By: Ethan Horner
(Photo/Ethan Horner-The Mojo Network)
The Tennessee Volunteers came away with a 45-24 victory over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets after pulling away in the second half. We were there to watch the game unfold, and while Georgia Tech gave the Vols some trouble early, Tennessee's offense and rushing attack eventually took over.
Georgia Tech opened the game with a three-and-out, and Tennessee wasted no time taking advantage. The Volunteers needed just three plays to drive 63 yards, with quarterback Faizon Brandon connecting with tight end Ethan Davis for a 25-yard touchdown to give Tennessee an early 7-0 lead.
The Yellow Jackets responded with a long drive of their own, putting together a 14-play, 63-yard possession. Georgia Tech converted three third downs on the drive, but the Tennessee defense was able to hold them to a 30-yard field goal, cutting the lead to 7-3.
Georgia Tech's defense then came up with another big stop, forcing Tennessee into a three-and-out. The Yellow Jackets followed that up with one of the biggest plays of the game.
Georgia Tech blocked the Tennessee punt and returned it for a touchdown, giving the Yellow Jackets a 10-7 lead.
Tennessee continued its drive from the first quarter into the second and was able to put points on the board with a field goal to tie the game at 10-10.
The Volunteers then took control after safety Dejuan Love intercepted Georgia Tech quarterback Alberto Mendoza and returned it 41 yards for a touchdown. The pick-six put Tennessee back in front, 17-10.
Georgia Tech went three-and-out on its next possession, and both offenses struggled to find much consistency over the next few drives.
Tennessee eventually broke through again. Brandon connected with Braylon Staley for a touchdown on a six-play scoring drive, giving Brandon his second passing touchdown of the game and extending Tennessee's lead to 24-10.
Georgia Tech had a chance to respond before halftime and was moving the ball down the field, but the Tennessee defense once again came up with a big play. Linebacker Jeremiah Telander intercepted Mendoza to end the threat and send the Volunteers into halftime with a 24-10 lead.
Tennessee came out of halftime looking to put the game away, and the Volunteers did just that.
The Vols put together an eight-play scoring drive that took just three minutes, with running back Desean Bishop finishing it off with a 17-yard touchdown run. Bishop carried the ball seven times on the drive as Tennessee extended its lead to 31-10.
Georgia Tech wasn't ready to go away quietly.
The Yellow Jackets put together a 75-yard drive over nine plays, with Mendoza finding Justice Haynes for a touchdown to cut Tennessee's lead to 31-17. Georgia Tech's defense then forced a Tennessee punt, giving the Yellow Jackets another opportunity to make things interesting.
Georgia Tech had a chance to cut further into the deficit early in the fourth quarter, but the Yellow Jackets came up unsuccessful on fourth-and-goal from the Tennessee 14-yard line.
Tennessee then put together a long possession that took roughly six minutes off the clock. The Volunteers weren't able to score on the drive, but the possession was exactly what Tennessee needed with a two-score lead. The Vols eventually punted, but the Yellow Jackets couldn't take advantage.
Tennessee forced a turnover just four plays into Georgia Tech's next possession, and from there, the Vols' rushing attack took over.
Bishop broke free for a 29-yard touchdown run for his second rushing touchdown of the night. The score pushed his rushing total over 162 yards and extended Tennessee's lead to 38-17.
The Volunteers added another touchdown late as they continued to pull away, ultimately securing a 45-24 victory over the Yellow Jackets.
There was a lot to like from Tennessee's offense, especially the performance from true freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon. Brandon finished the game without a turnover, marking his second straight game without giving the ball away.
Tennessee showed the ability to win in multiple ways, with Brandon making plays through the air, the defense creating turnovers, and Bishop leading the way on the ground. Georgia Tech made things interesting early, but the Volunteers' ability to take control after halftime ultimately made the difference.