Vanderbilt-Missouri Postgame Notes

Nov. 12, 2016

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Vanderbilt – Missouri Postgame Notes
Nov. 12, 2016
Faurot Field

Pregame Notes
– Vanderbilt is in its 127th year of organized football.
– The Commodores wore an all white uniform for the second time this year (South Carolina).
– Vanderbilt won the toss and deferred with Missouri electing to receive.
– Attendance was 50,261.
– Vanderbilt captains for the game were Ralph Webb, Ryan White, Oren Burks and Zach Cunningham.
Team Notes
– Vanderbilt is now 3-5-1 all-time against Missouri with a 2-4 record in the state of Missouri.
Zach Cunningham collected 10 tackles, nine solo, and two tackles for loss. He has six games this season of 10-plus tackles and four games with at least two tackles for loss.
– Cunningham eclipsed the 100-tackle mark for the season giving him consecutive 100-tackle seasons and making him the first Commodore to achieve the feat since Jamie Winborn in 1998-99.
Darrius Sims became the all-time record holder at Vanderbilt for kick return yards with his 25-yard return before finishing the night with 42 total kick return yards. In his career, Sims now has 2,289 yards.

Individual Notes
Darrius Sims recorded a new career-long rush with a 27-yard carry in the second quarter to set up Vanderbilt’s first score of the day.
Kyle Shurmur passed for 191 yards on 12-of-19 passing in the first half.
C.J. Duncan caught four passes for 80 yards in the first half to set a season-high with 80 yards receiving.
– Sims later rushed for 31 yards in the third quarter to set another career-long.
Khari Blasingame scored his team-best eighth rushing TD of the year in the in the second quarter with a four-yard run.
Ralph Webb took his seventh rushing score into the end zone in the third quarter with a one-yard run.
Darrius Sims led VU in rushing for the first time this year with 86 yards on seven carries.
Caleb Scott caught three passes for 63 yards.
– Shurmur passed for 252 yards on 17-of-29 passing, giving him back-to-back games with 200-plus yards passing for the first time this season.
Zach Cunningham collected 10 tackles, nine solo, and two tackles for loss. He has six games this season of 10-plus tackles and four games with at least two tackles for loss.
– Cunningham eclipsed the 100-tackle mark for the season giving him consecutive 100-tackle seasons and making him the first Commodore to achieve the feat since Jamie Winborn in 1998-99.
Oren Burks made a season-high eight tackles, seven solo.
Nifae Lealao recorded the Dores’ lone sack of the game.
– Sims finished the game with 132 all-purpose yards to lead the team – 86 rushing, four receiving and 42 yards in returns.

Offensive Notes
– Vanderbilt’s first scoring drive of the game covered 75 yards and was the team’s 12th TD drive of the season to span more than 70 yards.
– The Commodores recorded six plays of 20-plus yards in the first half, including five passes.
– The Commodores outgained Missouri 276-234 in the first half.
– Seven different players ran the ball in the first half and seven different receivers caught passes.
– Vanderbilt took the team’s opening possession of the second half 75 yards for a touchdown giving VU scores in three of the team’s last four second half opening possessions.
– The Commodores racked up 411 yards of total offense, the most against an SEC foe this season.
– One week after completing passes to 10 receivers, VU completed passes to nine different receivers at Missouri.

Defensive Notes
– Vanderbilt forced three three-and-outs in the first half.
– The defense made two goal line stands, stopping Missouri twice inside the five to give up no points.
– VU held Mizzou to 2-for-5 in the red zone.
Zach Cunningham collected 10 tackles, nine solo, and two tackles for loss. He has six games this season of 10-plus tackles and four games with at least two tackles for loss.
– Cunningham eclipsed the 100-tackle mark for the season giving him consecutive 100-tackle seasons and making him the first Commodore to achieve the feat since Jamie Winborn in 1998-99.

Special Teams Notes
Darrius Sims became the all-time record holder at Vanderbilt for kick return yards with his 25-yard return before finishing the night with 42 total kick return yards. In his career, Sims now has 2,289 yards.
Tommy Openshaw connected on 24-yard field goal in the first half for his 12th field goal of the year.