ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia sophomore tailback Sony Michel has a little less tread on his tires than he did two weeks ago.
Since Nick Chubb’s season-ending knee injury on the opening play of the Oct. 10 loss at Tennessee, the 5-foot-11, 212-pound Michel made 50 combined rushes against the Volunteers and Missouri. He had only 39 carries through the first five games and had 64 rushes throughout his freshman season.
SEC players of the week
OFFENSE: Alabama running back Derrick Henry, who rushed 32 times for 236 yards (7.7 per carry) and two touchdowns in the win at Texas A&M. DEFENSE: LSU defensive end Lewis Neal, who had 10 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and three sacks in the 35-28 victory over Florida in Baton Rouge. SPECIAL TEAMS: Georgia kicker Marshall Morgan, who scored all nine points in a 9-6 win over Missouri, including a 34-yard field goal with 1:44 left. FRESHMAN: Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, who had 33- and 55-yard interception returns for touchdowns against the Aggies. OFFENSIVE LINEMAN: LSU tackle Vadal Alexander, who graded at 90 percent and had 13 knockdown blocks in the 35-28 triumph over Florida. DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: Texas A&M end Myles Garrett, who had five tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and a punt block against the Crimson Tide.
Michel also is having to run more between the tackles than ever before, so is he feeling it afterward?
“Oh, yeah,” Michel said with a smile. “Any time you run inside in an SEC game, you’re going to get some pounding and some wear and tear.”