Sept. 30, 2016
By Zac Ellis
VUCommodores.com
On campus in Nashville – On the heels of Vanderbilt’s second road win under Derek Mason, the head coach said his program’s come-from-behind effort against Western Kentucky signaled a shift in maturity.
“What youre seeing is this team grow up in front of your eyes,” Mason said.
That development will be tested on Saturday, when Vanderbilt (2-2, 0-1 SEC) welcomes No. 23 Florida (3-1, 1-1 SEC) to Vanderbilt Stadium. How can Vandy engineer an upset against the Gators? Here are three keys to the game for Vanderbilt:
1. Avoid a slow start.
Vanderbilt’s offense has struggled to start strong in any of its four games this season. It has scored just 15 total points in the first quarter, and 28 of its 42 second-quarter points came in one game against Middle Tennessee State. The Commodores’ opponents, meanwhile, have scored 31 points in first quarter this season. That’s one reason why Vanderbilt has been forced to rally from early deficits in both wins against MTSU and Western Kentucky.
Florida, meanwhile, has scored 33 points in four first quarters this season. It led at Tennessee 21-3 at half before allowing 35 second-half points in a 38-28 loss. The Commodores know a quick start on Saturday could take advantage of the Gators, who might still be reeling from the Vols’ comeback.
“I think we have to come out fast and come out physical,” safety/linebacker Oren Burks said. “I think that’s going to set the tone for the rest of the game.”
2. Maintain Kyle Shurmur’s momentum.
Vanderbilt’s quarterback enters the Florida game playing the best football of his career. Last week Shurmur set career-highs in completions (18) and passing yards (279) in the win over Western Kentucky. The Commodores notched five passing played of at least 20 yards in that win; they had managed just three in their previous three games. Moreover, Shurmur led a game-tying drive in the final minute of regulation and a game-scoring drive on the first possession of overtime, completing 13 of his final 17 passes along the way.
Mason said a poised Shurmur helped carry Vanderbilt in the waning moments against Western Kentucky. “That young guy never got rattled,” Mason said. “When we needed him to play big, he played big.”
Now the Commodores hope the sophomore keeps trending upward against the toughest defense they’ve faced all season. Led by defensive backs Jalen Tabor and Quincy Wilson, Florida has already snagged six interceptions through four games, second-most in the SEC. In all Florida’s defense ranks in the top 10 nationally in total defense (3.87 yards per play) and scoring defense (13.0 points per game).
Shurmur must show up against Florida for Vanderbilt to field a balanced offense. Alongside Ralph Webb, who ranks second in the SEC in rushing (118.0 yards per game), Shurmur helped the ‘Dores reel off a season-high 389 yards of offense against the Hilltoppers. But Vanderbilt needs more consistency from that unit. “This offense has the potential to be explosive in the run game and that pass game,” receiver C.J. Duncan said.
3. Get to Florida’s quarterback.
Florida quarterback Austin Appleby made his first start of the season last week against Tennessee, replacing the injured Luke Del Rio. The Purdue graduate transfer completed 23-of-39 passes for 296 yards and three scores. Appleby’s 296 yards were the third-most by any Florida quarterback in his debut.
It remains unclear which quarterback will start for Florida on Saturday; Del Rio, who is nursing an injured knee, returned to practice on a limited basis this week. But coach Jim McElwain did not elaborate on Del Rio’s availability, instead leaving the door open for either signal-caller to play against Vanderbilt.
No matter who lines up under center for Florida, Vanderbilt knows it must do better in getting to the quarterback. The Commodores rank last in the SEC in sacks (three), and they’ve also given up more passing yards (1,099) than any team in the league. But Florida has given up just three sacks this season, second in the SEC, meaning Vanderbilt’s will need renewed effort on Saturday. “Getting sacks is just wanting it,” defensive lineman Torey Agee said. “It just takes a bunch of hungry guys out there seeking the ball.”
Last week Florida’s offense kept rolling with Appleby at the helm, recording 402 total yards, or 5.7 per play. The Commodores know they can’t allow Appleby to control the game this week. “The pass rushers, we’ve been getting a lot of pressure,” Burks said, “but we’ve just got to keep pushing. It’s going to push through at some point.”