Georgia: No. 1 Bulldogs defeat South Carolina, clinch SEC East

*** POSSIBLE VISUAL LEDE *** November 4, 2017 Athens: Georgia players carry cornerback Malkom Parrish off the field on their shoulders wearing the Dawg spikes after he intercepted South Carolina quarterback Jake Bentley in the final minutes of the game for a 24-10 victory and a 9-0 record in a NCAA college football game on Saturday, November 4, 2017, in Athens. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

11/4/17 - Athens - Georgia Bulldogs running back Sony Michel (1) celebrates after scoring UGA's first TD with Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Jayson Stanley (2). NCAA football game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

November 4, 2017 Athens: Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm hands off to Nick Chubb for a long gain against South Carolina during the first half in a NCAA college football game on Saturday, November 4, 2017, in Athens. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

November 4, 2017 Athens: Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm shakes hands with South Carolina quarterback Jake Bently after beating the Gamecocks 24-10 in a NCAA college football game on Saturday, November 4, 2017, in Athens. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

11/4/17 - Athens - Georgia Bulldogs running back Nick Chubb (27) long first quarter run to set up UGA's first TD. NCAA football game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

11/4/17 - Athens - Georgia Bulldogs running back Sony Michel (1) runs for UGA's first TD with some blocking from Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm (11). NCAA football game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

11/4/17 - Athens - Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Javon Wims (6) scores UGA's 2nd TD on this pass that was first ruled incomplete. Defender is South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Rashad Fenton (16). NCAA football game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

November 4, 2017 Athens: Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith sacks South Carolina quarterback Jake Bentley during the second quarter in a NCAA college football game on Saturday, November 4, 2017, in Athens. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

November 4, 2017 Athens: Georgia defensive back J.R. Reed intercepts South Carolina quarterback Jake Bentley in front of wide receiver Bryan Edwards during the second quarter in a NCAA college football game on Saturday, November 4, 2017, in Athens. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

November 4, 2017 Athens: Georgia defensive back J.R. Reed intercepts South Carolina quarterback Jake Bentley during the second quarter in a NCAA college football game on Saturday, November 4, 2017, in Athens. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

November 4, 2017 Athens: Georgia head coach Kirby Smart high fives fans during the team Dawg Walk into Sanford Stadium to play South Carolina in a NCAA college football game on Saturday, November 4, 2017, in Athens. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

November 4, 2017 Athens: Malkom Parrish intercepts South Carolina quarterback Jake Bentley in front of wide receiver Bryan Edwards in the final minutes of the game for a 24-10 victory and a 9-0 record in a NCAA college football game on Saturday, November 4, 2017, in Athens. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

November 4, 2017 Athens: Malkom Parrish celebrates intercepting South Carolina quarterback Jake Bentley in the final minutes of the game for a 24-10 victory and a 9-0 record in a NCAA college football game on Saturday, November 4, 2017, in Athens. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

November 4, 2017 Athens: Malkom Parrish celebrates intercepting South Carolina quarterback Jake Bentley in the final minutes with J.R. Reed and Dominick Sanders for a 24-10 victory and a 9-0 record in a NCAA college football game on Saturday, November 4, 2017, in Athens. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

November 4, 2017 Athens: Georgia head coach Kirby Smart gives Brian Herrien a pat on the head after beating South Carolina 24-10 in a NCAA college football game on Saturday, November 4, 2017, in Athens. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

November 4, 2017 Athens: Georgia tailback Nick Chubb goes over South Carolina defender Skai Moore for extra yardage in the second half on the way to a 24-10 victory and a 9-0 record in a NCAA college football game on Saturday, November 4, 2017, in Athens. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

November 4, 2017 Athens: Georgia head coach Kirby Smart gives defensive back Deandre Baker a double pat on the helmet after he stopped South Carolina on a fourth down play to take over on downs during the fourth quarter in a NCAA college football game on Saturday, November 4, 2017, in Athens. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

11/4/17 - Athens - Gamecocks coach Will Muschamp yells at left as Georgia Bulldogs running back D'Andre Swift (7) breaks free for a long 2nd half run and a first down. NCAA football game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

11/4/17 - Athens - Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (4) scores in the second half over defender South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Jamyest Williams (21). NCAA football game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

11/4/17 - Athens - Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (4) celebrates with Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Javon Wims (6) after he scored in the second half over defender South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Jamyest Williams (21). NCAA football game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

11/4/17 - Athens - Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Deandre Baker (18) breaks up third down pass intended for South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver OrTre Smith (18). NCAA football game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

11/4/17 - Athens - Gamecocks coach Will Muschamp during the 2nd half. NCAA football game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

11/4/17 - Athens - Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm (11) rolls out looking for a receiver in the second half. NCAA football game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

11/4/17 - Athens - Georgia Bulldogs running back Sony Michel (1) runs for a second half first down. NCAA football game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

11/4/17 - Athens - Georgia Bulldogs running back Nick Chubb (27) runs for a first down to the five yard line to set up a UGA field goal. NCAA football game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

11/4/17 - Athens - Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm (11) shakes hands with Gamecock players after the game. NCAA football game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

November 4, 2017 Athens: Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm reacts to his touchdown pass to wide receiver Mecole Hardman to take a 21-7 lead over South Carolina in the third quarter of a NCAA college football game on Saturday, November 4, 2017, in Athens. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

November 4, 2017 Athens: Mecole Hardman catches a touchdown pass past South Carolina defender Jamyest Williams to take a 21-7 lead in the third quarter of a NCAA college football game on Saturday, November 4, 2017, in Athens. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

November 4, 2017 Athens: Georgia special teams players celebrate with Mecole Hardman after he downed South Carolina inside the five yard line on a punt during the second half of a NCAA college football game on Saturday, November 4, 2017, in Athens. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

November 4, 2017 Athens: Georgia tailback Nick Chubb makes a 27-yard gain against South Carolina as he is tackled by D.J. Smith during the third quarter in a NCAA college football game on Saturday, November 4, 2017, in Athens. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

November 4, 2017 Athens: Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm picks up yardage against South Carolina defender Aaron Sterling during the second half in a NCAA college football game on Saturday, November 4, 2017, in Athens. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

November 4, 2017 Athens: Georgia defensive back Deandre Baker knocks the ball away from South Carolina running back A.J. Turner nearly intercepting during the second half in a NCAA college football game on Saturday, November 4, 2017, in Athens. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

11/4/17 - Athens - The Georgia band takes the field before the game. NCAA football game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

11/4/17 - Athens - Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (4) takes the field before the game. He scored one of Georgia's TDs. NCAA football game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

11/4/17 - Athens - Georgia Bulldogs place kicker Rodrigo Blankenship (98) takes the field before the game. NCAA football game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

11/4/17 - Athens - Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Terry Godwin (5) runs for a big gain, but fumbled at the end of the run. Gamecocks recovered. NCAA football game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

11/4/17 - Athens - Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm (11) passes during the first half.. NCAA football game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

11/4/17 - Athens - Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm (11) scrambles down to the 11 yard line for a Georgia first down. NCAA football game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

11/4/17 - Athens - Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Roquan Smith (3) sacks South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Jake Bentley (19) in the first half. NCAA football game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

11/4/17 - Athens - Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Javon Wims (6) runs for a first down during the first half. NCAA football game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

November 4, 2017 Athens: Georgia defenders led by linebacker Lorenzo Carter smother South Carolina running back A. J. Turner at the line of scrimmage during the first half in a NCAA college football game on Saturday, November 4, 2017, in Athens. Georgia beat South Carolina 24-10 to remain undefeated at 9-0. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

November 4, 2017 Athens: Georgia cornerback Aaron Davis breaks up a pass to South Carolina wide receiver Bryan Edwards during the first half in a NCAA college football game on Saturday, November 4, 2017, in Athens. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

November 4, 2017 Athens: Georgia linebacker Reggie Carter tackles South Carolina tight end Hayden Hurst during the second half in a NCAA college football game on Saturday, November 4, 2017, in Athens. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

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*** POSSIBLE VISUAL LEDE *** November 4, 2017 Athens: Georgia players carry cornerback Malkom Parrish off the field on their shoulders wearing the Dawg spikes after he intercepted South Carolina quarterback Jake Bentley in the final minutes of the game for a 24-10 victory and a 9-0 record in a NCAA college football game on Saturday, November 4, 2017, in Athens. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

By The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Nov 3, 2017

Georgia entered a game ranked No. 1 for the first time since 2008, and the Bulldogs then fought off pesky South Carolina for a 24-10 victory Saturday at Sanford Stadium in Athens. The victory, coupled with Kentucky's loss to Ole Miss on Saturday night, clinched the SEC East for the Bulldogs (9-0, 6-0 SEC). Georgia hadn't won the division since 2012.

Also: Alabama handles LSU

Three observations from the clinching victory can be found at AJC.com.

> Here’s more on UGA on myAJC.com:

Mark Bradley’s column from Saturday’s game

Steve Hummer: Bulldogs join the chaos of playoff chase

Jeff Schultz: College playoff could be a party for the SEC

> And on AJC.com:

Photos: Georgia vs. South Carolina on Saturday afternoon at Sanford Stadium

About the Author

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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Georgia: No. 1 Bulldogs defeat South Carolina, clinch SEC East

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