LEXINGTON, Ky. -- - Kenny McIntosh rushed for a career-best 143 yards, including a crucial 9-yard score late in the third quarter, and top-ranked Georgia withstood Kentucky's fourth-quarter rally Saturday for a 16-6 win and its second consecutive unbeaten season in the Southeastern Conference.

The Bulldogs (11-0, 8-0 SEC, No. 1 CFP) clinched the Eastern Division title last week and sought another perfect finish in league play.

They succeeded but not without difficulty in cold, windy conditions, settling for three Jack Podlesny field goals before McIntosh's TD provided a needed cushion.

"With the weather conditions, we're going to play these kind of games like this," coach Kirby Smart said. "But I'm really proud of when our guys' backs are against the wall, how they come out fighting with what they do. Certainly, we could've played better, probably in the red area."

Georgia's chance to pad the lead ended on downs at Kentucky's 1. The Wildcats to made it interesting with a 99-yard drive that ended with Will Levis' 8-yard touchdown pass to Barion Brown. Levis' two-point conversion pass failed, and the chance to make it a one-score game died when Matt Ruffalo's field goal hooked left after a low, rolling snap.

Kentucky (6-5, 3-5) then turned it over on downs and lost for the fifth time in seven games.

McIntosh rushed a career-high 19 times with a 26-yarder for the Bulldogs, who outgained Kentucky 365-297 and 247-89 on the ground. The senior back's previous best was 90 yards on 16 attempts against Florida last month. Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett completed 13 of 19 for 116 yards with an interception.

"Kenny ran the ball really well tonight," Smart added. "Probably could've had more, but he had to share with others."

Levis completed 20 of 31 for 206 yards with an interception for Kentucky, which dropped its 13th in row against Georgia.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

It wasn't pretty, but Georgia should maintain its perch atop the AP Top 25 and College Football Playoff rankings.

THE TAKEAWAY

Georgia: Denied their usual offensive explosiveness by Kentucky's stiff defense, the Bulldogs had to settle for whatever they could get. The numbers ended up decent, converting 6 of 12 third-down chances and edging the Wildcats in time of possession (30:02-29:58). Their stingy defense pitched a shutout for three quarters, highlighted by Kelee Ringo's end-zone interception of Levis, and held off Kentucky's last-ditch attempts to make it close.

Kentucky: After a disappointing loss to Vanderbilt, the Wildcats did everything they needed to do in slowing down Georgia and coming up with a couple of critical defensive stops. They still faced a 16-point hole, though Levis did his part with his arm and feet to get them on the board against a bullish 'Dawgs defense.

"After a tough loss a week ago, getting them motivated to compete at a high level (was our priority)," coach Mark Stoops said. "It took a lot of digging and soul-searching and the competitive nature of our players to reinvest and commit and to put in that kind of effort. We came up short, but the effort, the preparation was there."

UP NEXT

Georgia faces in-state rival Georgia Tech on Saturday.

Kentucky hosts in-state rival Louisville on Saturday, seeking its fourth consecutive series victory.