The Georgia Bulldogs needed contributions from a lot of key players, like starting quarterback Gunner Stockton and wide receiver Zachariah Branch, in Georgia’s 44-41 overtime win against the Tennessee Volunteers. Georgia also got production from a few unexpected players in the road win.
Georgia hung in there against Tennessee despite facing 21-7 and 38-30 deficits during the game. The Bulldogs punched back even though they gave up nearly 500 total yards of offense to Tennessee.
“You have to absorb blows,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said after the game. “I don’t think I had any idea how many blows we would have to absorb, but we did, and we got a resilient group.”
Georgia’s team is no stranger to overtime. The Dawgs have played in overtime games in three of their last four games against Power Four competition. Georgia has won all three. Georgia beat Texas in overtime of the SEC championship and Georgia Tech in eight overtimes in 2024’s regular season finale in addition to beating Tennessee.
The Bulldogs have a bye in Week 4 and will lick their wounds ahead of a Week 5 clash with the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Winners, losers from Georgia football’s win at Tennessee
Winner; Quarterback Gunner Stockton
Stockton played well despite facing a significant amount of pressure. He was sacked three times including one forced fumble. However, Stockton delivered 342 total yards, three total touchdowns and no interceptions in Georgia’s win. He was a threat in the run game and took several big hits, but showed excellent toughness. Stockton proved that he can win on the road in the SEC and not many expected him to lead the offense to 38 points in regulation.
“Gunner (Stockton) took some shots today and stood in there and made some big-time throws,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said after the game. Stockton added a lot in the run game for Georgia and earned respect from his teammates.
Winner: Offensive tackle Bo Hughley
Georgia has the luxury of having elite talent. It showed in the second half when Georgia turned to right tackle Bo Hughley. Georgia’s usual right tackle Earnest Greene started the Tennessee game, but could not finish the contest. The Bulldogs originally tried playing Michael Uini at right tackle. He was effective as a run blocker, but struggled in pass protection. Hughley came in and delivered in a loud atmosphere with his team trailing and facing obvious passing situations.
“Bo (Hughley) comes in off the bench and plays right tackle,” Smart said. “Unbelievable.”
Loser: Tennessee coach Josh Heupel
Josh Heupel and Tennessee missed a golden opportunity to upset Georgia. Heupel fell to 0-5 against Georgia and regrets that the Volunteers were unable to close out Georgia in regulation.
“Tonight, man, it’s going to hurt,” Heupel said after the game. Tennessee has now lost nine straight games to Georgia with this one being the most heartbreaking of all.
Winner: Receiver Zachariah Branch
All of Georgia’s pass catchers looked good against Tennessee. Colbie Young, Zachariah Branch and London Humphreys all had big games for the Bulldogs. Branch’s explosiveness looked next level against an SEC defense and he came up clutch with a game-tying two-point conversion in the fourth quarter.
Branch finished the day with five receptions for 69 yards and a touchdown. He came up with a big catch on a slant pass on a fourth down play.
Losers: Georgia cornerbacks Ellis Robinson and Daniel Harris
We knew going into the season that opposing teams would pick on Georgia’s No. 2 cornerback opposite of All-SEC first-team selection Daylen Everette. Robinson and Harris have been battling for the second corner spot, but neither player impressed against Tennessee.
Ellis Robinson had a pass interference penalty and allowed a 72-yard touchdown to Tennessee receiver Chris Brazzell on the same play. If Robinson prevented Brazzell from catching the deep pass (even with the penalty), then it would have been a good play. Brazzell could be on the winner’s list. He finished the day with six receptions for 177 yards and three touchdowns.
Harris gave up a 56-yard touchdown to Brazzell in the second half where he was in perfect position, but could not make a play on the ball. Harris always seems to be in position, but doesn’t make enough plays on the ball.
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