Untitled Document

Tennessee got off to a strong start in the first half, but a couple of special teams miscues kept Georgia in the game after the first 30 minutes. An interception return touchdown pulled the Bulldogs within five points at the 8:21 mark.

But on their next possession, the Vols answered with an eight-play, 80-yard drive that ended when Montario Hardesty broke free for a 39-yard touchdown run to give Tennessee a 31-19 lead with 4:06 remaining.

That drive was textbook, and the Vols stayed in control the rest of the way.

Tennessee’s offense and quarterback Jonathan Crompton in particular put it together.

Instead of going away from the pass, Tennessee let Crompton throw and the senior responded with the most accurate performance of his career. He also got help from his receivers, and tight end Luke Stocker had nice day as well.

As good as the offense was, the defense might have been better. The only points from Georgia’s offense came on a 52-yard field goal in the second quarter. And the Bulldogs managed only 9 yards of total offense in the third quarter.

The Vols found a way to play inspired, if not always perfect, football on Saturday when it needed a win badly. Players pointed to a team meeting on Friday night that helped set the tone, and the Vols simply looked more focused than Georgia for most of the afternoon.

The Vols get a much needed open date this weekend before going back on the road to face Alabama.

The Crimson Tide (6-0, 4-0 SEC) handled Ole Miss 22-3 on Saturday in Oxford, thanks in large part to 173 rushing yards from Mark Ingram.

Alabama’s defense stifled Rebels quarterback Jevan Snead, who completed just 11 of his 34 passes for 140 yards. And Snead threw four interceptions.

There’s no smoke and mirrors for the Crimson Tide, either. They play sound, aggressive defense and run the ball as well as anyone in the country.

Their specialty is to wear opponents down, and it shows. So far, Alabama has outscored opponents 51-14 in the fourth quarter this season.

"Man, it was awesome. It was a lot different than any meeting or speaker we've had. It could bring tears to your eyes."

--Cornerback Art Evans on the Vols’ team meeting Friday night

"(Lane Kiffin) made a promise to us that we wouldn't lose to them anymore. He's not going to let Georgia beat us."

-- Safety Eric Berry

"We are excited about the game, don't get me wrong. But I've said it on the other side, one game will not define us as a team. One game will not define us as a player. We have a ton of work to do, and a long ways to go. We have a good bye week, and we need to get better."

-- UT coach Lane Kiffin

Crompton's 4 TDs Lead Vols Past Georgia, 45-19

The Associated Press

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin didn't defeat Florida as promised. He did deliver on another guarantee with a 45-19 win over the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday.

"(Kiffin) basically made a promise to us that we wouldn't lose to them anymore, forever or until he leaves," Volunteers safety Eric Berry said. "He's not going to let Georgia beat us."

The first-year coach got some help from Jonathan Crompton, who passed for a career-high 310 yards and threw for four touchdowns.

Continue reading 'Crompton's 4 TDs lead Vols past Georgia, 45-19'

Confidence talk results in confident play

BY DREW EDWARDS
UTSports.com

Just before lights out Friday night in the team hotel, Tennessee's coaches and players talked about how much they believed in each other and how lucky they were to have a chance to play a football game together the next morning.

"Man, it was awesome," cornerback Art Evans said. "It was a lot different than any meeting or speaker we've had. It could bring tears to your eyes."

Only a few hours later, it was lights out for Georgia inside Neyland Stadium.

The Vols took control and kept it in a 45-19 romp over Georgia before 103,261 fans to claim their first SEC victory of the season and the first of head coach Lane Kiffin's tenure.

Continue reading 'Confidence talk results in confident play against Georgia'

Notebook: Finally, a big play for Berry

BY DREW EDWARDS
UTSports.com

For a moment on Saturday afternoon, Tennessee safety Eric Berry looked like he was going to become the NCAA's all-time leader in interception return yardage.

When cornerback Art Evans drilled Georgia receiver Michael Moore and jarred the ball loose, Berry plucked it from the air and took off 46 yards to the Georgia 14-yard line.

It's the same kind of play that has netted Berry 487 career interception return yards, already a Tennessee and SEC record.

Continue reading 'Notebook: Finally, a big play for Berry'

Kiffin: Special teams 'pathetic' against Georgia

BY DREW EDWARDS
UTSports.com

Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin seemed legitimately miffed when talking about his special teams following the Vols' 45-19 victory over Georgia on Saturday afternoon.

After all, the Vols have struggled for most of the season, especially on kickoff and punt coverage. Just last week, Auburn's Onterio McCalebb came up with a crucial 52-yard kickoff return, one of three returns longer than 30 yards.

This week, Vols spent extra time this week on kick coverage in practice and shuffled their personnel.

The results were less than stellar, to say the least.

Continue reading 'Kiffin: Special teams 'pathetic' against Georgia'

Saturday's Stats

Click anywhere on the image below to browse stats from Saturday's game: