ATHENS, Ga. — Carson Beck showcased his skills by throwing four touchdown passes, while Nate Frazier contributed significantly with 136 rushing yards and three touchdowns, leading No. 8 Georgia to a dominant 59-21 victory over Massachusetts on Saturday. This win was vital for the Bulldogs as they aimed to maintain their chances for a berth in the College Football Playoff.
With a record of 9-2 and positioned No. 10 in the College Football Playoff rankings, Georgia’s prolific offensive performance from Beck and Frazier was essential to support a defense that surrendered 226 rushing yards. Massachusetts, with a record of 2-9, began its first game under interim coach Shane Montgomery, who stepped up after the dismissal of coach Don Brown earlier in the week.
Jalen John was the standout for the Minutemen, rushing for 107 yards and scoring a touchdown during the game. Georgia continued its impressive streak of home victories, now reaching 30 consecutive wins, the longest in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
In the fourth quarter, Bulldogs linebacker Chris Cole added to the excitement by returning a fumble recovery 31 yards for a touchdown, a play set up by Quintavius Johnson’s sack and forced fumble. Beck managed to maintain composure, going without turnovers for his second consecutive game, following a previous stretch where he had 12 interceptions over six outings.
The game began with UMass executing a strong 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that featured nine rushing plays, culminating in a touchdown run from CJ Hester from four yards out. The Minutemen continued their momentum with another lengthy drive in the second quarter, going 14 plays and 75 yards, capped by a 4-yard touchdown run from John.
As the second half unfolded, UMass adjusted its strategy and moved away from their run-dominant approach. AJ Hairston connected with Jakobie Keaney-James for a 75-yard touchdown pass, slicing between Georgia’s defensive backs.
Georgia had only four offensive possessions in the first half, with each ending successfully in a touchdown pass by Beck. He made scoring connections with Oscar Delp, Cash Jones, Dominic Lovett, and Arian Smith throughout the game.
As 42.5-point favorites, Georgia faced the challenge of living up to expectations, and the performances of Beck and Frazier might have helped secure their standing in the Top 25 and College Football Playoff rankings.
Analyzing UMass’s performance revealed that they managed 166 rushing yards in the first half, which is remarkable against a Georgia defense that usually allows an average of 114 yards per game. However, linebacker Jalen Harrell was carted off in the third quarter due to a leg injury, disappointing the UMass bench.
On the Georgia side, running backs Trevor Etienne and Branson Robinson were rested due to injuries, allowing Dwight Phillips Jr. and Chauncey Bowens some game time. However, Frazier took full advantage of his opportunity, scoring touchdowns on runs of 9, 15, and 2 yards in the second half. Meanwhile, Beck went on to complete 20 of 31 passes for 297 yards before Gunner Stockton stepped in to lead the final touchdown drive.
Looking ahead, UMass will finish its season with a home game against UConn next Saturday, while Georgia prepares for a Friday night matchup against Georgia Tech, who recently secured a 30-29 victory over N.C. State.