ATHENS — Georgia remained in full control of the SEC East Division with another dominant defensive effort on Saturday night.
The No. 6-ranked Bulldogs (8-1, 5-1 SEC) beat Missouri (5-4, 2-3) by a 27-0 count at Sanford Stadium, Georgia’s third shutout of the season.
The Bulldogs’ defense stepped up with a goal line stand in the final minutes, Georgia remaining the only team in the FBS ranks not to allow a rushing touchdown.
“You can’t say enough about the defensive staff and the game plan they put together,” Coach Kirby Smart said. “The defensive players hung their hats on that, and they showed some competitive character at the end with that stand.”
Quarterback Jake Fromm was 13-f-29 passing for 173 yards, connecting with freshman George Pickens on TD passes of 25 and 18 yards in the first and fourth quarters.
Missouri went with backup QB Tyler Powell in place of Kelly Bryant, who remained sidelined by the hamstring injury he suffered at Kentucky on Oct. 26. Powell was 10-of-22 passing with an interception that Richard LeCounte returned 71 yards to set up a UGA field goal.
Georgia kicker Rodrigo Blankenship made field goals of 20, 48, 47 and 29 yards, matching his career high.
FOURTH QUARTER
Georgia 27, Missouri 0, 14:02: George Pickens 18-yard pass from Jake Fromm. (James Cook reception from Fromm for two-point conversion). Drive: 11 plays, 86 yards, 5:37; Key play: Kearis Jackson 13-yard pass from Fromm to Missouri 44-yard line on third-and-9.
— Cade Mays down with an injured right ankle, 14:25. Jamaree Salyer takes over at center.
THIRD QUARTER
Georgia 19, Missouri 0, 6:56: Rodrigo Blankenship 29-yard field goal; Drive: 7 plays, 32 yards, 3:40; Key play: Demetris Robertson 16-yard run to Missouri 19.
HALFTIME
UGA injuries: C Trey Hill (ankle), out for game; WR Lawrence Cager (shoulder), out for game.
Fromm 9-of-20 for 122 yards, TD; Taylor Powell 8-17, 60, INT
UGA 18:24 time of possession; Missouri 11:36
SECOND QUARTER
Georgia 16, Missouri 0, 0:00: Rodrigo Blankenship 47-yard field goal. Drive: 6 plays, 33 yards, 0:36. Key play: Lawrence Cager 30-yard catch to Missouri 31.
Georgia 13, Missouri 0, 6:06: Rodrigo Blankenship 48-yard field goal. Drive: 4 plays minus-13 yards, 1:52. Key play: Richard LeCounte interception and 71-yard return to Missouri 18.
Georgia 10, Missouri 0, 14:05: Rodrigo Blankenship 20-yard field goal; Drive: 13 plays, 67 yards, 5:51). Key play: Lawrence Cager 16-yard catch on third-and-7 at Missouri 44.
FIRST QUARTER
• Injury update: Trey Hill down an extended amount of time, 4:43 mark of first quarter, ankle. Cade Mays at center.
• Injury update: Tyson Campbell on field at cornerback on Missouri’s second series, 10:43 mark. It’s Campbell’s first action since the first half of the 55-0 win over Arkansas State on Sept. 14. He has been dealing with turf toe.
Georgia 7, Missouri 0, 10:43: George Pickens 25-yard pass from Jake Fromm (Rodrigo Blankenship kick), Drive: 6 plays, 60 yards, 2:47). Key play: Lawrence Cager 32-yard pass from Fromm on third-and-6 at UGA 44.
(7:05 p.m . kickoff, ESPN)
Georgia captains, Tae Crowder ,D’Andre Swift, Solomon Kindley. UGA wins toss, defers.
Missouri backup QB Taylor Powell starts, Kelly Bryant dressed and a team captain
PREGAME READS
Pregame note: UGA Linebacker Walter Grant not in uniform
ATHENS —Georgia coach Kirby Smart has reminded everyone that his Bulldogs are a work in progress, and Saturday night’s home game against Missouri presents another opportunity to show progress.
RELATED: Kirby Smart explains Missouri concerns
Georgia is 4-1 at Sanford Stadium this season, its only loss a 20-17 overtime setback to 24-point underdog South Carolina back on Oct. 12.
It was a reminder for the No. 6-ranked Bulldogs that they can’t overlook anyone in the SEC. Smart has drilled that message home again this week.
“We don’t look past the gauntlet of Missouri because our team respects them, it’s a single-minded focus on one thing,” Smart said. “We can’t look past that.”
Georgia is coming off a 24-17 win over No. 10-ranked Florida in Jacksonville that many believe will ultimately decide the SEC East Division.
Smart said no one in Athens is complacent, however.
“There’s been a sense of urgency for our guys for a long time,” Smart said. “Just execute and got to get better, and most important thing is they understand they have to get better to get where we want to go.”
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