Georgia runs over Arkansas in 37-0 shutout win

ATHENS, Ga. — It’s Saturday in Athens, and the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs are set to take on the No. 8 Arkansas Razorbacks. Former UGA assistant Sam Pittman brings his team into town 4-0 for the first time since 2003 with their highest ranking since 2012. Meanwhile, for Kirby Smart and company, this week offers the best opportunity to date to impress the country against a quality opponent.

Arkansas is coming off of their first win over Texas A&M since the Aggies entered the SEC in 2012. That game saw wide receiver Treylon Burks go for 167 yards and a touchdown on six receptions, earning co-SEC Offensive Player of the Week. Meanwhile, quarterback KJ Jefferson threw for 212 yards and two touchdowns. Both Burks and Jefferson enter Saturday’s game banged up but are likely to play.

Georgia isn’t without injury news either. Quarterback JT Daniels was called a “game-time decision” by ESPN’s Holly Rowe yesterday when she met with the media. Daniels missed the Bulldogs’ Week 2 matchup against UAB with an oblique injury, however, this time it’s an injury to his lat that could limit him.

When Daniels was out against the Blazers, Stetson Bennett led the way for the Bulldogs in a 56-7 win. He threw for 288 yards and five first-half touchdowns, tying the school record for most touchdown passes in a game. Bennett would likely get the nod if Daniels isn’t able to go today.

Also on the injury front, Georgia could be getting tight end Darnell Washington and STAR Tykee Smith back from preseason foot injuries that have caused them to miss the first four games of the season. The Bulldogs have had players step up in their absence, most notably Brock Bowers and Latavious Brini. Because of that, the impact that Washington and Smith make could be limited if they do take the field.

We’ve covered all that and more this week on DawgsHQ, so if you haven’t been keeping up, I encourage you to do some pregame reading. Below are the best stories as Georgia prepares to take on Arkansas from Sanford Stadium in Athens. Kickoff comes your way at 12:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Three Key Questions for Georgia ahead of Arkansas

Dawg Walk Talk: Georgia-Arkansas Preview Podcast

Q&A with Tom Murphy of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Matchups and Players to Watch

What Sam Pittman Said

Georgia’s Keys to Victory

DawgsHQ’s Bold Predictions

Pregame

• Couple of quick notes from pregame warm ups. Biggest of which is Stetson Bennett being announced as the starter on the video board. JT Daniels was present during warm ups but appeared to do significantly less than normal. Took snaps with Jamaree Salyer (third center) while Carson Beck was with Warren Ericson (second center). Will be interesting to see if he’s able to go if needed.
• Darnell Washington, Tykee Smith and Arian Smith all went through warm ups. Dominick Blaylock too. One major name that was not out there, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint. Not all too surprising given his ankle sprain.

First Quarter

• Arkansas won the ton, deferred meaning that Georgia will begin with the ball.
• Stetson Bennett started at quarterback for the Dawgs, and on the first drive of the game, leads Georgia into the end zone. Heavy dosage of Zamir White and James Cook early in this one, combining for 39 yards on five carries. White caps off the drive with a score from 3 yards out. First time that Arkansas has allowed points in the first quarter this season. Nine plays, 75 yards, and 4:14 off the clock. Georgia leads 7-0 10:46 1Q
• Sanford Stadium is LOUD early in this one. Arkansas is called for a pair of false starts before they can even get a play off. Then, a sack on 2nd and 18 only amplifies that. Arkansas punts out of their end zone. Georgia will take over at their 44.
• Darnell Washington makes his first appearance of the season, coming into the game on Georgia’s second offensive drive. They ran his way for a gain of 7 yards. Once again, it was a heavy dosage of the run game with six straight hand offs setting up Bennett to find Kenny McIntosh on a wheel route for a gain of 27 yards down to the Arkansas 5. The drive was capped off by Kendall Milton getting into the end zone for the first time in his career from a yard out. Nine plays, 56 yards, 4:38 off the clock. Georgia leads 14-0 4:42 1Q
• Arkansas fumbled the fair caught kickoff meaning that the ball was placed at the spot of recovery, the Arkansas 8. Then, after Georgia forced a three-and-out, the Bulldogs blocked the punt in the end zone. Dan Jackson on the block, Zamir White on the recovery for six. Georgia leads 21-0 2:17 1Q
• The Arkansas offense finally woke up and moved the ball before the end of the first quarter. KJ Jefferson completed a screen pass to Raheim Sanders for a gain of 22. Then, Jefferson kept for a gain of 31. Holding was called on the play bringing it back, but the Razorbacks appear to be off and running.
• END 1Q: Georgia leads 21-0. Arkansas will have 2nd and 8 at the Georgia 40 after the break.

Second Quarter

• Arkansas started with possession, getting inside the Georgia red zone, but the Dawgs defense was able to put an end to that, stopping KJ Jefferson on 3rd and 5. Then, a 38-yard field goal attempt from Cam Little went wide right, keeping the score 21-0 UGA.
• Georgia got the ball at their 20 after the missed field goal and made their way down the field for a 46-yard field goal from Jack Podlesny. James Cook had three rushes of greater than 5-yards included a 24-yard carry. Georgia leads 24-0 7:38 2Q
• Arkansas goes three-and-out and punts. Razorbacks have 71 yards of offense to Georgia’ 165 so far today. Dawgs take over at their 28. Georgia would follow with a three-and-out of their own. After another Arkansas three-and-out, Georgia took it to the half, killing the final 2:17 of the first half.
• HALF: Georgia leads 24-0 and kickoff to start the second half

Third Quarter

• After an Arkansas three-and-out deep in their own territory, Georgia was set up on the plus-side of midfield courtesy of a bad punt. Then, the running backs got the Dawgs down to the 13-yard line where the drive stalled. Jack Podlesny’s 30-yard field goal attempt is good. Georgia leads 27-0 10:05 3Q
• Georgia forced another Arkansas three-and-out, the Razorback’s sixth of the day. With the exception of their field goal attempt drive (12 plays, 55 yards, missed FG), it’s been all three-and-outs. A big part of that, Nakobe Dean with a sack, Georgia’s second of the day.
• After Georgia went three-and-out on their end, the Bulldogs forced another punt. Once again, Nakobe Dean was a big part of the reason why with another sack.
• Georgia moved the chains before the end of the third quarter as Jermaine Burton drew a pass interference on 3rd and 4. The Bulldogs will once again have 3rd down after the break.
• END 3Q: Georgia leads 27-0 with 3rd and 9 to go at their own 42 after the break

Fourth Quarter

• Georgia’s game plan was to ground and pound, keeping the ball out of Stetson Bennett’s hands as much as possible. They’ve done just that all day, and continue to do that in the fourth. The Dawgs top the 200-yard mark and get into the end zone for the third time on the ground. Zamir White gets his third score, one of the blocked punt, from 15 yards out. Drive went 11 plays, 93 yards and 5:50. Of those 93 yards, Georgia picked up 61 of those on the ground. Georgia leads 34-0 12:12 4Q
• Malik Hornsby entered the game at quarterback for Arkansas, replacing KJ Jefferson, but the result wasn’t much different. Lost yardage, a sack and a three-and-out. Georgia takes over after the punt at their 38.
• For the fifth straight week, Georgia has set a new season-high for rushing yards in a game. Last week they rushed for 243 versus Vanderbilt. After this drive, the Dawgs have gained 273 yards on the ground. Georgia stalled in Arkansas territory and settled for a 37-yard field goal from Jack Podlesny. Georgia leads 37-0 3:46 4Q
• Georgia preserves the shut out, keeping Arkansas out of the end zone on the final drive of the game. Putting that shut out into perspective, it’s the first time Georgia has had back to back shutouts since 2006 and the first time with back to back shut outs over conference opponents since 1980. Finally, it’s the third time that the Dawgs have shut out a top 10 opponent with previous ones coming in 1976 over Alabama (21-0) and 1942 over Georgia Tech (32-0).
• FINAL: No. 2 Georgia wins 37-0 over No. 8 Arkansas, moving to 5-0 on the season

This story will continue to be updated throughout the game. Be sure to check back in for the latest on Georgia and Arkansas.

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