Georgia defense creates turnovers, momentum for Dawgs in 34-7 win over Florida

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — We’re back after a bye week, and it’s time for one of the best rivalries in all of College Football. Georgia and Florida meet for the 100th time, at least according to those wearing red and black, today at TIAA Bank Stadium in Jacksonville. Kickoff time is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS as the SEC Game of the Week.

This year’s matchup features the No. 1 ranked team in the land. Kirby Smart brings his Bulldogs in at 7-0 on the season and hungry for more. Speaking with the players in Athens, they’re happy to be ranked atop the polls. However, they know that will all mean nothing if the Dawgs aren’t on top come the end of the season. The next step towards that: beating Florida.

On the flip side of things are Dan Mullen’s Gators. After winning the East and playing for the SEC Championship in Atlanta last season, frustrations are high with Florida at 4-3 in 2021. Since beating Georgia last year, putting an end to a three-game losing streak in the series, the Gators have lost six games including two against unranked LSU squads.

The biggest storyline in this game is easy to identify. Both teams enter Saturday with questions surrounding the quarterback position.

For Georgia, that’s because presumed starter JT Daniels has missed the last three games with a lat strain and has been back at practice this week working with the first-team. However, as first reported by On3’s Matt Zenitz, the expectation is that Stetson Bennett will make his fourth straight start. That hasn’t been a problem for Georgia so far, rolling to three straight wins over top-25 competition, and the hope would be that it isn’t a problem again.

As for Florida, the questions come for much different reasons. Emory Jones, who has started all seven games so far this season, has struggled and oftentimes has been replaced mid-game by Anthony Richardson. Mullen did not name a starter this week, nor did Smart, and there have not been any reports on which way this one will go. That’s something to keep an eye on in the pregame.

For now, that’s it from us. Check back for updates throughout the game as we will continue to update this story with information as we come by it. In the mean time, here are a couple of stories from throughout the week to get you by with some pregame reading.

Smart’s Quarterback Comments (MONDAY)

Takeaways: Practice and Presser Report (MONDAY)

Three Key Questions

Facing Florida’s Offense

Takeaways: Kirby Smart talks Georgia’s defense against Gators (TUESDAY)

Looking Back on 2020 Loss

Q&A with David Waters of Gators Breakdown

Preview Podcast: Cocktail Party Primer

Georgia-Florida Recruiting Battles

Matchups and Players to Watch

UGA Receivers Express Confidence in Chemistry

What Dan Mullen Said About Georgia

Jordan Davis Savoring Moment

Keys to Victory

Pregame

• Georgia’s got the wide receivers they hoped to get back dressed out today. Jermaine Burton, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint and Arian Smith all went through warm ups and look ready to go.
• One guy that I noticed not being here, Nyland Green. That’s not necessarily surprising given what we’ve seen so far this season, however, I do think that the Georgia coaching staff would have liked to see more from him this year. Another note from the defensive backs: Ameer Speed appears to be back.
• Stetson Bennett was announced as the starter on the video board, consistent with what we’ve heard coming into today. He looked as sharp as I’ve seen him in quite some time, throwing the ball downfield very well and with velocity.

First Quarter

• Florida has won the toss and defers. Georgia will begin with the ball.
• Georgia moved the ball into the Florida red zone but came up empty as Stetson Bennett was called for intentional grounding on 3rd and 1 and Jack Podlesny missed a 46-yard field goal attempt. Prior to that, the Bulldogs were driving. Zamir White picked up a first down on the first play of the game followed by a gain of six. Bennett also found Kearis Jackson, Darnell Washington and Ladd McConkey for gains of 11, nine and seven respectively.
• Anthony Richardson got the start for Florida, the first of his career, and went three-and-out in his first drive. After a Malik Davis rush for five and a Richardson completion to Kemore Gamble, Florida had 3rd and 3. However, Georgia covered the play well and brought Richardson down for a loss. Nolan Smith and Devonte Wyatt combined for the tackle. Georgia takes over at its 33 yard line after the punt.
• Georgia is forced to punt on its second drive of the day. Once again, the Bulldogs moved the ball into Florida territory, but a penalty hurt them. This time it was a false called on Adonai Mitchell on 3rd and 8. However, the drive nearly ended earlier as Stetson Bennett was forced to get out of the pocket and found James Cook downfield on a scramble drill. Punt goes into the end zone, and Florida will start at their own 20.
• Florida wasn’t able to do much with a big play on first down, Anthony Richardson to Kemore Gamble for a gain of 19. The Gators failed to move the chains after that with Quay Walker forcing a throw in a hurry on 3rd and 5. Punt sails into the end zone. Georgia will begin at their own 20.
• Georgia goes three-and-out with Stetson Bennett at quarterback, meaning it’s not a designed 2-1, 2-1 rotation for the quarterbacks. In fact, the Bulldogs didn’t pick up but four yards on the drive on a 3rd and 10 screen pass to Kenny McIntosh. Florida will take over after the punt at the Gator 32.
• Florida moved the ball once again, highlighted by a 19-yard gain from Dameon Pierce running into the teeth of the Georgia defense. However, the drive finished off with a 51-yard field goal attempt from Jace Christmann, no-good.
• END 1Q: Georgia and Florida still scoreless in Jacksonville. The Bulldogs will begin the second quarter with possession at their 33.

Second Quarter

• Georgia is on the board first with a field goal from 21 yards out by Jack Podlesny. The 11-play, 63 yard drive took 6:22 off the clock. Highlights of the drive included a 12-yard completion to Kearis Jackson and an 18-yard completion to Kenny McIntosh, which Georgia declined for a holding and an automatic first down. Zamir White did his job, carrying five times for 29 yards, and Stetson Bennett scrambled for a gain of 20 down to the Florida 7. UGA 3-0 8:38 2Q
• Flordia comes up empty handed once again. And again, it’s partly by its own doing. The Gators decided to go for it on 4th and 13 from the UGA 34, passing up on a 51-yard field goal attempt. Anthony Richardson completed passes for gains of 16, seven, and rushed for nine, however, the biggest play of the drive was a sack by Jalen Carter for a loss of 11 and Christopher Smith’s defense on a double-pass.
• Stetson Bennett to Darnell Washington picked up 32 yards on the first play of the drive, however, Bennett was quickly intercepted on the next play, taking a shot downfield to Jermaine Burton. Florida will take over at their own 2-yard line.
• Another two plays, and another turnover. This time, it’s Georgia coming away with the ball. Backed up against its own goal line, Anthony Richardson carried for a loss of one. Then, he carried for eight yards and kept fighting for more. In doing so, he was wrapped by Nolan Smith, had the ball stripped away and recovered by Smith at the UGA 11.
• One play later, James Cook carries for a touchdown. Jack Podlesny’s PAT is good. UGA 10-0 2:16 2Q
• And another turnover goes Georgia’s way. After a false start backed Florida up five yards, Anthony Richardson carried for no gain. Then, his pass attempt was intercepted by Nolan Smith with Nakobe Dean hurrying the throw and Travon Walker deflecting the pass.
• Once again, Georgia finds the end zone in a heartbeat after the turnover. One play, 36 yards and a score. Stetson Bennett to Kearis Jackson, who made a great play to come down with the ball in the corner of the end zone. UGA 17-0 1:35 2Q
• Nakobe Dean forces a third straight Florida drive to end in a turnover. However, we won’t be seeing the Georgia offense after this one. Dean takes Richardson’s pass 50 yards to the house. UGA 24-0 0:07 2Q
• Florida carries for a gain of five to put an end to the first half.
• HALF: Georgia leads 24-0. Florida will receive the opening kickoff of the second half.

Third Quarter

• Florida begins the second half with possession and goes three-and-out.
• Georgia moved the chains with three straight runs by Zamir White, however, when handed off to Kenny McIntosh, it resulted in a fumble. Florida recovers and takes over at the UGA 49.
• Florida comes up empty off the turnover, missing its second field goal attempt of the day. This time, it was from 23 yards out. Dameon Pierce rushed twice for gains. of 5 and 18 to start the drive before Emory Jones, who entered the game. at quarterback, completed a pass for 9 yards to move the chains again. However, a running back pass fell incomplete, Jones ran for a gain of 5 and Kelee Ringo batted down a pass on a blitz on 3rd and 5 from the UGA 6.
• Georgia drove nine plays, covering 55 yards, and adds three more to its total. Stetson Bennett completed to Brock Bowers for a gain of 38 to get the Bulldogs into scoring position. Jack Podlesny’s 42-yard field goal attempt is good. UGA 27-0 1:15 3Q
• Florida moves the chains with Emory Jones in at quarterback, completing a 3rd and 6 pass to Justin Shorter for a gain of eight to end the third quarter.
• END 3Q: Georgia leads 27-0 headed to the fourth quarter as Florida possesses at their own 37-yard line with a fresh set of downs.

Fourth Quarter

• Georgia preserves it’s shut out so far, stopping Florida on fourth down in UGA territory. The Gators hit on two big plays, gains of 21 and 11 to the 28-yard line. Then, the Bulldogs stepped up and kept the Gators from doing anything else. Georgia takes over at the Florida 25.
• Stetson Bennett throws an interception after moving the chains. Rashad Torrence with the pick, taking down at his own 11-yard line.
• Georgia’s attempt at a shutout is gone after Emory Jones scores on a rush from 2 yards out. That came after a pass interference penalty on Lewis Cine in the end zone. Jones completed passes for gains of 18, 16 and 15 before punching it in himself. UGA 27-7 2:49 4Q
• Georgia’s offense was on the field just two plays after the Florida score as Zamir White scored from 42-yards out. In doing so, he got over 100 yards on the day and is the Bulldogs’ first 100-yard rusher this season. UGA 34-7 1:57 4Q
• Florida runs the clock out on this game as several younger Bulldogs get into the game for the final drive.
• FINAL: Georgia wins 34-7 over Florida, moving to 8-0 on the season. The Bulldogs will clinch the SEC East tonight if Kentucky loses to Mississippi State. If not, Georgia will have a chance to do it at home next week against Missouri. Meanwhile, Florida falls to 4-4 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 Florida.

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