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Top-Ranked Georgia Rallies From 11-Point Deficit to Defeat South Carolina 24-14

by Madison Thomas
10 comments
Georgia's comeback victory

Top-ranked Georgia entered halftime facing an 11-point deficit, their largest in nearly three years, amid audible dissatisfaction from the home crowd. However, the team’s performance in the second half was nothing short of championship-level.

Quarterback Carson Beck threw for 269 yards while Daijun Edwards, Dillon Bell, and Cash Jones all contributed rushing touchdowns, helping Georgia overcome South Carolina with a 24-14 victory on Saturday.

Head Coach Kirby Smart expressed enthusiasm at halftime, saying, “I knew we would find out what kind of team we have.” The team responded impressively in the final two quarters, extending their winning streak to 20 games and erasing a 14-3 shortfall.

Georgia (3-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) effectively neutralized South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler and his offense, limiting them to a meager 129 yards in the second half. Post-halftime, Rattler completed just 6 out of 24 passes for 104 yards and threw two interceptions on a day that proved increasingly disheartening for the Gamecocks (1-2, 0-1).

Rattler reflected on the loss, attributing it to “self-inflicted stuff,” and surmised that a different outcome could have been possible with fewer mistakes.

With a 27-of-35 passing completion rate, Georgia’s offense scored on three of its first four possessions in the second half. The single exception was a drive that concluded with a missed field goal. Edwards, who sat out the first two games due to a lingering knee issue, rushed for 118 yards on 20 carries.

In his first year as Georgia’s starting quarterback, Beck noted the team’s second-half composure, saying, “We came out with energy. We were composed, we were poised, and we started making plays.”

Georgia gained its first lead before the third quarter was half over, following a series of efficient drives that resulted in touchdowns by Edwards and Bell. The victory was sealed when Cash Jones scored a 13-yard touchdown with just over 9 minutes remaining on the clock.

“The biggest thing is figuring out ways to win,” stated center Sedrick Van Pran.

In a surprising first half, Rattler had been effective against the Bulldogs, completing 16 of 18 passes for 152 yards and including a 17-yard touchdown pass to Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr. However, Wells sustained a foot injury on the play and was unable to return.

Georgia did manage to score via Peyton Woodring’s 31-yard field goal, but another touchdown by South Carolina extended their lead, especially after Woodring missed another field goal attempt from 28 yards out.

The Gamecocks’ head coach, Shane Beamer, summed up the match, stating, “We just went toe-to-toe with the No. 1 team in the country and back-to-back defending national champions. We just weren’t able to get it done.”

Key Takeaways

South Carolina: The Gamecocks demonstrated considerable potential in the first half, yet their second-half performance showed they are not yet ready for high-stakes competition in the SEC.

Georgia: The Bulldogs’ running game benefited from the return of Edwards, but concerns loom in the kicking department, traditionally a strong suit for the team. Woodring is only 3 of 6 this season, including two misses from less than 30 yards.

Injury Update

Georgia lost offensive tackle Amarius Mims to a severe left ankle sprain in the first half, and running back Kendall Milton departed with a troubling left knee issue. The Bulldogs were already without receiver Ladd McConkey due to a back problem, and safety Javon Bullard who sustained an ankle injury the previous week.

As for South Carolina’s Wells, he may have sustained a broken bone in his left foot.

Poll Implications

Despite the second-half turnaround, Georgia is expected to maintain its No. 1 ranking, although they may lose some first-place votes.

Upcoming Games

South Carolina will host Mississippi State next Saturday in its first SEC home game. Georgia will conclude a four-game homestand against non-conference opponent UAB next Saturday.

For more on college football, visit AP College Football and AP Top 25 College Football Poll.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Georgia’s comeback victory

What was the final score of the Georgia vs. South Carolina game?

The final score of the game was Georgia 24, South Carolina 14.

Who were the standout players for Georgia?

Quarterback Carson Beck threw for 269 yards, and running back Daijun Edwards rushed for 118 yards on 20 carries. Both were crucial in Georgia’s second-half comeback.

How many games has Georgia now won consecutively?

Georgia has extended its winning streak to 20 consecutive games.

What was Georgia’s halftime deficit?

Georgia faced an 11-point deficit at halftime, which was their largest in nearly three years.

How did Spencer Rattler of South Carolina perform?

Spencer Rattler completed 6 of 24 passes for 104 yards in the second half and threw two interceptions. His performance diminished after a strong first half.

Were there any significant injuries during the game?

Georgia lost offensive tackle Amarius Mims to a severe left ankle sprain, and running back Kendall Milton left the game with a left knee issue. South Carolina’s Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr. may have a broken bone in his left foot.

How did the game affect the rankings?

Despite the second-half turnaround, Georgia is expected to maintain its No. 1 ranking, although they may lose some first-place votes.

What are the upcoming games for both teams?

South Carolina will host Mississippi State in its first SEC home game next Saturday. Georgia will conclude a four-game homestand against non-conference opponent UAB next Saturday.

What are some of the key takeaways from the game?

South Carolina showed promise but needs improvement to compete in the SEC. Georgia overcame early challenges, particularly in the running and passing game, but faces concerns in the kicking department.

Did the weather impact the game?

The game was played on a soggy day, but it’s not clear to what extent the weather affected the performance of either team.

More about Georgia’s comeback victory

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10 comments

Mike_Jones September 17, 2023 - 6:18 pm

Wow, Georgia really pulled it off! was worried in the 1st half but they showed why they’re No. 1.

Reply
SaraW September 17, 2023 - 6:44 pm

Those injuries tho. Hope Mims and Milton are ok. Injuries can change the game so much.

Reply
JustHere4TheGame September 17, 2023 - 9:47 pm

Beck is turning out to be quite the QB. First year as a starter and he’s showing some serious poise.

Reply
FootballFanatic September 18, 2023 - 1:37 am

Edwards is a beast! 118 yards after missing two games? that’s what I call making a statement.

Reply
Caroline92 September 18, 2023 - 2:14 am

Rattler was so good in the first half, what happened? The Bulldogs D just flipped a switch or what.

Reply
SteveK September 18, 2023 - 8:22 am

kicking game’s gotta improve. Can’t afford those misses in tighter games down the line.

Reply
GeorgiaPeach September 18, 2023 - 12:08 pm

So proud of my Dawgs! but that first half had me biting my nails for sure.

Reply
TouchdownTom September 18, 2023 - 12:23 pm

20-game winning streak, let’s keep it going Bulldogs! But seriously, that kicking game needs work.

Reply
SECfan September 18, 2023 - 12:30 pm

Impressed with South Carolina, honestly. They kept up well in the first half. Just couldn’t finish it.

Reply
Analytic_Al September 18, 2023 - 1:21 pm

South Carolina’s not ready for prime time, but they’re getting there. Watch out, SEC.

Reply

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