Georgia sets FBS record for largest margin of victory with demolition of Florida

In less than one year, Georgia set the FBS bowl record for margin of victory, twice.

Georgia demolished Florida State 63-3 in the Orange Bowl on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium, resetting its previous FBS bowl record for margin of victory it achieved against TCU (65-7) in last season’s College Football Playoff championship game on Jan. 9, 2023.

After a turnover on downs during its first possession, Georgia rebounded to score a touchdown on its next nine drives. Florida State managed only a field goal early in the second quarter.

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck posted 203 yards and two touchdowns. Veteran running back Kendall Milton added 104 yards and two scores on the ground while Dominic Lovett, Anthony Evans III, Arian Smith and Lawson Luckie all snagged receiving TDs.

FSU QB Brock Glenn, in his audition to turn this one-start cameo into a regular gig in 2024, completed 9 of 26 passes for 139 yards and two interceptions. He lost 9 yards on the ground.

As a team, Georgia tallied 673 total yards, the most ever accumulated in an Orange Bowl game.

By the third quarter, Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart pulled Beck and diverted to his second-stringers. It was a luxury Florida State didn’t have.

The Seminoles were spread thin, having nine players opt out to prepare for the NFL Draft, two unavailable with injury and more than a dozen having entered the transfer portal. Among those who opted out were star WR Keon Coleman, WR Johnny Wilson, RB Trey Benson, TE Jaheim Bell, defensive linemen Jared Verse and Fabien Lovett and defensive backs Renardo Green, Jarrian Jones and Akeem Dent.

Star QB Jordan Travis, who finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting, suffered a season-ending leg injury against North Alabama on Nov. 18. Tate Rodmaker, who took over under center after Travis’ injury, entered the transfer portal before the Orange Bowl.

Georgia, however, had no healthy players opt out. Tight end Brock Bowers, right tackle Amarius Mims and inside linebacker Smael Mondon were all dealing with injuries.

Georgia’s dominance is a reflection of its culture

As much as this was about Florida State’s opt-outs, it was also about Georgia’s culture. The team didn’t have any non-injury opt-outs, and took this game seriously. That dates back to Georgia’s only bowl loss under Smart, to Texas in the Sugar Bowl to finish the 2018 season. Smart had players in the portal stick around the team, including Justin Fields, and it was generally clear the team wasn’t invested enough a year after making the national championship game. Since then the Bulldogs are 3-0 in their non-Playoff bowl games.

Of course it’s not just due to Smart’s approach, but the individual player leadership. The trick will be replacing that with Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, Milton and others moving on. But the established culture also seems very strong. — Seth Emerson, Georgia senior writer