Georgia Bulldogs’ leading rusher, Trevor Etienne, left the field early in their 34-20 win over the Florida Gators due to a rib injury, missing the entire second half. Despite his early exit, Etienne managed to carry the ball seven times for 31 yards against his former team before leaving the game.
After the win, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart offered a positive update, suggesting that Etienne’s injury isn’t too severe. Smart noted Etienne’s disappointment at not being able to finish the game but emphasized his close ties with his former teammates. “He’s got a lot of friends on that team. I think the game meant a lot to him, and it really hurt him that he couldn’t continue,” Smart shared. “He’s fine—just had some pain from a rib issue.”
With Branson Robinson and Roderick Robinson already sidelined, losing Etienne would be a tough blow for the Bulldogs as they aim to close out the season strong. Thankfully, Etienne’s absence allowed other young talents to step up. True freshman Nate Frazier took over primary rushing duties, putting up an impressive 82 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Wide receiver Dillon Bell also contributed with a 33-yard rush, while freshman Dwight Phillips scored a two-point conversion touchdown on his first career carry.
Sitting at 7-1, the Bulldogs will stay on the road for a challenging matchup against Ole Miss (7-2) next week. With Etienne’s injury seemingly minor, the team is hopeful he’ll be ready to return and bolster Georgia’s offense as they prepare for the final stretch of the season.
