Georgia romps past Vanderbilt, 48-3

Friday, January 1, 1904

ATHENS, Ga. - There were no flagrant fouls during the game, and there were no altercations after the game.

There wasn't much of a game, either.

A year after Georgia and Vanderbilt played a hotly contested contest in Nashville, the No. 5 Bulldogs were superior throughout Saturday night's 48-3 shellacking of the Commodores at Sanford Stadium. Georgia junior quarterback Aaron Murray completed his first 12 passes and threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns in leading Georgia to 518 yards in three quarters before the reserves arrived.

Georgia's offense, under the direction of coordinator Mike Bobo, extended a record it set last week by scoring 40 or more points for a fourth straight game to open a season.

"I think our guys are very comfortable with the offense," Murray said. "I know Coach Bobo has a lot of trust not only in myself but in the receivers and the tight ends running great routes and getting open. Our receivers are making plays after the catch, too, separating themselves and breaking tackles.

"I feel great with our progress right now."

Bulldogs senior receiver Marlon Brown had his second 100-yard game this season and the third of his career with 114 yards on five receptions. Brown's first 100-yard game occurred last year at Vanderbilt.

The freshman tailback tandem of Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall continues to excel. Gurley set season highs with 16 carries for 130 yards and two touchdowns, while Marshall rushed 10 times for 82 yards and two touchdowns, including one from 52 yards out late in the first quarter that put the Bulldogs up 13-0.

"I don't think there are two freshman running backs to ever come into any program that have been this talented," Murray said. "I couldn't be more happy with the running game."

Vanderbilt went three-and-out on its first possession, committing two false starts and an illegal substitution, and things only got worse as the Commodores plummeted to 1-3.

With a little under 11 minutes to play in the game, Vandy quarterback Jordan Rodgers dove for the end zone and was credited with a touchdown. Replays showed Rodgers fumbling before he touched the pylon, however, so officials ruled the play a touchback and gave Georgia possession at its 20.

The 45-point margin was Georgia's biggest over Vanderbilt since a 45-0 win in Athens in 1976.

Georgia will play a third straight time in Sanford Stadium this week when the Bulldogs host Tennessee in a game that will be televised by CBS at 3:30 p.m. The Bulldogs have defeated the Volunteers the past two seasons by a combined count of 61-26.