Georgia Shutout Streak Ends Florida's Run in Atlanta Move
The No. 3 Bulldogs held the No. 17 Gators to 54 rushing yards while forcing four turnovers in a 27-8 win.
By Grace Sullivan ·
No. 3 Georgia defeated No. 17 Florida 27-8 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, marking the first time the rivalry game was played in Atlanta. The matchup had been held almost every season in Jacksonville since 1933, but moved this year because of a $1.4 billion renovation of EverBank Stadium. The venue will shift to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa next season before returning to Jacksonville in 2028.
Georgia's defense forced four interceptions and recorded four sacks while limiting Florida to 54 rushing yards on the ground. The Bulldogs also added 217 rushing yards and converted four of five red zone opportunities. Florida did not score until the fourth quarter, when a pass interference penalty on fourth-and-goal set up a two-yard run by quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. followed by a two-point conversion pass to Dallas Wilson.
The result gave Georgia its sixth consecutive win in the series and a 9-2 record against Florida during Kirby Smart's tenure. The Bulldogs' defense shut out Florida through the first three quarters, the first time the Gators have been held without points that deep into a game since a 30-3 loss to Oregon State in the 2022 Las Vegas Bowl. Florida's NCAA-record streak of 481 consecutive games with points remained intact.
Florida committed eight penalties for 78 yards and threw three interceptions across Aaron Philo and Jones. Philo, who started the first six games before a shoulder injury, threw a wild underhand pass while falling that was intercepted by Ellis Robinson IV. A later possession ended with a fumble returned 66 yards for a touchdown by linebacker Chris Cole. Georgia led 24-0 by halftime.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart said the defense kept its approach simple to counter Florida's scheme. "We did what we had to do," Smart said. "We avoided turnovers for the most part and we got turnovers. The Dogs didn't beat the Dogs today." Florida coach Jon Sumrall, in his first game coaching against the Bulldogs, said his team contributed to the deficit. "They didn't need our help tonight, but we gave it to them, too," Sumrall said.
This was the first time the series was not played in Jacksonville since 1995. The only other exceptions during the past 93 seasons were in 1994 and 1995, when renovations at the Gator Bowl forced the games to the teams' on-campus stadiums.
