ATHENS, Ga- The nation’s top-ranked Georgia Bulldog’s dominate Missouri in route to a 43-6 victory in front of an ESPN audience and a home Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium crowd.
Head Coach Kirby Smart- “I would like to open by first thanking the fans. What a tremendous to be 12 o’clock and a little chilly out there. I thought our fans came out there and did an awesome job.”
Stetson Bennett getting the start at quarterback finished the game 13-of-19 passing for 255 yards as well as 2 touchdowns. JT Daniels relieved Stetson in the third quarter and finished 7-of-11 passing with 82 yards while adding a touchdown and interception to his total. This was his first action since Vanderbilt after battling a Lat injury.
Jermaine Burton led all receivers in yards with 76 on just 3 catches, one being a 12-yard touchdown in the third quarter. James Cook led the way for the team on the ground adding 41 yards on just 9 carries including a touchdown.
Safety Dan Jackson finished with a team high 6 tackles despite not playing safety until late in the third quarter. Channing Tindall followed behind with 5 tackles. The Bulldog defense held the SEC leading rusher Tyler Badie to just 41 yards and held Missouri out of the endzone. This is the 5th game out of 9 the Bulldog defense has not allowed a touchdown.
After a successful Tiger onside kick is called back due to penalty, the Bulldog offense comes out firing. A 37-yard rush by Kearis Jackson sets up Jermaine Burton for his first score of the day, a 12-yard completion that capped off a 5-play, 60-yard scoring drive. On the Bulldogs ensuing drive, JT Daniels would enter at quarterback in his first return to action since Vanderbilt and throw a 7-yard touchdown strike to Ladd McConkey. Georgia’s advantage would be extended to 40-3 halfway through the third.
Missouri’s second drive of the half would stall at the Georgia 38-yard line following a 13-play drive. Missouri kicker Harrison Mevis’ 48-yard field goal hits the post which would be his first miss of the season.
JT Daniels second drive was not as successful as the first as his third pass of the drive is batted up and intercepted by Missouri defensive back Jaylon Carlies. Missouri responded by putting together their second straight drive over 13 plays that ends in a 42-yard field goal. The Georgia offense would get the ball back with a 40-6 lead and just under 8 minutes remaining in the game.
The Georgia offense responded by doing its job leading an 11-play driving amassing almost 6 minutes of clock. Daijun Edwards had several successful rushes on the drive setting up Jack Podlensy’s 25-yard field goal.
With Georgia’s defensive starters out of the game, the Tigers drive as far as the UGA 1-yard line before turning the ball over on downs.
Please see Georgia Takes 26-3 Lead into Halftime on Missouri for first half analysis.