The game that was
Georgia scored touchdowns on its first two possessions of the second half to turn a 6-6 halftime tie into a 20-6 lead, then held on for a 20-12 victory over Tennessee in Neyland Stadium. The win was Georgia's fourth in a row, lifting the Bulldogs' record to 4-2 (3-1 SEC).
What we learned
1. The team and the season have gained momentum. From the daunting hole of an 0-2 start, Georgia has gotten back on track and created interesting possibilities for the second half of the season. If Georgia were to win its four remaining conference games, and if South Carolina were to lose one of its four, the Bulldogs would play in the SEC Championship Game in the Georgia Dome.
2. The "Dream Team" recruiting class continues to make a big impact. Although Isaiah Crowell sat out much of the first half with an injured wrist and Malcolm Mitchell much of the second half with an injured hamstring, the freshmen once again were Georgia's leading rusher and receiver, respectively. Crowell was held to 58 yards on 19 carries but scored both of the Bulldogs' touchdowns. Mitchell caught three passes for 126 yards, including a 71-yard catch that set up Georgia's second touchdown. Two other members of the 2011 signing class started: JUCO transfer John Jenkins, who made his first start at nose guard, and freshman Amarlo Herrera, who had another stellar game at inside linebacker.
3. Yes, second-and-56 really can happen. The Bulldogs were within range of a field goal that would have created a comfortable three-score lead in the fourth quarter. But, inexplicably, they went from first-down-and-10 at the Tennessee 23-yard line to second-and-56 from their own 31 after penalties on four of the next five snaps -- three for holding, the fourth for a personal foul. Georgia wound up punting on fourth-and-56, according to the official game book. "That's a first for me," coach Mark Richt said at his postgame news conference. "It's got to be in the top 10 in the history of college football."
The numbers game
-20
Yards rushing by Tennessee, the low by a Georgia opponent in Mark Richt's 10 ½ seasons as coach.
2
Touchdowns allowed by the Georgia defense in its past 16 quarters.
Sound bite
"I'm enjoying a defense [that is] beginning to play like a ‘Junkyard Dawg' bunch."
-- Georgia coach Mark Richt
Loose ends
Inside linebacker Michael Gilliard was Georgia's leading tackler for the fourth consecutive game. He had a career-high 12 tackles, as well as a forced fumble, a pass breakup and a sack. . . . Chase Vasser started at outside linebacker in place of the suspended Cornelius Washington. . . . Offensive lineman Chris Burnette started at right guard after missing the past two games with a knee injury. Dallas Lee shifted to left guard. Kenarious Gates did not start. . . . Georgia showed improvement in pass protection. After allowing 13 sacks in the season's first five games, the Bulldogs allowed none Saturday. . . . Tennessee was 4-for-13 (30.8 percent) on third-down conversion attempts. The Vols entered the game No. 1 in the nation on third down, converting 62.1 percent of the time, while Georgia was No. 2 nationally in third-down defense, holding opponents to 25.3 percent. . . . Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray's streak of 10 consecutive games with at least two touchdown passes was snapped. He had none.
What's next?
Georgia plays another night game in the state of Tennessee, traveling to Nashville for a 7 p.m. game Saturday against Vanderbilt (3-2, 1-2 SEC) on Fox Sports South. Vanderbilt won its first three games, including a 30-7 rout of Ole Miss, before losing its past two games, 21-3 to South Carolina and 34-0 to Alabama.
-- Tim Tucker
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