When Georgia entered the 2024 season without its top three running backs from the previous year—lost to the NFL Draft and transfer portal—there was a clear need for a new difference-maker in the backfield. The Bulldogs found their solution in Trevor Etienne, a transfer from Florida. However, early-season injuries had slowed his progress, and before Saturday’s win over Auburn, he hadn’t fully emerged as Georgia’s feature back.
That all changed in the 38-10 victory over Auburn, where Etienne delivered a standout performance. He racked up 124 yards from scrimmage, scored two touchdowns, and received high praise from both quarterback Carson Beck and head coach Kirby Smart in post-game interviews. Smart, who was seen walking off the field with his arm around Etienne, spoke glowingly about the star running back and what sets him apart.
Smart emphasized that Etienne’s value goes beyond just his touchdowns, highlighting the “hard yards” he earns on crucial plays. “Yeah, it’s more than the touchdowns. Obviously, touchdowns are great, but that’s not what it’s about. It’s about the hard yards. It’s about the third-and-10 catch that [Etienne] gets and makes it fourth-and-one. It’s about the fourth-and-one play that he gets and makes [a play]. He’s earned really hard yards. He is a great leader. He is a great kid. He’s an explosive player. But I thought, you know, I thought today he got weighted, he got tired. He was tired at the end of the game…but I thought [Etienne] was solid.”
This wasn’t the first time Etienne stepped up when Georgia needed him most. He had already shown his ability to dominate during critical moments, notably during the Kentucky game when he led a key drive that helped seal the win. But against Auburn, Etienne was a force throughout the entire game. One play in particular perfectly illustrated what makes him special.
Late in the third quarter, with Georgia leading 21-10 and positioned on Auburn’s 23-yard line, Etienne took the handoff and bounced outside. He evaded one defender at the line of scrimmage, juked another, and powered through three more tacklers, dragging them all the way to the Auburn two-yard line. It was a display of his agility, strength, and determination to gain the tough yards when it mattered most.
Etienne’s relentless effort on every play set the tone for Georgia’s offense, a sentiment echoed by quarterback Carson Beck, who noted how often Etienne found himself in the second level of the defense. If he continues playing with this level of intensity, he’s poised to lead Georgia’s offense all season long.
Though Etienne appeared fatigued toward the end of the game, as Smart mentioned, Georgia has depth in the backfield. True freshman Nate Frazier is a talented runner who can share the load when necessary, allowing Etienne to maintain his explosiveness throughout the season. As the season progresses, Etienne will continue to carry the bulk of the workload as the Bulldogs’ dynamic feature back, but it’s reassuring to know that Frazier can step in when needed.
With his breakout performance, Etienne has firmly established himself as the go-to option in Georgia’s backfield, and if his performance against Auburn is any indication, the Bulldogs have found their next star running back.