If you walk into a sports bar in Knoxville and mention the name Jauan Jennings, someone is probably going to buy you a drink. If you do the same in Athens, you might get a glass of water thrown in your face.
The rivalry between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs is one of those old-school SEC feuds that defines entire family dynamics in the South. But lately, it’s been a bit one-sided. Actually, it's been more than a bit one-sided. It’s been a decade of dominance for the Dawgs.
The last time Tennessee beat Georgia football was October 1, 2016.
Since then? It has been a long, cold winter for the Big Orange. We’re talking about a nine-game losing streak that has stretched from the end of the Butch Jones era, through the Jeremy Pruitt disaster, and into the high-octane Josh Heupel years. Even with the Vols returning to national prominence, Georgia has remained the immovable object.
But man, that 2016 game? It wasn't just a win. It was a spiritual experience.
The DobbNail Boot: What Really Happened in 2016
To understand why this hasn't happened again, you have to remember how insane that final minute in Sanford Stadium was. People forget that Tennessee actually trailed 17-0 early on. They were the "Comeback Kids" that year, but this one felt different.
With about three minutes left, Tennessee took their first lead of the game after a strip-sack in the end zone. It felt like the game was over.
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Then, Jacob Eason—the heralded freshman QB for Georgia at the time—threw a 47-yard absolute moonshot to Riley Ridley with only 10 seconds on the clock. The stadium erupted. Kirby Smart, in his first year as head coach, looked like he’d just secured a signature victory. Georgia fans were doing the Gator Chomp (ironically) and celebrating what they thought was the dagger.
But a penalty for excessive celebration on the touchdown meant Georgia had to kick off from their own 20-yard line.
- Evan Berry returned the kick to the Georgia 43.
- Four seconds left.
- One play.
Josh Dobbs uncorked a ball that seemed to hang in the air for an eternity. It was a high, wobbling prayer. Jauan Jennings, out-jumping half the Georgia secondary, snatched it out of the air.
Tennessee 34, Georgia 31. Radio legend Bob Kesling’s call—"It is caught! It is caught! Jauan Jennings!"—is basically the ringtone for half of East Tennessee. It’s been dubbed the "DobbNail Boot," a play on Georgia’s famous "Hobnail Boot" victory years prior.
The Nine-Year Drought (And Why It’s So Long)
Since that miracle in Athens, the series has turned into a nightmare for the Vols. Georgia didn’t just start winning; they started suffocating Tennessee.
Look at the numbers. Since 2017, Georgia has won nine straight games. Most of them haven't even been competitive. The average margin of victory during this stretch has been over 20 points. Even in 2022, when Tennessee went into Athens ranked No. 1 in the College Football Playoff rankings, the Bulldogs dismantled them 27-13 in a game that felt way more lopsided than the score suggests.
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Most recently, in the September 13, 2025 matchup at Neyland Stadium, the Vols came heartbreakingly close. They pushed Georgia to the limit, but the Bulldogs escaped with a 44-41 overtime win.
It’s been a combination of Kirby Smart building a literal NFL factory in Athens and Tennessee’s internal instability. While Georgia was winning national titles, Tennessee was busy firing coaches and dealing with NCAA investigations.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Rivalry
A lot of casual fans think Tennessee just "fell off." That’s not quite true. Under Josh Heupel, the Vols have been a top-10 program. The problem is that Georgia, under Kirby Smart, became one of the greatest dynasties in the history of college football.
Honestly, the "gap" isn't about heart or coaching anymore—it's about depth on the defensive line. In almost every loss since 2016, the story is the same: Tennessee’s fast-paced offense gets shut down because Georgia’s front four can get pressure without blitzing.
If you can't protect the quarterback against the Dawgs, you don't win. Period.
How the Vols Finally Break the Streak
Is the curse ever going to end? Probably. But it’s going to take more than a Hail Mary next time.
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The 2025 game showed that Tennessee has the offensive firepower to hang. Joey Aguilar threw for 371 yards and 4 touchdowns in that OT loss. The difference was a few missed tackles and Georgia’s ability to convert on fourth down when it mattered most.
To finally beat Georgia, Tennessee needs:
- Elite Trench Play: You cannot get bullied at the line of scrimmage.
- A Clean Game: No stupid penalties like the one that gave the Vols life in 2016.
- Home Field Advantage: Winning in Athens is nearly impossible right now; the next best chance is when the Dawgs have to travel to the swarm of Neyland.
For Tennessee fans, the 2016 win is a beautiful memory, but it’s also a painful reminder of how long it’s been. You can only watch the YouTube highlights of the Hail Mary so many times before you start wanting a fresh one.
Actionable Insights for the Next Matchup:
- Keep an eye on the Defensive Line rotation: Tennessee must keep their pass rushers fresh into the 4th quarter to stop Gunner Stockton or whoever is under center for UGA.
- Target the middle of the field: Georgia’s secondary has shown slight vulnerabilities against high-velocity slot receivers in Heupel’s system.
- Win the turnover margin: In almost every Georgia win during this streak, they’ve been +1 or better in turnovers.
The next meeting isn't just a game; it's a chance to bury a decade of frustration.