No. 2 Georgia repels valiant effort by No. 12 Missouri

ATHENS, Ga. – Georgia coach Kirby Good known as defensive deal with Nazir Stackhouse‘s unbelievable interception the “greatest play of the sport.” Broad receiver Ladd McConkey proclaimed it was “the play of the 12 months.”

Both manner, the play helped the Bulldogs stay unbeaten one more week. The choose additionally was the discuss of the postgame interviews.

Stackhouse’s fourth-quarter interception helped shield No. 1 Georgia’s slim lead and the Bulldogs beat No. 14 Missouri 30-21 on Saturday for his or her twenty sixth consecutive win.

Georgia (9-0, 6-0 Southeastern Convention, No. 2 School Soccer Playoff) needed to rally to win the important thing SEC East matchup towards Missouri (7-2, 3-2, No. 12 CFP).

The Tigers led 13-10 early within the second half. Georgia answered with two straight touchdowns, a 15-yard run by Kendall Milton and Carson Beck‘s 5-yard scoring pass to Oscar Delp. Beck accomplished 21 of 32 passes for 254 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Georgia led 27-21 when Stackhouse, a 6-foot-3, 320-pound senior, picked off Brady Cook‘s quick cross. Stackhouse rambled all the way in which to the Missouri 5, however a blindside block penalty towards Bulldogs linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. pushed Georgia again to its 30.

“Big,” stated Good of the interception, which Stackhouse stated was his first at any degree.

Added Good of Stackhouse’s return: “It was gradual movement. He did not understand how far he needed to run. He was out of breath about midway.”

Stackhouse was shocked to see the ball come his manner.

“I imagine (Prepare dinner) was attempting to throw the ball to the bottom and Smael hit his hand and the ball got here to me,” Stackhouse stated.

Stackhouse stated he was instructed he ran 17 or 18 mph on his return. Mentioned Good: “No probability. Solely manner he can hit 18 mph is on his bike or in his automotive.”

Following the interception, Daijun Edwards‘ 22-yard run helped arrange a 48-yard subject aim by Peyton Woodring, the freshman’s third of the sport and longest of his profession, that prolonged the lead.

Georgia’s protection got here by way of with one other interception when security Javon Bullard picked off Prepare dinner’s deep cross with 1:36 remaining.

“He bought us to the fourth quarter and he was powerful and gritty like he at all times is,” stated Missouri coach Eliah Drinkwitz of Prepare dinner.

“We have got to see what occurred on the turnovers,” Drinkwitz stated, however added “I am not disenchanted in any respect” within the play of his quarterback.

Milton’s scoring run was an vital carry for the Bulldogs’ sluggish operating recreation. The Tigers took a 151-131 benefit in speeding yards.

Cody Schrader‘s 12-yard scoring run and Prepare dinner’s 2-point cross to Luther Burden III, who had a landing catch earlier within the recreation, reduce Georgia’s result in 24-21. Schrader had 22 carries for 112 yards.

“We got here right here to win,” Schrader stated. “That was our goal. That’s our goal each week. We simply did not get the job executed at present.”

Dominic Lovett, a Missouri switch, caught a 6-yard scoring cross for the Bulldogs’ solely landing of the primary half.

Regardless of Georgia’s lengthy successful streak, the hard-fought first half was no shock. The Bulldogs needed to rally from a 10-point deficit to win at Missouri 26-22 final season.

“We’re disenchanted as a result of we put ourselves able to contend for the SEC East, which is the aim we’ve got in place,” Drinkwitz stated. “That’s actually not going to be in our management any longer. We’ve to refocus on what our new targets are.”

The Tigers survived a scare when Burden held his left ankle and was examined on the sphere within the second quarter. Burden returned later within the half and had three catches for 53 yards.

MISSOURI MILESTONE

Mevis gave Missouri a 13-10 lead with a 42-yard subject aim which gave the senior the college’s profession scoring report, passing Jeff Wolfert’s 363 factors from 2006-08.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Georgia may be anticipated to increase its roll of holding the No. 1 spot within the AP Top 25 poll for an SEC-record 20 consecutive weeks. But to be decided if the win will likely be sufficient to spice up the Bulldogs previous Ohio State for the CFP rating prime spot. Missouri could drop however ought to stay within the Prime 25.

THE TAKEAWAY

Missouri: The Tigers had success towards a Georgia offensive line which had allowed solely six sacks by way of eight video games. Missouri, which was tied for seventeenth within the nation with 24 sacks, dropped Beck twice within the first half and 3 times for the sport. Beck and Schrader have been the difference-makers on the bottom.

Georgia: The Bulldogs struggled to run the ball persistently, placing extra strain on a Georgia passing recreation that was lacking injured tight finish Brock Bowers for the second straight recreation. Beck overcame three sacks to reply the problem.

UP NEXT

Missouri: The Tigers play one other recreation towards a troublesome SEC East rival after they host No. 19 Tennessee subsequent Saturday.

Georgia: Continues its stretch of three consecutive video games towards ranked groups when it hosts No. 11 Mississippi subsequent Saturday.