No. 2 Georgia jumps on No. 8 Arkansas early, usually

ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia’s dedication to win its top-10 matchup in opposition to Arkansas on the bottom had nothing to do with which quarterback began for the Bulldogs.

As an alternative, it was all about taking what the Arkansas protection gave Georgia – and the Bulldogs simply saved taking and taking. And that made it even simpler for the Georgia protection to dominate.

Zamir White rushed for 2 touchdowns and recovered a blocked punt for one more rating, and No. 2 Georgia pounded No. 8 Arkansas 37-0 on Saturday within the Bulldogs’ second consecutive shutout.

Georgia (5-0, 3-0 Southeastern Convention) raced to a 21-0 lead within the first quarter regardless of taking part in with out quarterback JT Daniels, who was held out with a proper lat harm.

Stetson Bennett crammed in for Daniels and handed for under 72 yards because the Bulldogs relied on their working recreation and top-rated protection to beat Arkansas (4-1, 1-1).

“They have been principally difficult us, might we run the ball,” Bennett stated. “They stated we could not however we stated we might at present.”

The Bulldogs rushed for 273 yards and wore down the Arkansas protection, holding the ball for 36 minutes.

The matchup of top-10 SEC groups became an announcement recreation for Georgia.

“I feel we all know how good we’re,” Bennett stated. “I feel we all know what it takes to be that good each week.”

Georgia, main the nation in complete protection and scoring protection after final week’s 62-0 win at Vanderbilt, held Arkansas to 10 first downs and 156 yards. Linebacker Nakobe Dean and defensive deal with Devonte Wyatt every had 1 1/2 sacks.

The final time Georgia recorded back-to-back shutouts in SEC video games was in 1980, its final nationwide championship season.

Georgia coach Kirby Good stated he understood the importance of the consecutive convention shutouts.

“It is 1980 uncommon,” Good stated.

It was a sobering expertise for Arkansas second-year coach Sam Pittman, the previous Georgia offensive line coach.

“I do not wish to simplify this, however they simply whipped us bodily,” Pittman stated. “We could not block them and we could not get off blocks for a lot of the day.”

Georgia caught to the run as Arkansas aligned its protection with additional defensive backs.

Georgia stretched its result in 21-0 when walk-on defensive again Dan Jackson blocked Reid Bauer‘s punt and White fell on the ball in the long run zone.

Arkansas additionally had quarterback questions after KJ Jefferson missed a lot of the second half of final week’s win over Texas A&M with a bruised left knee. Jefferson accomplished 8 of 13 passes for 65 yards. Malik Hornsby changed Jefferson within the ultimate quarter.

Arkansas linebacker Grant Morgan stated the Razorbacks would recuperate from the lopsided loss.

“That is what good soccer groups do, and we’re soccer group,” Morgan stated.

Jack Podlesny kicked area targets of 46, 30 and 37 yards. Cam Little was broad proper from 37 yards within the second quarter for the Razorbacks.

THE TAKEAWAY

Arkansas: The Razorbacks did not match the top-10 requirements set by Georgia. They damage themselves with 13 penalties for 100 yards, together with two false-start flags earlier than they may run a play. Stress brought on by Georgia’s protection and the group noise, particularly at the beginning of the sport, was overwhelming.

Georgia: The Bulldogs confirmed spectacular depth when pressured to play with out their beginning quarterback. Bennett managed the sport, finishing just a few early passes after which leaning closely on the Bulldogs’ lengthy listing of working backs. The protection confirmed it deserves its high rating, making the group seem like a severe contender for a similar honor.

RUNNING BACK COMMITTEE

The Bulldogs continued their committee strategy at working again. James Cook had 87 yards on 12 carries. Kenny McIntosh had 57 yards. Kendall Milton ran for 48 yards, together with a 1-yard landing.

White had scoring runs of three and 15 yards. He completed with 68 yards on 16 carries.

DANIELS’ FRUSTRATIONS

Daniels was in uniform, however he missed his second recreation of the season after testing the harm in pregame warmups. Good stated earlier than the sport Daniels’ standing was based mostly on the pregame work. After the sport, there gave the impression to be much less certainty that the junior was near taking part in.

“We predict we’re going to have the ability to get him again however we do not know when,” Good stated, including “JT is annoyed. He desires to play quarterback and he would not get to when he has an harm.”

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Arkansas: The Razorbacks’ protection recovered after Georgia’s 21-0 first-quarter lead, permitting solely two area targets within the subsequent two quarters. It was too late to avoid wasting Arkansas from a possible drop within the Prime 25. Regardless of fading within the ultimate quarter, Arkansas might not fall far within the ballot, due to wins over Prime 25 groups Texas and Texas A&M.

Georgia: The Bulldogs solidified their No. 2 rating. One other dominant defensive displaying over an Arkansas group that was averaging 35.8 factors might earn Georgia extra first-place votes.

UP NEXT

Arkansas visits No. 12 Mississippi on Saturday.

Georgia visits No. 22 Auburn on Saturday. Georgia has a four-game win streak within the sequence, together with a 27-6 victory final season in Athens.