Homecoming, at least on the football field, was a disaster for Commodore fans last Saturday afternoon. The Georgia Bulldogs and their fans came to Vanderbilt Stadium on a mission: to destroy the Commodores on their big day and to enjoy doing it. Well, they accomplished both feats. Nick Chubb finished off the opening drive with a 33-yard run that put Georgia ahead to stay. Chubb ran for 138 yards and two scores, as the number five team in the country routed the black and gold. The final score was 45-14.
Despite missing three players from the defense, the Bulldogs still only allowed the Commodores 236 yards of total offense. The Georgia defense came in second in the nation, giving up just nine points a game. The Bulldogs stretched their scoreless streak to seven quarters and nearly eight, before Vanderbilt went 75 yards, with Ralph Webb capping the drive off with a one-yard touchdown run just before halftime, making the score 21-7. Those were the first points allowed by Georgia since a field goal by Mississippi State two weeks ago. There was definitely no letdown after their 41-0 pummeling of the Volunteers last week.
Georgia (6-0, 3-0) is now on a six-game winning streak. This is their best start since 2005. The Bulldogs also avenged a 17-16 home loss to the Commodores from last year by returning the favor, but in embarrassing fashion. Georgia ran through, over and around Vanderbilt, piling up 423 yards on the ground. Sony Michel put his bid in for 150 yards and a TD on 12 carries, while Elijah Holyfield scored his first career TD on a 15-yard run. Holyfield had seven total carries for 51 yards. The way the Bulldogs run the ball, they don’t need much from their quarterback. Freshmen Jake Fromm, however, proved very efficient, going seven of 11 for 102 yards passing. Fromm threw two touchdowns, including a 47-yarder to junior wide-out Terry Godwin.
The Commodores have now given up the two largest rushing performances this season—a league worst with 496 yards rushing in a 59-0 loss to Alabama, and Saturday’s debacle versus Georgia. This makes three straight losses for the Commodores (all conference losses) since winning their first three. Vanderbilt just wrapped up their toughest four-game stretch in school history, with this being the Commodores’ fourth consecutive ranked opponent.
Kyle Shurmur finished 17 of 31 for 172 yards and a touchdown. Webb ended with 47 yards on 12 carries. Webb also ripped off a 28-yard run in the first quarter, his longest this season.
Vanderbilt (3-3, 0-3) is at Mississippi this week. Game time is Saturday at 2:30 pm.
