Georgia stays perfect with 44-41 OT win over Tennessee

Jeff Hauser

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Georgia stays perfect with 44-41 OT win over Tennessee image

No. 6 Georgia stays perfect with a 44-41 win over No. 15 Tennessee in Knoxville on Saturday. The Bulldogs forced overtime with a touchdown and two-point conversion late in the fourth quarter. 

Tennessee tried to win in regulation by failed with a missed 43-yard attempt by Max Gilbert. 

In overtime, the Vols settled for a field goal after receiving the ball first, taking a 41-38 lead. Georgia only needed three plays to win off a 1-yard touchdown by Josh McCray. His second of the day for a hard-fought 44-41 win.

FINAL SCORE ALERT: Georgia's Josh McCray 1-yard TD seals 44-41 overtime win over Tennessee

"Tennessee deserved this game," Kirby Smart in the postgame interview. 

7:33 p.m.- SCORE ALERT: Gilbert adds FG in OT 

OT - Tennessee 41, Georgia 38

Can the Vols defend the Dawgs to force another frame? 

OT - Georgia 38, Tennessee 38

Joey Aguilar needs to settle down with a ton of pressure by Georgia. 

7:30 p.m.- Vols on offense first in OT 

Can Tennesse strike first and make it matter? 

7:28 p.m.- END OF REGULATION: Tennessee 38, Georgia 38

Max Gilbert misses game-winning 43-yard FG attempt 

Vols will try to snap winless streak in series with overtime 

Q4 0:34 Tennessee 38, Georgia 38 

Vols get on the Bulldogs side of the field and getting ready for a game-winning field goal try from Max Gilbert. 

Two-minute warning 

Q4 2:00 Tennessee 38, Georgia 38

Can Joey Aguilar add sixth TD for perfect finish in final minutes? 

6:53 p.m.- SCORE ALERT: Tie Game at 38 

Gunner Stockton to London Humphreys for 28-yard TD with two-point conversion good. A whole new game at Neyland. 

Q4 3:01- Tennessee 38, Georgia 30

Gunner Stockton and the Bulldogs are trying to make something happen. A shot to the end zone dropped incomplete. 

6:53 p.m.- SCORE ALERT: Tennessee settles for three 38-30 with Max Gilbert 48-yard FG

Q4 6:40 - Tennessee 38, Georgia 30

Still a one-posession game for the Dawgs to mount a comeback, Tennessee needed to kill some clock and only let two minutes pass. 

Vols defense get a major fumble recovery

Q4 8:21 - Tennessee 35, Georgia 30

After a Gunner Stockton sack, Tennessee came up was a turnover at the best time to add points and kill some clock. Joshua Josephs with the highlight.  

Tennessee pushes Georgia to the limit

Vols' 35 points are their most ever against Georgia under Kirby Smart. The previous high was 34 in Smart’s first season, 2016. Next high was... 21, according to The Athletic's Chris Vannini.

TENNESSEE ADDS ANOTHER TD

6:40 p.m.- SCORE ALERT: Joey Aguilar to Braylon Staley for 32-yard score 

Q4 11:01 - Tennessee 35, Georgia 30

Georgia retakes the lead

Q4 12:17 - Georgia 30, Tennessee 28

6:34 p.m.- SCORE ALERT: Georgia jumps back in front 30-28 with Peyton Woodring 24-yard FG

The 8-play, 69-yard drive stalled in the red zone for the Bulldogs. A win for the Vols by not allowing a touchdown. This next drive will be huge for Joey Aguilar and the offense. 

Chris Brazzell is going off 

What a moment for the Vols receiver. Five catches for 162 yards with three scores. That's Randy Moss numbers

END OF THE 3RD: Tennessee 28, Georgia 27

Team Stats

 GeorgiaTennessee
1st Downs2016
3rd down efficiency6-102-7
4th down efficiency1-20-0
Total Yards356356
Passing206304
Comp/Att15/2219/27
Yards per pass9.411.3
Interceptions thrown12
Rushing15052
Rushing Attempts4019
Yards per rush3.82.7
Penalties5-397-57
Turnovers12
Fumbles lost00
Interceptions thrown12
Possession28:5716:03

6:22 p.m.- SCORE ALERT: Tennessee strikes back with Joey Aguilar to Chris Brazzell II for 56-yard TD

Q3 0:09 - Tennessee 28, Georgia 27 

6:20 p.m.- SCORE ALERT: Georgia increases lead 27-21 with Peyton Woodring 48-yard FG

Q3 3:48 - Georgia 27, Tennessee 21

Joey Aguilar throws a costly pick 

Q3 4:00 - Georgia 24, Tennessee 21

KJ Bolden sets up Bulldogs at Tennessee 37-yard line. 

Q3 4:28 - Georgia 24, Tennessee 21

Georgia punt team comes out for a much-needed stop. Joey Aguilar needs to get something going here. 

The Vols need to start clicking

Tennessee hasn't done much since halftime and Georgia's last possession settled Neyland down. 

Q3 6:20 - Georgia 24, Tennessee 21

Tennessee goes three and out.

Joey Aguilar tries to make plays, but there is nothing happening. All the momentum belongs to Georgia’s offense, who gets the ball back 

Georgia found rushing attack

Mike Bobo is forcing the Vols defense to stop the Bulldogs on the ground and it's working. 

Six different players got a carry on the drive on the last scoring drive. 

5:56 p.m.- SCORE ALERT: Georgia takes 24-21 lead 

Q3 7:19 - Georgia 24, Tennessee 21 Josh McCray run for 1-yard TD 

Q3 12:31 - Tennessee 21, Georgia 17

Gunner Stockton takes a designed run 13 yards on third down. Georgia is on Tennessee's side of the field

Q3 14:10 - Tennessee 21, Georgia 17

Georgia’s marching band starts with a banger. Imperial March from Star Wars as the Dawgs are driving. The offense tries to impose its will on the Vols defense.

Second half kickoff

Q3 15:00 - Tennessee 21, Georgia 17

Volunteers come out to defense a “Rocky Top" lead over Dawgs

HALFTIME - Tennessee 21, Georgia 17

Gunner Stockton is intercepted after a Hail Mary attempt. Georgia opted not to try a field-goal and went big play. Vols defense hangs on after the Aguilar pick. 

Tennessee has a pick called back

Q2 0:20 - Tennessee 21, Georgia 17

Gunner Stockton nearly gives the ball back, but a penalty cancels out the tipped pick. A clear break for the Dawgs.

Q2 1:02 - Tennessee 21, Georgia 17

Joey Aguilar starts the drive with his worst throw of the game before getting intercepted on a 50-50 ball to give Georgia another possession before halftime 

5:15 p.m.- SCORE ALERT: Georgia adds 20-yard Woodring FG

Q2 1:42 - Tennessee 21, Georgia 17

5:13 p.m.- Q2 1:47 - Tennessee 21, Georgia 14

Gunner Stockton tries to hit the edge but can't with a huge third down stop. Tennessee takes a time out with the Bulldogs in a 4th and goal situation

5:08 p.m. Q2 2:15 - Tennessee 21, Georgia 14

Gunner Stockton gets Georgia in the red zone with two good throws. Dawgs threatening to tie this game. 

5:03 p.m.- Q2 6:08 - Tennessee 21, Georgia 14

Another pass interference puts Georgia near midfield with another first down. The Vols are hurting their own momentum on this drive. 

5:01 p.m.- Q2 8:21 - Tennessee 21, Georgia 14

The early fireworks have faded 

The Volunteers and Bulldogs have settled in with a back-and-forth defensive battle. Josh Heupel is forcing Kirby Smart to rely on his defense in the final part of the first half.

4:55 p.m.- The Vols lead 21-14 in the second quarter on two TD passes from Joey Aguilar and a TD run from Aguilar, but the Bulldogs’ offense continues to respond.

Q2 10:19 - Tennessee 21, Georgia 14

Gunner Stockton designed run on third and 2 stopped by Vols Tennessee then nearly gives the ball right back on a muffed punt, but recovers.

4:45 p.m.- Bulldogs offense takes the field looking to tie the game.

Zachariah Branch 39-yard touchdown givie the Dawgs a spark. Mike Bobo found the right play. That time it worked. 

Team Stats

 GeorgiaTennessee
1st Downs612
3rd down efficiency1-31-1
4th down efficiency1-20-0
Total Yards144254
Passing113213
Comp/Att5/1014/17
Yards per pass11.312.5
Interceptions thrown00
Rushing3141
Rushing Attempts99
Yards per rush3.44.6
Penalties1-94-25
Turnovers00
Fumbles lost00
Interceptions thrown00
Possession7:129:33

4:31 p.m.- SCORE ALERT: Georgia responds

Q2 14:53 - Tennessee 21, Georgia 14

Gunner Stockton finds Zach Branch on a receiver screen, and the speedy USC transfer runs 36 yards for the score 

END OF 1ST QUARTER: Tennessee 21, Georgia 7 

Tennessee offense putting it together

Vols have some big hitters early. Joey Aguilar looks crisp and in control. He's able to evade rush and see the field as well as. The Vols are showing signs of being the stronger team. 

Bad Bulldogs defense: Georgia's defense is playing like it did at the start of last year.  Ellis Robinson gave up the 72-yard touchdown, interfering as well. It’s only the first quarter, but Chris Brazzell II already has four catches for 106 yards and two scores.

4:22 p.m.- SCORE ALERT: Aguilar strikes again This is a statement from Joey Aguilar and a Josh Heupel Tennessee offense that has been pushed around by Georgia’s defense

Tennessee 21, Georgia 7

Aguilar is 13/14 with 199 passing yards through three drives

4:08 p.m.- Tennesse's defense comes up with a stop. Georgia has the first three and out in SEC battle. 8:48 1st Qtr Tennessee 14, Georgia 7 

4:02 p.m.- SCORE ALERT: Vols take the lead Joey Aguilar to Chris Brazzell II for 72 yds for a TD (Max Gilbert KICK)

3:58 p.m. SCORE ALERT: Dawgs respond with a 75-yard TD drive 7-7 tie 9:58 1st Qtr

Gunner Stockton run for 6 yds for a TD (Peyton Woodring KICK)

3:53 p.m.- After a touchback, first play for Dawgs is a 45-yard pass from Gunner Stockton to Colbie Young

AGUILAR FOR 6 pic.twitter.com/sWyP7s6GmD

3:49 p.m.- SCORE ALERT: Aguilar calls his own number on a rushing score, 7-0 Tennessee 

Aguilar goes 5-of-5 for 62 yards on opening drive before the touchdown 

3:48 p.m.- Joey Aguilar and the Vols down in the red zone with three big gains

OPENING KICK: Touchback with Tennessee on their own 25

3:45 p.m.- Georgia coach Kirby Smart to ESPN's Holly Rowe before the game: "It's hard to simulate this type of noise" at Neyland Stadium 

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No. 6 Georgia will try to extend its dominance over Tennessee when the Bulldogs visit No. 15 Tennessee in Neyland Stadium on Saturday for the SEC opener.

Georgia has won eight straight in the rivalry, the longest streak in series history dating back to 1899. Head coach Kirby Smart’s only loss to Tennessee came in 2016, his first season, on a Hail Mary.

“This is a historic rivalry,” Smart said. “All of those border wars are big-time rivalries.”

Georgia’s Early Season Look

The Bulldogs (2-0) enter off a 28-6 win over Austin Peay, a performance that left some questions despite the victory. Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton makes his first SEC road start after showing dual-threat ability in the opener. He has thrown for 417 yards and two touchdowns with 73 rushing yards so far.

The Georgia defense has given up just 61.5 rushing yards per game, but pressure on the quarterback has been limited with only two sacks through two contests.

Tennessee’s momentum at Neyland

Tennessee (2-0) counters with momentum at home. The Volunteers scored a program-record 72 points in a rout of East Tennessee State and have won nine straight at Neyland Stadium, going 21-1 there since 2022. Coach Josh Heupel has broken skids to Alabama and Florida, and now eyes Georgia.

“Obviously, we know the test that we have in front of us,” Heupel said.

Quarterback Joey Aguilar, a transfer from Appalachian State, will make his SEC debut. He has already passed for five touchdowns and averages 267.1 yards per game. Aguilar is 15-11 as a starter in his career and 2-0 at Tennessee.

Key matchups and injury report

Georgia will be without tight end Ethan Barbour, wideout Thomas Blackshear and linebacker Chase Linton. Offensive lineman Juan Gaston is a game-time decision.

Tennessee’s defense is thin, with starting defensive backs Rickey Gibson and Jermod McCoy sidelined, and defensive linemen Daevin Hobbs and Jaxson Moi out. Freshman right tackle David Sanders Jr. could make his debut after missing two games.

Georgia’s secondary, led by Daylen Everette, Zion Branch and KJ Bolden, faces a Tennessee receiving corps that produced two 100-yard receivers last week in Chris Brazzell II and Mike Matthews. The Vols’ ground game, averaging 252.5 yards per game, will test Georgia’s stout front.

Against the odds

Neyland Stadium will host a sellout crowd with Tennessee fans organizing a “Checker Neyland” in orange and white. The Vols are 4-4 in such games but have won the last three.

Oddsmakers have Georgia as a 3 ½-point favorite, but ESPN’s “College GameDay” crew split its picks. For Stockton and Aguilar, Saturday marks their first SEC start in front of one of the loudest crowds in the country.

Georgia and Tennessee, two border rivals with SEC stakes on the line, kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC. 

Jeff Hauser

Jeff Hauser is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He has over twenty years of experience and is a two-time Emmy Award winner, Heisman Trophy and Biletnikoff Award voter. Among the events he has covered are the Super Bowl, College Football Playoff, World Series, World Cup, and WBC Boxing. Hauser is a regular guest on FOX Sports and ESPN Radio. He previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, SB Nation and Athlon Sports.