Georgia 42, Ole Miss 7: Trash delays game after penalty call
No. 2 Georgia beat No. 10 Ole Miss 42-7 after a pass interference call triggered fans to throw trash onto the field, delaying play for
No. 2 Georgia beat No. 10 Ole Miss 42-7 after a pass interference call triggered fans to throw trash onto the field, delaying play for about six minutes. Quarterback Gunner Stockton threw four touchdown passes and ran for another as the Bulldogs strengthened their case to move to No. 1 in the College Football Playoff rankings.
Penalty call sparks delay
Georgia led 21-0 with about five minutes left in the first half when officials called Ole Miss defensive back Jaylon Braxton for pass interference on Craig Dandridge. Replay showed Braxton grabbing Dandridge’s left arm as he tracked a deep pass from Stockton.
Boos from the stands gave way to trash thrown into the end zone near the Rebels’ student section. Officers and stadium staff cleared the field as public-address announcements and a message on the video board addressed the interruption.
The delay lasted about six minutes. After play resumed, Stockton ran 15 yards for a touchdown, giving Georgia a 28-0 halftime lead.
Georgia takes control
The Bulldogs scored on each of their first three possessions and built a 21-0 lead before Ole Miss had crossed midfield more than once. Georgia had 298 yards of offense in the first half and finished with 482.
Stockton completed nine of 15 passes for 186 yards. Talyn Taylor caught three touchdown passes, including a 65-yard score, while Ethan Barbour added a 58-yard touchdown reception. Georgia also ran for 295 yards, led by Nate Frazier’s 107.
“A total team effort. I thought we embraced the challenge right from the start,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said.
Playoff stakes
The defeat leaves Ole Miss at 6-3 overall and 4-3 in Southeastern Conference play, tightening its path toward the College Football Playoff. The loss came as Georgia improved to 8-1, with a 6-1 conference record.
Georgia could rise to the top of the rankings after No. 1 Miami lost 31-24 to Notre Dame. The playoff selection committee was due to release new rankings Tuesday.
