Georgia Bulldogs Dominate Kentucky with Strong Ground Game in 35-14 Victory

Chauncey Bowens made an impressive debut as a starter, gaining 13 yards on his first carry and 19 on his second, contributing to a solid overall performance for the No. 12-ranked Georgia football team. The Bulldogs amassed 180 rushing yards and secured four touchdowns during their decisive 35-14 win over Kentucky at Sanford Stadium.

Bowens’ impactful runs were pivotal in the opening drive, which culminated in quarterback Gunner Stockton scoring the first of his two rushing touchdowns from 7 yards out, putting Georgia ahead 7-0.

The Bulldogs displayed an effective rushing strategy against the Wildcats, allowing the ground game to complement the passing attack led by Stockton and the wide receivers. Bowens, who recorded a personal best of 119 rushing yards last week against Alabama, tallied 70 yards on 15 carries against Kentucky. Stockton himself added 48 yards on six attempts, while Nate Frazier contributed with 34 yards from seven carries.

All scoring touchdowns on the ground came from non-running back players, with Stockton scoring twice on runs of 7 and 6 yards. Wide receiver Dillon Bell added two more touchdowns with 3-yard runs and emerged as Georgia’s leading receiver, catching four passes for 68 yards.

“Gunner plays better when he gets a couple of runs in and loosens up and feels good,” remarked Georgia coach Kirby Smart, praising his quarterback, who completed 15 of 23 passes for 196 yards, including a touchdown and an interception.

Bowens has been on a roll in his last two games, showcasing both speed and strength. He had a standout performance against Alabama, highlighted by a career-long 43-yard run and four catches for 22 yards. His early runs against Kentucky set a fast tempo for the Bulldogs.

Georgia linebacker Raylen Wilson noted, “What Bowens has done recently is what the defense has seen since the start of preseason practice,” emphasizing the consistency in his performance.

Bell has proven to be a versatile asset for the Georgia offense throughout his career. This season, he has accumulated 11 receptions for 89 yards alongside five carries for 42 yards and two touchdowns. His previous game included a notable 43-yard run against Alabama.

“I feel like the type of team we have and the receiving group we have, anybody can have a big day,” Bell stated. “When the opportunity comes, you’ve got to present yourself and do what you do.”

While Georgia’s touchdowns came from both a quarterback and a wide receiver, running back Cash Jones contributed a unique scoring play, turning a short pass into a 16-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 35-7 late in the third quarter.

Unlike previous matches this season where Georgia fell behind, the Bulldogs took command early against Kentucky, scoring on their first two drives to establish a 14-0 lead, with those possessions combining for 25 plays and lasting over 11 minutes.

Georgia controlled the game clock effectively, finishing with over seven minutes of time of possession advantage at 33:38 to 26:22. This margin was even greater before many starters rested in the fourth quarter, during which Kentucky embarked on a lengthy 20-play drive that ended with an interception by Ellis Robinson IV in the end zone.

Wilson emphasized the importance of the offense’s ability to control the game, sharing, “The defense loves it when Georgia’s offense controls the ball and the clock like that,” while they held Kentucky to six plays or fewer on non-scoring drives multiple times in the first three quarters.

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