Oct. 6, 2007
With the loss, Vanderbilt moves to 3-2 overall, and 1-2 in Southeastern Conference play. Vanderbilt’s three league games have come against SEC Western Division foes: vs. Alabama (L, 10-24), vs. Ole Miss (W, 31-17) and at Auburn (L, 7-35).
The series, though close in terms of all-time record – Vanderbilt now trails 19-20-1 – has been a recent struggle for the Commodores. The Auburn win was their 13th consecutive victory in the series.
Vanderbilt Game Notes:
– Tailback Jeff Jennings returned to action for the first time in three games on Vanderbilt’s opening series. He missed the Ole Miss and Eastern Michigan games with an ankle injury.
– After moving 35 yards on eight plays in its opening drive, Vanderbilt struggled both offensively and defensively through the first quarter, falling behind 14-0 while having the Tigers register a 162-42 yard advantage in total offense. It marks the Commodores’ largest deficit after one quarter since trailing Ole Miss 14-0 on Oct. 7, 2006. Auburn jumped ahead 21 points with 14:24 left in the second quarter, tying the `Dores largest deficit of the season. Late in the Alabama game, Vanderbilt trailed 24-3.
– The Vanderbilt defense posted its first stop of Auburn with 11:30 left in the second quarter. Alex Washington gave the Commodores possession at the Auburn 35-yard line with a 15-yard punt return, yet the Commodores could not score.
– Earl Bennett posted his first catch with 3:15 left before halftime – an 11-yard reception. He tied Keith Edwards (1980, 82-84) for the all-time team lead in career receptions (200) with a 6-yard catch in the second quarter.
– Vanderbilt’s 28-point deficit at halftime was the biggest margin at intermission since Tennessee held a 41-0 advantage over the Commodores on Nov. 22, 2003.
– The Tigers held a 14-5 advantage in first downs and 324-66 yard advantage in total yards. Auburn outrushed the `Dores 184-28 in the half.
– Chris Nickson struggled through the opening stanza. After hitting his first two passes, Nickson hit on just three of his following 14 attempts in the half.
– D.J. Moore returned a kickoff 49 yards with 8:47 in the third quarter to give Vanderbilt possession at Auburn’s 41-yard line.
– With 4:06 left, Myron Lewis gave Vanderbilt another excellent chance, returning a pass interception 24 yards to the Auburn 26-yard line. It was the first career interception for Lewis, and the 11th this year for the Commodore defense.
– The Commodore offense finished strongly, capping its lone touchdown drive with 4:57 left on a 1-yard score by Cassen Jackson-Garrison. The drive produced the Vanderbilt offensive season highs for plays (15), yards (91) and time of possession (8:47).
– Senior quarterback Richard Kovalcheck saw his first action of the season, coming in during Vanderbilt’s final offensive series. Kovalcheck completed three passes on six attempts for 26 yards and ran for 10 yards during the series.
Commodore Superlatives:
– Earl Bennett became the all-time Commodore receptions leader during the game. He finished with 4 catches for 31 yards. His 7-yard reception for a first down with 6:30 left in the third quarter was the 201st of his career, one more than Keith Edwards’ 200-catch total (1980, 82-84).
– Cassen Jackson-Garrison moved over 1,500 rushing yards for his career. He finished with 45 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown. He has 1,510 rushing yards for his career.
– Jared Hawkins had a single-game rushing high (41 yards) during the performance. His previous high was 23 yards in the `Dores win over Ole Miss.
– Junior safety Reshard Langford recorded a season-high with six tackles, all of them solo tackles.
– Senior defensive tackle Gabe Hall also recorded a season-high with six takedowns.
– Four Commodores tied for the team lead in tackles with Jonathan Goff, Hall, Langford and D.J. Moore each having six takedowns.
The Commodores return to Nashville next Saturday to host the Georgia Bulldogs. The game will be Vanderbilt’s first appearance on national television this season – an ESPN2 broadcast that features a 5:00 p.m. (CT) kickoff.
