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Georgia vs. South Carolina: Freshman TE Jay Rome focused on team success

Redshirt freshman Jay Rome only has two catches for 36 yards, but he knows he's contributing to the Bulldogs' success in a crucial way: by boosting the running game

Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire

Georgia Bulldogs tight end Jay Rome isn't bothered by his low stats from the 2012 season, reports DogBytes Online, because he's focused on the impact he's having on the running game. The redshirt freshman has two catches for 36 yards, but he has the overall team's success in mind. As he told DogBytes:

"I feel like I've had a big impact in the running game. I feel like I've had just as a big an impact as I wanted to have even if I haven't caught that many passes. It just came at a different aspect of the game which is also equally, if not more, important."

Georgia is first in the SEC and No. 11 in the FBS on the ground, averaging 250.4 yards per game. Todd Gurley has 536 yards on the season, and Keith Marshall isn't far behind with 428. Rome also knows that a strong ground game contributes to the passing game, and stresses that if the team has success running the ball, then defenses have to worry about stacking the box, which leaves receivers open.

The No. 5 Bulldogs face the No. 6 South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday. Rome is likely to have his work cut out for him as South Carolina's defense has only yielded an average of 77.6 rushing yards per game.

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Photographs by coka_koehler used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.