QB Fields runs for 2 TDs in Georgia win
ATHENS — There wasn’t much offensive flair in what Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm described as a “ground and pound” game against Tennessee.
There was, however, a new mix at quarterback and that may have been the most notable action in No. 2 Georgia’s 38-12 victory over the Vols on Saturday.
Fromm’s backup, freshman Justin Fields, played a bigger role, coming onto the field in each of the final three quarters. After Fields had scoring runs of 12 and 15 yards, coach Kirby Smart was asked about his plans at quarterback the remainder of the season.
“The plan is there is no plan,” Smart said. He repeated the “no plan” line when asked a follow-up question.
The real plan may be to run the ball. Georgia outrushed Tennessee 251-66.
D’Andre Swift ran for two touchdowns, including a late 14-yarder to ice the game. Otherwise, the Bulldogs leaned on their defense.
Georgia (5-0, 3-0 Southeastern Conference) scored touchdowns on its last drive of the first half and the opening possession after halftime but otherwise couldn’t maintain momentum.
Tennessee (2-3, 0-2) was held to 209 yards. The Vols finally scored on Jarrett Guarantano’s 37-yard pass to Josh Palmer late in the third quarter. Guarantano’s 35-yard scoring pass to Ty Chandler about four minutes into the final quarter cut Georgia’s lead to 24-12.
Pruitt was encouraged even though the loss extended Tennessee’s schoolrecord losing streak in conference games to 11 since a 63-37 win over Missouri on Nov. 19, 2016.
“I learned we’ve got fight in us, that we’re not going to quit,” Pruitt said. “It kind of gets me excited ... I’m proud of them and the way they fought ... Our guys kept fighting which means we’re headed in the right direction and that excites me. That’s why I’m getting a little bit emotional.”
Fromm completed 16 of 22 passes for 185 yards. Fields, the dual-threat quarterback who was a headliner in Smart’s 2018 signing class, did more running than passing. Fields had five carries for 45 yards and the two touchdowns and completed 1 of 2 passes for 5 yards.
“I thought both guys did some good things,” Smart said, adding Fields “provided us a spark we needed at times.”
Fromm had two fumbles and each was recovered by Georgia, including one returned 31 yards by tight end Isaac Nauta for a touchdown on the Bulldogs’ opening drive.
Guarantano, who left last week’s loss to Florida after taking a hit to the left knee, wore a brace on the knee while completing 13 of 21 passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns.
The Vols failed on 2-point conversions after each touchdown.
“We just have to sustain jobs and execute and we just weren’t able to do that in the first half,” said Ty Chandler, who led the Vols with 27 yards rushing. “Credit to them.”
Swift had 50 yards rushing in Georgia’s balanced running attack led by Elijah Holyfield’s 16 carries for 78 yards. Brian Herrien had nine carries for 56 yards.