The Georgia Bulldogs are extremely thin at running back against Tennessee. What is the latest on RB Trevor Etienne?
Georgia Bulldogs running back Trevor Etienne was ruled questionable earlier this week, is now ruled out for the game against No. 7 Tennessee Volunteers due to a ribs injury. Etienne had been limited in both of Georgia’s games since their bye week.
The UGA running back room is already thin with Cash Jones’ status still up in the air for the matchup Saturday. Now the offense will turn to freshman running back Nate Frazier to lead the charge. Frazier has two games of 80 plus yards as the lead rusher this season.
He has the capability to make a much needed impact on the game. The knocks on Frazier are his ball carrying and pass protection. He had two fumbles in Georgia’s 28-10 loss against No. 10 Ole Miss.
With the injuries at play there is a possibility of seeing wide receiver Dillon Bell in the backfield to help relieve the short rotation of backs that are able to go this Saturday. Bell had five games of 20 plus rushing yards last season, so he has the experience in the backfield.
Georgia football’s PFF grades from the Ole Miss game have been announced.
The Georgia Bulldogs suffered a 28-10 loss against the Ole Miss Rebels. A big culprit of that was the UGA offense. Carson Beck played more hesitantly due to his turnover issues in games against Texas and Florida. The offensive line let him down and allowed five sacks.
They were arguably worse in the run-blocking department. The running game only generated a total of 59 yards on 33 carries, good for only 1.8 yards per rushing attempt. Overall, it was just a poor offensive showing.
The defense tried to pick up the slack, but they allowed seven different drives to end in points. One reason was because the Georgia offense turned the ball over three times, which put the defense in some terrible situations.
Highest and lowest PFF grades from the Georgia offense and defense vs. Ole Miss
Georgia running back Trevor Etienne is dealing with a rib injury. Here are the latest updates.
Georgia Bulldogs running back Trevor Etienne missed the second half of the Florida Gators game due to a painful injury to his ribs. Etienne is Georgia’s leading rusher with 89 carries for 453 yards and seven touchdowns. He is UGA’s top receiving weapon out of the backfield.
Etienne is expected to play on Saturday against the Ole Miss Rebels. However, his status is one to monitor because Etienne’s injury is a pain management issue.
“Etienne, I feel good about,” said Georgia head coach Kirby Smart on Monday. “He felt good yesterday and did some things yesterday with our guys… The big thing is just his ability to sustain and deal with a little bit of pain because he’s going to have some there. But he’s a tough kid, and I think he’ll do well with it.”
Georgia RB depth chart
1. Trevor Etienne
2. Nate Frazier
3. Cash Jones
4. Dwight Phillips
Georgia is already without running backs Branson Robinson and Roderick Robinson for the Ole Miss game. Last week against Florida, Georgia leaned on freshman running back Nate Frazier (19 carries for 82 yards and one touchdown), who was the only Georgia back outside of Etienne to receive a carry (outside of Dwight Phillips’ touchdown rush).
Cash Jones is Georgia’s top receiving back if Etienne can’t play. Jones hauled in three catches for 37 yards and a touchdown against Florida.
Georgia is going to need Cash Jones and Nate Frazier to step up if Etienne is unable to go against Ole Miss, who has one of the top run defenses in the nation. Georgia plays Ole Miss at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 9.
The Georgia Bulldogs could be without three of their top running backs against Ole Miss
Georgia Bulldogs running back Trevor Etienne left the Florida game with a rib injury that sidelined him for the rest of the game. With his injury, the running back group is down to two backs that have played meaningful snaps.
Nate Frazier and Cash Jones helped the Bulldogs leave Jacksonville with a win. Frazier accounted for 82 yards on the ground with a touchdown. Jones added three receptions for 37 yards and touchdown.
Georgia already had depth concerns at running back before Etienne’s injury during the Florida game. Now, the concern moves to the Bulldogs’ game against No. 12 Ole Miss. During the Monday presser, coach Kirby Smart updated the status of Etienne.
“(Trevor) Etienne, I feel good about. He felt good yesterday and did some things yesterday with our guys. I don’t know a lot until we get out there and practice today, but we’ll certainly see how he feels, if the trainer feels good about him. The big thing is just his ability to sustain and deal with a little bit of pain because he’s going to have some there. But he’s a tough kid, and I think he’ll do well with it,” Smart said.
With the way Smart was talking, it seemed Etienne is good to go, but pain tolerance may be a concern. Another player in the running back room that is still injured is Roderick Robinson. Robinson who has been out since the beginning of the season due to turf toe injury that required surgery. Smart updated his status and a couple of his teammates before the game on Saturday.
“We’re hopeful to get those guys back is the biggest thing. I don’t know at one point it’s going to happen. But each one of those guys are rehabbing, working their butts off and hoping to get back to help the team soon,” Smart said.
There are still some things Robinson has to do to get back on the field for the Bulldogs this season. Georgia is also without running back Branson Robinson, who suffered a knee injury a few weeks ago. If Etienne is ready to go against Ole Miss, expect a heavy workload for him, Frazier and Jones to relieve pressure on Carson Beck in the hostile environment of Oxford. Georgia could also give a few more carries to Dwight Phillips.
The Georgia Bulldogs are without three of their top running backs if Trevor Etienne continues to unable to play
Georgia Bulldogs running back Trevor Etienne was clearly not 100% in UGA’s 34-20 win against the Florida Gators. Etienne did not play any snaps in the second half and was dealing with an apparent rib injury.
“I think it really hurt him that he couldn’t continue,” said Kirby Smart on Etienne, who transferred to Georgia from Florida. “He was dealing with a rib injury a little bit, and he’s fine. He just had some pain in there.”
Etienne left the field after his first carry against Florida. He finished the day with seven carries for 31 yards. Etienne was motivated against his former team, but could not play in the second half.
The broadcast described Etienne’s injury as a pain tolerance issue. Unfortunately for Etienne, Georgia does not have any upcoming bye weeks.
The Bulldogs relied on freshman running back Nate Frazier much more with Etienne out. Frazier carried the ball 19 times for 82 yards and a touchdown against Florida. Cash Jones also saw more snaps. He caught three passes for 37 yards and scored a touchdown.
Georgia is already without Branson Robinson and Roderick Robinson, so UGA is down to its fourth- and fifth-options at running back. However, as a pure rusher, Frazier is one of Georgia’s best backs.
“You just move on to the next one,” said Florida coach Billy Napier on facing Georgia running back Trevor Etienne, a former Gator
Former Florida Gators running back Trevor Etienne transferred to Georgia after the 2023 season in the latest twist of the Georgia-Florida rivalry. Etienne is now Georgia’s starting running back and a key player for the Bulldogs entering their stretch run of the 2024 college football season.
“It’s become the norm of college football,” said Florida coach Billy Napier on facing his former running back. “It’s already happened a handful of times this year that we played against players on the other side that were on our team in the past.”
Etienne has been very productive for Georgia. The 5-foot-9, 205-pound running back has 82 rushes for 422 yards and seven touchdowns. Etienne is Georgia’s leading rusher and also has added 20 receptions for 130 yards.
Adding Etienne benefited Georgia and hurt Florida. However, Napier is not looking back on his time with Etienne. Instead, he’s focused on the now and what the Gators have in their running back room.
“It’s gotten to a point where you just move on to the next one,” continued Napier. “I think we’ve done what we needed to do to be productive at running back. Obviously Jadan (Baugh), Ja’Kobi (Jackson); Montrell (Johnson) has been very productive for us this year. That position for us is at the centerpiece of our offense and I couldn’t be more proud of the guys that we have there.”
Florida, who is already without their starting quarterback, may also be without their leading rusher in Montrell Johnson against Georgia. Johnson missed the Kentucky game with an injury.
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If Johnson is out, then expected freshman running back Jadan Baugh to receive the majority of carries for the Gators. Baugh had 22 carries for 106 yards and five touchdowns in Florida’s win over Kentucky. The Gators are expected to have a run-approach against Georgia.
Gators head coach Billy Napier gave praise to Jabbar Juluke and the Florida football running backs during the SEC teleconference.
During Wednesday’s SEC teleconference, Florida football head coach Billy Napier talked about using this week’s bye as a time for improvement and getting players healthy.
However, the Gators head coach also highlighted the team’s running backs, particularly praising running backs coach Jabbar Juluke for the outstanding job he has done with the group.
“Well, Jabbar (Juluke), I think number one, Jabbar, was a high school coach, you know, and I think he has a unique, sincere care for players,” Napier said. “He does a great job mentoring the players, and runs a tight ship, you know. He does a nice job really modeling what you would want from the players, and then he holds them very accountable.”
Napier continued, “I never have to worry about the running backs, I mean, that group is always toeing the line, and they do it off the field, and they have great practice habits.”
As well as serving as the team’s running backs coach, Juluke is also the associate head coach and is currently in his third season with the Gators.
Napier and Juluke coached together at Louisiana from 2018-2021 before coming to Gainesville with Napier.
“He (Juluke) does a good job teaching, and he has got a framework for success,” Napier said. “I mean, I think obviously at Louisiana, we had three NFL backs. We were very productive there with the other players that we had, Chris Smith, Emani Bailey, not to mention the three NFL players, Trey Ragas, Elijah Mitchell, Raymond Calais.”
“And then we come here, we bring Montrell (Johnson) with us, obviously. And then Trevor Etienne, as a rookie, played well for us.”
Napier went on to praise Florida’s running backs room this season.
“And then these guys are the next, next generation, you know,” Napier said. “I think Jadan (Baugh) obviously stepped up for our team in a major way. And there’s a culture in that room. And I think you take guys like Montrell Johnson, they’re good examples to guys like Jadan Baugh who obviously has some ability.
“We got good solid play from Ja’Kobi (Jackson) as well. And we’re excited about potentially KD Daniels. KD, he’s starting to become, he’s getting healthier, I would say.”
Napier stressed the importance of maintaining player health and noted that several guys are nearing a return.
“So it’s a good room, you know, we got to keep them healthy,” Napier mentioned. “And obviously, Treyaun Webb is on that list as well, and he’s obviously closer to being available for the game. So (I) feel good about getting healthy over the next couple weeks with that group.”
Coming up for Florida
The Gators are off next week due to their bye week. The next matchup for Florida will be against the Georgia Bulldogs on Nov. 2 in Jacksonville. That game will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET and can be seen on ABC.
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Georgia football running back gets rewarded for an outstanding performance against Auburn
Georgia Bulldogs running back Trevor Etienne had a great game against Auburn last week, and he was rewarded for his efforts. As a result he made Pro Football Focus’ All-College Football Team from Week 6. Etienne was rated as the best running back in the nation for his performance against Auburn, according to PFF.
The praise is well-warranted, as he racked up 88 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries, good for 5.5 yards per attempt. He also caught six passes and racked up 36 receiving yards. Etienne was arguably the best player on Georgia’s offense in the 31-13 win over the Auburn Tigers.
Yeah, I thought he performed really well Saturday. He made some things happen with nothing there and then had a couple that I thought maybe should have gotten more on that he’s one step away from breaking one open and using his quickness.
He’s got really good open field skills to make people miss, and I think that’s something that we’ve needed around here is a guy that can go make people miss in open spaces.
He’s a really good receiver out of the backfield. More important than all that, he’s one of our best leaders. He holds people accountable.
No other Georgia player made the national PFF team, but two of them made the All-SEC team. Georgia’s whole right side of the offensive line (right guard Micah Morris and right tackle Monroe Freeling) made the All-SEC team. A strong offensive line is key to a good running game, and Etienne benefited from Morris and Freeling playing well.
Starting Georgia Bulldogs running back will miss the Bulldogs’ season opener against the Clemson Tigers
The Georgia Bulldogs will reportedly be without starting running back Trevor Etienne against the Clemson Tigers. Georgia is also missing their leading returning rusher, Roderick Robinson, from last season. Robinson is out with a toe injury.
Etienne is suspended after being arrested for driving under the influence this offseason. He misses out on a chance to play against his brother’s former team (Travis Etienne). Trevor Etienne recorded 131 carries for 758 rushing yards and eight touchdowns last season with Florida. He transferred to Georgia this offseason.
Georgia running back Branson Robinson is projected to start for the Bulldogs. Robinson, who missed last season due to injury, will share carries with Cash Jones and Nate Frazier.
Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart would not discuss potential suspensions with the media. However, it has long been suspected that Etienne would be suspended following his offseason arrest.
Georgia faces a challenge against a stout Clemson run defense that has a powerful defensive line. The Georgia-Clemson game is televised on ABC and kicks off at noon ET on Saturday.
Etienne expected to miss Georgia’s matchup against Clemson.
According to reports, the No. 1 ranked Georgia Bulldogs will be without who is projected to be their top running back in 2024 for their Week 1 matchup against No. 14 Clemson.
According to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, Georgia is expected to ‘sit’ Etienne for the matchup, which ishuge news that should have a major impact on the game. Etienne recently resolved his legal matters stemming from a May incident. The DUI charge was dropped after he pleaded no contest to reckless driving. Etienne also pleaded guilty to underage possession of alcohol, failure to maintain lane, and a window tint violation.
Totaling 249 carries for 1,472 yards and 14 touchdowns in two years at Florida, the Bulldogs will have to wait till Week 2 for his first appearance.