Tennessee kicker Max Gilbert’s life changed Saturday night when he pushed his potential game-winning kick wide right and Georgia took advantage, knocking off the Vols 44-41 in overtime to earn their ninth straight win in the rivalry series.
Being a kicker is a lonely position at times and Gilbert is certainly feeling that heavy weight today as his first missed kick of the season was the most important kick of his career to this point. Gilbert’s former Tennessee teammate Dont’e Thornton came to Gilbert’s side Saturday night in a cool moment of support.
“Max I love you,” Thornton posted on X.
Max I love you
— BigMacc🥷🏿 (@IamDTJ11) September 13, 2025
Gilbert showed strong resiliency after missing the potential game-winning 43-yard kick. Just a few moments later, Gilbert had nearly the exact same kick in overtime. This time it was a 42-yard attempt from the left hash in the south end zone.
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The redshirt sophomore kicker knocked in his second chance to give Tennessee a three-point lead in the first overtime. But it mattered little as Georgia used just three plays to score the game-winning touchdown on the second possession of the first overtime.
“Listen, I told the team, it’s a series of one play that make the wins,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said. “And as a specialist, sometimes your life gets showcased in a way where you get very limited opportunities. I love the fact that he came back over time, drains it. Unfortunately, he didn’t make the one before, but he had his head high. And that’s the life of being a kicker, you know what I mean? And I love the way he responded. He’ll continue to grow and we got great trust in him. Unfortunately, he didn’t finish that one.”
Gilbert finished the game two-for-three on field goal attempts, making kicks from 42 and 48 yards along with the 43-yard miss. Tennessee needs Gilbert to respond well and not let this miss affect him moving forward. With Arkansas, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt all looking better than expected, Tennessee could play more close games than originally expected this season. They will need Gilbert in those games and more.
