Could Crowell save Richt's job?

I’d like to take a quick break from bashing embattled head coach Mark Richt to say “WOW.” Isaiah Crowell is going to be incredible. In the true freshman’s first-ever carry in the Georgia Dome against Boise State, Crowell tripped and fell for a loss. He hasn’t looked back since. Against South Carolina last Saturday, Crowell was electric. He had the entire stadium buzzing and wondering if he alone could end up saving Richt’s job. Crowell found the endzone for the first time as a Bulldog with about six minutes to go in the third quarter on a 17-yard screen pass that gave Georgia a lead. If Sanford Stadium had had a roof, it would have been blown right off. In the fourth quarter Crowell scampered in from 15 yards out to give Georgia its final lead. He finished with 118 yards on 16 carries and two receptions for 40 yards.

Marcus Lattimore finished with 176 yards and one score but toted it 27 times for the Gamecocks. Several Georgia newspapers had stories about Crowell wishing he could have 30-40 touches per game like Lattimore racks up in SEC play against big-time opponents. My response to Crowell isn’t to shut up but to open up your arms for the ball. Take every ball handed to you and hold on to it. Crowell and Murray fumbled an exchange which led to an important South Carolina touchdown. Crowell needs to learn from that mistake and make sure it doesn’t happen again. Keep learning the playbook and learning how to block and Richard Samuel’s carries may just disappear. Crowell could be Richt’s next Knowshon Moreno and Crowell could well end up saving Richt’s job.

Isaiah Crowell won’t break any of Herschel Walker’s records, but Crowell could well have the impact that Moreno provided his freshman year. That year if you will recall the freshman tailback helped the sophomore quarterback to a BCS bowl game after losing to South Carolina in week two. If Crowell runs hard enough and Georgia gets a bit of help, he could lead the team to the Georgia Dome in December. But that is so far away for a 0-2 team. I just know that all of my doubts of Crowell disappeared. This kid is legit.

Now then, back to your regularly-scheduled Richt-bashing…