Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton delivered a dominant performance on Saturday, throwing for 295 yards and three touchdowns as the Bulldogs cruised to a 38‑14 win over Vanderbilt.
Early lead and first‑quarter tie
Georgia opened the scoring on its first drive, with Stockton connecting with Landon Roldan for a two‑yard touchdown. Vanderbilt answered two drives later when backup quarterback Blaze Berlowitz found Junior Sherrill for a 60‑yard score, tying the game at 7‑7. It was the first first‑quarter score against a Georgia opponent this season.
Bulldogs pull ahead
Georgia responded with back‑to‑back rushing touchdowns by Chauncey Bowens and Jaden Redell before halftime. A blocked Vanderbilt field‑goal attempt set up Redell’s score, giving the Bulldogs a 21‑7 lead at the half.
Vanderbilt fights back
The Commodores narrowed the gap to 21‑14 after running back Sedrick Alexander punched in a two‑yard rushing touchdown early in the second quarter.
Georgia extends the lead
In the third quarter, Georgia executed an 11‑play, 75‑yard drive that consumed 6:39 and ended with a touchdown, pushing the lead to 28‑14. Vanderbilt’s final chance ended when a potential Sherrill catch was ruled incomplete after review, and the Bulldogs held the Commodores scoreless for the remainder of the game.
Key contributors
Wide receiver Dwight Phillips Jr. stepped up with five catches for 75 yards and a touchdown, while sophomore running back Bo Walker posted a career‑high 71 yards on five carries, including a 59‑yard run late in the game.
Coach Smart’s perspective
Coach Kirby Smart praised his team’s resilience, noting that “to play well in this conference you have to be able to take as many punches as you give.” He said the physical, hard‑fought contest was exactly the type of test his squad needs before the upcoming road game against No. 10 Alabama.
Looking ahead
Georgia remains unbeaten at 5‑0 (3‑0 SEC) and prepares to face Alabama on Saturday night. Vanderbilt, now 3‑2 (0‑2 SEC), will host No. 9 Ole Miss the following Saturday.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
