Chris Cole's 66-yard fumble return sends No. 3 Georgia past No. 17 Florida 27-8

Chris Cole scooped up a fumble and ran it back 66 yards for a touchdown with 29 seconds left in the first half, and No. 3 Georgia beat No. 17 Florida 27-8 on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Florida turned the ball over four times, and Georgia won the rivalry for the sixth straight year.

The game left Jacksonville this season because of renovations at EverBank Stadium, so the roof was closed and the tickets were split 50-50 in Atlanta, according to the Associated Press recap on ESPN. Next year's game goes to Tampa before the series returns to Jacksonville.

Georgia built a 24-0 halftime lead without much from its passing game. Nate Frazier scored on a 1-yard run late in the first quarter, Peyton Woodring kicked a 28-yard field goal and Bo Walker ran in from a yard out with 1:55 left in the half. On the next Florida possession, Quintavius Johnson sacked Tramell Jones Jr., the ball came loose, and Cole took it the other way. It was Cole's second long fumble return of the season after an 85-yarder against Oklahoma on Sept. 26.

Florida's quarterback plan fell apart early. Aaron Philo returned as the starter after missing the Texas game with a right shoulder injury and went 5 of 7 for 26 yards with two interceptions. Ellis Robinson IV picked off an underhanded throw under pressure, and Demello Jones caught a high pass that bounced off Eric Singleton Jr.'s hands. Jones replaced Philo and finished 18 of 25 for 172 yards, but Braylon Conley intercepted him in the end zone from the Georgia 3 in the third quarter.

Georgia ran for 217 yards and held Florida to 48. Frazier had 67 yards on 12 carries, Dwight Phillips Jr. added 67 on eight, and Gunner Stockton ran for 45 while completing 13 of 23 passes for 101 yards. Jadan Baugh, who came in leading the SEC with 13 rushing touchdowns, managed 38 yards on 17 carries in his hometown. Bailey Stockton caught eight passes for 76 yards for Florida.

The Gators avoided the shutout with 6:59 left when Jones ran in from 2 yards out and Baugh threw to Dallas Wilson for the two-point try. Woodring added a 21-yard field goal to close the scoring.

Georgia (7-1, 5-1 SEC) bounced back well from its 27-24 loss to Auburn on Oct. 17. Florida (5-3, 3-3) had upset No. 7 Texas last time out and now may slide out of the Top 25.

What's next: Georgia visits No. 12 Ole Miss next Saturday. Florida hosts Oklahoma.