Georgia Survives Florida Scare in a 24–20 Rivalry Thriller

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Georgia Bulldogs didn’t play their cleanest game of the season, but when it mattered most, they showed why they’re still the class of the SEC East. Behind a clutch fourth-quarter drive and a bruising late touchdown run, No. 5 Georgia escaped with a 24–20 win over the Florida Gators in another dramatic installment of the rivalry at EverBank Stadium.

A Back-and-Forth Battle from the Start

Georgia struck first late in the opening quarter when quarterback Gunner Stockton zipped an 8-yard touchdown pass to Dillon Bell, capping an efficient drive that looked like a statement of control. But Florida, led by freshman quarterback DJ Lagway, had other ideas.

Lagway responded with a highlight-reel 40-yard strike to Eugene Wilson III, tying the game at 7-7 and giving the Gators a jolt of confidence. Florida kept the momentum rolling into the second quarter, adding a field goal to take a 10-7 halftime lead — their first over Georgia in three years.

Georgia Regains Command — Briefly

Coming out of the half, Georgia looked like its usual self again. Stockton found Noah Thomas on a 22-yard touchdown to reclaim the lead, 17-10. The Bulldogs’ offensive line began to wear down Florida’s front, opening holes for Chauncey Bowens and Nate Frazier.

But Florida refused to fade. Lagway orchestrated a 12-play, 79-yard drive — mixing short throws with power runs — that ended in a 2-yard touchdown rush by Jordan Baugh, knotting things up at 17-17 late in the third quarter.

A Risky Call That Changed Everything

Early in the fourth quarter, Florida took a 20-17 lead thanks to Trey Smack’s 54-yard field goal — his school-record ninth make from beyond 50 yards. The Gators looked poised to deliver a stunning upset when they drove back inside Georgia’s red zone minutes later.

But then came the game’s turning point. Facing 4th-and-1 at Georgia’s 18-yard line, interim head coach Billy Gonzales decided to go for it. Baugh was stuffed for no gain, and the Bulldogs took over with just under eight minutes to play.

That gamble backfired fast.

The Championship Response

Georgia immediately went into two-minute-drill mode, and Stockton led a textbook 82-yard drive that chewed up clock and crushed Florida’s momentum. On a 2nd-and-5 from the 36, Chauncey Bowens broke through the line and sprinted untouched into the end zone to put Georgia back on top, 24-20, with 4:36 remaining.

Florida had one last shot to reclaim the lead. Lagway marched the Gators out near midfield, but on 4th-and-4, his pass was batted away by Georgia’s Daylen Everette, sealing the Bulldogs’ fifth straight win in the rivalry.

Stats Tell the Story

• Gunner Stockton (UGA): 20-of-29 passing, 223 yards, 2 TDs, 1 Int

• Chauncey Bowens (UGA): 70 yards rushing, 1 TD

• Dillon Bell & Noah Thomas (UGA): combined 2 TDs

• Eugene Wilson III (UF): 9 catches, 121 yards, 1 TD

• DJ Lagway (UF): 15-of-24 passing, 166 yards, 1 TD

• Florida third-down conversions: just 2-for-11

  
  

What It Means

For Georgia, this wasn’t a vintage blowout — but it was a reminder of their resilience. Even after losing KJ Bolden to a targeting ejection and suffering a few key defensive injuries, the Bulldogs found a way to win in crunch time. Head coach Kirby Smart called it “a gut check” that his team needed.

For Florida, this one will sting. The Gators played with heart, energy, and discipline for most of the game — but poor execution on third downs and that ill-fated fourth-down call proved costly. Still, Lagway’s composure and Wilson’s explosiveness offer real hope for the program’s future.

Final Take

It wasn’t the prettiest edition of the Florida-Georgia rivalry, but it might have been one of the most entertaining in recent years. Georgia looked vulnerable, Florida looked revived, and the margin for error was razor-thin.

When the dust settled, though, the Bulldogs once again walked away with the victory — not because they were perfect, but because they were relentless.

Bulldogs - 24 Gators - 20

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