Georgia running back Trevor Etienne ready for triumphant return to Louisiana

Georgia running back Trevor Etienne started December by bouncing back from a painful rib injury and stealing the show in the SEC championship game. He looks to end December by having similar success in his return to his home state.

The Jennings, Louisiana native is back in the boot this week as the Bulldogs prepare to face Notre Dame in the 2025 Sugar Bowl. While Etienne hasn’t had much success in the Superdome, the junior tailback is looking to change that Wednesday when a CFP semifinals spot is on the line.

“Words can’t describe how excited I am to be back home, playing in New Orleans, playing in Louisiana,” Etienne said. “I actually don’t have that good of a history with games in that stadium. I lost in the state championship. It was terrible. My brother lost in college, I believe twice, in that stadium. But his last game there he won, so I can say we’re on the upside of what we call ‘The Dome Curse.’ 

“Man, it’s going to be electric. I can’t wait.”

Etienne’s first season at Georgia has featured a few setbacks that the veteran back has quickly bounced back from.

Etienne missed Georgia’s season opener due to suspension but came on strong as the clear lead back. He routinely made something out of nothing with an inconsistent offensive line until suffering a rib injury in the first half of the Florida game on Nov. 2. Etienne played sparingly the following week against Ole Miss then missed the next three games due to injury.

Etienne explained the injury didn’t face him much, and by SEC title game week he was bound and determined to return to the field. He not only suited up against Texas while sporting a flight jacket to protect his ribs, but he was a key part of a Georgia offense that sought answers once it lost starting quarterback Carson Beck.

Georgia leaned heavily on Etienne in the second half and gave him 10 carries in the second half. Etienne got two more carries in overtime, the last being the 4-yard touchdown run that gave the Bulldogs an SEC championship.

Tight end Oscar Delp was one of the first people to Etienne after the play, and Delp could not contain his excitement for his teammate.

“He’s a guy who came here and, I mean, I feel like he’s been here since I got here,” Delp said. “He’s someone I really consider a brother, and I know the offense loves him. Everyone on the team loves him. He’s a great leader, a great person. And, you know, just to have him have that moment and me get to be there with him was really special. And, I mean, he deserves it.”

Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo described Etienne as a special back capable of hitting a home run at any moment, and it’s a safe bet that he will get his opportunities come Wednesday. The Bulldogs are expected to lean on Etienne and the run game quite a bit with Gunner Stockton taking over behind center, which should give No. 1 plenty of chances to touch the football.

The good news for Etienne is that he said the last three weeks have been huge in terms of getting healthy and resting up. Etienne came to Georgia with hopes of winning a championship, and it looks like his play will go a long way in deciding just how far the Bulldogs go.

“This is the game that every college player wants to be part of at the end of the year,” Etienne said. “This is the reason we go through the offseason training and we put all the hard work in — to be able to get a shot at the title. And this is, you know, a step along that road, so it’s just really a blessing and a great feeling to be a part of something that’s special.”