University of Tennessee's Daniel Bituli pulls down University of Georgia tailback Nick Chubb (27) during the University of Tennessee vs. University of Georgia football game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. KNOXVILLE - Nick Chubb's career rushing totals against Tennessee heading into Saturday afternoon consisted of 13 carries for 37 yards.
Finally, Georgia's senior tailback had his way with the Volunteers.
In his first appearance in Neyland Stadium since tearing multiple knee ligaments on the first play from scrimmage in the 2015 matchup, the 5-foot-10, 225-pounder from Cedartown had 16 carries for 109 yards in the 41-0 trouncing of the Vols. Chubb averaged 6.8 yards per rush.
"These past years, I haven't played against them," Chubb said. "To come out here my senior year and just finish the game is just a blessing."
Chubb had 11 carries for 32 yards as a freshman against Tennessee in 2014, when he came off the bench for Todd Gurley. He had the one carry in Knoxville two years ago, and he had only one carry again in last season's matchup due to a high-ankle sprain he had suffered the week before at Ole Miss.
Georgia second-year coach Kirby Smart had Chubb talk to the team Friday night.
"His message to the team was, 'This game means something to me. It's important to me,'" Smart said. "He didn't get to play much against them last year and knew this was his last shot. He didn't have great memories of his last time here, and that wore on the team, because the team wants to do well for Nick.
"Nobody on our team roots against Nick Chubb. They all want to do well for him, which shows how important he is."
With 11 minutes remaining in the second quarter, Georgia had a 10-0 lead but had hardly dominated offensively, having netted 69 yards in 21 plays. The Bulldogs began a drive at their 13-yard line, and Chubb reeled off runs of 14 and 23 yards to reach midfield.
That ignited an 11-play, 87-yard touchdown drive that all but put the game away at 17-0.
"I think before that point, we were kind of just trying to mix things up," Chubb said. "When I busted that open, things got rolling. It was some great play-calling and some great execution."
Eason back in action
Georgia sophomore quarterback Jacob Eason, who sprained his knee in the season opener and had not played since, entered Saturday's game with 8:47 remaining and guided the Bulldogs to a field goal. Eason's only pass was incomplete in the end zone, with fifth-string tailback Elijah Holyfield shouldering the load with four rushes for 37 yards on that drive.
"It was great to get Jacob in there and get some rust off for the kid," Smart said. "I wanted to get him back out there and get him comfortable and get him functioning. He'll continue to do that in practice."
The tone-setter
Sophomore cornerback Tyrique McGhee set the tone for Saturday's slaughter by intercepting Quinten Dormady on the first play from scrimmage at the UT 27. It was the first interception of McGhee's career.
"I had almost forgotten about the first pick, because it happened so early," Smart said. "He also made a great play down the field on a fade ball and made a couple of plays on third down. He's a kid who works really hard."
Said McGhee: "It was just film study, repetition in practice, reading my keys, breaking on the ball and making a play for my team."
Win No. 800
Georgia's victory Saturday was the 800th in program history, whicn began with a 50-0 win over Mercer on Jan. 30, 1892.
"I think it's awesome," Smart said. "I think Georgia is one of the greatest programs in the country. Let's keep chopping wood and get some more."
Odds and ends
Bulldogs senior linebacker Reggie Carter left the game in the first quarter and had his helmet taken from him. Junior defensive tackle Trenton Thompson left the game in the second quarter with a right knee injury and did not return. Chubb on quarterback Jake Fromm's rushing: "That was huge. Most of those were third-down runs when we needed a conversion, and I'm just happy he decided to slide this time." Kicker Rodrigo Blankenship entered Saturday with a streak of 14 consecutive touchbacks dating back to the fourth quarter of the Notre Dame, and he added four against the Vols until his fifth kickoff was returned 21 yards from the goal line. Smart: "I have immense respect for Tennessee's special teams. They won that battle last year, and I thought we dominated that today."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.