Kirby Smart and Georgia got a strong drive already up by 2 scores as the Bulldogs pulled away from LSU. Then the Bulldogs tacked on another score to lead by 25 at halftime. The 35 points scored by Georgia tied an SEC Championship Game record with 2020 Alabama.

But the LSU story was QB Jayden Daniels, who limped throughout the first half after he suffered a hard tackle by a Georgia defensive lineman with about 6 minutes left in the first quarter.

Kelly spoke with CBS Sports reporter Jenny Dell.

“He’s obviously gritty, fought through it through that drive, led us to a field goal,” Kelly said. “He’s a tough kid, he’s obviously banged up and he wants to play and he’s out there competing.”

Daniels was 16-for-24 passing in the first half for 208 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Georgia had little trouble, and got a couple breaks, including a blocked field goal that was returned for a touchdown, and later an interception that doinked off an LSU helmet.

Then the Bulldogs turned in a 13-play drive that ate up 5:06 off the clock and churned through 76 yards to build a 3-touchdown lead.

Stetson Bennett delivered another big game with 4 passing touchdowns and completions to 7 difference receivers.