Georgia vs. Florida score, takeaways: Carson Beck's emergence continues, No. 1 Dawgs feast off Gators' errors

Georgia remains undefeated beating rival Florida by 22+ points for the third straight season

[Oct 28, 2023 at 9:20 pm ET · Dennis Dodd]

No. 1 Georgia reminds these Dawgs can't be tricked

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- If you're looking for some profound take from the press box following the latest edition of Florida-Georgia, sorry, don't have much for you other than the obvious: You can't trick these Dawgs.

That's it. That's the hot lava. Well, that and No. 1 Georgia making perhaps its biggest statement of the season in a 43-20 win over its biggest rival. The effort was aided by Florida, mind you, but let's not stray too far from the point.

You can't outscheme talent. Various teams in this rivalry have tried, but as long as Georgia's defense has its thumb on the scales, there are going to be more of these results. Saturday marked the latest conquest, the Bulldogs' 25th consecutive win. In SEC history, only Alabama has ever won that many in a row.

Check out Dennis Dodd's column from Jacksonville.

No. 1 Georgia reminds these Dawgs can't be tricked in silencing Florida, reigniting three-peat pursuit

Dennis Dodd

[Oct 28, 2023 at 8:20 pm ET · David Cobb]

Georgia flexes dominance before first CFP Rankings

No. 1 Georgia took a big step toward the SEC Championship Game and College Football Playoff on Saturday with a 43-20 win over Florida as the Bulldogs entered the most difficult portion of a relatively light schedule with a dominant win over a potent rival. The Gators struck first with a game-opening touchdown drive, but the Bulldogs scored on their next four possessions as they took command with the help of their defense and special teams.

Georgia racked up seven tackles for loss in the first half alone and blocked a punt for a safety while scoring 26 unanswered points entering the break. Here are some of the key points to know and a few takeaways from the Florida-Georgia game:

How No. 1 Georgia's defense, Carson Beck took advantage of Florida to flex dominance before first CFP Rankings

David Cobb

[Oct 28, 2023 at 6:59 pm ET · David Cobb]

Final: No. 1 Georgia 43, Florida 20

No. 1 Georgia improved to 8-0 and seized further control of the SEC East with an impressive 43-20 win over rival Florida. The win marked six victories in UGA's past seven meetings with Florida and should leave an impression on the College Football Playoff Selection Committee entering Tuesday's first CFP Rankings release.

The Bulldogs scored on four straight possessions in the first half and used a dominant second quarter to pull away. Carson Beck threw for 315 yards and two touchdowns, while Daijun Edwards added two scores on the ground. On the receiving end, Ladd McConkey enjoyed a breakout performance with six grabs for 135 yards and a touchdown.

Georgia's winning streak of 25 games is the fourth-longest in SEC history.

[Oct 28, 2023 at 6:46 pm ET · David Cobb]

Concerning injury for the Gators

Florida center Kingsley Eguakun needed help leaving the field late in the fourth quarter. The redshirt junior has missed several games already this season due to injury. His return to the lineup was lauded today as a big help to UF's offensive line, and seeing him down so late in a game that is basically out of reach is not ideal for Billy Napier's bunch.

[Oct 28, 2023 at 6:42 pm ET · David Cobb]

Celebratory coaches box for UGA

The CBS television shot showed a celebratory Georgia coaching booth after Kendall Milton's 1-yard touchdown run. The score put the exclamation point on an impressive performance from the Georgia offense. The Dawgs have run the football effectively with Daijun Edwards, and Milton. UGA also enjoyed an excellent day in the passing game with Carson Beck up to 315 yards passing. Mike Bobo and his crew had a great plan for moving forward without Brock Bowers and executed it quite well today.

[Oct 28, 2023 at 6:27 pm ET · David Cobb]

Gators finally strike back

After eight straight possessions without points, Florida is back on the board following a 5-yard connection between Graham Mertz and tight end Hayden Hansen. That catch capped a 75-yard drive for UF, which is now within three scores. Mertz could wind up with another solid line from this game as he currently sits at 20 of 27 for 173 yards and two touchdowns without an interception.

[Oct 28, 2023 at 6:20 pm ET · David Cobb]

Dawgs are barking in Jacksonville

Start 4Q: Georgia 36, Florida 7

Georgia added 10 points to its lead in the third quarter, making it 36 unanswered since allowing a game-opening touchdown to the Gators. Carson Beck is having himself a day with 285 yards passing and two touchdowns without an interception. The Bulldogs' refusal to beat themselves is part of the reason they are winning big. UGA has committed just two penalties and has not turned the football over. It has also not allowed a sack.

[Oct 28, 2023 at 6:18 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Carson Beck is showing off now

The first-year starter for the Bulldogs just tossed a 17-yard touchdown to wide receiver/running back Dillon Bell to make it 36 straight points in what has quickly become a rout. The offense needed a new identity without tight end Brock Bowers, and it seems like offensive coordinator Mike Bobo has decided to take the training wheels off of Beck and let him sling it all over the yard. Beck is 17 of 24 for 149 yards and two touchdown passes on the afternoon, and has had complete control of the offense from the outset. 

[Oct 28, 2023 at 6:09 pm ET · David Cobb]

Florida's fourth down woes

Florida made the correct call to go for it on fourth-and-3 at the Georgia 25-yard line. A field goal doesn't do much there. But for the second time today, the Gators failed to convert on a fourth-and-short, resulting in a turnover on downs. Mertz hit Trevor Etienne, but the throw was short of the sticks and Jamon Dumas-Johnson made the tackle immediately.

[Oct 28, 2023 at 5:58 pm ET · David Cobb]

Variety of weapons for the Dawgs

In the absence of Brock Bowers, Carson Beck is distributing the football to a variety of weapons. On that series, it was a 55-yard connection with Dominic Lovett that helped set up the Bulldogs for a 32-yard field goal. Florida's defense has done enough to keep UGA competitive today, but the Gators are toast unless their passing attack can get going again.

[Oct 28, 2023 at 5:52 pm ET · David Cobb]

Georgia's secondary starting to shine

Tykee Smith just made a really nice play on the football while defending Ricky Pearsall in the slot on third-and-11. He dove to deflect the ball as it arrived and did so without any contact that would have risked a defensive pass interference call. A completion there and Florida is in business with a chance to cut this deficit to two scores. Instead, it's another punt. The pass rush from Georgia has been elite, but the secondary is starting to flex as well.

[Oct 28, 2023 at 5:48 pm ET · David Cobb]

Can Florida build off that stand?

That was a good start to the third quarter for the Florida defense, which bent without breaking and forced a punt. Now, the Gators start with the football deep in their own territory. What did Billy Napier scheme up in the locker room? UF was great on script to begin the game and will get another chance to follow a planned series here to open the third quarter.

[Oct 28, 2023 at 5:38 pm ET · David Cobb]

Third quarter keys

If Florida is going to get back in this game, it needs more from its offensive line. Graham Mertz was sacked four times in the first half. He'll need more time to throw if UF is going to generate/sustain momentum offensively. Also, the Gators need to get out of their own way. If you take away the fumble, failed fourth-down conversion attempt at the UF 31 and the blocked punt, this is a totally different game. Those are the types of mistakes you can't make against the nation's No. 1 team if you want to be competitive. 

[Oct 28, 2023 at 5:21 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Georgia's front seven is the story

We can look up at the scoreboard and see that Georgia ripped off 26 straight points to take a 26-7 lead into the break, but it's the defensive front that has stood out in this one. They sacked Graham Mertz four times and notched seven tackles for loss during the first 30 minutes of the game, which is a marked improvement from their averages of 1.71 sacks per game and 5.14 tackles for loss per game coming into the game. Georgia has retained the No. 1 spot in the AP Top 25 despite struggling in key defensive areas, and it appears that the bye week and extra work might have changed that. 

[Oct 28, 2023 at 5:18 pm ET · David Cobb]

Georgia dominating

Half: Georgia 26, Florida 7

Florida struck first in this SEC East showdown, but Georgia responded with scores on its first four possessions to take a commanding 26-7 lead into halftime. The Bulldogs thrived in all three phases of the game, using four sacks and seven total tackles for loss to frustrate Florida after the Gators' game-opening touchdown drive. UGA also added to its tally with a safety that came on a blocked punt. Offensively, receiver Ladd McConkey enjoyed a breakout half with four receptions for 74 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown snag. UGA gets the ball to begin the third quarter and is in firm command after a dominant showing to close the first half.

[Oct 28, 2023 at 5:09 pm ET · David Cobb]

Yards per play

After going 66 yards on 7 plays — good for an average of nearly 10 yards per play — on their opening drive, the Gators' yards per play average has plummeted to 3.2 for the game. Now, after forcing a punt, UF has one more chance before the half to get something going. Considering that Georgia gets the football to begin the second half, points here would be massive for Florida's slim hopes.

[Oct 28, 2023 at 4:58 pm ET · David Cobb]

Graham Mertz

Can Florida get its passing attack going here? Graham Mertz is 9 of 10 for 69 yards and a touchdown. The Gators have simply stepped on their own feet the past three possessions. If they can recapture the fluidity they found on the game's opening possession, there could still be a path back into this game. But down 19, it's likely going to require a lot of Mertz and a Florida offensive line that has looked shaky today.

[Oct 28, 2023 at 4:52 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Blocked punt for a safety

Georgia had Florida rattled after ripping off 24 straight points, and the Gator heads are still spinning. The Bulldogs came in hot on a punt block and it bounced out of the back of the end zone to make it 26-7. This is what championship-level teams do. When they have a team on the ropes, they throw haymakers. 

[Oct 28, 2023 at 4:52 pm ET · David Cobb]

Special teams miscue

Not only is Florida struggling to block on offense, but it's also struggling to block on special teams.  Georgia just added two more points to its tally on a safety as Jeremy Crawshaw's punt was blocked through the back of the end zone. The Gators are playing the opposite of complimentary as miscues in all three phases are compounding on each other to create a dismal spiral that has seen UGA score 26 unanswered.

[Oct 28, 2023 at 4:47 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Georgia cashes in again

Daijun Edwards scored from one yard out on fourth-and-1 to make it a 24-7 game and turn this one sideways. That capped off a four-play, 11-yard drive. The Bulldogs have scored three touchdowns over the last 5:19, and has shaken the Gators in a big way. Florida's play-calling has been utterly bizarre since the first drive, and the Gators have quickly fallen into desperation mode. 

[Oct 28, 2023 at 4:39 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins comes up big

Georgia's defense struggled getting into the backfield prior to this game. However, that isn't the case today. The Bulldogs have six tackles for loss -- the most recent of which was a strip sack by Ingram Dawkins that set the offense up at the Florida 9-yard line. If you're a Georgia fan, you love to see this defense looking like the defenses of the previous two seasons.

[Oct 28, 2023 at 4:39 pm ET · David Cobb]

Developing nightmare

Florida is barreling toward the danger zone fast after Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins stripped Graham Mertz. Marvin Jones Jr. fell on it to set up Georgia at Florida's 11-yard line. It wasn't long ago that the Gators led 7-0 after a beautiful opening drive. Since then, they have struggled to move the football, and their last two possessions have been a turnover on downs and a fumble, both of which have gifted Georgia excellent field position.

[Oct 28, 2023 at 4:34 pm ET · David Cobb]

UF needs help defensively

Georgia is up to 9.3 yards per play and has scored on all three of its possessions. The Gators are on their heels defensively, and without some turnovers or more disruption in the backfield, it could be a long day for that unit. Jamari Lyons did bring down Carson Beck for a no-gain as he sought to scramble on a first-down play. But the Gators haven't been able to stack disruptive plays as a defense thus far.

[Oct 28, 2023 at 4:32 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Georgia makes Florida pay

Daijun Edwards strolled in from 20 yards out three plays after the bizarre fourth-down call by the Gators that is detailed below. What a massive turn of events for a Bulldog team that might be on the brink of turning this one sideways. Coach Kirby Smart has done a good job of adjusting to what Florida was doing with crossing routes earlier, and its offense has cashed in on Florida mistakes. 

[Oct 28, 2023 at 4:30 pm ET · David Cobb]

Strange call

On fourth-and-inches at the Florida 34-yard line, Florida went for a trick play with Trevor Etienne looking to throw. It failed spectacularly, gifting excellent field position to Georgia early in the second quarter. If this game goes south, Bily Napier will likely get some heat for that ornate play call when his team needed only about a foot.

[Oct 28, 2023 at 4:23 pm ET · David Cobb]

Tight first quarter

Florida hit Georgia in the mouth to begin the annual SEC East rivalry showdown as the Gators drove 66 yards with a heavy dose of Graham Mertz passing to Eugene Wilson III to begin the game. The two connected for a 25-yard touchdown to open the scoring before Georgia quickly responded with some quality offense of its own. After settling for a chip-shot field goal on their opening possession, the Dawgs struck with a 41-yard touchdown connection between Carson Beck and Ladd McConkey to put Georgia ahead 10-7 late in the first quarter. The Dawgs are operating impressively well on offense without star tight end Brock Bowers.

[Oct 28, 2023 at 4:17 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

No Bowers, no problem

All eyes were on the Georgia offense and, specifically, how it will operate without start tight end Brock Bowers. The Bulldogs are managing just fine. Six different players have receptions and veteran Ladd McConkey, who missed the first month of the season, had a 41-yarder to give his team a 10-7 lead. Georgia has weapons all over the place, so it's not surprising that Plan B is working out.

[Oct 28, 2023 at 4:17 pm ET · David Cobb]

Florida's defense

The Gators are on their heels defensively here late in the first quarter, having yet to produce a tackle for loss or any significant pressure on Carson Beck. As a result, the Bulldogs have driven the football rather easily on their first two possessions. It's worth wondering how much the pregame injury to Shemar James may be affecting the Florida defensive star. 

[Oct 28, 2023 at 4:10 pm ET · David Cobb]

Chunk runs

Florida rattled off a couple of chunk runs with Trevor Etienne to begin its second offensive possession. But the Gators stalled out around midfield and had to punt after a fumble/sack recovered by the Gators on third down. Nonetheless, it was an encouraging sign for UF that it may be able to run the football against this Georgia front after the opening touchdown drive relied heavily on the pass.

[Oct 28, 2023 at 4:03 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Missed opportunity

Bulldog kicker Peyton Woodring kicked a 22-yard field goal to cut it to 7-3, but that was a missed opportunity for the Bulldogs. The offense looked great on the opening drive, which included a one-handed catch by tight end Oscar Delp -- who replaced Brock Bowers in the lineup. They ran four plays from inside the 5-yard line, which included a massive overthrow over the middle on third-and-goal.