Aerial view of Doak Campbell Stadium on Florida State University’s campus – Courtesy: Shutterstock- Image by Felix Mizioznikov
In a game between teams that did not make the College Football Playoffs, No. 6 Georgia trounced previously unbeaten and fourth-ranked Florida State 63-3 in the Orange Bowl on Saturday night. Carson Beck passed for 203 yards and two touchdowns, while backup quarterback Gunnar Stockton accounted for two more scores.
Against the shorthanded Seminoles, who were without over two dozen players due to opt-outs and transfers, including five starters in their defensive front seven, their top two running backs, and their top three receivers, Georgia scored on nine of their twelve drives and amassed 673 total yards.
A story about two groups
The Bulldogs (13-1) had won the previous two national crowns, so they were accustomed to fighting for championships at this time of year. However, Georgia missed out on one of the four slots in the CFP rankings and fell to Alabama in the Southeastern Conference championship game, the Bulldogs’ first defeat since the 2021 campaign. Rather, they were content to make their seventh bowl appearance during the New Year’s Six in program history.
Despite winning the Atlantic Coast Conference, Florida (13-1) was not selected for the College Football Playoffs. The Seminoles were without players who accounted for 97% of their passing yards, 88% of their running yards, and 84% of their receptions this season due to transfers, opt-outs, and injuries.
Georgia has an opportunity to make a statement at the Orange Bowl.
In contrast to West Virginia’s 29-point advantage over Clemson at the half in 2012, the Bulldogs jumped out to a 39-point lead at halftime, the biggest in the bowl’s 90-year history. It was also Florida State’s biggest losing margin ever.
Beck did not participate in the second half despite having touchdown throws of two and twelve yards. In the third quarter, Stockton, a rookie, took the field and promptly set up another touchdown drive.
The Bulldogs became the first program to score at least 55 points in back-to-back bowl games (they defeated TCU 65-7 in the Peach Bowl last season), and he finished with 96 yards passing and 46 yards rushing.
Kendall Milton of the Bulldogs scored two touchdowns and ran for 104 yards on nine runs. Daijun Edwards added 62 yards and two more touchdowns on the ground. Both were a part of the senior class that won its 50th game, setting a school record.
Ladd McConkey, a receiver for the Bulldogs, amassed 49 yards of total offense in what might have been his final game. Georgia led 38-3 in the second quarter after he scored on a 27-yard dash after catching a ball from Beck behind the line of scrimmage. He then attempted to complete another throw but instead took off running, dodging Florida State defenders and making his way into the end zone.
Bulldogs players were aware of the narrative of the team across the field: the Seminoles had defeated every team on their schedule going into the game, including No. 15 Louisville in the ACC championship game. However, they were not included in the College Football Playoffs, in part because starting quarterback Jordan Travis suffered a season-ending leg injury.
The first conference champion from the Power Five to finish unbeaten and miss the playoffs was Florida State.
Georgia players acknowledged that they also felt belittled in the week preceding the bowl game, but they also acknowledged that they understood the Seminoles’ anger.
Kirby Smart, the Georgia coach, successfully advocated for the selection committee to take into account the Bulldogs’ whole record when reaching a final decision. Before the SEC title game, Georgia had won 29 straight games and had the eighth-best offensive and ninth-best defense in the nation at the end of the season.
It was insufficient. And possession following possession in the Orange Bowl, the Bulldogs let out their anger.
The Conclusion
Georgia: The Bulldogs’ defense had an equal or greater influence as their offensive prowess. They recovered two fumbles and intercepted Seminoles quarterback Brock Glenn twice. Additionally, they held Florida State to 63 yards of rushes.
Florida State: The Seminoles failed to complete their first 14-win season since 2013 due to being outmatched in all three phases of the game. In his second career start, Glenn had trouble passing, completing just 9 of 26 attempts for 139 yards.
Stories that matter are our priority. At Florida Insider, we make sure that the information we provide our readers is accurate, easy-to-read, and informative. Whether you are interested in business, education, government, history, sports, real estate, nature or travel: we have something for everyone. Follow along for the best stories in the Sunshine State.
Born and raised in South Florida, Krystal is a recent graduate from the University of Miami with professional writing experience at the collegiate and national news outlet levels. She’s a foodie who loves all things travel, the beach, & visiting new places throughout Florida.