It took a bit longer than people hoped (in more ways than one) but Vanderbilt Commodores kicker Sarah Fuller made history on Saturday, becoming the first female to ever play in a Power Five conference college football game.
Let’s make history. #PlayLikeAGirl #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/3SgBP1qZru
— Sarah Fuller (@SarahFuller_27) November 27, 2020
Fuller, a goalkeeper for the Vandy women’s soccer team, joined the football team earlier this week when most of their specialist players ended up in quarantine due to Covid-19 testing. Head football coach Derek Mason said at the time that Fuller “is an option for us.” She became THE option for the team on Saturday when Fuller was the only kicker on the travel roster when the team arrived in Missouri to play the Tigers.
She got a pretty nice moment before the game when she was able to say hi to her parents from the field.
Sarah Fuller with some pretty big fans 💛
(via @SECNetwork) pic.twitter.com/FPI90BrCa4
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 28, 2020
However, some reality set in once the game started, and Vandy seemed completely unable to get within any kind of field goal range, let alone score a touchdown. With the Tigers kicking off at the start of the game and controlling the entire first half, there was no chance for Fuller to enter the game. However, that changed as the second half started and Vanderbilt kicked off to Missouri, which meant it was finally Fuller’s time to shine.
Making history. #PlayLikeAGirl | #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/57ffStmje9
— Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) November 28, 2020
Sarah Fuller squibbed it exactly where she was supposed to (watch Vanderbilt's coverage guys all funneling short right) and left it un-returnable for Mizzou. Probably one of Vandy's best executed plays of the day in all honestly pic.twitter.com/7cEY8j9rnN
— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) November 28, 2020
https://twitter.com/NicoleAuerbach/status/1332758826148302849
The squib kick made it to around the 35-yard-line, made it tough for the Tigers to return, and even gave Vandy a shot at recovering the ball. So all in all, a very solid effort. Presumably, the first of many on the day and season ahead.
The accolades started pouring in right away, including from the team that Fuller lined up against. Missouri’s fans also cheered for Fuller on the kick.
History.👏 Made.👏
Congrats @SarahFuller_27. pic.twitter.com/H6m1unz1Hu
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) November 28, 2020
Sarah Fuller.
Remember the name. #PlayLikeAGirl | #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/BBOR91421I
— Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) November 28, 2020
Congrats to Sarah and congrats to the Power Five conferences for taking a big step forward, even if we needed a global pandemic to make it happen.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.