ATHENS, Ga. -- With lightning in the area, No. 9 Georgia defeated Louisiana-Monroe 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 decision to end the game early was made by mutual decision after both coaches huddle to discuss the situation.

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

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.