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Vanderbilt Drops Homecoming Game To Florida Gators 11/6/2004
Vanderbilt Drops Homecoming Game To Florida Gators NASHVILLE — The Commodores lost their homecoming game to the Florida Gators this afternoon, 34-17. A crowd of 32,716 watched the Dores carry a 17-14 halftime lead into the locker room. But the Gators came out strong in the second half, taking the lead on their first possession. Box Score | Photo Gallery Vanderbilt scored first in the game with a 33-yard field goal by Patrick Johnson. The Commodores’ first touchdown came in the first quarter, when Vanderbilt linebacker Kevin Joyce forced Florida quarterback Chris Leak to fumble in the end zone. Linebacker Moses Osemwegie recovered the ball for a black-and-gold touchdown. A successful point-after attempt gave the Dores a lead of 10-0. Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler left the game in the first quarter with an injury to his right ankle and stayed on the sidelines wearing headphones for the remainder of the game. Steven Bright took over responsibilities under center. Halfway through the second quarter, tailback Norval McKenzie ran 19 yards and dove into the end zone to make the score 17-7. The Commodore defense had a huge first half, scoring a touchdown, forcing and recovering three fumbles, and executing an interception. The halftime score was 17-14 after the Gators scored in the closing seconds. Florida scored again on the first drive of the second half to take the lead, 21-17. Vanderbilt would not score again in the game. Down by seven points in the fourth quarter, a Vanderbilt drive was stalled when the offense was flagged for holding. Vanderbilt fans booed loudly when a replay on the video board showed what appeared to be a defensive facemask on the same play that did not draw a flag by the officials. Patrick Johnson’s ensuing 38-yard field goal attempt was blocked, and Florida scored a touchdown on the following possession. It was Johnson’s second miss of the game. Bright completed 12 of 23 pass attempts for 118 yards. Cutler was 0 for 3 before leaving the game. The Commodore quarterbacks have gone more than seven games without throwing an interception. Six Commodore defenders would log five or more tackles: Bill Alford (6), Cheron Thompson (5), Kelechi Ohanaja (7), Moses Osemwegie (8), Jonathan Goff (7) and Theo Horrocks (6). Florida running back Ciatrick Fason’s game-high 170 yards rushing took him to more than 1,000 yards on the ground for the season. He becomes the first Gator to reach that milestone in only nine games. He also caught four passes for 52 yards. Florida walk-on freshman linebacker Brandon Siler turned in an outstanding performance, logging 10 tackles in his third collegiate start. He was second only to defensive back Demetrice Webb, who logged a game-high 13 tackles. The Commodores travel to Lexington next week to face the Kentucky Wildcats for their final road game of the year. Kickoff is scheduled for Noon CT. The Commodores conclude their season at Vanderbilt Stadium Nov. 20 against the Tennessee Volunteers. |
