ATHENS, Ga. – The collar fit, and for at least one game, so did the crown.

Knowshon Moreno ran for three touchdowns and Georgia, ranked No. 1 to start a season for the first time, beat Georgia Southern 45-21 on Saturday to give new mascot Uga VII a win in his debut.

Moreno needed only eight carries for 59 yards to tie his career best with three touchdowns. He added two catches for 53 yards.

Georgia led 38-0 before Georgia Southern scored on a 1-yard run by quarterback Lee Chapple late in the third quarter. The Eagles added two fourth-quarter touchdowns.

Matthew Stafford threw two touchdown passes and was 13-for-21 passing for a career-high 275 yards.