Stockton has 3 TD passes and Frazier runs for 3 scores as No. 3 Georgia beats Tennessee State 63-3

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Gunner Stockton passed for three touchdowns, Nate Frazier ran for three scores and No. 3 Georgia overwhelmed Tennessee State 63-3 on Saturday.

The temperature was 101 degrees at kickoff and the heat likely was a factor in some fans leaving Sanford Stadium at the end of the first quarter when the Bulldogs already led 28-0.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart said the key was how his players handled the sweltering conditions.

“We did beat the heat,” Smart said. “I don’t think the heat impacted us.”

Georgia (1-0) scored touchdowns on its first five possessions, all with Stockton at quarterback. Frazier scored on a 48-yard run on his first carry and added a 14-yard touchdown run on his second carry.

“I thought we started fast today and did our job,” Stockton said. “We did a good job executing and everything.”

He completed 15 of 16 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns before leaving the game after the first possession of the second quarter.

‘Awesome’ day for Frazier

Frazier ran for 72 yards on only four carries. His three touchdowns are half of his 2025 total of six.

“You can’t ask for a better start than that,” Frazier said.

Frazier led Georgia with 947 rushing yards last season.

Stockton said the junior was “awesome” in his 2026 opener.

“He did what he always does,” Stockton said. “He ran hard and made people miss.”

A four-quarterback day for Georgia

Georgia played four quarterbacks. Top backup Ryan Puglisi led two touchdown drives, the first capped by Frazier’s 3-yard scoring run, to open the second half.

The Bulldogs’ third quarterback, Ryan Montgomery, threw a 54-yard scoring pass to Jeremy Bell. A fourth quarterback, Hezekiah Millender, led a touchdown drive capped by Jae Lamar’s 11-yard run.

Bulldogs post biggest margin of victory in opener under Smart

Georgia is 11-0 in season openers under Smart. The 63 points and 60-point margin of victory are the biggest in a season opener in the Smart era. The previous biggest margin in an opener under Smart came in a 49-3 win over Oregon in 2022.

Severe weather warning

A severe weather advisory was posted on the scoreboard late in the third quarter, warning fans that lightning was detected within 15 miles of the stadium. There was no delay but few fans remained for the end of the game. The game was announced as a sellout of 93,033.

The Takeaway

Tennessee State: After trailing 35-0, the Tigers (0-2) finally put together a scoring drive late in the first half. Preston Hurless capped a 14-play, 55-yard drive by kicking a 37-yard field goal. Tennessee State was held to 10 rushing yards on 30 carries. Daylin Lee completed 11 of 19 passes for 62 yards.

Georgia: The Bulldogs showed off their depth and talent at tight end. Jaden Reddell, Elyiss Williams and freshman Kaiden Prothro had touchdown catches. The 6-foot-7 Williams showed his athleticism by diving over a tackler on his 17-yard scoring catch. Reddell had a 14-yard touchdown catch and added a powerful 29-yard run. Puglisi threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Prothro.

Up Next

Tennessee State plays at Alabama A&M next Saturday night.

Georgia will debut its all-white alternate uniform when it plays at home against Western Kentucky next Saturday.

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