LIVE UPDATES: No. 1 Georgia 48, UT-Martin 7 - FINAL

ATHENS, Ga. — It’s game day at Sanford Stadium as No. 1 Georgia kicks off its 2023 campaign by hosting UT-Martin in the Classic City. The Skyhawks are out of the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference and FCS level under the direction of 18th year head coach Jason Simpson. Meanwhile, it’s year eight for Kirby Smart as head coach of the Bulldogs, guiding them to back-to-back National Championships in 2021 and 2022. Georgia will look to become the first winner of three straight since the 1930s this fall.

Among the biggest storylines entering this season is the presence of a new starting quarterback between the hedges. Fourth-year Carson Beck takes over for Stetson Bennett having waited his turn for the opportunity. Lucky for him, he’ll be surrounded by a cast of characters that are both talented and experienced including tight end Brock Bowers, wide receivers Ladd McConkey and Dominic Lovett, running backs Daijun Edwards and Kendall Milton all behind an offensive line that returns four players that started multiple games for the Bulldogs last season (Sedrick Van Pran, Xavier Truss, Tate Ratledge, Amarius Mims).

Defensively, the story is similar. Four of the team’s top five tacklers from last season return for another year in Athens, and there’s experience on all levels of the defense. Up front, veterans on the interior like Zion Logue, Nazir Stackouse and Warren Brinson held set a standard for all on the team. Last year’s sack leader Mykel Williams is also back, and he’ll look to create havoc alongside the likes of linebackers Smael Mondon and Jamon Dumas-Johnson while the backend is held down by Kamari Lassiter, Javon Bullard and Malaki Starks.

Georgia does have a couple of questionable players coming into today’s contest including a few of those named above. For more on UGA’s injury situation, be sure to check out our DawgsHQ injury report.

Kickoff time from Sanford Stadium in Athens is set for 6:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and SEC Network. Below, DawgsHQ provides links for you to stream the game live, listen in, and follow along with the live stats.

STREAM | LISTEN | STATS

As always, there’s one more way to keep up with the goings on in this game. In the space below, DawgsHQ will be providing live updates, scores, highlights and news from before and during the game. Just use the refresh button on your browser to see those updates as they roll in.

Fourth Quarter

• FINAL – Wasn’t the prettiest of performances, but Georgia puts up 31 points in the second half to run away with this one. (UGA 48, UTM 7)
• INTERCEPTION / TOUCHDOWN UGA – Kyron Jones gets a pick six on the first play of the UT-Martin drive. Sideline very clearly excited for him and the first opportunity to put on the spike pads this season. (UGA 48, UTM 7 1:59 4Q)
• FIELD GOAL UGA – Stockton’s drive stalls. Peyton Woodring hits from 33 yards out. (UGA 41, UTM 7 2:09 4Q)
• Stockton’s first career action results in his first career completion. His second was a nice pickup by Haynes for gain of 20. Stockton has shown his legs a couple of times too.
• Gunner Stockton in at quarterback for Georgia. Other youngsters include Yazeed Haynes, Anthony Evans, Pearce Spurlin, Cole Speer and Andrew Paul.
• TOUCHDOWN UTM – Kinkead Dent finds Trevonte Rucker in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown. At least that’s the ruling on the field. Play goes to review, and the call stands. Impressive play by the receiver. (UGA 38, UTM 7 6:39 4Q)
• Troy Bowles, Daniel Harris and Jamaal Jarrett the next youngsters into the game. Also seen Gabe Harris in there. Bowles and Allen combined for a tackle that certainly makes Glenn Schumann proud of his Class of 2023.
• TOUCHDOWN UGA – Vandagriff follows up his first completion with his first touchdown on the next play. Finds Oscar Delp for 21 yards. (UGA 38, UTM 0 11:36 4Q)
• Brock Vandagriff to Rara Thomas for a gain of 56 on the first play of the new drive. First catch in a Georgia uniform for the Mississippi State transfer. Also first completion of the career for Vandagriff.
• MISSED FIELD GOAL UTM – Hopes of a shutout stay alive with a missed field goal from 41 yards out. Skyhawks moved the chains three times and got to the UGA 23 but come up empty handed.
• More youngsters getting in the game. Kyron Jones at STAR, both Sam M’Pemba and Damon Wilson getting work at outside linebacker, Jordan Hall in on the defensive line. Not a freshman, but still young – JaCorey Thomas at safety.

Third Quarter

• END 3Q – Time to Light Up Sanford, red lights and all. Georgia back on defense, punting after a three-and-out with Vandagriff at quarterback.
• Backup offensive line doing Vandagriff no favors. Has a solid completion and a run for a gain of nearly 30 negated, both due to holding.
• Day looks to be done for Carson Beck. Brock Vandagriff going in at quarterback. He’s behind a second-string offensive line but has first-team weapons around him in several spots.
• Couple of Georgia freshmen getting a shot in the secondary. AJ Harris (CB) and Joenel Aguero (STAR) into the game for the first time on defense.
• TOUCHDOWN UGA – Roderick Robinson punches it in from two yards out after gaining six yards on the play before. First touchdown of his career as part of an eight-carry, 50-yard night so far. (UGA 31, UTM 0 5:35 3Q)
• Mekhi Mews catch gains 25 and puts UGA down to the UTM8.
• Second career reception by CJ Smith goes for gain of 47 yards on first play of the new drive. Down at the UTM33.
• PUNT UTM – Smael Mondon sure looked healthy there. Chased the UT-Martin quarterback out of bounds on 3rd and 10. After the Skyhawks avoided it on the last drive, that is the fifth three-and-out forced by Georgia tonight.
• TOUCHDOWN UGA – Beck finds Mekhi Mews on a tunnel screen. Great blocking by the offensive line and the walk-on takes it the distance. 54 yards. Seven points. (UGA 24, UTM 0 8:29 3Q)
• Nice rollout and completion on the move by Carson Beck. Finds Dillon Bell for a pickup of 17. Back to back plays with double-digit yardage picked up.
• First career catch for CJ Smith picks up a first down on 3rd and 3. Georgia caught a break with an offsides penalty that helped them not be backed up quite as badly.
• PUNT UTM – UT-Martin gets into UGA territory but is forced to punt. Skyhawk punter Aidan Laros has been impressive. His punt checks up and forces Georgia to take over at the 2.
• Daylen Everette called for pass interference on 3rd and 1. Prevents a third consecutive three-and-out and a fifth of the night for UT-Martin.
• PUNT UGA – Georgia goes three-and-out with a false start on 4th and inches looking as if they might go for it.
• Mekhi Mews deep for the opening kickoff of the second half. Georgia will start at its 31 after the return.

Second Quarter

• END 2Q – Kickoff goes out of the end zone. UT-Martin will kneel it. We go to the break with Georgia up 17-0.
• FIELD GOAL UGA – Georgia settles for a field goal to end the first half. Three seconds still remain, but the Bulldogs were a little bit of a mess there inside the red zone. Peyton Woodring makes first field goal of his career from 23 yards out. (UGA 17, UTM 0 0:03)
• Cash Jones and Dominic Lovett pick up consecutive first downs for Georgia to get the Dawgs down to the UTM5. Check down to Jones picked up 12 while the slot fade to Lovett was good for 25.
• TIMEOUT UGA – After a big gain by Brock Bowers, Georgia is past midfield. Facing a 3rd and 3 with 48 seconds to go, Kirby Smart uses his third and final timeout of the half.
• PUNT UTM – Georgia takes over with 2:17 to go at their own 20.
• TIMEOUT UGA – Second of the half called by Kirby Smart. He’ll want to see Carson Beck and the offense execute the 2:00 drill after the UTM punt.
• TOUCHDOWN UGA – Carson Beck keeps it for a rushing touchdown. Not at all what you’d expect out of him, but a score is a score. (UGA 14, UTM 0 4:29 2Q)
• Kendall Milton picks up 38 on the first play of the new Georgia drive. Good to see him back out there and healthy. Could be just what UGA needs to get into gear here.
• PUNT UTM – Another three and out for UT-Martin. Smael Mondon was in there for Georgia on the 3rd and 8 which turned into 3rd and 13 with a delay of game. Bulldogs take over at their 32 halfway through second quarter.
• PUNT UGA – On 3rd and 5, Kendall Milton loses a yard. Brett Thorson punt fair caught at the UTM12 where the Skyhawks will take over after the TV timeout.
• Roderick Robinson picks up 23 down the UGA sideline on 3rd and 1. Big guy was picking up momentum as he moved there.
• Georgia moves the chains with a pass to Brock Bowers. He fumbled, but it was quickly recovered by Arian Smith.
• PUNT UTM – Tykee Smith with a strong tackle for loss on the first play out of the break, putting Skyhawks behind the sticks. They gained yardage on second down before an incompletion on third. Lined up to go for it, pooch punt from the quarterback downed at the UGA7.

First Quarter

• END 1Q – UT-Martin QB Kinkead Dent keeps for a gain of 26 past midfield. Teams to switch sides and get going again in a few. (UGA 7, UTM 0)
• True freshman CJ Allen getting some run with the first team defense beside Jamon Dumas-Johnson at inside linebacker.
• PUNT UGA – Carson Beck throws behind an open Dominic Lovett on third down and the Dawgs are forced to punt. Brett Thorson has now seen more action today than he did in last year’s National Championship Game when he punted just once.
• Offensive line starting to show its hand with the rotation. Dylan Fairchild in at right guard for Tate Ratledge. Other four are still the starters (Earnest Greene, Xavier Truss, Sedrick Van Pran, Amarius Mims).
• PUNT UTM – Skyhawks go three-and-out again. Mykel Williams records the season’s first sack. Had some help by Darris Smith.
• Third series for the defense, and we’re getting a couple of different looks at players. Julian Humphrey at cornerback opposite of Lassiter. Marvin Jones getting reps on first and second down at outside linebacker. Now on third, DIME defense features Jordan Hall, Darris Smith and Jalon Walker.
• TOUCHDOWN UGA – Brock Bowers takes the end around handoff into the end zone from three yards out. PAT attempted by Peyton Woodring is good. (UGA 7, UTM 0 3:40 1Q)
• Georgia mixing up its groupings at wide receiver with no Ladd McConkey, no DeNylon Morrissette, no Jackson Meeks and so far no Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint. Along with the usual Dominic Lovett, Dillon Bell and Arian Smith, we’ve seen Rara Thomas, CJ Smith and Meki Mews all have been in there.
• PUNT UTM – Three-and-out for UT-Martin. Georgia defense successful so far on both of its third downs. Mews calls fair catch on the kick. Bulldogs to take over at their 24.
• PUNT UGA – Georgia goes three-and-out on its first drive. UGA lost yardage on the first play before picking up six on a screen pass to Dillon Bell. Third-down pass attempt falls incomplete, intended for Arian Smith with what looked like potential holding on the defensive back.
• Kendall Milton begins the game in the backfield for Georgia on the second play of the game. First set saw an empty backfield with three wide receivers and two tight ends split out.
• PUNT UTM – Georgia gets off the field with a stop on 3rd and 15. Mekhi Mews back deep to return. He picks up yardage to the 25 where Dawgs will take over.
• Dan Jackson and Jalon Walker come on the field for Georgia’s first DIME package of the season. Off goes Chaz Chambliss and an interior d-lineman.
• Kamari Lassiter and Daylen Everette the starting corners. Safeties are Javon Bullard and Malaki Starks with Tykee Smith at STAR. Xavian Sorey and Jamon Dumas-Johnson get the go at inside linebacker. Chaz Chambliss at outside. On the defensive line, Zion Logue, Nazir Stackhouse and Mykel Williams.
  Looks like it’ll be Jared Zirkel getting this game underway with the opening kickoff for Georgia. Not a huge surprise since he’s got a super strong leg.
• TOSS – UT-Martin wins the toss and will take the ball. Georgia to kickoff left to right on your screen.

Pregame

• Recent NFL retiree Sony Michel on hand to Call the Dawgs.
• STORY – Offensive lineman Xavier Truss was wearing the No. 77 that his teammate, roommate and friend Devin Willock wore. Today’s game is first since his passing.
• Daylen Everette announced as a starter at cornerback. Both kickers Peyton Woodring and Jared Zirkel were announced as starting specialists. Watched the kickers go through warm ups and saw Woodring miss a couple while Zirkel was hitting from the same range. Distance wasn’t the issue for Woodring, rather direction. Quarterbacks were the holders, Carson Beck with the first group of kickers.
• Georgia running backs Daijun Edwards and Kendall Milton both did go through warmups. Also saw Kamari Lassiter and Smael Mondon doing some drills defensively.
• On the positive end of a pregame injury update, Raylen Wilson was going through drills with the linebackers wearing a brace on his right knee. Five-star freshman suffered a hyperextended knee during the team’s first scrimmage.
• STORY – Wide receiver Ladd McConkey highlighting the Georgia players not dressed out for tonight’s game. Others included wide receivers DeNylon Morrissette and Jackson Meeks, tight end Lawson Luckie, linebacker EJ Lightsey and cornerback Chris Peal. All dealing with some sort of an injury.