Georgia Bulldogs Earn Bowl Eligibility, Beat UK 27-3

The Georgia Bulldogs handled the distractions of this week well and beat the Kentucky Wildcats, 27-3, to become bowl eligible for the 15th time under HC Mark Richt.

The Georgia Bulldogs move to 6-3 (4-3) on the year after beating their SEC East foe Kentucky at home on a rainy Saturday, 27-3. Interestingly enough, this is the same score UGA lost by last week down in Jacksonville to Florida.

Jeremy Pruitt’s defense played an inspired brand of football, limiting QB Patrick Towles and company to only 177 yards of total offense (101 passing, 76 rushing).

-= Related: Georgia Bulldogs Trudging Through Tumultuous Thursday =-

Safety Dominick Sanders had two interceptions on the day for the Dawgs. Though Sanders returned picks for 62 yards, he did fumble his first pick of Towles inside the red zone on the return. Fortunately, UK’s offense was ineffective today, only scoring one field goal Between the Hedges.

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The Georgia Bulldogs ran the darn ball 52 times versus ten passes Saturday afternoon, many times in the Wild Dog formation. UGA’s first touchdown in nearly a month came on a Terry Godwin scamper from said formation to make it 6-0 Georgia in the first quarter. Godwin had four carries for 26 yards and a touchdown.

Sony Michel carried the football 24 times for 165 yards and a touchdown. Keep in mind that he was playing with a broken right wrist, only being able to carry the ball in his left arm. Great day for Sony Michel!

Keith Marshall carried the rock 13 times for 60 yards. He had one reception, albeit a big one: a 10-yard touchdown on a Greyson Lambert screen pass. Marshall used a great stiff arm and tight rope walked into the end zone to help get the Dawgs over the top.

It was the running backs and the quarterbacks not turning the football over that got the Georgia Bulldogs to bowl eligibility. The defense showed up in a big way today, making Towles uncomfortable all afternoon. Though he is inconsistent, I would still say he’s a top half quarterback in the SEC. Kentucky has now lost four straight games and has to win 2 of their final 3 to get to bowl eligibility.

Georgia can now exhale, as their Dawgs are going to a bowl for the 15th time in the Mark Richt Era. Though Dawg Nation assumes a bowl every year, I honestly had doubts after the pitiful performance against Florida.

Next: Georgia Bulldogs Battle Kentucky Wildcats at Noon

The Georgia Bulldogs had their backs against the wall all week, but managed to find a way to win their fourth SEC game of 2015. They could still finish 9-3 (5-3) with wins @Auburn, vs. Georgia Southern, and @Georgia Tech. A sixth win of the season never felt so good. I’m proud of the team for fighting through a distraction filled week to become bowl eligible. Why the program can’t do this regularly, that’s another discussion for another time. Go Dawgs!