Some shoddy defense and several questionable calls doomed the Vols in Athens.
The Tennessee Vols showed some hope early on Saturday night, but that faded quickly, with the team faltering over the final two quarters to lose 31-17 to the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens.
Nico Iamaleava was 20/33 passing for 167 yards. Dylan Sampson topped the century mark at 101 rushing yards on 19 carries with a score. Miles Kitselman led all pass catchers with 46 receiving yards on 4 catches while adding a 1-yard rushing score.
It was a great start for the Vols, as they forced Georgia to go 3 and out. They then proceeded to march 78 yards methodically to the end zone, capping it off with a Kitselman dive over the top from 1 yard out in power formation. After another stop and a long Boo Carter punt return (who was tackled by the punter in the open field, sadly), Max Gilbert booted through a 51-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead.
That’s when things begin to go south for the Vols. A 38-yard catch and run to end the first quarter signaled a change in the game that would take place over the next 3 quarters – a stretch over which Georgia would outscore the Vols by a margin of 31-7.
After Georgia went 75 yards in 5 plays to draw within 10-7, they would add in two more scoring drives of at least 10 plays each in the first half.
Tennessee’s defensive front could get absolutely no pressure on Beck throughout the game, and he carved up Tennessee’s secondary with ease, throwing for 347 yards and 2 touchdowns on the day.
The struggles continued in the second half, although the Bulldogs were bailed out on a very controversial call early in the second half. Facing 2nd and 24, Beck completed a pass to Nitro Tuggle for 16 yards. His helmet was ripped off, but it was not by the facemask. Nonetheless, the officials somehow saw a facemask, and the call took 3rd and 8 into 1st and 10. Georgia would go on to score and take the lead for good. The Dawgs punted once in the second half, putting together time-draining drive after drive, the last one putting the game away with 2 minutes left on a 2-yard touchdown by Nate Frazier.
As much as Tennessee’s defense struggled, their offense didn’t do much better. The offensive line struggled to keep Georgia’s pass rushers at bay, and didn’t seem like the Vols’ wideouts were getting much separation down the field. Nico was also off on a couple of crucial throws that could have helped keep drives going.
Overall, it was a night to forget for the Vols after a start to remember. And now, the Vols will have to wait to see how far they fall on Tuesday when the new college football playoff rankings and bracket are revealed.