The No. 3-ranked UGA Bulldogs dominated the Florida Gators in their annual rivalry game on Saturday, by a score of 42-7.
UGA led the game early, scoring just over two minutes into the game with a four-play, 53-yard drive capped by a six-yard Nick Chubb touchdown run.
Before the first quarter was even over, UGA led Florida 21-0, and head coach Kirby Smart's squad never looked back.
After the UGA game was over, No. 6-ranked Ohio State defeated the Penn State Nittany Lions, 39-38, meaning UGA could move up to No. 2 in the Amway Coaches Poll, to be released on Sunday.
UGA QB Jake Fromm became the first true freshman to defeat Florida since John Rauch in 1945.
Florida scored its only touchdown deep into the fourth quarter to avoid a shutout.
Georgia moved to 8-0 on the season.
From USA Today, here are three takeaways from UGA's win:
1. Jake Fromm is never rattled
The Bulldogs’ true freshman plays like anything but a true freshman. Making his solid play all the more impressive is the fact that he wasn’t the starter during fall camp, and only ascended to the job after returning starter Jacob Eason was injured early in the opener. Since then, he’s played with command and control at the center of Georgia’s offense, leaving a good amount of the heavy lifting to a talented crop of running backs but taking advantage of any opportunities in the passing game.
Leading into the game, Florida defenders questioned Fromm’s ability to make difficult throws — it’s mostly just slants and screen passes, they said. And then Fromm delivered a beautiful 17-yard scoring strike across the field to Javon Wims to make it 14-0 early in the second quarter, and the Gators’ defense realized how wrong they’d been.
2. Storm clouds over McElwain
He’s done nothing to help his cause off the field. Most recently, Jim McElwain made claims of receiving death threats but failed to provide the university with any examples or evidence, which could have only strained an already questionable relationship. And then the Gators come out and lay an egg against Georgia, their biggest rival, and do so despite having an extra week to prepare. He’s done himself no favors.
Earlier on Saturday morning, Florida administrators were forced to refute a report that the university had discussed with McElwain’s representatives a workable figure for his significant buyout. They can deny any conversations have occurred, but one thing is clear: McElwain’s tenure at Florida is heading down.
3. Georgia crosses off another win
Each successful Saturday brings Georgia one step closer to a potential matchup of undefeated against undefeated in the SEC championship game. It wouldn’t have surprised anyone in August if you’d said Alabama was going to run the table in the regular season. What about Georgia? Yeah, that would’ve raised some eyebrows.
Yet here we are. The Bulldogs’ next test comes in November against Auburn. There’s also a rivalry game with Georgia Tech to contend with. But every week — and how the Bulldogs have looked in winning eight in a row — makes the possibility of 12-0 against 12-0 in Atlanta seem more and more likely.
