Oct. 5, 2015
Vanderbilt’s victory over Middle Tennessee — its first fourth-quarter comeback win in more than a year — was sparked by an imposing defensive effort and the team’s most impressive rushing performance in nearly a year.
The Commodores, 2-3 overall, limited Middle Tennessee to 34 rushing yards while producing 237 yards on the ground in the 17-13 win. It was Vanderbilt’s first regular season road win since a 14-10 victory at Tennessee on Nov. 23, 2013.
The Vanderbilt defense held MTSU’s potent offense to 13 points and 320 total yards. The Blue Raiders opened the game ranked among the NCAA leaders in both categories, averaging 44.5 points and 476.8 total yards.
The performance against MTSU continued an impressive streak for the Commodore defense. It marked the fifth straight game this season that opposing offenses were held below season averages in points and total yardage by the Commodores.
Vanderbilt ranks high in the Southeastern Conference in several defensive statistical categories, including fifth in scoring (18.4 ppg), fifth in rushing defense (107.4 ypg) and sixth in total defense (320.8 ypg). The unit also ranks high in the league in first downs allowed (17.4) and third-down conversions (28 percent).
On offense, the Commodores continued to showcase a balanced attack against the Blue Raiders, producing 237 rushing yards and 177 passing yards.
The unit’s rushing total, paced by Ralph Webb’s 155-yard performance, was the highest output by a Vanderbilt offense since a 243-yard effort vs. Old Dominion last November.
The offense enjoyed its most success against the Blue Raiders after halftime. The Commodores had 241 total yards after intermission, including 175 yards on the ground.
The Commodore offense, under the direction of first-year coordinator Andy Ludwig, is averaging 412.4 total yards, ninth best in the SEC and 157.8 yards more than Vanderbilt’s average after five games in 2014.
Registering comeback wins
The win over Middle Tennessee was Vanderbilt’s first fourth-quarter comeback since the Commodores edged Wake Forest 23-21 on Nov. 30, 2013.
It also marked Vanderbilt’s first comeback from a double-digit fourth quarter deficit since the Commodores scored 17 unanswered points in a 31-27 victory over Georgia on Oct. 19, 2013.