VANDERBILT | OCT. 13

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Kicker Brandon Coutu hit a 37-yard field goal as time expired to lift Georgia to a 20-17 win over Vanderbilt on Saturday at Vanderbilt Stadium.

The win pushed the Bulldogs to 5-2 overall and 3-2 in the SEC, while the Commodores fell to 3-3 and 1-3.

The Bulldogs fell behind 17-7 in the second quarter, but blanked Vanderbilt in the second half. Fullback Brannan Southerland had a short scoring run and Coutu kicked two field goals as the Bulldogs rallied.

Tailback Knowshon Moreno rushed for 157 yards on 28 carries, both of which set career-high totals.

After Coutu's 31-yard field goal tied the game at 17-17, Vanderbilt methodically drove down the field. But on third-and-4 from the Georgia 18, Vanderbilt tailback Cassen Jackson-Garrison fumbled after a hit by linebacker Darryl Gamble and Dannell Ellerbe, also a linebacker, recovered. The Bulldogs then marched from their own 7 to the Commodores' 19 to set up the field goal. Tight end Tripp Chandler's 11-yard catch to the Vanderbilt 24 highlighted the drive.

Southerland's touchdown run covered 1 yard and came a play after Moreno ripped off a 32-yard gain. Coutu added the extra point to make it 17-14.

Earlier in the game, receiver Sean Bailey caught a 32-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford. The score came on the first play after defensive lineman Kade Weston recovered a Vanderbilt fumble. It was Georgia's fifth takeaway this season.

The Commodores responded with a 21-yard field goal by Bryant Hahnfeldt to make it 7-3. Vanderbilt pulled ahead in the second quarter as receiver Sean Walker took an end-around into the end zone from 15 yards away. Hahnfeldt's PAT gave the Commodores a 10-7 lead. Walker then caught a 16-yard pass from QB Mackenzi Adams and Hahnfeldt's kick made it 17-7.

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