ATHENS, Ga. --- The cure for all that has ailed Georgia's defensive unit arrived from Cookeville, Tenn., on Saturday. The Bulldogs' much-maligned defense blanked Tennessee Tech for its first shutout since beating Alabama-Birmingham, 34-0, on Sept. 16, 2006.

Georgia, which allowed only 55 yards of total offense, had been dreadful during a three-game stretch in which it had given up at least 41 points to two of its past three opponents. Those struggles led to widespread scrutiny of defensive coordinator Willie Martinez in the week leading up to the homecoming contest as the Bulldogs prepared for the Golden Eagles.

"I feel like it's not the coaches' fault," senior defensive tackle Jeff Owens said about Georgia's staff. "It's not always going to be a great play call. It's about 11 guys going out and playing like raged dogs; playing with their hair on fire. That's what it's about."

Along with its season-best six sacks, Georgia also racked up 15 tackles for loss, three of those belonging to Geno Atkins.

Tennessee Tech finished the day with minus-13 yards rushing and averaged 1.2 yards per play.

Defensive end Cornelius Washington, a former Burke County standout, earned his first career start after Justin Houston was ruled out because of a hyperextended elbow suffered during last week's 41-17 loss to Florida. Washington registered a pair of tackles and a sack, his third of the season.

"When I got the news that I was starting I was pretty excited," Washington said. "I just went out there and tried to make plays and step up for the team."

The Bulldogs' front seven stepped up as well, turning in by far its strongest effort of the season.

Sophomore middle linebacker Marcus Dowtin led the team with seven tackles. Freshman defensive end Montez Robinson added five tackles and also led the team with two sacks.

Christian Robinson, one of Georgia's many impact freshmen, registered five tackles. Robinson, who has bounced back from a broken forearm suffered during his redshirt year in 2008, is making a strong case for a permanent spot at weakside linebacker.

"Christian didn't just play because we had the game in hand. He's earned the playing time because he's been practicing well," coach Mark Richt said.

Whether the performance was merely a product of facing an inferior opponent or a sign of Martinez's defense finally turning the corner is a question likely to be answered Saturday when longtime rival Auburn visits Sanford Stadium.

"(The way we played) gives us confidence to know that we are getting better" Montez Robinson said. "Auburn is going to be a good team and we are expecting a battle."