Kirby Smart reacts to Georgia's OT win: 'Tennessee deserved to win this game'

It wasn’t easy, but Georgia was able to do enough to extend its winning streak against Tennessee. The Bulldogs forced overtime in the fourth quarter before eventually sealing the victory on a Josh McCray 1-yard rush in the extra period.

Afterward, though, Kirby Smart gave plenty of credit to the Volunteers. He said they deserved to win the game more than UGA did.

Smart also praised his team’s ability to stay in the fight despite an early deficit. Tennessee scored 21 points in the first quarter before the offense stalled, giving Georgia an opportunity to complete a comeback.

“I’m really proud of this team,” Smart told ABC’s Holly Rowe. “Tennessee deserved to win this game. We didn’t play our best game. I got a lot of respect for the way they played. But these kids I got, man, they never quit. They never quit.”

Tennessee scored on its first three drives of the game as Joey Aguilar looked like he was ready to dice up the Georgia defense. The Bulldogs locked in, though, forcing three punts and two interceptions over the next five drives. All the while, the UGA offense was getting into a groove.

Gunner Stockton had an impressive game, using both his arm and his legs. He completed 23 of 31 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns while also running for 38 yards and a score on the ground. He also made a big-time pass in the fourth quarter with a perfectly placed ball for London Humphreys, which proved to be the game-tying touchdown after the two-point conversion.

Stockton’s performance also drew praise from his head coach. Kirby Smart noted the dialogue around his quarterback in the lead-up to the rivalry affair and said Stockton silenced plenty of doubters.

“A lot of naysayers out there about Gunner,” Smart said. “I thought he played his tail off today. Didn’t play real well defensively, give Tennessee a lot of credit.”

On the Tennessee side, Aguilar was impressive as he led the passing attack. He went 24 of 36 for 371 yards and four touchdowns, but threw two interceptions. Chris Brazzell emerged as the top target, hauling in six receptions for 177 yards and three touchdowns – including a 72-yarder and a 56-yarder.

For UGA, it marks a ninth straight victory over Tennessee in their storied rivalry. The Vols’ last win over the Bulldogs came in 2016 when Josh Dobbs found Jauan Jennings on a Hail Mary to end the game at Neyland Stadium.