JACKSONVILLE, FL (WTOC) – The Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Florida Gators in a close game decided by key fourth-quarter plays.
Down three with under five minutes remaining, quarterback Gunner Stockton made an adjustment at the line of scrimmage. Chauncey Bowens cut through a gap and scored on a 36-yard touchdown run, giving Georgia a four-point lead.
Fourth-down stop proves decisive
Head coach Kirby Smart said the game’s most important play was a fourth-down defensive stop.
“The play of the game is obviously the 4th down stop — 1 or 2 (yards) whatever it was, and that made the difference in the game,” Smart said.
The pass breakup gave possession back to Georgia, who ran out the clock. The victory marked another close win for the Bulldogs this season.
“I don’t believe in playing with fire, but if I could just write a script and say let’s go up by 14, let’s go up by 21. I don’t write the script, the script kind of plays out. I know that our kids aren’t uncomfortable playing from that. They don’t get chained to a scoreboard,” Smart said.
The win was Georgia’s seventh of the season as the team moves closer to playoff contention. Players said the rivalry game held special meaning beyond the win column.
“Growing up, this is the Georgia-Florida game. It’s a great atmosphere, great rivalry. Florida is a great team, and it’s definitely special coming out with a win today,” Stockton said.
Linebacker CJ Allen said playing in the rivalry game was a childhood dream.
“I just watched this game as I got older. It’s a dream come true to play in this game,” Allen said.
Next up, the Bulldogs travel to Mississippi State on November, 8 at 12 p.m.
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