ATHENS, Ga- The 2nd-ranked Georgia Bulldogs lead South Carolina Gamecocks 26-6 in a loud environment under the lights at Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium and a nationally televised audience on ESPN.
Quarterback JT Daniels was efficient for the Bulldogs offense in his return from injury going 17-21 with 235 yards and 2 touchdowns. Tight end Brock Bowers led all receivers in catches with 5 catches for 53-yards while Adonai Mitchell led the way in receiving-yards tallying 77. James Cook led all rushers with 51 yards and a touchdown on just 4 carries.
Nolan Smith led all tacklers for the Georgia defense with 5-tackles including a sack combined with Jordan Davis for a safety.
Georgia wastes no time getting on the board scoring on the opening possession of the game in just 6 plays amassing 75 yards following a 23-yard touchdown run by James Cook.
The Gamecocks followed the Bulldog scoring drive with a 7-play drive stalling in Georgia territory with the majority of yards coming from a 61-yard reception by Josh Vann. Kicker Parker White would hit a 37-yard field goal cutting the Bulldog’s lead to 7-3.
Jermaine Burton would continue the scoring trend on the Bulldogs following drive bringing in a 43-yard pass from quarterback JT Daniels making the score 14-3 following Jack Podlesny’s extra point. The Bulldogs would again only need 6 play to move 75-yards using only 1:51 of the play clock.
Following a punt by the Gamecocks, Stetson Bennett would enter the game for the Bulldog’s 3rd-drive of the day. His first pass would be intercepted by Jaylan Foster giving the Gamecocks the ball at the Georgia 12 following the return. The Georgia defense would follow by not allowing a first down and forcing the Gamecocks into their second field goal of the day making the score 14-6 with just 1:34 remaining in the first quarter.
After trading punts, the Bulldogs would take the field at their own 10 to begin their first drive in the second quarter. JT Daniels would later hit Adonai Mitchell for a 38-yard touchdown strike on the 11th-play of the drive pushing the lead to 21-6. The drive included converting all three third-downs.
Georgia would take the field at its own 35 with just 2:45 left in the half following a Gamecock punt. Georgia would run the ball 4 straight times and punt back to the Gamecocks downing them at the 1-yard line. South Carolina quarterback Luke Doty would be sacked by Jordan Davis and Nolan Smith giving Georgia a safety and making the score 23-6.
Georgia would take over at its own 42 following the kickoff return by Kenny McIntosh and move the ball to the Gamecock 19. Kicker Jack Podlesny would come on to drill a 36-yard field goal to end the half giving the Bulldogs a 26-6 lead.
