• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Georgia bounces back with win over Tennessee

Oct 12, 2008 - 3:11 AM ATHENS, Georgia (Ticker) -- Knowshon Moreno rushed for over 100 yards and Blair Walsh kicked four field goals to lead No. 10 Georgia to a 26-14 victory over Tennessee on Saturday in a Southeastern Conference matchup.

Coming off a much-needed bye week after a deflating home loss to Alabama, the Bulldogs (5-1, 2-1 SEC East) avenged a 35-14 defeat to the Volunteers last season that kept them out of the SEC title game and prevented them from earning a shot at the national championship.

Moreno was limited to 34 yards against Alabama, the second-lowest total of his career. He finished with 101 on 27 carries Saturday, as Georgia out-rushed Tennessee, 148-1.

"It was good to get some rest," Moreno said. "We focused on the little things that would make us better. It was good for the team."

It was the lowest rushing total by an SEC opponent in the Mark Richt era at Georgia and second-lowest overall under Richt. The Bulldogs held Hawaii to minus-5 yards in Georgia's 41-10 win in the 2008 Sugar Bowl.

"Obviously, I am disappointed with the loss," Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said. "Georgia is a very good team and I congratulate them. Our offense couldn't get it going today. We have to make some plays to back up the defenses who are putting eight men in the box."

Walsh kicked field goals of 34, 20, 41 and 28 yards, his last capping a 17-play, 76-yard drive that chewed up 11 minutes in the fourth quarter and finished the scoring.

"We kept this game a little closer than it could have been with the field goals instead of touchdowns," Richt said. "We left some points out on the field. We've got to do a better job of taking advantage of opportunities when we have them."

Stifled on the ground by Georgia's defense, Tennessee got two touchdown passes from Nick Stephens. Making his second career start, Stephens completed 13-of-30 passes for 208 yards and was sacked twice.

Both Tennessee scoring drives came after interceptions by Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford, who was 25-of-36 for 310 yards and a TD.

It was the first 300-yard game of Stafford's career, and his 25 completions were also a career high. Eight different Bulldogs had at least one reception, led by freshman A.J. Green with seven for 53 yards.

Brannan Southerlan scored on a 1-yard run halfway through the first quarter to give Georgia a 7-0 lead. Stafford threw a TD pass to Mohamed Massaquoi with nine seconds left in the half to extend the Bulldogs' lead to 20-7.

"It's big for us. I know it wasn't too pretty," Stafford said of the win. "We had a chance to really open that game up, and we didn't do it. We had to kick four field goals, and I threw two picks in the red zone, which killed the momentum.

"I was proud of the guys. The offensive line had a great game, and we had a good drive in the fourth quarter where we were able to grind out the clock."

Tennessee (2-4, 0-3 East) pulled within 20-14 on a 12-yard scoring strike from Stephens to Lucas Taylor with 5:37 left in the third quarter. But Georgia controlled the fourth quarter, and Walsh kicked two field goals for the final margin.

While Moreno was able to get loose, Arian Foster was held to three yards on just three carries as Tennessee dropped to 0-3 in the SEC for the first time in 10 years.