History was made on Saturday afternoon in Columbia, Missouri, as Vanderbilt’s Sarah Fuller became the first woman ever to play Power 5 college football.
Fuller, a standout on the Commodores’ women’s soccer team was given the opportunity to serve as Vanderbilt’s placekicker in their 41-0 loss to Missouri after the team’s other options at the positions were ruled out because of COVID-19 concerns.
Other women had played college football games before, including New Mexico’s Katie Hnida in 2003 who became the first woman to score at the FBS level, but this was the first time that one took the field in a game featuring a top conference.
While her team didn’t score or get within field goal range during the game, she had one chance to take the field in her team’s blowout loss, a kickoff to start the second half.
She took the field and make history, booting a squib kick downfield that was recovered without a return by the Tigers at the 35 yard line.
After the game, Fuller expressed her desire for this historic moment to inspire girls. “I just want to tell all the girls out there that you can do anything you set your mind to,” she said.
Fuller is expected to remain on the team and might get more chances to play in Vanderbilt’s season finale against Georgia this weekend.
