Nov. 18, 2006
Tennessee at Vanderbilt – Nov. 18, 2006
Nashville, Tenn. – Attn: 39,773
General Notes
– With the 39-10 loss to Tennessee, Vanderbilt goes to 4-8 on the season. The Commodores conclude the season 1-7 in Southeastern Conference play.
– Jared Fagan (R-So.) earned his first start of the season at cornerback. He has started once previously – in the 2005 season opener at Wake Forest.
– Early in the second quarter, Vanderbilt took the lead 7-6 on a 15-play, 92-yard touchdown drive. The drive was capped by a seven-yard pass from Chris Nickson (R-So.) to George Smith (R-So.). The drive was Vanderbilt’s longest of the season in terms of time of possession. It was the 15th TD pass for Nickson, and Smith’s third TD catch.
– Earl Bennett finished with four catches for 16 yards. He finishes the season with 82 receptions, (2nd all-time by Commodore) and 1,146 yards (2nd all-time on team) and six touchdowns. Bennett’s single season total of 82 receptions total ranks seventh all-time by a Southeastern Conference receiver.
Through two seasons, Bennett is the SEC’s most prolific receiver in terms of total receptions (161). He closes the season tied for 18th all-time among receivers in the SEC. Bennett also ranks fifth all-time among Commodores in receiving yardage (2,022)
– Chris Nickson completed 10 of 23 passes, for 97 yards, a touchdown. He threw two interceptions. He also topped the Commodores with 44 rushing yards. Nickson ended the season completing 160 of 292 passes for 2,085 yards (2nd all-time by a Vanderbilt sophomore QB) and 15 touchdowns (2nd all-time by VU sophomore).
– Curtis Gatewood (R-Jr., DE) contributed his team-high seventh quarterback sack early in the fourth quarter. On the play, he forced and recovered a fumble. It marks the most by a Commodore defender since Jovan Haye posted 8.5 sacks in 2003.
– Patrick Johnson (R-Sr., PK) concluded his Commodore career by making a 21-yard field goal. It was his first attempt of the season.
– Two Commodores – Chris Johnson (R-Fr., LB) and Thomas Welch (R-Fr., OT) – did not dress due to a violation of team rules, according to Head Coach Bobby Johnson.
