Receiving the ball to start the game, Vanderbilt quickly went three-and-out, followed by the same fate from Georgia’s offense. Then after another stalled drive by Vanderbilt, punter Tommy Openshaw bobbled the snap and improvised as Georgia defenders rushed towards him. Flashing some speed, he sprinted for a first down. A targeting penalty on Georgia’s Lorenzo Carter for hitting Johnny McCrary gave Vanderbilt the ball inside Georgia’s 35. But Vanderbilt squandered their first best opportunity after getting sacked, forcing a punt.
Inability to capitalize on great opportunities crushed Vanderbilt’s chances in the first game of the season against Western Kentucky University, and the trend continued into Week 2.