Isaiah Crowell's big debut for Georgia started with a 2-yard loss.
It got mildly better in the No. 19 Bulldogs' 35-21 defeat to No. 5 Boise State on Saturday at the Georgia Dome.
The five-star running back finished with 60 yards on 15 carries, the most of any of Georgia's backs. Crowell said he thought the game would be rougher, but he expressed his respect for Boise State's defense.
"It was tough to find holes," he said. "Boise did a good job making it to the ball."
Crowell, who didn't start, still showed flashes of the potential that led him to be tabbed as the best prospect at his position while at Carver High in Columbus. After Crowell's first unfortunate carry ("Aaron [Murray] tripped me a little bit," he said) on a second-and-6 play at Georgia's 20-yard line in the first quarter, he later had a 12-yard run and showed a lot of quickness as Boise tried to string out plays.
He also showed his inexperience, missing a block that forced Murray to throw a pass before he was ready. The errant throw was intercepted in the second quarter. Murray could be seen talking to Crowell after the play.
However, Crowell was the bright spot in a running game that totaled 137 yards on 31 carries. Coach Mark Richt said the Broncos used stunting and late movement to disrupt Georgia's blocking schemes.
"The backs had to earn everything they got," Richt said.
Crowell said the game was a good experience. And like many of Georgia's players, he shrugged off the defeat, using a veteran's phrases:
"We just have to get out there Monday and start working hard and be prepared for South Carolina next week," he said.
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