Georgia beats Missouri 48-21 to reclaim No. 1 spot

Georgia University football players scored on their first five offensive possessions to build a 31-point lead over Missouri on Saturday. The Bulldogs won the game 48-21 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. The victory secures the team's return to the No. 1 spot in the College Football Playoff rankings.

Nate Frazier carried the ball 14 times for 72 yards and three touchdowns. Gunner Stockton passed for 252 yards on 18 of 24 attempts and added a rushing score. The Georgia defense limited the Missouri Tigers to 286 total yards for the game. The Bulldogs finished with a 9-1 record and a 6-1 mark in the Southeastern Conference.

The game began with a defensive stop that set the tone. Raylen Wilson intercepted Austin Simmons on the first play from scrimmage. Wilson returned the ball 30 yards to the Missouri 7-yard line. Two plays later, Frazier ran for a 4-yard touchdown. Georgia led 7-0 with 1:01 of game time remaining in the first quarter.

Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz acknowledged the early turnover changed the dynamic. “When you get a turnover early, you can get some momentum,” Kirby Smart, the Georgia head coach, said. Smart noted that the team has performed well in November but believes the season will be judged by results from that month onward. “We've done a lot of good things in November,” Smart said. “But this team will be measured by November and the months afterward.”

The offense continued to score throughout the second quarter. Stockton ran for an 8-yard touchdown. Frazier capped an 87-yard drive with a 3-yard score. Peyton Woodring kicked a 41-yard field goal. Stockton completed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Isiah Canion just past the halfway point of the second quarter. The halftime score was 31-7.

Missouri quarterback Austin Simmons threw for 175 yards and three touchdowns. Most of his production came in the second half. The Tigers have lost three of their last four games. They host Kentucky next Saturday. Georgia plays South Carolina next Saturday in a game that could decide the SEC title.

Running back Chauncey Bowens returned to the field after missing four games with a foot injury. He scored on a 5-yard run in the fourth quarter. Smart said Bowens played with confidence after coming out of a brace. “Tonight he came out of the brace and played with confidence. I'm proud of him,” Smart said.