Web-posted Oct. 22, 1996

By Andy Johnston
Staff Writer

ATHENS, Ga. - Patrick Pass was thinking redshirt.

He knew about Robert Edwards, Torin Kirtsey and Robert Arnaud. He knew each of them had 100-yard rushing games for Georgia last season. He knew each one was returning.

There was no chance for a freshman to see any playing time this season, he thought. Even one with his credentials and abilities.

Pass was wrong.

``All this is surprising to me,'' said Pass, who is second on the team behind Edwards with 176 yards rushing on 27 carries. ``When I was playing on special teams in that first game, I knew that I would be redshirted. I just knew I was. I guess things have worked out a little better than I expected.''

As the freshman tailback from Tucker High grows more accustomed to coach Jim Donnan's offense and the speed of the action in the Southeastern Conference, the more action he sees.

During Saturday's 13-2 victory over Vanderbilt, he rushed for 56 yards, caught the first two passes of his career, had a 32-yard kickoff return and even attempted an option pass, which fell incomplete.

He participated in 32 of the team's 76 offensive plays and could seen even more action at Kentucky (1-6, 0-4 in the SEC) on Saturday at 7 p.m.

``I knew I had the size, speed and quickness to get the job done,'' Pass said. ``I just knew the talent that was returning. Some people even thought I would make a better defensive back, and that I should switch just to get to play. Things are going pretty good now.''

Still, Pass' increasing involvement is evidently not enough to please some fans.

Donnan became somewhat irate with one caller - a lady from Tucker - during his radio call-in show Sunday evening. She thought Pass needed to see even more action.

``After a couple of minutes of this, I had to interrupt her and tell her that I was the coach and that I would be one deciding how much a player would play,'' Donnan said. ``Patrick is progressing well, but we're not going to turn over the entire offense to him. I don't see how we can get him in there any more than he already is. We have a pretty good situation back there.''

Which is exactly why Pass, who is 6-foot, 200 pounds, thought he would make his debut in 1997, not this fall.

Edwards is regaining the form that he flashed for six quarters before being injured last September, and has 526 yards.

However, who Kirtsey led the team in rushing in '96, was suspended for the Tennessee game and had only one carry last week. And Arnaud, who rushed for 120 yards in the victory over Kentucky last season, injured his neck opening week and will likely receive a medical redshirt.

That left the door wide open for Pass, who is averaging 6.5 yards a carry, but has yet to score a touchdown.

``We know there's no dropoff after Robert,'' senior offensive tackle Adam Meadows said. ``One of the most exciting things for an offensive linemen is to see a running back go by you after opening a hole for him. We knew from the first day that Patrick Pass was for real because every time I turned around, he was downfield, even when we don't block so well. He's bailed us out a few times with some great runs.''