After getting throttled on the Plains of Auburn last week for their first loss, everybody wondered how No. 7 Georgia would respond as they went back home for an emotional-filled Senior Day.
Despite a slow start, it turns out the Bulldogs are doing okay on that front and look to be well on their way to bouncing back against an overmatched Kentucky squad in taking a 21-6 lead into halftime on Saturday afternoon.
UGA quarterback Jake Fromm threw an interception on the team’s opening series but rebounded to finish the half with 108 yards and a score through the air. As is typical, he was mostly handing off to his two big tailbacks in Nick Chubb (31 yards and a TD) and Sony Michel (68 yards, one touchdown), but did toss his 17th touchdown pass of the season on a beautiful pass to set a new school record for freshman quarterbacks.
A key point for the offense came late in the first quarter when punter Cameron Nizialek, a Ray Guy Award semifinalist, drew a roughing the kicker penalty to extend the team’s second offensive possession. One of Kentucky’s best defenders, safety Mike Edwards, went out a few plays later with a hip injury (he later returned) and the Bulldogs took advantage of all the stars aligning by having Chubb punch in a touchdown to cap off a 75-yard drive.
Defensively, the team was pretty solid even when factoring in having to guard against an extra possession. They limited the Wildcats to just 140 yards on offense and contained dangerous runner Benny Snell to just 33 yards on the ground as well. UK wasn’t too shabby themselves on defense outside of the scoring drive late in the first quarter but seemed to start loosening up as the clock kept ticking.
While the college football slate isn’t the best in this window of games, credit to both sides in this one for at least keeping things somewhat close and interesting. Kentucky still has some hope to pull off the upset despite the home team holding the two-score lead going into the break at halftime.