Associated Press Photo
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sports Network) - Aaron Murray set a school record in career touchdowns and amassed a personal-best in passing yards, as the 13th-ranked Georgia Bulldogs escaped Commonwealth Stadium with a 29-24 win over the Kentucky Wildcats.
Murray completed 30-of-38 throws for 427 yards and four touchdowns. The junior entered play one touchdown pass shy of Georgia's career record of 72 set by David Greene from 2001-04.
Tavarres King had 188 yards and two scores on nine receptions for the Bulldogs (6-1, 4-1 SEC), who had been idle since losing 35-7 at South Carolina two weeks ago.
Saturday's win sets up a crucial SEC East showdown next week with first-place Florida. The Gators, who are 6-0 in SEC play, can secure a spot in the conference championship game with a victory. A win by the Bulldogs and they're in the driver's seat for the division crown.
Morgan Newton threw a 4-yard touchdown pass and ran for another score in a losing effort for Kentucky (1-7, 0-5).
The Wildcats alternated between quarterbacks Jalen Whitlow and Newton. Whitlow had 86 yards on 9-of-13 passing, while Newton finished with just the one completion on six attempts.
Following the break, Georgia went three-and-out on consecutive drives, as an illegal formation penalty wiped out a fourth-down conversion on its second series. In between, Craig McIntosh nailed a 37-yard field goal to put Kentucky up 17-16.
The Bulldogs' offense began to get some traction on their third second-half possession. Murray completed passes of 12, 13 and 10 yards before hitting Chris Conley for 22 yards and the go-ahead score with 5:01 remaining in the third quarter. Georgia failed on the 2-point conversion.
Kentucky moved the ball to the Georgia 32-yard line on the ensuing drive, but was forced to punt when a carry by wideout Demarco Robinson resulted in a 6- yard loss on third down.
Georgia punted to begin the fourth quarter and was forced to do so again on its next drive. However, the Bulldogs maintained possession because of a roughing the kicker penalty.
Murray found Arthur Lynch over the middle on a seam route for 22 yards on first down and hooked up with Malcolm Mitchell for another significant gain two plays later. The drive ultimately ended with Lynch catching a 10-yard TD pass.
The Wildcats answered with a 10-play scoring drive that originated from their own 25-yard line. A face masking penalty placed the ball at midfield, and a 24-yard reception by La'Rod King set up a first down at the Georgia 14.
Kentucky then converted on fourth down and Raymond Sanders ran for a 3-yard touchdown with 3:59 remaining.
Georgia narrowly recovered the onside kick before running out all but nine of the game's remaining seconds.
A miracle ending didn't materialize for the Wildcats.
Kentucky started the game by marching 84 yards and Newton capped the 13-play drive with a pass to Aaron Boyd. After the clubs exchanged punts, Georgia tied the game on Tavarres King's 66-yard touchdown reception with 22 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
The Wildcats regained the lead on their next possession, which began at their 42-yard line after DeMarcus Sweat returned the kickoff 34 yards.
Sanders kept the drive alive by converting a 3rd-and-13 on the ground and Whitlow set up a 1st-and-goal by gaining 33 yards on a toss from Robinson. Whitlow's catch-and-run set up Newton's 2-yard quarterback keeper.
Murray then guided Georgia on an 8-play, 80-yard trek that ended with King's 1-yard touchdown. Kentucky maintained the lead because Marshall Morgan missed the extra point, but the Bulldogs eventually moved ahead when Morgan closed out the first half by connecting on a 27-yard field goal. The kick was far from a sure thing as the ball struck the left upright before going through.