The Georgia Bulldogs proved once again that they are built for the big stage, escaping Neyland Stadium with a dramatic 44-41 overtime victory over the No. 15 Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday night. It was a performance that revealed both flaws and strengths, but ultimately underscored Georgia’s ability to contend for another SEC crown.
The spotlight was firmly on quarterback Gunner Stockton, who entered the season facing criticism from outside Athens about whether he was the right man to lead the Bulldogs. On Saturday, he silenced those doubts with a poised, dynamic showing in his first career road start. Stockton completed 23 of 31 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 38 rushing yards and another score. Most importantly, he guided Georgia through the pressure-cooker of Knoxville, making clutch plays when his team needed them most.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment,” Stockton said after the game. “It wasn’t perfect, but I knew we could find a way to win.”
Still, Georgia’s path to victory was not smooth. The Bulldogs fell behind 21-0 early as Tennessee’s up-tempo offense repeatedly torched their secondary. Georgia’s defensive backs struggled with communication and discipline, giving up several explosive passing plays and committing multiple costly penalties. While head coach Kirby Smart praised his team’s resilience, he acknowledged that the secondary must improve with Alabama looming in two weeks.
“You can’t spot a team like Tennessee three touchdowns and expect to be comfortable,” Smart said. “We’ve got to clean up our play in the back end if we want to reach our goals.”
Despite those struggles, Georgia showcased the hallmark of a championship-caliber team: the ability to rally under pressure. The Bulldogs leaned on their physical ground game to stabilize the contest, wore down Tennessee’s defense, and made timely defensive stops to claw their way back. In overtime, Stockton’s composure sealed the win, as Georgia walked off the field both relieved and energized.
The victory pushed Georgia to 1-0 in SEC play and further cemented their reputation as the team to beat in the conference. While questions remain about their pass defense, the Bulldogs showed they have the toughness, talent, and leadership to weather adversity.
The road only gets tougher from here, but one thing is clear after Saturday’s thriller: Georgia is very much alive in the SEC title hunt — and Gunner Stockton is ready to lead the charge.
