Bulldogs pull away late at the ‘Cocktail Party’
Georgia’s Fromm ends speculation that he’ll be replaced as the starting quarterback.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jake Fromm threw three touchdown passes, ending speculation about freshman Justin Fields supplanting him in the starting lineup, and No. 7 Georgia beat ninth-ranked Florida 36-17 on Saturday.
The Bulldogs took advantage of Florida’s three turnovers and an injury to cornerback C.J. Henderson to win the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” for the second straight season and the fifth time in the last eight years.
Georgia (7-1, 5-1 Southeastern Conference) scored all four touchdowns on third down, gut-punching the Gators (6-2, 4-2) time and time again.
“That’s seven plays on the day that’s going to make a rough day for you,” Florida coach Dan Mullen said.
Fromm completed 17 of 24 passes for 240 yards, none bigger than the two touchdown throws to Jermaine Holloman. There had been talk that Georgia coach Kirby Smart would get highly touted freshman Fields more snaps following a 20-point loss to Louisiana State. Fromm smashed those rumors.
“Jake is a high-quality kid who works his tail off every day,” Smart said. “I’m sure he felt and heard the noise. He just continues to work and get better.”
D’Andre Swift delivered the knockout blow with a 33yard touchdown run with 4:39 remaining, sending Florida fans scrambling for the exits.
“It feels more special,” Fromm said, comparing this victory to last season’s 42-7 romp. “This year it was a fight. We were able to enjoy it and respect it a lot more.”
Holloman beat C.J. McWilliams twice in the same corner of the same end zone. The Bulldogs clearly picked on the sophomore after he replaced Henderson (back) on the first series. Fromm seemed to search for him on third down.
“When you can’t get off the field, you get the results we got today,” Florida defensive end CeCe Jefferson said.
The Gators failed to get a stop when they needed it in the fourth.