No. 2 UGA stays undefeated with rout of Gamecocks

ATHENS, Ga. — – A lot for any debate about Georgia’s beginning quarterback.

JT Daniels has a agency grasp on the job.

Daniels returned from harm with three landing passes, backing up one other stellar efficiency by Georgia’s protection that carried the No. 2 Bulldogs to a 40-13 victory over South Carolina on Saturday evening.

Daniels accomplished 23 of 31 for 303 yards, together with scoring throws of 43 yards to Jermaine Burton, 38 yards to freshman Adonai Mitchell and 4 yards to James Cook.

“I undoubtedly felt very assured,” mentioned Daniels, who missed the earlier recreation with an indirect harm.

Georgia (3-0, 1-0 Southeastern Convention) lastly gave up a landing whereas on protection when Luke Doty, getting the ball on the Bulldogs’ facet of the sphere after a fumble, linked with Josh Vann on a 36-yard landing move with 10:55 remaining.

“In fact, that upsets us,” mentioned Georgia linebacker Nolan Smith, who had an enormous evening. “Once we say nobody in the long run zone, that is what we imply.”

With Doty enjoying for the primary time this season, South Carolina (2-1, 0-1) gave up three sacks and a security, together with two turnovers that led to Georgia touchdowns.

However the offense might take some satisfaction from being the primary to attain a landing on the Bulldogs. Till then, the one TD towards Georgia had come on an interception return.

Daniels sat out a 56-7 victory over UAB, watching as backup Stetson Bennett tied a faculty document with 5 landing passes.

Daniels wasted no time re-establishing his maintain on the No. 1 spot, finishing a 21-yard move to Brock Bowers on his very first snap and guiding the Bulldogs to the tip zone on their first two possessions.

“Solely one in all us can play, and everyone is dying to be that man,” Daniels mentioned. “Everyone within the room desires to play each recreation.”

Bennett received a shot the third time the Bulldogs had the ball. He promptly threw an interception that was returned to the Georgia 12, establishing a discipline purpose.

Daniels returned to the sport and did not depart till early within the fourth quarter with the result not doubtful.

“We let the coach make the choice on who’s going to play and when,” Daniels mentioned. “I am completely happy when Stetson performs nice and he is completely happy after I play nice.”

After punting the ball away within the closing seconds of the primary half and content material to accept a 21-6 lead, Georgia wound up scoring 5 extra factors.

Backed up on their very own 1, the Gamecocks explicably tried to throw out of the tip zone. Doty was sacked by Jordan Davis and Smith for a security.

Then, after receiving the free kick, Daniels accomplished three passes for 39 yards to arrange Jack Podlesny‘s 36-yard discipline purpose as time expired, sending Georgia to the locker room up 26-6.

Georgia put it away in opening minute of the second half, once more sparked by an enormous defensive play.

Doty’s pass was picked off by Derion Kendrick, who returned it to the South Carolina 20 to arrange Zamir White‘s 5-yard landing run.

“They don’t seem to be doing something particular on protection. They’re simply actually good,” mentioned South Carolina’s Shane Beamer, who took his first loss as a head coach. “They line up and say, ‘We’re higher than you. Come beat us.'”

THE TAKEAWAY

South Carolina: Beamer undoubtedly appeared like a rookie head coach on that sequence close to the tip of the primary half. With simply 32 seconds left, there was no want for Doty to drop again to throw from the tip zone towards such a dominating protection.

Georgia: If there was any query about Daniels’ standing because the No. 1 quarterback – and there actually should not have been – that was put to relaxation by a efficiency that improved his document to 6-0 because the Bulldogs’ starter.

INJURY REPORT

South Carolina was dealt a few important accidents early within the recreation.

Center linebacker Sherrod Greene was carted off the sphere after taking an unsightly blow to his decrease proper leg on the second play from scrimmage, a run by Georgia’s White.

Beamer mentioned Greene will probably be out for an prolonged interval, although the harm might not be season-ending. Greene already went by than 2020, when he fractured his hip within the opener and missed the remainder of the season.

Former graduate assistant Zeb Noland made his third straight begin at quarterback, however he did not final lengthy both.

On South Carolina’s first offensive possession, a Georgia lineman appeared to step on the QB’s proper hand.

Doty, who missed the primary two video games whereas recovering from a foot sprain, went the remainder of the best way. Beamer mentioned he did not assume Noland’s hand was damaged, but it surely was wrapped and he had no feeling in it.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

With No. 1 Alabama holding on for a 31-29 win over Florida, Georgia might decide up some help for the highest spot in The Related Press ballot. The Crimson Tide picked up 60 of 63 first-place votes every week in the past, the opposite three going to the Bulldogs.

UP NEXT

South Carolina: Travels to Kentucky subsequent Saturday for its first SEC street recreation.

Georgia: Heads to Vanderbilt subsequent Saturday for its first true street recreation of the season, although it could really feel like house given the hefty red-and-black contingent that usually makes the journey to Nashville.