ATHENS — Georgia will now enter Saturday’s match without him Best runs in Trevor Etienne. The young forward was out of the lineup on Thursday after suffering a rib injury in Georgia’s last two games.

Georgia had just 59 yards as a team against Ole Miss, with running backs combining for 68 yards on 22 carries. The running game hasn’t been all that successful for Georgia this season, as it ranks 15th in the SEC in carries and yards per game.

Now even more falls on the shoulders of their leading running back, Carson Beck.

“Our identity here for so long has been to run the ball, and we just couldn’t do that tonight,” Beck said after the loss against Ole Miss. “And maybe whenever that happens, I need to step up and we need to make it happen.” I’m going to make some explosive plays in the passing game or maybe I should start making some plays on the ground. In the second half, I tried to extend the plays and run a little more.

“But you know, we have to be explosive and when we can’t run the ball comfortably, someone has to step up and make plays.”

As for how Georgia will replace Etienne?Expect it to fall to freshman Nate Frazier.. Cash Jones is listed as questionable, which could mean Georgia is moving on to tight end running back Dillon Bell.

But Beck will now have to run the offense without one of his most important pieces. Beck will need to communicate and orchestrate more this week.

Head coach Kirby Smart praised Beck in this area of ​​the offense.

“We have a quarterback who is completely competent, talented and understands our system that gives us a chance to win,” Smart said.

Beck hasn’t been at his best lately. He has turned the ball over 14 times since the Alabama game, 12 of which were interceptions. No quarterback in the SEC has made more carries this season.

Georgia tied the low by scoring just 10 points in the loss against Ole Miss. Smart’s time in Athens.

The Georgia quarterback needs to play better. He knows this. He hears this from Smart.

“Well, first there is a need to hear, and then there is a need to reaffirm what is true,” Smart said. “What is the real truth? Because we’re not interested in narratives, themes, what people say, social media content, or what you think. We deal with facts, and the truth is often what we tell them. Like, this is a good decision. This is a bad decision. This is a good drop. This is a bad fall. This means good protection of the ball. If you are going to get a sack, it means poor protection of the ball. “We deal with facts and don’t go much beyond that.”

Beck’s struggles coincided with an offense that wasn’t fully equipped. Turnover has really increased since Colbie Young was suspended from the program. Anthony Evans has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury but was listed as questionable for Saturday’s game.

The Bulldogs will now lose three scholarships. It’s certainly not an easy situation for any quarterback to handle. Especially if you add that Georgia is leading with 29 points.

Beck has struggled to overcome challenges in Georgia’s offense all season long. He could not always direct them successfully.

There will be another one on Saturday. Georgia has a must-win game if it wants to see Etienne return to meaningful play this season.