Todd Gurley continued to gain ground in the Georgia record book Saturday.
He became the fourth player in UGA history to surpass 3,000 career rushing yards and then moved past one of the others, Lars Tate, into third place on the school’s career list. He now trails only Herschel Walker (5,259 rushing yards in 1980-82) and Garrison Hearst (3,232 in 1990-92).
Gurley’s 163 yards on 25 carries Saturday gives him 3,147 career rushing yards, surpassing Tate’s 3,017 in 1984-87.
Gurley also scored two touchdowns, giving him 43 for his career, nine short of Walker’s UGA record of 52.
In addition, Gurley threw — and completed — the first pass of his college career. With Georgia in its “Wild Dawg” formation, Gurley took the snap and threw to freshman tight end Jeb Blazevich for a 50-yard gain — the longest pass completion of the year for the Bulldogs.
Of all of Gurley’s plays Saturday, the fluttering pass stirred the most conversation after the game.
“It was kind of weird because it was wobbling a little bit different … than I’m used to seeing it,” Blazevich said of the pass. “No, I was joking with him. He got it out there very well. For one of the best running backs in the country to go out there and throw a pass like that, he did a really good job.”
Gurley was asked when he last threw a pass.
“High school.”
He was asked what the result was then.
“Touchdown.”
Among other records, Gurley is challenging the UGA career mark for average gain per rush, set by the legendary Charley Trippi in the 1940s. Trippi’s career average was 6.42 yards per carry. Gurley is averaging 6.54 yards for his career.
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