NASHVILLE — Demetris Robertson’s first catch for the Georgia Bulldogs had been a long time coming, and yet, the one-time Cal Golden Bear took it in stride.
“I was catch-less last year, and now the first catch of my (Georgia) career was a touchdown, so it felt really good,” Robertson said after No. 3-ranked Georgia took down Vanderbilt 30-6 on Saturday night.
“I practice that (touchdown) play all the time, how practice goes is how it goes in the game.”
Quarterback Jake Fromm spotted Robertson sprinting open across the back of the end zone and delivered a bullseye less than four minutes into the game to cap the Bulldogs’ opening drive.
Robertson appeared unstoppable in the first half. Georgia built a 21-0 lead, his 3-yard touchdown catch sparking an impressive open to the season.
Robertson, an FWAA Freshman All-American at Cal in 2016, led the Georgia wideouts with 3 catches for 23 yards in addition to carrying the ball twice for 29 yards in the victory.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart said Robertson added even more value than the statistics indicated, even if it went largely unnoticed by some.
“D-Rob’s been busting his tail, he got an opportunity to make some plays,” Smart said. “I thought he was very comfortable.
“He was dominant on special teams as gunner holdup, which he gets no credit for. He and Matt Landers had a dominant of performance as you’ve ever had out there. He goes as kind of an unsung hero.”
Robertson, whose speed separates him from most every other player on the field, made it clear he’s ready to get back to work and contribute even more.
“There’s a lot of things we need to work on and get back to the drawing board, but I feel good about the first win,” said Robertson, whose transfer to Georgia was held up last summer until the start of fall camp.
The difference a year has made for Robertson has been significant.
“I’m more focused, more dialed in, my body is in shape,” Robertson said. “I’m in good health, good spirits, and I’m ready to keep helping the team win.”
Smart said it’s as much a matter of more opportunity this season for Robertson than a season ago, when he was playing behind NFL draft picks Riley Ridley, Terry Godwin and Mecole Hardman.
“Yeah, it has something to do with three wide receivers being drafted and being gone,” Smart said, asked about Robertson’s breakout performance. “I mean, he was just as talented last year as he is now. He just doesn’t have a 10.4 100-meter guy in front of him (Hardman), a seventh-round pick (Godwin) and a fourth-round pick (Ridley).
“He’s able to get opportunities, and he’s taking full advantage of those … Demetris comes to work every day. I just hate so bad that so many people have had these expectations for him because he’s such a good kid and he practices so hard and he was so deserving of what he was able to do tonight.”
Robertson predicted that next week, more Georgia receivers will get what’s due them.
“We have a great group of guys,” Robertson said. “A lot of guys didn’t go off this game, but I’m sure the next game will be a crazy game.”
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