Statement made: Fromm validates Georgia’s trust with impressive showing

Once Jake Fromm found his wide receiver Terry Godwin streaking toward the corner of the end zone, all of the noise surrounding Georgia’s quarterback was silenced.

He ran to his teammates while hoisting his fist in the air. While he was reluctant to gush over his performance or elaborate on its magnitude, there was an evident sense of relief. Georgia’s guy was back.

Fromm later said that he wanted to “make a statement.” A performance with 240 yards and three touchdowns in Georgia’s 36-17 win over Florida gave validation in one regard.

That statement was made.

“That was a fun one,” Fromm said. “It was really enjoyable there at the end.”

Added Georgia head coach Kirby Smart on the Godwin reception: “Jake made a clutch throw.”

The noise directed toward Fromm began before he could get out Tiger Stadium after the loss to LSU on Oct. 13. After the third-lowest completion percentage of his career, two interceptions and a 20-point defeat, the questions began to compile — both from fans on social media and reporters with numerous inquiries to Smart.

Those were all about freshman quarterback Justin Fields and displaying his abilities as a dual-threat option. But Fields has played a total of five snaps in the past two games, and didn’t see the field in the win over Florida. Smart said both parties were “disappointed” that Fields didn’t receive a playing opportunity, but did not elaborate on a reason.

“It is what it is. I’m not proving anything to anybody — whether you think I’m a good football player or not,” Fromm said. “I’m playing because God put me on the planet to play football and worship him. That’s the reason I play. I play for my family, and I play for my brothers in that locker room. I’m not trying to impress anybody.”

It makes one thing apparent — Georgia likes Fields and the numerous qualities he possesses, but it trusts Fromm. Simply, because he’s shown it multiple times in crucial moments.

A well-documented first start against Notre Dame started it, then the showings in the SEC Championship and Rose Bowl followed adding to the plethora of blowouts Fromm led as a freshman. So, against a top-10 Florida team in a renewed rivalry and the division on the line, the decision was no different for Smart.

Maybe because he muted the noise.

“I think my decisions should be based on what happens in practice, in games and based on the flow of the game,” Smart said. “The outside noise affects the players more than it affects me. Jake Fromm is a high-character kid who works his tail off every play.”

Fromm’s best display of why Georgia trusts him was shown on third down. He was nearly perfect with a 6-for-7 mark — five of which were sufficient for first downs. In addition, he had two rushes (including a 10-yard scamper) to advance on third-down situations.

“It comes down to execution of all 11 guys on the field,” Fromm said. “As a unit, on third down, we really focused in and came together. That’s a great feeling when they’re all clicking.”

Fromm’s 17 completions went to five different receivers, but two of them served as go-to targets. Jeremiah Holloman and Isaac Nauta were frequently found, whether it be Nauta’s four consecutive catches on the final drive of the first half or a back-shoulder touchdown catch to Holloman to give Georgia the lead.

Each of the Bulldog playmakers were overjoyed to be significant contributors in the victory, but it was especially true for Holloman who regarded his two-touchdown showing Saturday evening as the “most emotional” of his career. He wasn’t recruited by Florida, didn’t travel last season and earned his first start at Georgia.

But it wouldn’t have been possible without their trust in No. 11’s ability to distribute.

“In football, you’re going to have your days. I’m confident in that guy over there on my left,” Nauta said. “He’s a great football player and I knew he would bounce back. I don’t ever worry about a guy like that.”

Fromm’s performance led Georgia to 470 offensive yards — a 148-yard improvement from the last time it took the field against LSU. Although there were still some blunders, it was more like a typical offensive day for the Bulldogs.

So, a potential top-10 matchup at Kentucky with the winner clinching the SEC East lies ahead. More high stakes, but more of the same expectation for Georgia with Fromm as the leader.

“This is the offense that we see everyday in practice, so it’s nothing different to us,” Holloman said. “It was good to finally show it and put it on tape.”