To see a video of players’ interviews, click here.Georgia senior quarterback Joe Cox completed a 16-yard pass to sophomore wide receiver A.J. Green to take a 13-12 lead with just more than a minute remaining against LSU on Saturday.On the ensuing drive, the Tigers needed to improve their field position for a chance at a game-winning field goal.Sophomore quarterback Jordan Jefferson knew to whom he wanted to give the ball.”He pretty much said give the ball to Charles,” said senior running back Charles Scott. “‘He’s hot right now, and I don’t think they can handle us up front.'”The call turned out to be a good one. Scott carried the ball 33 yards to the end zone on the drive’s second play to secure a victory with 46 seconds left to play.”That play had been working all game,” Jefferson said. “I just persuaded Coach to run it again, and it worked once again.” The touchdown run was the Tigers’ longest run of the season, and aside from giving the Tigers a victory, it gave them a much needed boost in confidence in their running game — a boost Scott and his teammates want to carry over as they face No. 1 Florida this weekend. The Tigers entered Saturday’s contest with the 10th best rushing attack in the Southeastern Conference, averaging just 3.8 yards a carry.No LSU running back had rushed for more than 80 yards until Saturday when Scott picked up 95 yards on 19 carries. “It feels good to get it going,” said senior offensive lineman Lyle Hitt. “We knew we could do it. We just kind of had to find a rhythm so it does feel like a little bit of weight is lifted off.”Scott picked up his first two touchdowns of the season in the game — the second being the long 33-yard run.LSU sophomore center T-Bob Hebert said the run was a big boost for the team’s confidence. He said he was personally excited by the play. Hebert was blocking Georgia senior linebacker Rennie Curran when the play took place. “Next thing I know I looked up to my right, and I saw Chuck just free running,” Hebert said. “I started looking back to see if there was a penalty. When I saw there was no penalty, I went crazy.”Scott said he and the rest of the offense played more aggressively Saturday.”You could see it in the play by the offensive line,” Scott said. “They just had a whole different attitude, and it really showed in the running game.”Scott said Jefferson had something to say to him after the play. “I told him that I called the play for him,” Jefferson said. “I had faith him. I trusted him, and he came through to the fullest.”LSU coach Les Miles said he also noticed the boost in confidence Scott’s running provided on Saturday. “I don’t know that Charles needed that,” Miles said. “I can tell you that his team needed him to have that day.”LSU hosts Florida this weekend, and Scott said the Tigers will need to continue the success they found on the ground. “We are going to have to come out and turn it up a notch or two,” Scott said.
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Football: Scott’s big day against Georgia helps boost offense’s confidence
October 5, 2009