2016 Liberty Bowl final score: Georgia powers ahead of TCU

After falling behind 16-7 in the second quarter, the Georgia Bulldogs rallied and eventually seized control of the lead over the TCU Horned Frogs. By game’s end, Georgia celebrated a 31-23 victory in the 2016 Liberty Bowl to improve to 8-5 on the season.

After jumping out ahead to a 7-0 lead, TCU would respond by scoring thrice in a row with a field goal and two touchdowns thanks to the arm and legs of quarterback Kenny Hill. But Sony Michel, who scored first for Georgia, answered back in the second quarter with a 33-yard reception to draw closer.

Javon Wims would score midway through the third quarter to take the lead, but the Horned Frogs weren’t quite done yet. John Diarse would pick up a touchdown later in the quarter, and UGA would find themselves trailing in the final frame.

The ‘Dawgs would prove their worth and showcase some valiance, scoring 10 unanswered in the final quarter. After inching ahead 24-23 at the start of the quarter, Nick Chubb would rumble into the end zone with 2:48 to play to bring the lead up to eight.

TCU would fail to find the end zone on the ensuing drive, giving Georgia the victory which now puts them third all-time in bowl wins.

What we learned

Nick Chubb’s presence will certainly be vital in 2017

Georgia fans knew this already, but Chubb will no doubt be a huge factor for Georgia as he was on Friday afternoon. That they’re getting him back is huge towards the possibility of their successes next year, and he may very well be neck and neck with Derrius Guice for the honor of best back in the conference next year.

Jacob Eason did just enough

Eason’s stats won’t jump off the board at you at all. He threw for 164 yards, and Isaiah McKenzie picked up 103 of those 164, with 77 of them coming off of one reception early on in the game that help set up the first score by Michel. Eason completed 12 of his 21 pass attempts for two touchdowns and no interceptions, and what will intrigue me going forward is how much they’ll let him sling it. Having Chubb and Michel in the backfield is helpful in its own right, but sophomore Jacob Eason will be very fascinating to watch.

Get ready for the Georgia hype train

With the nation’s third-best recruiting class and returnees in Chubb and Lorenzo Carter, among others, Georgia will likely have a lot of hype surrounding them going into next season. Kirby Smart’s second year will almost certainly have to be better than the first to avoid any sort of “buyer’s remorse” from the fanbase, especially after canning Mark Richt and seeing him do fairly well down in Coral Gables at Miami. As Richard Johnson notes, “It’s bowl bump season, friends.”