Oscar Delp addresses failed hurdle, drop kick in Orange Bowl win vs. FSU
Georgia tight end Oscar Delp momentarily forgot what sport he was playing on Saturday. In Georgia’s stunning 63-3 blowout win over Florida State, Delp attempted to hurdle FSU defensive back Kevin Knowles II in the second quarter.
Evidently, Delp overestimated his leaping abilities. Instead of soaring over Knowles, Delp firmly planted his cleat in the unexpecting DB’s facemask. Thankfully, neither player suffered an injury on the play and Delp was able to joke about it after the game.
“Accidentally hit the triangle button,” Delp wrote on X, referencing the hurdle button on Madden.
Whatever buttons Delp pushed this year, they worked. The 6-foot-5 tight end tallied 24 receptions this season for 284 yards and three touchdowns. Delp hauled in three catches for 31 yards in Georgia’s win over FSU in the Orange Bowl.
Delp’s statistics become even more impressive when you realize he was Georgia’s second option at his position. Delp played second fiddle to All-American Brock Bowers this season. However, after Bowers went down in Week 6 with an ankle injury that required surgery, Delp found himself suddenly shoved into the spotlight for a short time.
Oscar Delp makes the most of his moments
He put on a special performance. In the few games Bowers was unavailable, Delp collected over 100 receiving yards and two touchdowns. At the time, Delp discussed the confidence he had in himself.
“I mean, I practiced the same way I’ve been practicing: just as hard as I can. It sucks having him go down. He’s a huge part of our team, our offense, and our locker room. I knew there was going to be more opportunities on the table for players. I just had to make every play that I had a chance to make and just keep practicing like I’ve been practicing,” Delp said.
“I don’t think I was nervous from a nervous standpoint. I’ve been getting in there all season,” he added. “I think the coaches have done well preparing all of us for situations like this to happen in case it happens. I was really just excited to get out there and play just like I am every week.”
Head coach Kirby Smart never doubted his talented sophomore.
“I don’t see any difference,” Smart said. “I know y’all find that hard to believe, but he played when Brock was here, he plays when Brock’s not. He took a load of reps before Brock was injured, he takes a load of reps with Brock injured. He fights his tail off every day at practice, he works hard – if anything, he’s just gotten more opportunities, and he’s made the most of them.”
With Bowers likely heading to the NFL, Delp’s opportunities will only increase next year. If history is any indicator, he’ll make the most of them.