ATHENS, Ga. --- Joe Cox and his Georgia teammates shared laughter during Saturday's homecoming game.
For the first time this season, the Bulldogs enjoyed themselves on the sidelines during their 38-0 victory over Tennessee Tech.
"It's good to move the ball and have fun with everybody," Cox said. "We've had a stressful year.
"It's fun. That's what football is. You're supposed to have fun playing it. I think we did today."
After last week's loss to No. 1 Florida, Georgia returned to Sanford Stadium with no black helmets or any other gimmicks. The Bulldogs (5-4) notched a must-needed victory and now only need to win one of their final three games against Auburn, Kentucky or Georgia Tech to become bowl eligible.
"This is a big confidence booster," defensive end Cornelius Washington said. "This boosts the team's morale a lot. We've got some tough games coming up."
In its first meeting against Tennessee Tech (5-4) since 1943, Georgia scored touchdowns -- all by freshmen -- on its first four drives and tacked on a Blair Walsh 24-yard field goal on the fifth. The Bulldogs led 31-0 at halftime.
"We took care of business," said Georgia coach Mark Richt, who improved to 36-4 against non-conference opponents. "If the public watched us practice, you would never say anything other than you have a bunch of highly motivated guys trying to get better."
Cox, the fifth-year senior quarterback who tossed a season-high three interceptions against Florida last week, played mistake-free. He completed his first 10 passes and finished 10 for 13 passing for 140 yards and two TDs with no picks.
"Joe did what he does," running back Caleb King said. "He went out there and was a good quarterback."
Cox was aided by Georgia's runners, who posted their best collective performance of the season, gaining 304 yards on 39 carries. Former Emanuel County Institute standout Washaun Ealey, a freshman who scored his first two career touchdowns on runs of 7 and 44 yards in the first half, led the way with 90 yards on seven carries.
Reach Chris Gay at (706) 823-3645 or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com.
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