Georgia offense turns to Sony Michel for upcoming game against Missouri

ATHENS -- Sony Michel is prepared for this kind of moment.

With Nick Chubb's season over due to a knee injury, Michel will now be the No. 1 option in Georgia's backfield. A former five-star recruit, he'll get a bigger opportunity to show why he was so highly touted two years ago coming out of Plantation, Florida.

But it's not like Michel hasn't been producing for Georgia's offense this season. As Chubb's backup, Michel saw plenty of playing time at tailback and has lined up at receiver quite a bit. The sophomore runner has totaled 421 rushing yards and four touchdowns, as well as 174 receiving yards and three scores. Michel, however, was previously someone defenses had to account for when he entered the game. Now he'll be on the field more often to take the majority of Georgia's tailback snaps.

"He's a dynamic weapon," offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said. "Having him in there more consistently certainly makes a defense -- not forget about him, they'll never forget about him -- but relax a little bit because it's not, 'Hey, here comes No. 1 off the sideline.' "

Michel was emotional after last week's game, blaming himself for Georgia's 38-31 loss to Tennessee because he fumbled the ball on a first-half kickoff return. The mistake led to a Volunteers touchdown a few plays later. Michel otherwise had a good game, totaling 145 rushing yards on 22 carries.

Michel was not made available to the media this week but said, "I was prepared for this moment -- (Chubb) prepared me for this moment," when asked about stepping into the lead running back role following the Tennessee game.

Georgia has recruited well in recent years to avoid depth issues at running back when injuries occur. Since 2012, the Bulldogs have brought in Todd Gurley, Keith Marshall, Brendan Douglas, J.J. Green, Chubb and Michel. In 2013, both Douglas and Green were pressed into playing time due to injuries to Gurley and Marshall. Green has since transferred to Georgia Tech.

Chubb began 2014 fourth on the depth chart and started his first game against Missouri due to Gurley's suspension and injuries to Marshall and Michel. Therefore, having Michel ready for this opportunity is something the Bulldogs are thankful for.

"We have a lot of depth around here, that's the good part," tight end Jeb Blazevich said. "That's what makes us be competitive each and every day. It's a competitive situation each and every week. We have a lot of guys trying to get better, trying to perfect their craft. Sony's one of those guys. He's already doing an amazing job. Now he's stepping up since Nick's gone down."

While Michel found some running lanes against Tennessee, more so in the first half than the second, it figures to be a tougher test against Missouri. The Tigers are allowing 112.7 rushing yards per game and have yet to allow an opposing running back to go for 100. Florida's Kelvin Taylor came close last week with 99 yards on 28 carries, although that's only good for an average of 3.5 yards per rush.

For Georgia's offense to move the ball against a stout Missouri front seven, which features outside linebacker Kentrell Brothers and his 74 total tackles, Michel will be relied upon to help churn out first downs and big plays.

"Obviously, he carried most of the load our last game after Chubb got hurt and has been playing a good bit all along," head coach Mark Richt said. "It's hard to replace a guy that's been as productive as Nick Chubb and works as hard as Nick Chubb, who's been a guy everybody really respects. Sony, I really believe, has the same respect of our team, our coaches and probably our fan base as well."

Michel should have some help in the backfield, which will give him rest at times and allow him to continue lining up at receiver. That means more opportunities could be coming for Marshall and Douglas beginning this week.

While Michel technically has been Chubb's backup, Michel has been considered one of the key components to Georgia's offense. While Chubb was considered the best option at running back, Georgia considers Michel among its best all-around players.

"Sony's always been the guy," tight end Jay Rome said. "Whether he's been the first running back in there to get the first carry or whether he's in the slot, Sony's been the guy. He's going to handle it just perfectly."

This story was originally published October 16, 2015 at 3:09 PM with the headline "Georgia offense turns to Sony Michel for upcoming game against Missouri ."