Georgia dominates Texas: No 5 Bulldogs run away from No. 10 Longhorns in their most complete win of the season

Georgia faced a fourth-and-1 from its own 36 late in the third quarter, leading 14-10. Conventional wisdom said punt. Kirby Smart said otherwise. The Bulldogs kept the offense on the field, and Gunner Stockton hit Chauncey Bownes for 10 yards to move the chains. A failure there would have given Texas a short field and momentum while trailing by just four. Instead, Georgia marched down the field and scored on the second play of the fourth quarter.

Then came Smart's next big gamble -- the one that will define Georgia's 2025 win over Texas. The Bulldogs executed a surprise onside kick to perfection, stealing another possession and all but erasing Texas' chance to rally.

The fourth-down conversion and onside kick flipped the game's complexion and helped Georgia dominate time of possession by more than 10 minutes.

Even after a five-touchdown performance in a win over a top-10 opponent, Gunner Stockton's Heisman odds were just +2500 at FanDuel Sportsbook. 

The redshirt junior is up to 27 total touchdowns and nearly 2,300 passing yards with two games still remaining. While he did throw an uncharacteristic interception against the Longhorns, it was only his third of the season.

Stockton has quietly blossomed into one of the nation's best quarterbacks, delivering in three wins over top-15 opponents. Reaching the SEC Championship Game would do wonders for his Heisman case, and that remains on the table. But even if no major individual hardware awaits him, Stockton has more than answered any lingering questions about whether he deserved to be Georgia's clear-cut starter.

Penalties have plagued Texas all season, and they proved costly against Georgia. After the Bulldogs surged ahead 14-3 in the second quarter, Ryan Niblett returned the ensuing kickoff 59 yards into Georgia territory -- only to have it called back for holding. A subsequent false start pushed the Longhorns back even further.

Early in the third quarter, Texas used a couple of chunk completions to reach Georgia territory. But on a second-and-7 play, lineman Connor Robertson was called for holding, stalling a promising drive.

Later, Georgia faced a fourth-and-5 from the Texas 49. The Bulldogs drew the Longhorns offsides, extending the drive and eventually scoring a touchdown.

In total, Texas was flagged nine times for 58 yards. Georgia committed just one penalty.

Final: Georgia 35, Texas 10

Georgia continued its recent bullying of Texas in emphatic fashion Saturday night, as the No. 5 Bulldogs crushed the No. 10 Longhorns 35-10 to improve to 3-0 in the series since they became SEC foes last year. In the first-ever meeting at Sanford Stadium between the historic powers, Georgia left little room for debate over who was the better team.

The Bulldogs jumped out to a 14-3 lead early in the second quarter and then used a 21-0 fourth quarter to pull away and leave a mark on the visiting Longhorns. Coming off a bye, Texas struggled offensively, committed costly penalties and got out-coached by Georgia's Kirby Smart.

Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton also outplayed counterpart Arch Manning. Stockton finished with five total touchdowns — four as a passer and one as a runner — while completing 24 of 29 passes for 229 yards. Stockton threw an interception midway through the third quarter to give Texas a short field. The Longhorns capitalized to draw within 14-10. But that's when the Bulldogs began their vicious game-ending flurry. Stockton put the finishing touches on the outcome with a 4-yard touchdown run at the 4:43 mark. 

Now 9-1 (7-1 SEC), Georgia is all but assured of a spot in the College Football Playoff. However, it remains uncertain if the Bulldogs will get a chance to defend their SEC title since Alabama and Texas A&M are each unbeaten in league play. The Dawgs close the regular season with Charlotte, a lowly American Athletic conference opponent, and rival Georgia Tech. Texas' CFP future is significantly more more murky after the Longhorns (7-3, 4-2) suffered a potentially fatal third loss.

Gunner Stockton just added a rushing touchdown to his tally, as the Georgia quarterback scampered in for a 4-yard touchdown to make it 35-10. That was his fifth total touchdown. The redshirt junior started hot and is finishing hot as the Bulldogs close in on a pivotal victory. Stockton isn't getting much love in the Heisman Trophy race, but he's been great. Aside from the one interception during a dry spell for the Bulldogs, he's been close to perfect agains the Longhorns.

8:53 4Q: Georgia 28, Texas 10

Georgia just seized this game with a brilliant 14-0 run that included an onside kick and two clock-bleeding drives that leave Texas with a likely insurmountable 18-point deficit and fewer than nine minutes remaining. It was a coaching masterclass from Kirby Smart, who took calculated risks that totally changed the complexion of this game. The latest touchdown was Gunner Stockton's fourth through the air, as he hit Lawson Luckie for a 6-yard touchdown pass on a roll-out play.

Early 4Q: Georgia 21, Texas 10

Georgia just changed the entire football game with a touchdown and an onside kick. On the second play of the fourth quarter, Gunner Stockton fired a missile over the middle for London Humphreys. With no one near him, Humphreys corralled it and galavanted into the end zone for a 30-yard touchdown to make it a two-possession game. That was a brutal defensive breakdown for Texas. Holding the Bulldogs to a field goal there would have changed the complexion of this fourth quarter. After the score, the Bulldogs executed a perfect onside kick. What a sequence from the Bulldogs.

End 3Q: Georgia 14, Texas 10

The fourth quarter dawns with Georgia driving, thanks to a bold decision from Kirby Smart. Facing a fourth-and-1 from his own 36-yard line, Smart kept his offense on the field. Mike Bobo dialed up a play-action pass, and Gunner Stockton hit Chauncey Bowns for a 10-yard gain to keep the chains moving. Failing to convert there would have given Texas a short field for the second straight possession. It was a huge call and huge conversion from the Bulldogs, who are seeking to get points on the board for the first time since early in the second quarter. 

5:27 3Q: Georgia 14, Texas 10

It took a while, but Texas finally broke through for a touchdown after Anthony Hill Jr.'s interception gave the Longhorns a short field. Arch Manning hit Ryan Wingo for a 7-yard touchdown strike after a crushing pass interference penalty against the Bulldogs. Zion Branch was called for UGA's first penalty of the day on a third-and-13. It bailed the Longhorns out, and Manning hit Wingo on the next play. Circle that sequence as one to remember if this game goes down to the wire.

Mid 3Q: Georgia 14, Texas 3

After a few consecutive possessions of subdued offensive production, Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton just forced a throw over the middle. He was looking for Dillon Bell, but Anthony Hill Jr. was sitting in a soft bubble and picked it clean to give Texas great field position. That's exactly what the Longhorns needed to potentially change the complexion of the game.

Penalties have been a problem for Texas all game, and a hold just wrecked the Longhorns on their first possession of the second half.  The call on Connor Robertson moved Texas back into Georgia territory and put them behind the chains, leading to a punt. Texas can't get out of its own way tonight offensively, and that's making a thin margin for error even thinner. The Longhorns' defense is playing great, but the offense keeps impeding the overall progress.

Texas must limit mistakes in the second half. The Longhorns had a big kickoff return called back for holding and have been flagged seven times. Georgia, by contrast, hasn't committed a penalty. The Arch Manning interception was also costly, as the Longhorns were driving and in field goal range when he threw it. Otherwise Manning was good in the first half, but he didn't get much help from his receivers who were credited with three drops.

Half: Georgia 14, Texas 3

Facing a fourth-and-5 from Texas 45-yard line with 44 seconds remaining in the first half, Kirby Smart opted to play it safe and punt. Texas took over with under 30 seconds remaining and looked intent on trying to move the football. But after Arch Manning was sacked on first down, they let the rest of the clock run out. Though the Longhorns are down 11, the Texas defense deserves a ton of credit for buckling down in the second quarter and keeping the Bulldogs from building a potentially insurmountable lead.

Texas was rolling until Arch Manning misfired on a slant route that sailed into the arms of Georgia safety KJ Bolden. His third-and-4 attempt was intended for DeAndre Moore Jr. Brutal end to a promising series for the Longhorns, who came up with a stop and then bit off a few big chunks. Stanford transfer Emmett Mosley V is shining in the first half for Texas. The sophomore speedster has three grabs, including one that went for 16 yards on that drive before the interception.

Backed up deep in its own territory, Texas got a jolt on a late-developing crossing route, as Arch Manning found KJ Bolden for a gain of 40. Manning went downfield on the next play and almost had Ryan Wingo, but he couldn't quite corral it. After two more incompletions, Texas punted it back to Georgia. Manning is throwing the football fairly well, but the Longhorns' receivers aren't helping him much. With Georgia up 14-3 and getting the football to start the third quarter, this is dangerous territory for the Longhorns. They need a defensive stand.

Georgia has faced just one third-and-long on its first two drives. The Bulldogs are in their bag. Zachariah Branch got his hands on the football for a 30-yard gain to put UGA in the red zone, and Gunner Stockton found Noah Thomas for his second touchdown grab of the night from there. Stockton is 10 of 11 for 103 yards and two touchdowns. He's also totaled 18 yards on the ground and appears to be in total command of this game. The Bulldogs are rolling offensively and putting early pressure on the Texas offense to produce a response.

End 1Q: Georgia 7, Texas 3

Georgia's defense just blew up a cutesy third-and-2 dump-off to tight end Jack Endries and have the football and the lead entering the second quarter. The Longhorns have been living on dink and dunk stuff during their past couple of wins, and Georgia's defense appeared ready for it there. Of course it also helped that there was a ton of pressure in Arch Manning's face as he released the ball. Impressive three-and-out from the UGA defense after the Longhorns moved the ball on their first series. The big question for Georgia will be if/how much it attempts to run the ball moving forward after eschewing the run altogether on its opening series.

Georgia's offense issued an impressive response to Texas' first series, as the Bulldogs drove 75 yards and scored the game's first touchdown on a 17-yard strike from Gunner Stockton to Noah Thomas. There was no effort from UGA to run the football on that series. Instead, Mike Bobo left the football in Stockton's hands, which worked out well. On one RPO keeper, he scampered around the left side for a gain of 20.

8:53 Q1: Texas 3, Georgia 0

Arch Manning hit Ryan Wingo in the hands on a crossing route as the Longhorns faced a third-and-8 in the red zone. But he dropped the pass, which left the Longhorns with little choice but to kick a 33-yard field goal. That was a disappointing end to an otherwise successful opening series for Texas. The Longhorns wasted no time marching the football down the field on Georgia. A 19-yard out route to DeAndre Moore Jr. jumpstarted the drive before Quintrevion Wisner busted a 16-yard run up the middle.

The first-round College Football Playoff bye is a cake-topper all national championship contenders covet this time of year. The extra prep time didn't help reigning SEC champion Georgia last season after falling to Notre Dame in the quarterfinals, but this time around, it's an opportunity that could resurface should the No. 5 Bulldogs win out.

That begins with Saturday's showdown against No. 10 Texas, which has four won straight SEC games to stay in the playoff picture.

No SEC title needed? Why Georgia is playing for a first-round bye in College Football Playoff against Texas

Brad Crawford

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But for a few changes of fortune, Texas could be lining up against Arch Manning. Georgia was front and center in the recruitment and ended up being one of the biggest opponents for Texas in their pursuit of the most high-profile recruit of all time. The Longhorns won out by a comfortable margin with Manning, but Georgia was right there in the thick of the fight. 

'He had to pick one': How Texas beat Georgia for Arch Manning -- and what it means now

Mike Roach

No. 5 Georgia hosts No. 10 Texas Saturday night in the marquee game of the Week 12 college football schedule, and Kirby Smart left no stone unturned when it comes to preparing for the Longhorns. 

Smart confirmed on Wednesday's SEC coaches teleconference that he had fired Florida coach Billy Napier come by the Dawgs' practice on Tuesday. An ex-Florida coach swinging by the practice of his former top rival would be notable any week, but especially with Georgia set to face Texas, a team Napier's Gators upset in their biggest win of the season.

Kirby Smart brought fired Florida coach Billy Napier to Bulldogs practice in preparation for Texas

Robby Kalland

The Bulldogs are navigating life without starting nose tackle Jordan Hall, who will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury suffered in Georgia's win over Florida Gators. However, UGA managed its first game without him well by generating three sacks and holding Mississippi State's run game in check last week. Pressuring the quarterback isn't this group's strength, but Georgia has proven to be strong against the run, ranking 12th nationally in rush defense. The Longhorns have struggled to run the ball effectively against SEC opposition, and changing that against Georgia won't be easy.

Texas quarterback Arch Manning is coming off consecutive 300-plus yard, three-touchdown performances in critical SEC victories. However, the Longhorns' downfield passing attack is still a work in progress. Of Manning's 328 passing yards in a 34-31 win over Vanderbilt Commodores, 258 came on yards after the catch as the Commodores struggled to tackle. Georgia is better equipped on the perimeter defensively to handle the swing passes and quick hits that have defined Manning's recent renaissance. Is he capable of making the Bulldogs pay by connecting on a few deep shots?

Even with a loss to Texas, Georgia's path to the playoff would remain viable. The Bulldogs would need to beat Charlotte 49ers next week and close with a win over rival Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. At 10-2 and with a victories over the No. 16 Yellow Jackets, No. 7 Ole Miss Rebels and No. 23 Tennessee Volunteers, the Bulldogs would have a strong at-large resume. However, the picture is decidedly cloudier for Texas if the Longhorns lose. Even at 9-3 with potential wins over Arkansas Razorbacks and Texas A&M Aggies to close the season, the Longhorns would be on shaky ground. Wins over No. 11 Oklahoma Sooners, No. 3 Texas A&M and No. 14 Vanderbilt might be get them in as a three-loss team. But Texas would likely need some help in the form of losses from other at-large candidates.

No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs is hosting No. 10 Texas Longhorns on Saturday for the first time in program history as the SEC powers collide at Sanford Stadium in a rematch of last year's conference title game. The battle is dripping with intrigue as both are again firmly in the league title hunt and College Football Playoff picture.

Texas is coming off a bye and riding a four-game SEC winning streak that has rekindled CFP hopes that were teetering following a 3-2 start. Consecutive solid outings from quarterback Arch Manning have inspired hope that the Longhorns could still reach championship heights.

However, a loss between the hedges would all but eliminate the Longhorns from the SEC title picture and significantly imperil their CFP aspirations. Taking down Georgia on the road will be a gargantuan task, especially considering how well the Bulldogs played last week. UGA's 41-21 win at Mississippi State Bulldogs included a stretch of 38 consecutive points. With a healthy offensive line and reinvigorated rushing attack, Georgia is showing flashes of being a complete offensive team.

The Bulldogs got the best of Texas twice last season, once at Texas and once in Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game. Now they meet in Athens for the first time as Georgia seeks to win its third straight against the Longhorns and even the all-time series at 4-4.

Arch Manning's recent surge in performance is largely based on yards after the catch accrued by his receivers against two of the least athletic defenses in the SEC. The Longhorns won't be able to run the football against Georgia, and the Bulldogs have the athletes required to make tackles in space against UT's horizontal passing attack. Furthermore, Georgia's offense has been unstoppable in two of its past three games. The Bulldogs are finding their stride and will handle business as a home favorite under the lights. Pick: Georgia -6