Tennessee

Beck throws and runs for TDs to launch new era as No. 1 Georgia rolls past UT-Martin 48-7

Published

10 months ago

September 3, 2023

Beck throws and runs for TDs to launch new era as No. 1 Georgia rolls past UT-Martin 48-7

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Carson Beck said “of course” he battled nerves in his first start for No. 1 Georgia.

Coach Kirby Smart insisted he saw no sign Beck lacked the composure that has become his trademark even while having to patiently wait behind Stetson Bennett for his opportunity to play.

Beck overcame a sluggish first half to throw a 54-yard touchdown pass to Mekhi Mews and No. 1 Georgia, the two-time defending national champion, leaned on its defense to overwhelm Tennessee-Martin 48-7 on Saturday night.

“I never thought he wasn’t comfortable,” Smart said, adding, “Carson has got a calm about him.”

Beck said, “I felt good. I was excited to be out there.” He said he felt nervous early “because it’s been a while since I’ve been out there.”

Georgia showed it must make progress on offense if it can realize its dream of becoming the first team to win three straight national championships in The Associated Press poll era. The Bulldogs led only 17-0 at halftime against the Football Championship Subdivision Skyhawks.

Beck, placed in the difficult position of following Bennett’s back-to-back championship seasons at quarterback, gained momentum in the second half. He threw a short completion to his left to Mews, who cut back to the middle of the field, dodged a would-be tackler and used his speed for his first career scoring catch.

It was the longest career completion for Beck, a junior who beat out Brock Vandagriff for the starting job. Beck opened Georgia’s next possession with a 47-yard completion to C.J. Smith before adding a 25-yarder to Mews.

“We’re expecting a lot from Carson but we won’t pressure him,” said defensive tackle Nazir Stackhouse. “We’re just going to love him. … I feel like Carson is going to take us all the way.”

Beck, who had a 4-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, completed 21 of 31 passes for 294 yards with one touchdown.

Vandagriff entered the game late in the third quarter and completed a 56-yard pass to Rara Thomas in the fourth before adding a 21-yard scoring pass to tight end Oscar Delp.

Georgia’s defense, which ranked fifth in the nation last season with its average of 14.3 points allowed, kept UT-Martin off the scoreboard until Trevonte Rucker’s 9-yard scoring catch from Kindead Dent in the fourth quarter.

The defense had the last word, scoring on Kyron Jones’ 26-yard interception return with less than 2 minutes remaining.

UT-Martin coach Jason Simpson said he was disappointed by the final score.

“I hate that it ended up like that,” Simpson said. “… Pretty good, 17-0 at halftime, so we were still in the game.”

THE TAKEAWAY

UT-Martin: The Skyhawks, who have won back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference championships, showed impressive defensive strength in the first half, refusing to allow Georgia’s offensive line to establish a consistent push on runs up the middle. “I feel like this was a great opportunity for the team to see where we’re at against the SEC, and now we’re going to go and dominate the OVC,” Rucker said. Dent, a graduate transfer from Mississippi, passed for only 128 yards.

Georgia: The Bulldogs took advantage of their depth at wide receiver and running back. Mews played a prominent role on offense and returns as WR Ladd McConkey (back) and WR Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint (undisclosed) were held out. Running back Daijun Edwards, Georgia’s leading returning rusher, did not have a carry while recovering from a knee injury. Kendall Milton (hamstring) started and had nine carries for 53 yards. Freshman Roderick Robinson II gave Georgia a 31-0 lead with his 2-yard touchdown run in the third. Georgia’s third quarterback, Gunner Stockton, led a field goal drive late in the game.

HONORING SEILER

The flag at Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium flew at half-mast and there was a moment of silence before the game in honor of Sonny Seiler, owner of the famed line of 11 “Uga” mascots since the 1950s. Seiler died Monday at age 90.

HONORING WILLOCK

Georgia left guard Xavier Truss, who normally wears No. 73, instead wore 77 in honor of former Georgia lineman Devin Willock, who was killed in a wreck hours after the celebration of the Bulldogs’ 2022 national championship. Police said speeding and racing led to the wreck, which also killed recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy.

Defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who was a first-round draft pick by the Philadelphia Eagles was charged with reckless driving and racing in connection to the fatal crash.

Truss said offensive linemen will share the 77 jersey this season. “Whoever is playing hard and showing he deserves it,” Truss said. “It’s a pride thing.”

UP NEXT

UT-Martin: The Skyhawks will play their home opener against Missouri State next Saturday night.

Georgia: The Bulldogs will play their second of four consecutive home games when they face Ball State on Saturday in the first meeting between the schools.

___

AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll

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Tennessee

Titans OT Projected for All-Rookie Team

Published

7 hours ago

June 28, 2024

Press Room

The Tennessee Titans have revamped their offense for the upcoming season, and part of their upgrades have come in the form of some new players, some new to the team and others who have yet to play in the NFL.

One of those players is first-round rookie offensive tackle JC Latham, who the Titans took with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter listed his picks for the 2024 All-Rookie Team and tabbed Latham as the player at the tackle spot.

“Latham is another rookie tackle lining up at a new spot in the pros, moving to the left side with the Titans after stoutly holding down the right side at Alabama,” Reuter writes. “At 6-foot-6, 342 pounds, Latham will be a sturdy wall in pass protection for second-year quarterback Will Levis thanks to his wide base and 35 1/8-inch arms. Latham will also move defenders to create running lanes for new feature back Tony Pollard and backups Tyjae Spears and Hassan Haskins.”

Latham joined quarterback and No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears), running backs Trey Benson (Arizona Cardinals) and Ray Davis (Buffalo Bills), wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. (Arizona Cardinals) and Xavier Worthy (Kansas City Chiefs), tight end Brock Bowers (Las Vegas Raiders), offensive linemen Joe Alt (Los Angeles Chargers), Jackson Powers-Johnson (Las Vegas Raiders), Tanor Bartolini (Indianapolis Colts) and Graham Barton (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) on the list.

Latham was a right tackle at Alabama, but the Titans have plans for him to move to the left side to protect quarterback Will Levis’ blindside. He will have to adjust to the NFL level, but with offensive line coach Bill Callahan helping guide that transition, Latham is in extremely good and experienced hands.

Latham has been a coach in the NFL since the 1990’s and he was recently with the Cleveland Browns, who had one of the best units in the league last season. Now, Latham helps as an anchor for the Titans in the trenches as they look to improve from having one of the worst offensive lines in the league a year ago.

Make sure you bookmark All Titans for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

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Tennessee Lands Two Players in MLB Mock Drat

Published

14 hours ago

June 28, 2024

Press Room

Tennessee Lands Two Players in MLB Mock Drat

The Tennessee Volunteers’ baseball program has landed two players in the latest 2024 MLB mock draft.

The Tennessee Volunteers took home the 2024 national championship after a historic season and the celebrations don’t look like they will be slowing down any time soon. The 2024 MLB draft is just a little over two weeks out from kicking off and the Volunteers have a couple of candidates that could go in the first round.

MLB.com released their latest version of a first-round 2024 MLB mock draft and two Volunteers were included on the list. Christian Moore was pinned as the 12th overall selection to the Boston Red Sox and Billy Amick 33rd overall to the Minnesota Twins in the supplemental first-round selections. Here is what the outlet wrote about Moore:

“Barring a surprise fall — perhaps Griffin or Rainer? — the Red Sox figure to dip into the second tier of college bats that begins with Tibbs and Moore, though Yesavage is also enticing. This is the ceiling for other members of that group, including Florida State third baseman Cam Smith, Wake Forest third baseman/outfielder Seaver King, Oklahoma State outfielder Carson Benge, Louisiana State third baseman Tommy White, North Carolina outfielder Vance Honeycutt and Kentucky outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt.”

Moore was one of the best players in Omaha this year. In the first game against Florida State, he became just the second player in college World Series history to hit for the cycle. He was a crucial piece to Tennessee’s national championship-winning team. Over his three years at Tennessee, Moore finished with a .338 batting average, 61 home runs, 160 RBI and 162 starts, which is ironically the same number of games in a full MLB regular season.

Since the college football season came to an end, it has been an eventful offseason for Tennessee athletics. The men’s basketball team made a deep run in the March Madness tournament, the baseball program won its first-ever national title, Dalton Knecht was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the NBA draft and now it looks like the Volunteers will add to that list when the MLB draft rolls around.

The MLB draft will start on July 14th and will run until July 16th. The draft will last 20 total rounds which will allow plenty of other opportunities for more Volunteers to be selected into the major league. The Volunteers have a history of success when it comes to the professional baseball league and it doesn’t look like the 2024 MLB draft will be any different than the previous years.

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Tennessee

8 of the Best Places to Retire in Tennessee

Published

21 hours ago

June 28, 2024

Press Room

8 of the Best Places to Retire in Tennessee

Discover retirement destinations across Tennessee, from eastern cities to western natural wonders. With mild weather, natural beauty, and low living costs, find your perfect spot among the 17% of residents aged 65+. Tour top destinations for retirees seeking city energy or country charm.

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