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Home > Terence Moore > Archives > 2008 > September > 09 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USMoreno leaps into legendary status
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Athens — Just like that, Knowshon Moreno is a Georgia legend for the ages. It doesn’t matter if he fails to do anything else dandy with a spin or a leap the rest of his career for the Bulldogs. There was Saturday at Sanford Stadium against Central Michigan, and that was enough.
With Moreno’s feet spread wider apart in midair than your average human wearing football cleats, he soared over a 5-foot-10 safety to complete a long sprint before returning to earth.
You had to be there, because it was more amazing than that. Not since Hershel Walker prompted somebody to scream into a microphone “He’s running over people!” nearly three decades ago in Knoxville has the Bulldog Nation seen anything as breathtaking from a tailback.
Ever see that Herschel play? “No, I haven’t,” said the soft-spoken Moreno on Tuesday about that moment when Walker clobbered Tennessee’s Bill Bates on the way to the end zone. Yes, Moreno wasn’t born until seven years after that famous Georgia play. Yes, he grew up far from SEC country in New Jersey. Still, Walker-Bates is everywhere around here.
You can catch it on the big video screen before each home game as part of Georgia all-time highlights. In the Butts-Mehre Building, home to the football locker room for practices, you can push a button on one of the kiosks in the Bulldogs’ Sports Hall of Fame to cheer Walker flatten Bates as many times as you like.
Moreno is oblivious to it all, which isn’t a bad thing, by the way. He is a redshirt sophomore along the way to becoming a first-round pick in the NFL draft, but he rarely sees replays of himself. He spends more time playing his Xbox than watching television. “He’s very humble, and for somebody who is on the cover of magazines and things of that nature, he doesn’t talk much about football,” said Georgia cornerback Asher Allen.
Added wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, “He’s just a normal guy. Whether it’s about life or what you’re doing for dinner, he’s a genuine person who isn’t going to brag or boast.”
He could join a slew of others in becoming a Knowshonmaniac, because it’s like this in Bulldog history: You had Trippi, Sinkwich, Tarkenton and the rest before Herschel, and then you had Bailey, Pollack and those other Bulldog runners of lore afterward. Now you have Moreno preparing for just his ninth game as a starter on Saturday against South Carolina, and he already is within another splendid play or three of ranking with the elite of the Georgia elite.
That’s assuming Moreno isn’t already there. If you combine his hurdle with his dramatic twists and turns as a freshman — highlighted by his 188 yards rushing for three touchdowns against the hated Gators — Moreno is at least a neo-Herschel when it comes to producing wows.
“He has the stuff that makes legends, I guess, or of a guy who can be remembered for a long time, because his productivity, no doubt, is unquestioned,” said Georgia coach Mark Richt. “It’s just his flair, his style, his energy. He’s very much like [David] Pollack in the way he approaches the game. Those two guys love to play and love to practice. When he gets in game, Knowshon is ready to go. Something just clicks.
“If he stays healthy, and if he sticks around a while …”
Richt didn’t finish. Moreno likely is gone from Georgia to the pros after this season, but his legacy will remain.
His hurdle sealed that.
Permalink | Comments (52) | Categories: UGA/SEC
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By Herschel Talker
September 9, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this
How dare the AJC put Terence “the hack” Moore on any UGA story? Terence is not worthy.
By Peter
September 9, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this
Knowshon will be back.
By Maybe not
September 9, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this
Moreno could stick around another year. He may not, but it wouldn’t shock me if he did.
By CoastDog
September 9, 2008 6:46 PM | Link to this
First, no, I did not read the idiot’s piece. It is always either stating the obvious or some race-baiting piece.
But it apparently is a package deal with Cynthia Tucker and the cartoonist.
By Matt
September 9, 2008 6:47 PM | Link to this
Newsflash to everyone who posts on TM articles: If you want him gone, quit commenting on his articles. You only feed the fire.
By Don
September 9, 2008 6:55 PM | Link to this
Wow! T. Moore is warming up to the DAWGS! Go figure that one out. Georgia will handle this game with the kind of workman like performances they have displayed during their 9 game winning streak. Game Chickens are about to be embarrassed. Can’t see Georgia losing this game after what last years lost cost them.
By KD
September 9, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this
Good stuff Mr. Moore.
By RIIIIGHT
September 9, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this
Good lord, He hurdled a player during a football game. He wasn’t that high and it was a CMU player at that. Hurdle an Alabama or Florida player and you probably hear “OOOHHH” as he gets drilled in the sternum.
It was an OK play. He go a few yards after it before falling.
You guys act like you’ve never seen football before.
By trey
September 9, 2008 7:29 PM | Link to this
All the other sports in Georgia and this no talent journalist chooses to talk about a team that does not want him.
GO COVER TECH PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Dan
September 9, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this
Couldn’t “dig” up any controversy on this one Terrence?
By chastrav
September 9, 2008 7:32 PM | Link to this
There must be some other motive behind this piece. I think he wants the Bulldog Nation to keep thinking that Knowshon will be most certain to leave after this season. I’m sure “the hack” wants it that way since he mentions it several times in the piece. Go back to the Falcons where you belong.
By AlphaRico
September 9, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this
Knowshon is awesome, but needs to stick around Athens next year, for another run at the title. Stafford, too, for that matter.
By Jerald Holcombe
September 9, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this
Someone clear this up for me. I was under the impression that a player can only enter the NFL draft after his junior year year, and Moreno is just a sophomore.
By wildboar
September 9, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this
What makes you so sure he’s gonna leave? You think he wants to leave for money? He doesn’t seem that way to me. I think he stays for another year with his friends. I doubt he’s probably even thinking about it yet. He’ll weigh his options when it’s time. I also agree with Herschel Talker.
By wildboar
September 9, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this
Stafford may leave, but Moreno will be back.
By hamanddawgs
September 9, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this
You are an idiot terrance. We dont want you covering UGA. You really are an idiot.
By Cuz
September 9, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this
Terrance this is step one on your twelve step program. Good job so far, don’t give up when the steps get harder.
By ramblinrob
September 9, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this
Is Terence jumping on the band wagon? I wish he wouldn’t. Dawgs don’t need or want him as a fair weather fan.
By Old Timer
September 9, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
Best since Hershel, are you kidding? What about Hearst, Hampton, Henderson, Tate? It would have been a great leap if he had kept his feet, but he didn’t. Go crawl back under your rock and kiss up to teck.
By Legend In Terence's Mind
September 9, 2008 8:57 PM | Link to this
Legendary Status? You’ve got to be kidding me. You people are still frothing at the mouth about some leap over a 5’10” Central Michigan player, who by the way, was bending over at the time? Now, you are comparing him to Herschel Walker? Come on Terence. Look, Knowshow…I mean Knowshon is a very talented football player and will play at the next level. But, before you start using words like “legendary” and “lore”, lets see if he can win the Heisman first. Then you can use words like “legendary” and “lore” to all your little heart’s desire.
But more importantly, UGAY hasn’t even played anybody yet! Since this is a team game last I checked, and you get victories for scoring more points than the other guy, not leaping over players, you should be writing about how UGAY is going to prepare for USC East, Bama, UF, LSU, etc. By the way, don’t forget about that last game. Mr. Johnson just may have something rolling by then.
Go Jackets.
By Get Over Yourself
September 9, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this
Mr. RIIIIGHT, you sound like the typical armchair quarterback who tries to make everyone believe he was ALL-WORLD, but has actually never played a sport in his life. LOSER….Seriously, man, you have to be qualified to start throwing out judgments on REAL athletes!!! But then again, I’m sure you could’ve made that jump…….poser.
By wilson
September 9, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this
terrence, your picture would look good on a cream of wheat box… leave the dawgs alone…
By Rick
September 9, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this
Hey RIIIGHT, I take it your not a Dawg fan and from the sound of it you’re not much of a FOOTBALL FAN.
Jealousy can rear it ugly head in many ways…
too bad you can’t enjoy special moments if its not YOUR TEAM!
By JJ
September 9, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this
UGA is two games into the season and already talking about “next year” and about how Moreno is a “legend”. Do you DAWG fans know how stupid you come across? And the AJC is just baiting traps all over for you and you are all just falling for them left and right. Do you read anything else?
By Rick
September 9, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this
Jerald,
Knowshon is a red-shirt sophomore so he is academically a junior.
By Albany DAwg Fan
September 9, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
What????ESPN will not cover Knowshon’s play but Terrence is now a supporter. Amazing!
By diamond dawg
September 9, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
Watched it from section 104 with my son. It was his first game and from the angle we were at, the play was amazing. The video didn’t do it justice. A memory my son will have for a lifetime.
Old timer, a ton of great backs have played between the hedges but no one comes close to Herschel… yet. Looking forward to seeing if Knowshon will make himself worthy of being compared to the greatest ever.
By He's a Period
September 9, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this
what about albert hankford from that ‘56 squad, he ran like a doe
By Flyin' Dawg
September 9, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
Jerald, a player can leave for the NFL after his third year in college. Being that Moreno is a Redshirt Soph, he has been with the team for three seasons follwing this year. He can enter the Draft if he pleases following this season. I for one think he will stay. He needs to bulk up a little more to be that NFL type Running Back that teams will be looking for.
By KK
September 9, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this
Yo JJ—- UGA is not talking about next year. Neither are UGA fans and alumni. We are focused on THIS year. And we are hopeful that the DAWGS live up to their expectations this season. Us DAWG fans come across as people who actually have a team to cheer for. You jacket fans can sit back and enjoy your high school display and hope for a .500 season.
Oh, by the way… Buzz is gay.
By asswipe
September 9, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
I refuse to read anything T. Moore writes about UGA. He has showed his bias to many times. We shouldn't even respond to his post.By Moe Ron
September 9, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this
JJ, why didn’t you come up with something original like “Dyno MITE”!! If you have a problem with this blog then get off. Oops, bad choice of words. Get out.
By timthebrave
September 9, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this
That was a great play by moreno. Even if you aren’t a uga fan I hope you can appreciate something great when you see it. You sound like an idiot saying that that it wasn’t a great play because the guy was a 5 10 player from central michigan. Do you even watch football? What team do you cheer for? Would your team not take him? I am dawgs fan but I can still appreciate a great play from another team. Like the Alabama guy that caught the ball behind the defenders head. I hate Fla but even I can see that Tebow is a great player. Can’t stand Auburn but had to give Cadillac and ronnie brown props when they had great games. Moreno will go down as a great back if he keeps running like he has over the last year.
By Terence Moore
September 10, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this
I’ll tell you something else about Moreno: He’s one of those players who makes you wait to exhale before he even does something.
You anticipate Moreno doing something wonderful, and that, in itself, shows that he’s a special player.
By Bob
September 10, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
I’m not sure I’d put the “legend” tag on him just yet but he’s getting there. He could never play another down of Georgia football and I would never forget him. The Georgia haters need to take the blinders off because you are really missing something great.
I know its early, but I will be interested to see how Knoshown will challenge Tebow’s rushing touchdown record. I actually thought about this last year. Now he’s got 6 touchdowns only two games in to the season. I think the record may be in serious jeapordy barring injury. Of all the great things about him I think the greatest thing is his nose for the endzone. He is money in the bank on goalline situations.
By dawghater
September 10, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this
Herschel ran over an all-american DB playing for a great SEC team. Herschel ran for 200+ yards against great GATORS defenses 3 times. Hershel won the Heisman and led the dawgs to a national championship. Now dawgs everywhere are likening Moreno to Walker and it is just more wishful thinking. Rush for 1500+, win the He15man and lead the mutts to the national championship and the accolades will be appropriate.
By C-Town Dawg
September 10, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this
To everyone that keeps saying that he jump a 5’10 CMU player falling down. The CMU player was not falling down. If you knew anything about football he was breaking down to make the tackle. Which probly put him at 5’8. Plus Moreno did not fall down or lose he’s feet after the play if you go back and watch it takes three CMU players to tackle in after the jump. So anybody that says it was no big deal I would like to see you jump something that is just 5 foot and not trying to tackle you.
By BuckheadBill
September 10, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this
Moreno needs to “bulk up’. Yeah, he is kind of skinny.
By David Granger
September 10, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this
I enjoy reading your columns, Terence…but I sure hope Knowshon has enough sense to not pay any damn attention to this ninnyhead foolishness. The only thing that could possibly keep him from being one of UGA’s all-time best is to start believing that he’s GOING to be.
By montgomeryaldawg
September 10, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
Moreno is not much at all smaller (only 8-10 lbs) in frame, weight or stature as SD Chargers’ LaDainian Tomlinson. And he certainly is impressive, exciting and ‘makes you hold your breath’, but I agree with everyone who is saying that speaking of ‘next year’, ‘potential’ and ‘legendary’ AND CERTAINLY ‘Herschel’. I agree with Dawghater, 9:52 am (except for disgusting pen-name). Lets enjoy one game at a time, those other accolades and comparisons with the standard (HW) which are idiotic now, will come appropriately later. Go Dawgs, beat the * out of USC and embarrass the OBC!
By gp
September 10, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
In terms of career accomplishments of course KM falls short of Herschel. Without question though, he is the most dynamic UGA player since Herschel. He has infused the team with a sense of swagger, confidence and fun giving this assemblage of talent an identity. The Dawgs needed what Knowshon gives them. In that sense he is very comparable to Herschel.
As much as I would hate to see Knowshon leave, it would be hard to begrudge him the fortune and possible fame awaiting him in the NFL. If the purpose of college is to prepare yourself for your chosen profession, I’d say he’s accomplished that after this season.
The NFL running back has a relatively short career span. It’s completely understandable that if he is projected as a first rounder he should do what is right for himself and take full advantage of that. He will have given back to the University much more than they invested in him.
It is a shame we wasted his redshirt year. He probably could’ve helped in close loses to Vandy, KY and UF.
By montgomeryaldawg
September 10, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this
I meant to say that speaking of ‘next year’, ‘potential’, ‘legendary’ and ‘HW’…IS PREMATURE AND RIDICULOUS, finish the drill!
By tim
September 10, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
Mr. RIIIGHT. How about finding one of your 5 foot 10 inch pocket protector wearing buddies, have him stand still and with a sweet roll tucked under your arm, take a flying leap over him and get back to us about atletic abilities!
By atlthug
September 10, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
Why did we redshirt him???
By mark
September 10, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this
You wanna talk about someone who is overrated try saying the name Tim Tebow!!!! His stats were padded by an egotistical coach trying to get one of his players to win the Heisman in order to pad his own resume. Tebow is obviously a good QB, he’s a Div-1 starter in the toughest conference but I wanted to puke when I heard Urban Meyer call him “the greatest college player of our era”. What a joke. He led his team to a 9-4 record last year. 3 of the 4 losses were against top 25 opponents. Nuff said.
By NewnanDawgCF
September 10, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
I usually don’t comment on TM’s blog, b/c most of the time I think his articles are really poor, but I think this is a perfect topic for right now, precisely because the meat of the schedule has not started yet. Knowshon proved he was a potential star against real competition last year, and so far, this year is even better. This article is about him, not the schedule or this week’s game. I completely agree with TM’s statement this morning about “holding your breath.” I do it every time he gets the ball. I’m excited for the kid, and look forward to him doing more special things throughout the season.
I am also very impressed that he seems to care less about his own stats - he just wants the team to win and have fun. This was particularly clear in week 1 - not at all upset about only 8 carries; instead happy for the other guys to get a chance.
Go Dawgs!
By Austen
September 10, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
Moreno’s leap may have been only the third best run he had on Saturday. It was awesome, but it is his every down effort and the vision and shiftiness he has that is most exciting. Every play could be THE play of the game when he has the ball.
I don’t think he has quite the athleticism of Reggie Bush in the open field considering how dynamic Bush was at USC, but Moreno has such fantastic vision and great ability to adjust his speed that I would not be surprised to see him thrive in the NFL to a greater degree.
By Travis
September 10, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
What is the big deal with this hurdle? Chase Coffman (Missouri’s TE) has already done this twice in two weeks and did it a few time last year. Not to mention Chase is 6’6” 245 while doing this. His hurdles are much more impressive. I just don’t see why this is a big deal.
By Ben
September 10, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
Wow…amazing to see the AJC put Terrence Moore on a UGA story. He’s one of the most biased and anti-UGA writers I’ve seen. Oh, by the way Terrence, that “somebody” screaming “He’s running over people” was Larry Munson. He’s only been calling games at Georgia for over 4 decades, no reason to know his name, I suppose.
You’re terrible.
By Michael Rockefella III
September 10, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
that leap was amazing
By JT
September 10, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
For once he isn’t totally bashing an Atlanta team. I see Knowshon staying before leaving, but who knows? All Terence is ever trying to do in his articles is get invited back on an ESPN program
By Chuck Carswell
September 10, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
Knowshown is fantastic, no doubt, but let’s not forget Rodney, Garrison, Lars, Tim, Charlie and Frankie et al who preceded and followed Herschel to proclaim and maintain UGA as Tailback U.