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Georgia's Greyson Lambert motivated by crowd, criticism Sanders continues interception surge Lambert sensational in Georgia romp past Gamecocks Georgia tight ends aid Lambert's big evening Brilliant Lambert leads Georgia to rout, 52-20
ATHENS, Ga. - A couple of Southeastern Conference football programs switched quarterbacks this week, but Georgia wasn't one of them.
While Auburn coach Gus Malzahn and South Carolina's Steve Spurrier opted to go in new directions, Greyson Lambert is looking to build off last week's 24-of-25 passing performance that produced 330 yards and three touchdowns in a 52-20 win over Spurrier's Gamecocks. Lambert's accuracy clip of 96.0 percent set an NCAA single-game standard for quarterbacks with a minimum of 20 attempts.
"Everything came together that game in all phases of the offense and what we can control - guys blocking and receivers running routes and making great catches," the 6-foot-5, 220-pound Lambert said this week. "A lot had to happen, so it was definitely a team stat in the end."
Life hasn't changed significantly since Saturday's near-perfect night for Lambert, a graduate student who transferred this summer after losing the starting job to Matt Johns at Atlantic Coast Conference program Virginia. Lambert said he went straight to bed after getting home from the game and went to church Sunday with his family.
"I guess people are starting to recognize me a little bit, but nothing too crazy," Lambert said.
What is crazy is that Lambert suddenly ranks among the nation's top five quarterbacks thanks to his efficiency rating of 187.61. Sure, it's still a relatively small sample size of games played, but the conversation surrounding Georgia's new signal-caller is very different from a week ago.
It can be measured in days when fans and media alike were questioning why backup quarterback Brice Ramsey wasn't getting more snaps or even starting.
"We try to block out the noise as much as possible, and for him, last week to this week is a perfect example," sophomore tight end Jeb Blazevich said before referencing the perceived views of some observers. "Last week, he should have been on the bottom of the depth chart, and this week, he should go to the (National Football) League right now. All that doesn't matter, because each and every day, he's the one who has to put on the helmet and prepare the best he can.
"He's showing that consistency and maturity to where he can handle the spotlight."
Teammates say Lambert's stellar week of practice foreshadowed what transpired inside Sanford Stadium. Lambert insists he's having another good week, pointing out the offense continues to increase its tempo, which is much to his liking.
This week Lambert and the No. 7 Bulldogs (3-0) will host Southern University (2-1), an FCS program. The Bulldogs return to SEC play the following Saturday with a home game against Alabama.
"I'm sure last week helped his comfort level, but if he was uncomfortable going into the last game, maybe we need to make him uncomfortable again," Bulldogs coach Mark Richt said. "I think we all - myself, the offensive staff, players, quarterbacks - I think we all know we're doing the right things. We know what we're doing. We're teaching it right. We're doing the right things against the right defenses.
"It all comes together. Are we going to have a performance like that every week? I don't think that at all."
Lambert's game last Saturday followed a mediocre performance at Vanderbilt, when he rebounded from an 0-for-5 first half in a 31-14 victory. He wasn't perfect against the Gamecocks, receiving a negative mark for missing Malcolm Mitchell coming across underneath on the opening possession when he instead threw high for Blazevich in the back of the end zone for his lone incompletion.
There were some slight footwork problems, too, that deducted points in the eyes of Richt and new offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, but the showing against South Carolina certainly helped validate Lambert's desire to leave the ACC for the SEC.
"I made that decision for a multitude of reasons," he said. "I loved my time there and appreciate everything I learned from that experience, but I'm definitely pleased with where I am right now."
And he's taking nothing for granted. Not after a 24-of-25 game, and certainly not after learning that Auburn's Jeremy Johnson and South Carolina's Perry Orth no longer cling to the roles they had last week.
"It's happened to me," Lambert said. "I've been through it. It's an everyday grind to hold that spot, and you're fighting for your job every day no matter what kind of game you have. It can all change in a heartbeat."
Terry transferring
Redshirt sophomore cornerback Tramel Terry, a former four-star receiver from Goose Creek, S.C., has decided to transfer. Terry had two tackles in last week's win.
"Playing time is important to every player, and I understand the way he feels," Richt said in a release. "We wish him nothing but success at his next school and will assist any way we can in the process."
Said Terry: "I appreciate the opportunity provided by Georgia. I have many friends there but believe I'll have a better chance for playing time somewhere else."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.