GEORGIA 23, GEORGIA SOUTHERN 17
A quarter-by-quarter look at Georgia’s 23-17 overtime victory over Georgia Southern on Saturday night at Sanford Stadium:
FIRST QUARTER
Big play: Georgia's Isaiah McKenzie started the game's scoring with a 23-yard touchdown on a jet sweep around left end, completing a seven-play, 61-yard drive on the Bulldogs' first possession. The drive followed a 39-yard return of the game-opening kickoff from the goal line by Reggie Davis.
Turning point: Georgia appeared to be driving toward another touchdown, but receiver Malcolm Mitchell's fumble after a 16-yard gain on a catch-and-run turned the ball over at Georgia Southern's 8-yard line. The fumble was forced and recovered by Eagles cornerback Darrius White.
The takeaway: The turnover cost the Bulldogs all of the momentum they had seemed to be building.
Score: Georgia 7, Georgia Southern 0
SECOND QUARTER
Big play: On the first play of the second quarter, Georgia Southern quarterback Favian Upshaw broke loose around left end for 48 yards to the Georgia 9-yard line. But three plays later, on third-and-7, Georgia linebacker Davin Bellamy sacked Upshaw for an 8-yard loss. Younghoe Koo then missed a 31-yard field-goal attempt.
Turning point: After Georgia's Marshall Morgan was short on a 48-yard field-goal attempt, Georgia Southern drove 69 yards in 11 plays to tie the score. On the next-to-last play of the drive, running back Matt Breida took a pitch, reversed field to his left and ran 23 yards to the UGA 1. From there, running back L.A. Ramsby scored up the middle.
The takeaway: So, on a day that South Carolina lost to the The Citadel and Florida was extended to overtime by Florida Atlantic, the SEC East is getting another scare with Georgia locked in a tie game at the half.
Score: Georgia 7, Georgia Southern 7
THIRD QUARTER
Big play: Georgia Southern turned Georgia's second turnover of the game into an immediate touchdown and a 14-7 lead. Linebacker Antwione Williams forced a fumble on a run by McKenzie at the Eagles' 35-yard line, and cornerback Caleb Williams scooped up the ball and ran 65 yards for a touchdown.
Turning point: Six plays after Georgia recovered a Georgia Southern fumble of a punt at the Eagles' 29-yard line, the Bulldogs tied the score on wide receiver Terry Godwin's leaping catch of a 12-yard Greyson Lambert pass in the end zone.
The takeaway: Through three quarters, Georgia Southern had attempted only three passes.
Score: Georgia 14, Georgia Southern 14
FOURTH QUARTER
Big play: Capping a 13-play drive on which Georgia Southern converted first downs on third-and-6 and third-and-8, Koo kicked a 48-yard field goal to give the Eagles a 17-14 lead with 9:21 remaining.
Turning point: Georgia's Morgan answered with a 43-yard field goal to tie the score again with 6:06 to play.
The takeaway: On to overtime.
Score: Georgia 17, Georgia Southern 17
OVERTIME
Big play: With Georgia Southern facing fourth-and-1 on the first possession of overtime, UGA linebackers Jordan Jenkins and Leonard Floyd stopped Ramsby for a 3-yard loss to give the Bulldogs the ball with a chance to win the hard-fought game.
Turning point: On Georgia's first offensive play of overtime, Michel bolted 25 yards up the middle, untouched, to the end zone for the game-ending, game-winning touchdown. It was his longest run of a 23-carry, 132-yard performance.
The takeaway: A sigh-of-relief win for Georgia. A heartbreaking loss for Georgia Southern.
Score: Georgia 23, Georgia Southern 17
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.
More Stories
The Latest
