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Georgia 41, Oklahoma 13: Bulldogs’ defense turns first real test into a rout
Saturday brought Georgia its first real test on offense, and the Bulldogs responded by leaning on a defense that was more than willing to pick up the slack. The Bulldogs forced four turnovers, turned one into a defensive touchdown, and used another to set up a score in a 41-13 win over No. 24 Oklahoma at Sanford Stadium. Now 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the SEC, Georgia won with defense rather than the offensive show it put on in the first three weeks.
The Bulldogs forced four turnovers, turned one into a defensive touchdown, and used another to set up a score in a 41-13 win over No. 24 Oklahoma at Sanford Stadium. Now 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the SEC, Georgia won with defense rather than the offensive show it put on in the first three weeks.
Chris Cole delivered the play that changed the game’s direction when Oklahoma, trailing 14-0, had driven to the Georgia 2-yard line. John Mateer lost the ball under pressure, Cole recovered it, and ran for an 85-yard touchdown. Instead of Oklahoma cutting into the lead, Georgia suddenly led 21-0.
Oklahoma had driven to the Georgia 2 while trailing 14-0 when John Mateer lost the ball under pressure. Cole recovered it and went 85 yards for a touchdown. Instead of Oklahoma cutting into the lead, Georgia suddenly led 21-0.
Georgia’s defense kept creating opportunities, with KJ Bolden intercepting Mateer on Oklahoma’s next possession. Later, Raylen Wilson stripped Mateer on fourth-and-1, and Cole recovered again, returning it 23 yards to the Oklahoma 11. Two plays later, Chauncey Bowens scored his second touchdown. At halftime, Georgia’s offense had managed just 150 yards, but the defense made sure that was enough. It hardly mattered.
KJ Bolden intercepted Mateer on Oklahoma’s next possession. Later, Raylen Wilson stripped Mateer on fourth-and-1, and Cole recovered again, returning it 23 yards to the Oklahoma 11. Two plays later, Chauncey Bowens scored his second touchdown. At halftime, Georgia’s offense had managed just 150 yards, but the defense made sure that was enough. It hardly mattered.
Gunner Stockton started 9-for-9 and found Talyn Taylor for a 35-yard touchdown, but Oklahoma made him work after that. Stockton finished 14 of 25 for 171 yards with one touchdown and his first interception of the season, while Taylor supplied most of the explosive production with four catches for 110 yards.
The number that stood out most was 65—that total was Oklahoma’s rushing output on 35 attempts. After shutting down Arkansas’ ground game last week, Georgia again forced an SEC opponent to play left-handed. Raylen Wilson led the way with 11 tackles and a sack, while Cole added eight tackles, a sack, and two fumble recoveries. Oklahoma could not get anything going on the ground.
That total was Oklahoma’s rushing output on 35 attempts. After shutting down Arkansas’ ground game last week, Georgia again forced an SEC opponent to play left-handed. Raylen Wilson led the way with 11 tackles and a sack, while Cole added eight tackles, a sack, and two fumble recoveries. Oklahoma could not get anything going on the ground.
Oklahoma finally scored after Stockton’s third-quarter interception, but Georgia answered with another takeaway when Rasean Dinkins recovered a fumble and Peyton Woodring converted a 45-yard field goal for a 31-6 lead.
Dwight Phillips Jr. supplied the offensive exclamation point with a 54-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Woodring later added a 49-yard field goal and set the Georgia and SEC record for consecutive extra points during the afternoon.
This game did not look like Georgia’s first three wins, as the offense had to work for its yards and Oklahoma’s defense forced the Bulldogs to grind out drives instead of racing down the field. Even so, Georgia finished with a 28-point margin.
That is what made Saturday interesting. Georgia did not just get through its first real resistance of the season; the defense made sure the game never got close.
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