Georgia football: Top five matchups against Tennessee
By Joey Shiver
#5 – 2002– No.6 Georgia 18– No. 10 Tennessee 13
Both teams entered this matchup ranked inside the Top 10. Georgia entered as the only remaining undefeated team in the SEC.
The Bulldogs got out to an 18-0 lead by the end of the third quarter. The first three quarters included a blocked punt by Reggie Brown for a safety, a blocked field goal attempt by Boss Bailey, and an 11-yard touchdown pass from David Greene to Reggie Brown.
Tennessee took over the fourth quarter behind 3rd string quarterback James Banks.
Starting quarterback Casey Clausen was injured the week before against Arkansas and backup CJ Leak was ineffective. Banks was 6-for-6 and 145 yards in the 4th, while also throwing two touchdown passes to Derrick Tinsley and Jason Witten.
The touchdown pass to Witten came with 3:40 left on the clock.
Tennessee tried an onside kick but the Dawgs recovered it. The drama wasn’t over, as Georgia would still face a 4th and 2 with enough time on the clock for a potential Tennessee miracle. However, the Dawgs would not be denied as Tony Milton would scamper for 25 yards as Mark Richt went for it on that crucial play.
This was one of Richt’s first signature wins, so it comes in at No. 5 on this list. It would be the beginning of some great matchups. This matchup was also the one that gave Georgia a two game winning streak over the Vols.
It was a defensive ball game and Georgia had to find a way to win this one.
That game was one of the key moments in what would become a magical season for the Bulldogs. Here are some of Larry Munson’s calls from the game. Georgia would go on to win their first SEC Championship since 1982 that year.