The Knoxville Knockout
by Chito Chibuye
Dawgs OTL Writer/ UGA Alumnus
Saturday's game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Tennessee Volunteers was absolute cinema and an instant SEC classic! It had all of the characteristics needed to be considered an all-time thriller: The home team, desperate to break their losing streak, took a large lead early in the game, while the favorite battled adversity in their first road test to overcome all odds. There were big catches, 4th down conversions, made and missed field goals, overtime, and officials even needed instant replay to confirm the win. Off the top of my head, I think this game jumps straight into UGA’s top 5 moments during the Kirby Era (playoffs included).
“Pick-6” National Championship vs. Alabama (2021)
“Midnight Miracle” vs. Ohio State (2023)
Rose Bowl “Walk-off” vs. Oklahoma (2018)
4th & 6 Knockout @ Tennessee (2025)
“The Hateful 8” vs Georgia Tech (2024)
In the preview, I talked extensively about how I thought we would see the “Gamer Gunner” version of UGA’s new starter @ QB, and game he did. I thought Gunner was completely capable of going 21/30, 300+ yards passing, 2 TDs, and 1 rush TD. Stockton would go on to win ‘SEC Offensive Player of the Week’ while completing 23/31, 304 yards passing 2 TDs, and 1 rush TD. Georgia’s QB did everything the coaches asked of him and more without his starting RG or RT for the vast majority of the game. Of all the things that will be remembered from this game, the drop in the bucket dime on 4th & 6 to London Humphreys with the game on the line must be the first. Credit also goes to OC Mike Bobo, who is regularly criticized for being too predictable too often, for going for the jugular and taking the collective soul of VolNation. Then, dialing up the rub route to Zachariah Branch for the 2-point conversion to give the Dawgs everything they needed to complete an impossible comeback.
Let’s be clear about one thing. Georgia would lose that game 99.9% of the time, but Tennessee got cute with clock management and kept running plays until they made a mistake. In essence, they iced their own kicker in a critical moment and gave Georgia an extra life. The two circus catches by Chris Brazzell and two redzone opportunities that ended with FG’s instead of TD’s were the difference in this game. I also think that those two areas are the only places where UGA needs to improve drastically in order to be a serious championship contender. The fact that we played poorly in the secondary early, played with only half of an offensive line, and still came away with a win while gaining plenty of game film to practice from is an incredible feat.
If you’ve been a Georgia fan for long enough, you know exactly how every Tennessee fan in that Stadium felt on Saturday. The pure joy and bliss of winning a potential game of the year, versus the gut-wrenching, heart-breaking loss of letting it slip away. The annual Georgia-Tennessee showdown may end as soon as next year, but the Knoxville Knockout in Neyland Stadium will live on forever.
“Rocky Top, you’ll always be, home sweet home to meeeee! Good ole Rocky Top, WOO! Rocky Top Tannersee”
GO DAWGS!
