Josh McCray pushed forward on a second-effort in overtime to reach the end zone, and the Georgia Bulldogs pulled off a remarkable 44-41 overtime victory over Tennessee football in what is easily the most heartbreaking loss of the Josh Heupel era at UT. The Vols’ losing streak to UGA extended to nine games.
Trailing 38-30 with around three minutes to go in the fourth quarter, Georgia, ranked No. 6 in the AP Poll and No. 3 in the Coaches Poll, converted a 4th and 6 with a 36-yard touchdown pass from Gunner Stockton to London Humphries. Max Gilbert then hooked a potential game-winning field goal wide left for the Vols, sending the game into overtime.
Stockton finished the game completing 23-of-31 passes for 304 yards, two touchdowns and no picks while running it 13 times for 38 yards and another touchdown. He did not get phased at all in the clutch during his first SEC start, and that was evident on his first drive.
UT, ranked No. 15 in both polls, scored on its first three possessions and jumped out to a 21-7 first quarter lead. Joey Aguilar completed his first 14 passes. He finished the game 24-of-36 for 371 yards and four touchdowns to go along with two picks. Chris Brazzell II was his favorite target with six catches for 177 yards and three touchdowns.
Georgia scored 20 straight after trailing 21-7, but then Tennessee football scored back to back touchdowns that followed UGA field goals to take a 35-30 lead. They then got a strip-sack late but settled for a field goal, which set up the Dawgs’ game-tying drive late.
With the win, the Vols fall to 2-1 and 0-1 in SEC play. They will host the UAB Blazers next week. Georgia, meanwhile, improves to 3-0 and 1-0 in league play. Kirby Smart’s team now has a bye before it has to get ready for another huge matchup in two weeks against the Alabama Crimson Tide.
