Patrick thankful for Georgia return
ATHENS, Ga. — The Georgia Bulldogs used 16 newcomers during Saturday’s 45-0 throttling of Austin Peay, including 11 true freshmen and notable transfers such as receiver Demetris Robertson and defensive lineman Jay Hayes.
Yet the most appreciative player on Georgia’s roster may have been senior inside linebacker Natrez Patrick, who was arrested twice last year on marijuana-related charges. The 6-foot-3, 242-pounder from Atlanta missed six games due to suspension last season, failing to play in the memorable Rose Bowl triumph against Oklahoma and the loss to Alabama in the national championship contest.
“It felt great,” Patrick said after his return. “It was a blessing to be back. I’m blessed that the coaches still had faith in me and that the players still had faith in me. Going through the tough times, I had my doubts that I would be back, but I’m a faithful person, so I kept my faith and kept my head low.”
Georgia coach Kirby Smart had been asked multiple times about Patrick’s status for the opener and had maintained that the matter would be handled internally. He said after Saturday’s game that the decision for Patrick to play against the Governors had been made a while back and there was not a “monumental occasion or anything” as far as announcing it to the players.
Patrick started seven of nine games last season and totaled 35 tackles. He did not start Saturday or record any stops, but that didn’t seem to be the point.
“Coming out of that tunnel before the game, I had chills all over my body,” Patrick said. “Bumps will occur in life, but you have to keep chopping. That’s a slogan we use.”
One touch, one score
With 10:29 remaining in the second quarter, Robertson took a handoff from freshman quarterback Justin Fields on an endaround and broke down the right sideline for a 72-yard touchdown and a 24-0 lead. It was the first touch of the game for Robertson, the former five-star prospect from Savannah who left the Peach State for two seasons with the California Golden Bears before returning to Georgia this summer.
“Justin had the option to give it to me or the running back, and he gave it to me,” Robertson said. “(Tight ends) Charlie (Woerner) and Isaac (Nauta) gave great blocks on the outside edge, and I just hit the crease and scored. When I saw the open space, I knew I had to go.”
Said Smart: “I was happy for him. To have his first touch be a touchdown is incredible.”
Lending support
Smart and Austin Peay coach Will Healy embraced after the game, and for good reason.
Landrey Eargle, the 5-year-old daughter of Governors offensive line coach Josh Eargle, is battling a rare genetic disorder that has resulted in significant medical costs. At halftime of Saturday’s game, the Kirby Smart Foundation provided the Eargles a $5,000 check.
“I think it’s just indicative of our university and our people to see what’s been done,” Smart said.
Odds and ends
Freshman running back James Cook had six carries for 66 yards and two catches for 7 yards in his debut, but he was flagged for targeting while covering a punt with 6:30 remaining and will miss the first half of Saturday’s game at South Carolina. … Five-star freshman cornerback Tyson Campbell got the start and collected three tackles. … Rodrigo Blankenship had touchbacks on all eight kickoff attempts. … Senior receiver Terry Godwin (calf) was held out of the opener.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.