No. 3 Georgia dominates top-ranked Vols in first half
No. 3 Georgia dominates top-ranked Vols in first half
ATHENS — No. 3 Georgia completely dominated top-ranked Tennessee in the first half. The Bulldogs (8-0, 5-0 SEC) led the Vols (8-0, 4-0 SEC) 24-6 heading into the locker room.
Georgia received the ball first and moved the chains methodically before a fumble by running back Daijun Edwards stunted its first offensive opening possession. Tennessee had the ball deep inside Georgia territory, although the Vols were held to a field goal on their first drive.
The Bulldogs then put together a five-play, 80-yard drive, which ended with a Stetson Bennett 13-yard TD rush on 3rd-and-10. The senior quarterback was flushed out of the pocket, but he was able to evade defenders and stretch the field. Bennett scored by diving for the pylon.
Following Bennett’s initial TD, he hooked up with Ladd McConkey for a 37-yard TD pass. He rolled right off of a play fake and found the redshirt sophomore wide open for six.
Georgia’s defense was relentless in the first half, forcing Tennessee to punt three times in a row following its field goal. The Bulldogs responded by scoring 21 unanswered points. They seemed in complete control of the game heading into the second quarter.
Georgia then scored on the second play from scrimmage of the second period.
Bennett completed a 5-yard pass to Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, who was double-covered, in the end zone for a TD. The Bulldogs led 21-3 following the PAT by kicker Jack Podlesny.
Tennessee’s offense finally started to pick up the pace on the following drive. The Vols drove down the field with confidence until they faced a 3rd-and-2. Two consecutive false start penalties backed them up 10 yards, and Hendon Hooker missed Princeton Fant, forcing a field goal attempt, which was good. They then trailed 21-6 with 9:36 left in the half.
Georgia couldn’t anything going on its next drive and was forced to punt for a second time. The Vols got back possession and were moving the ball with Hooker’s leadership. However, he then was picked off by Georgia’s Kelee Ringo in the end zone following a first down he picked up with his feet. That was his only second INT of the season.
The Bulldogs drove down the field, capping off the drive with a 19-yard field goal by Podlesny. They led No. 1 Tennessee 24-6 at the end of the first half with all of the momentum.
Here are the first-half stat lines for both teams:
