Georgia football throwback: Three of the best matchups against Kentucky

2013: Georgia football 59, Kentucky 17

Rounding out the list is what I like to call a “bittersweet” blowout. Georgia carved up the Kentucky defense, but it came at a cost.

Hopes were high in 2013 that the Dawgs could make another run to the SEC Championship game after losing in the most heartbreaking fashion in 2012. With offensive playmakers like Aaron Murray, Todd Gurley, Keith Marshall, Arthur Lynch, and Michael Bennett returning, 2013 had the makings to be a special season — Then they lost to Clemson in Week 1.

The Dawgs rebounded by defeating a top-10-ranked South Carolina at home. Two weeks later, they defeated No. 6 LSU 44-41 in an instant classic against Zach Mettenberger and the Tigers. This win seemed to put Georgia in the driver’s seat to win a third straight SEC East title, but the season quickly turned south.

Todd Gurley, who was injured in the first half against LSU, ended up missing three weeks, and the Dawgs struggled in his absence. They clawed their way to an overtime win against unranked Tennessee in Knoxville thanks to Volunteer receiver Pig Howard fumbling the ball before he crossed the goal line, leading to Marshall Morgan’s game-winning field goal.

After escaping with a win, Georgia went 4-3 the rest of the year, with back-to-back losses against Missouri and Vanderbilt. They also were beaten by Auburn on what is considered “the Prayer at Jordan Hare.”

Georgia still had a chance to finish the season strong, and they would flex their muscles against a two-win Kentucky team on Senior night. The offense got off to a fast start, with Murray throwing four touchdown passes in the first half to give Georgia a 28-10 lead. Sadly, Murray would end up tearing his ACL in the final minutes of the first half, ending his legendary Georgia career. To this day, he remains the Bulldog leader in career passing yards and touchdowns.

Georgia would score on every offensive possession in the second half,  using the run game to put away the Wildcats. Brenden Douglas, JJ Green, and backup quarterback Hutson Mason all had rushing touchdowns as the Dawgs routed Kentucky 59-17.

Overall, Mason was solid in relief of Murray, as he threw for 189 yards and had two touchdowns. Todd Gurley was the playmaker of the day. He led the team in both rushing and receiving yards. He also had two receiving touchdowns on the day, with one of them now being an iconic image in Georgia history.

Georgia would finish the regular season with an 8-4 record and a comeback win over Georgia Tech in Atlanta. They faced off against Nebraska in the Gator Bowl, which ultimately ended in a loss.

These three games brought back some of our favorite Georgia football memories against the Kentucky Wildcats. What year featured your favorite game against the Wildcats?