that day. Willis (HW’s dad) and I drank a whole bottle of Crown, much to the dismay of Herschel’s Mother. I’ll never forget Willis partying that day.
Honey Badger Has the Munchies
November 14th, 2012
4:56 pm
AJ Turman commits to UGA last night….now there can be some depth building at the RB position for UGA. And our O-line….they will only get better playing together.
Deek
November 14th, 2012
5:18 pm
Gurley and Marshall and Malcome should take 2 weeks to work on pass blocking.
No injuries.
Run up the scoes on GSouth & GTech passing it like nuts.
Win Murray the Heisman.
Overtake No 2 in the BCS if you are No 1 in BCS in scoring offense, and average margin of victory, and beat Bama.
Works for Oregon.
dmr
November 14th, 2012
5:49 pm
The absolute most important thing about Gurley and Marshall is that they are both CLASS ACTS. They go about their business the right way. They check their egos at the door. You only hear good things about them from their coaches and teammates. They are all about team. They are all about winning. They are the epitome of what you want in a football player; and UGA HAS TWO.
They should be congratulated not just by Georgia fans, but by people in general for just being two of the good guys. These guys will be successes no matter what they do in life with the attitudes they possess. GLAD TO HAVE THEM AT UGA!
alpharetta alice
November 14th, 2012
6:33 pm
Never been so pleased with our running back(s) since watching Herschel. I hope, like all Dawg fans everywhere, that Larry Munson is in his pressbox inside the Pearly Gates saying ” at the 15, the 10 oh my God… a Freshman!”.
_______________________
more likely comment…”My god, how did we end up with this crappy schedule? It’s like 1980 all over again! Didn’t play anybody then, don’t play anybody now! We don’t get respect because we don’t earn respect!”
alpharetta alice
November 14th, 2012
6:35 pm
deek, aaron murray has a better chance winning the powerball than he does the Heisman…big game choke artist supreme!
jp
November 14th, 2012
6:49 pm
joe jenkins are you trying to sound dumb or does it just come naturally. auburn was going to be close . jhc shold play receiver, hell why dont we put tree at slot receiver that sounds good. jhc was recruited to be olb tree played inside at 230 so 15 pounds means he cant do it by next year jhc will be 230. maybe and this is a big imaybe. maybe grantham knows more than you . that would not be hard .start with some basic stuff like 32 pop 4 3 base defense then progress to talking about who grantham needs to play where.
davidinloganville
November 14th, 2012
6:50 pm
hey alice Murray may not play the lottery he is a college graduate, the powerball is a sucker bet for people like you.
Tampa Gator
November 14th, 2012
6:51 pm
Scary when you think Gurley and Marshall are only freshmen. They are going to be a big challenge for any SEC team for a couple of years to come……..but I am sure that is Mark Richt’s fault and he should be fired for recruiting these two.
just sayin
November 14th, 2012
6:57 pm
Todd Gurley should be first team All America.
alpharetta alice
November 14th, 2012
7:24 pm
gurley isn’t even the best freshman rb in the sec…first team all-american?? hell, give him the heisman dummy! you loons are entertaining…
Discount DoubleDawg
November 14th, 2012
7:29 pm
Alice- based on what? Gurley is #2 in rushing in the SEC and the only person he trails in yards is a QB. I agree with you that 1st team all-american is a bit much for him based on what he has done, but you said he is not the best RB in the SEC. Who is better and based on what?
Mark (another one)
November 14th, 2012
8:12 pm
Something else to think about. Watching these two young backs, Marshall appears to be the faster of the two, yet Gurley was on the U.S. under 18 track team. That’s a lot of speed to go with their elusive running ability.
Bay Minette
November 14th, 2012
8:31 pm
Gurley = Girly boy
Notebook: Todd Gurley eyes 1,000 yards while ‘Gurshall’ runs past Herschel – Georgia – Dawg News
November 14th, 2012
8:36 pm
[...] this link: Notebook: Todd Gurley eyes 1,000 yards while ‘Gurshall’ runs past Herschel ← Back to Home Tags: famer, focal, georgia southern, isaiah crowell, keith marshall, [...]
53½ arrests in four years
November 14th, 2012
8:53 pm
Has Gurley had his tour of the Athens-Clarke County Jail yet?
DawgNole
November 14th, 2012
9:09 pm
pikedawg
November 14th, 2012
10:45 am
Would love to meet up with Notre Dame in the Sugar bowl if the National Title game winds up out of reach. Of course to get there UGA has to handle BAMA…but it can be done as we have seen.
__________________
Won’t matter how we play Bama if we don’t win out in the reg season. First things first.
DawgNole
November 14th, 2012
9:21 pm
LHarding Dawg
November 14th, 2012
4:42 pm
I had the pleasure of sitting with the Walker family in the stands that day. Willis (HW’s dad) and I drank a whole bottle of Crown, much to the dismay of Herschel’s Mother.
_____________________
A whole bottle? You mean one of those shot bottles they serve on airplanes?
Notebook: Bulldogs’ offense needs to stay hot vs. Georgia Southern | UGA sports blog
November 14th, 2012
9:28 pm
[...] Notebook: Todd Gurley eyes 1,000 yards while ‘Gurshall’ blows by Herschel [...]
SauteeDawg
November 14th, 2012
9:29 pm
Maddog
Several have complained about the cut blocking-chop blocking, Frank Beamer complains yearly to ACC leauge office about Ga. Tech’s cut blocking,
To cut a 300 lb lineman’s legs out from under him especially from behind is the part coaches don’t like and the players don’t like.
Ga Tech usualy has 2 0r 3 calls a game for chop blocking which is against the rules. if 2 or 3 are called, how many go uncalled?
The cut block is similar to a 175 lb corner or safey cutting the legs out from under a 225 lb running back. Difference is the corner and saftey is they’re cutting the runningback from the front where he sees them coming, The o-line cutblocks usualy happen from the side or from behind. Lost a lineman last year from it, Now lost Abry Jones this year, Needs to be addressed.
LHarding Dawg
November 14th, 2012
9:35 pm
In 1982, it was really the “Worlds largest cocktail party”. I can assure you there were no airplane bottles.