LEXINGTON, Ky. — Georgia football doesn’t often let opponents reach the end zone. That proved to be the difference Saturday night, as the Bulldogs’ offense struggled to score against Kentucky.

Georgia escaped with a 13-12 victory, moving the Bulldogs to 3-0 on the season and 1-0 in SEC play. But this was a far cry from the No. 1 team in the country.

The Bulldogs committed eight penalties for 70 yards and had just 262 yards of offense, compared to Kentucky’s 284. Carson Beck had his worst game as a starter, throwing for just 160 yards.

Georgia trailed 9-6 entering the fourth quarter.

Branson Robinson scored to give Georgia a 13-9 lead. Kentucky countered with a field goal, forcing Georgia to a three-and-out.

Trailing 13-12, Kentucky drove the ball into Georgia territory. But thanks to back-to-back pass breakups by Nazir Stackhouse and Jalon Walker, the Bulldogs forced Kentucky to a point with 3:03 left in the game.

On the ensuing drive, Beck found Dominic Lovett for a 33-yard gain with 2:49 remaining, helping to secure field position and get Georgia out of the shadows of their own end zone. He later found Oscar Delp for another first down, but only after Delp fumbled the ball and recovered it past the first down line.

It was a fitting way for Georgia to win this game, as they needed every inch to survive their first SEC game of the season.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart won’t apologize for winning an SEC road game. And Georgia has a week off to correct the litany of mistakes it made Saturday before hitting the road again, taking on an Alabama program that has proven it can beat Georgia.

Carson Beck is having a hard time on the road

Beck struggled Saturday night, dropping snaps, missing open receivers and failing to make a third down.

The Georgia quarterback had no turnovers but threw for 160 yards, the fewest of his career as a starter. His counterpart, Brock Vandagriff, threw for 115 yards on 14 of 26 attempts. He added 68 non-sack rushing yards.

Georgia, which led the nation in third-down conversation rate in 2023, was just 5 of 13 on third down. A week after Beck said his goal was to keep punter Brett Thorson from making plays, the Bulldogs punted the ball six times that night. Georgia punted just four times in the first two games.

Beck was in no shape to compete for the Heisman Trophy, often looking like the second-best quarterback on the field.

Georgia plays a miserable first half

In terms of distances, it was the worst first half of the Kirby Smart era.

Georgia had just 63 yards of offense and only three first downs. It was 1 of 6 on third down. It had no turnovers, but it tried hard to give them away, with Beck making some very questionable decisions.

Georgia’s defense largely did its job, aside from allowing Kentucky to convert on third down 7 of 10 times. The Bulldogs were hurt by some questionable penalties, but they did tackle Vandagriff 3.0 times, one of which led to a forced fumble that was recovered by Damon Wilson.

The recovery allowed Georgia to score its only points of the first half, but they came on a three-and-out.

This isn’t the first time this season that Georgia has gotten off to a slow start offensively, as the Bulldogs failed to score a touchdown in the first half of their game against Clemson. But while Georgia led 6-0 that game, the Bulldogs trailed 6-3 at halftime this time around.

Georgia eventually got going, but since it played a rested Alabama team coming off the off week, Georgia will be under a lot of pressure to get off to a much faster start than it has thus far against FBS teams.

Georgia’s defense makes plays when it matters most

It wasn’t a perfect night for Georgia’s defense. There were costly penalties. Kentucky had consistent success running the ball in the second half, leaning on a short-handed Georgia defensive line. The Wildcats ran for 170 yards that night.

But when the group needed stops, they did. The Bulldogs kept Kentucky out of the end zone in Lexington for the third straight time, with Kentucky’s last home touchdown coming in 2018.

Georgia has now gone four straight games without giving up a touchdown, dating back to the end of last season.

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins had a strong game for Georgia, with one sack and 2.0 tackles for loss.

The secondary largely held Vandagriff in check, as the Kentucky quarterback had just passing yards on the day. Dan Jackson, Walker and Julian Humphrey all had pass breakups, while Daylen Everette led the team in tackles with eight.

Georgia’s defense still hasn’t allowed a touchdown in three games this season. But for a group that looked spotless in wins over Clemson and Tennessee Tech, Georgia certainly had its hands full against the Wildcats.

Georgia Football News and Notes

Cornerback Daniel Harris was dressed for Georgia but did not play in the game. Harris was arrested Thursday on five traffic violations.

Georgia was without Mykel Williams, Jordan Hall, Warren Brinson and Roderick Robinson due to injuries. Offensive lineman Tate Ratledge left the game in the second quarter with knee and ankle injuries.

Colbie Young, London Humphreys, Dillon Bell, Oscar Delp, Trevor Etienne, Earnest Greene, Dylan Fairchild, Jared Wilson, Ratledge and Xavier Truss were the starting players in attack.

Chaz Chambliss Damon Wilson, Nazir Stackhouse, Christen Miller, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Daylen Everette, CJ Allen, Smael Mondon, Julian Humphrey, Dan Jackson and Malaki Starks started on the defensive side of the ball.

Georgia has next week off and then plays Alabama.