Vols Overcome Early Miscues, Pull Away From Georgia Tech in 45–24 Win

Vols' linebacker Arion Carter is hyping up the team as he prepares to make his season debut against Georgia Tech. Photo Credit: X - @Vol_Football

Tennessee’s first road test of the Faizon Brandon era wasn’t perfect, but it was successful.

The No. 18 Volunteers overcame an early special-teams blunder, controlled the line of scrimmage, and pulled away from Georgia Tech for a 45–24 victory Saturday night at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

Tennessee improved to 2–0 behind 299 rushing yards, two forced turnovers, and a couple passing touchdowns from its freshman quarterback.

The Vols wasted little time taking control. After the defense forced a three-and-out, running back DeSean Bishop found a crease and exploded for 33 yards. Running back Javin Gordon followed with a five-yard gain before Brandon found tight end Ethan Davis for a 25-yard touchdown, completing a three-play, 63-yard opening drive.

Georgia Tech responded with a field goal before producing the game’s first major swing. The Yellow Jackets blocked a Tennessee punt and returned it for a touchdown, taking a 10–7 lead late in the first quarter.

Tennessee didn’t allow the mistake to snowball.

Cooper Ranvier tied the game with a 31-yard field goal, and defensive back Dejuan Lane delivered the game’s turning point shortly afterward. Lane diagnosed a Georgia Tech screen, intercepted Alberto Mendoza and returned it 41 yards for a touchdown.

The pick-six gave Tennessee a 17–10 advantage—and the Vols never trailed again.

Brandon added another passing touchdown before Georgia Tech marched its way to Tennessee’s 23-yard line where linebacker Jeremiah Telander would record his first pick since Syracuse last season. At halftime, Tennessee went into the locker room leading 24–10.

The freshman quarterback completed just 10 of 21 passes, but those 10 completions produced 148 yards—an impressive 14.8 yards per completion—and two touchdowns. The numbers weren’t spectacular, but Brandon avoided costly mistakes and remained composed in his first collegiate road start. After the blocked punt briefly energized the Georgia Tech crowd, Brandon and the Tennessee offense responded without showing panic.

That poise will matter as Tennessee approaches a nine-game stretch of SEC competition.

While Brandon managed the game, the running game controlled it.

Knoxville native DeSean Bishop carried the ball 20 times for 147 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Vols impose their will as the night progressed. Bishop scored from 17 yards out on Tennessee’s opening possession of the second half, extending the lead to 31–10.

Georgia Tech answered with its first offensive touchdown of the season when Mendoza found Justice Haynes for a two-yard score. The Yellow Jackets then threatened to make it a one-score game early in the fourth quarter, advancing inside Tennessee’s 10-yard line.

The Vols’ defense refused to bend any further.

Jeremiah Telander recorded a crucial sack before Tennessee forced an incompletion on fourth down, ending Georgia Tech’s best opportunity to make the game interesting.

Bishop officially put the game away late in the fourth quarter, bursting through the middle for a 29-yard touchdown on third-and-long. After Georgia Tech added a late score, Daune Morris answered with a 47-yard touchdown run to establish the final margin.

Tennessee’s defense finished with four sacks and intercepted Mendoza twice. Linebackers Arion Carter and Amare Campbell led the Vols with eight tackles apiece, while Mariyon Dye recorded two sacks.

The performance wasn’t spotless. Tennessee committed 14 penalties for 142 yards, including three completely unnecessary unsportsmanlike conduct calls, repeatedly giving Georgia Tech extra opportunities and surrendering field position. Against a more talented opponent, that lack of discipline could prove costly.

Still, the Vols passed their first road test with a 21-point victory.

Brandon remained steady. Bishop looked like a legitimate featured back. The defense created points and delivered a goal-line stand when Georgia Tech had a chance to change the game.

There is plenty for Tennessee to correct—but there is also plenty to build around.

The Vols return to Neyland Stadium next Saturday to face Kennesaw State before beginning SEC play against the new No. 1 team in the nation, Texas.