Glenn Schumann was given every opportunity to find a crutch to lean on for the Georgia football team's sometimes-subpar play stopping the run last season, but the defensive coordinator would have none of it when asked if the numbers aren't a true measure.
"Stats always tell you something," Schumann said. "Stats are what they are. You start rationalizing stats, then you're just making excuses for a performance that wasn't up to our standard. "
The Bulldogs defense gave up an average of 3.71 yards per carry.
That ranked tied for 31 nationally, which may not seem so alarming. That actually was better than the 3.77 yards per carry that opponents put up in 2023.
The Bulldogs, however, allowed just 2.88 in 2022 (third in nation), 2.56 (second) in 2021, 2.39 (first) in 2020 and 2.62 (2) in 2019.
Georgia's defensive line boasted first-rounder Jordan Davis, Devonte Wyatt, Travon Walker, Jalen Carter and linebackers Nakobe Dean and Nolan Smith during that stretch.
Georgia ranked 36 in rushing yards per game in 2024, allowing an average of 129.64.
"It's not the garnish giving up rushing, as much as it is the yards per carry," coach Kirby Smart said.
Schumann said the biggest problem on run defense last year was shoddy tackling.
Georgia had 121 missed tackles last season, according to Pro Football Focus, up from 85 in 2023.
It had 86 in 2021.
It was the most Georgia missed tackles tracked by PFF since 136 in 2015.
"If you tackle better, you eliminate yards after contact, and we need to leverage football better, specifically, on the perimeter, where the ball bounced out too much," Schumann said. "That goes back to trust and playing together as a unit. So one thing we've just been really harping on is the right way to tackle, which we always do."
Inside linebacker Raylen Wilson said the defensive line worked more this offseason in better using their hands.
"I mean, it's everybody, but it really starts with the defensive line, and what kind of mentality that room has," Smart said.
Georgia's defense gave up big yards on quarterback runs. It surrendered 117 rushing yards and two touchdowns to Alabama's Jalen Milroe, 50 rushing yards to both Ole Miss's Jaxson Dart and UMass' Ahmad Haston, 110 yards and three touchdowns to Georgia Tech's Haynes King and 80 rushing yards to Notre Dame's Riley Leonard.
"I feel like we'll have a good plan against those dual-threat type of quarterbacks this year," linebacker CJ Allen said.
Schumann is looking for more steady showings from the defense.
Even with three players that became first round draft picks in April -- defensive lineman Mykel Williams, linebacker Jalon Walker and safety Malaki Starks -- the Bulldogs played down to their opponents.
Schumann pointed out that against five playoff opponents, Georgia gave up 17 points to Tennessee, 3 to Clemson, 15 and 19 to Texas and 23 to Notre Dame including a kickoff return touchdown.
On the flip side, Mississippi State scored 31, Alabama 41, Georgia Tech 42 (in eight overtimes) and Ole Miss 27.
"We know that it has to be better, and you can't be up and down," Schumann said. "Consistency is a mark of great defense. We talk about being a leader or not, to be a leader, you have to be consistent. That's what makes something elite. So we can't have up and down performances."