Tennessee football dropped its SEC opener against Georgia 44-41 on Saturday afternoon in Knoxville. The Vols led by eight points in the fourth quarter and had a game-winning field goal attempt sail wide right before falling in overtime.
Here’s five critical moments from Georgia’s win over Tennessee— a game with no shortage of critical moments.
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A Key Stand From Tennessee’s Defense
It says a lot about what an instant classic this game was that we’re starting in the second half. Georgia led by three points when KJ Bolden intercepted Joey Aguilar at the Vols’ 37-yard line late in the third quarter. The Bulldogs had all the momentum and was a touchdown drive away from putting Tennessee in a hole that would be tough to recover from.
But Tennessee’s defense bowed up after a sudden change. The Vols blew up first and second down runs before Colton Hood made a strong open field tackle short of the sticks on third down.
Peyton Woodring booted in the 48-yard field goal but Georgia’s lead remained just one score thanks to the big response from Tennessee’s defense.
Chris Brazzell Re-sparks Tennessee’s Offense
Tennessee hadn’t crossed midfield in its previous five drives when they got the ball back following the previously mentioned field goal. That’s when Chris Brazzell made his second game changing play of the game.
Aguiler threw a deep ball down the right sideline and Brazzell went up and took it from Georgia corner Daniel Harris before strolling into the end zone for a 54-yard game changing touchdown.
Before that play, it looked like Tennessee’s offense was not going to regain form after the first quarter. But the Vols offense came back alive with the Brazzell mossing that changed the game.
Tennessee Goes Conservative, Doesn’t Deliver Knockout Blow
Tennessee led by five points with 8:21 to play when Josh Josephs strip sacked Gunner Stockton and set the Vols up at the Georgia 34-yard line. It was a chance to deliver a knockout blow if they could score their third straight touchdown in as many drives.
Instead, Sam Pendleton moved early on first down and Tennessee went ultra conservative. The Vols ran the ball three straight plays, including on third-and-eight to set up a Max Gilbert 48-yard field goal. Gilbert knocked it through, pushing Tennessee’s lead to eight points but the sudden change and drive presented a chance for Tennessee to put Georgia in a nearly unescapable hole. They didn’t capitalize.
Tennessee Missed Two Chances To Get Off The Field
Settling for a field goal midway through the fourth quarter was one of just three chances Tennessee had to all but put the game away.
Georgia was facing fourth-and-six at the Tennessee 28-yard line with 2:38 to play. A stop would have put the Bulldogs in an incredibly tough spot. Instead, Gunner Stockton threw his best ball of the game. He dropped a dime to Landon Humphries on a well guarded fade route for a 28-yard touchdown. It was a rough night for Tennessee corner Ty Redmond, who was in coverage, but it was simply a play where Tennessee had to tip the cap to Georgia.
Even then, Georgia had to convert a two-point conversion to tie the game. It was way too easy as Zachariah Branch motioned towards the line before cutting right back into the flat for an easy score. It was the same play the Chiefs ran to clinch Super Bowl LVIII against the 49ers.
A Wonky Sequence And The Missed Kick
It was a brilliant afternoon for Tennessee’s offense but no drive was better then its final in regulation. An Aguilar completion to Braylon Staley moved the sticks on third-and-eight to begin the drive. Then Tennessee leaned on its run game.
The Vols controlled the clock and moved all the way to the 20-yard line, setting up for a game-winning field goal try. Tennessee was just looking to center the ball when Sham Umarov’s false start pushed them back five yards. It didn’t change the down or Tennessee’s number of timeouts.
But Tennessee instead decided to go ahead and kick instead of running another play. It made for a wonky scenario. Max Gilbert still had a 43-yard field goal attempt to win but pushed it wide right. Tennessee never recovered.
