No. 3 Georgia QB Bennett hushes top-ranked Tennessee

ATHENS, Ga. — – Stetson Bennett threw two landing passes and ran for a rating and No. 1 Georgia shut down No. 2 Tennessee’s significant-powered offense, dominating the Volunteers 27-13 on Saturday in an SEC showdown of the nation’s best-rated groups.

Georgia (9-, 6- Southeastern Conference) turned the 25th regular-time matchup of the top rated two teams in the AP poll into rout that manufactured crystal clear the defending national champions are nevertheless the group to conquer.

In a deafening and soggy Sanford Stadium, Georgia led 27-6 in advance of Tennessee scored its very first landing with 4:15 remaining.

Hendon Hooker, who entered as the Heisman Trophy frontrunner after taking down Alabama very last month, passed for only 195 yards for Tennessee (8-1, 4-1) and was sacked 6 instances by star defensive tackle Jalen Carter and the Bulldogs’ protection.

Hooker threw an interception, misplaced a fumble that almost resulted in a protection for Georgia and did not toss a touchdown move.

Tennessee’s final possession finished with Hooker dropped for no acquire on a fourth-down operate with less than 3 minutes remaining. The Volunteers came in averaging just about 50 factors for each match.

The Volunteers road that Alabama victory to the top rated place in the very first College or university Soccer Playoff position. Georgia was No. 3 in those.

That will transform Tuesday. The Bulldogs also took regulate of the SEC’s East Division in the race. They should really cruise to a further conference championship sport.

Hooker and his potent leading receivers, Hyatt and Cedric Tillman, have been contained by Ga. The Vols were being held to two first-fifty percent subject plans as Ga took a 24-6 halftime direct. Rain in the second fifty percent manufactured it only much more challenging to transfer against the Bulldogs’ protection.

Bennett threw scoring passes of 37 yards to Ladd McConkey and 5 yards to Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint in the very first half. Bennett also had a 13-yard scoring run.

There were far more significant performs in Georgia’s passing sport. Bennett experienced completions of 52 yards to Arian Smith and 49 yards to working again Kenny McIntosh.

THE TAKEAWAY

Tennessee: The Vols struggled in the significant-sport atmosphere, especially on offense where by group sounds contributed to a sequence of untrue starts and unlawful technique calls.

Tennessee’s playoff hopes are considerably from gone, but the Vols are now going to want some support..

Ga: With all the focus on Tennessee’s Hooker, Bennett once again confirmed he can action up in a sport with significant implications.

He was named offensive MVP in both equally playoff wins last season and excelled once again in opposition to the Vols, which include on his landing operate when he escaped strain in the vicinity of the 25 prior to jogging to his suitable and diving for the rating.

Bennett handed for 257 yards, finishing 17 of 25 passes.

Critical Accidents

Just after dropping exterior linebacker Nolan Smith, Georgia’s leader with three sacks, to a time-ending damage past 7 days, his substitution, Robert Beal, left recreation in 3rd quarter with a neck injuries. Chaz Chambliss took over for Beal. … Tennessee RB Jabari Modest was taken to the health-related tent in the initially quarter with a shoulder damage. Wright took around as the lead functioning back. … Hyatt returned just after struggling an obvious ankle damage when he collided with a subject choose on an incomplete pass.

UP Next

Tennessee returns dwelling to play Missouri on Saturday. The Vols have won the previous a few games in the series, including a 62-24 win at Missouri in 2021.

Georgia commences a stretch of back again-to-back again SEC road games when it performs at Mississippi State on Saturday night. Ga has won the very last three online games in the sequence.

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