Running back Zamir White rushed for two touchdowns and recovered a blocked punt in the end zone to lead No. 2 Georgia to a convincing 37-0 victory over No. 8 Arkansas on Saturday at Athens, Ga.
Behind quarterback Stetson Bennett, filling in for injured starter JT Daniels who was out with a strained lat muscle, the Bulldogs (5-0, 3-0 SEC) stuck to their punishing ground game against the Razorbacks (4-1, 1-1 SEC).
White finished with 68 yards on 16 carries, James Cook rushed for 87 yards on 12 carries and Kenny McIntosh Milton added 57 yards on 10 attempts. The Bulldogs finished with 273 rushing yards on 57 attempts, as Bennett seldom threw the ball, finishing 7-for-11 passing for 72 yards.
Arkansas quarterback K.J. Jefferson was held to 8-for-13 passing for 65 yards and no Razorback rushed for more than AJ Green’s 28 yards. Jefferson and backup quarterback Malik Hornsby were constantly under pressure, a major reason why the Razorbacks were outgained 345-162 and mustered just 10 first downs.
Georgia seized control on its opening possession. White’s 3-yard run capped a nine-play, 75- yard drive to give the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead with 10:46 left in the first quarter, marking the first time Arkansas surrendered points in the first quarter this season.
Georgia doubled its lead on its next possession when Kendall Milton’s 1-yard run capped a 10-play, 56-yard drive with 4:36 left in the first quarter.
Georgia’s special teams made its presence felt after Arkansas failed to get a first down on its third straight series. With the Razorbacks punting from their end zone, Dan Jackson burst through for a block, with White falling on the loose ball for a 21-0 lead with 2:17 left in the first quarter.
Georgia pushed the lead to 24-0 on Jack Podlesny’s 46-yard field goal midway through the second quarter.
Podlesny made a 30-yard field goal early in the third quarter before White’s 15-yard touchdown run less than three minutes into the fourth quarter extended the advantage to 34-0.
–Field Level Media