Georgia routs Vanderbilt in Athens
Georgia celebrated its homecoming and dedication of a new mascot on Saturday in style, out-gaining Vanderbilt by over 400 yards and rolling to a 43-0 victory over the Commodores at Sanford Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
UGA's Aaron Murray threw for 287 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and Washaun Ealey ripped off 123 yards on the ground and another score, as Georgia led 22-0 at the half and added a trio of third-quarter touchdowns to account for the final margin.
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The Bulldogs out-gained the Commodores by a 547-140 margin, and handed VU its worst loss since a 48-0 defeat at the hands of Tennesssee on Nov. 22, 2003.
It was the first time the 'Dores had been shut out since that day.
A nightmarish first quarter saw Georgia take a 12-0 lead courtesy of three huge plays.
The first came on the Bulldogs' first offensive snap of the game, when Murray found Kris Durham behind Eddie Foster for a 55-yard gain.
That set up a Blair Walsh field goal later in the drive for the day's first score.
A 58-yard run by Ealey on UGA's third drive set up a 15-yard touchdown run by Carlton Thomas on the next play.
On Vandy's next offensive snap, which came from its own 26, center Joey Bailey's snap went over Larry Smith's head and into the end zone, resulting in a safety.
The onslaught continued as Murray found Durham for a 4-yard touchdown with 8:43 left in the half, putting the 'Dawgs up 19-0.
Another short Walsh field goal bounced off the left upright and in, putting Georgia up 22-0 with 18 seconds left in the half.
Georgia had 297 total yards in the first half to VU's 76.
Georgia picked up in the second half where it left off in the first, as Murray hit A.J. Green with a 48-yard scoring toss on the first drive of the second half.
Thomas and Ealey added scoring runs before the third quarter was done.
Vanderbilt (2-4, 1-2 Southeastern Conference) returns home to face a ranked South Carolina squad next weekend.