An explosive first half positioned the Commodores in prime contention to upset 11th-ranked Georgia Tech, but in the end, Vanderbilt lost big against the Tech offense, 56-31.

"They took it to us," Coach Bobby Johnson said after the game. "We hung in there for a while, but when you get in the second half and you have two turnovers and a short punt, you’re just asking to get beat.”

The Commodores came out looking sharp on offense -- a rarity this season -- and put 28 points on the board in the first half, including a record-breaking return by true freshman Warren Norman, with the Commodores down 28-14.

“I took the kick and ran through the hole that I saw open up," Norman said of his kickoff return touchdown. "They tried to not kick it to me on several occasions. I try to run straight ahead and not try to do too much.”

Norman became the first player in Vanderbilt history and only the second player in SEC history to run three kick returns back for a touchdown in a season. Willie Gault did it for Tennessee in 1980, and Norman did it tonight with an 80-yard return in the second quarter. Norman also broke D.J. Moore's record for Vanderbilt kickoff return yards in a season.

"It’s a good feeling," Norman said. "I’m trying hard to help the team win games.”

Zac Stacy followed up Norman's touchdown with one of his own -- a 62-yard rush -- to tie the game at 28 going into the half.

That was it for the Commodores against an explosive Yellow Jacket offense.

Georgia Tech racked up 597 total yards of offense, including a career night for Jonathan Dwyer. The running back finished the night with 185 yards on 22 carries and three touchdown rushes.

Vanderbilt turnovers, however, may have really broken the deal more than anything else for the Commodores tonight.

All three Vanderbilt fumbles came in Vanderbilt territory and led to Georgia Tech points in short order. Perhaps most difficult was Jamie Graham's fumble on the 19 in the fourth, leading to a rapid fire Dwyer touchdown and the 42-31 lead. Where Norman's return or Stacy's drive in the first half saved the day for the Commodores, the second half lacked such inspiration.

Still, the Vanderbilt offense put together 393 yards, even without starting quarterback Larry Smith, who pulled a hamstring early in the first quarter. Johnson did not know the full extent of the injury or Smith's status for the Florida game.

"We have a big challenge going to Florida next week, but I expect our guys to practice hard, play hard, and give their best effort in all ways," Johnson said.

"We’re trying to build a program on the character of our players and they’ll continue to represent us in all ways.”