Georgia's already potent offense received a earlier-than-expected upgrade a season ago, with the impressive freshman campaigns of Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall. The duo combined for 2,144 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns in 2012, leading many around the sport to use the not-so-creative nickname, "Gurshall," to identify the sophomore running backs.
The Bulldogs opened fall camp on Thursday, and both Gurley and Marshall expressed displeasure with the combination name that entered the college football lexicon a season ago.
"I never really liked the name," Gurley told the The Macon Telegraph. "I always said that, since it came up."
Both Gurley and Marshall share plenty in common. Both joined the Bulldogs in the heralded 2012 recruiting class -- ranked No. 8 nationally by the 247Sports Composite Rankings. Both players hail from North Carolina and both were heavily recruited by Clemson -- Georgia's opponent to open the 2013 season.
"Sometimes I'll be out somewhere and someone will be like: 'What's up Gurshall?'" Marshall said. "That's not my name."
Gurley, the SEC's second-leading rusher in 2012, is much more explicit with his feelings on the subject.
"I don't like it at all," Gurley said. "I just don't."
We will put a halt to the nickname here at the Eye on College Football, but we will not ignore the advantages of having such a talented tandem at running back. With an offensive line in-tact and three-year starter Aaron Murray under center, the Bulldogs' offense is arguably one of the most talented units in the country. Many Georgia fans would agree that dealing with an annoying nickname is a welcomed downside to having two of the top running backs in the SEC.
