Auburn Defeats Vanderbilt 35-7

Oct. 6, 2007

COMMODORE POST-GAME COVERAGE

BennettBENNETT SETS VU RECORD Midway through the third quarter, junior wide receiver Earl Bennett caught a seven-yard pass from Mackenzi Adams, making him Vanderbilt’s career leader with 201 receptions. The previous school record was 200 by Keith Edwards, who lettered at VU in 1980 and from 1982-83. The catch was Bennett’s third of the game and it also resulted in a first down. “It was pretty good to break the record, but I’d rather have a win than break the record any day,” Bennett said. SEASON-LONG DRIVE Beginning at the 13:44 mark of the fourth quarter, Vanderbilt orchestrated its longest drive of the season with a 15-play, 91-yard drive that spanned 8 minutes, 47 seconds and resulted in a 1-yard run by Cassen Jackson-Garrison. The drive was the Commodores’ longest of the season in yards, plays and time. FIRST PICK Sophomore cornerback Myron Lewis had his first-career interception in the third quarter when he picked off Auburn quarterback Brandon Cox. “The coaches put us in the right position and I was able to key on the quarterback’s eyes looking at the tight end,” Lewis said. “I broke on the ball and it was a big turnover for the team.” BENNETT WATCH Bennett had four catches for 31 yards against Auburn. In addition to setting the school record for receptions, he crept within just 7 catches and 572 yards of becoming the SEC’s all-time leader in career receptions and receiving yardage.

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Box Score | Quotes | Notes | Season Stats

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Ben Tate rushed for 96 yards, Brad Lester ran for 77 yards and two touchdowns as Auburn beat Vanderbilt 35-7 Saturday for its third consecutive victory.

The Tigers (4-2, 2-1 Southeastern Conference), fresh from a road upset over No. 9 Florida, scored touchdowns on four of their first five possessions and were up 28-0 at halftime behind the efficient passing of Brandon Cox.

Tate had just nine carries while Lester had 13. Mario Fannin gained 54 yards on 11 carries and had three catches for 26 yards.

All three tailbacks had big plays during a first half when Auburn outgained Vandy (3-2, 1-2) by a total of 324-66. Tate had a 4-yard touchdown and a 44-yard run to set up another. Fannin ran for 21 yards and a 22-yard touchdown on back-to-back carries, and Lester spun out of a defender’s grasp for a 17-yard score.

The Commodores entered the game on a two-game winning streak.

Cox completed 14 of 17 passes for 165 yards with a touchdown and an interception in three quarters before he was replaced by freshman Kodi Burns.

Vanderbilt’s Mackenzi Adams took over for Chris Nickson at quarterback in the second half. Nickson was just 5-for-16 for 38 yards.

Adams went 4-of-9 for 24 yards with an interception and getting sacked twice.

The Commodores scored on Cassen Jackson-Garrison’s 1-yard run with 4:57 left, and that drive was kept alive by two pass interference calls against Auburn’s Walter McFadden. It was their fifth drive inside the Auburn 35, with two stalled on failed fourth-down conversions in the third quarter.

The Tigers were able to pressure both quarterbacks consistently despite playing without four starting defenders, including defensive end Quentin Groves (dislocated toes).

Vandy receiver Earl Bennett broke the school career mark with his 201st catch midway through the third quarter. The SEC’s leading receiver was held to a season-low 31 yards on four catches.