No. 9 Georgia tops Louisiana-Monroe 51-14; game called early

ATHENS — With lightning in the area, No. 9 Georgia defeated Louisiana-Monre 51-14 on Saturday in a one-sided game that was called off with just under 10 minutes left.

A few minutes after the Bulldogs scored their final touchdown, coach Mark Richt walked over to the officials to discuss game conditions, and the decision was made to end it.

There was a 76-minute lightning delay in the third quarter, and more lightning was in the vicinity when the game ended. Most of the fans had already left the stadium.

"We did what was in the best interests of the young men," Richt said during an on-field, post-game TV interview.

The mutual decision to end the game early was made after both coaches huddled to discuss the situation. While weather was a factor, it's not clearif the lopsided score also played a part in calling the game with 9:54 left.

Nick Chubb and Keith Marshall each ran for two touchdowns for the Bulldogs in the season-opener, which saw Greyson Lambert start at quarterback.

Other games also were affected by severe weather on college football's opening weekend.

The Illinois-Kent State game was postponed late Friday night after three hours of lightning. The game was rescheduled for Saturday afternoon. On Thursday, severe weather forced the Stony Brook-Toledo game to be called off at halftime, and the schools do not plan to replay it.

Georgia led 14-0 about five minutes into the game and 35-0 before ULM scored on Garrett Smith's touchdown pass to Rashon Ceaser with 20 seconds left in the half. Smith found Ceaser on another scoring pass early in the second half.

When play was stopped in the third quarter, teams returned to their locker rooms and most fans left the stadium. Rain began to fall during the time the game was halted.

Lambert, the transfer from Virginia chosen as Georgia's starter on Monday, threw for 141 yards and two touchdowns.

Chubb had scoring runs of 14 and 23 yards. Marshall had a 3-yard scoring run, his first since the opening game in 2013. Sony Michel caught a 31-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Brice Ramsey.

Georgia running back Keith Marshall (4) dives for a touchdown as Louisiana Monroe defensive lineman Ben Banogu (49) holds on during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept., 5, 2015, in Athens, Ga.

Georgia wide receiver Reggie Davis (81) is upended by Louisiana Monroe's Harley Scioneaux (88 ) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept., 5, 2015, in Athens, Ga.

Louisiana Monroe running back DeVontae McNeal (28) is brought down by Georgia safety Quincy Mauger (20), defensive lineman John Atkins (97), and linebacker Davin Bellamy (17) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept., 5, 2015, in Athens, Ga.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/9/334090/no-9-georgia-tops-louisiana-monroe-51-14-game-called-early