LEXINGTON — The top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs held back a tough effort from Kentucky to remain unblemished, as they defeated the Wildcats 16-9 at Kroger Field on Saturday.
It wasn't the prettiest win for the Bulldogs, who had to overcome cold, windy conditions and a Kentucky defense that made key stops to keep themselves in the game.
McIntosh rushed for a career-best 143 yards, including a crucial 9-yard score late in the third quarter, and the Bulldogs withstood Kentucky's fourth-quarter rally Saturday for a 16-6 win and its second consecutive unbeaten season in the Southeastern Conference.
After a mishandling of the opening kickoff, Kentucky started on their own 4 and proceeded to drive the ball into Bulldogs territory thanks to two big completions by quarterback Will Levis to Barion Brown for 31 yards and Nick Kattus for 13.
The Wildcats (6-5, 3-5 SEC) moved as far as the Georgia 31, but a fourth-and-one run attempt from Chris Rodriguez Jr. came up short of the line to gain and the Bulldogs got the ball at the 9:10 mark of the first quarter.
Georgia (11-0, 8-0 SEC, No. 1 CFP) would take their opening possession and turn it into points, driving 58-yards in 13 plays behind Stetson Bennett and Kenny McIntosh to the Kentucky 10.
The Wildcat defense would bend but not break as they held Georgia to a 27-yard field goal from Jack Podlesny to give the Bulldogs a 3-0 lead with 2:56 remaining in the opening period.
Kentucky would again drive down the field as Levis would again connect with Dane Key twice for 11 and 12 yards to put the Wildcats at midfield. Then the ground game took over, as they would drive down to the Georgia 18.
However, the Wildcats would again come away with nothing to show for their efforts, as Levis was intercepted by Kelee Ringo to halt the scoring threat.
The Bulldogs would covert the turnover into points again with a Podlesny field goal from 24 yards to make the score 6-0 with 3:40 left in the half.
Kentucky would go three-and-out on their ensuing drive and give the ball back to Georgia with 1:54 remaining before the break.
Bennett would complete five passes for 26-yards and McIntosh ripped off a 26-yard run to set up another Podlesny field goal as time expired to give the Bulldogs a 9-0 lead as the teams went into the locker room.
Georgia would manage to pad their lead around the midway point of the third quarter as McIntosh would find his way into the end zone with run from 9-yards out to give the No. 1 team a 16-0 lead.
McIntosh rushed for 19 times—a career-high for him—for 143 yard to go along with his rushing score.
The Kentucky defense would again bend but not break with an impressive goal line stand to give the Wildcats the ball back on their own 1 the beginning of the final period.
Runs of 10 yards from Levis and 15 from Rodriguez would get the Wildcats out of the shadow of their own end zone, and Levis would throw a 42-yard strike to Brown to get Kentucky deep into Georgia territory.
Levis would hit Brown on an 8-yard pass on fourth-and-goal to put the Wildcats on the board. Levis' two-point conversion pass failed and the score was 16-6 with 9:52 remaining in the game.
Kentucky had a chance to make it a one-score game with 4:17 remaining in the game, as Matt Ruffalo attempted a 38-yard field goal. But as fate would have it, the kick would hook left after a low, rolling snap and shutting the door on hopes of a late comeback finish.
Bennett completed 13 of 19 for 116 yards with an interception.
Levis completed 20 of 31 for 206 yards with an interception, which has now lost 13-straight against Georgia.
The win gave the Bulldogs an undefeated league record for the second consecutive season, a feat that's only happened two other times in SEC history (Alabama 2008-09 & Florida 1995-96). Georgia clinched the Eastern Division title last week to punch their ticket to the SEC Championship game on Dec. 3.
Kentucky hosts in-state rival Louisville next Saturday and will be seeking its fourth consecutive victory in the series.
Georgia 3 6 7 0 = 16
Kentucky 0 0 0 6 = 6
First Quarter UGA—Jack Podlesny 27 Yd Field Goal, 2:56.
Second Quarter UGA—Jack Podlesny 24 field goal, 3:40. UGA—Jack Podlesny 37 field goal, 0:00.
Third Quarter Kenny McIntosh 9 run (Jack Podlesny kick), 6:22.
Fourth Quarter Barion Brown 8 Yd pass from Will Levis (Pass failed), 9:52.
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