Athens, Ga. — The No. 12 Georgia Bulldogs wasted no time shaking off last week’s disappointment, bouncing back from their loss to Alabama with a commanding 35–14 victory over Kentucky on Saturday.
Quarterback Gunner Stockton led the charge, scoring two early rushing touchdowns and throwing for another as Georgia (4–1, 2–1 SEC) stormed out to a 14–0 first-quarter lead and never looked back. The Bulldogs, whose 33-game home winning streak ended a week ago, looked rejuvenated from the opening drive.
“There wasn’t an ounce of surprise in how our team responded,” said head coach Kirby Smart. “They came ready to work. If we keep improving like this, we’ll end up where we need to be.”
Stockton accounted for 244 total yards, completing 15 of 23 passes for 196 yards and a touchdown to Cash Jones, while rushing six times for 48 yards and two scores. Receiver Dillon Bell continued to show his versatility, adding two short touchdown runs — one on an end-around and another on a reverse — to go along with a 33-yard reception that set up Jones’ score.
For Kentucky (2–3, 0–3 SEC), quarterback Cutter Boley threw for 225 yards and two touchdowns, but the Wildcats couldn’t keep pace. The loss marked Georgia’s 16th straight win over Kentucky, a streak dating back to 2009.
Smart praised his team’s fast start, a welcome change after back-to-back games in which Georgia trailed at halftime.
“Our goal every week is to come out swinging, and we finally did that,” Smart said. “We’re tough, we’re physical, and we’re resilient — that’s what keeps you in championship conversations.”
Early Domination
Georgia opened the game with back-to-back touchdown drives, covering 75 and 96 yards respectively. Stockton capped both with determined runs — first diving inside the pylon from seven yards out, then faking out a linebacker for a six-yard score.
Receiver London Humphreys also made a crucial special teams play late in the first half. After a 60-yard punt by Brett Thorson, Humphreys saved it from becoming a touchback by knocking it out of bounds at Kentucky’s 1-yard line. The Wildcats quickly went three-and-out, setting Georgia up for a short-field touchdown on Bell’s first score of the day.
Missed Chances Doom Wildcats
Kentucky’s miscues proved costly. Trailing 21–7 late in the second quarter, the Wildcats mismanaged the clock on a promising drive, wasting valuable seconds before burning a timeout. That left them with just one shot at the end zone from Georgia’s 8-yard line, which fell incomplete. Kicker Jacob Kauwe then missed a 26-yard field goal just before halftime.
Any hope of a comeback faded early in the third quarter when a Kentucky fumble gave Georgia another short field, setting up Bell’s second touchdown.
Since their upset win at Ole Miss last year, the Wildcats are just 3–9 overall and still winless against Power Four opponents during that stretch.
Stoops Responds to Rumors
After the game, Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops forcefully denied rumors that he’s discussed a buyout or resignation with school officials.
“There’s zero truth to that,” Stoops said. “I’m not walking away, and I’m not quitting. Anyone saying otherwise is lying. I’m here to fight for this program.”
Now in his 13th season, Stoops holds a 69–76 overall record and 28–65 mark in SEC play.
Bulldogs Reassert Identity
Georgia’s dominance up front was evident again, even after losing starting left tackle Monroe Freeling to a leg injury. Running back Chauncey Bowens led the ground attack with 70 yards, as the Bulldogs piled up 180 rushing yards in total. Defensively, Georgia limited Kentucky to just 45 yards on the ground and forced their first fumble recovery of the season.
The Bulldogs have not lost consecutive regular-season games since 2016 — a streak they continued emphatically on Saturday.
What’s Next:
Kentucky: After a bye week, the Wildcats return home to face No. 9 Texas on October 18.
Georgia: The Bulldogs hit the road next Saturday to face Auburn in the renewal of the Deep South’s oldest rivalry.
