ATHENS -- "You can't play but five at a time."
That's been the mantra of Georgia's Will Friend all season. The Bulldogs' first-year offensive line coach has juggled lineups like a baseball manager since he first stepped on the practice field this past spring. Yet as Georgia finds itself on the cusp of clinching its first SEC Championship berth since 2005, offensive-line play has to be considered one of the strengths of this team.
"I really like what Will's done," Georgia coach Mark Richt said. "We knew Will was a good coach. I think the greatest compliment you can give a guy is to say he's just a ‘ball coach.' He loves football, he loves his family and he loves those linemen."
As the 15th-ranked Bulldogs (8-2, 6-1 SEC) prepare for Saturday's SEC finale against Kentucky (4-6, 1-5), Georgia ranks among the league leaders in almost every offensive category. The Bulldogs lead in pass efficiency and first downs, and are second in total offense, third in scoring offense, third passing offense, fourth in rushing offense and third in third-down conversions.
According to the Bulldogs' No. 1 playmaker, much of that is owed to the big men up front.
"Our running game this year has been unbelievable, and I think that's really keeping defenses honest, especially with our vertical passing game," Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said, crediting the line play.
Georgia had 304 yards rushing against Auburn this past Saturday, including 100-yard games from Isaiah Crowell (132) and Carlton Thomas (127). Quarterback Aaron Murray said the running lanes the Bulldogs' line produced were so big, "I think coach Bobo could have run through a couple of them."
Not many people expected that sort of performance from the offensive line at the outset. Depth, if not overall talent, was a major concern.
Friend, a former Alabama offensive lineman (1994-97) and graduate assistant at UGA (2003-04), joined the Bulldogs in February after three seasons at Alabama-Birmingham. He succeeded Stacy Searels, who left for Texas.
The Bulldogs were already thin at left tackle before Trinton Sturdivant went down with his third knee injury during spring practice. By the time Georgia reached the opener, Friend had eight players he felt he could put in a game.
Senior Cordy Glenn was in his first season at left tackle. Justin Anderson moved back from the defensive line to play right tackle. Chris Burnette was slated to start at right guard as a redshirt freshman. Only senior center Ben Jones came in as a proven commodity at his position.
Friend next lost left guard Kenarious Gates to an ankle injury in the first game. In the season's 11th week, Friend has used five different starting lineups because of injuries or performance.
Sophomore Dallas Lee, who missed last season with an asthma-like condition, replaced Gates, who was out three weeks. Burnette went down with an ankle injury in the fourth week while Gates came back at left guard and Lee went to right guard. Burnette next came back to right guard and Lee replaced Gates at left guard. Lee suffered a broken ankle against Florida, putting Gates back at left guard.
And the offense rolls on.
"The best thing that has happened so far this year is the guys have gotten better each week," Friend said. "Cordy's gotten better moving to the new spot; Justin Anderson has gotten better after the time off. Whichever guard was going to be in there was basically going to be new coming into the year anyway, and they've improved. And then Ben has just kind of held them together."
Glenn at left tackle, Anderson at right tackle and Jones in the middle have been constants.
"Every rep they've gotten has been with the same group, whether it's been practice or games, and that's been a big plus," Friend said. "And Ben's been a big help. He can tie things together so well."
Friend gets some credit in that regard, too. The Deep South drawl and easy-going coaching style of this Mississippi native has had a calming effect on everyone involved.
"Coach Friend is a prototypical players coach," Burnette said. "He's a type of guy who really makes you want to play for him. He's a smart guy, he teaches us a lot of things, he's been through a lot of the stuff we've been through and he understands it."
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