September 23, 2017

Postgame Notes - No. 1 Alabama

Sept. 23, 2017

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Vanderbilt vs. No. 1 Alabama Postgame Notes
Sept. 23, 2017
Vanderbilt Stadium

Pregame Notes

Vanderbilt is in its 128th year of organized football.
The Commodores wore gold helmets, black jerseys and gold pants against Alabama.
Alabama won the coin toss and elected to defer to the second half. Vanderbilt received the opening kickoff while the Crimson Tide chose to defend the north end zone.
Attendance was 40,350, the second consecutive sellout at Vanderbilt Stadium.
Vanderbilt captains for the game were Oren Burks, Trent Sherfield and Ryan White. This trio represented Vanderbilt for the third consecutive game.

Team Notes

Today’s loss snapped a six-game winning streak at Vanderbilt Stadium for the Commodores.
Vanderbilt is now 19-62-4 in the all-time series against Alabama, including 13-30-1 at home.
The Commodores have lost 13 consecutive games against the Crimson Tide. The last win against Alabama was a forfeit in 1993.
The loss to top-ranked Alabama dropped Vanderbilt’s all-time record against top-ranked teams to 0-8.
Vanderbilt has received the opening kickoff in all four game this season. They have scored on two of their four game-opening drives.
Vanderbilt trailed for the first time this season when Alabama running back Bo Scarbrough scored on a 6-yard run in the first quarter.
Alabama’s touchdown in the first quarter was the first time the Vanderbilt defense allowed a score in the opening quarter this year.
Vanderbilt turned the ball over two times after committing just one in the season’s first three games.
The Commodores allowed a season-high 59 points after entering the game allowing a nation-best 4.3 points per game.

Offensive Notes

Kyle Shurmur threw his first interception of the season in the first quarter.
Ralph Webb made his 41st consecutive start in tonight’s contest.
Wide receiver Kalija Lipscomb made his first start of the 2017 season. It was the sophomore’s ninth career start.
Trent Sherfield’s two catches gives him 100 career receptions at Vanderbilt.
Wide receiver Donaven Tennyson hauled in his first career catch with a 4-yard reception in the third quarter. He finished with two grabs for 14 yards.
Quarterback Deuce Wallace set a career-high with 20 passing yards and matched a career-best three completions.

Defensive Notes

For the fourth consecutive game, Vanderbilt held its opponent off the scoreboard on their first drive of the game.
Cornerback Tre Herndon notched his first sack of the season and second of his career in the first quarter. It was his first sack since Sept. 3, 2015 against Western Kentucky.
The Commodores entered the game first in the SEC with 3.33 sacks per game. They added one sack to the season total and now average 2.5 per game.
Vanderbilt’s Jordan Griffin forced his first career fumble in the second quarter and cornerback Joejuan Williams notched his first career forced fumble in the third.
Damien Harris’ 61-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter was the longest play Vanderbilt has allowed in 2017.
Damien Harris’ touchdown on the opening drive of the second half represented the first time a Vanderbilt opponent has scored points on their first possession after the half.
Vanderbilt safety Ryan White had a career-high 13 tackles.
Commodores safety LaDarius Wiley had a career-high 14 tackles, one week after posting 11 against Kansas State.
Vanderbilt cornerback Joejuan Williams matched a career-high with eight tackles including seven solo stops

Special Teams Notes