ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Coach Kirby Smart hopes some ugly breakdowns by his defense in No. 8 Georgia's otherwise dominant 59-21 win over Massachusetts on Saturday will provide lessons his team can use in its final regular-season game.
Smart says the most important lesson is about more than missed tackles. He says his players lacked the energy he saw from visiting UMass and that Georgia can't make the same mistake when it plays in-state rival Georgia Tech on Friday night.
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UMass defensive back Lake Ellis (7) breaks uip a pass intended for Georgia wide receiver London Humphreys (16) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
UMass quarterback AJ Hairston (8) fumbles as he is hit by Georgia defensive lineman Xzavier McLeod (94) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia defensive back Malaki Starks (24) is chased by UMass linebacker Jalen Stewart (23) as he returns a punt during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
UMass quarterback AJ Hairston (8) fumbles as he is hit by Georgia defensive lineman Xzavier McLeod (94) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, right, is restrained by an assistant as he yells instructions to his players on the field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against UMass, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia running back Nate Frazier (3) is stopped by UMass cornerback Jerrod Cameron (28) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia wide receiver Sacovie White (18) runs past UMass linebacker Gerrell Johnson (22) after a catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) looks for running room as UMass linebacker Gerrell Johnson (22) closes in during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
UMass quarterback Ahmad Haston (5) throw from the pocket during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia running back Chauncey Bowens (33) fends off UMass defenders as he runs the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia wide receiver Dominic Lovett (6) crashes into a sideline photographer after making a catch for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UMass, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia tight end Oscar Delp (4) dives in for aa touchdown after a catch as UMass defensive back Lake Ellis (7) gives chase during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia wide receiver Arian Smith (11) runs in for a touchdown after a catch as UMass defensive back Lake Ellis (7) looks on during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
UMass wide receiver Sterling Galban (4) falls after a catch as Georgia defensive back Daniel Harris (7) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) throws from the pocket during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UMass, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia wide receiver Arian Smith (11) celebrates with Dominic Lovett (6) after a touchdown catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UMass, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia running back Nate Frazier (3) out runs UMass defensive back Leonard St. Gourdin (11) to the end zone for a tochdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) throws from the pocket during the second half of an NCAA college football game against UMass, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
“I hate to say it, but I don’t know if our guys were as energized as their guys were,” Smart said, adding the “want-to and desire” was “the biggest thing” that kept the visiting Minutemen competitive in the first half.
Ultimately, Georgia's advantage in talent was the difference.
Carson Beck threw four touchdown passes and Nate Frazier set career highs by rushing for 136 yards and three scores as the Bulldogs tried to protect their College Football Playoff hopes.
Georgia (9-2, No. 10 CFP) needed the big offense from Beck and Frazier to rescue a defense that gave up 226 rushing yards. UMass (2-9) played its first game under interim coach Shane Montgomery, the offensive coordinator who retained his play-calling duties after replacing fired coach Don Brown on Monday.
Jalen John led the Minutemen with 107 rushing yards and a touchdown.
“I think we just stuck to the plan that the coaches had for us,” John said. "Obviously this week was kind of rough for us, given Coach Brown not being here anymore. We just did our best to stay focused on what the coaches planned and did our best to execute it.”
Georgia extended its streak of consecutive home wins to 30, the longest active streak in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Bulldogs linebacker Chris Cole returned a fumble recovery 31 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Quintavius Johnson's sack of AJ Hairston and forced fumble set up the play.
Beck avoided turnovers for the second consecutive game. He threw two touchdowns without an interception and also ran for a score in the Bulldogs' 31-17 win over No. 6 Tennessee on Nov. 16. Beck had 12 interceptions in his previous six games.
“I think the first thing is, obviously, the offensive line played so well,” Beck said. “When I’m not getting pressured as much and I can sit back there comfortably and make my reads, it makes life a lot easier for me.”
UMass opened the game with a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that included nine runs and was capped by CJ Hester's scoring run from the 4.
UMass veered from its run-first plan to open the second half. Hairston threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Jakobie Keaney-James, who made the catch between defensive backs Dan Jackson and Daniel Harris.
Georgia had only four possessions in the first half and each ended with a touchdown pass from Beck. The senior quarterback connected with Oscar Delp, Cash Jones, Dominic Lovett and Arian Smith for the scoring passes.
Favored by 42 1/2 points, Georgia faced a difficult task of meeting expectations. The offensive showing by Beck and Frazier could be enough for the Bulldogs to protect their Top 25 and CFP rankings.
UMass: The Minutemen ran for 166 yards in the first half against a Georgia defense that had allowed an average of 114 for a full game. ... LB Jalen Harrell was surrounded by teammates after he was placed on a cart with a leg injury midway through the third quarter.
Georgia: Running backs Trevor Etienne and Branson Robinson, recovering from injuries, were held out. Dwight Phillips Jr. and Chauncey Bowens were given carries, but Frazier seized the opportunity to solidify his status as the next back on the depth chart. Frazier had scoring runs of 9 and 15 yards in the third quarter and added a 2-yard touchdown scamper in the fourth. ... Beck completed 20 of 31 passes for 297 yards. Gunner Stockton took over for Beck and led the Bulldogs' final offensive touchdown drive. ... DL Christen Miller was ruled out after leaving the game in the first quarter with what Smart said was a dislocated shoulder.
UMass: Closes its season at home next Saturday against UConn.
Georgia: Remains home to play Georgia Tech (7-4) on Friday night. The Yellow Jackets beat N.C. State 30-29 on Thursday night.
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UMass defensive back Lake Ellis (7) breaks uip a pass intended for Georgia wide receiver London Humphreys (16) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
UMass quarterback AJ Hairston (8) fumbles as he is hit by Georgia defensive lineman Xzavier McLeod (94) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia defensive back Malaki Starks (24) is chased by UMass linebacker Jalen Stewart (23) as he returns a punt during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
UMass quarterback AJ Hairston (8) fumbles as he is hit by Georgia defensive lineman Xzavier McLeod (94) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, right, is restrained by an assistant as he yells instructions to his players on the field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against UMass, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia running back Nate Frazier (3) is stopped by UMass cornerback Jerrod Cameron (28) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia wide receiver Sacovie White (18) runs past UMass linebacker Gerrell Johnson (22) after a catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) looks for running room as UMass linebacker Gerrell Johnson (22) closes in during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
UMass quarterback Ahmad Haston (5) throw from the pocket during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia running back Chauncey Bowens (33) fends off UMass defenders as he runs the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia wide receiver Dominic Lovett (6) crashes into a sideline photographer after making a catch for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UMass, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia tight end Oscar Delp (4) dives in for aa touchdown after a catch as UMass defensive back Lake Ellis (7) gives chase during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia wide receiver Arian Smith (11) runs in for a touchdown after a catch as UMass defensive back Lake Ellis (7) looks on during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
UMass wide receiver Sterling Galban (4) falls after a catch as Georgia defensive back Daniel Harris (7) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) throws from the pocket during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UMass, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia wide receiver Arian Smith (11) celebrates with Dominic Lovett (6) after a touchdown catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UMass, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia running back Nate Frazier (3) out runs UMass defensive back Leonard St. Gourdin (11) to the end zone for a tochdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) throws from the pocket during the second half of an NCAA college football game against UMass, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
