Two evenly-matched teams slugged it out for four quarters Saturday night at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky., but it was Georgia that landed the final punch.
Rodrigo Blankenship kicked a 25-yard field goal with as time expired to lift the Bulldogs to a much-needed 27-24 victory over Kentucky.
The winning kick was set up after quarterback Jacob Eason led the Bulldogs on an eight-play, 64-yard drive. Georgia never faced a third down on the possession, getting double-figure gains on four plays.
Blankenship's game-winner followed kicks of 25, 42 and 49 yards that kept the Bulldogs in the game. His final field goal followed Austin MacGinnis' 25-yard field goal with 2:47 left that tied the game at 24.
On the final drive, the Wildcats couldn't stop Eason, who completed 17 of 31 passes for 245 yards, or Georgia tailback Sony Michel, who rushed 19 times for 127 yards — including a 26-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.
A week after gaining just 164 yards against Florida, the Bulldogs reasserted themselves offensively by outgaining Kentucky 460-308, including 215 yards rushing.
Georgia committed three turnovers and had one converted into a Wildcats TD but was able to move the ball when it counted.
Nick Chubb added 85 yards on 21 carries for the Bulldogs.
Georgia (5-4, 3-4 in the SEC) avoided falling below .500 after entering with four losses in five games. Kentucky is 5-4, 4-3 in the SEC.
Georgia hosts No. 11 Auburn Saturday, looking for a third straight win over the Tigers.
Mark Bradley: Georgia needed this one
The final third of Georgia's regular season began with something approaching a must-win game against Kentucky. Time was, the only sort of games the Bulldogs played against Kentucky were better-not-lose affairs. But times change. Click here to read more.
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