Georgia Defeats Vanderbilt
Gunner Stockton throws three touchdowns as No. 2 Georgia rolls past Vanderbilt 38-14
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No. 2 Georgia rolled to its fifth straight win with a dominant 38-14 victory over Vanderbilt on Saturday. Gunner Stockton threw for 295 yards and three touchdowns, completing 25 of 32 passes with zero interceptions. WYFF4 reported that the Bulldogs improved to 5-0 while extending their winning streak over the Commodores to seven straight seasons.
Georgia's defense forced a turnover and held Vanderbilt to just 61 total yards in the second half. Head coach Kirby Smart praised Stockton's performance, telling SEC Network that "we've got one of the toughest quarterbacks in the country, smartest quarterbacks in the country." The Bulldogs face No. 10 Alabama on Saturday night in their next SEC matchup.
Vanderbilt Ties Game Early Behind Backup QB
Vanderbilt's Blaze Berlowitz led a surprise offensive surge early, tying the game at 7-7 midway through the first quarter. The senior backup threw a 60-yard touchdown pass to Junior Sherrill after Gunner Stockton had connected with Landon Roldan for a 2-yard TD. 640WXSM noted this marked the first first-quarter score Georgia had allowed all season across four games.
Berlowitz filled in after five-star freshman Jared Curtis suffered a knee bruise during the week and was ruled out during pregame warmups. WYFF4 reported that Curtis is a former Georgia commit. Vanderbilt's head coach Clark Lea called the situation difficult, saying Curtis "is crushed. Obviously, this was an important game to him." Berlowitz went 12 of 23 for 190 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Georgia's Ground Attack Opens Door for Stockton
The Bulldogs' rushing game sputtered early, but Stockton's arm took over. 640WXSM reported that Stockton connected with 10 different receivers throughout the game. Georgia's offensive line gave him time to operate, and he scattered completions across the field rather than relying on any single target. The Commodores' secondary was spread too thin to cover all the options.
By the second half, Georgia's control became evident. The Bulldogs held Vanderbilt to just 61 yards in the final 24 minutes after a competitive first half. Stockton's efficiency — 78.1 percent completion rate with no picks — allowed Georgia to dictate tempo and control the game without needing early explosive rushing plays.
Third Quarter Drive Seals Vanderbilt's Fate
Georgia broke open the game in the third quarter with a methodical 11-play, 75-yard drive that consumed 6 minutes and 39 seconds. Stockton threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Elyiss Williams to extend the lead to 28-14. The extended drive killed the clock and wore down Vanderbilt's defense, preventing any momentum shift.
Georgia's defense stepped up late, with safety Ellis Robinson IV recording an interception early in the fourth quarter. Stockton added his third touchdown on a 12-yard pass to Dwight Phillips Jr. to seal the 38-14 final. Stockton told reporters postgame: "I thought we executed pretty well today. I thought we did a good job with that and played hard."
Next Tests: Georgia Eyes Alabama, Vanderbilt Faces Ole Miss
Georgia's dominant defense and efficient passing attack set up a massive collision with No. 10 Alabama on Saturday night. The Bulldogs improved to 5-0 overall and 3-0 in SEC play. Their depth and talent are starting to separate them from conference opponents as the season progresses.
Vanderbilt falls to 3-2 overall and 0-2 in SEC play after the loss. The Commodores will host No. 9 Ole Miss on Saturday afternoon looking to get into the win column in league play. Curtis's health status will be critical to watch for upcoming contests as Vanderbilt navigates injuries early in the season.
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