No. 1 Georgia protection stuffs No. 11 Kentucky

ATHENS, Ga. – The ultimate seconds have been meaningless.

Besides to the Georgia protection.

For the primary time all season, the fearsome Bulldogs gave up two touchdowns in a recreation Saturday. It did not actually matter as they romped to a different victory – their first because the nation’s new No. 1 group – with a 30-13 conquer No. 11 Kentucky.

Nonetheless, their want to maintain Kentucky from scoring on the finish, and the lengths the Wildcats went to for his or her second TD, epitomized the place Georgia’s at proper now.

The Bulldogs (7-0, 5-0 Southeastern Convention) aren’t content material simply to win.

They wish to bury opponents.

“There might solely be 4 seconds left within the fourth quarter, however we nonetheless don’t desire anyone in our finish zone,” linebacker Adam Anderson mentioned. “I am nonetheless hurting proper now.”

Stetson Bennett, beginning his third straight recreation instead of injured JT Daniels, threw for 250 yards and three landing passes – two of them to freshman tight finish Brock Bowers.

With the sport determined, Kentucky (6-1, 4-1) drove to a primary down on the Georgia 1 within the last minute.

Will Levis was stuffed on a quarterback sneak. JuTahn McClain was stopped for no acquire. As an alternative of letting the clock run out, the Wildcats referred to as their last timeout.

Lastly, they scored. Levis delivered a fast slant to Wan’Dale Robinson, who dove into the top zone with 4 seconds remaining, whereas what was left of the group at Sanford Stadium booed loudly.

Georgia’s protection had given up solely two touchdowns all season. Kentucky managed to double that complete, although the Bulldogs weren’t carried out but.

Clearly offended, they blocked the additional level to maintain one final level off the board.

“It is simply pleasure,” mentioned coach Kirby Good, whose group is surrendering a miniscule 6.6 factors a recreation. “While you’re competing on the highest ranges to be one of the best within the nation, that does not change – whatever the scoreboard or the time on the clock.”

The Bulldogs restricted Kentucky to 243 complete yards, while also blocking a field-goal try on the ultimate play of the third quarter.

“They’re an incredible protection,” Levis mentioned. “I feel we have been in a position to do some issues that we’ll be happy with trying on the tape, however may’ve had alternatives to perform a little extra.”

Sitting at 6-0 for the primary time since 1950, the Wildcats pulled out all stops, even operating a hook and lateral. However they adopted up 330 yards rushing in a win over LSU with a mere 51 yards on the bottom in opposition to Georgia.

Main solely 14-7 at halftime, the Bulldogs took the second-half kickoff and drove 75 yards in six performs to successfully end off the Wildcats and acquire a stranglehold on the SEC East race.

An obvious 59-yard landing cross to Bowers was negated by a holding penalty, however Bennett linked once more with the freshman in the appropriate nook of the top zone for a 27-yard rating that did stand.

Bowers had one other TD on a 20-yard play with about 11 1/2 minutes remaining to make it 30-7. He completed with 5 receptions for 101 yards.

After a scoreless opening quarter, Georgia scored on back-to-back possessions. James Cook took a brief cross 19 yards to the top zone, and Zamir White adopted with a 24-yard scoring burst proper up the center.

Late within the first half, Kentucky lastly acquired one thing going.

Catching a break when a video evaluate overturned a fumble name, the Wildcats coated 75 yards in 13 performs, changing 3 times on third down. Levis capped it off with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Justin Rigg.

THE TAKEAWAY

Kentucky: The Wildcats are constructing a top-tier program and will take some solace from scoring their first touchdowns in opposition to Georgia since 2018. However they nonetheless have a methods to go to compete in opposition to the Bulldogs, who’ve gained 12 straight within the one-sided sequence.

Georgia: With loads of confidence in Bennett, the Bulldogs have been in a position to give Daniels two extra weeks of relaxation earlier than their subsequent recreation. That ought to guarantee he’s absolutely recovered from a lat muscle harm.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Georgia was No. 1 this week for the primary time because the 2008 preseason ballot. That yr, the Bulldogs gained their opening recreation however a lackluster efficiency induced them to slide to No. 2.

No probability of that taking place this time. Georgia was a unanimous alternative for the highest spot and can doubtless hold all these votes within the new Related Press ballot Sunday.

STREAK ENDS

Georgia’s document streak of 363 further factors ended when Jack Podlesny pushed a kick large proper after Bowers’ second TD catch.

The NCAA mark stretched again to 2014 and concerned six kickers: Marshall Morgan, Patrick Beless, William Ham, David Marvin, Rodrigo Blankenship and Podlesny, who had been good on 71 PATs earlier than his miss.

UP NEXT

Kentucky: After an off week, the Wildcats head to Starkville on Oct. 30 to tackle Mississippi State.

Georgia: The Bulldogs are additionally off subsequent weekend, then journey to Jacksonville to face Florida within the annual “Cocktail Occasion” rivalry recreation on Oct. 30.