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Vanderbilt-Tennessee State Postgame Notes

Oct. 22, 2016

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Vanderbilt – Tennessee State Postgame Notes

Oct. 22, 2016

Vanderbilt Stadium

Pregame Notes

  • Vanderbilt is in its 127th year of organized football.
  • The Commodores wore gold helmets with black jerseys and black pants.
  • Tennessee State won the toss and elected to receive. Vanderbilt will defend the south end zone.
  • Attendance was 31,084.
  • Vanderbilt captains for the game were Ralph Webb, Ryan White, Zach Cunningham and Darrius Sims.

Team Notes

  • The Commodores had two 100-yard rushers in the same game for the first time since Sept. 15, 2012, against Presbyterian. Zac Stacy ran for 174 yards and Brian Kimbrow ran for 137 yards that afternoon.
  • The ‘Dores picked up back to back wins for the first time since 2013.
  • Vanderbilt scored on it’s opening drive for the second-consecutive game and fourth time this season with Khari Blasingame’s one-yard run.
  • Shurmur connected with C.J. Duncan for 14 yards on fourth and three in the second quarter. It was the second fourth down conversion for the Commodores this season.
  • Three plays later, Shurmur hit Pinkney in the flat for a 21-yard touchdown. It was the longest offensive touchdown of the season and first from outside the red zone.
  • The Commodores scored 21 points in the first half. It is the second time this season they have had 20 or more points in the first half. They also overcame a deficit to win for the third time this season.
  • Vanderbilt led 21-17 at halftime, marking the fourth time VU has led at the break this year.
  • Ralph Webb matched the Commodore season long rush with his 49-yard scamper to begin the third quarter. The 49-yard rush matched Webb’s season long as well.
  • The Commodores did not have any turnovers for the third time this season. They are 2-1 in those games.
  • The ‘Dores improve to 6-1 under Derek Mason when they score 30 or more points.

Individual Notes

  • Arnold Tarpley drew his second-consecutive start of the season at safety.
  • Ralph Webb started his 32nd straight game at RB and Will Holden started his 30th straight game on the offensive line.
  • Caleb Scott earned his first start of the season and the 11th of his career.
  • Blasingame broke loose for a 22-yard gain late in the second quarter. It was the longest rush of his career.
  • The rush also broke a career high for rushing yards in a game. He finished 100 yards on 14 carries.
  • Blasingame burst through for a three-yard touchdown late in the second quarter to give the Commodores the lead. It is his second multi-touchdown game of his career.
  • Blasingame set a career high for rushing touchdowns in the third quarter with a four-yard run for his third touchdown of the game.
  • It matches Ralph Webb for most rushing touchdowns by a Commodore this season.
  • Jared Pinkney broke out for career-highs in receptions (four) and receiving yards (50) against Tennessee State. He also corralled his first career touchdown reception.
  • Oren Burks tied a career high in sacks with one when he got to Ronald Butler late in the second quarter.
  • Nifae Lealao recorded his first career sack early in the second quarter. He finished with two tackles and 1.5 sacks for the game.
  • Torren McGaster intercepted his first pass of the season and third of his career in the last minute of the second quarter.
  • Landon Stokes tallied his first sack of the season in the third quarter.
  • Webb totaled over 100 yards for the fourth time this season and 10th of his career.
  • His fourth 100-yard plus game of the season matches his total from last season.
  • Ryan White forced his second fumble in the last three games in the fourth quarter. Dare Odeyingbo recovered the fumble for the first of his career.
  • LaDarius Wiley forced his fumble of his career in the second quarter.

Offensive Notes

  • Ralph Webb burst through for a 46-yard run on the opening drive for the Commodores. Two plays later, Khari Blasingame ran it in for a one-yard TD run.
  • Blasingame recorded a rushing touchdown for the second consecutive game this season.
  • The duo of Blasingame and Webb ran for 132 yards in the first half. Webb has 59 yards on five carries while Blasingame had 73 yards on nine carries.
  • Kyle Shurmur was 9-for-14 for 108 yards and a touchdown in the first half.
  • The Commodores converted the team’s opening drive of the second half for a touchdown, marking the second time VU has scored on it’s opening drive of the second half.
  • For the second-consecutive game this season, Vanderbilt scored on both its opening drives of both halves.
  • All five of Vanderbilt’s touchdown drives were 70 yards or longer giving them 11 on the season.
  • The Commodores rushed for 358 yards, the most since Sept. 15, 2012, when they ran for 410 against Presbyterian.
  • The ‘Dores totaled 501 yards of total offense, the most since Sept. 19, 2015, against Austin Peay.
  • Vanderbilt was 4-for-9 on third down against Tennessee State.
  • The Commodores converted all three trips into the red zone for 17 points.

Defensive Notes

  • Ryan White and Arnold Tarpley led the way for the Commodores with four tackles each in the first half.
  • The ‘Dores recorded three tackles for loss, one sack and one interception in the first half.
  • Vanderbilt totaled a season-high three sacks as a team against Tennessee State.
  • VU held the Tigers to just 2-for-9 on third down.
  • The defense responded after a slow start by holding the tigers to 126 yards and eight first downs in the second half.

Special Teams Notes

  • Darrius Sims needs 17 yards to set the team’s all-time record for kick returns after picking up 27 on his lone return of the game.
  • Sam Loy punted two times for an average of 38.0 yards, including a long of 46 yards.