TAMPA -- Two of Georgia's biggest players represented two of the Bulldogs' biggest "ifs" at the outset of the season.
UGA opened its latest campaign with 6-foot-5, 342-pound Justin Anderson moving over to right tackle from nose guard and 6-5, 348-pound Cordy Glenn sliding outside from guard to left tackle. Fourteen games later, they're two of the biggest reasons the Bulldogs won 10 games and captured the SEC's Eastern Division championship.
"Coach [Joe Tereshinski] and I were just talking about those two big guys," coach Mark Richt said, referring to his strength coach. "We were talking about how this time last year, Cordy was very close to possibly taking a shot at the NFL and Justin was playing nose guard and had been injured the whole time.
"We needed them to play and to stay healthy. They did and it's been a blessing for us. We might not be here today if those guys didn't come through."
Both seniors, the Bulldogs' bookends will play the final games of their college career when 16th-ranked Georgia (10-3) takes on No. 17 Michigan State (10-3) Monday in the Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. The Bulldogs are thankful to have these tackles one more game because the Spartans bring in one of the stoutest defensive lines they have faced all season.
Michigan State has a defense ranked among the nation's top 10 in four categories. The Spartans are fifth in yardage allowed (272.69 per game), ninth in points allowed (17.46), ninth in pass efficiency defense (110.36) and eighth in sacks (3.08 per game).
That's mainly due to the defensive front. It includes 6-3, 310-pound All-American Jerel Worthy at defensive tackle, and freshman All-American Marcus Rush at one defensive end and 6-7, 280-pound William Ghoulston at the other. Add the Big Ten-best 10 sacks of outside linebacker Denicos Allen, and they have 20.5 sacks among them. Michigan State has 41 as a team.
"They've got a good front," Georgia offensive line coach Will Friend said. "They've got some length on the ends and some good size in the middle. ... Worthy, is a heck of a football player. He's going to be a challenge for us."
At the beginning of the season, that would have meant a slam-dunk advantage for the Spartans.
Coming in, Glenn had a lot of playing experience for the Bulldogs with 35 starts, but almost all at left guard. Georgia was already working him some at left tackle when starter Trinton Sturdivant went down with the third major knee injury of his career. The depth-deprived Bulldogs had no choice but to turn the position over to Glenn.
"I didn't start off as well as I would have liked to," said Glenn, a Riverdale resident. "But I just stuck with it and kept faith, and didn't give up on myself. I think gradually I molded myself into a better player at tackle. Right now, I think I'm pretty good at it."
At this point, Glenn projects as one of the top offensive linemen for April's NFL draft.
Anderson's career was left for dead after he moved to defense last season and was sidelined with a turf-toe injury. But the Ocilla native asked Friend if he could move back to offense, and now credits the first-year Georgia assistant for saving his career.
"When he came in, he just knew how to coach me," Anderson said. "He knew how to work with me. I can't thank him enough."
After an initial adjustment period, the two tackles are a big reason Georgia ranks among the SEC's offensive leaders, averaging 414 yards and 32 points per game.
It took a while to get going, though. The Bulldogs gave up eight sacks in the first two games, including six in the season opener against Boise State.
The Bulldogs' big tackles will have the last laugh. Both are expected to continue their football careers as professionals.
With the loss of center Ben Jones, a 48-game starter expected among April's NFL draft selections, the Bulldogs will face another rebuilding job on the offensive line next season.
"The future? Let's worry about that when it comes," Richt said with a moan. "It will certainly be like open tryouts for tackles around here, that's for sure."
Thanks to Anderson and Glenn, it worked out pretty well the last time.
About the Author
