JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – No. 1 Georgia surged ahead 28-3 in the first half, then had to hang on through a challenging third quarter for a 42-20 win over Florida here at TIAA Bank Field on Saturday. It was the Bulldogs’ fifth win over the Gators in the past six games under coach Kirby Smart.
Here’s how it broke down:
Game ball
Tight end Brock Bowers hauled in five catches for a career-best 154 yards, the most by a Bulldog against Florida, breaking the old mark of 140 by tight end Shannon Mitchell in 1993. Bowers now has six games with at least 100 or more yards receiving, including two this year. Bowers hauled in the 16th receiving touchdown of his still-growing UGA career, and it went for 73 yards off a tipped ball. That gives Bowers the three longest touchdowns for the Bulldogs this season. He also has a 78-yard TD catch and a 75-yard TD run.
Key stat
The Gators came into the game leading the nation in yards-per-carry rushing at 6.4. They finished with 100 yards, but averaged only 2.9 yards on 34 attempts. Through the first half, Florida averaged 1 yard on 13 attempts. Even adjusting for Georgia’s one sack, Florida was averaging 2.2 yards a carry at that point. The Gators had 88 total yards in the first half, 41 of which came on one pass completion.
Key play
On Georgia’s fifth offensive possession of the game, Bennett unleashed a throw toward tight end Bowers, who was tightly covered by linebacker Amari Burney stride-for-stride running down the left sideline in front of Georgia’s bench. Burney swatted the ball, but fell down in the process. Bowers managed to snatch it out of the air, but only after bobbling the ball several times. When Bowers finally gained control, there was nobody between him in the end zone. The 73-yard touchdown catch gave Bowers the Bulldogs’ three longest scoring plays this season. He already had a 78-yard TD reception and a 75-yard TD run.
What we learned
The Bulldogs continue to show some vulnerabilities to deep perimeter balls in one-on-one coverage. Sophomore Kelee Ringo had decent coverage, but was beat by wideout Justin Shorter for a 41-yard gain. Freshman safety Malaki Starks had busted a coverage and let Florida’s Xzavier Henderson get behind him for a 78-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
They said it
“I enjoy all games. I do. That’s why I coach, you know what I mean? It’s not about where it is, who it is, nothing about that. It’s about rivalries, about the SEC, it’s the pageantry, it’s the emotion back and forth. It’s incredible.” – Smart on playing in Jacksonville
“I make plays; (they) make plays; I make mistakes; they make mistakes. That’s football. The team is judged by should’ve, could’ve, would’ve. It’s judged by what we do. So, ‘let’s go try to make some plays.’” – Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett on a tough night throwing the football.
What’s next?
Georgia: The Bulldogs (8-0, 5-0 SEC) will play host to No. 3-ranked Tennessee on Saturday at Sanford Stadium (3:30 p.m., CBS). The Volunteers (8-0, 4-0) defeated Kentucky 44-6 last night in Knoxville.
Florida: The Gators (4-4, 1-4 SEC) travel to Texas A&M next week.
