Beating Florida a family affair for Georgia's Zachariah & Zion Branch in first rivalry taste
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Zachariah Branch introduced himself to Georgia football’s rivalry with Florida in a big way and older brother Zion played a larger role than anyone could have imagined.
The two transfers from USC walked off the field winners after Georgia’s 24-20 victory over the Gators on Saturday Nov. 1 in EverBank Stadium.
Branch set career highs with 10 catches for 112 yards on 11 targets. Only Shannon Mitchell had more catches against the Gators in the storied history between the teams with 15 for 140 in 1993.
Zion Branch, who played five games entering but not against Tennessee or Alabama, was forced into action when starting safety KJ Bolden was ejected for targeting in the second quarter.
He had some up and down moments but finished with 6 tackles, third most for the Bulldogs.
“I was excited man, I was definitely excited,” Zachariah Branch said of his brother. “He’s been throughout a lot throughout his career at the collegiate level. Just to see him stay humble and stay hungry the whole time. When his opportunity came, he seized the moment.”
The Branches hail from Las Vegas but he said family comes to every Georgia game.
“I had one of my uncles actually come that I haven’t seen for a long time,” he said. “I talked to him pregame on the field. It was a really special moment for me.”
Zachariah Branch set up what turned out to be Georgia’s game-winning score on an 18-yard catch on third-and-8. Chauncey Bowens scored on a 36-yard run with 4:36 to go.
He also took a Gunner Stockton pass over the middle for 42 yards. Branch makes plays in space and the Bulldogs went five wide on the play.
“I certainly envisioned him having a major impact,” coach Kirby Smart said. “He’s a weapon. He’s a guy with elite quickness and toughness.”
Bolden and Kyron Jones started the first six games of the season at safety.
The No. 5 Bulldogs were without the injured Jones for the second straight game and Bolden was lost for the game with 1:36 to go in the second.
Officials reviewed the play and determined that the sophomore from Buford High used the “crown of his helmet” when he made contact with Dallas Wilson on a 7-yard completion.
Bolden had four tackles including a tackle for loss when he was ejected.
Georgia already had lost another starter, defensive lineman Jordan Hall. Smart said it’s a knee injury but didn’t know more details.
Chris Cole was on the sideline with a knee injury, Smart said, forcing reserve Terrell Foster into the game at one point.
Demello Jones, a rotational cornerback, went down injured with 11:52 to go in the game with what Smart said was an elbow injury.
Zion Branch got called for a third-down pass interference in the end zone and was in coverage on a 20-yard Gators completion.
“He’s going to be a guy that continues to grow and get better for us,” Smart said. “I was proud of his poise to go in and play.”
Georgia patched it together to hold Florida to 281 yards of total offense.
“We’re a beat-up team,” Smart said, “with a lot of injuries.”
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Transfers Zachariah and Zion Branch a big part of Georgia’s Florida win
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos