ATHENS, Ga. — Two telling things stand out about the 11 interceptions thrown by Georgia quarterback Carson Beck this season, all in the past five games.
• Eight of the picks have been thrown on first or second down, including two on first down in Georgia’s win over Florida on Saturday. So they come more out of aggression, rather than desperation.
• Beck has made some of his finest throws after his second or third interceptions, including both third-down completions to Arian Smith, with Georgia backed up in its end of the field, against Texas and Florida. So the coaches are letting Beck throw his way through it, and that has paid off.
Even in a loss at Alabama, Beck overcame two early interceptions to lead a comeback from being down 30-7 at halftime. Beck’s third interception, a heave to Colbie Young in the end zone, came in the final minute.
Free, daily sports updates direct to your inbox.
Free, daily sports updates direct to your inbox.
Sign Up
“Just decision-making. I think that’s the bottom line,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said Monday. “The concern is the mistakes can’t be catastrophic.”
At his Monday news conference, Smart said that after reviewing the tape, Beck made “winning decisions” on 68 of 73 plays. Two more passes could have been picked off, but otherwise, Beck threw for 309 yards and two touchdowns.
That’s a common theme: Beck threw for 439 yards at Alabama when he had three interceptions and for 459 yards against Mississippi State when he had two interceptions. And while he threw for only 175 passing yards at Texas, Beck led an 89-yard touchdown drive, accounting for 74 of those yards through the air, when the game closed within 23-15 midway through the third quarter.
“He’s done a tremendous job overcoming any mistakes he’s had and the ability to go out and close things,” Smart said. “There’s a quality now, when you look across the NFL, look across all sports, and the quarterback position, resiliency is a huge trait.”
Smart disagreed with the idea the interceptions are a result of Georgia passing more this year, saying the number of pass attempts — 290 this year vs. 263 through eight games last year — is skewed by the comeback attempt against Alabama. Beck did throw the ball 50 times in that game and also 48 against Mississippi State.
As for the notion that Georgia should lean more on its running game, there’s a reason it hasn’t as much: The health of the offensive line is an issue, with center Jared Wilson missing a couple of games and All-SEC guard Tate Ratledge only just returning against Florida from his high ankle sprain and still being limited. The perimeter blocking has not been consistently strong. The result is Georgia ranks only ninth in the SEC in rushing yards per attempt (4.48), down from third last year and second each of the previous two years.
Ole Miss and Tennessee, the next two opponents, have the SEC’s two top rush defenses, going by yards per rush attempt.
The basic message is the team will continue to put the game in Beck’s hands. The Bulldogs just need him to stop making unnecessary throws into coverage.
“It’s the most common theme in football: You’ve got to be able to concede a down, especially if it’s first down,” Smart said. “Two of those were those situations. I still think 68 of the 73 decision-making processes he did the right thing and made some really good, unique plays and throws. It’s cutting down on the catastrophic things.”
Injury updates
The health at tailback has been another limitation to the running game, and starter Trevor Etienne didn’t play in the second half against Florida after injuring his ribs. But the team expects him back for the Ole Miss game.
“The trainer feels good about him,” Smart said Monday. “The big thing for him is being able to sustain when he takes those hits.”
The news isn’t as optimistic, at least in the short term, on the two younger tailbacks: Sophomore Branson Robinson (knee) has missed two games, and sophomore Roderick Robinson (foot) has not played this season.
Smart was asked about those two, along with linebacker Smael Mondon, who has missed four games with a foot injury.
“We’re hopeful to get those guys back. I don’t know at what point it’s going to happen,” Smart said. “But each of those guys is rehabbing, and working their butts off. And hoping to help the team soon.”
(Top photo: James Gilbert / Getty Images)
