ABC broadcast reveals great lengths Kirby Smart went to prepare Trevor Etienne for Florida game

Entering Saturday’s rivalry game between Florida and Georgia, one of the biggest storylines centered on Trevor Etienne. The former Gators running back is now the leader in the Bulldogs’ backfield and will face his former team for the first time during this year’s World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party game.

Ahead of the matchup, Kirby Smart and UGA went to great lengths to prepare Etienne, ABC’s Holly Rowe said. He spoke with a sports psychologist to make sure he kept his composure and focused on his job in the game, rather than the opponent.

Etienne spent two years at Florida before entering the transfer portal and making his way to Georgia. He still has relationships on the Gators’ sideline – including with Shemar James, who spoke with Rowe before kickoff. That’s why Smart and the staff wanted to make sure Etienne was mentally prepared for the rivalry matchup.

“Trevor Etienne, this is weird today, honestly,” Rowe said on the broadcast. “He’s got a lot of friends on the other side. And Kirby Smart wanted him to be smart and actually have him speak with a sports psychologist this week, learn how to keep your composure, make this only about the football game, focus on what’s ahead of you and let your emotions not take you away from what you’re supposed to be doing play-to-play.

“I did talk to Shemar James on the Florida Gators side, the linebacker. He said, ‘We’re still boys. We still text. Of course we love each other. But when the ball’s kicked off, no friends out here today.”

In two career games against Georgia, Etienne ran for 95 yards and a touchdown while at Florida. But Saturday will mark his first time on the other sideline at EverBank Stadium, facing the team that signed him as a four-star recruit.

But Smart didn’t want Etienne worrying too much about playing his former team for the first time. It’s not the first time Georgia’s had a player in this spot – Dominic Lovett faced Missouri last year – and he just wanted his star running back to focus on winning the game.

“Focus on the task. … You don’t want to be caught up in the emotions and be emotional,” Smart said. “I don’t think that helps any. Dom’s gone through it with Missouri a couple times, different players. That’s part of college football now. We’ve had kids go down there.

“We don’t get caught up in it a bunch. At the end of the day, what’s gonna make you play well? It ain’t worrying about that.”