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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 1:08 p.m., Saturday, October 6, 2007

CFB: Tennessee tops No. 23 Georgia, 35-14

By NANCY ARMOUR
AP National Writer

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee reminded Georgia who owns Neyland Stadium.

Arian Foster rushed for 98 yards and three touchdowns, Lucas Taylor made the most of his very short time as a quarterback and Tennessee put an emphatic end to No. 12 Georgia's winning streak in Knoxville with a 35-14 victory today.

It was Georgia's worst loss since the 2003 Southeastern Conference championship, a 34-13 loss to LSU, and coach Mark Richt's first loss at Tennessee. The Bulldogs had won their last three games at Neyland.

It also was the most points allowed this year by Georgia (4-2, 2-2 SEC).

Tennessee (3-2, 1-1) began this year with high hopes, only to find itself struggling after a tough loss to California and a rout by Florida. The running game was patchy and the defense wasn't much better, and the grumbling about coach Phil Fulmer had already started.

But a bye last weekend worked wonders for the Vols. They went after the Bulldogs from the opening kick, and never let up. Tennessee scored on four of its first five possessions, showed it really did have a running game and made the Bulldogs look more like a work in progress than a top-15 team.

Montario Hardesty rushed for 68 yards and a score, and Erik Ainge was 17-of-22 for 165 yards. Taylor threw for a touchdown on his second career pass, and added six catches.

Georgia managed only two first downs in the first half, and didn't cross midfield until after halftime. The Vols shut down elusive running back Knowshon Moreno, holding him to only 30 yards — more than 50 below his average. Thomas Brown ran for 20 yards before an injured shoulder sidelined him for the second half.

Matthew Stafford threw for two touchdowns and 174 yards, but was under pressure much of the day. He finished 16-of-33, and threw one interception.