Commodore Comeback Falls Short Against Blue Raiders, 17-15

Commodore Comeback Falls Short Against Blue Raiders, 17-15

10/1/2005

NASHVILLE — The Cardiac Commodores, who have earned a national reputation with a pair come-from-behind victories this season, lost 17-15 to the MTSU Blue Raiders Saturday at Vanderbilt Stadium. With three seconds left on the clock, MTSU thwarted a would-be game-winner for the Dores by blocking a 36-yard field-goal attempt.

Down by two points with 2:47 left in the game, senior quarterback Jay Cutler had the ball inside the Dores’ one-yard line. Scarcely 90 seconds later, MTSU burnt their final timeout, trying to figure a way to stop Cutler, who had confidently marched the ball to the Blue Raiders’ 44-yard line and showed no sign of stopping. After the timeout, MTSU was charged with 12 men on the field and the Dores were within striking distance. After a first down pass completion, Cutler hurried his offense to the line and spiked the ball to stop the clock with three seconds. Bryant Handfeldt’s 36-yard field-goal attempt was blocked to end the game. His previous three kicks of the night were successful — two from 42 yards and one from 20.

Vanderbilt backup quarterback Chris Nickson saw first-quarter action, but surprisingly came in as a wide receiver. He caught his first career pass (10 yards) from Cutler during the Commodores’ opening drive. On the next possession, Nickson found himself under center as Cutler lined up as a wide receiver on the first two snaps. The two continued to appear in the same offensive scheme several times throughout the night.

For the first time this season, the Dores got on the board first after Hahnfeldt kicked a 42-yard field goal in the closing minute of the first quarter to give the Commodores a 3-0 lead.

Cutler threw his third interception of the season, giving the Blue Raiders first-and-goal on the Commodore’s two-yard line. The turnover would cost the Dores as left-handed quarterback Clint Marks scored a touchdown on a draw play.

After falling behind 14-3, Cutler came out throwing bullets to move the ball 78 yards to the Blue Raider two-yard line. But the Dores would end the half with only six points after Hahnfeldt kicked another field goal. It was the first time this season the Dores were kept out of the end zone in the first half.

Vanderbilt pulled to within 14-9 on Hahnfeldt’s 42-yard field goal with 2:47 remaining in the third quarter.

Nearly five minutes later, Vanderbilt grabbed a 15-14 lead with 12:55 left in the game when Cutler launched a third-and-five pass to Erik Davis who made a spectacular catch, keeping kept little more than a toe in bounds in the corner of the end zone. The two-point conversion failed.

For the game, Cutler threw for 245 yards (44-26-1) and ran for 21. Erik Davis caught seven passes for a game-high 92 yards and one touchdown. Earl Bennett also caught seven passes (63 yards). Cassen Jackson-Garrison led the Dores on the ground, with nine carries for 46 yards.

A crowded and boisterous Vanderbilt student section forced MTSU to take their second timeout of the half after the offense came to the line on the their own 20. Their third-and-nine cheers made Marks step forward so his offensive line could hear his calls. Chants of “Let’s go Vandy” rocked both sides of the stadium after the ensuing punt.

The one-point lead would be short lived. MTSU’s Colby Smith kicked a 29-yard field goal with 6:41 left to play, giving the Blue Raiders a 17-15 advantage that they would not surrender.

Defensively for the Commodores, Moses Osemwegie led the Dores in tackles with 13 (11 solo) and Andrew Pace had 10 (all solo). Tackle Lamar Divens made a strong play to force a fumble in the Blue Raider backfield on third-and-long to force a punt early in the game, and Chris Booker had two sacks on the night.

The stadium didn’t empty after the game. Many, if not most of the 37,257 fans simply stood in apparent disbelief as the Blue Raiders football team celebrated their first win of the season.

The Dores return to action in Vanderbilt Stadium next Saturday at 6 p.m. against the LSU Tigers. For tickets, call 322-GOLD (press option “two” to order), or visit www.commodoregameday.com.