3 Up’s, 3 Down’s from Georgia’s 49-21 Win Over UAB
![ATHENS, GA - SEPTEMBER 23: Brock Bowers #19 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs for a touchdown during a game between University of Alabama Birmingham and University of Georgia at Sanford Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images) ATHENS, GA - SEPTEMBER 23: Brock Bowers #19 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs for a touchdown during a game between University of Alabama Birmingham and University of Georgia at Sanford Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/672738e67b16236592cf6b133b8c90160efc3f33fe30d511e588ceef2a6d9393.jpg)
Up – The 3rd Quarter
Georgia continues to dominate the 3rd quarter this season. On Saturday, the Dawgs turned a 28-14 halftime lead (right after that UAB TD to end the half) into a 42-14 blowout in the 3rd quarter. On the year, Georgia has now outscored opponents 56-0 in the 3rd quarter. In fact, Georgia has outscored each of their four opponents exactly 14-0 in the 3rd quarter this year.
In Saturday’s third quarter, Georgia’s defense forced a 3&out to get things started. Georgia’s offense then went run-heavy to march down the field and score on their first drive to make it 35-14. On that drive, Georgia ran the ball 9 times for 46 yards (5.1 yards per carry), plus had a 13 yard completion to Bowers. Georgia’s defense then forced another quick punt. The next drive featured a long pass to Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint (a 50 yard completion) and was capped off by a Bowers 10 yard TD reception.
When you stretch Georgia’s 3rd Q numbers to include the 2nd quarter, Georgia is now outscoring opponents 118-21 in the middle two quarters this season. While Georgia would like to start better early, the Dawgs have dominated middle portions of games this season (by an average of 29.5-5.25 per game).
Down – Turnovers
It wasn’t the cleanest game for the Bulldogs, especially in regards to turnovers. A couple of Georgia fumbles in the first half allowed UAB to stay in the game. What has been a strength of Georgia’s up to this point, the return game, faltered on Saturday as Georgia had multiple fumbles in the 1st half during returns.
On the final play of the 1st quarter, Georgia had just forced a 3 & out and looked to get the ball back with good field position. The usually dangerous returner Mekhi Mews fumbled the punt return however as his arm was hit by a shoulder. This led to UAB getting good field position themselves and tying the game up 7-7 a few plays later.
Although it did not really cause much harm, Dillon Bell then later fumbled a kickoff return in the final seconds of the 1st half after UAB had trimmed the lead to 28-14. While Georgia would have knee’d out the final seconds (which is what UAB did), it’s worrisome to see two fumbles in the return game in the same half. Third-string QB Gunner Stockton also threw an interception late in the game. While this did not lead to a score and was with reserves in the final minutes, it was Georgia’s third turnover of the game.