The Reporter (Lansdale, PA)

Sarah Fuller currently only kicker on Vanderbilt’s roster

- By Teresa M. Walker

NASHVILLE, TENN. » The Vanderbilt Commodores have only one kicker listed on their two-deep chart for this weekend’s game at No. 11 Georgia, and it’s Sarah Fuller, the first woman to play in a Power Five game.

“She’ll be with us on the trip to Georgia, and we’re going to put the best people out there,” interim coach Todd Fitch said Tuesday. “And if she’s our best option, we’ll continue to work with her and we’ll do the best we can for the team.”

None of the kickers who were out last week after COVID-19 issues kept them away from the team is back yet. Fitch said Fuller kicked at Tuesday’s practice while coaches continued evaluating other players on the roster.

“If we can add something to the competitio­n we will because we want to make sure we have the best availabili­ty for our team,” Fitch said. “But right now, she kicked for us today and she’s certainly out there and trying to get better and working on all the different things that (special team) coach (Devin) Fitzsimmon­s has her working on.”

Fuller might not be the only kicker on the sideline Saturday.

Fitch said Vanderbilt (08) is checking on when the current specialist­s will be available. Ryley Guay, who made 9 of 11 field goals last season, also might be a possibilit­y to rejoin the team. He’s currently in medical school but still has eligibilit­y left.

“If it’s a possibilit­y that we could get him back, we’ll certainly take a look at him if he can make our team better,” said Fitch, who is in his first season at Vanderbilt. “I know he kicked here before and everything. So as we progress through the week, I think we’ll have a better clarificat­ion on that.”

It’s been a hectic few days at Vanderbilt.

Fuller made history as the first woman to play in a Power Five conference game in last week’s 41-0 loss at Missouri. Vanderbilt fired coach Derek Mason a day later, and the Southeaste­rn Conference honored Fuller as co-special teams player of the week for her squib kick to open the second half.

If Fuller gets to kick again at Georgia, the Bulldogs appear eager to watch.

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