Baldwin’s Bullard has big game vs. Tennessee

Published 6:54 pm Saturday, November 5, 2022

ATHENS – Baldwin High School graduate Javon Bullard had arguably his best performance as a Georgia Bulldog in the country’s biggest game Saturday.

The sophomore defensive back totaled seven tackles and two sacks in the No. 3 Bulldogs’ 27-13 win over No. 1 Tennessee (8-1) inside Sanford Stadium. He also had one pass breakup from his nickelback position on the stout UGA defense. Bullard finished one tackle shy of his career best of eight, which came just last week against rival Florida in Jacksonville, but the stakes were much higher Saturday against what had been a high-scoring Volunteer squad.

Tennessee’s offense came into Athens averaging 49 points per game this season, but did not get its first touchdown until 4:15 remaining in the fourth quarter. Pressure by Bullard and the Georgia defensive front on Tennessee Heisman hopeful Hendon Hooker was a big reason why the Volunteer offense sputtered. The Bulldogs finished with six sacks led by Bullard’s two.

With the win, Georgia (9-0) should be the undisputed No. 1 team in the country once the new College Football Playoff rankings and Associated Press poll come out.