Top-ranked Georgia (12-0) was able to overcome a slow start against Georgia Tech (5-7) and defeated the Yellow Jackets 37-14 Saturday afternoon at Sanford Stadium.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said he knew his team was going to get Tech’s “best shot.” He also knew his Bulldogs would respond in kind.
“Everybody is like ‘Oh, you’ve got a target, you’re the hunted.’ I don’t believe in that. I think everybody gets our best shot week in and week out,” Smart said. “I think it’s about us being the attackers and us being the aggressors.”
Still, it was the Yellow Jackets that struck first with a 75-yard scoring drive.
They moved the ball methodically against a more talented Georgia defense on the first possession. The drive was capped as Taisun Phommachanh reached the end zone on a 7-yard rush. It was the first opening-quarter touchdown the Bulldogs have given up all season.
Regardless, it didn’t take long for Georgia’s offense to get moving. The Bulldogs got three points on their second drive with a 30-yard field goal from the leg of kicker Jack Podlesny.
It wasn’t until the middle of the second quarter that they scored again and took the lead, though.
Georgia put together an 80-yard drive, highlighted by Kenny McIntosh’s 45-yard rush on the first play from scrimmage. A few plays later, quarterback Stetson Bennett connected with wide receiver Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint for a six-yard passing score. The Bulldogs led 10-6 with 7:59 left in the first half after Podlesny’s extra point.
The score would remain the same at the half as both teams headed into the locker room.
“We probably didn’t start as fast today as we have in the past, but you’re not going to start every game with guns blazing,” Smart said. “We had to respond to adversity once again.”
Georgia settled down and took care of business in the second half. The Bulldogs out-scored the Yellow Jackets 27-7 in the final two-quarters of regulation.
Podlesny nailed a season-long 50-yard field goal and connected on a 36-yarder in the third quarter. Bennett also hit tight end, Brock Bowers, for a 1-yard touchdown between field goals. McIntosh and running back Kendall Milton also scored via the ground in the fourth quarter.
Georgia Tech’s only score in the second half came late in the fourth quarter against Georgia’s second-team defense. The Yellow Jackets found the end zone on a trick play on fourth down as running back Dontae Smith tossed a 24-yard touchdown to Malachi Carter.
“I think it was just sticking to the plan. We talk all the time about trying to outscore our opponents in the fourth quarter and win the fourth quarter every game,” Smart said of his team’s performance. “[We] don’t hit any panic buttons, they were doing a good job. We know the more times we snap it, the more advantage we’ve got.”
The Bulldogs held Georgia Tech to 255 yards total offense and the Yellow Jackets averaged only 4.0 yards per play. They also had 11.0 tackles for loss and four sacks in the win. Sophomore inside linebacker Smael Mondon led in tackles with six total stops.
Bennett completed 10-of-18 in passing for 135 yards and two touchdowns. McIntosh totaled 86 yards on 12 rush attempts with a score. He also led Georgia in receiving with two catches for 91 yards. Daijun Edwards also was productive, rushing for a total of 62 yards.
“We played much better after the half. We made some adjustments. They did a really nice job. I’ve got a lot of respect for Chip Long, Brent Key and Jim Chaney,” Smart said. “Those guys know football. They didn’t just forget football. Not only do they know football, but they also know us. That part was good for us to make some adjustments and do some good things and come out and give our offense the ball back.”