Tennessee’s defense gave up the most points against Georgia since 2020, when the defense yet again gave up 44 points.
Explaining Saturday’s 44-41 heartbreaker of a loss can be identified in two areas; third down defense and run defense.
The Vols’ inability to get off the field on third downs was apparent during Week One against Syracuse.
Tennessee gave up five 3rd down and three 4th down conversions.
The Vols seemingly seemed to have hammered down the details against ETSU, holding them to 2-15.
Georgia really got the better of Tennessee in the second half.
This was clear on the seventh drive of the game.
Four times the Dawgs converted on 3rd downs and two times those conversions went for 10+ yards.
In the third quarter alone , Georgia was 4 of 6 on its 3rd down attempts.
Oftentimes it was Tennessee’s inability to get effective play from the linebackers.
“One thing we gotta do though, is execute,” said Caleb Herring. “Because, we were hurting ourselves on a couple of plays and that led to big plays. So just executing better, but overall, I’m proud of the guys and we know what we need to build on.”
Georgia’s offensive line’s ability to create some nice gaps was the difference late in the game. As it helped on the final play of the game for Georgia to win it.
Secondly, poor run defense.
Once again on that seventh drive, each run was a rush up the middle.
Georgia’s quarterback Gunner Stockton’s ability to use his legs was crucial to their success.
13 times the Bulldogs ran it on that near 8 minute drive. That same drive was when they took a 24-21 lead over Tennessee.
By the end of the game Georgia had 55 run plays for 198 yards.
Georgia only had a couple explosive plays on the ground, but were incredibly successful in their efforts to get 5+ yards a rush.
That’s why they were effective on third and short, majority of their 3rd downs were roughly 5 yards.
Vols’ linebacker Arion Carter led the team in total tackles, however that unit didn’t collect tackles until after Georgia’s running backs already gained 5+ yards on average.
Tennessee’s defensive front has to do a better job of winning the small things.
“Pay attention to the details, stay in our gaps, stop pulling out, finish our plays, run to the ball,” said Dominic Bailey during Tennessee’s post game press conference.
The third quarter was the difference. Tennessee gave up 73 yards on the ground.
Third down defense will be a focus heading into Week Four against UAB.
“There’s been some really good things, and then some things that we haven’t done well enough,” said Heupel. “At times, we’ve applied great pressure to the quarterback, other times we can be better in it. Some of that’s our pressure packages adjusting to the formations that they’re seeing. At times, we’ve played really good coverage, and at some times we’ve given up some things that we feel like we’re in control of too. It can be an alignment, technique, whatever it might be. That’s an area where we can continue to get better.”
