Georgia put on a masterful display of domination Saturday night at home, especially in the fourth quarter of its 35-10 victory over Texas.
The Bulldogs (9-1, 7-1), who led 14-10 going into the final quarter, performed better than the Longhorns when it mattered most. They physically dominated, scoring 21 points to secure the lopsided win.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said his players take pride in being physical, especially in the fourth quarter.
“It’s the approach we take,” Smart said. “We’re gonna validate in the fourth quarter, which is what we do in practice. It’s what we do in the offseason. It’s what we build our core culture around, is being a more physical team.”
The Bulldogs led 14-3 at halftime and late into the third quarter when Texas quarterback Arch Manning threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to receiver Ryan Wingo. For a moment, it appeared like the momentum had shifted to the Longhorns.
Georgia responded strongly, however, as it regained possession with 5:27 left in the third quarter and the drive continued into the fourth. Quarterback Gunner Stockton threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to receiver London Humphreys on the second play of the final period, making the score 21-10 after the PAT.
On that drive, the Bulldogs took risks, converting two fourth downs to keep the possession alive.
Georgia then took another gamble on the next kickoff. They chose an onside kick, and it paid off. Kicker Peyton Woodring flawlessly placed the ball 12 yards downfield, where running back Cash Jones recovered it.
“We worked on that a lot, and we practiced a lot. A little walk-on kid from Texas, Cash Jones, I bet you he’s taken 250 reps of that in his time being here,” Smart said. “He kept asking me, when are we ever going to call it?”
The onside kick took the wind out of Texas’s sails, as the Longhorn defense had just been on the field and had to go back out. The Bulldogs had fully taken control of the game at that point, but weren’t quite yet done.
“It’s heartbreaking when that happens, because you just gave up a touchdown, and the defense is over there drinking water, and they all of a sudden have to go back out,” Smart said of the onside kick. “I don’t know what the continuous time was that they were on the field. Our offense, it’s like a big, strong anaconda just squeezing you. You get squeezed, and you finally catch a little air, and then they’re back trying to suffocate you.”
Georgia quickly scored again as Stockton connected with tight end Lawson Luckie for a 7-yard touchdown.
Texas then went three-and-out on the next possession, followed by the Bulldog offense putting more points on the board. Stockton sealed the 35-point victory by scrambling into the end zone from four yards out.
Beyond outscoring Texas 21-0 in the fourth quarter, Georgia outgained the Longhorns on offense, gaining 119 yards to their 34. The Bulldogs also dominated the time of possession, holding the ball for 11:18 of the final period.
“You have to recruit physical players, and they have to buy into that process,” Smart said. “I don’t know that a lot of these kids nowadays want to check. They don’t want physicality. When you have to check and there’s no physicality, you end up with nothing. So, you’re not just getting checks at our place; we’re hitting people.”