By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

Follow us at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin.  Become a fan at the SouthernPigskin.com Facebook Page

Nick Chubb, in his brief stint as Georgia’s feature back, has solidified himself as one of the premier players in college football.

With former Heisman Trophy-frontrunner Todd Gurley set to return this Saturday versus Auburn, now is a good time to reflect on true freshman Nick Chubb’s four-game fill-in as starter. It was a run worth remembering, and one the country is sure to see again. Chubb, in his brief stint as Georgia’s feature back, has undoubtedly solidified himself as one of the premier players in all of college football.

In four games with the first-team, Chubb compiled 102 carries for 671 yards and five scores. Those totals alone would rank him in the top five in the division in rushing.

Chubb’s lineup debut was a historic one. Playing on the road at defending division champion Missouri, he carried the football 38 times, the most by any Bulldog since 2001, for his first-ever 100-yard game. As Chubb shouldered the load, Georgia was able to control the game; the Bulldogs held possession for over 42 minutes, their highest-total this year.

“Coming in behind Todd made me a little nervous, but I’ve been playing football my whole life so I just kept doing what I was doing. Everybody just told me that they believed in me and to play hard,” Chubb recalled.

From there, Chubb somehow improved. The Cedartown-native ran 30 times and set new highs with 202 yards and two touchdowns. He very nearly matched Gurley’s career-best of 208 yards recently set against Tennessee. Georgia, led by Chubb’s production, scored 38 points in the first half, its most in a conference game since 1984.

“I felt more comfortable back there in the backfield,” Chubb explained. “Todd has big shoes to fill, but I’m coming in here and playing hard.”

The spotlight of the Florida game was a relatively-new stage for Chubb. Though the Bulldogs struggled, allowing 418 yards on the ground to the Gators, Chubb continued his hot play. He ran 21 times for 156 yards and a score. He had 14 carries for 101 yards in the first quarter alone. Chubb also added five receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown.

Even in a disappointing loss for Georgia, the play of Chubb stood out.

“He is a tough kid who is giving everything he’s got,” head coach Mark Richt stated.

Another conference game came with another big performance, as Chubb ran 13 times for 170 yards and a score at Kentucky. He helped the Bulldogs compile their most points in a league game since 1942. Chubb set a new career-high with a 55-yard run in the second quarter. After 89 carries the previous three games, Chubb, his impact already felt, watched the game’s final period from the sidelines.

cObviously I think it helped to have Sony back there, give him some rest and stuff like that,” quarterback Hutson Mason nodded. “He continues to be very effective and precise in the run game, and it starts with our O-line, theyve been playing phenomenal.d

The nation’s leading rusher, Melvin Gordon of Wisconsin, has run for 630 yards in his last four games. As mentioned above, Chubb has totaled 671 yards. Speed and strength, balance and vision, the true freshman is the complete package. Georgia’s soon-to-be second-teamer has been as good as anyone in the game.

After, in his his eyes, simply doing his job, Chubb will continue to do whatever the coaches ask.

cI know I havent taken his spot. I am looking forward to Todd getting back on the field and playing with him. I miss him out there,” Chubb added.

As the season hits the home stretch, Chubb’s role may change. It’s his value to the team that won’t.