Tennessee football: Remembering Jim Chaney’s 5 games vs. Vols, Jeremy Pruitt
5. 2014: No. 10 Georgia Bulldogs at Arkansas Razorbacks
Mark Richt had seemingly gotten a steal by luring Jeremy Pruitt to the Georgia Bulldogs. The year before, Pruitt was a national assistant coach of the year finalist because, in his first season as defensive coordinator, he helped the Florida State Seminoles to the national championship.
However, he got off to a rocky start, surrendering 38 points in a loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks and then 32 points in a close win over Tennessee football. But he was good at getting his team to force turnovers.
Meanwhile, Jim Chaney was establishing his identity on Bret Bielema’s offense in their second year with the Arkansas Razorbacks. The run-heavy offense was beginning to figure things out. When they met, the Hogs 3-3 while the Dawgs were 5-1 and thinking about a national title.
The game itself became a dominant first-half performance for Georgia. They jumped out to a 38-6 lead, scoring 38 unanswered and 31 in the second quarter alone. Arkansas, though, didn’t quit and scored four second half touchdowns as UGA called off the Dawgs. But it wasn’t enough, as Pruitt and Georgia pulled away.
Grading Jim Chaney’s performance: B-
In the first half, Jim Chaney’s offense scored only six points and had a grand total of 91 yards. And his offensive scoring in the second half was after Georgia was content to let them move the ball. That alone would warrant close to a failing grade. However, his offense was hamstrung by three first-half turnovers, and he was outmatched with the talent he had. Combine that with them going over 400 yards and scoring 32 overall, and at the end of the day, we can give him an above average grade.
Grading Jeremy Pruitt’s performance: B+
The negatives were that this was the third game of the year that Jeremy Pruitt had allowed over 30 points. And his defense, despite being far superior talent wise, allowed over 400 yards. But we already mentioned how much he dominated the first half when it mattered, and those stats speak for themselves. Getting his defense to force three turnovers and score a touchdown in the first half as the Dawgs built a 38-6 lead was enough for us to give him high marks.