
WATCH: Georgia opens scoring in SEC Championship Game in sensational fashion
ATLANTA — Georgia football struck first in the SEC Championship Game, and the Bulldogs did it in a most unconventional — and spectacular way.
Georgia junior Nazir Stackhouse blocked a 32-yard field goal attempt, and after the blocked ball squirted to the UGA 4-yard line, senior captain Christopher Smith scooped it up and returned it 96 yards with 3:33 left in the first quarter.
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LSU had driven 74 yards on 12 plays and faced a third-and-goal at the Georgia 5 when Jalen Carter broke through the line of scrimmage and Chaz Chambliss came off the edge, leaving Tigers’ QB Jayden Daniels no avenue for escape.
The resulting sack brought LSU’s Damian Ramos out to attempt the field goal.
Several camera angles and replays revealed fun aspects of the return, from Smael Mondon Jr. discouraging Smith from picking it up, to Robert Beal high-fiving Jalen Carter to celebrate the block, unaware Smith was racing past them.