Woeful Tennessee offense draws frustration, boos from Neyland faithful at halftime

Boos and fights rained down from the orange-clad crowd inside Neyland Stadium as Tennessee ran off the field at halftime, trailing Georgia 24-0.

The numbers told the story, and they were ugly for the Tennessee offense. Four first downs, 11 passing yards, three penalties and a one-for-seven mark on third down. There was even a butt fumble.

Quarterback Quinten Dormady was 3-for-12 for 11 yards and two interceptions, and many wondered if coach Butch Jones would make a quarterback change at halftime.

For perspective, the Georgia offense had nine first downs, 180 total yards (to Tennessee’s 64), 118 rushing yards (to Tennessee’s 53) and no turnovers.

The SEC’s leading rusher entering the game, Tennessee’s John Kelly, was held to just 40 yards on the ground on 12 carries.

The trouble began early. On Tennessee’s first play from scrimmage, Georgia cornerback Tyrique McGhee jumped the route and picked Dormady’s pass near the sideline.

Georgia lost defensive lineman Trenton Thompson to a knee injury, but it wasn’t noticed much as the Bulldogs kept up the pressure. Georgia also lost linebacker Reggie Carter in the first half to an injury, and it was announced that he was out for the game.

The one silver lining in the early developments was Georgia led 24-3 in this game two years ago only to lose 38-31.

One picture

One fan base

One feeling #Vols pic.twitter.com/eC7cRRNl03

— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) September 30, 2017

At this point, give the ball to Jarrett Guarantano. Can't get much worse for #Tennessee on offense.

— Matt Barrie (@MattBarrie) September 30, 2017

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.