ATLANTA, GA – The Ducks would receive the opening kickoff and start their possession at their own 14-yard line. After converting early on 3rd down and picking up another 1st down, things would stall out for the Ducks before getting across midfield.
Georgia’s opening possession started at their own 15-yard line, and Stetson Bennett wasted no time continuing where he left off in January.
After a three-yard carry from Kenny McIntosh, Bennett started his clinic with a nine-yard connecting with Brock Bowers for a first down. This was just the start of a 12-play, 85-yard drive that saw Ladd McConkey take it into the left side from nine yards out to make it 7-0 Dawgs. Bennett finished the drive seven of nine, passing for 66-yards and added a seven-yard scamper to his total.
The Ducks second drive started as promising as the first, with running back Noah Whittington picking up two quick first downs on the ground. However, on a 1st and ten from their own 47-yard line, quarterback Bo Nix heaved one deep down the left sideline, where wideout Seven McGee was locked into a battle with Malaki Starks, who would get the best of the tussle and haul in the interception.
Bennett and the Dawgs made quick work of the Ducks defense this time, taking just seven plays to go 92 yards. The QB would finish the drive with a one-yard scamper for the score to make it 14-0 Georgia with only five seconds expired in the 2nd quarter.
The ensuing possession from the Ducks would be the first to get across midfield. However, after a horsecollar penalty against Georgia set the Ducks up 1st and ten at the UGA 29, Nix again found trouble. This time it was across the middle and swiped by UGA defensive back Christopher Smith, who returned it to the 44-yard line, which is where the Dawgs would again set up shop.
This drive was a story much of the same. This time, a six-play 56-yard drive put the Dawgs up 21-0. The drive was capped off by a one-yard McIntosh TD run.
On their most promising drive of the half, Oregon got into a 3rd and 11 at the 12-yard line. Then a five-yard false start penalty pushed them back to the 17-yard line. They would have to settle for a 35-yard field goal from Camden Lewis to get on the board, trailing 21-3 with 3:57 left in the half.
Bennett then led a methodical, eight-play, 75-yard drive, which he capped off with a defender hanging on him, throwing a dime across his body to the left side of the endzone, where McConkey was awaiting the four-yard TD score. This made it 28-3 with 57-seconds left in the half.
That’s where things would stay as the half came to a close, with the domination by the Dawgs.
The Stat’s
Georgia
Passing – QB Stetson Bennett: 18-21 for 254 yards and 1 passing TD
Rushing- RB Ladd McConkey with 2 carries for 16-yards and 1 TD
3rd Down Conversions – 5 of 5
Red Zone Scoring Conversions – 4 of 4
Oregon
Passing – QB Bo Nix: 16 of 24 for 142 yards and two interceptions
Rushing – RB Noah Whittington with 3 carries for for 15 yards
3rd Down Conversions – 5 of 7
Red Zone Scoring Conversions – 1 of 1
Written by Adrian Beecher
