Georgia rallies past Florida 24-20

The one is going to sting for a bit. The Florida Gators had the lead, had the ball, and had the momentum. But a 4th-down stop by Georgia at the UGA 18 with 7:54 left in the game changed everything.

The Bulldogs, down 20-17 at the time, took the lead seven plays later, and then benefitted from a controversial incomplete call on a deep Florida pass. They held on from there to win this year’s version of the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, 24-20.

The Gators, playing their first game since firing Billy Napier as coach, fall to 3-5 overall, 2-3 in the SEC. Interim coach Billy Gonzales had UF ready to play, but some of the same issues the led to Napier’s demise reared their head, namely penalties, missed opportunities and hot-and-cold QB play.

Georgia improved to 7-1, 5-1 and remains in contention for a spot in the College Football Playoff. Georgia has won five straight in the series.

Gators Online provided updates from the game below. Meanwhile, join the discussion at Swamp Talk with our subscribers.

FOURTH QUARTER

—DJ Lagway threw deep to J.Michael Sturdivant but the play was ruled incomplete. On the next play, Lagway through incomplete on fourth down. Georgia ball at the UF 31 with 3:13 left.

-After stopping UF on fourth down, the Bulldogs quickly went 82 yards in seven plays to retake the lead. The touchdown came on a 36-yard run from Chauncey Bowens, a one-time UF commit. SCORE: Georgia 24, Florida 20 (4:36)

—UF put tougher a solid drive deep in Georgia territory but the Gators got stopped on 4th-and-1 at the 18. Georgia ball with 7:54 left.

—The Gators just forced another three-and-out. UF ball at the Florida 34 with 13:14 left.

—After a 26-yard drive, Trey Smack just booted a 54-yard field goal to put UF back in front. SCORE: Florida 20, Georgia 17 (14:47)

THIRD QUARTER

—The UF defense just forced a three-and-out. Gators have some momentum. UF ball at the Florida 38 with 2:07 left in the third quarter.

—UF has responded with a 12-play, 79-yard drive and the running game came up big. Jadan Baugh’s 2-yard rush up the middle has tied it. He now has 57 rushing yards on 11 carries. DJ Lagway had a big 26-yard carry on the drive. SCORE: Florida 17, Georgia 17 (3:37)

—Florida receiver Dallas Wilson has left the game with a foot injury. Story HERE.

—Georgia is back in front after a 74-yard drive that took only five plays. The TD came on a 22-yard pass from Gunner Stockton to Noah Thomas. SCORE: Georgia 17, Florida 10 (10:46)

—Jadan Baugh returned the second half kickoff 36 yards, but the Gators couldn’t pick up a first down. UF punted and the Georgia return man was hit after calling for a fair catch. With the 15-yard UF penalty the Bulldogs started at the UGA 26.

SECOND QUARTER

—Georgia kicked a field goal from 39 yards out to tie it up with 12 seconds left in the half. The UGA drive covered 42 yards on seven plays. SCORE: Florida 10, Georgia 10 (1:12)

—After a Gators punt of 41 yards, Georgia ball with 1:06 at the UF 37.

—The Dawgs punted after a quick three-and-out. Gators ball at the UF 9 with 2:34 to go until the half. The punt covered 66 yards.

—The Gators picked up a first down on a 22-yard Jadan Baugh run but that was it. After a 65-yard Tommy Doman punt, it’s Georgia ball at the UGA 20 with 4:38 left in the half.

—Once again, the Gators bent but didn’t break. After Georgia reached the UF 36, the drive stalled. A false start on fourth down backed the Dawgs up and they opted to punt. Gators ball at the UF 11 with 6:10 left in the half.

—After a quick three-and-out, UF has punted to the Georgia 40.

—Georgia reached the UF 44 but the Gators buckled down and forced a punt after a big third-down stop. UF ball at the Florida 11.

FIRST QUARTER

—Florida got inside the Georgia 10, but had to settle for a 22-yard Trey Smack field goal. UF has its first lead of the game. DJ Lagway has started the day 5 of 5 for 87 yards. SCORE: Florida 10, Georgia 7 (3:02)

—Gators corner Devin Moore has just picked off Georgia QB Gunner Stockton. It was only his second INT of the season. UF ball at the UGA 38.

—The Gators have tied it up, striking fast with a one-play, 40-yard drive. The score came on a DJ Lagway pass to a wide open Eugene Wilson. SCORE: Florida 7, Georgia 7 (6:32)

—Georgia gained just a yard on Drive No. 2 and has punted. Gators ball at the UGA 40 after a 24-yard punt.

—Florida picked up one first down but couldn’t do anything more than that on the opening drive and had to punt. Georgia ball at the UGA 15.

—Georgia just marched 75 yards on eight plays to take an early lead. Gunner Stockton hit Dillon Bell for an 8-year touchdown for the score. SCORE: Georgia 7, Florida 0 (10:53)

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How to watch the Florida Gators vs. Georgia Bulldogs

Date: Sat. Nov. 1
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: EverBank Stadium (67,814), Jacksonville, Fla.
TV: ABC
Stream: Cox 7/1007 [HD], DirecTV 8 [HD]
Radio: SiriusXM Channel: 84 [Gator Network] and 80 [ESPN RADIO]

On The Call — ABC

Play-by-Play: Joe Tessitore
Analyst: Jordan Rodgers
Reporter: Katie George

On The Call — Gator Sports Network from LEARFIELD

Play-by-Play: Sean Kelley
Analyst: Shane Matthews
Reporter: Tate Casey

On The Call — ESPN RADIO

Play-by-Play: Justin Kutcher
Analyst: Tom Ramsey
Field Reporter: Mike Peasley