COLUMBIA, Mo. – Fresh off a bye week, Vanderbilt couldn’t take advantage of opportunities on a chilly day at Missouri.
Running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn put up a career day on the ground, but it wasn’t enough for the Commodores, who fell 33-28 to the host Tigers at Memorial Stadium.
Here’s how it went down:
WHAT HAPPENED: Vanderbilt scored touchdown drives on its first two possessions and lead 14-7 heading into the second quarter. Things slowed down in the next period, but a scoring pass from Kyle Shurmur to Jared Pinkney with 2:31 until half helped gives the Dores a 21-13 advantage at halftime. But Missouri came on strong in the second half, scoring touchdowns on its first three possessions. The Tigers held on from there.
TURNING POINT: Vanderbilt faced 4th and goal at the 1-yard line while holding a 28-26 lead with 14:56 to play. Vaughn took the handoff and leaped over the pile, but he fell short of the goal line. Missouri responded with a 14-play, 99-yard drive to take a 33-28 lead. Vanderbilt’s momentum was all but extinguished from there.
HELMET STICKERS
RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn
For the second straight game, Vaughn was a beast for the Commodores. He set a new career-high with 182 yards on 15 carries, chipping in a rushing touchdown. Vaughn also hauled in a receiving touchdown on a four-yard catch in the first quarter. Vaughn has 352 rushing yards in his last two games.
QB Kyle Shurmur
Shurmur fell short on extending the game on a fourth-down pass in the fourth quarter, but he was efficient on a freezing day at Missouri. With temps in the 20s, Shurmur completed 24-of-35 passes for 249 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
LB Jordan Griffin
Griffin notched his first-career interception in the first quarter, setting up Vanderbilt’s offense in Missouri territory. Griffin also pitched in seven total tackles.
GIVE ME THE NUMBERS
253
Missouri rushing yards allowed by Vanderbilt. The Tigers averaged 5.2 yards per rush and enjoyed big days from backs Damarea Crockett (122 yards) and Larry Rountree III (92).
60
Mizzouri’s third-down percentage on offense. Thanks largely its running game, Mizzou converted nine of its 15 third-down attempts (.600) on the day against Vanderbilt. The Dores kept the Tigers’ offense at bay in the first half, but it was a dfferent story in the second half.
88
Receiving yards for Vanderbilt tight end Jared Pinkney. Pinkney continued his strong season with a five-catch, 88-yard performance against Missouri, chipping in a 21-yard touchdown catch.
WORTH NOTING: With his 249 yards, Shurmur moved into sole possession of second place on Vanderbilt’s career passing yards list. The senior passed former Commodore great Greg Zolman and now has 8,021 career passing yards to his name.
WHAT’S NEXT: Vanderbilt returns home to host Ole Miss next Saturday. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on SEC Network.
Zac Ellis is the Writer and Digital Media Editor for Vanderbilt Athletics.
