No. 1 Georgia Survives Scare From Kentucky

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The No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs (3-0) opened SEC play with a 13-12 nail-biter against the Kentucky Wildcats (1-2) on Sept. 14 in Lexington, Ky. Georgia coach Kirby Smart and his squad are used to winning games big, but the Bulldogs secured this one late when Kentucky punted the ball at midfield with just under 3 minutes to go.

Game Summary

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck had a forgettable game, completing 15-of-24 passes for 160 yards with 0 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. The Bulldog offense as a whole struggled in this one.

The Georgia run game produced 30 carries for 102 yards. The only player with a decent game in the running department was running back Trevor Etienne, who had 19 carries for 79 yards, with the bulk of those yards coming on the Bulldogs' only touchdown drive of the game in the fourth quarter.

The Bulldogs' lone touchdown drive proved to be the difference maker in the low-scoring affair.

Turning Point: Georgia

The play that turned the tide in this game was running back Branson Robinson's touchdown run for the Bulldogs early in the fourth quarter.

The Wildcats' defense had been pretty decent on third down against the Bulldogs in this one, but on 3rd-and-2 from the Wildcats' 3-yard line, Robinson crossed the goal line to give the Bulldogs the lead.

Robinson's touchdown carry was only the second time he had touched the ball all game, and it happened to be at the perfect time as it helped put the Bulldogs ahead for good.

The Bulldogs' run game is usually way better than the statline they put up against Kentucky, but it was just enough for them to emerge victorious.

What It Means

As for the Bulldogs, they have a lot to clean up going into their bye week. They are lucky to have the break before going to Tuscaloosa, Ala. on Sept. 28 to play the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide (3-0) at 7:30 p.m. EST on ABC. Smart should not be happy with his team, but he will be happy that they barely came out of this one with the victory.

As for the Wildcats, they also have a lot to clean up. The fact that they settled for four field goals in this one and punted the ball away with under 3 minutes to play is shocking. They had several opportunities to reach the end zone and make a name for themselves against the nation's top team. Next week, Kentucky will host the Ohio Bobcats (2-1) on Sept. 21 at 12:45 p.m. EST on SEC Network.