The Georgia Bulldogs leaned on a powerful ground game and a suffocating defense to cruise past Austin Peay 28–6 on Saturday afternoon on Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium, improving to 2–0 on the young season.
After fumbling on their opening drive, Georgia quickly settled in. Running back Chauncey Bowens capped a 10-play, 80-yard march with a bruising 2-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter. Early in the second, freshman standout Nate Frazier added a 2-yard scoring plunge,
Austin Peay (1–1) responded with a 44-yard field goal by Carson Smith midway through the second quarter, trimming the deficit to 14-3.
But Georgia’s offense kept clicking, finishing the half with another long drive and heading into the locker room up 14–3.
Bowens struck again in the third quarter with a 14-yard touchdown run, finishing with 56 yards and two scores on 11 carries. Frazier matched him, pounding his way to 69 yards and two touchdowns on 14 attempts.
Dwight Phillips Jr. chipped in 55 rushing yards, highlighted by a 23-yard burst that set up Georgia’s second touchdown drive.
Behind a steady performance from quarterback Gunner Stockton (26-of-34, 227 yards), Georgia controlled the tempo. Wideout Colbie Young led all receivers with seven catches for 76 yards, while London Humphreys and Noah Thomas combined for 53 more yards.
Despite a solid outing from quarterback Chris Parson (16-of-23, 151 yards), the Governors couldn’t crack Georgia’s defense. Parson was sacked twice and limited to zero net rushing yards on nine attempts. Austin Peay managed just 45 rushing yards on 28 carries.
Smith provided the team’s only points with his two long field goals from 44 and 43 yards.
Receiver Kamari Maxwell hauled in three passes for 41 yards for Austin Peay, while Shemar Kirk added four catches for 29 yards.
Georgia’s defense once again showcased its depth. CJ Allen and Raylen Wilson each recorded seven total tackles.
Freshman defensive back Ellis Robinson IV chipped in with an interception to snuff out a promising Austin Peay possession.
For the Governors, linebacker Ellis Ellis Jr. was all over the field, leading both teams with 11 total tackles. Defensive back Trevor Hardy and linebacker Myles Wiley added six and five tackles, respectively.
The game was interrupted by lightning in the area which forced a weather delay during the third quarter as storms moved through the Athens area. After conditions improved, play resumed under overcast skies with temperatures hovering around 83 degrees and a light north wind at 5 mph, creating a muggy backdrop for the Bulldogs’ eventual 28–6 victory.
The Bulldogs will look to keep their momentum rolling when they return open the Southeastern Conference slate with a trip to Tennessee. Austin Peay heads dropped to 1–1 for the season and returns home next weekend for a Saturday game against Morehead State.
