Georgia offensive lineman David AndrewsATHENS, Ga. -- The Georgia Bulldogs are averaging a robust 304 rushing yards a game entering Saturday's showdown against Tennessee, and it's not just the tailbacks who are having a blast.
"This has been so much fun," right guard Greg Pyke said. "If we do our job, you can put in any of our backs and they're going to run for a touchdown every time. If we just hold up our guys a little bit and open those running lanes for them, they're so good that they're going to hit them and make the other team pay."
Georgia has been the most run-oriented team in the Southeastern Conference this season other than Arkansas. The Bulldogs have compiled 64.5 percent of their 1,414 total yards on the ground after attaining 35.1 percent of their 6,294 yards last season via running the ball.
Such a commitment to the ground attack has catapulted junior tailback Todd Gurley into the Heisman Trophy race and excited those who are paving the way.
"Run-blocking is more fun than pass-blocking because you're competing against a guy and trying to outwork him," Pyke said. "When you come off the ball and pancake a guy, it's a great feeling."
Said center David Andrews: "Every offensive lineman enjoys run-blocking more. Pass-blocking causes the potential of allowing sacks."
Not that the Bulldogs have been problematic in that area, either. In part due to their relative lack of pass attempts so far, the Bulldogs have surrendered just three sacks. Two of them occurred Sept. 13 in the 38-35 loss at South Carolina.
"They've been doing a phenomenal job," quarterback Hutson Mason said. "There haven't been many pass-rush sacks. In the South Carolina game, I know there were some coverage sacks, because of my ineptness to run very fast and get away from people.
"As far as their protection and me getting rid of the ball, I think it's been pretty good."
The combination of John Theus at left tackle, Brandon Kublanow at left guard, Andrews, Pyke and right tackle Kolton Houston has been intact through Georgia's first three games. Georgia had to replace three starters up front from last season's team, but coach Mark Richt and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo have felt for months that this group could be more athletic.
"They're doing a good job," Richt said. "A lot of times when you run the ball the way we've been running, sometimes it's the backs and sometimes it's the line. There have been some gaping holes at times that most anybody can run through, and there have been some times where there wasn't a lot of space but our guys have broken through tackles and gotten yards after contact.
"So it kind of works hand in hand, but I think they're doing a good job."
Gurley has rushed 41 times for 402 yards (9.8 yards per carry), while Sony Michel has 20 carries for 206 yards (10.3) and Nick Chubb 12 for 114 (9.5). Michel and Chubb are just freshmen, as is Isaiah McKenzie, a receiver and return specialist who has four carries for 71 yards (17.8).
Georgia's offensive linemen are hoping to create more dazzling numbers for their tailbacks this week against the Volunteers, who have entirely new starters across their defensive front.
"It's going to be different," Andrews said, "but A.J. Johnson is one of the best middle linebackers in the country, and he's going to have those guys ready to go. They're playing some good football right now."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.