Vanderbilt-Florida Postgame Notes

Oct. 1, 2016

Recap | Box Score | Quotes | Russell’s Photos media_icon_photogallery.gif | USATSI Photo Gallery media_icon_photogallery.gif

Vanderbilt — Florida Postgame Notes
Oct. 1, 2016
Vanderbilt Stadium

Pregame Notes
– Vanderbilt is in its 127th year of organized football.
– The Commodores wore black helmets, gold jerseys and gold pants in the game.
– Attendance was 30,575.
– Vanderbilt captains for the game were Zach Cunningham, Kyle Shurmur, Ralph Webb, and Ryan White.
– Florida won the toss and elected to receive. Vanderbilt will defend the south end zone.

Team Notes
– The Commodores eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark as a team for the second-consecutive game and fourth time this season. They ran for 147 yards on 37 attempts against the Gators.
– Vanderbilt is only the second team this season to rush for over 100 yards against the Gator defense.
– The `Dores tied a season high in tackles-for-loss with six. It was the first multi-sack game for the Commodore defense this season.

Individual Notes
Ralph Webb passed Frank Mordica for second all-time on the Vanderbilt career rushing yards list on a three-yard scamper at the beginning of the fourth quarter. He now needs 502 yards to break Zac Stacy’s school record for career rushing yards.
– Webb ran for 110 yards on 24 carries against the Gators. It is his second 100-yard rushing game of the season and eighth of his career.
– Webb is the first individual to run for over 100 yards against the Gator defense this season.
– Webb made his 29th straight start at running back for the Commodores.
– Cornerback Bryce Lewis and offensive lineman Ean Pfeifer made their first career starts against the Gators.
– Running back Khari Blasingame made his first career offensive start for the Commodores. He started one game last season as a linebacker.
– Blasingame broke free for a career-long 16-yard rush late in the third quarter while the Commodores were driving in Florida territory.
Nathan Marcus hauled in an 11-yard reception in the first quarter for a first down. He has had at least one reception in six-consecutive games dating back to last season.
– Offensive lineman Darion DeBrossard made his first career debut on offense for Vanderbilt late in the first quarter. He saw action against Georgia Tech on the defensive line.
Zach Cunningham totaled 14 tackles against the Gators. It is his third double-digit tackle game of the season and the 12th of his career. It was one tackle shy of his career high, which he set last season against Middle Tennessee.
Adam Butler recorded a career high in sacks with two against the Gators. He has 6.5 sacks for his career.
– Butler also tied a career in high in solo tackles with three.
– Linebacker Ja’karri Thomas set a career high in tackles with 11. His previous high was nine against Charleston Southern on Oct. 11, 2014.
LaDarius Wiley also set a career high in tackles with 11 against the Gators. His previous high was eight, which he set earlier this season against Georgia Tech.
Torren McGaster recovered a fumble for the second-consecutive game. It was the fourth fumble recovery of his career.

Offensive Notes
– Vanderbilt is now a perfect 17-for-17 in the red zone with 12 touchdowns and five field goals.
Ralph Webb had nine carries for 35 yards (3.9 avg.) in the first half. He finished with 110 yards on 25 attempts.
– Vanderbilt won the time-of-possession battle in the first half 15:03-14:57. They finished the game with an advantage of 32:55-27:05.
Darrius Sims broke his season long rush of 17 yards in the first half against Florida.
– The Commodores tied a season high for plays on a scoring drive when they drove down the field in 13 plays for an Openshaw 27-yard field goal. The drive lasted 7:57 minutes, the longest for the Commodores this season.

Defensive Notes
– The Commodores held the Gators scoreless in the first quarter for the first time this season.
Zach Cunningham led the Commodore defense with nine tackles in the first half against the Gators.
Adam Butler recorded his career-high two sacks in the first half.
– The Commodores continued their streak of forcing a turnover in every game this season after Torren McGaster recovered a fumble late in the fourth quarter while Florida was in the red zone.
– Held Florida to 0-for-3 on third down conversions in the first quarter and 6-for-15 (40 percent) for the game.

Special Teams Notes
Sam Loy had an average punting distance of 47.5 yards, including a season-long 60-yard punt that flipped field position in the first quarter.
Kalija Lipscomb return a punt in the third quarter for a season-long 14 yards.
Tommy Openshaw connected for a 38-yard and 27-yard field goal against the Gators. Openshaw is now 5-for-6 (83.3 percent) this season on field goals.