It had been almost 40 days since Georgia had played a home game. All week, Georgia’s social media helped fuel the excitement. The fans were waiting in anticipation. They were called on to be early, be loud, and be ELITE! The fans did their part. They blacked out Sanford Stadium and brought the juice. It was up to Georgia to prove it on the field. To win on Saturday night, Kirby Smart reiterated during the week and in sideline interviews that the tougher team would win. It didn’t start pretty, but the anticipation proved worth the wait when the clock struck zero on Saturday night. Carson Beck and Georgia lit up Tennessee 31-17. The win put Georgia back on track to obtain an at-large spot in the College Football playoff. Before we get into that conversation, let’s take a quick look at how the Dawgs came out on top!
Light it up!#GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/NqzTVcAhAU
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) November 17, 2024
Carson Beck and Georgia Light Up Tennessee
Carson Beck’s Performance
It wasn’t all champagne and cigars Saturday night. Georgia fell behind 10-0 in the first quarter. It marked the 13th time in the last 16 SEC games that the Dawgs would have dug them out of a deficit. Tennessee looked crisp on offense, led by the arm of quarterback Nico Iamaleava and the legs of Vols’ running back Dylan Sampson. The two did a great job of extending plays and getting Tennessee out to the early lead. With Trevor Etienne out with an injury, Georgia needed Carson Beck to show up big.
Beck had struggled; a quick comparison of his numbers shows that although he has thrown for more yards this year, his completion percentage has fallen about 10%. Additionally, Beck has been careless with the ball, throwing 12 interceptions in his last six games. After a slow start that saw drops lead to Georgia’s first three drives ending in punts, Beck and the Dawgs came alive.
Beck would lead Georgia on scoring drives during its next four possessions, spanning the end of the first quarter to midway through the third quarter. Beck was efficient most of the game and did not have a turnover. He finished with seven passes of 20+ yards to six different receivers. Beck also used his legs on a number of key scrambles and designed runs to help keep the Vols’ defense on balance. Beck finished the game with 346 yards passing, two touchdowns through the air, and one on the ground. He could overcome drops and respond to big Tennessee drives that proved the difference Saturday night.
Georgia Wins the Middle 8
After racing out to a quick 10-0 lead, Tennessee saw Georgia score on its next two possessions to make 14-10. Tennessee responded on the next drive, going 75 yards in 10 plays to back up 17-14 with two minutes remaining in the half. Sampson excreted the end of the drive when he ran seemingly untouched 27 yards for the go-ahead score with just two minutes remaining in the half. Tennessee looked to be in a good position, weathering Georgia’s comeback and ready to receive the 2nd half-kick to possibly extend their lead.
Beck and Georgia weren’t done yet in the first half. Georgia went on an 11-play drive that put Georgia in position to time the game going into halftime. Peyton Woodring hit the game-tying field goal as time expired to lock the game at 17 at halftime. The field goal seemingly took away any momentum the Vols had gained with its late touchdown. After receiving the second-half kick, Tennesse had the ball for just seven plays before punting it back to Georgia.
Georgia responded by driving 87 yards in 12 plays on a touchdown drive, which saw them take the lead for good for the rest of the game. The drive started fast with a big 16-yard run by Nate Frazier, followed up by a 40-yard reception by Arian Smith to get the Dawgs off and running. Beck capped the drive with a ten-yard rushing touchdown on 3rd & 7 from the Tennessee 10-yard line.
CARSON BECK SOLO EFFORT FOR SIX 🔥
STEPPING UP FOR GEORGIA WHEN THEY NEED IT MOST 😤 pic.twitter.com/0NDz6NP0RI
— ESPN (@espn) November 17, 2024
A Tale of Two Drives
After the teams exchanged punts on their following possessions, the next two drives sealed the game for the Dawgs win. Tennessee put together a 15-play drive that saw Sampson and Iamaleava make key plays and convert third downs to look like they were marching to tie the game. Unfortunately for the Vols, the drive stalled at the 41-yard line. Facing a key 4th & 5, Josh Heupel decided to try to go for the first down and seize momentum back from the Dawgs. Unfortunately for the Vols, one of their lineman jumped offsides forcing the Vols to punt the ball back to Georgia. Anthony Evans then fair caught the ball at the seven-yard line, not leaving much room for error for Beck and the Dawgs.
Beck led the Dawgs on a 13-play drive, marching 93 yards to put Georgia up two scores. Beck was at his best for the drive. He hit Landon Humphreys in stride for a big 28-yard pass play that put the Dawgs in position for a field goal. Beck and Georgia though wanted more. Nate Frazier would cap off the drive with a two-yard plunge to put the final dagger in Tennessee’s comeback.
Tennessee would have one more drive at the end of the game, but the defense came up with the final stop. Damon Wilson II stripped-sacked the Vols quarterback, ending any hope of a Rocky Top miracle.
What’s Next?
The win puts Georgia back squarely in the College Football Playoff conversation. They have the best resume of any team in the country, with more Top 25 wins than anyone, and arguably and statistically the most challenging schedule. Look for Georgia to be somewhere between 7 and 9 on Tuesday, bypassing the ACC and Big 12 schools.
