NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Following his first 100-yard performance as a collegiate receiver, Vanderbilt’s Jayden McGowan has been named SEC Freshman of the Week.
McGowan made four catches for 118 yards and a touchdown in Vandy’s 42-31 victory over Elon on Saturday. The Laurens, South Carolina, native becomes the fifth Commodore to earn SEC Freshman of the Week honors since the award was instituted in 2005 and the first since CJ Bolar in November 2018.
The rookie scored his touchdown against the Phoenix on a 75-yard bomb from Mike Wright. It marked the longest pass play for the Commodores since Sept. 7, 2019 (Riley Neal to Chris Pierce). By eclipsing the 100-yard mark, McGowan became just the third Vanderbilt freshman since 2005 to record a 100-yard receiving game. Earl Bennett accomplished the feat three times in 2005, while CJ Duncan reached the mark once in 2014.
McGowan and the Commodores put their 2-0 record on the line this week against Wake Forest. Kickoff at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville is set for 11 a.m. and tickets are on sale now.
Vanderbilt SEC Freshmen of the Week
· Earl Bennett, Nov. 19, 2005
· Warren Norman, Nov. 21, 2009
· Johnny McCrary, Nov. 1, 2014
· CJ Bolar, Nov. 22, 2018
· Jayden McGowan, Sept. 5, 2022
Big play of the night came courtesy of freshman Jayden McGowan on this 75-yard 💣 pic.twitter.com/rO9wERPUAK
— Chad Bishop (@MrChadBishop) September 5, 2022
