ATHENS, Ga. – The seventh-ranked Vols battled but were unable to overcome No. 12 Georgia, falling 31-17 Saturday night at Sanford Stadium after jumping out to a 10-0 lead.
Running back Dylan Sampson led the offense on the ground, rushing 19 times for 101 yards and a touchdown. The score, his 21st of the season, moved the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native into a tie with Gene McEver for the single-season program record for touchdowns.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava completed 20 of 33 passes for 167 yards. Wide receiver Squirrel White caught a team-leading six passes for 45 yards, giving him 128 career receptions and moving him into seventh place on Tennessee’s all-time list.
On defense, the Vols batted down a season-high-tying six passes, with six different players recording a pass breakup. Defensive back Will Brooks led the team with seven tackles.
Tennessee’s (8-2, 5-2 SEC) defense started strong, forcing a quick three-and-out on Georgia’s first possession. The Vols then marched 78 yards on their opening drive, capped by a one-yard touchdown run from tight end Miles Kitselman-his first career rushing score.
Tennessee went up 10-0 late in the first quarter when redshirt freshman kicker Max Gilbert connected on a 52-yard field goal-the longest of his career.
Georgia (8-2, 6-2 SEC) responded with touchdowns on consecutive drives to take a 14-10 lead in the second quarter. The Vols answered UGA’s scoring outburst with a 10-play, 75-yard drive, ending in a 27-yard touchdown run by Sampson to move back in front.
UGA kicker Peyton Woodring tied the game with a 36-yard field goal with five seconds left in the first half, making it 17-17 at the break.
The Bulldogs regained the lead with a 12-play, 87-yard drive in the third quarter, capped by a 10-yard touchdown scramble from quarterback Carson Beck.
Georgia added to the lead with a two-yard touchdown run with 2:26 remaining in the game.
UP NEXT
Tennessee will return home to Neyland Stadium next Saturday, Nov. 23, to take on UTEP on Senior Day. The game is set to kickoff at
