Advertisement

Georgia vs. Tennessee Tech final score: Dillon Bell sets pace with six second TD drive

marc weiszer and sara tidwell, athens banner-herald
·9 min read

Georgia football didn't waste any time taking care of business Saturday against Tennessee Tech, downing the Golden Eagles 48-3 in a slightly shortened game.

The Bulldogs had a hot start, coming into the game with back-to-back scoring drives. The first drive was six seconds long when Carson Beck was able to find Dillon Bell in the left corner of the end zone, and they had a 23-second one in the third quarter finished by a Lawson Luckie score.

Dominic Lovett and Arian Smith also scored one touchdown apiece, with Georgia's offense tallying 28 receptions for a total of 332 yards. Carson Beck completed 18 of 25 passes for 242 yards and Branson Robinson added the only rushing, and final, touchdown.

George football passing record falls

Beck tied the school record for most touchdown passes in a game with five by the time he was swapped out for Gunner Stockton. Beck is the eighth quarterback to do this, following Stetson Bennett, who most recently achieved it in 2021 against UAB.

The Bulldogs played their home opener today in Sanford Stadium with an expected capacity crowd now that's ticked up to 93,033 after $68.5 million in renovations.

Kirby Smart’s imprint on his team, led by Beck, comes through when players talk about their mindset heading into games.

Even if the opponent is Tennessee Tech, an FCS program picked to finish seventh in the nine-team Big South-OVC.

“It’s really the same vibe every week,” Georgia inside linebacker Raylen Wilson said. “We’re going in there to beat somebody for four quarters. We don’t really look at the team we’re playing. It’s really about us being better than we were last week.”

Georgia relied on several newcomers last week who will make their home debuts, including freshman safety KJ Bolden, freshman running back Nate Frazier and transfer wide receivers Colbie Young and London Humphreys.

Watch Georgia football vs Tennessee Tech live on ESPN+/SEC Network (subscribe today)

5:03 p.m. FINAL | Georgia 48, Tennessee Tech 3

Georgia (2-0) wins the home opener over Tennessee Tech, 48-3, after Peyton Woodring added a 32-yard field goal at the end of the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs will travel to Kentucky (1-0) next Saturday, Sept. 13, for a night game at 7:30 p.m. on ABC. This will be the Bulldogs first SEC match, and it will feature former UGA quarterback Brock Vandagriff on the opposite sideline.

The Golden Eagles are now 0-3 against the Bulldogs all-time, having scored their first ever points against them in today's match.

5:04 p.m. | Tennessee Tech scores in final two seconds with field goal

Tennessee Tech scored their first ever points against Georgia with a 32-yard field goal in the final seconds of the game. The teams have met twice before, in 1943 where UGA won 67-0 and in 2009 where UGA won 38-0.

4:16 p.m. Branson Robinson scores first rushing TD of the day

Georgia football's Branson Robinson rushed up the middle for a gain of 13 yards, scoring UGA's first rushing touchdown of the afternoon. The Bulldogs lead 45-0 with 6:46 to go in the third quarter.

3:58 p.m. Lawson Luckie finishes quick drive with a score for Georgia football

Georgia football went on another quick drive, one play for 27 yards and 23 seconds, ended by a 37-yard pass from Carson Beck to Lawson Luckie in the end zone.

Beck has tied the school record for most touchdown passes in a game. He's currently completed 18 of 25 passes for 242 yards and five touchdowns. He's the eighth quarterback to hit this mark, following Stetson Bennett, who hit it most recently against UAB in 2021.

3:52 p.m. Arian Smith adds another seven with 50-yard reception

Carson Beck connected to Arian Smith at the Tennessee Tech 11-yard line on a 50-yard pass, and Smith stumbled into the end zone for another seven on the board. The Bulldogs lead 31-0 with 12:54 to go in the third quarter.

3:15 p.m. Dominic Lovett touchdown lengthens Georgia lead

Carson Beck found Dominic Lovett on a 10-yard pass to the right to get another touchdown for Georgia. The Bulldogs lead 24-0 with a minute left to halftime.

2:50 p.m. Georgia Bulldogs settles for field goal inside the 10

Georgia moved inside the 10-yard line after a long drive, but after failing to draw Tennessee Tech offsides, it got a 27-yard Peyton Woodring second quarter field goal for a 17-0 lead.

2:37 p.m. First quarter domination for Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia has outgained Tennessee Tech 123-12 and leads 14-0 after the first quarter. Carson Beck is 11 of 11 for 116 yards and two touchdowns.

2:22 p.m. Colbie Young touchdown puts Georgia up by two touchdowns

Colbie Young has two touchdowns now in two games. The Miami transfer wide receiver was wide open and walked in on a 6-yard touchdown. Georgia leads 14-0 after a 7 play, 58 yard drive.

2:13 p.m. Georgia Bulldogs strike fast to go ahead

A 46-yard punt return set Georgia up for great field position. Carson Beck hit Dillon Bell for a 22-yard touchdown on the first offensive play. Georgia up 7-0.

1:21 p.m. Updates on Warren Brinson and other UGA players dealing with injuries

Defensive lineman Warren Brinson (ankle/thigh) is dressed out but moving at less than full speed. He's lined up with the third teamers. As expected running back Roderick Robinson (on a scooter with a right toe injury) and defensive linemen Xzavier McCleod (undisclosed) and Jordan Hall (legs) and offensive lineman Marcus Harrison (right foot) are out. So is defensive back Kyren Jones who has a left leg injury and is also using a scooter.

1:10 p.m Trevor Etienne warms up ahead of Georgia football vs. Tennessee Tech

Running back Trevor Etienne, who was suspended for the first game after his offseason DUI arrest, is warming up again pregame. It seems more likely he'll play this week, especially since he was announced as the starter. Here's a rundown on Etienne.

12:43 p.m. Georgia football DB Joenel Aguero injury update from pregame

Georgia nickel back Joenel Aguero is on the field dressed out and working out with the other defensive backs. He missed last week's game with what Kirby Smart called a soft-tissue injury.

11:57 a.m. Hall of Fame SID gets College GameDay shoutout

Claude Felton, who retired after 40 years as Georgia sports information director, got a mention on ESPN's College GameDay since his name is on the new press box with late legendary tennis coach and SID Dan Magill.

Felton will be recognized on the field during the game.

11:25 a.m. Mykel Williams a no-go as expected for UGA football

Georgia defensive end/outside linebacker Mykel Williams just walked behind the end zone and into the locker room with a walking boot on his left foot after injuring an ankle against Clemson.

11:08 a.m. Your Georgia football vs. Tennessee Tech game officials

An ACC officiating crew worked the Georgia-Clemson game last week. This time it's an SEC crew with Marc Curles the referee. Curles is a veteran official who was the ref when A.J. Green was called for a penalty for making "a gesture to the crowd calling attention to himself," after a touchdown in a 2009 home loss to LSU. Times have changed.

Georgia vs Tennessee Tech score updates

This section will be updated when the game begins.

Georgia vs Tennessee Tech time today

  • Date: Today

  • Time:  2 p.m.

  • Location: Sanford Stadium, Athens

What channel is Georgia vs Tennessee game on today?

  • TV channel: ESPN+/SEC Network +

  • Streaming:  ESPN+/SEC Network+

  • Radio: Georgia Bulldog Radio Network including 960 AM and FM 106.1 in Athens and 95.5 FM in Atlanta.

NOTE: Georgia vs. Tennessee Tech will be available only via streaming. Jay Alter and Rocky Boiman will call the game from the booth at Sanford Stadium, with Ashley Stroehlein reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include ESPN+/SEC Network+. (Subscription needed).

Georgia vs Tennessee Tech history

  • Series record: Georgia leads 2-0

  • Georgia's last win: 38-0 in 2009.

  • Tennessee's Tech last win: No wins in series.

Georgia vs Tennessee Tech predictions

Georgia 70, Tennessee Tech 3.

Georgia steps down in competition to play an FCS program that put a scare into Middle Tennessee last week before falling short. The Bulldogs' stout schedule means this may be one of the few chances this season for plenty of backups to see significant playing time.

Georgia vs Tennessee Tech betting odds

Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Thursday:

  • Spread: NA

  • Over/under: NA

  • Moneyline: NA

Georgia vs Tennessee Tech injury updates

Georgia: DE/OLB Mykel Williams (ankle, out), DL Warren Brinson (calf, doubtful), DB Joenel Aguero (soft tissue, questionable), DL Jordan Hall (legs, out), DL Xzavier McCleod (undisclosed, out), RB Roderick Robinson (toe, out). Tennessee Tech: QB Dylan Laible (arm, out).

Georgia vs. Tennessee Tech weather update

The forecast calls for a high of 85 degrees with a 24 percent chance of rain, according to weather.com.

Georgia football 2024 schedule

  • Aug. 31: Georgia 34, Clemson 3

  • Sept, 7 Tennessee Tech

  • Sept. 14 at Kentucky

  • Sept. 28 at Alabama

  • Oct. 5 Auburn

  • Oct. 12 Mississippi State

  • Oct. 19 at Texas

  • Nov. 2 vs. Florida in Jacksonville

  • Nov. 9 at Ole Miss

  • Nov. 16 Tennessee

  • Nov. 23 UMass

  • Nov. 29 Georgia Tech

  • Record: 1-0

Buy Georgia football tickets this season with Stubhub

Tennessee Tech football 2024 schedule

  • Aug. 31: Georgia 34, Clemson 3

  • Sept, 7 Tennessee Tech

  • Sept. 14 at Kentucky

  • Sept. 28 at Alabama

  • Oct. 5 Auburn

  • Oct. 12 Mississippi State

  • Oct. 19 at Texas

  • Nov. 2 vs. Florida in Jacksonville

  • Nov. 9 at Ole Miss

  • Nov. 16 Tennessee

  • Nov. 23 UMass

  • Nov. 29 Georgia Tech

  • Record: 1-0

Georgia football news

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Georgia vs. Tennessee Tech final score: Fast Dillon Bell TD sets the pace