For Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason, the emphasis on Saturday's

game against No. 10 Georgia (3:30 p.m., CBS) is all about not backing

down.

He doesn't expect that his Commodores will, despite the fact his team is coming

off a disappointing 14-12 loss to Western Kentucky in last week's season-opener.

"Our team is not going to back down to anyone. We may be young, but this team

has fire and they are willing to compete," Mason said. "They're in a great spot.

We've just got to continue to work hard."

What makes Mason believe that message has been received?

"By the way we compete. Listen, the outcome was not what we wanted but the

effort was there and that's how this team is going to have to grow," Mason said.

"You've got to learn some lessons and not make the same mistakes … but it's a

long season, this is a marathon. We've just got to take it one day at a time,

one practice at a time."

The loss to WKU was certainly a frustrating one for the Commodores who simply

failed to convert drives into points when they had the opportunity.

Five times Vanderbilt reached the redzone of WKU but only scored twice - a

26-yard field goal by Tommy Openshaw and a 2-yard touchdown pass from Johnny

McCrary to Trent Sheffield.

A pair of interceptions and fumble on special teams didn't help matters either,

because other than that the Commodores moved the football, passing for 217 and

rushing for 176 and owning a 13:18 advantage in time of possession.

Offensive guard Jake Bernstein hopes the Bulldogs haven't been paying

attention.

"Regardless of if we are the underdog or not, we are not going to overlook any

team that we see. A lot of teams are going to probably overlook us, which we

want them to," Bernstein said. "That will give us more of the advantage that we

are looking for. Personally, I think we have the right guys in the right places

to do some damage this weekend."

Defensively, the Commodores were very impressive.

Vanderbilt held Western Kentucky to 11 first downs and 247 yards of total

offense, both team lows for the Hilltoppers since touted quarterback Jeff Brohm

has been running the offense.

With Mason now calling the defensive plays, the 247 yards of offense marked the

lowest allowed by Vanderbilt to an FCS opponent since the Commodores held

Tennessee to 237 on Nov. 23, 2013 in Knoxville.

The Commodores also held Western Kentucky to 38 yards on the ground, although

Mason knows his team is about to face a tougher challenge in regards to the

rushing game with the Bulldogs' sophomore Nick Chubb.

"Two totally different animals. You're talking about a (Georgia) team who is

built to run, can throw the football. The run sets up the pass. I said last week

and I'll say it every week, we have to continue to work hard to stop the run,"

Mason said. "You got to make teams one dimensional or as one dimensional as you

can make them. For us this week, it is a great challenge. We welcome the

challenge. This defense is going to work to get better. We're challenged with

again playing one of the top offenses in the country. It is going to be a great

test for us. I'm excited. Our guys are excited. We've had two great days of

practice so let's go."