A returning Nick Chubb put Georgia on the board first on Saturday evening, punching it in from deep in North Carolina territory.
Advertisement
Chubb returned for his first game since a gruesome injury last October against Tennessee that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. However, he fell just four yards short of the record or 257, set in 2010 by Patrick Peterson of LSU.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart has maintained the composure of a veteran throughout the offseason, into media days and fall camp.
Kirk Herbstreit took notice of the Bulldogs season-opening win against North Carolina. It was the third kick return he’s taken for touchdown in his career, but first since his rookie season in 2013.
“I went through a lot of things to get here”, Chubb said. You just don’t start a senior and then play the freshman an nearly even number of reps in a season debut if that’s not the case. Chubb is back and he is going to try his hardest to carry this team on his back until the quarterback situation is settled. Just to come out here, my first time out, back with my team, it felt fantastic. “To come back here the first time out with my team, it felt fantastic, It took my mind off everything else, just playing with my boys I’ve been with for the past couple years”. “I love the way he plays”. And while Chubb had chugged for 118 yards in the first half on 20 carries, he was getting exhausted and bottled up by the improving Carolina defense. I felt that momentum change was great.
A fumble on the following kickoff was recovered by UNC, but in poor field position at the 12-yard line. If Chubb stays healthy, there’s no doubt in my mind he’ll get an invitation to NY come December.
But all that credit boiled down to one word.
The moves to correct the problems and win the game had already been made. We practice hard. We tackle in scrimmages. “If the team calls on me, I know the whole team’s behind me”. Mitch Trubisky completed 24 of 40 passes for 156 yards.Eason, who entered after Lambert played the first two series of the second half, got Georgia within three points with his TD pass to McKenzie that climaxed a 75-yard drive aided by two pass-interference penalties on UNC.Then Trubisky, under pressure in the end zone, dumped off a pass to Elijah Hood, who was driven out of the end zone by Roquan Smith for a safety near the end of the third quarter.Chubb, who had 118 yards on 20 carries in the first half, ripped off a 22-yard run on Georgia’s second series, then scored off tackle from the 2.UNC tied it early in the second quarter on Trubisky’s bootleg from a yard out and Eason entered to replace Lambert amid a roar from Bulldogs fans anxious to see the prized recruit.Eason completed his first pass for a 23-yard gain to Terry Godwin.
And he couldn’t have been more pleased that Chubb was able to handle a full running load with no complications.
“It felt really weird”, Smart said, chuckling.
Not quite ready for prime time, I guess. He did a great job. “Give me the ball”. I can only speak for myself, but I will never take for granted watching the greatness of Nick Chubb again. Second, Nick Chubb is a special person.
Despite all this talk about their great depth and talent, six true freshmen and seven red-shirt freshmen were playing their first college game under the brightest Saturday night lights. The Tar Heels averaged 486.9 yards per game and 7.28 yards per play a year ago en route to the ACC Coastal title. THE TAKEAWAY North Carolina: The Tar Heels were eager for a signature win over a major-conference foe, but too many silly mistakes – and that one disputed flag – worked against them.
South Carolina: The Gamecocks scored a touchdown in their 13-10 victory over Vanderbilt on Thursday, which means their offense will be better than I imagined under first-year coach Will Muschamp.
Sadly, those plans had to be changed after Bill Dooley died at the age of 82 on August 9.
-Gage Gubrud, Eastern Washington, threw for 474 yards and five TDs as the FCS Eagles upset Washington State 45-42.
Daily local news headlines from across Gwinnett County.
Success! An email has been sent with a link to confirm list signup.
Advertisement
Daily sports headlines from across Gwinnett County, including high school, professional and college news.
