Georgia Tech–Vanderbilt football rivalry

{{Infobox sports rivalry

| wide = no

| name = Georgia Tech–Vanderbilt football rivalry

| image =

| image_size =

| caption =

| team1 = Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

| team1logo = Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets logo.svg

| team2 = Vanderbilt Commodores

| team2logo = Vanderbilt_Athletics_logo.svg

| sport =

| firstmeeting = November 19, 1892
Vanderbilt, 20–10

| mostrecent = December 27, 2024
Vanderbilt, 35–27

| nextmeeting =

| total = 39

| series = Georgia Tech leads, 20–16–3

| largestvictory = Georgia Tech, 83–0 (1917)

| longeststreak = Vanderbilt, 7 (1929–1935)

| longestunbeatenstreak =

| currentstreak = Vanderbilt, 1 (2024–present)

| currentunbeatenstreak =

| trophy = Gold Cowbell (1924–present)

| trophy series =

| stadiums =

}}

{{OSM Location map

| coord = {{coord|35.1254|-85.5475}}

| zoom = 6

| width = 295

| height = 250

| caption = Locations of Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt

| mark1 = Gold pog.svg

| label1 = Georgia Tech

| mark-coord1 = {{coord|33.775833|-84.394722}}

| label-pos1 = top

| label-color1 = black

| mark2 = Black pog.svg

| label2 = Vanderbilt

| mark-coord2 = {{coord|36.148|-86.80}}

| label-pos2 = top

| label-color2 = black

}}

The Georgia Tech–Vanderbilt football rivalry is an American college football rivalry{{Cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/vanderbilt/Article/Old-rivalry-trophy-reintroduced-to-VanderbiltGeorgia-Tech-series-47513401/|title=Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech will battle for the Gold Cowbell|website=Vandy247}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86078671/nashville-banner/|work=Nashville Banner|title=Mehre Afraid of Florida, best in Four Years Play|page=20|date=November 3, 1933|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} between the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and Vanderbilt Commodores. Both universities are founding members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Southern Conference (SoCon), and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA). Georgia Tech leads the series all time 20–16–3.

In the 1910s, both programs were coached by men inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame: Dan McGugin and John Heisman. In 2016, a trophy for the contest, the Gold Cowbell, was unearthed after almost 70 years of dormancy. The trophy began in 1924.

History

The schools first meeting was on November 19, 1892. In 1896, both teams joined the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA).

The rivalry was be played as a postseason matchup in 2024, as both teams were invited to the 2024 Birmingham Bowl.{{cite web | last=Gerson | first=Aria | title=Vanderbilt football to face Georgia Tech in Birmingham Bowl | website=The Tennessean | date=2024-12-08 | url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/college/vanderbilt/2024/12/08/vanderbilt-birmingham-bowl-georgia-tech-college-football/76659490007/ | access-date=2024-12-08}} Vanderbilt won the game, 35-27.

=McGugin and Heisman=

{{Multiple image

| align = right

| image1 = Dan McGugin.jpg

| width1 = 122

| height1 =

| alt1 =

| image2 = HeismanatTech.jpg

| width2 = 130

| height2 =

| alt2 =

| footer= McGugin (left) and Heisman (right)

}}

In 1904, Hall of Fame coaches were hired at each school: Dan McGugin at Vanderbilt and John Heisman at Georgia Tech.{{efn|Hall of Fame coach Mike Donahue was hired at Auburn. Every season from 1904 until 1923, with the exception of 1909, one of either Vanderbilt, Tech, or Auburn claims a Southern championship. Auburn and Georgia Tech are also rivals.}}

Heisman was already of repute, having won a claim to the 1903 SIAA championship at Clemson the previous season. McGugin was new on the job, but is still the only coach in college football history to win the first three games he ever coached each by 60 points.Scott, Richard (2008). SEC Football: 75 Years of Pride and Passion. p.24 McGugin would coach at Vanderbilt (with the exception of the 1918 season due to World War I) until the 1930s. Heisman would coach at Georgia Tech until after the 1919 season. William Alexander was hired to succeed Heisman, and he continued to produce strong teams utilizing the Heisman shift. Alexander coached until the 1940s, when he was replaced by Bobby Dodd.

Vanderbilt's oldest rival was Sewanee. One publication claims "The first scouting done in the South was in 1905," before the upcoming Sewanee game, "when Dan McGugin and Captain Innis Brown, of Vanderbilt went to Atlanta to see Sewanee play Georgia Tech."{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Zz-SvKTN15IC&pg=PR2-IA1|title=How to Scout Football|author=George Allen|page=3|isbn=9781578987290|date=February 2009|publisher=Martino }}

Both Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech claim a Southern title in 1915. Seven out of eight newspapers voted the SIAA championship to the "point a minute" Vanderbilt Commodores. The Atlanta Constitution declared it a tie between Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech, which was then independent. However, Tech challenged Vandy's championship.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3278394/the_tennessean/|work=The Tennessean|title=Georgia Tech Claims S.I.A.A. Championship|page=8|date=November 26, 1915|accessdate=September 23, 2015|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}

McGugin would win 11 Southern championships in his first 20 seasons coaching the Commodores, including 4 straight from 1904 to 1907, 3 straight from 1910 to 1912, and 3 straight again from 1921 to 1923, as well as the one in 1915. Heisman would win four straight from 1915 to 1918, including a Southern team's first undisputed national title in 1917. McGugin's 1907 team gave Heisman his worst loss at Tech, and Heisman's 1917 team gave McGugin and the Commodores their worst loss ever.

=Gold Cowbell trophy=

In 2016, a trophy for the contest, the Gold Cowbell,{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/college-football|title=College Football News, Videos, Scores, Teams, Standings, Stats|website=FOX Sports}} was unearthed after almost 70 years of dormancy.{{cite web|url=https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/vanderbilt-football/vanderbilt-georgia-tech-will-renew-forgotten-cowbell-rivalry/|title=Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech will renew forgotten cowbell rivalry|date=September 16, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/college/vanderbilt/2016/09/16/vanderbilt-georgia-tech-play-long-lost-cowbell-trophy/90496178/|title=Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech to play for long-lost cowbell trophy|first=Adam|last=Sparks|website=The Tennessean}}{{cite web|url=https://maroonandwhitenation.com/2016/09/16/georgia-tech-vanderbilt-playing-cowbell-trophy/|title=Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt are playing for a Cowbell trophy|date=September 16, 2016}} The winner of the contest was awarded the cowbell trophy tradition starting in 1924, and it was still awarded to the winner of the contest up until the 1960s.{{Cite web|url=https://ramblinwreck.com/inside-the-chart-the-cowbell/|title=Inside The Chart: The Cowbell|date=September 15, 2016|website=Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets}}

Notable games

=1892: First matchup=

The first matchup was in 1892, a 20–10 Vanderbilt win. It was Georgia Tech's inaugural season (their second-ever game) and Vanderbilt's third season. The 1892 Vanderbilt team was the oldest in the memory of Grantland Rice. He claimed Phil Connell would be a good player in any era.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2402430/lincoln_evening_journal/|work=Lincoln Evening Journal|date=November 24, 1937|page=12|title=Two of Year's Outstanding Games in South This Week|author=Grantland Rice|author-link=Grantland Rice|accessdate=May 13, 2015|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}

=1906: Manier scores five touchdowns=

The 1906 Vanderbilt team was one of the strongest in its history.{{efn|In 1911, Innis Brown rated the 1906 team as the best the South ever had.{{cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402191342/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1944523/the_washington_post/|archive-date=April 2, 2015 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1944523//|work=Atlanta Constitution|title=Brown Calls Vanderbilt '06 Best Eleven South Ever Had|date=February 19, 1911|access-date=March 8, 2015|page=52|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} }} Owsley Manier rushed for five touchdowns on Tech. Sportswriter Alex Lynn wrote after the game that Manier was: "the greatest fullback and all round man ever seen in Atlanta."{{cite news|archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304135443/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2389757/the_atlanta_constitution/|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2389757/the_atlanta_constitution/|title=Brown's Toe and the Wet Cave Score|date=November 18, 1906|page=1|access-date=May 11, 2015|work=Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|author=Alex Lynn}} {{Open access}} Lob Brown scored for Tech.

=1907: Heisman's worst loss at Tech=

The following season, Vanderbilt beat Georgia Tech 54–0. "The rooters stridently called: "We want sixty! We want sixty!"{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2WkmAQAAIAAJ&q=editions:sbKkcx1liGUC|title=Vanderbilt University Quarterly|year=1908|author=Vanderbilt University|volume=8|page=50}} The highlight of the first half came on a triple pass. Sam Costen passed the ball to Honus Craig, Craig passed it to Morton and Morton passed it to Bob Blake, who ran to the side and passed it 25 yards back to Costen. Costen ran the remaining 20 yards for a touchdown.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4888149/the_tennessean/|work=The Tennessean|page=9|title=Tech Beaten Down|author=Grantland Rice|date=November 17, 1907|access-date=April 9, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}

=1910: Morrison Licks Jackets=

In 1910, Vanderbilt won a close game over Mississippi 9–2. Late in the first quarter, Ray Morrison returned a punt 90 yards for Vanderbilt's only touchdown.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5217011/the_tennessean/|author=Grantland Rice|author-link=Grantland Rice|page=8|date=October 30, 1910|title=Morrison's Brilliant Ninety-Yard Dash The Main Factor In Mississippi's 9–2 Defeat|work=The Tennessean|access-date=May 10, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5183584/the_houston_post/|title=Vandy Outlucked Them|page=19|date=October 30, 1910|work=The Houston Post|access-date=May 6, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} John Heisman was the game's field judge, and McGugin did not want to show too much, playing Heisman's Georgia Tech in two weeks.{{Harvnb|Vanderbilt University|1910|page=305}} Morrison was the star of the Georgia Tech game too, scoring two touchdowns on road to a 23–0 victory for Vanderbilt.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5216553/the_atlanta_constitution/|work=The Atlanta Constitution|date=November 13, 1910|page=2|title=Ray Morrison Licks Jackets|access-date=May 10, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}

=1917: Vanderbilt's worst loss=

File:1917_Georgia_Tech_backfield.jpg

The 1917 Georgia Tech team was the South's first national champion. Despite Vanderbilt having a respectable team, Tech beat Vanderbilt 83–0, the worst loss they have ever suffered. "It was not until 1917 that a Southern team really avenged long-time torment at McGugin's hands. And it took one of history's top backfields–Joe Guyon, Ev Strupper, Al Hill, and Judy Harlan of Georgia Tech–to do it," wrote Edwin Pope.{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/stream/fottballsgreates00pope#page/344/mode/2up|title=Football's Greatest Coaches|page=344|author=Edwin Pope|year=1956}} Guyon was the game's star; according to Morgan Blake, "Guyon has been great in all games this year. But Saturday he was the superman".{{cite journal | last=McCarty | first=Bernie | title=Georgia Tech's 1917 backfield, better than the Four Horsemen: Part 1 | volume=1|number=3|date=February 1988|journal=College Football Historical Society Newsletter | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304120719/http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrary/CFHSN/CFHSNv01/CFHSNv01n3a.pdf|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url=http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrary/CFHSN/CFHSNv01/CFHSNv01n3a.pdf |page=5}}

Vanderbilt captain Alf Adams praised the Tech team: "Tech's magnificent machine won easily over Vanderbilt. It was simply the matter of a splendid eleven winning over an unseasoned, inexperienced team. Tech played hard, clean football, and we were somewhat surprised to meet such a fair, aggressive team, after the reports we had heard. I think that Vanderbilt could have broken that Tech shift if we had had last year's eleven. Being outweighed, Vanderbilt could not check the heavy forwards, or open up the line. Thereby hangs the tale."{{cite news|url=https://smartech.gatech.edu/bitstream/handle/1853/26097/1917-11-06_07_06.pdf?sequence=1|newspaper=The Technique|title=Vanderbilt Completely Overwhelmed|page=4|date=November 6, 1917}}

=1919: Vanderbilt loses in the mud=

File:1919VandyTech.jpg

In Heisman's final year at Georgia Tech, both teams were undefeated entering the game. Vanderbilt suffered its only loss on the year in the mud, 20–0. Halfback Buck Flowers and fullback Bill Giaver starred.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5250637/the_washington_post/|date=October 19, 1919|page=23|title=Georgia Tech Swamps Vanderbilt, 20 to 0|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=May 13, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} Flowers had a 78-yard touchdown run. Vanderbilt's captain was Josh Cody.

=1920: Flowers and Barron run up a large score=

Georgia Tech continued its success with new coach William Alexander. With Flowers and Red Barron in the backfield, SIAA champion Tech defeated Vanderbilt 44–0. During the scoring barrage, Flowers converted a 44-yard drop kick field goal. In the fourth quarter, a fight broke out between Vanderbilt's Gink Hendrick, and some Tech players and fans. No ejections could be made since too many players were involved.

=1924: Wakefield's field goal beats Tech=

File:HekWakefield.jpg

All-American Hek Wakefield scored on a 37-yard drop kick field goal for Vanderbilt's first win in Atlanta since 1906.[http://www.dothanfirst.com/media/lib/204/8/d/c/8dc53287-cc01-4aa0-a1e3-83cefe778bbf/14vanderbilt_guide.pdf Vanderbilt Football 2014 Fact Book] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819084829/http://www.dothanfirst.com/media/lib/204/8/d/c/8dc53287-cc01-4aa0-a1e3-83cefe778bbf/14vanderbilt_guide.pdf |date=August 19, 2014 }}, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, pp. 125, 137, 142, 151 (2014). Retrieved August 17, 2014. Wakefield was considered the greatest drop kicker in Vanderbilt history.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5803494/hek_wakefield_funeral_today/|page=34|date=November 20, 1962|work=The Tennessean|title=Hek Wakefield Funeral Today|access-date=July 7, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} The Gold Cowbell trophy was introduced after this game.

Vanderbilt elected to start the game with the wind at its back, hoping for an edge in punts which would lead to good field position early. Gil Reese caught one of these punts in the first quarter on the fly and, noticing both of Tech's ends blocked to the ground, raced to within striking distance of the end zone. From there, Hek Wakefield made a drop kick.{{cite news|newspaper=Atlanta Constitution|title=Strategy of Commodores Defeats Tech|date=November 16, 1924}} Wakefield was the star of the game; "He was death on returning punts and when he started around the ends the Tech stars groaned", recalls one account.{{Cite book|title = Georgia Tech Alumnus|date = December 1924|location = Atlanta|pages = 79}}

Tech's one chance to score came when fullback Douglas Wycoff missed a kick low, partially blocked by Vanderbilt. Hendrix attempted to recover but missed, and Georgia Tech retained possession at the 4-yard line. On first down, a snap from center missed Wycoff, and Vanderbilt fullback Tom Ryan recovered the ball at the 15-yard line, and later punted it away to safety.Russell, Fred, and Maxwell Edward Benson. Fifty Years of Vanderbilt Football. Nashville, Tennessee, 1938, p. 42-43

=1925: Wright should run for governor=

Describing the most spectacular play he ever saw, coach Alexander cites one from the 1925 game against Vanderbilt. Doug Wycoff was hurt, and his substitute Dick Wright was sent in with only minutes to go in the game. On a muddy field, Wright ran off tackle and dodged Vanderbilt's safety Gil Reese, "usually a sure tackler," to get the touchdown that gave Tech a 7–0 victory.{{cite journal|journal=Kansas City Star|year=1926|title=Forty-Five Yards for Georgia Tech|author=W. A. Alexander|url=http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrary/CFHSN/CFHSNv07/CFHSNv07n4i.pdf|access-date=August 2, 2018|archive-date=February 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213170521/http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrary/CFHSN/CFHSNv07/CFHSNv07n4i.pdf|url-status=dead}} The yearbook remarked, Wright "should have run for governor of Georgia right after he ran 56 yards against Vandy."

=1926: Spears beats Tech=

File:BillSpears.jpg

in 1926, Vanderbilt beat Georgia Tech 13–7. Tech scored on an off-tackle play when Carter Barron got loose for a 50-yard run. Bill Spears faked a pass and ran for 24 yards to spark a drive to tie the game at 7, and added two field goals to win the game for Vanderbilt.{{Harvnb|Woodruff|1928|page=165}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1926/11/14/archives/vanderbilt-beats-tennessee-20-to-3-spears-and-hendrix-star-in.html|title=VANDERBILT BEATS TENNESSEE, 20 TO 3; Spears and Hendrix Star in Hard-Fought Contest on Nashville Gridion.|newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 14, 1926}}

=1927: Spears and Armistead held scoreless=

On a wet field, Tech's strong defense held the high scoring Vanderbilt team, including Hall of Famer Bill Spears and high scorer Jimmy Armistead, to a scoreless tie.{{cite journal|url=http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrary/CFHSN/CFHSNv02/CFHSNv02n1a.pdf|journal=College Football Historical Society|volume=2|number=1|date=November 1988|title=Spears and Vandy excitement in 1927|author=Mark Purcell|access-date=August 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911232525/http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrary/CFHSN/CFHSNv02/CFHSNv02n1a.pdf|archive-date=September 11, 2016|url-status=dead}}

=1928: National champions end Commodores title hopes=

Georgia Tech ended the Jimmy Armistead-led Vanderbilt Commodores' hopes of a southern title with a 19–7 victory.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4487928/the_waco_newstribune/|work=The Waco News-Tribune|page=6|date=November 11, 1928|title=Hopes of Vandy in South Circuit Wrecked Today|access-date=March 1, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} Tech went on to win the Rose Bowl and a national title.

Georgia Tech's first touchdown came on a {{Convert|45|yard|meter|abbr=out|adj=on}} pass from Tom Jones to Warner Mizell on a triple pass play.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5114734/the_anniston_star/|date=November 11, 1928|access-date=May 1, 2016|via=Newspapers.com|work=The Anniston Star|title=Tornado Takes Places As Grid King of South|page=11}} {{Open access}} Georgia Tech's next score came on an end run from Mizell. Vanderbilt's lone score came on an {{Convert|85|yard|meter|abbr=out|adj=on}} run by lineman Bull Brown after picking up a Stumpy Thomason fumble.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4487954/the_oregon_statesman/|work=The Oregon Statesman|page=9|date=November 11, 1928|title=Georgia Tech 11 Whips Vanderbilt|access-date=March 1, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}

The game has also been credited as the first Vanderbilt football game on the radio.{{Cite web|url=https://vucommodores.com/vu-plays-first-night-game-in-1933/|title=VU plays first night game in 1933|date=October 22, 2008|website=Vanderbilt University Athletics – Official Athletics Website}}

=1931: McGugin's trick=

Vanderbilt's All-American center Pete Gracey once said "In my first varsity year, the night before we played Georgia Tech, Coach McGugin casually walked up to me in the lobby of our hotel, put his arm around my shoulder and sorta whispered, "I was with some Atlanta newspapermen this afternoon and I told them you were the finest sophomore center I had ever coached. I hope that I haven't made it embarrassing for you" We beat Tech, 49 to 7. Afterward I talked to seven other players and you know, Coach McGugin told them all the same thing he told me."{{cite book|last=Traughber|first=Bill|title=Vanderbilt Football: Tales of Commodore Gridiron History|isbn=978-1-60949-423-0|publisher=The History Press|year=2011|page=34}}

=1933: Wroton Tallies In Closing Minutes=

In 1933, Vanderbilt won a close game 9–6. In the closing minutes, a tipped pass was caught by Vanderbilt's Lang Wroton for a score.{{Cite web|url=https://issuu.com/gtalumni/docs/1933_12_2|title=Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine Vol. 12, No. 02 1933|website=Issuu|date=December 20, 2013 }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1933/11/05/archives/vanderbilt-on-top-96-halts-georgia-tech-as-wroton-tallies-in.html|title=VANDERBILT ON TOP, 9–6.; Halts Georgia Tech as Wroton Tallies In Closing Minutes.|newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 5, 1933}}

=1935: Geny wins it with interception=

In the fourth quarter, Willie Geny intercepted a pass and raced 67 yards for a touchdown to win the game for Vanderbilt 14–13.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/11/03/archives/vanderbilt-halts-georgia-tech-1413-geny-intercepts-pass-to-dash-67.html|title=VANDERBILT HALTS GEORGIA TECH, 14–13; Geny Intercepts Pass to Dash 67 Yards and Tie Count in the Final Quarter. KONEMAN GOES 57 YARDS Gives Engineers Early Lead, but Commodores Retaliate With Drive From Their Goal.|newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 3, 1935}} This is the last win for Vanderbilt in Atlanta to date, and the season had Vanderbilt's best SEC record.

=1937: Tech wins; trophy returns=

Georgia Tech beat a previously undefeated Vanderbilt 14–0, and the Golden Cowbell trophy had been recovered after previously being stolen.

=1941: Vanderbilt remains unbeaten; Jenkins scores=

Vanderbilt's last victory in the rivalry came in 1941 with a 14–7 win in Nashville. Vanderbilt remained the only untied and unbeaten team in the SEC, with SEC Player of the Year Jack Jenkins scoring two touchdowns. Georgia Tech scored with a minute left in the game.{{cite news|title=Vanderbilt Remains Unbeaten|newspaper=The Jackson Sun|author=Escar Thompson|date=October 19, 1941|page=12|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36108329/vanderbilt_remains_unbeaten/|via=Newspapers.com}}

=1951: Tech wins by a point in the mud=

With just over a minute left and undefeated Georgia Tech up 8–0, Vanderbilt quarterback Bill Wade threw a touchdown pass to Ted Kirkland. Vanderbilt tried an onside kick, but was unsuccessful, and lost 8–7.{{Cite web|url=https://georgiatechticketstubs.com/collection/1950s/1951-season/1951-10-27-georgia-tech-at-vanderbilt/|title=1951-10-27 – Georgia Tech at Vanderbilt | Georgia Tech Ticket Stubs}}

=1952: National Champions run away with the game in final quarter=

The 1952 Georgia Tech team were to be national champions and played Vanderbilt for its homecoming. Vanderbilt was coming off its first win of the season, over a strong Florida team. The first quarter was scoreless, and the score at the half was 6 to 0. After a Vanderbilt fumble, it was 13 to 0, and in the fourth quarter Tech ran away with the game 30 to 0.{{Cite web|url=https://georgiatechticketstubs.com/collection/1950s/1952-season/1952-10-25-georgia-tech-vs-vanderbilt/|title=1952-10-25 – Georgia Tech vs. Vanderbilt | Georgia Tech Ticket Stubs}}

=2003: Tech beats Vandy in overtime=

Georgia Tech beat Vanderbilt in overtime. Jay Cutler led Vanderbilt in rushing.{{Cite web|url=https://vucommodores.com/vanderbilt-falls-in-overtime-to-georgia-tech/|title=Vanderbilt Falls In Overtime to Georgia Tech|date=September 27, 2003|website=Vanderbilt University Athletics – Official Athletics Website}}

=2024: Vanderbilt claims Birmingham Bowl, Gold Cowbell=

On December 27th, 2024, Vanderbilt defeated Georgia Tech 35-27 in the 2024 Birmingham Bowl.{{Cite web |title=Vanderbilt 35-27 Georgia Tech (Dec 27, 2024) Final Score |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401677091/georgia-tech-vanderbilt |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=ESPN |language=en}} The game featured plenty of chippiness between the two old rivals and there were many controversial calls by the officials. There was a prolonged weather delay for lightning in the 4th Quarter and Georgia Tech rallied to a one-possession loss. Vanderbilt claimed the Gold Cowbell Trophy for the first time since 1941.{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Grace |date=2024-12-24 |title=Football: The last time Vanderbilt defeated Georgia Tech - The Vanderbilt Hustler |url=https://vanderbilthustler.com/2024/12/24/football-the-last-time-vanderbilt-defeated-georgia-tech/ |access-date=2025-01-17}}

Game results

{{cite web|url=http://atr.cfrc.com/index.php?r=teams/opponent&name=georgia-tech&opponent=vanderbilt|title=Georgia Tech vs Vanderbilt Series History – College Football Database|website=atr.cfrc.com}}

{{sports rivalry series table

| series_summary = yes | cols = 2

| team1 = Georgia Tech

| team1style = {{CollegePrimaryStyle|Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets|border=0|color=white}}

| team2 = Vanderbilt

| team2style = {{CollegePrimaryStyle|Vanderbilt Commodores|border=0|color=white}}

| footnote = {{Cite web|url=http://www.winsipedia.com/georgia-tech/vs/vanderbilt|title=Winsipedia – Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. Vanderbilt Commodores football series history|website=Winsipedia}}

}}

Notes

References

{{cite book|title=Vanderbilt University Quarterly|year=1910|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nmomAQAAIAAJ&q=football|volume=10|author=Vanderbilt University}}
{{cite book|title=A History of Southern Football 1890–1928|last=Woodruff|first=Fuzzy|year=1928|volume=3}}

Category:College football rivalries in the United States

Category:Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football

Category:Vanderbilt Commodores football