ATHENS, Ga. — Carson Beck had an impressive performance, throwing four touchdown passes, while Nate Frazier rushed for 136 yards and three touchdowns, leading No. 8 Georgia to a dominant 59-21 victory over Massachusetts on Saturday. This win was crucial for the Bulldogs as they aim to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff.
With this victory, Georgia improved to 9-2 and maintained its position at No. 10 in the College Football Playoff rankings. The offense of Beck and Frazier played a key role, especially since the defense allowed 226 rushing yards during the game. Massachusetts, struggling at 2-9, was under the direction of interim coach Shane Montgomery, who stepped in after the firing of coach Don Brown earlier in the week.
Jalen John led the Minutemen with 107 rushing yards and contributed one touchdown. Despite the defensive struggles, Georgia extended its streak of home victories to 30 games, the longest active streak in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
A highlight for Georgia’s defense came in the fourth quarter when linebacker Chris Cole returned a fumble 31 yards for a touchdown, thanks to a forced fumble by Quintavius Johnson.
Beck also showcased improvement, avoiding turnovers for the second straight game. He had two touchdown passes and a rushing score in a previous win against No. 6 Tennessee. Prior to these games, Beck had struggled with 12 interceptions over a six-game stretch.
The Minutemen began the game strong, launching a 10-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a touchdown run by CJ Hester from four yards out. They later had another lengthy drive in the second quarter, which also resulted in a touchdown, this time from John.
However, Massachusetts shifted gears in the second half, where quarterback AJ Hairston connected on a 75-yard touchdown pass to Jakobie Keaney-James, signaling their commitment to the passing game.
On the other hand, Georgia capitalized on its offensive opportunities, with Beck throwing touchdown passes to Oscar Delp, Cash Jones, Dominic Lovett, and Arian Smith during the first half.
As a 42-and-a-half-point favorite, Georgia faced high expectations but met them with a strong offensive display. This performance could help solidify their Top 25 and College Football Playoff ranking.
Looking ahead, UMass will wrap up its season next Saturday at home against UConn, while Georgia prepares to host Georgia Tech on Friday night. The Yellow Jackets recently secured a close win against N.C. State.
