Georgia football vs. UT Martin live score, updates and highlights from season opener

Two-time defending national champion Georgia football opens it season Saturday at home against UT Martin.

It’s the first time the Bulldogs have kicked off their season in Sanford Stadium since 2018.

Georgia has started on the road (Vanderbilt in 2019, Arkansas in 2020) and at neutral sites (Charlotte vs. Clemson in 2021, Atlanta vs. Oregon 2022) the past four years. The last home opener was in 2018 against Austin Peay, a 45-0 win.

It’s the debut of Carson Beck as Georgia starting quarterback and the return of Mike Bobo as offensive coordinator.

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Kickoff is at 6 p.m. in Sanford Stadium in a game available only on streaming on ESPN+/SEC Network +.

"We don't care who we play, we're just trying to win, trying to dominate," safety Javon Bullard said. "Whether that's UT Martin, New England Patriots, we want to win. That's how we go into every game."

Final: Georgia football 48, UT Martin 7 | 9:41 p.m.

Georgia wins its 2023 opener against UT Martin, 48-7. This is the Bulldogs' 18th straight victory.

Three things we learned from Georgia's season-opening win against UT-Martin

Georgia defense tacks on another touchdown late | 9:36 p.m.

Georgia defensive back Kyrun Jones intercepted a pass and returned it into the end zone for another Bulldogs touchdown.

The play was UGA's first pick-six since Kelee Ringo's against Alabama in the 2021 National Championship.

Georgia field goal makes it 41-7 with 2:09 left | 9:32 p.m.

Georgia kicker Peyton Woodring made a 33-yard field goal to extend the Bulldogs' lead to 41-7. 2:09 left in the fourth quarter.

UT Martin touchdown stands after review | 9:20 p.m.

UT Martin finally gets on the board with a 9-yard touchdown from Trevonte Rucker. Bulldogs lead 38-7, 6:39 in the fourth quarter.

Brock Vandagriff connects with Oscar Delp for touchdown | 9:09 p.m.

Georgia has sealed this game, leading 38-0 with 11:36 in the fourth quarter.

Redshirt sophomore backup quarterback Brock Vandagriff connects with sophomore tight end Oscar Delp to score a Bulldogs touchdown, completing a two-play, 77-yard drive. On the first play of the drive, Vandagriff threw a 56-yard pass to Rara Thomas to set up the score.

Roderick Robinson II keeps UGA rolling with first career TD | 8:39 p.m.

Georgia found its groove late in the third quarter.

Freshman running back Roderick Robinson II rushed up the middle for a 2-yard gain to extend the Bulldogs' lead to 31-0. Robinson II has eight carries for 50 yards in his first career game.

Mekhi Mews scores first career touchdown for Bulldogs | 8:26 p.m.

Finally, Georgia football found the end zone in the second half.

Walk-on wide receiver Mekhi Mews scored the first touchdown of his career on a 54-yard connection with Carson Beck. Like the first half, Georgia opened the second half slow, going three-and-out on its first drive and struggling to gain yards before Beck found Mews for the score.

Georgia football leads 17-0 at halftime vs. UT Martin | 7:39 p.m.

Georgia got in the shadow of the end zone before the half, but needed to settle for a 23 yard field goal from Peyton Woodring.

Getting field goals instead of touchdowns against an FCS team won't make fans happy.

Georgia has 248 yards to 89 for the Skyhawks.

Carson Beck touchdown runs extends Georgia football lead| 7:18 p.m.

Carson Beck found the end zone with his feet, taking off for a 7-yard touchdown run. Georgia leads 14-0 with with 4:29 to go in the first half.

UT Martin holding its own in yardage battle with Georgia football | 6:49 p.m.

After the first quarter, UT Martin has outgained Georgia 63-59. The biggest play for the Skyhawks just happened. QB Kinkead Dent, the Ole Miss transfer, picked up 26 yards off a fake. UT Martin is at the UGA 38.

Georgia football tight end Brock Bowers is still very good | 6:32 p.m.

In case there was any wonder, Georgia junior tight end Brock Bowers showed on the Bulldogs' second drive why he is such a talent. He bounced off two UT Martin defenders on a 23-yard gain and then ended the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run on a jet sweep. Georgia leads 7-0 with 3:40 to go in the first quarter. Peyton Woodring, the freshman, made the PAT.

Georgia football wide receivers Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, De'Nylon Morrissette both appear out | 6:12 p.m.

Georgia wide receiver Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint who was arrested for speeding this May and had other speeding citations this offseason, is dressed out but may not play. He didn't get in the first series of the game.

DeNylon Morrissette, who would have to serve a one-game suspension under UGA athletic policy for a DUI arrest, is out of uniform. He also had multiple speeding citations.

Starting job clarity for Georgia football including Kendall Milton | 5:45 p.m.

Kendall Milton is not only warming up pregame but he was announced as the starter. He's been slowed by a hamstring injury this preseason. We'll see if that sticks.

Xavian Sorey and Jamon Dumas-Johnson were announced as starting inside linebackers. That's a good indication that Smael Mondon may not play. He is coming off a foot injury, but went through pregame warmups.

Sophomore Daylen Everette was working as the starting cornerback opposite Kamari Lassiter.

Peyton Woodring and Jared Zirkel both were announced as starting kickers so one could do field goals/extra points and the other kickoffs.

Five-star QB Dylan Raiola here for Georgia football opener | 5:18 p.m.

Buford quarterback commitment Dylan Raiola is on the sideline pregame. He's sporting a Trae Young Hawks jersey. So he's fitting in right in the state.

Georgia football referee vs. UT Martin Skyhawks is... | 3:52 p.m.

If you have been waiting for this, here it is. The referee today is Kyle Olson. The replay official is Jon Bible.

UGA football depth chart observations for | 3:37 p.m.

We have a depth chart on the press box flip card.

Some observations. Earnest Greene, the redshirt freshman is listed as the starting left tackle. Either Brock Vandagriff or Gunner Stockton is listed as Carson Beck's backup at QB.

Daylen Everette or Julian Humphrey are listed as starting corner opposite Kamari Lassiter who actually is an OR with Nyland Green. The kicker is either Peyton Woodring or Jared Zirkel.

Georgia football game captains | 3:30 p.m.

Today’s game captains: Inside linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson, safety Javon Bullard, center Sedrick Van-Pran Granger and tight end Brock Bowers. That would seem to be a strong indication that Dumas-Johnson is not facing any game suspension for his racing arrest from a January incident.

Check back for updates later this afternoon and during tonight's game.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Georgia football vs. UT Martin live score, updates, highlights