FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – No matter how Vanderbilt’s matchup with Arkansas were to unfold on Saturday, the Commodores knew they had a bye week waiting on the horizon.
But a dominant win over the Razorbacks sure gives the open date a much sweeter feel for Vanderbilt.
"It’s better than a loss going into a bye week," quarterback Kyle Shurmur said with a grin.
Vanderbilt’s 45-31 win over the Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium breathed much-needed life into a Commodore team that had seen its ups and downs in 2018. The victory in Fayetteville – Vanderbilt’s first since 2005 — erased a four-game losing streak and gave the program its first SEC victory of the season. On offense, defense and special teams, the Dores finally put together a four-quarter game in a road SEC environment.
Now, after weeks of flirting with ranked wins and untapped potential, the Commodores return to Nashville rejuvenated and focused. In truth, Vanderbilt’s first SEC win puts the rest of the season in a different perspective
"There’s a lot left for this football team," Mason said. "But they had to get one before they could get anything else."
Vanderbilt’s performance in Fayetteville is credited to many stars. There was running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn, who ran for a game-high 172 yards – his most as a Commodore – and three touchdowns. There was tight end Jared Pinkney and his pair of touchdown grabs, one on a lumbering 40-yard scamper for the end zone. There was defensive lineman Louis Vecchio (one sack, one interception, two pass breakups) and cornerback Joejuan Williams (three tackles, one interception), helping to keep the Razorback offense at bay.
The names were all familiar to Vanderbilt fans. But the 60-minute performance was new, and it was just what the doctor ordered for the Dores.
"Coach talks about consistency. He preaches consistency," Shurmur said. "Then, you know what to expect with each other and you can trust each other. I think being consistent and playing a four-quarter game, I think that’s really important."
Perhaps most importantly, the Commodores refused to let up when it mattered most. Holding a 24-17 lead entering the fourth quarter, the visitors kept their foot on the gas and piled on three more touchdowns. Past weeks had seen early leads turn to deficits for Vanderbilt; against Arkansas, the Dores took care of business until the final whistle.
"We had some close games the last couple of weeks," saidn Williams, "but this game, we finally finished it up."
Vanderbilt’s momentum could prove vital as it heads into the season’s home stretch. Following the bye week, the Commodores head to Columbia, Mo. for a matchup with Missouri. Then it’s back-to-back home dates with Ole Miss and Tennessee. The Commodores need two wins in those final three games to return to the postseason for the first time since 2016.
But on Saturday, players balked at the premature notion of a bowl game. "We take it one game at a time," Williams said. For them, it’s about going 1-0 every week. That’s how the team that showed up in Fayetteville took care of business – and it’s also why these Dores have what it takes for more.
"I thought our effort today was exactly what we needed," Mason said. "I challenged this football team to be about challenging themselves. The challenge of this ballgame at times helped this team grow up… I’m impressed with the way they responded. It’s never easy when you try to get that one, try to break through. I thought they broke through the right way."
Zac Ellis is the Writer and Digital Media Editor for Vanderbilt Athletics.
