Sept. 15, 2012
Final Stats | Postgame Quotes | Notes | 
Russell’s Photos | Howell | Green | AP
Franklin | Stacy, Jelesky, Boyd | Wilson, Thomas | Alma Mater | National Anthem
Highlights 1 | Highlights 2 | 
Fisher’s Report | Play of Game | 
VU Runs Wild
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Looking for its first win of the season, Vanderbilt put together a dominating performance Saturday, defeating Presbyterian 58-0 at Vanderbilt Stadium.
Quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels made his first start as a Commodore, and helped Vanderbilt’s offense move up and down the field with ease, gaining 605 yards of offense. Vanderbilt did not punt until seven minutes were left in the game, doing most of its damage on the ground, where the Commodores gained 410 yards. VU improved to 1-2, while Presbyterian fell to 1-2.
Zac Stacy totaled 174 yards on eight carries. Brian Kimbrow had 137 yards on 14 carries. It marked the first time Vanderbilt had two running backs rush for more than 100 yards since 2009. Wesley Tate also had two rushing touchdowns and Warren Norman added another. For Norman, he received his first carries since the 2010 season, finishing with 26 yards on eight attempts.
Carta-Samuels finished 13-of-20 passing for 195 yards on one touchdown. Chris Boyd had four catches for 90 yards.
“This was a great win for us,” Vanderbilt Head Coach James Franklin said. “We are 1-0 this week. We’re undefeated in the 2012 season that started today.”
Stacy got the scoring started with a career-long 86-yard touchdown run on the team’s first offensive play of the game. The senior running back did most of his damage in the first half totaling four carries for 140 yards.
The Commodore defense completely shut down Presbyterian’s offense for the game, but especially in the second half. Presbyterian managed only two first downs (one offensive) and 22 yards of offense during the entire second half.
Presbyterian’s lone scoring threat came with just over two minutes left in the first half. On third-and-goal, Presbyterian quarterback Tamyn Garrick was intercepted in the end zone by senior cornerback Trey Wilson, who then escaped a tackle and raced 100 yards for a Vanderbilt touchdown. Instead of Presbyterian cutting into the lead right before halftime, the Commodores regained all the momentum with a 27-0 lead at the break.
As a team, the Commodores played mistake-free football. Vandy committed zero turnovers and had only four penalties, while also giving up zero sacks on the day.
With Vanderbilt up 58-0 in the fourth quarter John Townsley entered the game at quarterback for Carta-Samuels. Jordan Rodgers did not play.
It was VU’s largest shutout since defeating The Citadel 58-0 in 1999.
Vanderbilt returns to the field Saturday when it travels to Georgia to play the Bulldogs at 6:45 p.m. CT on ESPN2.
