Football Wins at Tennessee

Football Wins at Tennessee

11/19/2005

KNOXVILLE, TENN. — The Vanderbilt Commodores beat the Tennessee Volunteers today, 28-24, for the first time since 1982.

From their own 16-yard line, the Vanderbilt defensive had to hold off the Vols with 0:01 left in the game to secure the win. It was the Commodores first time to beat the Big Orange in Neyland Stadium since 1975. With 107,487 in attendance, it was the largest crowd ever to witness a Vanderbilt win.

Senior Commodore quarterback Jay Cutler made the final play in his collegiate career count, throwing to freshman wide receiver Earl Bennett to take a 28-24 lead with 1:11 left to play in the game. The game-winning touchdown was Bennett’s 14th reception in the game, and extended his Southeastern Conference record number of receptions for a freshman to 79. Bennett, who has not been named SEC Freshman of the Week this season, also set a team record for total yards by a freshman with 876. Cutler ends his Vanderbilt career with more than 20 team records, including total offense (9,658), career touchdown passes (57) and passing yards (8,697).

Cassen Jackson-Garrison’s two-yard touchdown run in the first quarter gave the Commodores’ an early lead, 7-0. It was the first time for Vanderbilt to score in Neyland Stadium since 1999, and the first lead since 1995.

After UT tied the game 7-7, Cutler capped a 90-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Marlon White near the end of the first quarter. White also caught the Dores’ next touchdown, a six-yard pass from Cutler. The play was reviewed by officials and confirmed upon replay (21-7). The last time the Commodores had a double-digit lead in Knoxville was in 1987.

UT followed with three unanswered scores, giving the Vols a three-point lead with 8:25 left to play (24-21). But Cutler’s fourth-quarter heroics stole the lead and ended the Volunteers’ hopes for a bowl bid — the first time since 1988.

Senior linebacker Moses Osemwegie, a quarterfinalist for the Ronnie Lott Trophy, recorded a career-high 16 tackles. Sophomore linebacker Jonathan Goff and senior cornerback Andrew Pace each had 10 tackles. Freshman safety Reshard Langford and freshman cornerback Jared Fagan each made interceptions, and sopohmore defensive end David Carter recorded a sack for a two-yard loss.

The Commodores will return the the McGugin Center in Nashville at approximately 7:30 p.m. CT Saturday evening.