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Georgia football is poised to welcome back a key offensive weapon as it prepares for the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry against Auburn. Nate Frazier, the Bulldogs' standout running back, is expected to start on Saturday between the hedges, according to a report from ESPN's Pete Thamel on College GameDay.
Frazier sat out last week's 20-17 victory over then-No. 6 Alabama due to a rib injury. His availability had been in question after he was limited to just a handful of snaps in the win over Vanderbilt two weeks prior. The Compton native had also been pulled from the Arkansas game in mid-September, meaning his only action since then had been second-half snaps against Vanderbilt. Frazier was visibly emotional before the Alabama game, where he did not play.
In Frazier's absence, reserve running back Dwight Phillips stepped up with a stellar performance, rushing for 120 yards on 17 carries. Bo Walker added 69 yards on 10 attempts. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart praised Phillips after the game, saying, "What a great kid, man. This Dwight Phillips, man, y'all don't know how special this kid is. He hasn't complained one time since being here, and he's so tough for his size."
Smart recounted a conversation with offensive coordinator Mike Bobo before the Alabama game: "(Mike) Bobo came to me before the game and said, 'Hey, Nate isn't going to go.' I said, 'We have to give it to Peanut [Dwight Phillips Jr.].' He said, '[Do] you remember that game when we were at Georgia, and they gave the ball to Torin Kirtsey, and he weighed about 175. I don't know how many times Torin carried, maybe 30.' I said, 'If we have to give it to Dwight that many times, he can do it.' He and Bo [Walker] stepped up big, even the young kid [Nick Peal]. This kid was in high school six months ago, Peal. He's a really good football player, and he's going to get better."
Frazier's return provides a significant boost to the Georgia backfield. On the season, he has rushed for 211 yards on just 26 carries, scoring five touchdowns. Known for his durability, Frazier had missed only one game in his previous two seasons before this injury. For his career, he has amassed 2,035 total yards on 361 touches and 20 touchdowns.
Key Analysis
Frazier's anticipated return comes at a critical juncture as Georgia navigates a challenging SEC schedule. His fresh legs and proven production will be vital against an Auburn defense that will need to account for both his explosiveness and the depth that Phillips and Walker provided in his absence. The Bulldogs' ability to rely on multiple backs demonstrates the team's resilience and depth, a hallmark of Smart's program. With Frazier back in the fold, Georgia's offense becomes even more dynamic and unpredictable.