Isaiah Crowell ‘getting better every week'

OXFORD, Miss. — It figured that if Georgia ever was going to get on a roll this season, their touted freshman running back would play a central role. On Saturday, we saw why.

Isaiah Crowell was handed the ball 30 times, and he gave Georgia a career-high 147 yards. He also made what Georgia coach Mark Richt referred to as “probably the biggest play of the game,” a 29-yard run on third-and-9 from the Bulldogs’ 2-yard line in the second quarter. That run jump-started a 99-yard touchdown drive that gave Georgia a 17-0 lead over Ole Miss. From there they cruised to a 27-13 win.

We saw the Crowell that most Georgia fans have hoped for since he was recruited, a strong runner who can hit holes, take on tacklers and get to the outside when needed.

“He’s an explosive back when he’s got the ball in his hands,” offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said. “There are still some things he can learn, certain protections and routes. But when he’s got the ball in his hands, he’s special. He has great vision and patience when he runs the ball.”

The 30 carries were the most by a Georgia running back since Knowshon Moreno had 33 against Florida in 2007. Coach Mark Richt said later he didn’t realize Crowell had that many carries and not to expect it every week.

Crowell didn’t seem to mind, though he acknowledged, “I started to get a little winded in the third and fourth quarters.”

But it’s clear he is becoming more comfortable. He also didn’t show any effects of sore ribs, which were aggravated a week ago in the Coastal Carolina game when he chose not to wear a flak jacket (unbeknownst to coaches).