No. 4 Georgia football (4-1, 2-1 SEC) returned to Sanford Stadium for a good ol' scrap in the dog park Saturday when Mississippi State (1-4, 0-2) came to Athens.

UGA defeated MSU 41-31, setting a season-high (609) in total yards in the process. Second half touchdowns came from Arian Smith (42-yard reception) and Trevor Etienne. Carson Beck also set a career-high 459 passing yards, breaking his previous (439) set at Alabama last month.

The Bulldogs head to Austin, Texas, to take on the Longhorns (6-0, 2-0) Saturday, Oct. 19, in another brutal top 5 battle before going on bye during the Halloween festivities.

Halftime

The Bulldogs lead those other Bulldogs 27-10 at halftime. Branson Robinson went out in the second quarter with a knee injury and is not to return. Arian Smith also went out with a hip injury in the second quarter after a 55-yard reception, but he was reported by UGA radio to be a probable return and was seen sprinting minutes later.

Georgia has touchdowns from Dillon Bell, Robinson and Lawson Luckie, and a 47-yard field goal from Peyton Woodring to account for its 27 points. KJ Bolden picked up his first career interception and Woodring missed his 55-yard field goal attempt as the clock ran out on the first half.

Pregame

The Bulldogs became the second-highest ranked SEC team in the US LBM Coaches Poll, jumping from No. 5 to No. 4 after their 31-13 win over Auburn on Oct. 5.

In terms of interesting storylines, senior outside linebacker Chaz Chambliss has a unique off-field connection to Mississippi State. Both of his parents are Mississippi State alumni, and he told media Monday that half his family either cheers for, went to or graduated from Mississippi State.

On paper, one-win Mississippi State doesn't pose much of a challenge for Kirby Smart's squad, even as the Bulldogs find themselves at a loss out wide without Colbie Young. The senior wide receiver was arrested Monday on misdemeanor charges of assault on an unborn child and battery and suspended indefinitely Wednesday.

Young was fourth on the team in receiving, tallying 11 catches for 149 yards and two touchdowns in five games.

But overall, Georgia is in a tough spot, with that heartbreaker Alabama loss in the rear-view mirror and a tussle with Texas peeking over the horizon. Things haven't looked the way a back-to-back national championship team should, especially after that too-close-for-comfort call with Kentucky on the road Sept. 14.

Meanwhile, Mississippi State is coming in well-rested off a bye and has already hung with the Longhorns, managing to trail by as little as eight before falling 35-13 Sept. 28. Those Bulldogs just might not have absolutely nothing to lose at this point.

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7:50 p.m. Final | Georgia 41, Mississippi State 31

No. 4 Georgia defeats Mississippi State 41-31 to climb 5-1 overall and 3-1 in the SEC. They head to Texas on Saturday, Oct. 19, for another top 5 conference matchup. Their next home game is Tennessee in November.

7:45 p.m. | Mississippi State scores final 2-minute touchdown

Mississippi State scored a touchdown in the final two minutes of the game, when Kelly Akharaiyi caught a 35-yard pass from Michael Van Buren Jr. to cap a 9-play, 75-yard drive. The score is 41-31 Georgia with 1:47 left on the clock.

7:32 p.m. | Trevor Etienne scores second touchdown of evening

Etienne had a short rush into the end zone, given a second chance to push through the Mississippi State defense and score. The drive was 16-plays for 81-yards, lasting 7 and a half minutes. The Bulldogs lead Mississippi State 41-24 with 3:33 to go in the game.

7:01 p.m. End of 3rd quarter | Georgia 34, Mississippi State 24

At the end of the third quarter, Georgia leads Mississippi State 34-24 on a touchdown by Arian Smith.

7:00 p.m. | Mississippi State scores to bring it within 10 points

Davon Booth caught a 2-yard reception from Michael Van Buren Jr. for a touchdown, bringing the game within 10 points.

6:42 p.m. | Mississippi State intercepts Carson Beck in end zone

DeAgo Brumfield intercepted Carson Beck's pass in the end zone, intended for Lawson Luckie, for a touchback.

6:36 p.m. | Mississippi State adds a touchdown

Johnnie Daniels rushed up the right for 19-yards to get a Mississippi State touchdown. His score capped an 8-play, 75-yard drive for MSU and brings the game 34-17, still Georgia leading. 8:27 to go in the third quarter.

6:25 p.m. | Arian Smith returns, scores touchdown

Smith returns from his second quarter injury and scores on a 42-yard pass from Carson Beck to put the Bulldogs up 34-10 with 13 minutes to go in the third quarter.

6:02 p.m. Halftime | Georgia 27, Mississippi State 10

At halftime, Georgia leads Mississippi State 27-10 on touchdowns from Dillon Bell and Lawson Luckie. Peyton Woodring came up short on his 55-yard field goal attempt. Carson Beck is 27-of-34 for 317 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception.

5:58 p.m. | KJ Bolden gets first career interception

KJ Bolden recorded his first career interception off a deep pass by Michael Van Buren Jr. He returned it for 0 yards with 16 seconds left on the clock in the second quarter.

5:47 p.m. | Lawson Luckie scores short rushing touchdown for Bulldogs

Lawson Luckie caught a short 1-yard pass from Carson Beck to put the Bulldogs up 27-10 with about a minute to go in the second quarter.

5:41 p.m. | Arian Smith goes down with unknown injury

Arian Smith went down on a 1st-and-10after catching a 55-yard pass by Carson Beck. His status was reported on UGA radio as being a hip issue and he's probable for return after exiting the medical tent for the locker room.

5:33 p.m. | Georgia quarterback hits Dillon Bell from way out for a touchdown

Carson Beck hit Dillon Bell in the end zone for a 31-yard scoring reception. The touchdown capped a 5-play, 75-yard drive and put the Dawgs up 20-10 with 6:32 to go in the second quarter.

5:24 p.m. | Mississippi State gets first touchdown of the evening

Mississippi State scored their first touchdown off a 24-yard pass from Michael Van Buren Jr. to Kelly Akharaiyi. The score is 13-10 Georgia with 8:46 to go in the second quarter.

5:17 p.m. | Georgia football adds another field goal

Peyton Woodring kicked a 32-yard field goal to go up 13-3 with just under nine minutes to go in the second quarter.

5:15 p.m. | Branson Robinson ruled out with injury

Branson Robinson went down on a 2nd-and-13 after catching a 5-yard pass by Carson Beck. He was ruled out with a right knee injury for the remainder of the game shortly after exiting the medical tent.

5:05 p.m. End of 1st quarter | Georgia 10, Mississippi State 3

At the end of the first quarter, Georgia leads Mississippi State 10-3 on a touchdown from Branson Robinson and a field goal by Peyton Woodring.

4:55 p.m. | Branson Robinson rushing touchdown first of the day

Branson Robinson scored a 5-yard rushing touchdown to put the Dawgs in the lead for the first time today. He was set up by two 20-yard passes up the middle from Carson Beck to Arian Smith and London Humphreys each, capping an 8-play, 81-yard drive. The score is 10-3 UGA with 2:13 to go in the first quarter.

4:39 p.m. | Peyton Woodring ties board with field goal

Peyton Woodring kicked a 47-yard field goal to tie the board 3-3 with 7:09 to go in the first quarter.

4:27 p.m. | Mississippi State gets on board with early field goal

Kyle Ferrie sunk a 47-yard field goal to get Mississippi State on the board early. Their second drive of the game was 4 plays for -3 yards and a 1:24 long. The score is 3-0 MSU with 12:05 to go in the first quarter.

4:25 p.m. | Carson Beck throws incomplete pass, then interception to start Georgia's first drive

Quarterback Carson Beck threw an incomplete pass to Arian Smith, dropped at the Georgia 22-yard line. His next pass up the left was intended for Dominic Lovett, but was broken up by Branden Jennings and intercepted by Brice Pollock.

4:15 p.m. | Georgia football game captains

Georgia is going with the following players as game captains today: Senior outside linebacker Chaz Chambliss, senior defensive lineman Nazir Stackhouse, senior wide receiver Arian Smith and junior running back Cash Jones.

2:45 p.m. | Georgia football's Jared Wilson, Jordan Hall upgraded to available

Georgia center Jared Wilson and defensive lineman Jordan Hall have been upgraded to available in the latest SEC availability report. Earlier this week, Wilson (foot) and Hall (legs) were both questionable.

Georgia vs Mississippi State score updates

This section will be updated when the game begins.

Georgia vs Mississippi State time today

• Date: Saturday, Oct. 12

• Time: 4:15 p.m. ET

• Location: Sanford Stadium, Athens, Ga.

What channel is Georgia vs Mississippi State game on today?

• TV channel: SECN

• Streaming: ESPN+ | FUBO (free trial)

• Radio:  Georgia Bulldog Radio Network including 960 AM and FM 106.1 in Athens and 95.5 FM in Atlanta.

Georgia vs. Mississippi State will be broadcast nationally on the SEC Network in Week 7 of the 2024 college football season. Taylor Zarzour and Matt Stinchcomb, an offensive lineman for Georgia from 1995-98, will call the game from the booth at Sanford Stadium, with Alyssa Lang reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include ESPN+, SEC Network's subscription streaming service, and FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Georgia vs Mississippi State history

• Series record: Georgia leads, 20-6

• Georgia's last win: 45-19 in Starkville on Nov. 12, 2022

• Mississippi State's last win: 24-12 in Starkville on Sept. 25, 2010

Georgia vs Mississippi State prediction

From resident Georgia writer Marc Weiszer: Georgia 38, Mississippi State 10

"Georgia has yet to play close to a complete game this season. Could this be the week? The Bulldogs’ offense still hasn’t hit its stride, but Georgia has scored 31 points in every game except vs. Kentucky which has one of the SEC’s best defenses. Mississippi State’s defense ranks last."

Georgia football vs. Mississippi State: Score prediction, scouting report

Georgia vs Mississippi State betting odds

Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Saturday:

• Spread: Georgia -33.5

• Over/under: 53.5

• Moneyline: None

Georgia vs Mississippi State injury updates

Georgia:

• RB Roderick Robinson II (out, foot)

• ILB Smael Mondon Jr. (out, foot)

• OL Tate Ratledge (out, ankle)

Georgia football injury report: Five players listed for Mississippi State game

Georgia football injuries: Kirby Smart keeps it close to vest on Christen Miller, others

Mississippi State:

• QB Blake Shapen (out)

• CB Traveon Wright (out)

• WR Creed Whittemore (out)

• S Tyler Woodard (out)

• WR Trent Hudson (out)

• RB Keyvone Lee (out)

• DL Kalvin Dinkins (out)

• OL Makylan Pounders (game time decision)

Georgia vs Mississippi State weather updates

The forecast calls for plenty of sunshine, warmth and clear skies with a temperature of 80 degrees before kickoff and dropping to 49 by the end of the game with winds light and variable, according to weather.com. The chance of rain is below 10-percent, and the UV index will climb as high as a 6, so wear a layer of sunscreen and bring a pair of sunglasses if you're out in the stands.

Georgia football 2024 schedule

• Aug. 31: Georgia 34, Clemson 3

• Sept. 7: Georgia 48, Tennessee Tech 3.

• Sept. 14: Georgia 13, Kentucky 12

• Sept. 28: Alabama 41, Georgia 34

• Oct. 5: Georgia 31, Auburn 13

• Oct. 12 vs Mississippi State

• Oct. 19 at Texas

• Nov. 2 vs Florida in Jacksonville

• Nov. 9 at Ole Miss

• Nov. 16 vs Tennessee

• Nov. 23 vs UMass

• Nov. 29 vs Georgia Tech

• Record: 4-1, 2-1 SEC

Buy Georgia football tickets this season with Stubhub

Mississippi State football 2024 schedule

• Aug. 31: Mississippi State 56, Eastern Kentucky 7

• Sept. 7: Arizona State 30, Mississippi State 23

• Sept. 14: Toledo 41, Mississippi State 17

• Sept. 21: Florida 45, Mississippi State 28

• Sept. 28: Texas 35, Mississippi State 13

• Oct. 12 at Georgia

• Oct. 19 vs Texas A&M

• Oct. 26 vs Arkansas

• Nov. 2 vs UMass

• Nov. 9 at Tennessee

• Nov. 23 vs Missouri

• Nov. 29 at Ole Miss

• Record: 1-4, 0-2 SEC

Georgia football news

Legacy: Former Georgia football coach Mark Richt to receive Bear Bryant 'Heart of a Champion' Award

Colbie Young charges: Former Binghamton HS football star arrested on battery, assault on unborn child

Will Colbie Young be on the field? Decision reached on status of Georgia football wide receiver after arrest

Hear from head coach: What Kirby Smart said about Georgia football WR Colbie Young after latest Bulldog arrest

Breaking: Georgia football WR arrested on battery, assault on unborn child charges

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This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Georgia vs Mississippi State final: UGA defeats MSU in too close of a game