GEORGIA 13, GEORGIA TECH 7
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
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.
