In a nail-biting finish that left Sanford Stadium in stunned silence, Georgia linebacker Rian Davis missed a critical tackle in the final seconds, allowing Tennessee to score a game-winning touchdown and hand the Bulldogs a heartbreaking 31-30 defeat.
The top-ranked Bulldogs entered the game as heavy favorites, riding a dominant winning streak that had solidified their status as a national powerhouse. But the Volunteers, led by a relentless offense and clutch playmaking, proved they were up to the challenge in this SEC showdown.
Georgia appeared to have the game in hand after a fourth-quarter field goal by Peyton Woodring gave them a six-point lead with just under two minutes remaining. Tennessee, however, had other plans. Quarterback Joe Milton III orchestrated a methodical drive, connecting with wide receiver Squirrel White for multiple key gains to advance the Volunteers to Georgia’s 25-yard line with time running out.
On second-and-10 with only 12 seconds remaining, Milton dumped a short pass to running back Jaylen Wright in the flat. Davis appeared to be in perfect position to make the tackle and end the game, but he overran the play, allowing Wright to slip past him. Wright bolted down the sideline and into the end zone, tying the game at 30. Tennessee kicker Charles Campbell drilled the extra point, giving the Volunteers the one-point victory as time expired.
“I missed my assignment, and it cost us the game,” a dejected Davis admitted postgame. “This one’s on me, but I promise to come back stronger.”
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart refused to pin the loss on a single player, pointing instead to the team’s missed opportunities throughout the game. “We had chances to put this one away, and we didn’t capitalize,” Smart said.
The loss is a significant blow to Georgia’s playoff aspirations, with another tough test looming next week against Ole Miss.
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