Georgia Tech vs Tennessee 2026 Recap: Yellow Jackets Crumble, Lose in Blowout Fashion 45-24

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (0-1) wanted to rebound after a disappointing 14-13 loss to the Colorado Buffaloes. They would have to do it against the Tennessee Volunteers (1-0), a team vying for the College Football Playoff and the SEC championship. The game was a throwback to a rivalry from when Georgia Tech was in the SEC. However, even with just two matchups since 1987, the fires would still be rekindled on this night. Tennessee had a two-game winning streak and the series lead (25 wins to 17 losses)

Unfortunately, Georgia Tech didn’t have a chance to make a statement on the rivalry. They lost 45-24, with Tennessee gashing them in the running game.

Georgia Tech vs. Tennessee 2026 Recap

First Quarter

The game started off with Georgia Tech receiving the ball first after Tennessee deferred the coin toss win. The Yellow Jackets went three-and-out on their first drive, forcing a punt. Tennessee, meanwhile, needed just three plays to find the end zone: a 33-yard run from DeSean Bishop, a five-yard run from Javin Gordon, and an easy 25-yard touchdown pass from Faizon Brandon to Ethan Davis on a busted coverage. Before you can blink, it was 7-0.

The Yellow Jackets would then go on a long 14-play, 63-yard drive that stalled out at the Tennessee 12-yard line, giving Aidan Birr a chance to kick a 30-yard field goal, and he made it to make it 7-3. Tennessee went three-and-out, looking to punt the ball away, but the punt was blocked by Trae Stevenson Jr. and recovered by Elgin Sessions for a touchdown to give Georgia Tech a 10-7 lead.

Second Quarter

Tennessee gained the ball back again and drove the ball inside the Georgia Tech 15, but they were forced to kick a field goal. Cooper Ranvier nailed it to tie it 10-10. Georgia Tech was attacking when Alberto Mendoza threw a brutal pick-six to Tennessee free safety DeJuan Lane to give Tennessee a 17-10 lead.

After the two teams exchanged punts, Tennessee went on a six-play, 55-yard drive, capped off by a beautiful 20-yard touchdown throw from Faizon Brandon to Braylon Stanley to make it 24-10. Georgia Tech was driving to close the half, but with 29 seconds left at the Tennessee 23-yard line, Mendoza threw his second interception. This time, it was Jeremiah Telander who made the pick. Tennessee kneeled it to end the half

Third Quarter

The third quarter started with a scary scene. Cornerback Jaylen Mbakwe’s helmet made contact with the knee of defensive end Jordan Walker, causing both to go down with injury. Walker wasn’t able to put weight on his left leg, while Mbakwe was taken off the field on a stretcher.

That was in the middle of an eight-play, 75-yard drive, capped off with a 17-yard touchdown run by DeSean Bishop to make it 31-10. Georgia Tech was finally able to answer on offense, going on a nine-play, 75-yard drive that ended in Albert Mendoza finding Justice Haynes on a two-yard out-route. After a review, it was confirmed, and Georgia Tech scored its first offensive touchdown of the 2026-27 season to make it 31-17.

Tennessee went to Georgia Tech’s side of the field on the next drive, but the Yellow Jackets stopped the Volunteers at the 42, so they punt. Georgia Tech continued to show offensive momentum and had the ball inside the 10 to end the third quarter.

Fourth Quarter

Georgia Tech amassed a nine-play, 66-yard drive that made it to the Tennessee five-yard line, but Mendoza was sacked on second down, and on fourth, his pass to the end zone was deflected by Tennessee corner Qua Moss. Trelain Maddox couldn’t track the deflection.

Tennessee milked the clock on their next drive. They took around seven minutes off the clock before punting back to Georgia Tech, who needed to score 14 with 6:26 left to go. Unfortunately, the Georgia Tech offense couldn’t get it done. Mendoza found Haynes for four yards on first down; Tennessee sacked him on second down. He threw short of the sticks to Haynes again, and on fourth down, Jordan Norman sacked Mendoza to put out the comeback attempt.

Tennessee essentially ended the game for good when DeSean Bishop broke off a 29-yard rush to make it 38-17. Georgia Tech did narrow the lead to 38-24 on a Justice Haynes touchdown run, but the Volunteers got those points right back after Daune Morris broke off a 47-yard run for a touchdown to reach the final score of 45-24.

Three Takeaways from Week 2

Line of Scrimmage was Lopsided

The Georgia Tech defensive line was a main point of contention coming into this game. Colorado was able to chew up clock due to their running game late in the game, and with Tennessee’s advanced running game, Georgia Tech’s front four was up to the ultimate test.

Unfortunately, it was a total failure. Georgia Tech gave up 299 yards and three touchdowns on just 45 carries, which is around 6.7 yards per carry. Tennessee’s lead back, DeSean Bishop, ran for 147 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries, and Faizon Brandon contributed to that, with several quarterback keepers to convert third downs. There were times when Georgia Tech’s defense couldn’t get off the field because the running game would pick up several first downs.

The front also produced just one sack (Kyle Efford) and five tackles for loss. It was a rough effort from the line of scrimmage, and it was a big reason why the game was as lopsided as it was. Sure, some of those plays were sellouts when Georgia Tech was down multiple scores, but it’s not up to the standard of Georgia Tech past.

Alberto Mendoza Had Growing Pains

With how sharp Mendoza looked against Colorado, many people thought he could’ve passed the growing pains most first-year starters go through in college. Well, it looked like he has some growing and developing to do in this one.

Mendoza had 221 yards on 40 dropbacks and a touchdown (yes, the first Georgia Tech offensive touchdown this season), but he also threw two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, and a third that was negated due to defensive pass interference. He also took four sacks, including two on one of their final drives, and while the offensive line was battered, there were some times I felt he just held onto the ball too long.

Everyone needs to remember Mendoza is a first-year starter who just played his second game (against two Power 4 opponents too). Mendoza showed some flashes, but he’ll need to iron out the bad plays. I still have a lot of faith he can, but it takes time.

Injury Bug Struck Hard

Unfortunately, the injuries didn’t do Georgia Tech any favors. They dealt with several in the offensive line. Center Jameson Riggs went down and tried to play through the pain, but to no avail. Left tackle Ethan Mackenny suffered an injury and was seen with a walking boot on the sidelines. Malachi Carney went down after a fourth down sack and didn’t return.

Then, there was the scariest injury of all. Sometime in the third quarter, cornerback Jaylen Mbakwe was trying to make a tackle when his helmet made contact with defensive end Jordan Walker’s knee. Both of them fell to the ground, and while Walker was eventually helped off by trainers (with a noticeable limp), Mbakwe didn’t get up on his own. He was stretchered off the field and sent to Grady Hospital, where the team is still awaiting details of his injury and his recovery.

It was one of those sobering moments that remind fans how brutal the sport can be. I wish Mbakwe nothing but the best in his recovery process, no matter how serious the injury is.

Still, Georgia Tech was playing with a ton of impact starters in the medical tent. It definitely played into the final result: Tennessee started generating more pressure with the line injuries.

Georgia Tech falls to a disappointing 0-2, while Tennessee rises to 2-0 on their season. The Yellow Jackets play the Mercer Bears on Saturday, Sept. 19 before heading on the road to play Stanford and start their ACC schedule.