Alabama A&M (0-0, 0-0 SWAC) vs. Vanderbilt (1-0, 0-0 SEC)
Saturday, Sept. 2 • 6 p.m. CT
FirstBank Stadium • Nashville, Tenn.
ESPN+/SEC Network+ • 102.5 The Game & Vanderbilt Athletics app
• Vanderbilt welcomes Alabama A&M to town for the second game on the season after a 35-28 victory over Hawai’i to begin the 2023 campaign. The Commodores and Bulldogs will meet for the second time with Vandy leading the series after a 42-0 win in 2017.
• Vanderbilt and Hawai’i endured a lengthy lightning delay before kicking off the season Saturday at FirstBank Stadium. The Commodores made big plays on offense, defense and special teams to seal the season-opening win. AJ Swann tossed three touchdowns for 258 yards, Jayden McGowan returned a kick 97 yards for a touchdown and De’Rickey Wright grabbed two interceptions, including one with 1:43 left in the game to secure the victory.
• AJ Swann finished the season opener at a 19-for-30 clip, throwing for 258 yards to mark the second-most passing yards of his career (281, vs. Ole Miss 10.8.22) and the third time in his career posting 250-plus yards. Saturday’s game marked the seventh start of his career and his second game with three or more touchdowns.
• De’Rickey Wright was named Defensive Player of the Week by the Reese’s Senior Bowl after his two-interception performance in Week 0. Wright has two multi-INT games to his name after picking off two passes against Ole Miss last season.
• Patrick Smith scored the first touchdown of 2023 on a 21-yard rush. Vanderbilt’s first drive of the season went four plays for 32 yards over 1:22. This marked his third career rushing touchdown.
• In the last 37 nonconference, regular season contests, dating to the 2013 season, Vanderbilt is 27-10. Vanderbilt has won 19 of its last 21 games against non-Power 5 opponents, including all three of its matchups last season.
• Those visiting Nashville this season will take notice of the ongoing Vandy United projects that include enhancements in the north and south end zones at FirstBank Stadium. An integral part of Vanderbilt’s recently launched $3.2 billion Dare to Grow campaign, the largest in the university’s 150-year history, Vandy United’s next phase looks to build on its foundation with more facilities and operational enhancements.
How to Watch
The game is available to watch on both ESPN+ and SEC Network+. Subscribers to the standalone ESPN+ package will get the game with their subscription, while fans who have SEC Network as part of their regular television package (i.e. cable/satellite provider, Hulu+ Live TV, YouTubeTV, etc.) will be able to access the game via that subscription.
