Tennessee State 3, Georgia 63
Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA. September 5, 2026
Third-ranked Georgia overwhelmed Tennessee State 63-3 in a scorching season opener that saw temperatures hit 101 degrees at kickoff, with Gunner Stockton throwing three touchdowns and Nate Frazier rushing for three more in the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
Georgia wasted no time, scoring touchdowns on its first five possessions, all with Stockton at quarterback. Frazier broke off a 48-yard touchdown run on his very first carry of the season, then added a 14-yard score on his second carry. Georgia’s onslaught was so overwhelming that the Bulldogs led 28-0 by the end of the first quarter, prompting some fans to head for the exits early given the brutal heat. Head coach Kirby Smart credited his team’s handling of the conditions afterward, saying the heat wasn’t the story of the day.
Georgia’s depth at tight end was on full display throughout the rout. Jaden Reddell, Elyiss Williams and freshman Kaiden Prothro all hauled in touchdown catches, with the 6-foot-7 Williams showing off his athleticism by diving over a defender on a 17-yard scoring grab. Reddell added a 14-yard touchdown catch to go with a physical 29-yard run, and backup quarterback Ryan Puglisi got in on the scoring as well, tossing a 16-yard touchdown pass to Prothro. Tennessee State’s lone points came on a 37-yard Preston Hurless field goal that capped a 14-play, 55-yard drive late in the second quarter, the Tigers’ answer to Georgia’s early surge. Daylin Lee finished 11 of 19 passing for 62 yards for Tennessee State.
The win improved Georgia to 1-0, extending Kirby Smart’s perfect 10-0 record in season openers, while Tennessee State fell to 0-2 on the year. Georgia looks ahead to its home opener against Western Kentucky, where the Bulldogs plan to debut an all-white alternate uniform, while Tennessee State travels to face Alabama A&M next Saturday night.
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