FLORIDA 27, GEORGIA 3
A quarter-by-quarter look at Florida’s 27-3 victory over Georgia at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Fla., on Saturday:
FIRST QUARTER
Big play: On the final play of a previously scoreless quarter, Georgia's Reggie Davis muffed a catch of a Florida punt at the UGA 5-yard line. The Gators' Nick Washington recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown. Georgia's Sterling Bailey blocked the PAT attempt.
Turning point: Georgia taiback Sony Michel missed the remainder of the quarter after apparently injuring his right wrist on a 27-yard run, which was negated by a holding penalty, on Georgia's first offensive snap of the game. Brendan Douglas was Georgia's tailback the rest of the quarter, mustering four yards on three carries.
The takeaway: So, yes, indeed, in the biggest game of its season, Georgia started a quarterback, Faton Bauta, who hadn't played a meaningful offensive snap since his senior season in high school in 2011.
Score: Florida 6, Georgia 0
SECOND QUARTER
Big play: Florida quarterback Treon Harris and receiver Antonio Callaway connected on a 66-yard touchdown pass with about five minutes left in the quarter. Callaway beat Georgia freshman safety Johnathan Abram, who then missed a tackle that allowed Callaway to gain 32 yards after the catch.
Turning point: Florida cornerback Vernon Hargreaves intercepted a Bauta pass at the Georgia 25-yard line after it was broken up by defensive end Alex McAlister. Hargreaves returned the interception to the 5. Tailback Kelvin Taylor scored from the 3-yard line two plays later as Florida stretched its lead to 20-0, with 13 of the points coming as a result of Georgia turnovers.
The takeaway: This game has turned ugly in a hurry for Georgia. At halftime, Michel had four yards rushing on six carries, Florida had 212 offensive yards to Georgia's 94, and Bauta was 9-for-17 for 79 yards with two interceptions and was off target on what could have been a touchdown pass to a wide-open Jay Rome.
Score: Florida 20, Georgia 0
THIRD QUARTER
Big play: Georgia linebacker Davin Bellamy caused and recovered a Harris fumble at the Florida 25-yard line early in the quarter. The Bulldogs got only a 27-yard Marshall Morgan field goal from the opportunity, however.
Turning point: As the quarter wound down, Harris hit Callaway with a 33-yard pass on second-and-24 and Harris gained 19 yards on a third-and-12 quarterback draw. Florida got no points from the drive, but kept the ball for more than six minutes with a 17-point lead.
The takeaway: Many thousands of seats in the Georgia half of the stadium were empty by the end of the third quarter.
Score: Florida 20, Georgia 3
FOURTH QUARTER
Big play: Florida safety Keanu Neal intercepted a short Bauta pass in the end zone for a touchback to thwart a Georgia scoring threat about five minutes into the quarter. Florida proceeded to drive 80 yards for a touchdown and a 27-3 lead.
Turning point: Nothing turned in the fourth quarter as Bauta completed a miserable debut (15-for-33, 154 yards, four interceptions) and the Bulldogs dropped to 5-10 vs. Florida under coach Mark Richt.
The takeaway: Georgia hasn't scored a touchdown in eight quarters, dating to early in the fourth quarter of the Tennessee game. The Gators are one win from the SEC East championship.
Score: Florida 27, Georgia 3
About the Author
Tim Tucker, a long-time AJC sports reporter, often writes about the business side of the games. He also had stints as the AJC's Braves beat writer, UGA beat writer, sports notes columnist and executive sports editor. He was deputy managing editor of America's first all-sports newspaper, The National Sports Daily.
