SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 29, 2012
No. 5 Georgia 51, Tennessee 44: Keith Marshall had a pair of touchdown runs of more than 70 yards, and fellow freshman Todd Gurley ran for three scores as the Bulldogs survived in Athens.
Georgia (5-0, 3-0 SEC) protected its seven-point lead thanks to three Tyler Bray turnovers in the final six minutes. He was picked off by Sanders Commings, fumbled with 1:22 remaining and his last-ditch throw also was intercepted by Commings.
It was 30-30 at halftime before Georgia's Aaron Murray threw two third-quarter touchdown passes to Michael Bennett sandwiched around Marc Deas’ blocked punt. Marshall ripped off a 75-yard scoring run in the first quarter and a 72-yarder in the third.
Georgia has scored at least 41 points in every game. Tennessee (3-2, 0-2) got 281 passing yards from Bray but was victimized by several drops and a missed 28-yard field goal.
Georgia led 27-10 early in the second quarter, but the Volunteers capitalized on fumbles by Murray and Marshall to grab a 30-27 lead. Georgia tied it at the halftime buzzer on Marshall Morgan’s 50-yard field goal. Tennessee's Byron Moore nabbed his fourth interception of the season, returning Murray’s tipped pass 35 yards for a first-quarter touchdown.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Bulldogs played their worst defensive game despite the return of safety Bacarri Rambo and linebacker Alec Ogletree from four-game suspensions. … The Volunteers fell to 0-12 versus ranked opponents under third-year coach Derek Dooley. … Gurley posted his fourth 100-yard rushing game this season, finishing with 130 yards on 24 carries.