The Georgia Bulldogs defeated the UMass Minutemen by a score of 59-21 on a day that was certainly a “get right” game for the team.
To open the game, the Minutemen marched right down the field for a touchdown by running back CJ Hester for a 7-0 lead. The Bulldogs were quick to respond, scoring a touchdown from Oscar Delp on a 17-yard pass.
Following the hot starts, points weren’t put on the board until around ten minutes left in the second quarter when Beck found Cash Jones for his second touchdown pass of the afternoon, giving the Bulldogs their first lead of the game at 14-7. The Dawgs’ defense forced a fumble on the UMass 28, leading to Beck’s third touchdown pass, this time to Dominic Lovett for a 21-7 lead.
Just after the two-minute mark, UMass running back Jalen John scored on a three-yard rush to keep the Minutemen within a touchdown of the Bulldogs. Moments later, Beck found Arian Smith deep down the middle for his fourth touchdown pass to make the score 28-14 in favor of the Dawgs at the half.
To open the second half, Peyton Woodring nailed a 53-yard field goal to extend the Georgia lead to 17. UMass just would not go away, scoring on a 75-yard touchdown pass to Jakobie Keeney-James to get within ten of the lead. The Dawgs offense eventually ran away with it, scoring on two Nate Frazier rushing touchdowns in the third quarter for a score of 45-21 entering the fourth quarter.
The Minutemen would get inside the red zone after John ran for 68 yards to open the drive, but failed to score after missing a 37-yard field goal. Frazier would score a third time for the Bulldogs’ seventh touchdown. Chris Cole on the defensive side of the ball would score on a fumble recovery to make the final of 59-21.
The Bulldogs will face off against in-state rival Georgia Tech next week under the Friday Night Lights at 7:30 PM in what will be an elimination game in terms of Georgia’s College Football Playoff hopes. With a win, the Dawgs will be headed back to the Playoff with a chance to win their third national title under Coach Smart. With a loss, a bowl game outside the New Years’ Six will be the destination for this team.