Georgia QB Jake Fromm battles through goal-line eye gouging, grades highest

ATHENS — It was clear to everyone that Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm was the star of the Bulldogs’ 36-17 win over Florida, even after a goal-line eye gouging blurred his vision.

Fromm graded out higher than any of his Georgia teammates per Pro Football Focus, his 17-of-24 passing performance impressing everyone inside of both locker rooms.

The highest-graded players from the Georgia-Florida game earlier todayhttps://t.co/dDr6xOqFP5 pic.twitter.com/bnsZzPS4Ly
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) October 28, 2018

Perhaps the biggest downside for Georgia was the Bulldogs’ inability to get the ball in from the Florida 1-yard line on six rushing attempts.

Elijah Holyfield had three carries and didn’t gain a yard, and Fromm had two, though he said he thought he cross the goal line.

“I thought I did, both of them, or at least one of them,” Fromm said. “I know I was getting my eye gouged out on the first one, and I don’t know if I could see too good to see if I got it in on the second one.

“It was really physical down there in the trenches.”

Georgia coach Kirby Smart was complimentary of Fromm, praising his competitive nature and the ongoing improvement he has shown.

As accomplished as Fromm is, having led the Bulldogs to an SEC title his freshman season, he’s still only a sophomore, and his game is growing.

Senior receiver Terry Godwin, who caught the game-clinching 24-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter, couldn’t say enough about Fromm.

“Fromm is an amazing quarterback, he’s like a coach out there on the field, he’s going to tell you who to block, what defense they are in and what we are going to check to,” Godwin said. “It is great to have a quarterback like that, because he is going to put you in the right position to make the right plays.”

Fellow Georgia sophomore Monty Rice lit up when asked about Fromm.

“Jake did today what he’s always done, he’s always been a phenomenal player,” said Rice, who goes against Fromm in practice from his inside linebacker position.

“I remember as a freshman, he threw an interception against Missouri, and the next drive he forgot about it, so he’s always ready to bounce back and make plays.”

Florida’s players didn’t give Georgia much credit for their performance, instead blaming themselves, but linebacker David Reese made sure to give Fromm his due.

“Their quarterback did a great job controlling the game, and their wide receivers gave us problems,” Reese said. “Usually that isn’t the case with our defense, but it was today so we just have to move forward.”