FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Vanderbilt used a balanced attack offensively and a tremendous effort from running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn to snap its three-game losing streak and take down Arkansas 45-31 on Saturday afternoon at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
Vaughn set a new season high for a Vandy rusher, carrying the ball 26 times for 172 yards and a career-high three scores. The final touchdown came from three yards out and helped lift Vandy’s lead to 14 points with under five minutes remaining.
The victory was the Commodores first in Southeastern Conference action and moved the squad to 4-5 overall. The Razorbacks fell to 2-7 overall and 0-5 in the SEC. All three of Vanderbilt’s wins against the Hogs have come on the road.
Quarteback Kyle Shurmur, who reached 2,000 career passing yards for a third consecutive season, threw for 192 yards on 13-of-19 passing and three touchdowns, including a pair to Jared Pinkney. The tight end hauled in a team-leading five receptions for 93 yards.
Vanderbilt found paydirt on three of its first five drives. The offense countered Arkansas’ output throughout and with under four minutes to play, defensive lineman Louis Vecchio sealed the win by picking off quarterback Ty Storey.
The Commodores scored on their fourth consecutive possession following the turnover as Khari Blasingame punched it in from five yards out. Vanderbilt rushed for 250 yards on the day, averaging 5.1 yards per carry.
Following their open week, the Commodores return to action at Missouri on Nov. 10. The matchup will cap Vanderbilt’s three-game road trip and mark the Commodores’ final road game of the season.
