Breaking: Bulldogs, Vols in Overtime Thriller After Tennessee Misses Game-Winning Field Goal

By: Dainik Realty Bureau | | Date: Sep 14, 2025

Opening: A Breaking college football clash saw the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs and No. 15 Tennessee Volunteers push their high-stakes SEC opener into overtime. In a dramatic finish to regulation, Tennessee kicker Max Gilbert missed a 43-yard field goal, leaving the score tied at 38-38. This crucial early-season matchup of two past CFP teams offered fans an intense display of SEC football.

Overtime Looms After Thrilling Georgia vs. Tennessee Showdown

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The highly anticipated Southeastern Conference (SEC) opener between the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs and the No. 15 Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium lived up to its billing, culminating in a dramatic overtime scenario. As the final seconds of regulation ticked away, Tennessee kicker Max Gilbert's 43-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right, preserving a 38-38 tie and sending the fervent crowd of 101,915 into a frenzy of anticipation for extra periods. This Georgia vs. Tennessee encounter was a significant test for both teams, each entering with a 2-0 record and looking to make an early statement in SEC play.

First Quarter Flurry: Volunteers Seize Early Momentum

The game kicked off with immediate fireworks, as the Tennessee Volunteers, playing on their home turf, established an early dominance. Quarterback Joey Aguilar led an 8-play, 75-yard opening drive that lasted just 2 minutes and 30 seconds, capping it with a 4-yard touchdown run to put the Vols up 7-0. Aguilar, who started the game 5 of 5 for 62 yards, continued to impress, connecting with Chris Brazzell for a 72-yard touchdown on Tennessee's second possession after Ellis Robinson fell down, extending the lead to 14-7. Another 14-yard touchdown pass from Aguilar to Brazzell, aided by an Ellis Robinson pass interference penalty, saw Tennessee rack up 21 first-quarter points, pushing their lead to 21-7.

Despite Tennessee's initial surge, Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton quickly responded, hitting Colbie Young for a 45-yard completion and then rushing for a 6-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7 earlier in the first quarter. Stockton later connected with Zachariah Branch on a 36-yard touchdown catch and run to cut the Vols' lead to 21-14 with 14:52 left in the second quarter.

Second and Third Quarter: Bulldogs Fight Back, Trade Blows

The second quarter saw Georgia begin to claw its way back. After an 88-yard drive stalled at the 2-yard line, Peyton Woodring kicked a 20-yard field goal, narrowing Tennessee's lead to 21-17. Before halftime, an interception by Joenel Aguero gave the Bulldogs another chance to score, though a Hail Mary attempt by Ryan Puglisi was intercepted, leaving Georgia trailing by four at the half. At halftime, Joey Aguilar led with 16 of 21 for 229 yards and two touchdowns, while Gunner Stockton was 12 of 17 for 178 yards with a passing and rushing touchdown. Total yards were tight, with Tennessee holding a slight edge at 259 to Georgia's 255.

The third quarter saw Georgia football take its first lead. A 75-yard, 14-play drive, predominantly relying on the ground game, concluded with Illinois transfer running back scoring a 1-yard touchdown run, putting Georgia ahead 24-21 with 7:19 remaining. The Bulldogs' rushing attack showed significant improvement, accumulating 145 yards on 35 carries by this point, with Nate Frazier leading with 45 yards on 9 carries. However, the lead was short-lived as Aguilar hit Chris Brazzell for another big touchdown, a 56-yarder, reclaiming the lead for Tennessee at 28-27 with seven seconds left in the third quarter.

Fourth Quarter Drama: Leads Exchange, Overtime Ensues

The final quarter of regulation was a see-saw battle that kept fans on the edge of their seats. KJ Bolden intercepted an errant Joey Aguilar pass, setting up a 48-yard Peyton Woodring field goal, which put Georgia back in front 27-21. Georgia then extended its lead to 30-28 after another Peyton Woodring field goal from 24 yards, a drive highlighted by a 31-yard connection between Stockton and London Humphreys. However, Tennessee responded decisively, with Aguilar throwing his fourth touchdown pass of the game, a 32-yard throw to Braylon Stanley, pushing the Vols ahead 35-30 with 11:01 left.

A critical turning point came when Gunner Stockton fumbled after being sacked by Joshua Josephs, leading to a 48-yard field goal by Max Gilbert that extended Tennessee's lead to 38-30 with 6:40 remaining. Showing resilience, Georgia mounted a late drive, with Gunner Stockton finding London Humphreys on a 28-yard touchdown pass on 4th-and-7, followed by a successful 2-point conversion to an open Zachariah Branch, tying the game at 38-38 with just 2:32 left. The stage was set for Tennessee's final regulation drive, which ended with Max Gilbert's missed 43-yard field goal, forcing the highly anticipated game into overtime.

Pre-Game Preparations and Key Personnel

The intensity of this SEC matchup was evident even before kickoff. Georgia prepared for the hostile Neyland Stadium environment by blasting crowd noise and "Rocky Top" during practice, leaving sideline reporter Holly Rowe with "ears ringing and a splitting headache". Offensive tackle Monroe Freeling acknowledged the heightened intensity of SEC games compared to non-conference opponents.

On the injury front, offensive linemen Earnest Greene (back/lower body stiffness) and Juan Gaston (ankle) were upgraded to probable and questionable, respectively, for Georgia. True freshman Dontrell Glover was seen warming up as a starting right guard. Several players, including running back Roderick Robinson and wide receivers Landon Roldan and Tyler Williams, did not make the trip. For Tennessee, several key defensive players like Jaxson Moi and Daevin Hobbs were doubtful or out due to injuries. The game also attracted scouts from 11 NFL teams, highlighting the abundance of talent on both sides.

As the game headed into overtime, the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs and No. 15 Tennessee Volunteers continued their battle in what has been an unforgettable SEC football clash for the Dainik Realty audience.