Georgia 27, Kentucky 24: Bulldogs Beat Kentucky as Time Runs Out

Rodrigo Blankenship hit four field goals, including a 25-yard attempt as time expired, to give Georgia a 27-24 victory at Kentucky.

Kentucky held a lead throughout most of the second half, but could not get a stop on Georgia’s last two offensive drives to pull out the win. Georgia running back Sony Michel scored on a 26 yard touchdown run with nine minutes remaining to give the Bulldogs their first lead of the second half at 24-21.

It looked like from that point that Kentucky might run out the clock as a long series of wildcat plays got the Wildcats into the redzone, but they bogged down and had to settle for a game-tying field goal with less than three minutes remaining.

Georgia’s game-winning drive featured a balanced offense as freshman quarterback Jacob Eason hit on all four of his attempts and Sony Michel ran for 20 combined yards on the last two plays prior to the field goal. For the game, Georgia’s balanced effort led to 245 passing yards and 215 rushing yards with Michel picking up 127 yards while Nick Chubb tacked on 85.

Three Things

1) Turnovers Almost Doomed Georgia

Isaiah McKenzie fumbled a second quarter punt which led to a Kentucky touchdown that gave the Wildcats their first lead at 14-10 (a lead which they would not relinquish for over 30 minutes of game time). That was followed up by Nick Chubb fumbling twice in the second half.

The first fumble came two plays into the Bulldogs’ first series of the third quarter and set the Wildcats up at the Georgia 33 yard line.

Kentucky would hit a field goal to extend their lead, but that was called back for a penalty.

2) Benny Snell Jr. Can Be Special

Benny Snell looks to be one of the best young prospects that Kentucky has had in a long time.

The freshman running back from Ohio was a composite three star according to 247 Sports and their 56th ranked running back, but now has nearly 800 rushing yards, including over 300 yards in the last two weeks, after picking up 114 yards and two touchdowns against Georgia.

Kentucky’s coaches trust the freshman as he was given nine straight carries with many coming out of a wildcat formation late in the fourth quarter as the Wildcats looked to come from behind.

3) Both Teams Should Go Bowling, but the Hopes for #CATlanta are Done

Barring a complete meltdown, Kentucky should gain bowl eligibility at the latest in two weeks against Austin Peay. After gaining a lifeline with Arkansas dominating Florida, the door was legitimately cracked open for Mark Stoop’s squad to have a shot at the East title and they would have had a half-game lead on the Gators had they won.

Instead, Florida now has the pole position again for the East, but this season can still largely be viewed as a positive for Kentucky after a rough start.

Georgia really needed to win tonight to help their bowl chances, but certainly should be able to get a win from Louisiana-Lafayette to become bowl eligible. With some a lot of luck against Auburn and a win against struggling Georgia Tech, Georgia could finish with a moderately respectable eight wins, but seven looks more likely.