ATHENS, Ga. — The No. 2-ranked Bulldogs came into their home opener hitting the ground running and never looking back, rolling past the Blazers 56-7 inside a packed Sanford Stadium. Georgia put the pedal to the metal on offense at the start of the game as Stetson Bennett connects with sophomore receiver Jermaine Burton for a 73-yard TD reception. Bennett was named starter mid-week after news surfaced of starting quarterback JT Daniels suffering a minor injury against Clemson last Saturday.

Next possession, Georgia’s stout defense forced a three-and-out on UAB, giving the ball back to the offense quickly to follow up with another quick score as Bennett and Kenny McIntosh connect on a short TD pass. A few possessions later, UGA tacked on two more touchdowns with scores from Brock Bowers for 89-yards and Arian Smith for 61 yards. With 4:03 left until halftime, the Bulldogs’ defense forced another consecutive three-and-out on UAB to give Georgia’s offense the ball back.

Georgia was able to get back into the Blazers’ red zone following a 34-yard punt return from junior receiver Kearis Jackson, but a holding penalty drove the Bulldogs back 10-yards. After a few stops from the UAB defense, Georgia responded with a 9-yard completion to Bowers from Bennett to make the score 35-0 before the halftime break. Georgia’s defense held the Blazers to just 35 yards passing and 63 yards on the ground, smothering UAB’s offense.

In the second half, the Bulldogs switched up their game plan and decided to shy away from the passing game and enforce the run by driving down the field from their own 36-yard line and adding another touchdown score from running back James Cook on a 14-yard run. In the next defensive possession for UGA, the Bulldogs earned another turnover on the Blazers with an interception from defensive back Kelee Ringo. Quarterback Carson Beck entered the game for Bennett after the pick from Ringo and connected on a 14-yard TD pass to redshirt freshman Justin Robinson to increase their commanding lead to 49-0.

In the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs did not ease up on their defensive surge as they continued to force turnovers against the Blazers. At the 10:14-mark of the quarter, Jamon Dumas-Johnson scored on pick-six returned for 20 yards to put the game completely out of reach for UAB.

Bennett led the way for the Bulldogs on offense for most of the game, completing 9 out of 11 passes for 279 yards and five touchdown passes. Zamir White was the leading rusher for the Bulldogs on seven carries for 34 yards, his longest run was for 13 yards. UGA tight end Bowers was the leading receptionist for the contest, catching three passes 107 yards and two touchdowns. His longest reception was for 89 yards that resulted in a touchdown. Burton was the second leading receiver for the Bulldogs with three catches for 92 yards in the game. Georgia’s offense earned 539 yards total to UAB’s 174.

On defense, senior inside linebacker Channing Tindall led the way in tackles with seven total and one sack earned against UAB. Inside linebacker Trezmen Marshall was the second leading tackler for the Bulldogs with four recorded. Bulldog defenders Tindall, Adam Anderson and Nazir Stackhouse each were accounted for a sack in the game. Defensive backs Lewis Cine, Ringo and Dumas-Johnson each came away with interceptions against Alabama-Birmingham.

Next Saturday the Bulldogs are back at home to match up against the South Carolina Gamecocks at 7:00 PM EST.

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