In a game that had all the offensive firepower of a wet firecracker, the No. 4 Georgia Bulldogs managed to stumble out of Mercedes-Benz Stadium with a 16-9 victory over their in-state rival, the No. 23 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t thrilling, but it was a win, and it pushes the Dawgs to an 11-1 regular season record.
If you came looking for offensive fireworks, you were in the wrong stadium. This game was a defensive slugfest, a throwback to the days of three yards and a cloud of dust. Georgia’s offense, which has looked shaky at times, seemed to be actively trying to give the game away in the second half.
Quarterback Gunner Stockton had a day he’d probably like to forget, finishing a paltry 11-of-21 for a measly 70 yards, though he did toss the game’s only touchdown to the electric Zachariah Branch. An early interception gave Tech a golden opportunity, but the Yellow Jackets could only muster a field goal. That’s pretty much the story of their night.
A Tale Of Two Halves (And Neither Was Great)
The first half saw Georgia build a 13-3 lead, largely on the back of a productive ground game led by Nate Frazier and Josh McCray. Peyton Woodring was money, nailing his field goal attempts. The Dawgs looked like they might pull away.
Then the second half happened. Or, more accurately, didn’t happen. The Bulldogs’ offense went into hibernation, struggling to move the ball against a fired-up Tech defense. Meanwhile, the Yellow Jackets managed to string together a couple of drives, but every time they got close, the Georgia defense would stiffen up. It was a bend-but-don’t-break performance that ultimately saved the day. Tech Kicker Aidan Birr was their entire offense, kicking three field goals to keep them in it.
The Nail-Biting (Or Yawn-Inducing) Finish
With the score at a nail-biting 16-9, Georgia needed a crucial first down late in the fourth to ice the game. They got it, but couldn’t quite run out the clock. Tech got the ball back with just 13 seconds and a prayer. After a couple of quick completions, they had one last shot—a Hail Mary from the Georgia 44-yard line. As the ball sailed towards the end zone, it felt like the only dramatic moment of the entire game. And, fittingly, it was batted down harmlessly by the Georgia defense. Game over.
Kirby Smart put it best: “I didn’t think we played our best game but we made plays when we had to.” That’s one way to put it. Another is that Georgia survived an ugly, gritty street fight. It wasn’t the dominant performance fans wanted, but a win is a win, especially in a rivalry game. Now, they play the waiting game to see if they’ll be heading back to Atlanta for the SEC Championship.
