Sept. 2, 2016
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Vanderbilt – South Carolina Postgame Notes
Sept. 1, 2016
Vanderbilt Stadium
Pregame Notes
– Vanderbilt is in its 127th year of organized football.
– The Commodores wore all white in the season opener, donning white helmets, uniforms and pants.
– South Carolina won the toss and elected to receive.
– Attendance was 30,304 for the home opener.
– Vanderbilt captains for the game were Trent Sherfield, Tommy Openshaw, and Oren Burks.
Team Notes
– Vanderbilt opened the season at home for the eighth straight season dating back to 2009.
– The Thursday night season-opener was the fifth straight for VU.
– The Commodores’ first game of the season also served as the team’s SEC-opener for the first time since 2013.
– Tommy Openshaw’s 36-yard field goal in the first quarter was the first field goal by Vanderbilt since Oct. 24, 2015, against Missouri.
– In the first quarter, Vanderbilt won the time of possession battle 11:11-3:49. The Commodores ran 18 plays to the Gamecocks nine.
– This is the second-consecutive opener in which the Commodores have shut out their opponent in the first half.
Individual Notes
– LaDarius Wiley, Jared Pinkney, and Kalija Lipscomb earned their first career starts.
– Bailey McElwain, Kalija Lipscomb, Reid Nelson, Khari Blasingame, Joejuan Williams, Donaven Tennyson, and Sam Loy saw their first action as Vanderbilt Commodores against South Carolina.
– Kalija Lipscomb was the first starting true freshman WR since Jordan Cunningham (at Florida, 11/9/2013). Other recent true freshman WR starters include Jonathan Krause (2010), Jordan Matthews (2010) and Earl Bennett (2005).
– C.J. Duncan’s 16-yard reception in the first quarter was his first since November 22, 2014, against Mississippi State.
– Khari Blasingame ran in for a one-yard touchdown in the 2nd quarter, the first of his career and the first touchdown on the season for the Commodores.
– Ralph Webb tallied his team-high 25th consecutive start for the Commodores.
– Charles Wright picked up his first career fumble recovery in the second quarter.
– Kalija Lipscomb hauled in his first career catch on a 15-yard pass from Kyle Shurmur at the end of the 3rd quarter for a first down.
– Zach Cunningham tallied 12 tackles against the Gamecocks. It is his fifth straight double-digit tackle game and 10th of his career.
– Cunningham totaled three tackles for loss, his eighth game with two or more.
– Oren Burks tallied six tackles on the night, his 13th game with five or more.
– Burks forced his second career fumble in the second quarter when he stripped the ball from QB Brandon McIlwain.
– LaDarius Wiley set a career-high in tackles with four, his previous high was three on Nov. 7, 2015, against Florida.
Offensive Notes
– Ralph Webb carried 12 times for 45 yards in the first half. He finished with 97 yards on 20 attempts.
– The Commodores finished with 169 rushing yards, their 14th consecutive game rushing for at least 100 yards.
– Vanderbilt had zero turnovers against the Gamecocks, a feat achieved twice last season.
Defensive Notes
– Forced three three-and-outs in seven drives in the first half.
– Two turnovers in the first half forced by the ‘Dores.
– VU held the Gamecocks to 88 total yards in the first half.
Special Teams Notes
– Tommy Openshaw’s 36-yard field goal in the first quarter was the first field goal by Vanderbilt since Oct. 24, 2015, against Missouri.
