Georgia Defense Forces Four Turnovers in 27-8 Win Over Florida

No. 3 Georgia defeated No. 17 Florida 27-8 on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with the Bulldogs defense creating four turnovers. Georgia held Florida to 39.6 points per game entering the contest and limited the Gators to 217 total yards.

The Bulldogs scored on a 66-yard fumble return in the second quarter. Florida quarterback Tramell Jones Jr., who entered after Aaron Philo threw his second interception of the game, was sacked for a loss of three yards by Quintavius Johnson. Johnson also forced a fumble on the play. Georgia linebacker Chris Cole recovered the ball at Georgia's 34-yard line and returned it for a touchdown, pushing the lead to 24-0 before halftime. Florida had not been shut out in the first half during the 2026 season.

Cole also recorded an interception during the game. Georgia's defense forced four fumbles and intercepted Florida twice. The Gators committed three turnovers in the contest.

Cole has recovered a fumble for a touchdown twice this season. The linebacker returned a fumble 58 yards for a score against Oklahoma on Sept. 26 in a 31-14 victory. He received the nickname "Tarantula" and "Daddy Long Legs" from teammates.

Cole said the offense was scoring on the play and he was getting great blocking. "They blocked me, and I just got to it, and I got a forced fumble, and I caught the ball and was gone," Cole said. He added that he was not trying to score but the play came to him.

Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann said the defense did not do anything overly disruptive to cause confusion. "I thought the staff did a good job of keeping a lot of the plan, played hard, played fast, and did not.." Schumann said.

Florida's first possession of the third quarter ended with a Dylan Bryn interception at the Georgia 3-yard line. The Gators were stopped at the line on fourth down. Florida's Bryn Jones then threw an interception to Georgia's Tyler Taylor in the fourth quarter.

Georgia's Gunner Stockton completed passes to multiple receivers. Florida's Aaron Philo threw an interception in the second quarter. The game was played Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.