No. 2 UGA thriving on deep running game led by Chubb
ATHENS — Nick Chubb has been given fewer carries per game this season than at any point in his Georgia career. He couldn’t be happier. Chubb leads an unusually deep tailback corps that has powered No. 2 Georgia ( 8- 0, 5- 0 Southeastern Conference, No. 1 CFP ) into position for its best start in 35 years when it faces South Carolina on Saturday. A win would give the Bulldogs a 9-0 record for the first time since 1982.
Georgia may play as many as five tailbacks against the Gamecocks. The rotation keeps Chubb and Sony Michel, another senior, from compiling huge rushing totals which grab national attention.
That’s more than fine with Chubb, which is proof he didn’t return for his senior season to chase individual honors.
“I don’t want it,” Chubb said with a smile when asked Wednesday about being excluded from Heisman Trophy hype. “They can keep it.”
Georgia would clinch the SEC’s Eastern Division title and a spot in the SEC championship game if it beats South Carolina and Mississip- pi beats Kentucky on Saturday.
“This is what we all came back for,” Chubb said.
Michel took a turn as the top back with 137 yards rushing and two touchdowns on only six carries in last week’s 42-7 win over Florida. Chubb added 72 yards with one touchdown.
“They’re NFL backs, to be honest,” said South Carolina defensive back Chris Lammons. “If we want to win this game, we just have to stop them.”
D’Andre Swift, Elijah Holyfield and Brian Herrien have shared carries with the seniors. That depth has kept the backs fresh for the Bulldogs’ late- season push for conference and national championships.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart said the group is “probably deeper” than any other he has coached. As Georgia’s running backs coach in 2005, his backs included Thomas Brown, Kregg Lumpkin, Danny Ware and Tyson Browning.
“I mean, when you start talking about five-deep, I’ve been around a lot of good four- man rotations, but five is pretty special,” Smart said.