Tag: Georgia Bulldogs

Texas Longhorns wide receiver Ryan Wingo is stopped by Georgia Bulldogs defensive back KJ Bolden short of a first down on a fourth down play late in the fourth quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium Saturday October 19, 2024.

No. 2 Texas gets second crack at No. 5 Georgia for SEC crown

Posted on | by Field Level Media

On the heels of gritty rivalry week victories, No. 2 Texas and No. 5 Georgia will square off again in hopes of earning a Southeastern Conference title and a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff.

Texas (11-1, 7-1 SEC) clinched a spot in Saturday’s conference championship in Atlanta after grinding out a 17-7 win at then-No. 20 Texas A&M. The Longhorns’ defense was able to quiet a raucous Aggies crowd, allowing just 248 total yards.

Texas’ defense has been its calling card, surrendering just 11.7 points per game, second only to Ohio State (10.9) nationally. The Longhorns’ lone loss this season was also the only game in which they allowed 30 points, falling to Georgia 30-15 at home on Oct. 19.

For head coach Steve Sarkisian and Co., all they could ask for was another chance at the Bulldogs.

“We knew when we had the matchup with Georgia earlier in the year, we didn’t play great football,” Sarkisian said. “They beat us pretty handily that night, and our margin for error was very small. We’d have to win every game and hope that it would be enough to control our destiny to get ourselves in this position. Our guys were able to do that. Credit to our coaches, and credit to our players for getting that done.”

Since that loss, Quinn Ewers has thrown for 13 touchdowns and just three interceptions, while Quintrevion Wisner has averaged 96.4 rushing yards per game, including outputs of 186 against Texas A&M and 158 in the prior week’s win over Kentucky.

“I think the key for us was to really get recentered, refocused on one game,” Sarkisian added. “That’s what we’ve been doing here probably over the last month or so, is not getting caught up in what’s down the road, but what do we need to do this week to play our best football, whether that’s physical, mental, emotional.”

The Bulldogs (10-2, 6-2) enter on a three-game winning streak, most recently rallying for an improbable 44-42, eight-overtime home win over Georgia Tech last Friday. Trailing 27-13 with less than four minutes remaining, Georgia mounted a comeback that resulted in the longest game in SEC history. Carson Beck threw for 297 yards and five touchdowns, helping the Bulldogs effectively clinch a spot in the CFP.

With attention now focused on Atlanta, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart understands the challenge ahead.

“Their defense is one of the best in the country,” Smart said of Texas. “They’ve got explosive skill players. Did a tremendous job in the portal. Their quarterback is playing at a high level, and the backs they’ve got are doing a great job. So, all in all, it should be an exciting, challenging SEC championship. … They’re the same challenges as they were the first time you played them. You know, I’m a big guy of statistics and philosophies and things like that. The previous matchup does not determine this matchup. You can’t overstate that to your players.”

Following a four-week stretch that saw Beck throw nine interceptions, the fifth-year senior has passed for nine touchdowns and zero picks over the last two games against UMass and Georgia Tech.

Facing a tougher task Saturday, Beck says he doesn’t mind seeing the Longhorns again.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever had to play a team twice in a season. So it’s a little bit different obviously,” Beck said. “We kind of know what their identity is as a team. They know what our identity is as a team. We faced each other before. It will be interesting as we prepare through the week, what we like, what we don’t like. Seeing the film, how they changed since the last time we played them. It’s an exciting challenge. We’re looking forward to it.”

Beck, who has thrown for 3,429 yards, 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, struggled against Texas the first time around, passing for just 175 yards and three picks.

–Field Level Media

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) warms up before the start of a NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech in Athens, Ga., on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024.

SEC championship game capsule: Texas vs. Georgia

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Southeastern Conference championship game
Texas (11-1) vs. Georgia (10-2)
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, at 4 p.m. ET
Atlanta, Mercedes-Benz Stadium
TV: ABC
Early line: Texas -1.5 (FanDuel)

What’s at stake:
Texas is in the playoffs no matter what happens in the pro-Georgia environment. But the Longhorns are craving the chance to sweep the SEC (regular season, conference title game) in their first season in the league. Getting that bye is a big deal and Texas also would like to avenge that 30-15 home loss to the Bulldogs on Oct. 19.

A third loss is unlikely to leave Georgia on the outside of the 12-team mix but the Bulldogs certainly would be better served to win and gain the bye. A second impressive showing against Texas is something that would rate as a big help after the Bulldogs gave a less-than-impressive performance in the regular-season finale.

How they got here:
Texas routed Michigan and Oklahoma in the first half of the season before it was fully understood that neither team was all that great this season. The loss to Georgia was shocking as the Longhorns easily were handled and looked like an overrated squad. Texas recovered to win five straight games with three of them being decided by 10 or fewer points.

The Bulldogs opened the season with an impressive rout of Clemson but a late September loss to Alabama displayed some defensive warts. Right when it looked like Georgia was back on track, Ole Miss put on a big licking in the second week of November but the Bulldogs survived that and landed a spot in the SEC title game two weeks later. Another eyesore was Friday’s win against Georgia Tech as the Bulldogs trailed by 17 points before rallying for a 44-42, eight-overtime victory.

Names to know:
–Georgia
QB Carson Beck
Has passed for 3,429 passing yards and 28 TDs but has been picked off 12 times after throwing just six last season.

CB Malaki Starks
He’s a finalist for the Thorpe Award (top defensive back) and regularly shuts down his side of the field.

LB Jalon Walker
Solid blitzer has 5.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries while being one of the leaders of the defense.

Texas
QB Quinn Ewers
He manages the game well and has been solid with 2,307 yards and 24 touchdowns against just seven interceptions.

MLB Anthony Hill Jr.
Leads the Longhorns with 84 tackles, 15 stops for losses, 7.5 sacks and four forced fumbles during a standout campaign.

EDGE Colin Simmons
Freshman has 11.5 tackles for losses, including seven sacks, while helping the unit allow just 11.7 points per game.

Xs and Os:
Ewers was dealing with a sprained ankle in Saturday’s 17-7 victory over Texas A&M and it wasn’t hard to think about how the Longhorns have a backup who is better than most schools’ top quarterback. But if Ewers were to sustain a setback, Arch Manning (nine TDs in 90 passing attempts) is just as capable of leading Texas to victory this week as well as in the playoffs.

The Bulldogs don’t have an electric ground game so the offense revives around Beck, who also misses not having a Brock Bowers-type target to rely on. Defensively, it’s strange seeing Georgia allowing 31 or more points on three occasions and 20.5 per game overall.

Prediction:
Texas 26, Georgia 24

–Field Level Media

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) leaves the field after winning a NCAA college football game against Tennessee in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.

Carson Beck, No. 10 Georgia dial in on UMass

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Following a season-reviving home win over then-No. 7 Tennessee, No. 10 Georgia is mindful of avoiding a misstep against UMass on Saturday afternoon in Athens, Ga.

Georgia (8-2, 6-2 Southeastern Conference) climbed two spots in Tuesday’s College Football Playoff rankings after its 31-17 win over the Volunteers last Saturday. On the heels of a 28-10 loss at Ole Miss on Nov. 9, the Bulldogs outscored Tennessee 31-7 over the final three quarters.

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck delivered a much-needed 347-yard, two-touchdown performance in the win.

Beck, who had thrown nine interceptions in his previous four games, was turnover-free Saturday for the first time since Oct. 5.

“This team’s been in some tough situations this year,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said. “And they’ve never cowered down from those opportunities. They’ve shown resiliency, and they’ve battled back.”

After wrapping up its conference slate, the Bulldogs still need help in qualifying for the SEC Championship Game. Entering Saturday, Georgia sits behind a pair of one-conference loss teams in No. 3 Texas and No. 15 Texas A&M. The Bulldogs are tied with No. 7 Alabama and No. 9 Ole Miss in the loss column but would lose the tiebreaker to each of those teams.

Smart dismissed the idea of worrying about hypotheticals ahead of Saturday’s matchup.

“The focus is on UMass,” Smart said. “I mean, it really is. So, why would I put energy or time into trying to figure out what the best pathway is, including the SEC Championship, when I’m worried about UMass? I just don’t think it’s a quality conversation.”

Georgia and Smart hope to see the injury bug go away. Leading rusher Trevor Etienne (477 rushing yards, seven touchdowns) was sidelined against Tennessee with a rib injury, while wide receiver Dillon Bell (405 receiving yards, four touchdowns) left last week’s game with an ankle injury.

“No update on Dillon really,” Smart said. “He’s got an ankle sprain. It’s stable. It’s not going to require any kind of surgery or anything. So, we’re hopeful to get him back, and same with Trevor.”

UMass (2-8) nearly pulled off its first FBS win of the season last Saturday, however a missed an extra point in overtime proved large in its 35-34 home loss to Liberty. Two days later, the school fired head coach Don Brown after compiling a 6-28 record in two-plus years in his second stint with the program.

Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Shane Montgomery will take over as interim coach for the Minutemen’s last two games of the season.

“We’ve got two games left, two big games,” Montgomery said. “We still have a lot to play for. … There’s two ways you can go from here. You can either feel sorry for yourself and not improve daily, or you can keep improving. If you’ve watched us the last number of weeks, I think you see a team that seems to be improving. We’re excited about going down to Georgia.”

UMass, which has played Georgia once before — a 66-27 loss in the season finale in 2018 — already has faced off against a pair of SEC teams this season. The Minutemen fell to Missouri 45-3 on Oct. 12, and 45-20 to Mississippi State on Nov. 2.

In place of Taisun Phommachanh, who’s out for the season with lower body injuries, the Minutemen will start freshman AJ Hairston. Hairston thrown for 225 yards and a touchdown in two games.

–Field Level Media

Nov 9, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Ulysses Bentley IV (24) runs the ball for a touchdown as Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Dan Jackson (17) and defensive back KJ Bolden (4) attempt to make the tackle during the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

No. 16 Ole Miss’ defense shines in upset of No. 3 Georgia

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Behind Jaxson Dart, Caden Davis and an impressive defense, No. 16 Ole Miss upset No. 3 Georgia 28-10 in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, denting the Bulldogs’ national title hopes in the process.

Dart completed 13 of 22 passes for 199 yards, a touchdown and an interception and ran for a team-high 50 yards. while Davis made all five of his field goal attempts as the Rebels (8-2, 4-2 SEC) won their third straight game.

Carson Beck was 20-of-31 passing for 185 yards but threw an interception and fumbled twice for the Bulldogs (7-2, 5-2), who had their four-game winning streak snapped. Nate Frazier ran for 47 yards and a touchdown for Georgia, which was outgained 395-244.

Trailing 16-7, Beck found Cash Jones for 29 yards on Georgia’s opening drive of the second half, advancing to Ole Miss’ 10-yard line. From there, Georgia had to settle for Peyton Woodring’s 23-yard field goal at the 9:47 mark of the third quarter.

Ole Miss answered on the following drive as Dart connected with Cayden Lee for gains of 23 and 26, before finding Antwane Wells on a 10-yard scoring pass with 6:10 left in the third. Dart’s two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, and the Rebels led 22-10.

Georgia turned the ball over on its next two drives. Frazier fumbled at Ole Miss’ 29-yard line with 3:26 left in the third, before Beck was picked off by John Saunders Jr. at the Rebels’ 15-yard line at the 7:22 mark of the fourth.

Davis tacked on another field goal with 3:22 left, extending Ole Miss’ lead to 25-10. Two plays into Georgia’s next drive, Beck was strip-sacked by Princely Umanmielen, and Suntarine Perkins recovered the ball on Georgia’s 19-yard line. Davis capped the scoring on a 32-yard field goal with 1:11 left.

On Ole Miss’ third play of the game, Dart was picked off by Dan Jackson, giving Georgia the ball at Ole Miss’ 21. Seven plays later, Frazier’s 2-yard touchdown run with 10:32 left in the first quarter put the visitors ahead 7-0.

The Rebels answered with a 10-play, 75-yard scoring drive capped with Ulysses Bentley IV’s 9-yard run at the 6:53 mark. After a Georgia punt, Davis’ 23-yard field goal gave Ole Miss its first lead at 10-7 with three minutes left in the opening quarter.

The Rebels followed two more Georgia punts with a pair of Davis field goals from 43 and 53 yards, respectively, as Ole Miss held a 16-7 halftime lead.

–Field Level Media

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jalon Walker sacks Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers in the second quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium Saturday October 19, 2024.

Trevor Etienne, defense lift No. 5 Georgia past No. 1 Texas

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Trevor Etienne rushed for three touchdowns as No. 5 Georgia built a 23-point lead en route to a 30-15 win at No. 1 Texas in Austin in Southeastern Conference play Saturday.

Carson Beck completed 23 of 41 for 175 yards and threw three interceptions for the Bulldogs (6-1, 4-1 SEC), who won their third straight.

Georgia’s defense was dominant throughout, recording seven sacks and limiting Texas to just 29 rushing yards on 27 carries. Javon Walker was the star, recording a game-high three sacks and a team-high eight tackles for the Bulldogs.

Quinn Ewers completed 25 of 43 passes for 211 yards, two touchdowns and an interception for Texas (6-1, 2-1). Arch Manning entered briefly in the second quarter, completing three of six passes for 19 yards.

Trailing 23-0, Texas cracked the scoreboard on its opening drive of the second half, as Ewers found Isaiah Bond on a 2-yard score with 10:57 left in the third quarter. Ewers then found Bond over the middle for a successful two-point conversion.

After Georgia punted and Texas turned the ball over on downs, Beck was intercepted by Jahdae Barron (two interceptions), who returned the ball to the Georgia 9-yard line. After the pick was initially called off due to a pass interference, a lengthy delay followed due to debris thrown on the field by Texas fans.

The delay gave officials time to wave off the flag. Two plays later, Ewers found Jaydon Blue (game-high seven catches) for a 17-yard touchdown, cutting Texas’ deficit to 23-15 with 2:12 left in the third quarter.

Georgia answered with an 11-play, 89-yard drive – highlighted by Beck’s 43-yard pass to Oscar Delp — resulting in Etienne’s 1-yard touchdown run on a fourth-and-1 with 12:04 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs defense suffocated Texas the rest of the way, forcing a Ewers fumble on a strip-sack and two turnovers on downs on the final three Longhorns drives.

For the game, Texas rushed for just 29 yards on 27 carries.

After each team punted on their opening possession, Beck was intercepted by Andrew Mukuba. Texas then punted again, before Beck threw his second interception, this time to Barron on the Longhorns’ 5-yard line.

On the ensuing drive, Ewers was strip-sacked by Daylen Everette, who recovered the fumble on Texas’ 13-yard line.

Etienne, who rushed 19 times for a game-high 87 yards, then ran in a 2-yard score to give Georgia a 7-0 lead with six seconds left in the opening quarter.

After another Texas punt, Peyton Woodring’s 33-yard field goal extended Georgia’s lead to 10-0 at the 10:46 mark of the second quarter. On the next drive, Ewers was intercepted by Everette, leading to Etienne’s 15-yard touchdown run with 8:30 left in the second quarter.

Woodring tacked on a 48-yard field goal at the 4:43 mark. On Texas’ final drive of the half, Manning fumbled, leading to Woodring’s 44-yard field goal as time expired.

–Field Level Media