Georgia Holds Off Tennessee, 24-17, to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

After a grueling stretch of road games, the Georgia Bulldogs finally returned to the friendly confines of Sanford Stadium on Saturday night for their first home game in five weeks. It was a must-win scenario for the No. 12 Bulldogs, who needed a victory over No. 7 Tennessee to keep their College Football Playoff aspirations intact. And while it wasn’t easy, Georgia managed to hold off the Volunteers, 24-17, extending their nation-best 28-game home winning streak.

A Game of Momentum Shifts

The contest began with Tennessee taking control early. On their opening drive, the Volunteers marched 78 yards in 12 plays, capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run from Miles Kitselman. The Tennessee crowd, raucous and hopeful, was fired up, and the Bulldogs were left to regroup.

Georgia didn’t take long to respond, but their offense wasn’t clicking as smoothly as it has in recent weeks. Carson Beck, while efficient, couldn’t find the rhythm early, and the Bulldogs faced an uphill battle. Tennessee stretched their lead to 10-0 with a 52-yard field goal from Max Gilbert, set up by a 26-yard punt return that gave the Vols great field position.

The Bulldogs finally got on the board late in the first quarter with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Beck to tight end Oscar Delp. The drive, which took nearly five minutes, got Georgia back within striking distance at 10-7. It was a much-needed spark for the home team, who had been struggling to gain any consistent traction offensively.

Back and Forth at the Half

The game took a back-and-forth turn in the second quarter. Tennessee answered Georgia’s touchdown with a 27-yard touchdown run from Dylan Sampson, regaining a 17-14 lead. But Georgia wasn’t ready to fold. In response, Beck orchestrated a 10-play, 84-yard drive that ended with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Delp — his second score of the game — giving Georgia its first lead, 14-10, with just under seven minutes to play in the half.

As the first half drew to a close, Georgia added a 36-yard field goal from Peyton Woodring to tie the game at 17-17. But Tennessee was far from done. The Vols had one last chance to pull ahead before the break, but Georgia’s defense, led by key stops from linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson, stood firm, and the teams entered the locker rooms deadlocked.

The Bulldogs Take Control in the Second Half

The second half was where Georgia’s resilience really came through. Tennessee had been riding high after their quick start, but Georgia’s defense settled in, and Carson Beck found his groove. With the game tied at 17-17 in the third quarter, the Bulldogs took control on a 12-play, 87-yard drive that broke the tie. Beck, who had been under pressure for most of the game, showcased his mobility with a 10-yard scramble into the end zone, giving Georgia a 24-17 lead with 5:32 remaining in the third quarter.

“I was just trying to keep my eyes downfield,” Beck said of the play. “I didn’t see anything open, so I had to make something happen with my legs. Thankfully, I found a way in.”

That scramble would prove to be the game-winning play, as the Bulldogs' defense took over from there, holding Tennessee scoreless for the remainder of the game. Despite a late push from the Volunteers, Georgia’s defense stood tall, forcing a turnover on downs and stifling any chance of a Tennessee comeback.

Playoff Hopes Still Alive

With the victory, Georgia improved to 8-2 overall and 6-2 in the SEC, keeping their slim hopes of making the College Football Playoff alive. The win was especially important given that the Bulldogs had suffered two losses on the road earlier in the season. While not yet in a secure spot, the Bulldogs can still make a push for a spot in the Playoff with a strong finish to the season.

For Georgia, the win marked another chapter in their incredible run of success at home. With their 28-game home winning streak intact, the Bulldogs have become nearly unbeatable at Sanford Stadium. The victory also came with the added significance of being Georgia’s first home game in five weeks, a stretch in which they played away games in six different states.

Key Players and Key Moments

While Beck’s scramble and Delp’s two-touchdown performance were certainly the highlights, the Bulldogs’ defense deserves a significant amount of credit for keeping them in the game. Defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann made key adjustments in the second half, limiting Tennessee’s potent offense to just three points after halftime. Dumas-Johnson and linebacker Smael Mondon, who has been working his way back from injury, both played pivotal roles in shutting down Tennessee’s run game.

In the trenches, the Bulldogs’ offensive line showed resilience, despite dealing with injuries to players like Earnest Greene and Micah Morris. With multiple lineup changes and some early struggles, the line eventually helped Beck settle in and create enough time for the passing game to find a rhythm.

On special teams, Peyton Woodring’s 36-yard field goal just before halftime proved to be a crucial moment, ensuring the game was tied at the break and keeping the momentum in Georgia’s favor going into the second half.

The Road Ahead

Georgia has a bye week before traveling to face a tough opponent in Alabama, where they will need to continue to build on this momentum if they hope to keep their playoff chances alive. With a solid defensive performance, Beck gaining confidence under center, and key players like Delp continuing to emerge, the Bulldogs have a lot to build on heading into the final stretch of the season.

For now, Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs can take solace in this hard-fought win. But there is still much work to be done. As Smart said postgame, “This was a big win, but we know what’s ahead. Every game is critical, and we’re going to keep pushing to make sure we’re ready for the next one.”

If Georgia can continue to improve, especially on offense, they’ll be a tough opponent for anyone in the SEC and beyond as the race for the College Football Playoff heats up. For now, though, the Bulldogs can savor this much-needed victory and look forward to what comes next in their championship pursuit.

Cameron Williams

DiSportsPhotoAgency

Senior Writer