Richt: 'They beat us soundly' : govolsxtra.com

Georgia coach Mark Richt is known for telling it like it is, and the post-game of Tennessee's 35-14 win over the 12th-ranked Bulldogs was no exception.

"They (UT) beat us soundly,'' said Richt, who suffered his first loss in four trips to Knoxville. "They showed up ready to go, they had a great plan and they executed it."

The Vols' 21-point margin of victory matched the worst Richt has suffered in his seven years as Georgia's head coach. The Bulldogs fell 34-13 to No. 3-ranked LSU in the 2003 SEC championship game.

"Tennessee was 2-2, but they played some pretty doggone good teams, '' Richt said. "Florida is a very good team, we all know that, and Cal is a pretty good team, we all know that. No one seems to want to give the other teams any credit. Tennessee is a good football team."

Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford, who Richt says is the most talented QB he has coached, struggled through a 16-of-33, 174-yard passing day as the Bulldogs dropped to 4-2 overall and 2-2 in the SEC.

UT improved to 3-2 and 1-1 in the league in large part by harassing Georgia offensive linemen like freshman left tackle Trinton Sturdivant, who was whistled for three penalties: a false start, a chop block and holding call.

"Up front offensively, we're young,'' Richt said. "The whole story of the ball game, especially Tennessee's defense, was their front four controlled the game."

Georgia senior center Fernando Velasco admitted as much.

"Tennessee came out and played a helluva game today,'' Velasco said. "Studying film, we felt the D-line was the strongest aspect (on defense)."

Georgia rushed for 328 yards in a 45-17 win over Ole Miss last week but only 69 on Saturday, thanks to UT's defensive line. But Richt indicated that the Vols' offensive line was just as dominant.

"They had some beautiful pockets like they have all year long,'' said Richt, whose defense struggled to apply pressure on UT quarterback Erik Ainge. "Even when they did a straight drop-back, their pure pass protection was outstanding.

"On film, we thought that was the best line we've seen all year."

Georgia safety Reshad Jones appeared as shell-shocked as many of his teammates.

"I can't believe it,'' he said, "The Bulldog defense doesn't give up that much."

Georgia receiver and return man Mikey Henderson admitted he started to wonder after the Vols raced to a 28-0 halftime advantage.

"I was thinking hopefully they won't put up 51 like they did last year,'' Henderson said. "They came to play and they had our number."

Henderson, who ranked third in the SEC and 22nd in the nation with a 14.8 punt return average, said UT's new punt formation created problems for the Bulldogs.

"We tried to adjust, but things weren't falling into place,'' Henderson said. "They executed it perfectly.''

'Dogs Pounded: Georgia running back Thomas Brown left the game at halftime with an injured left shoulder and receiver Kris Durham was also forced from the action with an injured left shoulder.

Richt On Carolina: Asked about the Vols' matchup with South Carolina later this month, a team the Bulldogs lost to by a 16-12 count, Richt indicated he doesn't see a clear-cut favorite.

"That should be a barn-burner,'' Richt said. "South Carolina's defense has been playing pretty well all year long and their offense is getting better and better. I think it's just going to be a really tight match up."