ATLANTA — The best Georgia could muster wasn’t enough to keep up with LSU in the SEC Championship Game on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The record-setting Tigers’ offense ran away with a 37-10 victory to advance to the College Football Playoffs. The CFP rankings will be out at noon tomorrow, determining who and wear LSU (13-0) will play.
The Tigers set an SEC record for most points scored in a season, and QB Joe Burrow set the league’s single-season passing mark, even before Saturday’s game against UGA.
The Bulldogs (11-2) will also learn their fate, by contract destined for the Sugar Bowl if they continue to be the highest ranked SEC team not a part of the CFP.
It was Georgia’s third straight SEC Championship Game appearance, but it was evident early the Bulldogs were not in sync.
Jake Fromm completed 20 of 42 for 225 yards for a touchdown with two interceptions.
Georgia also averaged just 2.4 yards per rush. Brian Herrien led the Bulldogs with only 24 rushing yards in the loss.
Tailback D’Andre Swift was used sparingly, still dealing with a shoulder injury. Swift, who entered the game with 1,203 yards on the season, had 2 carries for 13 yards and 3 catches for 18 yards.
Georgia also struggled with injuries throughout the game.
The Bulldogs were already missing injured wideout Lawrence Cager and suspended George Pickens.
In the first half receiver Dominick Blaylock left the game with a serious knee injury, and receiver Kearis Jackson left the game with an ankle injury.
Even All-American kicker Rodrigo Blankenship had a rough day, missing field goals from 52 and 37 yards.
Meanwhile, Heisman Trophy frontrunner Burrow was spectacular, 28-of-38 passing for 349 yards and four touchdowns and no interceptions.
The Tigers outgained the Bulldogs, 481-286.
Check out our live updates throughout the game below:
FINAL STATS
FOURTH QUARTER
LSU 37, Georgia 10, 7:41: Cade York 50-yard field goal. DRIVE: 7 plays, 33 yards, 4:00.
LSU 34, Georgia 10, 11:41: George Pickens 2-yard pass from Jake Fromm (Rodrigo Blankenship KICK). DRIVE: 13 plays, 75 yards, 4:04. Key Play: George Pickens 15-yard pass from Jake Fromm to the LSU 13-yard line to convert fourth down.
THIRD QUARTER
LSU 34, Georgia 3, 0:45: Justin Jefferson 8-yard pass from Joe Burrow (Cade York KICK). DRIVE: 3 plays, 13 yards, 1:25. Key Play: Derek Stingley interception of Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm returned 17 yards to Georgia 13-yard line.
LSU 27, Georgia 3, 2:18: Terrace Marshall Jr. 4-yard pass from Joe Burrow (Cade York KICK). Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards, 1:59. Key Play: Justin Jefferson 71-yard pass from Joe Burrow to Georgia 9-yard line.
LSU 20, Georgia 3, 8:20: Cade York 28-yard field goal. Drive: 16 plays, 77 yards, 6:40.
• 13:38: Freshman safety Tyrique Stevenson was on the turf for an extended amount of time with what appeared to be a left leg injury. Stevenson was carted off.
• 15:00 opening kick, outside linebacker Walter Grant was down an extended amount of time with an apparent upper body injury while covering a kick that went into the end zone. Grant has a concussion according to a report from the UGA bench. The play was reviewed for targeting, and LSU’s Tory Carter was assessed a personal foul penalty and ejection.
HALFTIME
SECOND QUARTER
• LSU kicker Cade York misses 47-yard field goal attempt
LSU 17, Georgia 3, 2:22: Cade York 41-yard field goal. Drive: 11 plays, 57 yards, 4:22.
LSU 14, Georgia 3, 11:28: Rodrigo Blankenship 39-yard field goal. Drive: 10 plays, 53 yards, 3:44. Key play: Demetris Robertson 17-yard catch to LSU 24-yard line.
FIRST QUARTER
LSU 14, Georgia 0, 0:12: Terrace Marshall 7-yard pass from Joe Burrow, (Cade York kick), Drive: 5 plays, 65 yards, 1:44.
• 3:48 mark, Dominick Blaylock left knee injury, carted to locker room
• 6:12 mark, fumble on field call reversed, ruled Clyde Edwards-Hellaire was down when ball came out.
LSU 7, Georgia 0, 9:09: Ja’Marr Chase 23-yard pass from Joe Burrow, (Cade York kick). Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:38. Key play: Terrace Marshall 24-yard pass from Joe Burrow on third-and-10 from Georgia 47.
• LSU wins the toss, defers
• Pregame Injury Report: DT Devonte Wyatt ,who was held out of the Georgia Tech game, is dressed and expected to play.
Eric Zeier Game Preview
ATLANTA — Former SEC all-time passing leader and Georgia quarterback Eric Zeier will be looking closely for two telltale signs early in the league title game this afternoon.
The No. 4-ranked Bulldogs face No. 2-ranked LSU at 4 p.m. on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with a trip to the College Football Playoffs on the line.
The Georgia defense completed a rare grand slam during the regular season, leading the league in scoring defense, total defense, rushing defense and pass efficiency defense.
Zeier, the Georgia Bulldogs Radio Network analyst, said two keys for the Bulldogs are to be able to pressure Joe Burrow with bringing extra pressure, and preventing big plays on the perimeter.
“I think we’ve got a great game to go back and look at how to slow down this LSU offense somewhat,” Zeier said on a GeorgiaDogs.com podcast this week. “”When you watch the Auburn-LSU game, Auburn did a fantastic job. Didn’t bring a whole lot of pressure, just rushed with four guys a lot.
“We know they have a great defensive line, but I’d put our defensive line up against anybody. I think we will come out with a similar blueprint defensively.”
PREGAME READS
David Pollack sounds off on Georgia offense
Kirby Smart compares Jake Fromm to Tim Tebow
CBS analyst Gary Danielson says key for Georgia not Jake Fromm
7 Georgia players to watch vs. LSU
LSU coach Ed Orgeron brings great confidence into matchup
Kirby Smart relays how LSU represents greatest challenge