ATHENS — Georgia will now enter Saturday’s game without their leading rusher in Trevor Etienne. The junior was ruled out Thursday after injuring his ribs in Georgia’s last two games.

Georgia had just 59 yards as a team against Ole Miss, with the running backs combining for 68 yards on 22 carries. The running game hasn’t been successful for Georgia this season, as it ranks 15th in the SEC in carries and yards per game.

Now, in the wake of their leading rusher, even more falls on the shoulders of Carson Beck.

“Our identity here for so long has been to run the ball and we just couldn’t do that tonight,” Beck said after the loss against Ole Miss. “And maybe whenever that happens, I’ve got to step up and I’ve got to make some explosive plays in the passing game or maybe I’ve got to start making some plays down the field. I tried to start extending plays and, you know, run a little bit more in the second half.

“But, you know, we’ve got to be explosive and somebody’s got to step up and make a play whenever we’re not able to run the ball comfortably.”

As for Georgia replacing Etiennelook to fall to Nate Frazier first. Cash Jones is listed as questionable, which could mean Georgia moves Dillon Bell to running back in a pinch.

But Beck will now have to run an offense without one of his most important pieces. Beck will have to communicate and orchestrate more this week.

Head coach Kirby Smart praised Beck in that area of ​​the offense.

“We have a quarterback that is completely competent, capable and understands our system that gives us the best chance to win,” Smart said.

Beck hasn’t been playing his best lately. He turned the ball over 14 times since the Alabama game, 12 of which were interceptions. No quarterback in the SEC has thrown more this season.

Georgia scored just 10 points in the loss to Ole Miss, tying the season low Smart’s time in Athens.

Georgia’s quarterback needs to play better. He knows that. He hears it from Smart.

“Well, there’s a need to hear and then we need to reaffirm what’s true,” Smart said. “What is the real truth? Because we don’t deal with narratives and themes and what people say and social media feeds and what you think. We deal in truths, and the truth is what we usually tell it. It’s a good decision. It’s a bad decision. It’s a good drop. That’s a bad drop. This is good ball protection. If you’re going to take a sack, this is poor ball protection. We deal with the truths and don’t go too far beyond that.”

Beck’s struggles coincided with an undermanned offense. The turnover has really picked up since Colbie Young was suspended from the program. Anthony Evans has missed the last two games with a thigh injury, but is listed as questionable for Saturday’s game.

The Bulldogs will now be without three of their scholarship players. Not an easy situation for any quarterback to deal with by any means. Especially when you add that Georgia leads the country in drops with 29.

Beck has tried to overcome challenges all season in Georgia’s offense. He was not always able to navigate them successfully.

He will have another one on Saturday. In a game that Georgia must win if they are going to see Etienne return to play in a meaningful game this season.