COLUMBIA, Mo. — In its long and storied history, Missouri has never beaten the nation’s No. 1-ranked team. It still hasn’t as the Georgia Bulldogs erased a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit for a 26-22 come-from-behind win.
The game-winning points were scored by junior Daijun Edwards, who managed to surge into the end zone from a yard out with 4:03 to play. The touchdown and PAT capped a 7-play, 68-yard drive on which the Bulldogs simply had to score.
With Stetson Bennett throwing the ball all over Faurot Field, Georgia never even faced a third-down on critical series. The senior quarterback was a perfect 4-for-4 passing for 61 yards to four different receivers on the drive. Perhaps the biggest one was an 11-yard throw to tight end Brock Bowers that got the Bulldogs to the 1 and set up Edwards’ score.
After Georgia’s defense forced Missouri to three straight incompletions and a punt, the Bulldogs took over again at their own 36. From there, Georgia put together one of their best, grind-out-the-clock drives in a long while. With Edwards again doing most of the work, Missouri had to use all three of their timeouts to stop the clock as the Bulldogs drove deep into its territory. Facing third-and-2 at the Tigers’ 28, one more Edwards’ run — this one for seven yards around right end — assured the final result. The Bulldogs went into victory formation from there.
Other than that, Georgia scored on every second-half possession. It made for the Bulldogs’ biggest fourth-quarter comeback since coming from 11 behind to beat Cincinnati, 24-21, in the 2020 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
Though tainted by two turnovers and some wonky defensive play, it was a quietly efficient night for Georgia’s offense. The Bulldogs totaled 482 total yards, including a season-high 170 yards rushing. Edwards finished with 51 yards on 10 carries and Kenny McIntosh — who started and played most of the game — had 65 on 10 carries and Kendall Milton added 61 on eight attempts.
Bennett added to his growing legend, too. The sixth-year senior quarterback had 312 yards on 24-of-44 passing. He didn’t throw a touchdown, but he also didn’t throw an interception.
It was a relatively quiet night for tight end Brock Bowers, who had 66 yards on five catches. He did haul in one particularly important catch for 33 yards.
Georgia’s other fourth-quarter scoring drive took nearly five minutes to complete and ended in a one-yard Milton score. Before that, the Bulldogs were having to settle for four Jack Podlesny field goals.
Harrison Mevis, scorned for missing a 26-yard game-winning try against Auburn last week, atoned for that performance. He made all five of his kicks, two from over 50 yards, including a career-best 56-yarder in the second half.
Missouri managed 294 yards offense against Georgia. Running back Cody Schrader led the way with 89 yards on six carries.
