Nov. 29, 2008
Commodore Game Notes
Vanderbilt at Wake Forest, Winston-Salem, N.C.
Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008
Attendance: 25,582
With the loss Vanderbilt falls to 6-6, (4-4) while Wake Forest improves to 7-5, (4-4)
First Half Notes:
– Gaston Miller established a new career high with a 31-yard return on the opening kickoff.
– Jamie Graham made his first career start at tailback. Graham lined-up at quarterback and ran two-yards on the first play from scrimmage.
– Theron Kadri made his first career start at defensive end, replacing Broderick Stewart, out for the year with a lower leg injury.
– At the 11:29 mark in the first quarter, Mackenzi Adams entered the game at quarterback in replace of injured Chris Nickson. Two plays later, Adams hooked up with Graham for a 13-yard gain and first down. On second and 15 and Graham ran 15 yards for another first down.
– With 8:40 remaining in the first quarter, Sean Richardson recovered a muffed punt on the Wake Forest 20-yard line. With 7:40 remaining in the first quarter, Bryant Hahnfeldt put the Commodores on the board, connecting on a 33-yard field goal. The field goal is Hahnfeldt’s 10th of the season and 43rd of his career.
– With 1:37 remaining in the first quarter Adams hit D.J. Moore on a 54-yard reception. The catch marks the longest of Moore’s career. One play later, Adams was intercepted trying to hit WR George Smith on the Wake Forest 2-yard line.
– Junior Brett Upson’s 60-yard punt in the second quarter was his longest of the season.
Second Half Notes:
– Trailing 10-3, Vanderbilt got an early turnover in the third quarter when LB Chris Marve recovered a Wake Forest fumble caused by CB Myron Lewis at the Wake Forest 39-yard line. One play later, Vanderbilt coughed up the opportunity when TB Jeff Jennings lost possession at the WFU 46-yard line. On the offensive play, redshirt freshman Larry Smith saw the first action of his career at quarterback.
– With 11:14 left in the quarter, Vanderbilt forced Wake Forest to punt as Steven Stone recorded a quarterback sack at the WKU 49-yard line. The sack was Stone’s fifth of the season. Stone is tied with DE Broderick Stewart for the team lead.
– Trailing 17-3, Smith hooked up with TE Brandon Barden on fourth down for a 5-yard touchdown pass with 14:55 remaining in the fourth quarter. The 14-yard drive covered 69 yards. The touchdown was Barden’s fourth of the season. Larry Smith was 3 of 4 passing on the scoring drive. The touchdown was Smith’s first TD pass of his young career. Sophomore tailback Kennard Reeves also ran effectively on the drive, carrying the ball four times for 26 yards in the drive.
Final Notes:
– Vanderbilt played four quarterbacks in the game – Chris Nickson, Mackenzi Adams, Larry Smith and Jamie Graham.
– For the second time in four games, Vanderbilt allowed two blocked punts on attempts by Brett Upson.
– With the loss, Vanderbilt falls to 6-6, (4-4) while Wake Forest improves to 7-5, (4-4)
– Vanderbilt is now 7-5 all-time against Wake Forest, including 4-2 in games played in Winston-Salem
– Kennard Reeves had a season-high six carries for 34 yards. Reeves did not have a single carry entering Saturday’s game. Reeves entered the game with three career carries
– Jamie Graham ran for a team-high 37 yards on seven carries
– Redshirt freshman Larry Smith completed 9 of 17 passes for 46 yards, including a five-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Barden in his season-debut.
– Chris Marve and Patrick Benoist led the Commodores with seven tackles while Steven Stone and John Stokes tallied five a piece. Stokes’ five tackles ties his career high, which he set last weekend against Tennessee.
– D.J. Moore led the Commodores with 60 yards receiving, including a 54-yard reception from Mackenzi Adams.
– Vanderbilt and Wake Forest both had 16 first downs
– Vanderbilt was 2 of 3 on fourth down conversions
– Vanderbilt had three players average more than 4.5 yards per carry, Moore (10.0), Reeves (5.5) and Graham (4.7).
