ATHENS, Ga. — In an exciting G-Day spring football game held at Sanford Stadium on Saturday afternoon, the Georgia Bulldogs’ Red and Black teams combined for an impressive 700 yards of offense. The Red team emerged victorious with a score of 27-17, racing out to an early 17-0 lead.
The Red team featured the first-team offensive players along with noteworthy backups, while the Black team comprised the first-team defense and primary backups. Notably, backup quarterback Ryan Puglisi and running back Dante Dowdell contributed to both squads during the game. The Red offense tallied 385 yards, while the Black managed to generate 315 yards. The rushing attack for the Red team produced 129 yards compared to the Black team’s 64 yards.
Gunner Stockton, the starting quarterback for the Red team, participated minimally, completing 7 of 12 passes for 76 yards and one touchdown. Puglisi, however, was much more active, finishing with 8 completions on 19 attempts for 86 yards, while a total of seven quarterbacks threw at least one pass during the game.
The game began with running back Nate Frazier, who gained five yards on the first play from scrimmage but then limped off the field. He was replaced by Chauncey Bowens, now in the newly assigned No. 5 jersey, who had a modest performance with 9 carries for 42 yards, including a long run of 18 yards. In total, nine different Bulldogs rushed the ball, with the Red squad accumulating 27 carries for two touchdowns, scored by Dowdell and Dwight Phillips Jr. The Black team managed 20 carries with one touchdown.
The Red team opened the scoring with a 26-yard field goal by Peyton Woodring with 5:04 left in the first quarter. A series of strong plays enabled the Red team to advance deep into Black territory, with Phillips making a key 15-yard rush and Stockton connecting with receiver Craig Dandridge for a 33-yard gain.
In the second quarter, Bowens showcased his speed with an 18-yard run before Stockton connected with Phillips for a 19-yard gain, setting the stage for Jaden Reddell to score a 7-yard rushing touchdown, extending the Red team’s lead to 10-0 with 13:37 left in the first half.
The Black team responded with a notable 27-yard run by Dowdell, but the Red defense held strong, denying a first down and forcing a turnover on downs with a stop by freshman defensive lineman AJ Lonon and a pass breakup by freshman safety Blake Stewart.
Puglisi then led the Red team on a scoring drive, connecting with Talyn Taylor for a 32-yard gain to the Black 33. Bowens followed with a 10-yard run, and Reddell caught a pass for another 16 yards, eventually leading to Phillips scoring from the one-yard line, increasing the Red team’s lead to 17-0 just before halftime.
The first half concluded with a turnover interception by Todd Robinson, but after Stockton returned to quarterback, the Red team was quickly forced to punt.
As the second half began, the Black team started strong with quarterback Hezekiah Millender finding Jeremy Bell for a 10-yard gain and Brayden Fogle for a 32-yard gain. Millender capped the drive with a one-yard rushing touchdown, narrowing the Red team’s lead to 17-7.
Red quarterback Montgomery responded by connecting with CJ Riley for a 26-yard gain and Dowdell for an explosive 28-yard run. Woodring added a 38-yard field goal, extending the Red team’s lead to 20-7 with 5:38 left in the third quarter.
In the final minutes of the third quarter, Bryson Beaver entered as quarterback for the Black team, connecting with Will Taylor for a 43-yard gain. The Black team reduced the deficit to 20-10 with a 28-yard field goal by Zurreikat early in the fourth quarter.
Montgomery then orchestrated a successful drive for the Red team, hitting tight end Colton Heinrich for a 48-yard gain and receiver Landon Roldan for another 23 yards. Dowdell capped the drive with a one-yard rushing touchdown, pushing the Red team’s lead to 27-10 with 6:17 remaining.
With 3:18 left, Beaver, who had previously rushed for 23 yards, threw a quick pass to tight end Kaiden Prothro for a 6-yard touchdown, bringing the score to 27-17. In the closing seconds, Red safety Tyriq Greene intercepted Beaver’s deep pass, sealing the game for the Red team.
Millender finished the game with 9 of 15 passes for 103 yards, while Montgomery completed 10 of 18 attempts for 132 yards over his time with both teams. Beaver, a freshman, ended with 9 of 13 for 101 yards and a touchdown.
The two-time defending SEC champion Bulldogs are set to kick off their season on September 5 against Tennessee State at Dooley Field.
