LSU vs. Georgia final score, results: Bennett, Bulldogs hang 50 on Tigers to claim SEC title

Total times read this article : 7

Georgia set out to do what it couldn’t do in last year’s national championship season and win an SEC title. The Bulldogs not only won, but won convincingly, scoring 50 points in a game that looked like it could’ve turned into even more of a rout if Kirby Smart kept his foot on the gas.

A blocked field goal returned for a touchdown by Georgia in the first quarter set the tone for the rest of the game, as the Bulldogs went up 35-7 before halftime and never looked back.

MORE: Georgia blocked field goal return: Explaining rule that led to Bulldogs TD vs. LSU in SEC title game

Stetson Bennett was excellent, throwing four touchdown passes in the first half before the running game took control in the second half. 

LSU’s offense played about as well as Brian Kelly could’ve hoped against a terrific Georgia defense. The Tigers put together some long drives in the first half and kept moving in the second half even after Garrett Nussmeier replaced a hobbled Jayden Daniels at quarterback.

Finishing drives was too often the problem for LSU. The blocked field goal turned what was nearly a Tigers lead into an early 7-0 deficit, and a third quarter drive that nearly brought LSU back within 11 points ended on a questionable play call that gave the ball back to Georgia. 

MORE: Watch college football games live with fuboTV (free trial)

LSU can hold its head high after winning nine games in Kelly’s first season, while the play of Nussmeier inspires some hope for the future in Baton Rouge.

For Georgia, the journey is only beginning. The Bulldogs will be the decisive No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff and play in the Peach Bowl in front of their own fans on New Year’s Eve. Georgia is looking to become the first team in a decade to win back-to-back national championships. Unlike last season, the Bulldogs would be undefeated champions if they can pull it off. 

MORE: Everything to know about College Football Playoff selection show

The Sporting News tracked live scoring updates and highlights from LSU vs. Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. Check out all of the key moments you might’ve missed.

LSU vs. Georgia score

  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 F
LSU 7 3 13 7 50
Georgia 14 21 7 8 30

LSU vs. Georgia live updates, highlights from SEC championship game

(All times Eastern)

Final: Georgia 50, LSU 30

7:54 p.m. — Kneel-down time. Georgia runs out the clock and will enter the College Football Playoff as the clear No. 1 seed. Will we see a second consecutive national title for Kirby Smart’s team?

7:52 p.m. FUMBLE — Robert Beal Jr. gets to Nussmeier, forcing a turnover that will allow Georgia to try and run out the clock.

7:48 p.m. — Daniel-Sisavanh is not called for targeting. LSU isn’t happy with it. Play on, everyone.

7:47 p.m. — Officials are reviewing a hit by Georgia’s David Daniel-Sisavahn for targeting…

7:44 p.m. — Georgia is quickly punting after a three-and-out. The Bulldogs aren’t interested in getting anyone hurt. LSU ball with under five minutes on the clock.

Georgia 50, LSU 30

7:40 p.m. — Another nice throw by Nussmeier, who finds a sliding Jaray Jenkins in the end zone for a 33-yard touchdown. 

7:32 p.m. — Jaray Jenkins makes a nice catch along the sideline to get LSU’s drive moving. All things considered, Nussmeier has looked solid in place of Daniels tonight.

7:28 p.m. — The Bulldogs are punting after coming up two yards short on third down. LSU is playing for pride at this point and will try to make the final score look more respectable here.

7:25 p.m. — A penalty backs up Georgia’s drive, but the Bulldogs are still committed to the running game. 

7:21 p.m. INTERCEPTION — Nussmeier throws downfield and is intercepted near the goal line. Georgia will run, run, run the ball the rest of the way.

Georgia 50, LSU 23

7:13 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — That’s McIntosh’s second touchdown of the half. He runs to the right and sneaks into the end zone to push Georgia’s lead up to 27 after the two-point conversion.

7:12 p.m. — Daijun Edwards runs for 28 yards to bring Georgia into the red zone. The Bulldogs continue to run the ball efficiently. 

End of third quarter: Georgia 42, LSU 23

7:06 p.m. — Bennett throws to a well-covered Brock Bowers, who makes the catch for 24 yards. Bowers is a man amongst boys out there.

Georgia 42, LSU 23

7:01 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Noah Cain takes it in for the Tigers. LSU goes for two but can’t convert on a high pass by Nussmeier. The deficit is 19 late in the third quarter.

6:59 p.m. — LSU is down inside the 3-yard line looking to do what it couldn’t on the last drive and punch this one in.

6:58 p.m. — Josh Williams with a great 47-yard run all the way into the red zone. He gets chased down but has LSU’s offense in business again. 

Georgia 42, LSU 17

6:53 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — What a response by Georgia’s offense after the defense’s big stop. McIntosh runs it in for the touchdown to put the Bulldogs up by 25.

6:52 p.m. — Kendall Milton rips off a huge 51-yard run to put Georgia in the red zone. The Bulldogs are knocking on the door again.

6:49 p.m. — LSU nearly had the stop deep in Georgia territory, but Bennett finds Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint for a much-needed first down. The Bulldogs have room to work with now.

6:46 p.m. — Wow, Josh Williams comes up short on 4th & 1. That’s going to be tough to swallow for LSU after coming so close to making this a two-possession game. Georgia ball.

6:43 p.m. — Huge fourth down play coming up after Mason Taylor nearly muscles his way for the first. First, officials will review the spot.

6:41 p.m. — Nussmeier is letting it fly! He hits Nabers again, this time for a 59-yard gain. LSU is in the red zone and on the verge of making this a game.

6:37 p.m. — LSU forces a three-and-out and will have a chance to cut the deficit to two possessions. Georgia’s offense will need to start getting more aggressive if the Tigers come away with points here. 

Georgia 35, LSU 17

6:32 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Nussmeier finds Malik Nabers for a much-needed 34-yard touchdown. That’ll at least give the Tigers some hope. 35-17, Georgia.

6:31 p.m. — Georgia’s Ladd McConkey is out for the rest of the game with a knee injury. Hopefully it’s just precautionary — he’s a big part of the Bulldogs offense.

6:30 p.m. — It’s Nussmeier, not Daniels, under center for LSU. Daniels didn’t look comfortable at the end of the first half as he battles an ankle injury.

6:27 p.m. FUMBLE — This time, LSU gets the turnover. A botched handoff is recovered by the Tigers defense at about their own 45-yard line. Now let’s see if Jayden Daniels is ready to go.

6:25 p.m. —  Kenny McIntosh lost the football but was able to pick it back up. That would’ve been a nice boost for LSU.

6:22 p.m. — Georgia is running the ball well to open the half. That the Bulldogs can run the ball so well without anything close to a feature back is a testament to how great the system is. 

6:21 p.m. — The second half is underway after Georgia received the opening kickoff. The Bulldogs are looking to bring the lead up to 32 points.

End of first half: Georgia 35, LSU 10

Georgia 35, LSU 10

5:54 p.m. FIELD GOAL — No drama on the field goal this time. LSU cuts the deficit to 25, saving face just a bit heading into halftime.

5:51 p.m. — LSU is passing its way into position for a field goal. It likely won’t mean anything in the end, but this is a valiant effort by the Tigers.

5:48 p.m. — Jayden Daniels is back in the game, at least for now. He’s still limping around. LSU has 32 seconds to work with.

Georgia 35, LSU 7

5:46 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Bennett finds Dillon Bell for another Georgia touchdown. Bennett has four touchdown passes, Georgia has 35 points, and this game is out of hand.

5:42 p.m. — Georgia gets the ball back and has plenty of time to add onto the lead here…

5:39 p.m. — Well, Daniels is in the medical tent after that sack. Garrett Nussmeier is under center for LSU down 28-7.

5:37 p.m. — Jalen Carter comes in and lifts Daniels off the ground with one arm. That’s one way to get a sack. LSU is already facing 3rd & long.

Georgia 28, LSU 7

5:35 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — It was a very slow drive, but it did the job. Bennett finds Darnell Washington for his third touchdown pass of the day. Georgia is in full control.

5:31 p.m. — Stetson Bennett is 12-of-16 for 145 yards and two touchdowns. Last year, all he needed to do was not hold the offense back. This year, he’s the centerpiece of the offense. 

5:27 p.m. — Back-to-back first down throws by Bennett. Georgia is starting to move after a slow start to the drive.

5:25 p.m. — A roughing-the-passer penalty by LSU helps erase the damage done by a Georgia false start. Bulldogs still working in their own territory.

5:19 p.m. — Daniels throws deep on 3rd & 10 but can’t connect. The Tigers’ offense has tapered off after a hot start, and Georgia will have another chance to add to its lead.

5:13 p.m. — LSU’s defense rises up and forces a field goal, against all odds, and the kick hits the uprights. It’s still a two-possession game.

5:12 p.m. — Georgia is ripping off big gains now. A 17-yard pass to Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint is followed up by a 24-yard run for Kendall Milton. The Bulldogs are threatening to turn this into a rout.

5:10 p.m. — The Bulldogs are committing more to the run game now, running it on the first three plays of their latest drive. First down, Georgia.

5:07 p.m. — Georgia forces a quick three-and-out and will get the ball back. This has a chance to get out of hand quickly with nearly 14 minutes still left in the second quarter.

Georgia 21, LSU 7

5:01 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — That was quick! Bennett hits Ladd McConkey for a 22-yard score. It’s been weird, but Georgia is rolling.

4:59 p.m. INTERCEPTION — What was that?! Smael Mondon Jr. intercepts the ball after it deflects off of an LSU’s receiver’s helmet while he’s flat on the ground. Georgia football.

End of first quarter: Georgia 14, LSU 7

4:55 p.m. — LSU’s offense has been terrific early on and needs another statement drive here. There’s virtually no room for error after, well, the error.

Georgia 14, LSU 7

4:52 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — That drive was all Brock Bowers. He catches a short pass from Bennett for the score after a penalty set up 1st & Goal.

4:49 p.m. — Bowers again! He takes it down to the 18-yard line. What a weapon for this Bulldogs offense.

4:48 p.m. — Stetson Bennett hits Brock Bowers to put Georgia near midfield. The offenses aren’t wasting time.

Georgia 7, LSU 7

4:45 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — How’s that for an answer? Kayshon Boutte catches the ball ahead of Georgia’s 40-yard line and runs it in beautifully for the touchdown. LSU’s offense looks better than expected so far.

4:43 p.m. — Can LSU recover from such a demoralizing sequence of events? It felt like points were absolutely needed there with the state of Daniels’ ankle. The Tigers open their next drive with a first down.

4:40 p.m. — Georgia’s special teams outsmarted everyone. No other way to put it. Championship-caliber football.

Georgia 7, LSU 0

4:36 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Unreal! Georgia blocks LSU’s field goal attempt and makes little effort to recover the ball. The Tigers didn’t realize it was a live ball. That’s a 95-yard touchdown for the Bulldogs.

4:35 p.m. — That fizzled out quickly. Georgia gets to Daniels on 3rd & Goal for a big-time sack. LSU will have to settle for a field goal in a spot where a touchdown looked attainable.

4:34 p.m. — LSU is down near the 5-yard line after another nice throw by Daniels. 

4:33 p.m. — Daniels looks like he aggravated his ankle injury… That will be worth monitoring, obviously. LSU still threatening for points here.

4:31 p.m. — Daniels is cooking early on. He throws a laser to Kyren Lacy for a 16-yard gain, and LSU is in field goal range.

4:30 p.m. — Big play by Malik Nabers, who takes a short pass 18 yards and into Georgia territory.

4:28 p.m. — Daniels has thrown the ball a pretty good amount early on, and it’s working fairly well. Back-to-back first downs for LSU.

4:21 p.m. — Wow, Georgia’s special teams comes in and rocks LSU’s returner on the punt. Tigers are lucky he held onto the ball.

4:20 p.m. — There’s the answer. Georgia goes three-and-out after Stetson Bennett sails a ball over a well-covered Kenny McIntosh. LSU will quickly get another chance.

4:16 p.m. — The Bulldogs force a pair of incompletions and will get their first crack on offense. Georgia has been prone to some slow offensive starts this year, so it’ll be interesting to see how efficient this group is out of the gate.

4:13 p.m. — Daniels passes for a first down to get the Tigers’ offense off to a solid start.

4:12 p.m. — LSU opens with the ball, so we’ll get an early look at Daniels against a tremendous Georgia run defense.

4:08 p.m. — Brian Kelly tells CBS that Jayden Daniels is ready to play and will play well.

4:05 p.m. — How about that timing? Kansas State edges out TCU in the Big 12 title game, and all eyes are now on the SEC.

4:01 p.m. — We’re getting close to kickoff, though the fanfare will delay it a bit past 4 p.m. 

3:54 p.m. — Will we get the same madness here as the Big 12 is getting from Kansas State and TCU? The odds don’t see it that way, but championship weekend is prone to chaos.

3:37 p.m. — Great news for LSU ahead of the game, as Jayden Daniels is reportedly near full health after a couple of tough weeks. The Tigers will need his absolute best to hang with Georgia.

Facebook Comments Box

Hits: 0

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR