Georgia defeats Florida 27-8 in Atlanta
The Bulldogs forced four turnovers and held the Gators to 54 rushing yards in their first matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
By Grace Anderson ·
Georgia football fans gained a new destination for their annual rivalry game after the Bulldogs beat Florida 27-8 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday. The victory marks the first time the two teams have met in Atlanta since 1933. The location shift was necessitated by a $1.4 billion renovation project at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, which has hosted the contest in nearly every season since the series began.
The Bulldogs entered this contest two weeks after a 27-24 home loss to unranked Auburn. That previous game featured numerous self-inflicted errors that Georgia coach Kirby Smart said the team had to correct. The squad responded by forcing four turnovers and limiting the Florida offense to 54 rushing yards. Georgia recorded four sacks during the game, a stark contrast to the struggles against Auburn's running attack.
The defensive performance was dominant enough to shut out the Gators for the first three quarters. This marked the first time Florida had been held scoreless through 45 minutes since its 30-3 loss to Oregon State in the 2022 Las Vegas Bowl. Florida maintained its NCAA record of 481 consecutive games with points, but only barely. Quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. scored on a two-yard run and threw a two-point conversion pass to Dallas Wilson to make the margin 24-8 with 6:59 left in the fourth quarter.
The first half proved decisive for the outcome. Florida coach Jon Sumrall started Aaron Philo, who had missed time with a shoulder injury. Philo threw a wild underhand pass to tailback Jadan Baugh while falling, and Georgia cornerback Ellis Robinson IV intercepted the ball. That turnover led to a one-yard run by Nate Frazier for a 7-0 lead. Later, a deflected pass by Eric Singleton Jr. resulted in an interception by Demello Jones, setting up a 28-yard field goal by Peyton Woodring.
Georgia extended its lead to 24-0 before halftime on a 66-yard fumble return by linebacker Chris Cole. The ball came loose after linebacker Quintavius Johnson hit Tramell Jones Jr. from behind. Jones replaced Philo for the next possession but still could not sustain a drive. The Gators were penalized eight times for 78 yards throughout the game, adding to their offensive struggles.
Georgia ran for 217 yards and converted four of five red zone opportunities. The win extends Georgia's winning streak against Florida to six games, the longest such run in the rivalry since 1978 to 1983. The Bulldogs also improved their record against Florida to 9-2 during Smart's tenure as head coach. The team held Florida to just 217 rushing yards, a figure that underscores the defensive pressure applied throughout the contest.
The series will move to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, for the 2027 season before returning to Jacksonville in 2028. This is the third time in 93 seasons that the game will not be played in Jacksonville. The previous exceptions occurred in 1994 and 1995, when the Gators won two lopsided games at their home stadium due to renovations at the Gator Bowl.
