Sept. 29, 2007
Vanderbilt is now 3-1 overall, and 1-1 in the Southeastern Conference. The Commodores have now won five straight games against non-SEC opponents. The victory marks the first time since last September that Vanderbilt has won consecutive games. The Commodores have now won three home games in a season for the first time since 1993. With the win, the Commodores move to 9-3 all-time vs. members of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The victory also marks Vanderbilt’s first ever win against a Michigan-based team. The Commodores move to 11-9 against non-SEC teams during the tenure of Bobby Johnson.
Commodore Notes:
– With 10:37 left in the first quarter, defensive tackle Greg Billinger gave the Commodores excellent field position by tipping and intercepting an EMU pass at the Eagle 43-yard line. After a 10-play drive, Vanderbilt took a 3-0 lead on Bryant Hahnfeldt’s 22-yard FG.
– With 3:03 left in the initial quarter, Chris Nickson hit Earl Bennett for a 47-yard touchdown pass. It was Bennett’s 19th TD catch, moving him into third place all-time among Commodore receivers. It marks the 20th career TD pass for Nickson.
– The Vanderbilt defense played well in the opening half, not permitting an EMU first down until 8:45 remained in the second quarter. With 6:47 left, the unit stopped EMU on 4th & 1 at the Eagle 46-yard line.
– Vanderbilt failed to notch points in a pair of first half red-zone possessions: missing a 36-yard field goal attempt and having a Nickson pass attempt intercepted in the Eagle end zone.
– The Commodores ended the first half with Hahnfeldt converting a 45-yard field goal. It was Hahnfeldt’s longest FG since hitting a 51-yarder against Temple (Oct. 30, 2006).
– Vanderbilt held Eastern Michigan scoreless in the first half, the first time since Nov. 13, 2004 (at Kentucky) that the Commodores kept an opponent without points through intermission.
– Nickelback Darlon Spead intercepted Schmidt on the first play from scrimmage to start the second half, giving the `Dores another scoring threat. It was Spead’s fourth career interception, second best among active defenders. The Commodores scored seven plays later, with Nickson hitting WR Sean Walker for a 17-yard strike. It is Walker’s first touchdown catch this season.
– With 3:11 left in the third quarter, D.J. Moore intercepted a Schmitt pass, returning it 24 yards for a touchdown. It was the Commodores’ first interception return for a TD since Marcus Buggs caught a Tenn. State pass attempt in the end zone on Sept. 23, 2006.
– Sophomore Myron Lewis recorded his first career fumble recovery – and the team’s first this year – with 0:22 left in the third quarter after Spead forced the ball loose from an EMU receiver.
Commodore Superlatives:
– Vanderbilt intercepted five passes in a game for the first time since Nov. 13, 1993 vs. Navy.
– Vanderbilt dominated the first quarter, producing seven first downs and 128 total yards while holding the Eagles to no first downs and nine total yards.
– Earl Bennett – Caught nine passes for 93 yards and a touchdown. During the performance, Bennett moved to a 4th place tie all-time among SEC receivers with Chris Collins of Ole Miss with 198 catches. Bennett now ranks No. 15 all-time in SEC history with 2,490 receiving yards. He also moved into sole possession of third place all-time among Commodores with his 19th touchdown catch.
– Vanderbilt notched five interceptions by D.J. Moore, Greg Billinger, Darlron Spead, Josh Allen and Alan Strong – the highest total by a Commodore defense since Oct. 2, 2004 when they picked off four Mississippi State passes in a 31-13 Vanderbilt victory.
– Bryant Hahnfeldt hit field goals from 22, 45, and 27 yards, tying his single-game high set against MTSU on Oct. 1, 2005.
– Sean Walker – Set a career high with four receptions and 60 receiving yards. He also caught a 17-yard touchdown pass on Vanderbilt’s first drive of the second half.
– Steven Stone – Finished with 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, and 1 quarterback hurry. He leads the team in sacks with 3.
– Broderick Stewart – Finished with 4 tackles, 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss, and 1 quarterback hurry.
– Chris Nickson – had two touchdown passes, but also tossed four interceptions, the most by a Vanderbilt signal caller since Jay Cutler threw four picks at Florida on Nov. 8, 2003.
The Commodores make their first road trip of the season next Saturday, facing the Auburn Tigers. The game will be televised on Lincoln Financial Sports with kickoff at 11:30 a.m. CT.
