Freshman walk-on long-snapper Trent Frix got good reviews for his play on Georgia’s punting unit against LSU — and not just for two uneventful snaps.
When LSU returner Odell Beckham bobbled a 48-yard punt in the third quarter of a 27-27 game, Frix made a hit that ensured Beckham wouldn’t recover the fumble, enabling Georgia’s Connor Norman to do so at the LSU 20-yard line.
“He’s pretty athletic when he gets down the field,” Norman said Tuesday of Frix. “He did a great job of hitting the returner right when he bobbled the ball. He definitely made that play happen because he was right in his face.”
It was an important play, setting up a Georgia touchdown in a game the Bulldogs won by three points.
“(Frix) has a very good snap and very good speed,” coach Mark Richt said. “He’s played some linebacker in his day. … I think he’s going to be able to run down there and make some tackles for us over time.”
Frix, from Calhoun, took over from a struggling Nathan Theus as Georgia’s punt snapper. Frix is the son and brother of former Georgia snappers: Mitch Frix in 1981-82 and Ty Frix in 2009-2012.
Theus retained his role as snapper on extra points and field goals against LSU. “He did a nice job, as well,” Richt said.
Vols in gray: Tennessee plans to wear its alternate "Smokey gray" uniforms for the first time in Saturday's game against Georgia, leading to a question for Richt about the motivational value of a new look.
He has experience on the subject, of course: Georgia had a rousing victory over Auburn in a 2007 “blackout” game but a dismal loss to Alabama when it brought out the black jerseys again in 2008.
“When you win, everyone loves them and wants you to do it again. When you lose, they want to burn them,” Richt said. “That goes for helmets, too, by the way.”
Georgia wore black helmets in a blowout loss to Florida in 2009.
Quarterback Aaron Murray said he would “love” for Georgia to wear black jerseys once more before his college career is done.
“I need to talk to Coach Richt about that somehow,” Murray said. “Maybe for whatever our last (home) game is — Kentucky.”
Etc.: Todd Gurley's sprained left ankle kept him out of practice again Tuesday, but Richt hadn't counted the tailback out for Saturday. "He was supposed to be on crutches, but I looked out the window and watched him walking with his crutches over his shoulder," Richt said. "I don't know if that's a telltale sign, but hopefully it won't be too long." … Richt left immediately after his news conference Tuesday to attend the funeral of former UGA player Paul Oliver in Cobb County. Richt and other Georgia officials flew on the UGA plane so he could return for practice. … Georgia announced that its Nov. 9 home game against Appalachian State will be televised by WSB-TV and kick off at 12:30 p.m. The SEC permits each school to televise one game per year outside the league's contracts with CBS and ESPN.
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