Georgia Bulldogs blank Missouri for third shutout of season

AP photo by John Amis / Georgia linebacker Tae Crowder (30) and linebacker Robert Beal Jr. (33) bring down Missouri running back Tyler Badie during the second half of Saturday night's game in Athens, Ga.
AP photo by John Amis / Georgia linebacker Tae Crowder (30) and linebacker Robert Beal Jr. (33) bring down Missouri running back Tyler Badie during the second half of Saturday night's game in Athens, Ga.

ATHENS, Ga. - Georgia's defense didn't settle for just beating Missouri.

The Bulldogs added to their growing collection of shutouts with a late goal-line stand.

Jake Fromm threw two touchdown passes to George Pickens and No. 6 Georgia held an opponent scoreless for the third time this season, dominating a Missouri offense missing two of its biggest playmakers in a 27-0 victory Saturday night at Sanford Stadium.

Georgia (8-1, 5-1 Southeastern Conference) moved closer to its third straight berth in the SEC championship game. The Bulldogs can clinch the SEC East title by beating No. 12 Auburn (7-2, 4-2) next weekend.

"It will be a big game, and our players have an opportunity to be at their best when their best is needed," said Georgia coach Kirby Smart, whose team was No. 6 in the first College Football Playoff rankings that were released last Tuesday.

Missouri (5-4, 2-3) fell to 0-4 in road games with its third straight loss. Quarterback Kelly Bryant and leading receiver Johnathon Johnson did not play.

Bryant's status had been in doubt due since he injured a hamstring in a loss at Kentucky two weeks ago. He participated in pregame warmups, then watched as backup Taylor Powell and Connor Bazelak led the offense.

Powell started and played until late in the game, when freshman Bazelak led the Tigers on their only venture inside Georgia's 20-yard line.

Bazelak, playing in only his second game, led the Tigers to the 1. Then the Bulldogs made their stand, stopping Dawson Downing for a loss of 3 yards on second down before Bazelak's passes on the next two plays were incomplete.

The Bulldogs have three shutouts for the first time since 1981. Georgia remains the nation's only Football Bowl Subdivision team to not allow a rushing touchdown this season.

Smart said his players were "all kind of chomping at the bit at the end to make it tough to score. I thought they showed some competitive character there at the end with that stand."

The Bulldogs bolstered their claim as the SEC's top defense. They lead the league in total defense, rushing defense and scoring defense.

The Bulldogs held the Tigers to 198 yards and 11 first downs, including only five through three quarters.

Missouri coach Barry Odom said the Bulldogs are "better up close and in person."

"I knew they were good, but I think they're a little bit better than they may get credit for nationally," Odom said. "Georgia is as good and as solid as a team as I've gone against in a long time."

Johnson was held out due to illness. Odom said he expects Bryant and Johnson to play next week.

Georgia also lost its top receiver when Lawrence Cager hurt his shoulder making a 30-yard catch late in the first half. Cager had six catches for 93 yards before the injury.

Between Pickens' touchdown catches of 25 and 18 yards in the first and fourth quarters, the Bulldogs relied on Rodrigo Blankenship's four field goals, from 20, 48, 47 and 29 yards.

Without Bryant and Johnson, the Tigers couldn't generate consistent offense. Powell completed 10 of 22 passes for 84 yards and was intercepted by Richard LeCounte III. Larry Rountree III led Missouri in rushing with only 24 yards on nine carries. Bazelak was 8-of-12 passing for 64 yards.

After an emotional win over Florida in Jacksonville, the Bulldogs showed good poise by avoiding a letdown. Facing the SEC's top pass defense, Fromm was not as efficient as usual, completing only 13 of 29 passes for 173 yards with no interceptions. D'Andre Swift had 12 carries for 83 yards, with 47 coming on one run.

Georgia had to play three centers. Trey Hill was helped off the field with a left ankle injury in the first quarter. Right guard Cade Mays moved to the middle of the line before he sustained an apparent right leg injury early in the fourth quarter. Jamaree Salyer took over as the third center of the night.

"That's tough," Fromm said. "That can kind of get on you mentally. I was a little bit worried there, but our guys did a good job."

The Bulldogs also lost right tackle Isaiah Wilson to an undisclosed injury in the fourth quarter, but Smart said none of the injuries were believed to be serious.

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