ATHENS, GA — No. 2 Georgia had to earn it for the first time this season. After a back-and-forth first half with Vanderbilt, the Bulldogs pulled away in the second half behind quarterback Gunner Stockton, who threw three touchdowns, to roll to a 38-14 victory Saturday and remain undefeated overall and in SEC play.
The Commodores gave Georgia its toughest test of the year, even pulling level at one point, but Stockton and the Bulldogs answered each challenge and closed the game with authority.
Stockton set the tone on Georgia’s opening possession, going 8-for-8 through the air. The drive ended with a 2-yard touchdown catch by Landon Roldan.
Vanderbilt didn’t go away quietly. The first half turned into a seesaw battle, and for the first time in 2026, Georgia found itself tied. Stockton said the Commodores’ pre-snap looks and setup-heavy approach, which many opponents have used against the Bulldogs this season, made the afternoon more difficult than the scoreboard eventually showed.
“This is the first time that we were tied this season,” Stockton said. “So just being able to respond and keep control.“
Once the second half arrived, Georgia took control. Stockton connected with Elyiss Williams on a 1-yard touchdown pass, and in the fourth quarter he found Dwight Phillips Jr. from 12 yards out for another score that put the game out of reach.
Asked whether this was the first real adversity of the season, Stockton downplayed the idea that it was anything new for the team.
“I think we see adversity a lot during the week,” he said. “But just being able to respond and move on to the next play.“
He ensured the offensive discipline led to the strong finish that resulted in the Bulldogs being effecient in all three phases on the day.
“Every drive, we’re trying to score,” Stockton said. “I thought we executed pretty well and handled the ball and took care of the ball today.”
Georgia also got a welcome boost with the return of running back Nate Frazier. Stockton said the Bulldogs missed his presence, noting how rare it is for Frazier to be sidelined.
“He’s only missed two games, I think, in his entire career at Georgia,” Stockton said. “Nate, just his energy and everything he brings to the field and the locker room, it’s always fun seeing his face out there.“
Georgia Looks Ahead to Alabama
There is little time to celebrate. Georgia turns its attention to a road trip to face the Crimson Tide at Alabama next Saturday, and Stockton made it clear the Bulldogs won’t be satisfied with how they played against Vanderbilt.
“Definitely just the little details of some of the walkthroughs and meetings that we do all during the week,” he said. “And definitely a bunch of stuff out here today that we need to clean up, but just being intentional with that.”
Georgia fought through its first real test of the season before pulling away. With an unbeaten record in SEC play, a talented quarterback, and a diverse running back room, the Bulldogs head to Tuscaloosa with momentum and a few lessons from a Vanderbilt team that made them work for the victory.
