ATHENS, Ga. – The 2nd-ranked Georgia Bulldogs lead The UAB Blazers 35-0 in front of a packed crowd of 92,746 at Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium and nationally-televised on ESPN 2. Former Bulldog head coach Vince Dooley and members of the 1980 national-championship team including Herschel Walker also in attendance and being recognized at halftime.
The Bulldog offense was led by senior quarterback Stetson Bennett filling in for injured JT Daniels. Stetson found huge success through the air totaling 260 yards through the air on just 7 completions on 8 pass attempts. His 5 first-half touchdowns tied a Georgia single-game record as he’s the first to hit the mark since Aaron Murray in 2011. Brock Bowers following leading the team in catches last week finishes the half with 3 catches for 107 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The defense followed their dominate game against the Clemson Tigers by shutting out the Blazers in the first half. The unit forced 6 punts and forced a turnover by picking off Blazer quarterback Tyler Johnston in the first. Channing Tindall led all tacklers with 5.
The Bulldogs received the ball first and wasted no time putting the ball into the endzone scoring on just the second play of the game when Stetson Bennett connected with Jermaine Burton on a 73-yard touchdown strike.
Following a Blazer three-and-out, the Bulldogs put together a 5-play, 55-yard scoring drive concluding with a 12-yard touchdown pass to junior tailback Kenny McIntosh putting the Bulldogs up 14-0.
Redshirt freshman Carson Beck would enter the game for the Bulldogs following an interception by Lewis Cine. His first drive for the Bulldogs would conclude in three-straight rushing plays totaling only 8-yards.
Stetson Bennett would re-enter the game for the Bulldogs following a UAB punt. The senior signal-caller connected with freshman tight-end Brock Bowers for an 89-yard touchdown down the sideline extending the Georgia lead to 21-0. This throw was the longest touchdown pass for a bulldog quarterback since Aaron Murray’s 98-yard touchdown against North Texas in 2013 and 9th-longest in school history.
Stetson Bennett would take the field for the Bulldogs first second-quarter drive and picked up where he left off in the first by hitting redshirt freshman Arian Smith on a 61-yard touchdown pass on the drive’s first play giving them a 28-0 second quarter lead. This throw put Bennett 6-6 passing with 4 touchdowns on the day.
Following four-straight punts from both sides, the Bulldogs took the field for the final time in the half at the Blazer 17-yard-line following a 33-yard punt return from junior Kearis Jackson. After a 6 play, 2:48 drive, the Bulldogs would score on a 9-yard pass to tight-end Brock Bowers pushing the lead to 35-0. Bowers’ second touchdown of the half and Bennett’s 5th touchdown of the half.