Georgia defense survives issues, comes up big to beat Tennessee

Georgia’s defense didn’t always look its best in the SEC opener against Tennessee.

The Bulldogs were shredded by the Volunteers and quarterback Joey Aguilar in the first quarter. Georgia also gave up a pair of second-half touchdowns within four minutes to turn a six-point lead into a five-point deficit.

But the defense, which Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said never lost confidence, made just enough plays for the Bulldogs to escape Knoxville with a 44-41 overtime victory.

“One player may have a little doubt, but that group in there, they think they can stop anybody, anytime,” Smart said. “We worked the hell out of our guys to get ready for that game. We probably overworked those guys. It came down to things that we didn’t execute. We got beaten over top or didn’t make a play. It was frustrating because I thought we would play better defensively.”

The Bulldogs certainly didn’t come out ready to play.

Tennessee scored touchdowns on its first three offensive possessions, generating chunk plays at will. Aguilar completed his first 14 passes for 213 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

“That’s just how their offense goes,” safety KJ Bolden said. “They’re a very tempo offense. They start off hot every game you watch them. They’re just a team that starts off very hot. But once you get to the sideline and you see what they’re doing, they’re the same couple of plays, you see the adjustments you’ve got to make with your team. You go over there and watch it, and you just get things done.”

After the opening salvo, the defense stiffened.

Georgia surrendered just 35 yards in the second quarter. Aguilar completed 2-of-7 passes for 16 yards as the Volunteers went punt, punt, interception and saw their lead trimmed from 14 points to four at halftime.

“It was really just focusing on our kills, because they were checking their play,” linebacker Raylen Wilson said of the adjustments made. “I guess they knew what we were in most of the time. So we were just getting the kills and getting the call executed, that was the main thing.”

After a Georgia touchdown drive to open the second half, the defense forced a three-and-out. The next series ended with an interception by Bolden, leading to a field goal that put Georgia up six.

Then, the bottom fell out again. Aguilar and Chris Brazzell II connected on a 56-yard touchdown pass to put the Volunteers up 28-27. After a Georgia field goal, Tennessee marched 75 yards in just four plays to take a 35-30 lead.

Tennessee moved closer and closer to victory in the closing minutes with the game tied at 38, appearing poised to snap an eight-game losing streak to Georgia with a field goal. But Max Gilbert’s kick sailed wide right, giving the defense a shot at redemption.

“We just knew we’ve got to get a stop,” Bolden said. “Offense been saving us, offense been getting us out of hard situations, and we just knew we had to make a stop for them. Everybody came on the field, we just told them, we got them right there. We knew we had one.”

The Bulldogs did just that, forcing a three-and-out. Gilbert made this field goal, but the Georgia offense found the end zone for the win.

Georgia now heads into a bye week on a winning note. But the Bulldogs know if their winning ways are to continue, starting with Alabama in two weeks, the performance needs to be more consistent.

“We’re going to be back at home against a really good team. We’re going to be on the road against really good teams,” Smart said. “I mean, it can be good and bad. It’s how you take that medicine. And I’m going to make sure they take it the right way, and that we get better from it. We have to improve, and that’s the goal. We want to be on an elevating trajectory, not flat.”