Saturday was expected to be more of an exhibition than any true challenge for the Georgia Bulldogs, and the nation’s number-one team did not disappoint. Quarterback Carson Beck shined as the Bulldogs had their way with Tennessee Tech in a 48-3 victory, sending the Golden Eagles back to Cookeville with a 0-2 record.
The Bulldogs got off to a quick start, with Anthony Evans returning the first punt 56 yards to the Tech 22-yard line. Beck would hit Dillon Bell in the corner of the end zone on the first play from scrimmage for the Dawgs to give them a 7-0 lead.
There was no looking back for Georgia, as Beck would find Colbie Young and Dominic Lovett for a pair of scores that combined with a Peyton Woodring 27-yard kick would extend the Bulldogs’ lead to 24-0 at halftime.
Georgia would open the second half quickly, with Beck finding Arian Smith for a 50-yard touchdown on the Dawgs’ opening drive of the third quarter.
A fumble by Tennessee Tech wide receiver Jordan Yates recovered by Dan Jackson would immediately give the ball back to Georgia, giving way to a fifth touchdown pass of the game for Beck, this one to tight end Lawson Luckie.
Backup quarterback Gunner Stockton would finish out the game from there, leading a touchdown drive capped by a 13-yard scoring run from Branson Robinson. Woodring would hit a 32-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, matched by the Golden Eagles’ Hayden Olsen to score the lone points of the game for Tennessee Tech.
Trevor Etienne made his debut for the Bulldogs in this game, picking up 78 yards despite only carrying the ball five times, giving fans a vision of the explosiveness he can bring to the UGA run game.
Tight end Oscar Delp left the game with an ankle injury, which he would return from near the end of the game. Running back Nate Frazier also left the game with what appeared to be an arm injury, though Kirby Smart said he believed Frazier could have returned had the Dawgs needed him.
Georgia opens SEC play next week in Lexington, Kentucky, against Mark Stoops and the Kentucky Wildcats, fresh off a loss to South Carolina.
