Nov. 11, 2006
Vanderbilt at Kentucky – Nov. 11, 2006
Lexington, Ky. – Attn: 52,235
General Notes
– With the 38-20 loss to Kentucky, Vanderbilt moves to 4-7 on the season. The Commodores are 1-6 in Southeastern Conference
play.
Starters
– Josh Eames (R-Jr.) earned his first start in a month at left guard following a knee injury suffered at Georgia. Josh Allen (R-So.) also earned his first start at cornerback since the opener at Michigan.
First Half Notes
– Merritt Kirchoffer (R-Jr.) saw his first collegiate action at right tackle after starting at right guard earlier in the season… Darlron Spead (R-Fr.) blocked a punt attempt by Tim Masthay with 1:57 left, giving Vanderbilt possession at the Kentucky 36. It was the first Commodore punt block since Norval McKenzie’s block at Navy (Sept. 25, 2004)… Vanderbilt took the lead 7-3 with 6:39 in the second quarter on a six-play, 85-yard drive. The possession, capped by a one-yard plunge from Chris Nickson (R-So.) including a 53-yard connection between Nickson and Earl Bennett (So., WR). It was Nickson’s team-leading eighth rushing TD.
Postgame Notes
– With the loss, Vanderbilt falls to 37-38-4 all-time versus Kentucky. The Wildcats have won three straight over the Commodores.
– Theo Horrocks (Jr., DT) played a superb game, registering three quarterback sacks and forcing a fumble recovered by Vanderbilt.
– Chris Nickson completed 23 of 37 passes for 446 yards. He also rushed for a team-high 71 yards and two scores.
The 446-yard passing total represents a career high for Nickson (former high is 298 yards vs. Florida, 11/4/2006). It is his third consecutive
game with at least 250 passing yards.
Nickson’s 517 yards of total offense marked the third consecutive game of more than 300 yards. The total is a career high, bettering his
400-yard total vs. Duke (10/28/2006).
Nickson’s nine rushing TDs is second in the SEC to the 10-TD total by Arkansas’ Darren McFadden.
– Earl Bennett became the fourth Commodore to achieve 1,000 receiving yards in a season with a 18-yard catch in the fourth quarter.
Bennett finished with 11 receptions for 220 yards.
Bennett has 78 receptions on the season, a team record for sophomores. The 78 receptions are tied for fourth all-time at Vanderbilt with
Boo Mitchell (1988).
With one game left, Bennett has 157 career receptions and 2,006 career receiving yards. He ranks fourth all-time in receptions and fifth
in career yardage.
Bennett is the SEC’s leader this season in receptions and is the league’s active career leader in the category.
– Marlon White (Sr.) posted season highs in receptions (six) and receiving yards (121). White’s career highs of seven catches and 118
receiving yards came at Tennessee (Nov. 20, 2004).
– The Commodores had two receivers with more than 100 receiving yards (Bennett-220, White-121) for the first time since Nov. 20,
2004, when White and Brandon Smith gained 118 and 160 yards, respectively, versus Tennessee.
– The Commodores committed four turnovers (two interceptions and two fumbles) while forcing just one (fumble).
– The 38 points allowed by Vanderbilt are the most allowed by Vanderbilt since Kentucky scored 48 points last year (Nov. 12) in a 48-43
Wildcat win.