Georgia vs. Tennessee live updates: Game score, analysis as Bulldogs, Volunteers clash in key SEC showdown

Updating Live

(23)

See New Posts

Pinned

Link copied

Georgia's defense steps up 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.

Pinned

Link copied

Tennessee starting to stumble

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.

Pinned

Link copied

Georgia starting to impose its will

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.

Pinned

Link copied

Can Georgia keep clawing back?

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.

Pinned

Link copied

Tennessee leads at the half

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.

Pinned

Link copied

Aguilar makes his first big mistake

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.

Pinned

Link copied

Tennessee's defense makes a stand

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.

Pinned

Link copied

Aguilar achieves a rare feat

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.

Pinned

Link copied

Tennessee's defense steps up

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.

Pinned

Link copied

Georgia's defense does its part

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.

Pinned

Link copied

Georgia battling back

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.

Pinned

Link copied

Tennessee rolling after one

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.

Pinned

Link copied

Aguilar's dealing

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.

Pinned

Link copied

Tennessee strikes right back

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.

Pinned

Link copied

Stockton looks comfortable

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.

Pinned

Link copied

Tennessee starts fast

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.

Pinned

Link copied

Tennessee will get things started

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.

Pinned

Link copied

Georgia vs. Tennessee prediction, picks

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

Pinned

Link copied

Tennessee not looking back at quarterback

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

Pinned

Link copied

Can Tennessee's offense overcome the Bulldogs?

For Heupel and the Vols to finally get over the hump, they'll have to solve Kirby Smart's defense. Between Smart's tactical acumen and Georgia's loaded roster, Tennessee's fast-paced, high-scoring attack has consistently ground to a halt in this annual matchup.

By the numbers, Tennessee's offense has been prolific under Heupel -- except against Georgia, where its production in both yards and points has fallen off a cliff.

Heupel vs. All OpponentsHeupel vs. UGA

Points/game

38.9

14.3

Yards/game

478.7

316.5

Pass yards/game

265.2

210.3

Rush yards/game

213.5

106.3

Read more on how Tennessee's offense has fared against Georgia in recent years -- and how the Vols could change the narrative Saturday:

Tennessee, Josh Heupel have a Kirby Smart problem -- and they can't take the next step until they solve it

Austin Nivison

Pinned

Link copied

Tennessee especially shorthanded against Georgia

Tennessee is dealing with several notable injuries as it prepares for a huge showdown against Georgia, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The Vols will be without starting cornerbacks Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson III and two of their top four defensive linemen in Jaxson Moi and Daevin Hobbs. Offensively, five-star freshman offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. will miss a third straight game as he has yet to make his Tennessee debut.

Pinned

Link copied

Stakes for Tennessee

Tennessee's offense, meanwhile, looks rejuvenated with transfer quarterback Joey Aguilar leading the way. Behind the arm of Aguilar, the Vols scored a program-record (in the modern era) 72 points against ETSU. They haven't seen a defense like Georgia's yet, though they'll have a raucous Neyland Stadium crowd behind them. A victory would be another feather in the cap for coach Josh Heupel, who is 2-1 against rivals Alabama and Florida over the past three years but has yet to beat the Bulldogs in his Tennessee tenure. As with Georgia, Tennessee's playoff hopes can survive a loss given what the Vols have coming up but, with difficult road games on the horizon, it would be a missed opportunity to let a ranked home win slip by.

College Football Playoff race 2025: Georgia, Tennessee meet in seismic clash; South Florida's chance to surge

Will Backus

Pinned

Link copied

Stakes for Georgia

For a program that's won two national titles in the past four years and is coming off its second SEC title since 2022, there hasn't been a lot of buzz around the Bulldogs in 2025. Kirby Smart, who is an absolute magician when it comes to manufacturing motivation, probably loves it that way. It doesn't help Georgia's case that its offense, led by first-year starting quarterback Gunner Stockton, looked ho-hum in Week 2 against FCS Austin Peay. The Bulldogs are going to have to step it up against a stout Tennessee defense this week. A win would serve as a reminder that Georgia is still Georgia, while a loss doesn't do too much harm. It's a road game against a ranked conference opponent, and Georgia's schedule provides plenty of opportunity for a bounce-back down the line.

Click here to read article