Georgia outlasts Tennessee: No. 6 Dawgs extend streak over No. 15 Vols to nine games in OT thriller

Why didn't Georgia go all-in on landing a big-name quarterback out of the transfer portal? Maybe because the Bulldogs already have a pretty good one on their roster. Gunner Stockton didn't show much downfield passing acumen in the Bulldogs' season-opening victories against overmatched opponents. But he delivered some strikes in a hostile environment Saturday when his team needed him most. While filling in for the injured Carson Beck late last season, the redshirt junior showed he had the toughness to keep the Bulldogs afloat against high-caliber competition. But it remained a mystery whether the Georgia native could put a team on his back and lead it to a big victory. Stockton answered those questions resoundingly with an excellent showing on the big stage against the Volunteers.

• This was Georgia's first 14+ point comeback victory on the road under Kirby Smart.
• Georgia has now tied Alabama (2004-14) for most consecutive 3-0 starts to a season.
• UGA has now won 70 games in a row when scoring at least 35 points.
• The Bulldogs are 3-0 in overtime games over the past two seasons.
• This marked just the second time in series history that both teams scored 38 or more points.
• Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar became the first Vols player in the last 30 years other than Peyton Manning to have 4+ passing touchdowns and 1+ rushing touchdowns against a ranked opponent.

This was an impressive, thrilling and memorable win for Georgia. But it also showed the Bulldogs' imperfections. With a bye week coming, UGA's defense has some things to work on ahead of a Sept. 27 showdown with No. 19 Alabama. The Crimson Tide's offense has been electric over the past two weeks since a Week 1 loss to Florida State. Georgia will have to be better in all aspects defensively if it wants to keep Alabama from following the blueprint Tennessee used to generate explosive plays. The Crimson Tide racked up 547 yards in a win over Florida last season and will be licking their chops as they aim to produce a similar performance this season.

FINAL (OT): Georgia 44, Tennessee 41

No. 6 Georgia staged a fourth quarter rally and then survived in overtime for a thrilling 44-41 win over No. 15 Tennessee on Saturday in front of a raucous crowd at Neyland Stadium. The Volunteers had a chance to win it in the final seconds of regulation, but Max Gilbert's 43-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right to give the Bulldogs new life.

After holding Tennessee to a field goal on the first series of overtime, Georgia used a 21-yard rush from Nate Frazier to position itself for the game-winning score, as Josh McCray plunged in from a yard out to secure the win. The outcome extended the Bulldogs' winning streak over Tennessee to nine games.

Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar tossed four touchdowns in his SEC debut and got the Volunteers off to an early 21-7 edge. But Georgia's Gunner Stockton rose to the occasion and matched him in his first road start.

Georgia trailed 38-30 and faced a fourth-and-6 on Tennessee's 28-yard line with under three minutes remaining. A turnover on downs would have backed Georgia into a corner, but Stockton found London Humphreys with a perfectly thrown deep ball for a touchdown that brought UGA within 38-36. 

A subsequent 2-point conversion tied the game and gave the Bulldogs new life. Stockton finished 23 of 31 passing for 304 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. He also scored a touchdown as a runner and called 38 yards on the ground.

Tennessee is now 21-2 at home since 2022 with both losses coming against Georgia.

End 4Q: Tennessee 38, Georgia 38

Tennessee put together a great drive to position itself for a potential game-winning field goal. However, Max Gilbert's 42-yard try sailed wide right in the final seconds to give Georgia second life. The Volunteers and their crowd of nearly 102,000 were all ready to celebrate a landmark victory. But instead, they head to overtime in Knoxville. 

2:32 4Q: Tennessee 38, Georgia 38

Georgia just got a clutch fourth-down touchdown connection between Gunner Stockton and London Humphreys to tie it. The subsequent 2-point conversion tied this game and silenced — momentarily, anyway — the Tennessee crowd. What an answer for Stockton and the Bulldogs as he makes his first career road start. Thrilling finish on deck from Knoxville.

Late 4Q: Tennessee 38, Georgia 30

Georgia has over three minutes left and all three timeouts remaining as it drive the football deep into Tennessee territory. The Bulldogs need a touchdown and 2-point conversion. But if they got points early enough, the two-minute timeout and three timeouts would give them ample time to potentially get the football back for a go-ahead touchdown. Does the Tennessee defense have another couple of big plays up its sleeve?

Mid 4Q: No. 15 Tennessee 38, No. 6 Georgia 30 

Tennessee's defense came to play in the fourth quarter, too. After the Vols got pushed off the ball in the third quarter, they have done a much better job stuffing the run and getting pressure on Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton in the second half. Tennessee's defensive front may have just made the play of the game. Stockton dropped back to pass on third-and-long in Tennessee territory but Vols defender Josh Josephs came screaming off the edge and punched the ball out of Stockton's hands. Tennessee defensive lineman Bryson Eason was able to jump on the fumble and put his team in immediate scoring position. 

A false start put Tennessee behind the chains, but the Vols were able to get enough yardage to set up a 48-yard field goal from kicker Max Gilbert. It's still a one possession game, but momentum is back on Tennessee's side as the clock winds down. 

Early 4Q: No. 15 Tennessee 35, No. 6 Georgia 30 

Maybe Joey Aguilar is a bookend quarterback. He had a stellar first quarter, went quiet in the middle of the game and now looks like a superstar in the fourth quarter against Georgia. He is making some much-needed throws after Tennessee had its back against the ropes. Aguilar just connected with a wide-open Braylon Staley for a 32-yard touchdown with 11:02 left on the clock. 

Staley ran a nice route to get plenty of space in Georgia's secondary and Aguilar had no trouble identifying him and putting plenty of air under the ball. Aguilar is now up to 351 yards and four touchdowns passing, the most yards for a Tennessee quarterback against Georgia since 2008.  

Early 4Q: No. 6 Georgia 30, No. 15 Tennessee 28

Tennessee's defense bent, but it didn't break. After the Vols hit on a 56-yard touchdown connection between quarterback Joey Aguilar and wide receiver Chris Brazzell II, Georgia responded with an impressive drive of its own and looked like it was a few plays from scoring a huge touchdown. Quarterback Gunner Stockton connected with wide receiver London Humphreys for 31 yards to Tennessee's 8-yard line. 

But the Vols buckled up there. They got a tackle for loss on a rush attempt and pressured quarterback Gunner Stockton on a third-down pass attempt to force the field goal. Kicker Peyton Woodring's 24-yard boot gave the Bulldogs a fourth-quarter lead, but Tennessee probably feels good about now allowing a touchdown in that situation. 

End 3Q: No. 15 Tennessee 28, No. 6 Georgia 27 

Sometimes, the YOLO ball works. Vols quarterback Joey Aguilar certainly isn't afraid to chuck one up there. Sometimes, it pays off. In desperate need of a spark, Aguilar just threw a 50-50 ball deep to wide receiver Chris Brazzell II, who muscled the pass away from defensive back Daniel Harris Jr. and powered his way into the end zone for a 56-yard touchdown. 

Brazzell is having the game of his life, reminiscent of former Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt's performance in Tennessee's 2022 win against Alabama. With that touchdown catch, he's up to five receptions for 162 yards and he's been on the receiving end of all three of Aguilar's touchdown passes. 

Georgia will have the ball when the fourth quarter begins but, after falling asleep for two quarters in the middle, Tennessee is ready to make this a game again. 

Late 3Q: No. 6 Georgia 27, No. 15 Tennessee 21 

Georgia's defense is swarming. Ever since allowing Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar to carve them up in the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs have completely stymied the Vols' explosive offense in the last two quarters of play. Georgia defensive back KJ Bolden just gave the Bulldogs their second interception of the game, which gave UGA possession on Tennessee's 37-yard line. 

Though the Bulldogs would have liked more to extend their lead to two scores, they were able to convert the interception into instant offense thanks to a 48-yard field goal from kicker Peyton Woodring. Georgia's defense has not allowed Tennessee to cross the 50-yard line since the first quarter. 

Late 3Q: No. 6 Georgia 24, No. 15 Tennessee 21

The wheels are starting to fall off for Tennessee. After Georgia opened the second half with a dominant 14-play, 75-yard touchdown drive where it ran the ball down Tennessee's throat, the Vols responded with a quick three-and-out on their first possession in the third quarter. They fell behind the chains early thanks to a holding call on first down and didn't even make it back to the original line of scrimmage before they were forced to punt. Now Georgia will get the ball with favorable field position on its own 41-yard line when play resumes. 

Mid 3Q: No. 6 Georgia 24, No. 15 Tennessee 21 

Georgia is starting to push Tennessee around at the line of scrimmage. The Bulldogs decided to commit to bully ball to open the second half with great success. They imposed their will on a 14-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that took 7:41 off the clock and gave Georgia its first lead of the game thanks to a 1-yard touchdown run from Josh McCray. Thirteen of Georgia's 14 plays on that drive were runs. The only passing play went to running back Chauncey Bowens. 

Georgia fell behind 21-7 in the first quarter -- its worst deficit against Tennessee since 2009 -- but the Bulldogs started to capture some momentum with a 10-0 second quarter. They quieted Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar and leaned on an effective wide receiver screen game to gut Tennessee's lead to just four points entering halftime. Georgia has a chance to take its first lead of the game when it starts the second half with the ball. 

Half: No. 15 Tennessee 21, No. 6 Georgia 17 

Tennessee may hold a 21-17 lead entering halftime, but it feels like momentum is starting to swing back in the direction of the Bulldogs after 30 minutes of play. Georgia's defense started flying around the field after a lackluster start and quarterback Gunner Stockton found his footing thanks to a simplified gameplan centered around quick screens and creative running. 

Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar, who dazzled by completing all 14 of his first-quarter passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns, hit on just two of his eight attempts for a total of 16 yards in the second quarter. He also threw an interception near the end of the first half that cut Tennessee's 2-minute drill short. 

Georgia's offense, meanwhile, took advantage of a thin and largely inexperienced Tennessee secondary to move the ball in the second frame. The Bulldogs' 14-play, 88-yard field goal drive was extended by a couple of pass interference calls on Tennessee, including one that gave Georgia a free conversion on third-and-5. Tennessee also had another defensive holding call near the end of the first half that negated a potential interception, though the Vols were able to pick a Hail Mary attempt off as the clock hit double zeroes on the first half. 

The Bulldogs will get the ball to start the second half. 

Late 2Q: No. 15 Tennessee 21, No. 6 Georgia 17 

Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar is spotless no more. He just threw his first interception of the season on a deep pass attempt to wide receiver Mike Matthews. Georgia defensive back Joenel Aguero made a nice play to jump into the air and snag the ball before Matthews could adjust, giving the Bulldogs possession on their own 30-yard line with less than two minutes to play. 

Late 2Q: No. 15 Tennessee 21, No. 6 Georgia 17

Georgia looked like it would tie this game with an 80-plus yard drive that ate over six minutes off the clock, but Tennessee's defense stiffened up in the red zone to force a short field goal from kicker Peyton Woodring. The Bulldogs do still have some momentum, thanks to a defense that's starting to fly around the field and an offense that's finding its footing with Gunner Stockton at quarterback. 

Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar became the first quarterback in 20 seasons to complete all 14 of his pass attempts in the first quarter, according to ESPN. Aguilar was dialed in as Tennessee jumped out to an early 21-7 lead over the first frame, its largest lead against Georgia since 2009. Two of those completions went for touchdowns, including a 72-yard strike to wide receiver Chris Brazzell II. Aguilar has slowed down a bit as Georgia's defense has settled in. He has completed just two of his five pas attempts for 16 yards in the second quarter. 

Early 2Q: No. 15 Tennessee 21, No. 6 Georgia 14

It's never too late to have a defensive battle. Georgia was backed up to its own 4-yard line after excellent punt coverage from Tennessee's special teams. The Bulldogs worked wide receiver screens well to get some room to operate, but an unnecessary roughness penalty from wide receiver Colbie Young knee-capped any momentum the offense was building. Gunner Stockton attempted to run for a first-down on third-and-2 but he was chopped down short of the line to gain. 

Early 2Q: No. 15 Tennessee 21, No. 6 Georgia 14 

For the first time all game, Georgia's defense came up with a big stop. After the Bulldogs brought Tennessee's lead down to one possession with a touchdown strike between quarterback Gunner Stockton and Zachariah Branch, the Bulldog defense stopped Tennessee and quarterback Joey Aguilar before they could reach midfield. Aguilar threw his first two incomplete passes, including one on third-and-7 that was behind wide receiver Mike Matthews. 

The good news for Tennessee is that punter Jackson Ross' fourth-and-7 boot traveled 57 yards and was downed at Georgia's 4-yard line, giving the Bulldogs some tough field position on their second drive of the second quarter. 

Early 2Q: No. 15 Tennessee 21, No. 6 Georgia 14 

Georgia just dialed up a perfect call on third-and-7 in Tennessee territory. The Vols brought a blitz to try and get to quarterback Gunner Stockton, so the Bulldogs decided to throw a screen to speedy wideout Zachariah Branch. Tennessee's deep safety took a bad angle and Branch took off for a long touchdown just eight seconds into the second quarter. Tennessee is bringing a lot of pressure, so it will be interesting to see if Georgia continues to work the perimeter while giving Stockton easy throws to find momentum. 

End 1Q: No. 15 Tennessee 21, No. 6 Georgia 7

It's all Tennessee so far after one quarter of play in Knoxville. The Vols extended their streak of scoring on their first drive against Georgia to five games and then followed that up by putting a touchdown on the board in each of their three possessions over the first 15 minutes. 

Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar looked smooth in his first SEC start. He broke the scoring seal when he rushed for a four-yard touchdown on a quarterback keeper and, just a couple of offensive plays later, connected with wide receiver Chris Brazzell II for a 72-yard touchdown. Aguilar and Brazzell teamed up for two touchdowns through the air over the first quarter. Aguilar hit on all 14 of his first-quarter pass attempts for 213 yards. 

After a hot start and a touchdown on the first drive, Georgia's offense was mostly limited. Quarterback Gunner Stockton looked comfortable on script, but Tennessee has started to dial up some pressures that have knocked the relatively inexperienced starter out of rhythm. The Bulldogs will have the ball in Tennessee territory once the second quarter begins. 

Late 1Q: No. 15 Tennessee 21, No. 6 Georgia 7 

Tennessee's offense is rolling. The Vols have now scored on all three of their offensive drives against Georgia, thanks in large part to an early star-making performance from quarterback Joey Aguilar, who looks poised and in control in his first SEC start. He just roped a perfect throw to wide receiver Chris Brazzell II for his second touchdown pass of the day. Aguilar also has a rushing touchdown, which means he's responsible for all three of Tennessee's touchdowns thus far. 

Early 1Q: No. 15 Tennessee 14, No. 6 Georgia 7

Apparently neither defense got off the bus this morning. Tennessee and Georgia's offenses have definitely arrived, though. The Vols not only scored on the opening drive -- something that Josh Heupel has done in all five of his games against Georgia -- but they responded to Georgia's touchdown with a huge strike of their own. Quarterback Joey Aguilar, on the second play from scrimmage, chucked a ball deep to wide receiver Chris Brazzell II, who made a nice adjustment with a Georgia defensive back draped all over him and snagged the ball out of the air. Brazzell then kept his balance and finished the 72-yard touchdown catch by sprinting into the end zone. 

Tennessee has had two drives and Aguilar is already up to 134 yards passing and one touchdown on six completions. 

Early 1Q: No. 6 Georgia 7, No. 15 Tennessee 7

There were significant questions about Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton entering Saturday's game. So, in response, Georgia's coaching staff dialed up a deep shot on the first play of the game and Stockton rewarded that faith by delivering a perfect strike to wide receiver Colbie Young for a gain of 45 yards. Stockton also looked comfortable rushing and finished another quick scoring drive by scrambling six yards into the end zone to draw his team even with Tennessee.

Early 1Q: No. 15 Tennessee 7, No. 6 Georgia 

Early advantage, Tennessee. As it has so often this year, Tennessee's offense got off to a blazing-fast start and kept Georgia's defense on its heels thanks to some crisp passing from quarterback Joey Aguilar and advantageous looks in the run game. Aguilar completed all five of his pass attempts for 62 yards and finished the drive by plowing into the end zone from four yards out on a quarterback keeper. 

Tennessee's offensive staff did a great job of scheming receivers open on that drive. None of Aguilar's throws were contested and almost all of the Vols that caught the ball had room to operate after the catch. 

Georgia won the coin toss and elected to defer its selection to the second half, which means that Tennessee's offense will start with the football. The Vols have scored on their first possession -- three touchdowns and one field goal -- in all four of their games against Georgia under coach Josh Heupel. What comes after that scripted first drive is typically the problem for Tennessee. Getting started fast is important, but maintaining the momentum will be key for Tennessee snapping its eight-game losing streak to Georgia. 

Georgia has been inconsistent on offense, but the Bulldogs are demolishing their opponents on defense. Kirby Smart has historically done a solid job locking down Josh Heupel's offense. Vols quarterback Joey Aguilar will have some moments, but will falter during his first appearance on the big stage. Georgia will pull away at the end, but the under also could be a smart play. Pick: Georgia -3.5

Georgia vs. Tennessee prediction, pick, odds, spread: Josh Heupel seeks signature win over No. 6 Bulldogs

Shehan Jeyarajah

Folks around the Tennessee football program would deny it publicly, but several are closely tracking Nico Iamaleava's weekly slide from grace at UCLA. "There are some who pay attention for sure," a Tennessee source said. 

A one-time no-star high school recruit, Joey Aguilar has thrown for 535 yards and 5 touchdowns against no interceptions with a 66.1% completion rate. Last week he helped lead the Vols to a program-record 72 points against East Tennessee State. '

"In hindsight, we're good," the first Tennessee source said. "(If someone said), 'Would you do this all over?' I think everybody would be like, 'We got Joey? He is who he is here? We're fine.'

"The kids are going to be slow to say it because some of them are friends (with Nico). But (Joey) gets the ball around more. He hangs out with more people. He's more charismatic. He doesn't keep to himself." 

'In hindsight, we're good': Tennessee sources revisit Nico Iamaleava saga, embrace Joey Aguilar as better fit

Chris Hummer