What Georgia fans need to know about the Vols

By Ken Sugiura

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

• Record: 2-3 (0-2 SEC).

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Wade Payne, AP Tennessee's Montario Hardesty leads the SEC with 115 rushing yards per game.

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Georgia's backfield Tennessee's Montario Hardesty

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• Last week: Lost to Auburn 26-22 in Knoxville.

• Last time played Georgia: Tennessee lost 26-14 in Athens in 2008.

• Tennessee on offense: Running back Montario Hardesty, finally a full-time starter in his senior season, leads the SEC and is eighth in the NCAA in rushing at 115 yards per game. Notably, he gained 96 yards against Florida. Quarterback Jonathan Crompton has struggled, completing 54.7 of his passes (third lowest in the SEC) and throwing eight interceptions with nine touchdowns. While left tackle Chris Scott from Lovejoy High has started 31 consecutive games, injuries have forced lineup changes up front.

• Tennessee on defense: The Vols have moved star safety Eric Berry, a Creekside High grad, closer to the line of scrimmage, where he has averaged nine tackles a game, third most in the SEC. Under defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, formerly of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and coach Lane Kiffin's father, Tennessee has 35 tackles for loss. The Volunteers are the least penalized team in the SEC.

• Tennessee on special teams: Kicker Daniel Lincoln was a second-team all-SEC pick in 2007 and is 7-for-9 this season.

• What you need to know: The last four games between the two teams have been decided by 12 points or more.

• What you might not know: Twelve players on the Tennessee roster are from Georgia, the most of any state other than Tennessee.

• For more on the Web: Tennessee Athletics.