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10/14/2006 Vanderbilt Game Notes General Notes Today’s win is Vanderbilt’s first victory over a ranked opponent since 1992 when the Commodores defeated No. 25 Ole Miss 31-9 (Sept. 19, 1992). Vanderbilt had lost its previous 49 games against ranked opponents. The last time Vanderbilt defeated a team ranked higher than No. 16 was 1982 when the Commodores defeated No. 14 Florida 31-29 in Nashville (Oct. 9, 1982). The last time Vanderbilt beat a ranked opponent on the road was Oct. 7, 1950 when the Commodores defeated No. 12 ranked Alabama 27-22 in Mobile, Ala. With the victory, Vanderbilt goes to 3-4 overall on the season, and 1-3 in SEC play. It marks Vanderbilt’s first victory over Georgia since 1994 when the Commodores won 43-30 in Athens. It also brought to an end a 11-game losing streak to the Bulldogs. The victory was also Vanderbilt’s third road win in SEC play in its last seven games. Other recent league road wins are at Arkansas (28-24, Sept. 10, 2005) and Tennessee (28-24, Nov. 19, 2005). The 24-point total was the most points scored by Vanderbilt in the series since posting 43 points in a 43-30 win in 1994. With eight receptions, Earl Bennett moved into the Career Top 10 in receptions at Vanderbilt. He has 120, good for ninth best in school history. He also moves up in Top 10 receptions by sophomore. He has 41 this season, tying him with Erik Davis for seventh place among sophomores. Cassen Jackson-Garrison surpassed the 1,000-yard plateau in career rushing yards. Jackson-Garrison gained 43 yards on 17 attempts, leaving him with 1,041 yards during his three-year varsity career. With two catches today, Steven Bright established a new single-season career high in catches with 18. Previous best was 17 set last year. With 190 passing yards today, Chris Nickson entered the school’s Top 10 yardage list among sophomore quarterbacks for passing yards with 918 yards. It is eight most, as he moved past Mike Wright (788), Randy Hampton (805) and Whit Taylor (899) today. True freshman DB D.J. Moore recorded a career-high nine tackles and a fumble recovery. DE Curtis Gatewood recorded four tackles, including a nine-yard sack. Commodore Starters Brad Allen (R-So., TE) earned his third start of the season. Allen, who missed the Ole Miss game to injury, started the first two games of the season. Nine offensive players — QB Chris Nickson, TB Cassen Jackson-Garrison, WR Earl Bennett, WR Marlon White, WR George Smith, center Hamilton Holliday, OG Merritt Kirchoffer, OT Chris Williams, OG Josh Eames — have started every game. First Half Notes After the Commodores failed to move its first offensive possession, Brett Upson (Fr.) booted a 57-yard punt that was not return… Commodore offensive captain Brian Stamper (Sr., OT) participated in the coin toss but did not dress, missing his second consecutive game after earning 36 straight starts… With 8:28 left in the quarter, DE Curtis Gatewood stopped a Georgia drive with a sack of UGA QB Joe Tereshinski III. It was Gatewood’s team-leading fourth sack… At 11:22 of the second quarter, Earl Bennett entered the Commodore career Top 10 in receptions with a 10-yard-catch from QB Chris Nickson. Bennett ties Allama Matthews (1979-82) with 114 receptions… Following a Georgia touchdown to up the score to 10-0, Alex Washington returned the ensuing kick 43 yards, giving Vanderbilt possession at the 50-yard line. It was the Commodores’ largest return of the season… Nickson guided the Commodores on a six-play, 50-yard touchdown drive to narrow the margin to 10-7 on a 13-yard touchdown pass to Bennett. It was Bennett’s third TD reception of the season. Second Half Notes D.J. Moore (Fr., CB) gave Vanderbilt an excellent opportunity with 14:17 in the third quarter, recovering a Georgia fumble at the UGA 25-yard line. The fumble was forced by Ryan Hamilton (R-Fr., safety). The turnover led to a 14-13 Commodore lead when Jackson-Garrison scored from the three yard line. It was Jackson-Garrison’s third rushing touchdown. Nickson completed first down passes to TE Steven Bright and WR Marlon White… Theo Horrocks (Jr., DT) ended Georgia’s next possession with a eight-yard sack of Tereschinski… With 2:25 left in the third quarter, Nickson connected with Sean Walker (R-So., WR) on a 35-yard scoring strike, giving Vanderbilt a 21-13 lead. It was Walker’s second touchdown reception in as many games… Georgia was forced to settle for a field goal, narrowing the margin to 21-16 when Hamilton made excellent tackle in open field at the 2-yard line… TE Brad Alen made his first career reception count, catching a 21-yard pass up the middle in the Commodores final drive of the game … WR Sean Walker caught a six-yard pass on fourth and five from the Georgia 35 to keep the final drive alive … K Bryan Hahnfeldt’s 33-yard field goal was good with two seconds left to give the Commodores the 24-22 win. It was the first game-winning kick of his career. |
