This article was originally published with Dawgs247 on November 21, 2015 and can be found here.

ATHENS — In 2014, Georgia faced an in-state rival in its last home game of the season. After a back-and-forth battle, the game had to be decided in overtime. Last year, the result did not fall in the Bulldogs’ favor.

This time around, fate smiled on the home squad.

Georgia (8-3) defeated Georgia Southern 23-17 in overtime thanks to a 25-yard touchdown run by Sony Michel. The Michel score came after a stand by the Bulldogs’ defense, who shut down the Eagles on a fourth-down on the first drive of the extra session. The late resurgence saved Georgia the embarrassment of being the second Southeastern Conference team to drop a game to the Eagles.

The Bulldogs wasted no time in taking an initial lead. Georgia elected to receive the opening kick and immediately went to work. The Bulldogs pieced together a quick 7-play, 61-yard drive that ended when Isaiah McKenzie took a jet sweep 23 yards for a touchdown. McKenzie’s second rushing touchdown in 2015 gave Georgia an early 7-0 advantage.

Georgia Southern (7-3) evened the score after a missed field goal by Georgia. The Eagles methodically worked their way down the field with their option offense and found particular success with their quarterback Kevin Ellison. The Eagles knotted the score up at 7-7 on a 1-yard run by L.A. Ramsby with 3:47 left in the second quarter.

The Eagles took their first lead of the game on a turnover by Georgia. McKenzie fumbled on a jet sweep play, allowing Georgia Southern cornerback Caleb Williams to recover. Williams picked the ball up and scampered 66 yards down the field to put the visiting squad ahead 14-7 with 12:02 left in the third quarter.

A muffed punt recovered by senior Nathan Theus set the Bulldogs up with outstanding field position in the third quarter. The offense took advantage of the opportunity and scored when Greyson Lambert hit Terry Godwin for a 12-yard touchdown. Godwin’s first touchdown reception at Georgia tied the game 14-14 with 1:23 remaining in the third quarter.

Georgia Southern answered with an impressive kick by Youngshoe Koo. After missing his first attempt of the game, the junior made up for it with a 48-yard field goal. The kick gave the Eagles a three-point lead with 9:21 left in the fourth quarter.

The Bulldogs matched Koo’s kick with one of their own. After an eight-play drive came to a pause on an incomplete pass,Marshall Morgan took to the field for a 43-yard attempt. Like Koo, Marshall overcame a miss earlier in the game and nailed the attempt. The kick left the game tied 17-17 with 6:06 showing on the clock.

The Bulldogs battle a different in-state opponent next week. Georgia travels to Atlanta, Ga. to take on the 3-8 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Georgia will be looking to avenge a 30-24 loss in last year’s edition of Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate.