Jacksonville was loud. It always is when these two teams meet at EverBank Stadium, but the 2025 edition of the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party felt a little more desperate than usual for both sides. If you’re looking for the short answer: Georgia won the Georgia Florida game.
The final score was 24-20.
But honestly, the score doesn't really tell the whole story of how ugly and tense this game got before the Bulldogs finally escaped. Georgia walked in as the No. 5 team in the country, and Florida was sitting at a rocky 3-5 under interim coach Billy Gonzales. On paper, it should have been a blowout. It wasn't.
How the Bulldogs Pulled It Off
Georgia didn't just walk over the Gators. In fact, they trailed 20-17 deep into the fourth quarter. It felt like one of those classic "trap" games where the favorite forgets how to play football for three hours. Gunner Stockton, who finished with 223 passing yards and two touchdowns, struggled with consistency throughout the afternoon. He threw a costly interception early on that gave Florida a ton of momentum.
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Then came the turning point.
With about eight minutes left, Florida was knocking on the door. They had a 4th-and-1 at the Georgia 18-yard line. If they convert there, they likely score and put the game out of reach. But the Georgia defense, led by Raylen Wilson and freshman standout Elijah Griffin, stuffed Jadan Baugh for no gain. It was a massive hit. You could feel the air leave the Florida side of the stadium.
After that stop, Georgia went on an 82-yard march. Stockton hit Zachariah Branch—who was basically the only reliable target all day with 10 catches for 112 yards—for a few crucial first downs.
The Play That Sealed It
Chauncey Bowens. Remember that name. The redshirt freshman took a handoff on a 3rd-and-short, saw a hole on the backside of the Florida blitz, and just went. 36 yards. Touchdown.
That run put Georgia up 24-20 with 4:36 left on the clock. Florida tried to answer, but DJ Lagway’s final deep heave fell incomplete in the closing minute. Georgia survived. They didn't dominate, but they won.
Key Stats from the 2025 Matchup
If you're a numbers person, the box score looks a bit lopsided even if the game didn't feel that way. Georgia outgained Florida 361 to 281 in total yardage.
The ground game was weird. Georgia only averaged about 3.5 yards per carry, which is uncharacteristic for a Kirby Smart team. Chauncey Bowens led the way with 70 yards on just nine carries, while Nate Frazier added 45 yards. On the Florida side, Jadan Baugh was a workhorse, grinding out 72 yards and a touchdown.
- Final Score: Georgia 24, Florida 20
- Passing Leaders: Gunner Stockton (223 YDS, 2 TD) vs. DJ Lagway (166 YDS, 1 TD)
- Receiving Stars: Zachariah Branch (112 YDS) and Eugene Wilson III (121 YDS)
- Turnovers: Georgia 1, Florida 0
- Attendance: 76,131 screaming fans
Why This Win Matters for the Series History
With this victory, Georgia has now won five straight against Florida. That’s a big deal. Kirby Smart is now 8-2 against the Gators since taking over in Athens. The all-time series record depends on who you ask (because the two schools literally can't agree on a 1904 game), but most record books have Georgia leading 58-44-2.
The Gators played out of their minds considering they were missing several key starters like Dallas Wilson and Caleb Banks. Eugene Wilson III had a career day with 121 yards, showing that Florida’s future might not be as bleak as their record suggests.
What's Next for Both Teams
Georgia avoided a season-ending disaster. They moved to 7-1 (5-1 in the SEC) and kept their path to the SEC Championship and the College Football Playoff open. They head to Mississippi State next, where they really need to find some offensive rhythm.
Florida drops to 3-5. It’s a tough spot for Billy Gonzales and a team trying to find its identity mid-season. They have a road trip to Kentucky coming up, and they basically need to win out to see a bowl game.
If you’re watching the film from this one, look at the fourth-down stops. That’s where the game was won. Georgia’s ability to bow their necks in the red zone saved their season. Florida’s inability to finish those drives cost them an upset for the ages.
Check the remaining SEC schedule to see how Georgia’s path to the playoffs looks after this close call. If they keep playing these tight games, the committee might start looking at them differently. Watch the highlights of Chauncey Bowens’ 36-yard run to see the exact moment the momentum shifted for good in Jacksonville.