Georgia's Kirby Smart shares solid advice as Trevor Etienne gets set to face his former Florida team
The Georgia Bulldogs are back to work getting ready to take on the Florida Gators in the annual World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. It could be an interesting day for Georgia transfer running back Trevor Etienne, who will be suiting up in red and black this time after spending his first two years of eligibility […]
The Georgia Bulldogs are back to work getting ready to take on the Florida Gators in the annual World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.
It could be an interesting day for Georgia transfer running back Trevor Etienne, who will be suiting up in red and black this time after spending his first two years of eligibility on the opposing sideline with the Gators playing backup to Florida star Montrell Johnson.
Etienne had many reasons for wanting to change schools, but the main one was that he no longer wanted to be a backup on a losing team.
Now, he's the starting running back on a winning team.
There's no doubt that Saturday will be personal for him, though head coach Kirby Smart wants him to leave those emotions off of the field.
"Yeah, focus on the task, you don't want to get caught up in emotions and be emotional," Smart said. "I don't think that helps any. Dom's gone through it with Missouri a couple times, and different players. That's the best part of college football now. We've had kids go down there, so we don't get caught up in it much. I mean, at the end of the day, what's gonna make you play well? It ain't worrying about that."
But Smart isn't worried about Etienne staying focused or letting the past get to him.
After all, he came right into Georgia and had zero trouble transitioning into a new offensive system.
"Well, he's talented, he's intelligent, he's a level-headed kid, he's a good leader, he's a great kid," Smart said. "So I think those qualites help anybody play, but he's older than a freshman. He came into a system that's not that far off from the one he was in in terms of offense. Maybe different words, but a lot of the same plays. So I think he transitioned well."
Etienne appeared in 24 games for the Gators, logging 249 carries for 1,472 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also reeled in 30 receptions for 238 yards and another touchdown.
With the Bulldogs so far this season, Etienne has racked up 422 yards and seven touchdowns on 32 carries through six games.
Montrell has not been as efficient for the Gators, posting 373 yards and four touchdowns on 70 carries in six outings.
Etienne will now get to show Florida exactly what they let get away come Saturday afternoon.
