What just happened: Georgia proves hard to kill once again against Florida
Florida receiver J. Michael Sturdivant had no one near him.
When quarterback DJ Lagway uncorked the ball it sure seemed Florida was about to take the lead again over Georgia. However, the ball fell short, and Sturdivant made an incredible attempt to catch the ball.
He got his arms around the ball. It looked like the ball touched his arms. It also looked like the ball hit the ground. It was an incredibly close play and a tough judgment decision from the officials.
The officiating crew ruled it incomplete. Both fan bases held their breath for the inevitable review.
In the end, Georgia was the team to breathe a sigh of relief. Florida’s next play, on fourth down in its own territory.
Georgia then salted the game away, winning 24-20 over its hated rival.
This game went back and forth, with Florida holding a 20-17 lead in the fourth quarter. The Gators then drove down the field but elected to go for it on fourth down at the Georgia 28-yard line with less than eight minutes to go. The Bulldogs stuffed the play and answered with a Chauncey Bowens 33-yards touchdown to go up 24-20.
Bowens finished the game with nine carries for 71 yards and a score. Quarterback Gunner Stockton completed 20 of 29 passes for 223 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Stockton’s top target was receiver Zachariah Branch, who had 10 catches for 112 yards.
Georgia has now won five games in a row over Florida.
What it means
Survive and advance. That’s the name of the game these days in college football and the Bulldogs’ playoff chances look better at 8-1.
A question that needs answering
Can Georgia continue to win this way?
For neutral observers Georgia may be the most exciting team in the country to watch. Almost every game has come down to the fourth quarter, with the Bulldogs proving to be “hard to kill” once again.
Is this sustainable? Georgia’s schedule gets tougher and we can only expect those games to come down to the wire as well.
Three important plays
Awful call: In the second quarter, Georgia faced a fourth-and-8 and put the offense on the field to hopefully draw the defense offside and get an extra five yards to either actually go for it or kick a field goal. It actually worked. Florida jumped offside. However and incredibly, the officiating crew called it a false start. Georgia was forced to punt, keeping the Bulldogs from attempting a field goal.
Fourth-down stop: On fourth-and-1 in the fourth quarter, Elijah Griffin and Raylen Wilson stuffed Jadan Baugh to get the ball back. Florida could’ve kicked a field goal to go up six but that stop gave Georgia the ball back only down three.
Third-down pick-up: With 6:37 to go in the game, Georgia faced a third-and-eight. Stockton dropped back to pass and found Branch for an 18-yard reception. This continued the drive and set up Bowens’ 33-yard touchdown run.
Other games of note
No. 20 Texas 34, No. 9 Vanderbilt 31: By making the game close in the end, Vanderbilt’s unlikely playoff hopes remain intact, although it has to win out. Texas suddenly looks like a contender again.
SMU 26, No. 10 Miami 20 (OT): Carson Beck threw an interception in overtime that allowed the Mustangs to win with a walk-off touchdown. Miami’s playoff hopes are in severe jeopardy.
Grading Georgia
Offense: B
The offense had its ups and downs but came through when it mattered most. Bowens ran his best in the fourth quarter.
Defense: B-
This was the best game the Georgia defense has played in SEC play. While Florida had its share of mistakes, Georgia did a much better job on third down, limiting the Gators to 2-of-11 on the ever-important down.
Special teams: A-
Brett Thorson had an early punt that didn’t go as far as it typically does. But he had a 66-yarder that makes up for it.
Season grades to date
Offense: B-
Defense: C-
Special teams: A-