ATHENS — Georgia football had more ups than downs in its dominant 55-0 win over Sun Belt Conference member Arkansas State on Saturday at Sanford Stadium.
The No. 3-ranked Bulldogs (3-0) next play No. 7-ranked Notre Dame at 8 p.m. next Saturday in a CBS tilt expected to draw ESPN’s GameDay set to Athens.
Georgia out-gained Arkansas State 382-81 in building a 34-0 halftime lead, erasing any doubt of the outcome early.
By the end of the day, the Bulldogs had rolled to 656 yards while allowing 220 yards. Georgia’s defense recorded four sacks, and the offense did not turn the ball over.
STOCK UP
Quarterback Jake Fromm was 17-of-22 passing for 279 yards with 3 touchdowns. Fromm was perfect on the Bulldogs’ final drive of the first half, 6-of-6 for 65 yards and then a TD dart to Lawrence Cager.
Receiver Lawrence Cager made the most of his first start for the Bulldogs since transferring this summer from Miami. Cager recorded his first TD catch with UGA, a nice 5-yard grab on a well-placed low throw from Fromm.
D’Andre Swift ran hard and strong, carrying 9 times for 76 yards in the first half and catching 2 passes for 64 yards, including a 48-yard catch and run.
Receiver Dominick Blaylock appeared ready for his opportunity after senior WR and team captain Tyler Simmons left the game with a shoulder injury. Blaylock had 4 catches for 112 yards and a TD.
Freshman tailback Kenny McIntosh scored his first career TD for the Bulldogs on a 62-yard run in the fourth quarter.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell set the tone for the secondary in the first half with three tackles, three pass break-ups and a tackle-for-loss. Campbell left the game at halftime with a right foot injury.
Kicker Rodrigo Blankenship was again perfect, drilling field goals of 29 and 41 yards along with seven extra-point kicks.
Defensive tackle Tyler Clark had five tackles to lead the defense.
Freshman receiver George Pickens had more “wow” moments, including a tight-roping sideline catch on a ball that was thrown behind him. Pickens had a game-high 5 catches for 84 yards.
STOCK EVEN
The Georgia offensive line performed on par with its celebrated nature, creating wide lanes and providing Fromm with adequate protection. Next week, Notre Dame will provide a test.
STOCK DOWN
OL Jamaree Salyer didn’t get the sort of dominant push one might expect on Fromm’s fourth-and-2 sneak in the third quarter.
OLB Jermaine Johnson was whistled for a needless offsides, setting up an Arkansas State field goal attempt in the second quarter.
CB Eric Stokes was whistled for a pass interference call that sustained a Red Wolves drive that ended in a field goal attempt in the second quarter.
DawgNation Georgia-Arkansas State
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