Georgia Beats Florida 27-8 in Atlanta as Four Turnovers Extend the Bulldogs' Streak to Six

Georgia’s grip on its border rivalry with Florida held firm in a new setting. The No. 3 Bulldogs beat the No. 17 Gators 27-8 on Saturday, Oct. 31, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the first time the series has been played in Georgia’s capital.

Georgia (7-1, 5-1 SEC) forced four turnovers and turned them into 17 points, according to Georgia Athletics. It was the Bulldogs’ sixth straight win over Florida (5-3, 3-3), their longest streak in the series since winning six in a row from 1978 to 1983.

What was the final score of Florida vs. Georgia?

Georgia won 27-8. The Bulldogs led 24-0 at halftime, and Florida’s only points came in the fourth quarter.

Florida scored on a 2-yard run by Tramell Jones Jr. with 6:59 left, plus a two-point conversion, to make it 24-8. Peyton Woodring’s 21-yard field goal with 3:34 remaining closed the scoring, per the official box score.

How did turnovers decide the game?

Florida’s trouble started on its first drive. Facing third-and-6, quarterback Aaron Philo was pressured, stumbled and tried to flip the ball underhand. Georgia cornerback Ellis Robinson IV intercepted it, the Gators’ own site recounted. A Florida roughing-the-kicker penalty later extended Georgia’s drive, and Nate Frazier scored from the 1.

In the second quarter, a Philo pass deflected off a receiver’s hands to Demello Jones, setting up a field goal. Tramell Jones Jr. replaced Philo, but Bo Walker’s 1-yard run made it 17-0. Then, with 29 seconds left in the half, linebacker Quintavius Johnson strip-sacked Jones and Chris Cole returned the fumble 66 yards for a touchdown, according to Georgia Athletics. It was Cole’s second long fumble return touchdown this season.

Florida’s best chance to answer ended when cornerback Braylon Conley intercepted Jones in the end zone in the third quarter with the Gators at the Georgia 3.

“They didn’t need our help tonight, but we gave it to them, too,” Florida coach Jon Sumrall said, per the Gators’ postgame story.

Georgia’s defense dominated

ESPN reported that Georgia held Florida to 54 rushing yards and recorded four sacks. Georgia Athletics said the Bulldogs had 11 tackles for loss, and Cole led the team with nine tackles. Florida star running back Jaden Baugh was held to 38 yards on 17 carries.

Georgia’s offense was less dominant. Quarterback Gunner Stockton went 13-of-23 for 101 yards, but the Bulldogs ran for 217 yards. Georgia finished with 318 total yards to Florida’s 252, per the team stats.

The win came two weeks after Georgia’s 27-24 home loss to unranked Auburn, which ESPN described as a game marked by self-inflicted mistakes.

What it means for Kirby Smart and Jon Sumrall

Kirby Smart improved to 9-2 against Florida and won his first meeting with Sumrall, Florida’s first-year coach. “Where we are as a program, every part of our team has to get better,” Sumrall said. “Where they have been recently, we want to go.”

Florida receiver Bailey Stockton said, “Nine-and-three is the only thing we should be thinking about,” adding the team has to “get back to the drawing board.”

Why was the Florida-Georgia game in Atlanta?

The game moved because of a $1.4 billion renovation of Jacksonville’s EverBank Stadium, ESPN reported. It was the first time the series was played away from Jacksonville since the 1994-95 seasons, according to Georgia Athletics, and the game drew a sellout crowd of 72,541.

The rivalry long nicknamed “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” was barely recognizable indoors under a new name, the AP noted, though the fan bases brought their usual passion. Georgia Athletics said the teams will meet in Tampa next season before returning to Jacksonville in 2028.

FAQ

Earlier coverage: Florida vs. Georgia: No. 3 Bulldogs Lead Gators 24-8 Late in Atlanta After Defensive Touchdown (Oct 31)