No. 1 Tennessee’s eight-game winning streak was snapped Saturday afternoon in Athens, Georgia, as the third-ranked Bulldogs claimed a 27-13 triumph over the Big Orange inside Sanford Stadium.
The Vols (8-1, 4-1 SEC) were limited to a season-low 13 points and 289 total yards against a Georgia unit that entered the weekend leading the Southeastern Conference in scoring defense (10.5) and total defense (262.6). Penalties and negative plays proved costly for the Big Orange, as Tennessee allowed a season-high six sacks and committed nine penalties for 55 yards of lost yardage.
Redshirt senior quarterback Hendon Hooker finished the game completing 23-of-33 passes for 195 yards with one interception, registering his fourth game this season with more than 20 completions. Redshirt senior wide receiver Cedric Tillman pulled in a game-high seven catches for 68 yards, while junior wideouts Jalin Hyatt and Bru McCoy each had six receptions for 63 and 38 yards, respectively.
With no touchdown tosses on Saturday, Hooker’s program record streak of consecutive games with a touchdown pass ended at 20 games. Over that stretch, the Tennessee gunslinger passed for 52 touchdowns with three interceptions.
Sophomore running back Jaylen Wright led the Vols on the ground between the hedges, rushing 21 times for a game-high 69 yards and Tennessee’s lone touchdown. It was his 10th career score and sixth of the season as the Durham, North Carolina, native eclipsed 500 rushing yards on the year.
Georgia signal caller Stetson Bennett IV guided the Bulldogs (9-0, 6-0) to victory with three total touchdowns, throwing for 257 yards and two touchdowns while adding a 13-yard rushing score. Redshirt sophomore Ladd McConkey led all receivers with 94 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
Tennessee’s defense forced multiple turnovers for the seventh time this season, finishing with two fumble recoveries. Redshirt senior linebacker Juwan Mitchell posted a team-high eight tackles for the second consecutive week, while Jeremy Banks accounted for seven total tackles, 1.5 TFLs and a pass breakup.
The Big Orange returns home Saturday, Nov. 12, for its final home game of the season against the Missouri Tigers. Kickoff is set for noon ET inside Neyland Stadium, with the game televised nationally on CBS or ESPN.
