No. 9 Georgia escaped what would have arguably been the biggest upset in NCAA football history Saturday with a 26-24 win over the visiting Colonels.
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Offensive Line: Georgia head coach Kirby Smart has voiced his concern over the offensive line, and that group showed why on Saturday. They tallied 236 yards of total offense on 61 plays. The kick was good, and with 2:06 left in the half, Nicholls had cut the lead to three, 10-7.
His longest pass of the day was the 66-yard pass to McKenzie. Taylor rushed for 49 yards on 14 carries helping Nicholls gain 125 rushing yards against Georgia’s defense. Although he scored Georgia’s only touchdown in the first half, he ran for just 17 yards on nine carries.
Later in the quarter, Isaiah McKenzie fumbled away the ball at the Georgia Tech 9, giving the Colonels another scoring chance.
The Bulldogs added to their lead after a second field goal to open the second half. Ham is now 3-of-5 kicking on field goals this season, with his misses coming from 42 and 52 yards out. Eason became the sixth true freshman QB in school history to start a game, and the first since Matthew Stafford in 2006. As Lambert started and played near the end of halves, Eason got playing time in the middle. Junior Glenn Welch snapped for the first time on PATs and punts. This was his second career start. Both Eason and Lambert will be evaluated again before a decision is made before the Missouri game. Hegedus played in 20 games and started one for N.C. State in 2012-13 before transferring to UGA.
McKenzie finished with two receptions for 61 yards.
One of two things just happened: Georgia survived a wake up call they desperately needed, or they were exposed as pretenders in the SEC title and playoff races. He was intercepted for the first time by cornerback Jeff Hall, who ran it 91 yards down the field, breaking a few tackles along the way. The Bulldogs went three-and-out on their next possession.
Georgia got the first of two interceptions on the Colonels’ first drive when Chase Fourcade’s third down pass was intercepted by Juwan Briscoe at the Georgia 46. The game is also airing on a live stream online. Nicholls State fought hard, but that’s still not an excuse. Two plays later, Aaron Davis forced a fumble, as Lorenzo Carter got the scoop-and-score to put the Colonels at a 26-14 distance after three. Last year, his least productive game was his 16 carry, 120-yard game against ULM. Tuskani Figaro is returning as the quarterback of the Colonels after posting 925 yards and four touchdowns a year ago.
That led to a Nicholls State field goal.
The Bulldogs are now minus one in turnover ratio.
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The lead was short lived however as Georgia struck twice with two big plays, one on offense and one of defense. Kickoff at John L. Guidry Stadium is scheduled for 3 p.m.
