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#STINGDAILY: Four Downs With Robert Godhigh

Sept. 23, 2013

By Jon Cooper
Sting Daily

Memo to the rest of the ACC: Go ahead and try to stop A-back Robert Godhigh. He doesn’t care.

The redshirt senior averages more than a first down every time he touches the ball, bringing an ACC-leading 12.4 yards per play into Thursday night’s game against Virginia Tech at Bobby Dodd Stadium. It’s the latest chapter in his growing legend.

The story began by his making the team as a walk-on in 2009 (he redshirted that season). It continued with him working his way up from special teams demon in 2010, to earning limited time in the backfield at A-back in 2011 to getting the starting spot in 2012.

He has showed no sign of relinquishing his spot in 2013.

In three games, the 5-7, 190-pound Godhigh, who earned the nickname “The Beast” with his weight-room exploits, has brought “The Beast” out on the field with him, building on his breakthrough 2012 season.

He’s been especially lethal in the Jackets’ first two conference games.

Two weeks ago at Duke he set career-highs for rushing and all-purpose yards. Then, last Saturday, against North Carolina, despite a driving rain, he re-set his career-high for rushing yards, ripping off 100 yards on a mere nine carries. His first career 100-yard game continued his domination of the Tar Heels, against whom he scored a career-best three touchdowns — all in the third quarter — of last year’s 68-50 shootout. His best receiving game, by the way, came last November at Georgia.

Afterward, Godhigh wasn’t overly concerned about his recent trend of record-setting or any personal glory. He credits his teammates for his rushing success and beyond Georgia Tech’s win-loss record not much else really concerns him.

Sting Daily talked with Godhigh following the win over UNC and learned all about his lack of concern about running in the rain on Saturday, prepping for and playing on a short week heading into Thursday night’s Virginia Tech game and the threat of any future retribution from over-zealous, ticket-happy North Carolina highway patrolmen — about the only people in the state who appear capable of stopping him — the next time he ventures into the Tar Heel state.

Godhigh Significant Facts:
Games Played: 32
Games Started: 17
First Game: vs. South Carolina State, Sept. 4, 2010
First Start: at Virginia Tech, Sept. 3, 2012
First Touchdown: at Virginia Tech, Sept. 3, 2012
Career High Carries: 9 vs. North Carolina, Sept. 21, 2013
Career High Rushing Yards: 100, vs. North Carolina, Sept. 21, 2013
Long Run: 48, vs. North Carolina, Sept. 21 2013
Career HIgh Receptions: 5 at Georgia, Nov. 24, 2012
Career High Receiving Yards: 66 at Georgia, Nov. 24, 2012
Long Catch: 43 yards, at Georgia, Nov. 24, 2012
Most All-Purpose Yards: 138, at Duke, Sept. 14, 2013
Most Touchdowns Game: 3 at North Carolina, Nov. 10, 2012
Most Touchdowns Rushing: 2 at North Carolina, Nov. 3, 2012
Most Touchdowns Receiving: 2 vs. Duke, Nov. 17, 2012

FIRST DOWN: How did it feel to get your career-high rushing despite the tough conditions?

Robert Godhigh: I felt good out there. The rain didn’t really slow me down or anything. I got a lot of good blocks from my fellow A-backs and from the linemen. I didn’t know I had that many yards until just now but I’m definitely glad and thankful for my linemen and my other teammates blocking for me out there.

SECOND DOWN: What are you thoughts heading into Thursday night’s game against Virginia Tech with the history of close games?

GODHIGH: We’re just going to take it how it is. Watch film on them and execute our game plan. It’s not really important what they’ve done in the past. It’s important what they do this Thursday. It’s a short week so we’re going to have to focus hard in practice this week. We’re looking forward to playing them on Thursday night. It’s going to be a hard-fought game. So we’re just ready for the opportunity.

THIRD DOWN: Does coming back for another physical game on a short week bother you?

GODHIGH: It doesn’t bother me. If it was up to me I’d play every day. I like being out there, being physical. I like going out there and competing. So I’m looking forward to playing this Thursday.

FOURTH DOWN: Do you have any concerns about driving through North Carolina after what you’ve done to UNC and Duke the last two years?

GODHIGH: (laughs) Nah. It’s all good with me.

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