In a game with massive College Football Playoff implications, Georgia quarterback Carson Beck delivered a statement performance, leading the No. 11 Bulldogs to a 31-17 victory over No. 6 Tennessee at Sanford Stadium. Beck, criticized at times for inconsistency, showcased both his arm and his legs, throwing two touchdown passes and rushing for another, as Georgia revived its postseason hopes with a critical win.
The Bulldogs (8-2, 6-2 SEC, No. 12 CFP) rebounded from a humbling 28-10 loss at Ole Miss to keep their playoff dreams alive. The victory positions Georgia well for a possible return to the College Football Playoff, potentially setting up a shot at a third national championship in four years, provided they can handle nonconference opponents UMass and Georgia Tech to close out the regular season.
For Tennessee (8-2, 5-2 SEC, No. 7 CFP), the loss complicates a once-clear playoff path and dims hopes of reaching the SEC championship game. In what felt like a playoff elimination game, the Volunteers were unable to contain Beck’s dual-threat performance, despite a promising start.
Carson Beck silenced doubters with a career-defining outing. The junior quarterback threw two first-half touchdowns to tight end Oscar Delp and added a go-ahead rushing score in the third quarter. Beck’s 10-yard scramble on third-and-7 marked his first rushing touchdown of the season and epitomized his ability to deliver in the clutch.
Though not typically known for his mobility, Beck tallied a career-high 32 yards on three carries, each of them pivotal. A bruising 14-yard run set up his first touchdown pass to Delp. Later, an 8-yard scramble on third down extended the drive that ended with Peyton Woodring’s field goal to tie the game at 17 just before halftime.
Beck finished the game with 256 passing yards, completing 22 of 31 attempts, and his leadership in crucial moments stood out.
Tennessee came out strong, silencing the raucous Sanford Stadium crowd early. With quarterback Nico Iamaleava cleared after concussion protocol, the Vols jumped to a 10-0 lead on Miles Kitselman’s 1-yard touchdown run and Max Gilbert’s booming 52-yard field goal.
However, the Bulldogs responded with two touchdown connections between Beck and Delp, including a beautifully placed 19-yard strike in the back of the end zone. Dylan Sampson briefly restored Tennessee’s lead with a 27-yard touchdown run, his 21st rushing score of the season, before Georgia tied it again on Woodring’s late-half field goal.
After halftime, Georgia’s defense clamped down. The Bulldogs kept the Vols scoreless in the second half, forcing two turnovers and limiting explosive plays. Georgia’s front seven pressured Iamaleava throughout the game, while the secondary held Tennessee’s deep-passing attack in check.
The Volunteers will try to regroup at home against UTEP next Saturday before finishing the season on the road against Vanderbilt. A 10-win season is still in play, but their playoff hopes now rest on chaos elsewhere.
With the SEC schedule complete, the Bulldogs turn to a pair of nonconference home games. They’ll host UMass (2-8) next Saturday in what should be a tune-up before facing in-state rival Georgia Tech in the regular-season finale.
This win catapults Georgia back into the playoff conversation. At 8-2, the Bulldogs are well-positioned to secure one of the 12 playoff spots if they win out and benefit from favorable results in other key games. Meanwhile, Tennessee faces an uphill climb, likely needing a mix of victories and upsets in other conferences to re-enter the top tier of playoff contenders.
With Beck rounding into form, Georgia has proven it still belongs among college football’s elite. The Bulldogs’ quest for a third title in four years remains alive — and more plausible than ever.
