ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia's defense allowed more than 400 yards to a second consecutive Southeastern Conference opponent, but the Bulldogs brought more pressure in Saturday's 35-32 win over Tennessee compared to their loss at South Carolina.
The Bulldogs tallied eight lost-yardage stops against the Volunteers, including three sacks.
"We knew we needed to have a big day, and we knew we needed to put pressure on the quarterback to alleviate some of the stress on our secondary," Georgia outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins said. "We were hungry today, and we need to be like that every game for the rest of the season."
Georgia collected just one sack against the Gamecocks.
Jenkins had a 10-yard sack and cornerback Damian Swann a 7-yard sack of Tennessee starting quarterback Justin Worley. Midway through the third quarter, Worley came out with an elbow injury and was replaced by Nathan Peterman, whom inside linebacker Ramik Wilson sacked early in the fourth quarter for a 14-yard loss.
Worley came back with 9:22 remaining, earning an abundance of respect from Bulldogs defenders.
"He has some guts coming back after he got hit like he did," Jenkins said. "I've got to give it to him. He's a big guy who can make plays down the field."
All squared up
Georgia evened the all-time series with Tennessee at 21-21-2. The Bulldogs are 11-4 against the Volunteers since 2000 and have won the past five meetings.
Georgia rolled to a 41-14 win in 2010 to start that streak, but the past four meetings have been decided by a single possession.
"What's amazing is that we've won them all," Georgia coach Mark Richt said. "It's so important to both teams early in the year to try and get in the race."
The Bulldogs also won five straight over the Vols from 1909 to 1924.
Quite the hurdle
Georgia junior tailback Todd Gurley was a standout hurdler in high school and put that skill to use Saturday by jumping over diving Tennessee safety Brian Randolph midway through the fourth quarter to cap a 26-yard carry. His hurdle drew comparisons after the game to a leap Georgia's Knowshon Moreno made over a Central Michigan defender in 2008.
"I would say right now that it's more spectacular than Knowshon's," Richt said. "I thought Knowshon's defender got a little lower than this guy, and I don't know how high Todd got. There is probably a way to scientifically measure both."
Tennessee coach Butch Jones, coincidentally, was Central Michigan's coach in 2008.
Moving on up
Gurley had 208 rushing yards, 30 receiving yards and 47 yards on kickoff returns against the Vols for 285 all-purpose yards. He now has 3,961 career all-purpose yards, which ranks second in school history behind the 5,749 Herschel Walker compiled from 1980 to 1982.
Saturday was Gurley's 16th game with at least 100 yards rushing, which ties him with Garrison Hearst for No. 2 in program annals behind Walker's 28.
A different role
Bulldogs sophomore J.J. Green earned his first career defensive start at safety. He started two games at tailback last season after replacing injured Keith Marshall during the 34-31 overtime win in Knoxville, a game in which he rushed for 129 yards.
Gurley sat out last year's meeting with a sprained ankle.
"It wasn't strange," Green said. "It's just playing football. I'm a team player, and I'm going to do whatever I can to be on the field.
"To beat Tennessee my first two years is a great thing, because Tennessee is a great team."
Passing-game woes
While Georgia racked up 289 rushing yards Saturday, the Bulldogs threw for 147, including only 25 in the second half. Michael Bennett was the leading receiver with four catches for 31 yards.
"It was frustrating," Richt said, "but one good thing is that Justin Scott-Wesley is going to start practicing Monday and Malcolm Mitchell will start practicing Monday, and there is a good chance Jonathon Rumph will start practicing.
"Having those guys back, I think, will really help. We'll have more weapons."
Odds and ends
Freshman tailback Sony Michel sustained a left shoulder contusion in the second quarter and did not return, and Richt did not know his immediate status after the game. ... Senior inside linebacker Amarlo Herrera led the Bulldogs with 10 tackles and has 34 through four games. ... Freshman guard Isaiah Wynn, wearing No. 90, opened the game at tight end for the Bulldogs in his first career start.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.