Georgia Survives Georgia Tech in Gritty Rivalry Win, Eyes SEC Title Clash with Alabama
ATLANTA - It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t flashy. But it was Georgia football at its most resilient - gritty, physical, and just good enough to get the job done.
No. 4 Georgia outlasted No.
23 Georgia Tech 16-9 in a defensive slugfest Friday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, extending their dominance over their in-state rival to eight straight wins. It came down to the final play - a desperation heave from Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King - but tight end Jaden Reddell was there to swat it down and seal Georgia’s 11th win of the season.
This one was about toughness, not touchdowns. The two teams combined for just one trip to the end zone, and Georgia finished with only 260 yards of total offense. But in a rivalry game like this, style points take a backseat to the scoreboard.
“A lot of credit to both teams. Played hard, man.
That was a physical, physical, tough game,” said head coach Kirby Smart after the win. “Our guys were very resilient during it and found ways.
Thought the defense really stepped up today.”
He’s not wrong. Georgia’s defense, led by co-defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann, was the story of the night.
They kept King and the Tech offense out of rhythm and off the scoreboard when it mattered most. It wasn’t just about scheme - it was execution, discipline, and a whole lot of grit.
There were no explosive plays to hang their helmets on, no offensive fireworks. But the Bulldogs did what championship-caliber teams do: they made the plays when they had to, and they leaned into their identity when things got messy.
“We did what we had to do offensively,” Smart said. “Got to continue to get better. But really proud of this team.”
That mindset - always looking to improve, even after a rivalry win - is part of what’s kept Georgia in the national conversation all season long. Now, with the regular season wrapped, the Bulldogs turn their attention to the 2025 SEC Championship Game, where a showdown with Alabama awaits.
Same stadium. Bigger stakes.
Georgia has been here before, but each trip to Atlanta brings new challenges. Friday night was a reminder that even the most talented teams need to win ugly sometimes. And when the lights were brightest, Georgia’s defense - and one well-timed bat-down from Reddell - made sure the Bulldogs walked out with the win.