Georgia’s offense performed significantly better in the Bulldogs’ second scrimmage of spring practice, and Todd Gurley was a big reason why.
So was quarterback Hutson Mason. But his focused engagement in his first spring as the Bulldogs’ starter was expected. That wasn’t necessarily expected from Gurley.
Between injuries that slowed him last season and lingered into the offseason and the fact that he’s expected to be a Heisman Trophy candidate and potential NFL first-round draft choide, it would have been understandable if Gurley took it easy this spring.
But that hasn’t been the case. Not only has the 6-foot-1, 232-pound tailback been present for each of the Bulldogs’ 10 spring practices, he has been a primary participant in every drill and scrimmage. On Saturday he was Georgia’s leading rusher in the second scrimmage of the spring at Sanford Stadium. He gained 67 yards on 10 carries and caught one pass while splitting time with Brendan Douglas.
“He had some good runs today,” said Mason, who also was lauded by coaches for another strong scrimmage. “The first drive, he broke one for probably 25 or 30 yards. He was in there a lot. He wasn’t coming in and out. So it’s good to see him in shape and being able to last on those long drives. … It’s good to see Todd involved and in shape.”
There was some question as to what the Bulldogs would get out of Gurley this spring. He missed three games last season and large parts of three others with thigh, ankle and hip injuries and sat out mat drills in February while rehabilitating his leg issues.
But after a slow start, Gurley appears to be getting stronger as the spring continues. And he seems to be enjoying himself.
“Early practices, I thought he was ho-humming it a little bit,” Richt said. “Then this last week he was really impressive. I say ho-humming. I don’t know if that’s the right word; I don’t know how people perceive that. I just don’t know if he was going as hard as he could go. This past week, I thought he was tremendous every day, including today.”
Gurley, who can be a bit sullen in post-practice interviews, was relatively upbeat after Saturday’s workout. He had an ice pack on his right hand, which he joked came from “having to hit somebody out there.”
“The first two series I did have some pretty good runs,” Gurley said. “There were some pretty good holes out there. … It was a way better (for the offense) than last week.”
In the scrimmage a week ago, Gurley had only three carries, and Georgia was unable to run with much authority. On Saturday, Gurley, Douglas (13-40) and A.J. Turman (4-22) all found running room. Even the quarterbacks found some daylight to run. Mason (6-21), Brice Ramsey (3-4), Faton Bauta (2-11) and Jacob Park (1-5) all left the scrimmage with positive rushing yards.
That, in turn, opened the passing game. Mason was extremely efficient throwing the ball for a second consecutive week (12-of-16 for 136 yards and one touchdown). His backups were better, though the drop-off remains significant. Ramsey had 114 yards and two touchdowns on 9-of-21 passing, with one interception. Bauta and Park were 2-of-8 for 7 yards between them, with an interception.
The defense had its moments, too. Gurley talked of how he “can’t ever get away” from linebacker Ramik Wilson, who had seven tackles, and Mason said he had to ask his linemen why they weren’t able to block the senior tackling machine.
Safety Tray Matthews led all defenders with nine tackles, linebacker Reggie Carter and safety Quincy Mauger recorded interceptions and Ray Drew had the day’s only sack. Six players notched pass break-ups or batted down passes.
But most of the talk was about the offense, and Gurley in particular.
“He made his plays,” Wilson said. “We stopped him some. But he’s the best running back in the nation, so you can’t really hold him back. He’s going to get his plays.”
Said Richt: “I don’t think there’s much doubt he’s going to have some kind of decision to make when it’s all over this year. He’ll be draft-eligible. If he plays as good as he can play and stays healthy, he’ll have to figure it out; he knows that. But he wants to focus on this season and being the best he can and just enjoying college, enjoying being a kid.
“He likes being a normal guy. He wants to be (that) as much as he can, but it’s hard to be.”
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