A quarter-by-quarter look at Georgia’s 13-7 victory over Georgia Tech afternoon on Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium:
FIRST QUARTER
Big play: On fourth-and-1 from the Tech 34-yard line, Georgia tailback Sony Michel broke free off right tackle, reaching the end zone untouched. A block by fullback Christian Payne sent Michel on his way. The touchdown completed an eight-play, 75-yard drive that began after the Bulldogs received the opening kickoff.
Turning point: Facing fourth-and-1 from the Georgia 41-yard line, Tech quarterback Justin Thomas was tackled for a 2-yard loss by defensive tackle James DeLoach to end a Yellow Jackets drive.
The takeaway: UGA quarterback Greyson Lambert completed 7 of 9 passes for 88 yards in the quarter.
Score: Georgia 7, Georgia Tech 0
SECOND QUARTER
Big play: On the second play of the quarter, Tech defenders Demond Smith and Patrick Gamble stopped UGA fullback Quayvon Hicks for no gain on a fourth-and-1 run from the Jackets' 12-yard line. That ended a Georgia scoring threat, coach Mark Richt having opted against a short field-goal attempt after Michel was stopped for no gain on third-and-1.
Turning point: With Tech's offense having moved 74 yards in 11 plays to the Georgia 14-yard line, UGA safety Dominick Sanders intercepted a Thomas pass at the 1-yard line to keep the Jackets off the scoreboard.
The takeaway: Tech threw three passes in the first half, completing none and throwing one interception, but gained 145 rushing yards to Georgia's 62. The Bulldogs had just 1 rushing yard in the second quarter.
Score: Georgia 7, Georgia Tech 0
THIRD QUARTER
Big play: What might have been a big play for Tech — a 14-yard completion on third-and-13 from Thomas to wide receiver Ricky Jeune at the Georgia 33-yard line — became a big play for the Bulldogs when Jeune fumbled and DeLoach recovered the fumble, which was forced by Lorenzo Carter. Georgia converted the turnover into a 19-yard Marshall Morgan field goal for a 10-0 lead.
Turning point: Tech's Harrison Butker missed a 55-yard field-goal attempt with just over a minute left in the quarter, and on the next play Michel ran 33 yards to the Tech 29-yard line.
The takeaway: Georgia's defense carries a shutout into the fourth quarter.
Score: Georgia 10, Georgia Tech 0
FOURTH QUARTER
Big play: After another Morgan field goal stretched the Bulldogs' lead to 13-0, completing the drive that began with Butker's missed field-goal attempt late in the third quarter, Tech pulled within 13-7 on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Thomas to Jeune with 3:24 to play. That capped a seven-play, 64-yard drive, which was aided by a 15-yard unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty against Georgia.
Turning point: The kickoff that followed Tech's touchdown was downed at the Georgia 7-yard line, but a 25-yard pass from Lambert to Jeb Blazevich and a 19-yard run by Michel got the Bulldogs into a more comfortable part of the field. When Georgia eventually punted, Tech got the ball at its own 16-yard line with 17 seconds to play. Malkom Parrish intercepted a Thomas pass on the final play.
The takeaway: Georgia (9-3, 5-3 SEC) closes the regular season with a fourth consecutive victory. Tech (3-9, 1-7 ACC) closes its season with a fourth consecutive loss.
Score: Georgia 13, Georgia Tech 7
