Georgia running back Todd Gurley (3) runs for a touchdown past Vanderbilt safety Jahmel McIntosh (27) and defensive back Torren McGaster (5) in their game Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014, in Athens, Ga.ATHENS, Ga. - There have been occasions through the years when Georgia scheduled Vanderbilt as its Homecoming opponent and lost.
Saturday wasn't one of them.
Junior tailback Todd Gurley rushed 25 times for 163 yards and two touchdowns as the No. 13 Bulldogs overwhelmed the Commodores 44-17 before a sellout crowd of 92,746 at Sanford Stadium. Gurley's 25-carry performance came on the heels of last week's 35-32 win over Tennessee, when he had 28 rushes for 208 yards and two scores.
"Good things happen when you give it to Todd," Georgia coach Mark Richt said after his Bulldogs improved to 4-1 overall and 2-1 in the Southeastern Conference. "I think we should probably keep giving it to him."
Gurley did nothing to hurt his Heisman Trophy chances, adding a 50-yard throw to tight end Jeb Blazevich late in the first half to set up a touchdown that put Georgia up 27-7. He faked a zone-read handoff before lofting his first career pass, which has resulted in him having a career passer rating of 520.
The 6-foot-1, 226-pounder from Tarboro, N.C., now has the longest run (51 yards), throw (50) and kickoff return (100) for the Bulldogs this season.
"I'm kind of happy with my performance," Gurley said, "but I feel I could have done some stuff better. We worked on the throw this week, and we kept running that power play that opened up room for the pass."
And the Heisman hunt?
"I don't really worry about that," he said. "It's going to take care of itself. My job is to help the team win, and if I'm able to go to that in December, I'll definitely be thankful.
"I'm blessed to be in this position. It is what it is. I've just got to remain humble and be me."
Gurley's pass was not the prettiest in Bulldogs lore, but Richt said, "We have a saying at Georgia that spirals are optional. If it's completed, then it's a pretty pass to me."
The Commodores, who spoiled Georgia homecomings in 1994 and 2006, dropped to 1-5 overall and 0-4 in SEC play. Vanderbilt's five losses surpass the totals of the past two seasons, when former coach James Franklin led the program to consecutive 9-4 marks.
Vanderbilt compiled 320 yards Saturday to 445 by the Bulldogs.
"Georgia is a good football team, and Todd Gurley is a good back," Vandy coach Derek Mason said. "They did a good job of establishing themselves early."
The Bulldogs took a 21-0 lead in the first quarter, scoring on their first possession when Gurley rushed three times for 22 yards and scored on a direct snap from 5 yards out. Gurley had a 14-yard run to put the Bulldogs up 14-0 at the 2:51 mark of the opening quarter, and a 44-yard pass from Hutson Mason to Chris Conley at the 1:25 mark provided the three-touchdown bulge.
Vanderbilt outscored Georgia 10-6 over the next 20 minutes, but former Ridgeland High cornerback Devin Bowman intercepted Stephen Rivers and raced 63 yards for the touchdown and a 34-10 Georgia lead with 5:48 remaining in the third quarter.
"The defense did a nice job most of the day and has two scores in two weeks, which is nice," Richt said.
Georgia will play at Missouri and at Arkansas the next two weeks. The Bulldogs will then be off before facing Florida in Jacksonville and Kentucky in Lexington.
So Saturday marked Georgia's last game in Sanford until Auburn arrives Nov. 15.
"We had three in a row here, which is great," Richt said, "but it's going to be a long time."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.