Georgia Bulldogs Demolish Marshall 45-7 in Season Opener: Gunner Stockton Shines in Statement Victory

Sometimes you just know when a team means business. The Georgia Bulldogs didn’t just beat Marshall on Saturday—they served notice to the rest of college football that they’re ready to make some serious noise this season. In a performance that had Sanford Stadium rocking and opposing coaches taking notes, the Dawgs dismantled the Thundering Herd 45-7 in a display that was equal parts beautiful and brutal.

Gunner Stockton Steps Into the Spotlight

If you’ve been wondering whether Gunner Stockton was ready for prime time, well, wonder no more. The junior quarterback looked like he’d been running this show for years, not making his first home start. Stockton completed 14-of-24 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns through the air, but it was his legs that really got the crowd going. 10 carries, 73 yards, and two more scores on the ground—including a gorgeous 13-yard keeper that had defenders grasping at air.

The kid showed poise in the pocket, made smart decisions with his legs, and most importantly, looked comfortable running an offense that has championship aspirations. When Ryan Puglisi came in during garbage time and tossed a 23-yard touchdown to Elyiss Williams, it felt less like a changing of the guard and more like a glimpse into Georgia’s depth chart luxury.

Zachariah Branch Makes His Mark

Speaking of arrivals, Zachariah Branch picked a heck of a time to introduce himself to Georgia fans. The transfer hauled in just three catches, but boy, did he make them count—95 yards and a touchdown that had the stadium shaking its foundations.

The highlight reel moment came in the third quarter when Stockton found Branch in the left flat for what looked like a routine catch. Instead, Branch broke a tackle, hit another gear, and raced 47 yards into the end zone for his first score as a Bulldog. The way he accelerated through contact had shades of some of Georgia’s best receivers over the years.

Defense Dominates From Start to Finish

While the offense was putting on a clinic, Georgia’s defense was conducting a master class in suffocation. Marshall managed just seven first downs—seven!—and converted a pathetic three of 15 third-down attempts. Those are the kind of numbers that make offensive coordinators wake up in cold sweats.

Raylen Wilson and Gabe Harris each recorded two tackles for loss, setting the tone early and never letting up. By halftime, it was clear that Marshall’s offense had no answers for what Georgia was throwing at them. When your defense allows opposing teams to move the chains fewer times than most people change TV channels during commercial breaks, you’re doing something right.

The Bulldogs were so dominant that Kirby Smart was rotating reserves by the start of the second half, giving younger players valuable game experience while keeping his starters fresh for bigger battles ahead.

Historic Home Dominance Continues

Here’s a stat that will make Georgia fans smile and opposing coaches lose sleep: Saturday’s win marked the Bulldogs’ 32nd straight home victory. Let that sink in for a moment. Thirty. Two. Straight. That’s not just the longest active streak in college football—it’s a program record that keeps growing like a fine wine getting better with age. The next closest team? Washington with a measly 20-game home winning streak. Georgia isn’t just winning at Sanford Stadium; they’re making it look effortless.

Looking Ahead: Austin Peay and Beyond

Next week brings Austin Peay to Athens for what should be another opportunity to extend that home winning streak to 33 games. The Governors won’t provide the same level of competition as Marshall, but they will give Georgia another chance to fine-tune their execution before SEC play begins in earnest.

What is most encouraging about Saturday’s performance wasn’t just the final score—it was how complete the victory felt. This wasn’t a team grinding out an ugly win against inferior competition. This was a squad making a statement about their intentions for 2025.

The Georgia Bulldogs looked like a team that remembers what championship football feels like and wants that taste back. With Stockton settling into his role, playmakers like Branch making immediate impacts, and a defense that’s already in midseason form, the pieces are falling into place for another special season in Athens.

Marshall learned the hard way what many teams will discover this fall: when Georgia is clicking on all cylinders, there aren’t many teams in the country that can keep up. Saturday was just the opening act of what promises to be another thrilling chapter in Bulldogs football.