In the 119 meetings between the Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets, this was the first time they had ever met off campus. Tech was compensated a million dollars to move their home game to Mercedes-Benz Stadium. But, the crowd was probably 60-70% red and black.

  I noticed Tech assistant coach Brian Bohannon on the sidelines. I had attended dozens of his press conferences as the first head coach at Kennesaw State, I believe this was the first time he had shared a field with Kirby Smart since the two were teammates at UGA thirty years earlier.

   No one expected this kind of game where neither team was able to muster much of an offensive attack. It was a hard-fought defensive struggle where No. 4 Georgia narrowly defeated the #19/23 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 16-9 on Friday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The win extended their winning streak against their in-state rivals to a record eight games.

   The game, marked by tough tackling, strategic defenses, and limited scoring opportunities, lived up to the gravity of the longstanding rivalry known as “Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate.” The Bulldogs relied on their staunch defense to counter an aggressive Tech offense led by quarterback Haynes King.

   “We knew coming in it was going to be a physical game, and it was,” said Georgia head coach Kirby Smart. “Our defense really stepped up, made key stops, and gave our offense the chance to make plays when it mattered.” 

   It was the only game all season where UGA scored just one touchdown. Apart from that, it was all field goals, three each from Georgia’s Peyton Woodring and Tech’s Aidan Birr.

   Georgia Tech coach Brent Key praised his team’s resilience despite the loss. “Our guys fought hard all game. Credit to Georgia—they’re a great team, but we made them earn every yard. It was a defensive battle, and I’m proud of how we competed.” 

   The Jacket offense, one of the most prolific in the country, was held to just 69 yards rushing and 250 total yards. The Dawgs had just 10 yards more than that but had 190 on the ground, more than half of that from Nate Frazier.

   The Bulldogs scored the game-winning touchdown late in the third quarter. Gunner Stockton hit Zacharia Branch at the 4. He made a move on Omar Daniels and took it in for the Dawgs’ first lead.

   Georgia was shutout in both the first and third quarters. A team that has dominated the second half for most of the season was actually outscored 6-3 during that time. But, Tech needed more to overcome the 13-3 halftime deficit. It still came down to a final potential game tying Hail Mary by King that was batted down by UGA defenders in the end zone as time ran out.

   With this win and the loss by Texas A&M at Texas later in the day, Georgia clinched a spot in the SEC Championship Game, while Tech will wait to see what bowl game they will play in. “We’re going to learn from this and come back stronger next season,” Key added.

   The rivalry’s latest chapter reminded fans why this annual matchup is one of the most anticipated in college football, where defense and determination often take center stage.

   The SEC Championship Game will take place at 4:00 p.m. next Saturday, December 6, back here at MBS against either Alabama or Ole Miss. Both would be rematches…televised on ABC.