ATHENS, Ga. — Within the largest video games, Stetson Bennett appears to rise to the event and above his usually extra heralded counterparts.
Bennett threw two landing passes and ran for a rating as No. 1 Georgia shut down Hendon Hooker and the Vols’ high-powered offense to win a Southeastern Convention showdown of the nation’s top-ranked groups 27-13 Saturday.
After main the Bulldogs to a nationwide title final season, Bennett improved to 23-3 as a starter at Georgia.
“Aggressive excellence, aggressive toughness,” mentioned Georgia coach Kirby Good when requested about Bennett’s capacity to shine on the grandest phases.
“He’s a winner. Let’s be sincere. The man is aware of tips on how to win.”
Bennett handed for 257 yards, finishing 17 of 25 passes. He had a 13-yard scoring run within the matchup in opposition to Hooker, thought to be a Heisman Trophy favourite. Perhaps Bennett needs to be now?
Bennett insisted his solely motivation was for the crew’s hopes of returning to the SEC championship recreation, not for his private validation “as a result of on the finish of the day we’re taking part in for the East and if we misplaced it’s a decrease share we’re taking part in in Atlanta.”
Added Bennett: “I don’t actually care about quarterback vs. quarterback.”
Georgia (9-0, 6-0 Southeastern Convention) turned the twenty fifth regular-season matchup of the highest two groups within the AP ballot right into a rout that made clear the defending nationwide champions are nonetheless the crew to beat.
“I sort of really feel prefer it was an announcement win,” mentioned Georgia extensive receiver Ladd McConkey, who had 5 catches for 94 yards and a landing.
In a deafening and soggy Sanford Stadium, Georgia led 27-6 earlier than Tennessee scored its first landing with 4:15 remaining.
Hooker, whose Heisman hopes had been bolstered by a win over Alabama final month, handed for under 195 yards for Tennessee (8-1, 4-1). Hooker was sacked six occasions by star defensive sort out Jalen Carter and the Bulldogs.
Tennessee extensive receiver Jalin Hyatt mentioned Georgia’s protection was “far more bodily than Alabama.”
Georgia’s particular groups put extra stress on Tennessee. Punter Brett Thorson nailed a 75-yarder that went out of bounds on the Tennessee 1 within the first quarter. Jack Podlesny kicked two discipline objectives.
Hooker threw an interception, misplaced a fumble that just about resulted in a security for Georgia and didn’t throw a landing go.
“They're an incredible ball crew,” Hooker mentioned. “They performed extraordinarily arduous, and so they received the win as we speak. Now we have received to scrub some issues up. It's a studying course of.”
The Volunteers got here in averaging nearly 50 factors per recreation.
The Volunteers rode that Alabama victory to the highest spot within the first School Soccer Playoff rating. Georgia was No. 3 in final week’s CFP rating.
That may change Tuesday.
The Vols had been held to 2 first-half discipline objectives as Georgia took a 24-6 halftime lead. Rain within the second half made it solely tougher to maneuver in opposition to the Bulldogs’ protection.
Bennett threw scoring passes of 37 yards to McConkey and 5 yards to Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint within the first half.
There have been extra massive performs in Georgia’s passing recreation. Bennett had completions of 52 yards to Arian Smith and 49 yards to operating again Kenny McIntosh.
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