NCAAF

Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Georgia Bulldogs

· NCAA - Football
Final
3 - 48
2-0, 1-0 Home

Carson Beck throws 5 TD passes and No. 1 Georgia routs FCS school Tennessee Tech 48-3

Highlight: Beck's five TDs tie Georgia record in rout of Golden Eagles

Beck threw five touchdown passes — to five players — before leaving the game less than three minutes into the third quarter, leading the No. 1 Bulldogs to a 48-3 rout against outmanned Tennessee Tech on Saturday.

“I thought our wide receivers had a really good day," Beck said. “We have so many athletes on the field. They went out there and made plays. When guys are wide open, it makes my job really easy.”

Beck’s five TD passes matched a school record that had been done seven other times, most recently by Stetson Bennett against UAB in 2021.

With a brief respite in their daunting schedule, Georgia (2-0) breezed past an FCS school that received $550,000 to make the trip to Athens for a beating that was never in doubt.

“We were considered better than that opponent," coach Kirby Smart said. “We should execute at a high level.”

Beck completed 18 of 25 passes for 242 yards before calling it a day. He had scoring throws of 22 yards to Dillon Bell, 6 yards to Colbie Young, 10 yards to Dominic Lovett, 50 yards to Arian Smith and 37 yards to Lawson Luckie.

Many in the announced crowd of more than 93,000 headed for the exits at halftime on a sweltering day with temperatures in the upper 80s. They didn't miss much as the Bulldogs pulled most of their starters shortly into the third quarter.

Tennessee Tech (0-2) started second-stringer Jordyn Potts at quarterback after losing Dylan Laible, a transfer from Missouri, to an injury in its season-opening loss to Middle Tennessee.

The Golden Eagles also gave some snaps to receiver Jordan Yates in a futile effort to bolster the offense, which had only 18 yards passing and didn't crack 100 yards overall until the closing minutes.

But, in a moral victory for the visiting team, Tennessee Tech called a timeout with 2 seconds left to allow Hayden Olsen to kick a 32-yard field goal on the final play to break up the shutout.

“I wanted to get points on the board. I wanted to get something positive out of the game," coach Bobby Wilder said. "We are going to need that at some point to win a football game. As bad as it probably looked to everybody else, it was good for Tennessee Tech to score some points there.”

With the Bulldogs leading 45-0, the fourth quarter was reduced to 10 minutes. Georgia finished with a 498-134 lead in total yards.

“That is the most impressive football team I have seen in person,” Wilder said.

THE TAKEAWAY Tennessee Tech: The main benefit for the Golden Eagles was a hefty payday that will bolster their tight athletic department budget. They finally scored for the first time in three meetings against the Bulldogs after losing 67-0 in 1943 and 38-0 in 2009.

Georgia: The Bulldogs got a chance to give playing time to a bunch of backups, which may pay dividends later in the season. Gunnar Stockton took over for Beck and completed 10 of 12 passes for 90 yards. Branson Robinson scored on a 13-yard run. “We were able to play a lot of players,” Smart said. “That helps grow our team and grow our depth.”

ETIENNE DEBUT Running back Trevor Etienne made his Georgia debut, carrying the ball five times for 78 yards.

The transfer from Florida showed his speed with a 45-yard run in the second quarter, which got the Bulldogs started on an 80-yard touchdown drive.

“A lot of talent there,” Beck said. “I'm excited to see as the offense progresses and he progresses, what he's able to do.”

Etienne was suspended for Georgia’s season-opening victor over Clemson after an offseason arrest.

ODDS & ENDS Georgia tight end Oscar Delp didn't return after leaving the game with a slightly sprained ankle. “He could've gone but there was no need to,” Smart said. ... Fifteen players had at least one catch for the Bulldogs. Smith had four catches for 73 yards, while Bell chipped in with four receptions for 46 yards. ... Georgia defensive star Mykel Williams sat out the game after sustaining a sprained left ankle against Clemson. Smart isn't sure when he'll be able to return.

POLL IMPLICATIONS Nothing in this game will alter Georgia's status as the No. 1 team in the land.

The Bulldogs have yet to allow a touchdown, outscoring their first two opponents 82-6.

UP NEXT

Tennessee Tech: The Golden Eagles are off next week, then play Tennessee State in their home opener on Sept. 21.

Georgia: The Bulldogs open their Southeastern Conference slate next Saturday night when they hit the road to face the Kentucky Wildcats.

How To Watch

How can I watch Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles vs. Georgia Bulldogs?
  • TV Channel: Golden Eagles at Bulldogs 2021 College Football, week 2, is broadcasted on ESPN+.
  • Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.

Matchup Prediction

Bulldogs: 99.9%
Golden Eagles: .1%
*According to ESPN's Basketball Power Index

Scoring Summary

UGA TD 1st Period 12:27 Dillon Bell 22 Yd pass from Carson Beck (Peyton Woodring Kick)
UGA TD 1st Period 6:37 Colbie Young 6 Yd pass from Carson Beck (Peyton Woodring Kick)
UGA FG 2nd Period 11:45 Peyton Woodring 27 Yd Field Goal
UGA TD 2nd Period 1:11 Dominic Lovett 10 Yd pass from Carson Beck (Peyton Woodring Kick)
UGA TD 3rd Period 12:54 Arian Smith 50 Yd pass from Carson Beck (Peyton Woodring Kick)
UGA TD 3rd Period 12:21 Lawson Luckie 37 Yd pass from Carson Beck (Peyton Woodring Kick)
UGA TD 3rd Period 6:46 Branson Robinson 13 Yd Run (Peyton Woodring Kick)
UGA FG 4th Period 3:07 Peyton Woodring 32 Yd Field Goal
TNTC FG 4th Period 0:00 Hayden Olsen 32 Yd Field Goal

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/2635.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originTNTC https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/61.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originUGA
9 1st Downs 27
3-12 3rd down efficiency 4-9
1-1 4th down efficiency 1-2
134 Total Yards 498
18 Passing 332
5/8 Comp/Att 28/37
2.3 Yards per pass 9.0
116 Rushing 166
40 Rushing Attempts 24
2.9 Yards per rush 6.9
5-51 Penalties 9-85
1 Turnovers 0
1 Fumbles lost 0
0 Interceptions thrown 0
28:35 Possession 26:25

Game Information

Sanford Stadium

Location: Athens, GA
Attendance: 93,033 · Capacity:
Full Standings

College Football News

Jai'Den Thomas leads No. 23 UNLV to a 27-16 victory over San Jose State

Jai'Den Thomas leads No. 23 UNLV to a 27-16 victory over San Jose State

— Jai'Den Thomas ran for 135 yards and the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter to help No. 23 UNLV keep its conference title hopes alive with a 27-16 victory over San Jose State on Friday night.

Highlighting the SEC teams on the brink of bowl eligibility

Highlighting the SEC teams on the brink of bowl eligibility

SEC Now breaks down the teams that will be bowl eligible with a win this weekend and predicts each teams' chance to win their matchup.

Michigan State tops Purdue 24-17, win away from being bowl eligible in Jonathan Smith's 1st season

Michigan State tops Purdue 24-17, win away from being bowl eligible in Jonathan Smith's 1st season

— Aidan Chiles threw for two scores in the first half to build a three-touchdown lead and Michigan State held on to beat

Robert Henry runs for 178 yards in leading UTSA over Temple 51-27

Robert Henry runs for 178 yards in leading UTSA over Temple 51-27

— Robert Henry ran for 178 yards on 16 carries and he scored two touchdowns as UTSA unloaded on Temple late for a 51-27 victory on Friday night in a game of big plays.

Who are the best freshmen in the SEC this year?

Who are the best freshmen in the SEC this year?

SEC Now's Benjamin Watson and Chris Doering create a list of who they believe are the best five freshmen in the SEC, while having a few similarities.