Full Breakdown
Georgia Beats Vanderbilt 38-14 in SEC Showdown
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On October 3, 2026, the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Vanderbilt Commodores 38-14 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA. Georgia’s quarterback Gunner Stockton completed 25 of 32 passes for 295 yards and three touchdowns, while Vanderbilt’s backup quarterback Blaze Berlowitz threw for 190 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The Bulldogs improved to 5-0 overall and 3-0 in SEC play; Vanderbilt fell to 3-2.
Background & Context
Georgia entered the game with a perfect record and a season-long streak of shutting out opponents in the first quarter. The win set up a road matchup against No. 7 Alabama on October 10 (scheduled). Vanderbilt’s highly touted freshman quarterback Jared Curtis, who had transferred from Georgia, was ruled out less than two hours before kickoff, leaving senior transfer Blaze Berlowitz to start.
Data & Statistics
- Final Score: Georgia 38, Vanderbilt 14
- Total Yards: Georgia 471 (295 passing, 176 rushing) on 66 plays; Vanderbilt 293 (190 passing, 103 rushing) on 51 plays
- Turnovers: Georgia forced one turnover (Ellis Robinson IV interception) and committed none until the fourth quarter; Vanderbilt turned the ball over on downs late in the third quarter.
- Third-Down Efficiency: Vanderbilt converted 5-of-9 in the first half; Georgia was 5-for-9 overall.
- Individual Highlights:
- Gunner Stockton – 295 passing yards, 3 TDs (78 % completion)
- Landon Roldan – 55-yard reception, 1 TD (first collegiate TD)
- Dwight Phillips Jr. – 5 catches for 75 yards and 1 TD
- Bo Walker – 71 rushing yards on 5 carries (including a 59-yard run)
- Junior Sherrill (Vanderbilt) – 7 catches for 107 yards and 1 TD
Official Statements & Responses
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart praised Stockton’s performance and the team’s resilience, noting that the Bulldogs needed a “tough, physical, hard-fought” contest to prepare for upcoming challenges. Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea expressed disappointment over Curtis’s absence but commended Berlowitz for keeping the Commodores competitive, especially on the opening 95-yard drive that tied the game early.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Gunner played outstanding today, we’ve got one of the toughest quarterbacks in the country, smartest quarterbacks in the country,” — Kirby Smart, georgia coach
- “They’re doing a really good job keeping us off-balance, they are converting third downs, they are 5-for-9 on third downs,” — Kirby Smart, georgia coach
- “I think to play well in this conference, you’ve got to be able to take as many punches as you give,” — Kirby Smart, georgia coach
- “I thought Gunner (Stockton) did a great job with execution, played probably his best game,” — Kirby Smart, georgia coach
What’s Next
- Georgia: Travels to Tuscaloosa to face No. 7 Alabama on October 10 (scheduled).
- Vanderbilt: Hosts No. 9 Ole Miss at home on October 10 (scheduled).
The victory solidified Georgia’s position atop the SEC standings and provided a benchmark for the team’s offensive execution ahead of the pivotal Alabama matchup. Vanderbilt, despite the loss, showed flashes of competitiveness, particularly through Berlowitz’s early drive and Sherrill’s big-play capability.