Belk Bowl Recap: (13) Georgia vs. (20) Louisville

The No. 13 Georgia Bulldogs and the No. 20 Louisville Cardinals both entered the Belk Bowl with a 9-3 season, seeking for their 10th win.  The Bulldogs left Charlotte Tuesday night the victors of the SEC vs. ACC showdown, beating the Cardinals 37-14.

The Bulldogs got off to a quick start after the Georgia defense stopped Louisville on their opening drive. Georgia quarterback Hutson Mason connected with wide receiver Chris Conley on a 45-yard touchdown. The Cardinals answered back with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Bolin to TE Gerald Christian.

Georgia’s offense took advantage of the second quarter and scored 13 points on Louisville’s defense, which is coached by former UGA DC, Todd Grantham. Freshman running back Nick Chubb had a 31-yard touchdown run and kicker Marshall Morgan added two field goals to put the Bulldogs on top, from 41 and 22 yards out.

Chubb set a Georgia bowl game record tonight, rushing for 266 yards on 33 carries with two touchdowns.

“I’m very excited,” Chubb said.  “But it wouldn’t be capable without the rest of the team blocking and pushing and everyone doing their job.”

Prior to the bowl game, Louisville’s defense had the No. 2 rushing defense in the nation, giving up an average of 93.6 yards per game.  The Cardinals allowed 305 rushing yards against the Bulldogs.

Louisville safety James Samples finished with 14 total tackles, registering 10 solos and four assisted, while teammate linebacker James Burgess had 10 total tackles, one solo and nine assisted.  Samples and Burgess dominated the defensive side of the ball for the Cardinals’ defense that had just 88 total tackles, one interception and one forced fumble against the Bulldogs.

“With a big, physical and experienced offensive line and then a great running back, it’s going to take its toll if you are on the field too much,” Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino said in regards to a tired defense.

As for Georgia’s passing game, Mason’s night ended early when he left in the second quarter with concussion-like symptoms.  Mason finished the night 10-for-15 with 149 yards and one touchdown.  Brice Ramsey stepped in for Mason, and threw for 51 yards, going 4-for-9 with one interception.

Cardinals redshirt freshman quarterback Bolin made his first start tonight, being one of two quarterbacks in the rotation for Louisville.  Bolin finished the night 20-for-40 with 300 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Bolin’s favorite target was senior wide receiver DeVante Parker, who had his 10th 100-yard receiving game. He caught eight passes for 120 yards.

Georgia’s defense held Louisville to 14 points, which is a season low and the fewest points they’ve scored since Nov. 12, 2011 (21-14 loss to Pitt).

“It’s a great win, period,” Georgia head coach Mark Richt said.  “It’s just not fun to lose.  I told the team before the game that I was thankful we had another game to play.”

The Bulldogs get their 10th win of the season and finish 10-3 overall and 6-2 in the SEC.  The Cardinals drop to 9-4 overall and 5-3 in their first season in the ACC.

*Section Photo credit to Mike Zarrilli, Getty Images;Featured Photo (above) credit to Nelson Chenault, USA Today Sports. 

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