ATHENS — Any inkling of doubt faded in the opening minutes as No. 2 Georgia topped No. 8 Arkansas on its home turf, 37-0 on Saturday. Georgia asserted its dominance and took immediate control.
Key play
Walk-on Dan Jackson had the play of his career when Arkansas lined up in punt formation while standing inside its end zone. He flew through the Razorbacks’ shield and blocked Reid Bauers’ punt. Running back Zamir White, who knows the end zone all too well, recovered it for a score. Georgia secured momentum and never allowed it to flip.
Key stat
Todd Monken took his time capsule and backdated college football a few years. Georgia’s offensive coordinator depended on his linemen and went run-heavy against Arkansas. Backup quarterback Stetson Bennett didn’t have to do much — with only 11 pass attempts — but execute handoffs. The Bulldogs silenced questions about its run production as they finished with 273 yards and an average of 4.9 yards per carry.
Game ball
It has to go to the Georgia defense for shutting down Arkansas for four quarters, but especially on the game’s opening drives. After consecutive false-start penalties on its first possession, it took Arkansas two drives to get past its 10-yard line. The Razorbacks had a couple of productive drives, but it didn’t amount to much. They pride themselves on a strong run game, but that’s a tall task against Georgia’s defensive front. The Razorbacks totaled 75 rushing yards.
What we learned
Georgia has a legitimate case as the best team in the country. The Bulldogs used a raucous home field to their advantage and dominated in all phases, despite having to make a late switch at the quarterback position. Arkansas, on the other hand, humbled itself in its first road test. KJ Jefferson and the Razorbacks’ offense struggled to show its talent.
They said it
“It’s called scheme. It’s not a reinvigorated run game as much as it is we take what they give you. It was important to be patient but aggressive. The best teams I’ve been around can take on the personality of what they need to take on.” -- Kirby Smart on the Bulldogs’ big day in the run game
“I told Jalen (Carter) ‘Let’s go.’ I would hate to be the person taking on that block. He did more than his job, and I’m blessed to have the people I have up front for me.” -- Kendall Milton on the blocking on his first-career touchdown
What’s next
The Bulldogs (5-0, 3-0 SEC) hit the road again to meet arch-rival Auburn (noon or 3:30 p.m., ESPN or CBS). Georgia topped Auburn last season in Athens 27-6. Auburn (3-1) will face Georgia after a conference-opening Saturday night bout at LSU.
The Razorbacks (4-1, 2-1 SEC) continue their road stretch and head to Oxford, Miss., to face SEC West-foe Ole Miss (noon or 3:30 p.m., ESPN or CBS).
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