Quarterly Report

What follows is a quarter-by-quarter recap of Tennessee's 45-19 thrashing of Georgia Saturday at Neyland Stadium:

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UT 0	Quarter 1 15:00	0 UGA
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The Tennessee Vols advanced to Georgia's 32-yard line on their opening possession, only to have the drive thwarted by a holding call against Cody Sullins. UT marched to the Bulldog 47 on its next possession before stalling. A Joe Cox pass was intercepted by Vol defensive end Chris Walker at the Vol 44-yard line near the end of the scoreless first quarter.
KEY PLAY
Walker's interception. The pass was batted by fellow defensive end Gerald Williams. Tennessee wound up converting the turnover into a second-quarter touchdown.
KEY PLAYER
Vol QB Jonathan Crompton. The much-maligned signal-caller completed 5 of 7 passes for 87 yards.
KEY STAT
Tennessee kept the ball for 9:01 to Georgia's 5:59.

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UT 0	Quarter 1 00:00	0 UGA
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Capping an eight-play, 56-yard drive that followed Walker's firt-quarter interception, Crompton hit Gerald Jones with a six-yard touchdown pass for a 7-0 lead. Tennessee's lead lasted just 14 seconds, as Brandon Boykin took the ensuing kickoff and raced 100 yards to tie the score. Tennessee answered three plays later, however, when Crompton threw a short pass to Denarius Moore, who broke a tackle and sped 33 yards to paydirt for a 14-7 lead. UGA's Blair Walsh narrowed the gap to 14-10 with a 52-yard field goal but UT answered with a 74-yard scoring drive, capped by a five-yard Crompton strike to freshman Marsalis Teague for a 21-10 lead. Georgia's Zach Renner blocked a Chad Cunningham punt through the back of the end zone with just 23 seconds left to intermission, giving Georgia a safety that whittled the deficit to 21-12.
KEY PLAY
Georgia had the momentum following Walsh's 52-yard field goal but Tennesssee reclaimed it when Gerald Jones took a short pass from Crompton, broke a tackle and raced 33 yards to the UGA 19-yard line. The Vols went up 21-10 two plays later.
KEY PLAYER
Crompton again. The Vol QB completed 7 of 8 second-quarter passes for 118 yards and three TDs.
KEY STAT
Tennessee outgained Georgia 253-156 in the first half.

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UT 21	Quarter 2 00:00	12 UGA
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Vol cornerback Dennis Rogan intercepted a Cox pass at the Georgia 49-yard line, then Daniel Lincoln hit a 30-yard field goal seven plays later to boost the Vol lead to 24-12. Bacarri Rambo intercepted a pass that bounded off the hands of Vol tight end Luke Stocker and returned it 28 yards for a TD that pulled Georgia within 24-19. Montario Hardesty squirted through the middle of the Bulldog line for a 39-yard touchdown, however, and Crompton hit Gerald Jones with a 51-yard TD strike on UT's next possession as the Vols went up 38-19.
KEY PLAY
Hardesty's TD run. Many Vol fans had to be thinking "Here we go again" when Georgia's interception return narrowed the gap to 24-19 but Hardesty's big burst gave the Vols some breathing room and gave the crowd a lift.
KEY PLAYER
Hardesty. He carried five times for 58 yards in the quarter and, as noted above, scored a crucial touchdown.
KEY STAT
Tennessee dominated the quarter, outgaining the Dawgs 178 yards to 9 and posting 8 first downs to UGA's 1.

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UT 38	Quarter 3 00:00	19 UGA
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Joe Cox completed a pass to Michael Moore but a huge hit by Vol cornerback Art Evans sent the ball squirting into the air. Vol safety Eric Berry grabbed it and raced 48 yards before being tackled at the UGA 14-yard line. Two pass interference penalties and a one-yard run by Bryce Brown extended the lead to 45-19 moments later.
KEY PLAY
Berry's fumble return. If Georgia had any faint hopes of getting back in the game, that play dashed them.
KEY PLAYER
Berry. Even in a game that's already decided, he's a thrill a minute to watch.
KEY STAT
Tennessee more than doubled Georgia in passing yards, 310 to 152.

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UT 45	Quarter 4 00:00	19 UGA
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More in-depth info...

Game #: 1161
Site: Knoxville
Date: Oct. 10
Conference: SECE
Coach Match-up:
For the Vols - Kiffin and for the Bulldogs - Richt