The Georgia Bulldogs entered a do-or-die game against the Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday. Fresh off their second loss of the season against the Ole Miss Rebels, they UGA was in must-win territory if they wanted to make the College Football Playoff. Georgia took care of business, winning against the Volunteers 31-17.
The passing game finally emerged for the Bulldogs after looking dreadful recently. Carson Beck silenced the critics with 347 passing yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. As a result, he made PFF’s All-SEC team. Beck distributed the ball well. A staggering five different receivers finished with over 50 yards. Oscar Delp emerged as his No. 1 red zone target.
The defense was less consistent than in past games, but at the start of the second half, they finally gelled together to shutout Nico Iamaleava and the Volunteers offense. Chaz Chambliss led the team with two sacks. Smael Mondon Jr. had a sack and a tackle for loss, looking as healthy as ever. As a cherry on top, Damon Wilson II stripped Nico Iamaleava of the ball to end the game.
Highest and lowest PFF grades from the Georgia offense and defense vs. TENNESSEE
Offense
Best Grades
Tight End Oscar Delp: 87.0 overall grade, 88.3 receiving grade, 73.3 pass-blocking grade, 56.8 run-blocking grade
Quarterback Carson Beck: 85.9 overall grade, 83.8 passing grade, 72.4 running grade
Tight End Benjamin Yurosek: 76.2 overall grade, 73.2 receiving grade, 69.3 pass-blocking grade, 67.4 run-blocking grade
Worst Grades
Right Tackle Xavier Truss: 46.4 overall grade, 36.7 pass-blocking grade, 50.0 run-blocking grade
Tight End Lawson Luckie: 50.5 overall grade, 57.8 receiving grade, 71.4 pass-blocking grade, 36.8 run-blocking grade
Wide Receiver Dillon Bell: 51.9 overall grade, 55.2 receiving grade, 53.8 running grade, 60.7 run-blocking grade
Defense
Best Grades
Defensive Tackle Christen Miller: 79.4 overall grade, 73.7 run-defense grade, 73.9 tackling grade, 74.2 pass-rushing grade
Right Edge Rusher Mykel Williams: 76.9 overall grade, 70.0 run-defense grade, 70.8 tackling grade, 73.0 pass-rushing grade
Cornerback Daniel Harris: 76.3 overall grade, 64.2 run-defense grade, 73.9 tackling grade, 76.5 coverage grade
Worst Grades
Cornerback Julian Humphrey: 45.9 overall grade, 60.0 run-defense grade, 46.9 coverage grade
Linebacker Chris Cole: 49.4 overall grade, 59.8 tackling grade, 46.9 pass-rushing grade, 56.3 coverage grade
Will Linebacker Raylen Wilson: 50.1 overall grade, 59.1 run-defense grade, 74.3 tackling grade, 53.8 pass-rushing grade, 50.5 coverage grade