Spring Break
Fullbacks 'both NFLers really'
JASON BUTT
Issue date: 10/13/08 Section: Instant Replay
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Those two words are what came into fullback Shaun Chapas' mind as he caught a pass on a fullback screen on Georgia's first possession in its 26-14 win over Tennessee on Saturday.
Chapas took the pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford, who faked right before coming back to the fullback from St. Augustine, Fla. on the left side of the field, who then trucked downfield for 37 yards.
"The first play we ran was a screen and I got out of there, and I got the ball in and realized I had a convoy of linemen in front of me," Chapas said. "I was just like, 'Let's go,' and started running."
With his blockers in front, Chapas said he couldn't remember the last time he had to run that fast.
"I couldn't even tell you, high school? I don't know," he said.
Chapas failed to score on that play, getting tackled at the 1-yard-line. His teammate and fellow fullback Brannan Southerland had his number called as he finished Chapas' job.
"In that package, I'm the fullback and he's the other back, so I really do wish he could have had that touchdown because he really deserved it," Southerland said.
With Southerland's return from a foot injury at the starting fullback spot, Chapas - who started the first five games at that position - didn't see his playing time affected much. Chapas ended the game with three receptions for 64 yards.
"It felt good to get a couple of runs and get a couple of catches," Chapas said. "The offensive line did a great job on creating some holes for me, and I got the ball and Matthew made the right reads so I was able to get some yards there too."
Though Chapas and Southerland made some big offensive plays, their blocking didn't go unnoticed. After Southerland dropped a pass on the third play of the game, he made a block that sprung running back Knowshon Moreno for a 10-yard gain on a toss sweep.
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