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VU vs. UF Game Notes
11/6/2005
Commodore Game Notes
Vanderbilt at Florida
Saturday, Nov. 5, 2005
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Fla.
Attendance: 90,140
Final Score: Vanderbilt 42 — Florida 49 (2OT)
With the narrow loss, Vanderbilt goes to 4-5 overall and 2-4 in the Southeastern Conference.
Vanderbilt was attempting to earn its first victory over a ranked opponent since Sept. 19, 1992 when the Commodores defeated No. 25 Ole Miss 31-9 in Nashville, and its first regular season road win over a ranked opponent since topped No. 12 Alabama 27-22 in Mobile, Ala., in 1950.
Vanderbilt in Overtime
With the loss, Vanderbilt goes to 2-4 all-time in overtime. The Commodores’ overtime victories came against Duke (36-33 in 1991) and Ole Miss (37-34 in 1992).
First Half Notes
Quarterback Jay Cutler guided an impressive opening drive, leading the Commodores on a 6-play, 70-yard touchdown. It was Vanderbilt’s initial touchdown in the first quarter this season and the team’s first points coming from the opening possession. On the touchdown drive, Cutler was three of three for 56 yards. He capped the drive with a 14-yard pass to freshman WR Earl Bennett. During the drive, senior WR Erik Davis had two catches for 42 yards. Davis entered the game with just one catch in his last two games.
Vanderbilt’s second touchdown of the first half came on another long drive — an 8-play, 86-yard possession that concluded with sophomore Cassen Jackson-Garrison’s one-yard plunge. Cutler hit junior FB Steven Bright and Bennett on first down passes before connecting with junior WR Marlon White on a 16-yard pass to the 1-yard line. White made a sensational catch on the play, leading to Jackson-Garrison’s TD carry.
Second Half Notes
A pair of fumbles — one of an offensive snap and another following a Cutler-to-Bennett completion — hurt the Commodores in the third quarter. The turnovers directly led to Gator touchdown runs by Chad Jackson and Chris Leak, giving Florida a 28-14 margin with 3:51 left in the quarter.
Vanderbilt got back into the game on its first drive of the fourth quarter as Cutler guided the Commodores 68 yards in five plays. A critical play in the drive was Cutler’s ability to dodge a sack and connecting with Marlon White for 30 yards. Cutler then hit Davis on a 14-yard TD pass.
Cutler directed a 61-yard touchdown drive in 10 plays to close the margin to 35-28. The drive was capped by a 2-yard reception by redshirt freshman WR George Smith.
The Commodores earned a chance to tie the score in the final 2:00 when Andrew Pace recovered an on-sides kick by Bryant Hahnfeldt. Behind Cutler’s arm, Vanderbilt went 57 yards for the tying score — a Cutler-to-Bennett 6-yard strike.
Individual Notes
? Cutler became the all-time Commodore leader in passing yardage during a sensational performance. In the overtime, his 9-yard connection with Steven Bright gave Cutler the team mark. He ended the game with 28 completions in 42 attempts for 361 yards and four touchdowns. Cutler also set a single-game career high in passing yards while matching highs in touchdown passes and completions during the performance.
Cutler concluded the game with 7,986 career passing yards, five more yards than the previous team record held by Greg Zolman (1998-2001). Cutler also is the Commodore all-time career leader with 51 touchdown passes, 644 pass completions and total offense (9,215 yards). Virtually the only career passing marks Cutler does not own are pass attempts and interceptions.
? Freshman Bryant Hahnfeldt was superb, averaging 51.7 yards on three punts, converting on all six extra point attempts and having a successful last-minute on-sides kick.
? Senior CB Cheron Thompson set a career high with 10 tackles, including a tackle for loss, as the Commodores’ nickel back.
? Senior LB Moses Osemwegie, the SEC’s active leading career defender, contributed nine tackles for the Commodore defense. He has eight or more tackles in eight of nine games this season.
? Erik Davis put together his finest game of the season, hauling in eight catches for a season-high 127 yards.
? Earl Bennett continued his outstanding freshman year, setting a career high with two touchdown receptions.
? Junior Sean Dixon, a native of Tampa, Fla., earned the fourth start of his Commodore career at cornerback.
Vanderbilt’s Next Opponent
The Commodores return to Nashville next Saturday for their home finale against the Kentucky Wildcats. Kickoff for the Senior Day game is 1:00 p.m., CT.
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