UGA’s Bowers catches TD in return from surgical treatment

• Mark Schlabach, ESPN

  • Senior Citizen WriterNov 12, 2023, 12:22 AM ET Close Senior college football author Author of 7 books on college football
  • Graduate of the University of Georgia

ATHENS, Georgia– While viewing movie of a current Georgia practice, Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart noticed a red blur running behind one of the plays. The player, who was wearing a red jersey since he was injured, was running quick– very quickly.

“It was about 20 yards back behind the play,” Smart said. “It was a guy flying throughout the field. I thought, ‘Who is that?'”

When Smart slowed the play down, he recognized it was injured tight end Brock Bowers, who had undergone TightRope surgical treatment on his left ankle just a number of weeks previously.

“I was like, ‘Oh, my God, it’s Brock,'” Smart said. “I understood we had a chance then. He’s simply different. He took a course that no one handles that injury. He simply said, ‘This is what I’m doing.'”

Only 26 days after having surgical treatment to fix a high ankle sprain, Bowers returned to action Saturday in what was probably his last game at Sanford Arena. The All-American had 3 catches for 34 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown early in the 4th quarter, helping lead the No. 2 Bulldogs to a 52-17 thrashing of No. 9 Ole Miss.

“First and foremost, it’s ridiculous,” Georgia quarterback Carson Beck stated. “What was it, like a month back or two when he harmed his ankle and after that got surgery? For him to come back that fast and still play at the level he dips into, which is certainly an extremely high level, is extremely remarkable.”

Bowers, a junior from Napa, California, was injured in the first half of a 37-20 success at Vanderbilt on Oct. 14. The next day, he had TightRope surgical treatment, which involves utilizing surgical thread instead of metal screws and is created to accelerate healing. The common healing time is four to six weeks but often longer for specific players.Not for Bowers. Smart stated former Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa returned from the procedure in 27 days when he played for the Crimson Tide in 2019.” It was in the realm,”Smart stated.

“There was a belief that he might do it and would have to do something unique. The day after it happened, his mother and father called, and they wanted to be aggressive with it. They wanted to treat it. Among the very best things for it is to get back on it and get it moving and not let it stiffen up.”It helped Bowers that the Bulldogs had an open date the week after he was injured. He missed Georgia’s 43-20 victory over Florida in Jacksonville, Florida, on Oct. 28 and a 30-21 win over Missouri at home last week.When Smart didn’t rule out the possibility of Bowers betting the Rebels earlier today, it sounded like gamesmanship. By stating there was a possibility Bowers may play, Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin would at least have to prepare for the possibility. Georgia TE Brock Bowers had 4 catches for 34 backyards, consisting of an 8-yard goal early in the 4th quarter against Ole Miss. He had surgical treatment 26 days ago to repair a high ankle sprain. Todd Kirkland/Getty Images Smart said Bowers never ever thought about shutting it down for the rest of the season after he was hurt, despite what is anticipated to be

a brilliant future in the NFL. Bowers is ranked the No. 4 prospect readily available for the 2023 draft by ESPN expert Mel Kiper Jr. Smart said agents called Bowers and informed him not to play another game at Georgia. “People called him and told him that, and those individuals will not be representing him, I can promise you that, “Smart stated.”All it did was piss him off. He said,’ Guys, I have actually had people call and inform me that I should not play. That simply drives me insane and makes me want to play more to show them wrong. Why am I in this game if I’m not going to come back and play?’ “By pushing himself to come back so rapidly, Smart believes Bowers may have made himself even more money by showing his durability and commitment.”He’s not risking millions, guys,” Smart stated.”He has an opportunity to

get more millions. Like, it’s the other method due to the fact that he’s a fantastic player. The NFL knows people recover from that injury. They have actually had tons of that exact same injury in the NFL.

All he did was go out and stamp himself as a warrior. He stated,’ I’m going to head out here and practice on Tuesday in front of 15 scouts and then I’m going to practice on Wednesday in front of 12 scouts. They’re all going to be over there going, Oh, my God. ‘He’s got an opportunity to go up. “With Bowers back in the lineup, the Bulldogs accumulated 611 lawns of offense versus Ole Miss. Beck threw for 306 backyards with 2 touchdowns on 18-for-25 death. Georgia ran for 300 lawns on 35 carries, with Kendall Milton acquiring a career-high 127 backyards and 2 scores on just 9 attempts.Georgia won its 27th straight game and recorded its third straight SEC East title. It closes the regular season at Tennessee next week and at Georgia Tech on Nov. 25. The Bulldogs will get another showdown versus No. 8 Alabama in the SEC championship game on Dec. 2. “They got their take on back and their tight

end back,”Kiffin said.”We didn’t tackle. They have actually got truly physical backs. I stated it previously in the week, but I believe that offense is overlooked because it is protective made group individuals think. That is a truly good offense. That was an issue. We really had not played– no disrespect– a truly elite passer for a while considering that LSU. I was worried that might appear today, and we do not do whatever we require to do and certainly didn’t.”