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Vanderbilt Postgame Notes
10/8/2005
LSU at Vanderbilt
October 8, 2005
Final Score: LSU 34, Vanderbilt 6
Attendance: 37,309
Defense Keeps Commodores Close for Three Quarters
Despite the final score, Vanderbilt entered the fourth quarter trailing only 12-6 thanks to a Commodore defense that kept the game close. The defense forced four fumbles (recovering three) and snagged one interception during the first three quarters of the game. Cornerback Andrew Pace accounted for two of the forced fumbles to go along with seven tackles, a pass break up and his first sack since his freshman campaign (2002). Strong safety Reshard Langford picked off a Tiger pass attempt — his second of the season — to go along with a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, a pass break up and nine tackles. Linebacker Moses Osemwegie recorded 11 tackles on the night (all solo) to post his third double-digit tackle total this season.
Commodore Starters
Junior Ray Brown earned his first start of the season — and second of his career — at defensive tackle. This season, Brown, who started last year versus Rutgers, has been slowed by a foot injury early in the season.
First Half Scoring Highlights
Trailing 7-0 with 5:33 left in the initial quarter, Vanderbilt allowed its first safety since the Georgia game last year when LSU defensive end Chase Pittman sacked Jay Cutler in the end zone? With 4:33 left in the first quarter, senior cornerback Andrew Pace gave the Commodores their first big play of the game, forcing a fumble by Tiger tight end David Jones. The fumble was recovered by redshirt freshman Reshard Langford. Four plays later, freshman Bryant Hahnfeldt converted on a 36-yard field goal. It was Hahnfeldt’s ninth field goal of the season, two more than the Commodores made all of last year. On LSU’s next possession, Pace caused a second Tiger turnover by forcing a fumble by LSU receiver Xavier Carter. Senior linebacker Moses Osemwegie had the recovery, his second of the season? The Commodores forced a third Tiger turnover with 7:23 left in the second quarter when Langford intercepted a JaMarcus Russell pass attempt. Langford returned his second interception of the season 27 yards.
With the Commodore offense providing little production, the bend-but-not-break defense kept Vanderbilt in the game during the first half. By limiting the Tigers to nine first half points, Vanderbilt held an opponent to 10 or fewer first half points for the fifth time this season.
Second Half Scoring Highlights
The Vanderbilt defense caused another huge play to open the second half when Pace sacked Russell and forced a fumble that was recovered by senior tackle Ralph McKenzie with 12:01 left in the third quarter. The Commodores closed the margin to 9-6 by converting a 48-yard field goal. It was a career long by Hahnfeldt and the longest by a Commodore kicker since John Markham hit a 52-yarder five years ago against Duke (Sept. 23, 2000). LSU went on to outscore Vanderbilt 22-0 in the final quarter. Hahnfeldt recorded a career-long and team season-long 55-yard punt inside the one-yard line in last two minutes of the contest. Vanderbilt ended the game with 25 yards rushing. The total is the lowest since Alabama shutdown Vanderbilt to minus-26 yards on Sept. 12, 1998. Commodore quarterback Jay Cutler was limited to 113 yards passing, connecting on 11-of-32 pass attempts, since a 34-17 loss to Florida on Nov. 6, 2004. Cutler missed portions of that game due to injury. Fullback Steven Bright returned to action after missing two games. He caught one pass for 31 yards.
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